Canteen System Assistance Notes

The Eighth Route Army has been simulating the battlefield situation for a whole day. After everyone has finished dinner, the next round of "virtual war" is ready to begin.

The CEOs were already very familiar with the electronic sandbox simulation program created by the Border Region's "Three Musketeers" of programming and the Industrialization and Standardization Bureau. As soon as the meal was over, everyone was already in their positions, ready. This time, Liu Mingzhao and Zhang Hao would play the Japanese army, while Guo Junying would play the Nationalist army, each deploying their forces around the Zhongtiao Mountains.

Compared to the tight, cautious Japanese strategy played by Yang Jisheng and Wei Zhengmin last time, the Japs played by Liu Shuai are more cunning and agile, imbued with the cunning of wolves and the bravery of tigers. At the outset of the battle, Liu Shuai deployed his search regiment and cavalry, using their high mobility and combat effectiveness to obscure the Nationalist reconnaissance team.

When Guo Junying's plan failed, the Nationalist army fully utilized its manpower advantage, deploying a rigorous array of defensive lines and field fortifications, employing Wei Junru's signature defense-in-depth tactics. However, with their intelligence advantage and no longer limited in manpower, the Japanese army seized the intersections between the Nationalist army's various units and explored the hidden differences in their combat power. Immediately, the 27th Division, designated as the most powerful, broke through the defensive territory along the Yellow River east of Zhongtiao Mountain under the cover of field howitzers. With a powerful right hook, the 27th Division directly surrounded the Nationalist 9th Army.

"The Ninth Army is surrounded and is considered to be in disarray—Guo Jiqiao leading the troops? Haha, he'd be more like Yuan Datou!"

General Zhu stopped the staff officer who was about to assess the morale of the troops. "He used to be known as the 'Great Ocean Division Commander,' and he's fond of hiding money. Unless the Japanese can see through their eyes and send troops to intercept his convoy transporting his contraband, there's no way they can stop him from escaping! If the general leaves, the Ninth Army will inevitably collapse."

Next, General Liu ignored the defeated Ninth Army and used part of the Fourth Cavalry Brigade as the vanguard. He then released the remaining reserves of the Japanese army and launched a fierce attack from east to west. He also continued along the road to attack the rear of other national army troops that were still holding on.

Finally, 20 days after the battle began, the Japanese army under the command of Liu Shuai shattered the 20-strong defense force of the Zhongtiaoshan Nationalist Army at a lower cost than Yang Jisheng.

Forced to evacuate...

When the clock pointed to 5 o'clock the next morning, the simulation and analysis meeting on the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain finally came to an end.

In round after round of simulations, the staff, with the help of a random number generator, simulated as many battlefield situations as possible, assuming various scenarios for the Nationalist and Japanese armies, and even our own army. Although this simulation could not reproduce even half of the real battlefield, it was ultimately able to deduce a basic conclusion:

When facing a Japanese combat force of 10, even with the participation of our army, unless all the currently mobilized forces of the Eighth Route Army were mobilized to launch a full-scale attack on the Japanese army in Shanxi Province at all costs, and the various war zones of the National Army also fully and unreservedly cooperated with our army; otherwise, the historical outcome of the Zhongtiaoshan Campaign would be almost impossible to change.

Our army's battle deployment is still planned based on the assumption that the Kuomintang army will fail in the battle, or even suffer a disastrous defeat.

But should we retain our strength and concentrate on defending our base? This was an idea that was raised at the meeting.

-———-—-—

Comrades, our 'KMT-CPC cooperation to jointly resist Japan' wasn't just empty talk; it was our fundamental policy. Chiang Kai-shek, on his side, practiced divide and rule internally, leaving the fighting to the miscellaneous warlords while the Central Army seized territory. He, on the other hand, practiced the principle of pacifying the interior before resisting foreign aggression, constantly creating friction and conflict. It seemed Chiang Kai-shek had the upper hand, but what was the result? Internal factions abounded, and the "unmoved, unmoved, friendly forces in distress" attitude prevailed. Their Central Standing Committee meetings were a mess, a riot of jokes. But now that things had come to this, Chiang Kai-shek had no choice but to eat the half-cooked rice.

The Chairman lit a Worker-Peasant-Soldier cigarette, leaned back in his chair, and said slowly:

"We cooperate with the Kuomintang in order to make them more like the Communist Party, but we must not cooperate with them to become like the Kuomintang! We Communists,

We must keep our word. We will not engage in such political schemes as Chiang Kai-shek did.

count. "

The room was already filled with secondhand smoke, and the Chairman's cigarette was no exception. However, by this time, no one else was smoking, and everyone was quiet.

Listening to the Chairman's speech, he took out a laser pointer and pointed it at the projected

The map indicates:

"Looking at the Japanese, Itagaki's calculations, I think they are also very smart, and they know how to take advantage of the weak. In his view, going to Zhongtiao Mountain is a sure win.

He will definitely be promoted to a higher position, and the emperor will also give him a big medal.

Later, if he entered Zhongtiao Mountain, he could stabilize Shanxi, free up troops, and threaten our Jin-Cha-Ji base.

"Now, we are also a stable revolutionary regime with a solid rear area. We need industrial production, people's livelihood, and farming and harvesting. He came in to raid and sabotage.

I thought that if this goes on, you will not be able to bear it, but the masses will not be able to bear it.

It's a poke in our spine. Itagaki is just making this wishful thinking, and we just can't let him have his way."

The long deduction made the Chairman's tone a little tired, but his spirit was still full, just like the sun rising outside the window:

Chiang Kai-shek claimed to be the main force on the front lines. He claimed that comparing who had more territory, who ruled more people, or who had suffered more casualties was irrelevant. If Chiang Kai-shek wanted to compete, he should have also compared who had eliminated more enemies and who had recovered more territory.

"I think we are now organized into field regiments and field divisions, and will later be organized into field armies. We are very strong, and the local troops add up to hundreds of thousands. In many places,

The Japanese and puppet troops who were mopping up the area had already formed an advantage, but they had not yet played outside.

I have been there and fought against the Japanese divisions and regiments.

Comrade Xiao Liu said it quite well then, "With great ability comes great responsibility. Our comrades, especially the senior commanders present here, must also consider turning this place into a frontline position to contain and destroy more enemies. We want to overthrow the three mountains and eliminate imperialism, but no one will rush before us, waving the flag and shouting for us as a vanguard!"

"Then we must first break away from the stalemate locally and partially, and start a strategic counterattack. Later, we will launch an all-out strategic counterattack and blow the clarion call to eliminate Japanese imperialism!" The Chairman finished smoking the cigarette, brought out his signature fearless tone, and made a strategic judgment.

"Don't underestimate Itagaki because he has an army of over 100,000. He only has a lot of dung and paint on it, and it looks good on the surface! We also know how the Japanese, who came all the way to invade, fared in North China.

"They wanted to annihilate us and destroy China in three months, but after more than three years of fighting, we have become even stronger. They wanted to requisition food and fodder locally, but we mobilized the masses to fight against them, forcing them to return empty-handed, even with considerable casualties. They wanted to recruit surrenders and traitors and expand the puppet army, but we worked on the Anti-Japanese United Front while fighting those who colluded with the enemy. Now, their attempt to bribe Yan Laoxi has failed.

"Food, ammunition, and soldiers all need to be shipped in. Every time we go out on a raid or a campaign, we lose money. Now it seems Itagaki's money is running low. He's like a poor family, tearing down the east wall to patch up the west wall, and the remaining space needs to be propped up with sticks - so we still use the old method, 'He fights his fight, I fight mine.' He repairs the west wall and waits for us to hit it, but we hit his east wall, forcing him to tear down the west wall to patch up the east wall again...

"If this happens two more times, his dilapidated house won't be able to be repaired and will collapse!"

Chapter 330: Dark Clouds Over the City (2) Itagaki's Concerns

When Itagaki Seishirō, who was far away in the city of Taipei, was deploying his troops, he was really doing what the Chairman said, robbing Peter to repair Paul. But in a sense, it was not as good as what the Chairman said: the former Japanese Army Minister and current commander of the North China Front Army did not have the confidence that "the army is in hand and victory is in the grasp", but was caught in anxiety.

With over 100,000 troops, over eight divisions, and multiple strategies planned by his staff, if he followed battlefield experience, this would be enough to defeat a Nationalist force of over 200,000 and capture a heavily defended city. Although the terrain in the Zhongtiao Mountains was closed, with only a few roads open for attack, the Nationalist troops stationed there were only about 200,000, a mere two to one, posing no real threat.

What's more, the troublesome Wei Junru had been transferred away by Jiang from Shancheng.

This should have been the result of two happy things, but instead of getting double the happiness, Itagaki Seishirō became even more anxious.

According to his previously planned "three-step" strategy, Itagaki had successfully completed the first step: luring Yan Baichuan to surrender and driving a wedge between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Although the final outcome was somewhat different from his expectations, with the sowing of discord leading to the death of Yan Baichuan, it did not prevent him from embarking on the second step of his plan: the capture of Zhongtiao Mountain.

According to the pre-planned plan, Itagaki Seishirō began to ask his staff to plan the plan and deploy troops, while at the same time he called in Heigo Tsuchida, an expert in mountain warfare and guerrilla warfare, hoping that the special assault team trained and led by Tsuchida could go deep into the Eighth Route Army base to carry out sabotage operations, decapitate the Eighth Route Army command organization, and throw it into chaos so that it would not be able to affect the development of the Zhongtiao Mountain Campaign.

However, these infiltration operations failed to achieve the desired effect, and instead, Tsuchida himself was killed, with his body ultimately unrecoverable. With deep sorrow, Itagaki could only apply for a special promotion and a pension for him, commemorating this "imperial warrior" who had perished alongside the enemy by detonating a methane bomb.

Now, the staff's operational objectives necessitated allocating more troops to target the Jinsui and Taihang bases on the flanks of Zhongtiao Mountain. Itagaki then encountered his first problem: insufficient troops. Yes, insufficient troops.

Despite having replenished the army with five divisions' worth of new recruits, the prolonged attrition had already overwhelmed the North China Front Army. Vacancies in various units needed to be filled, and the independent mixed brigades, which had been reduced to mini-divisions, needed new recruits. While five divisions might seem like a lot of men, once they were spread across the land of North China, they would disappear in an instant, like water on sand.

The First Army, the main force of this operation, had lost a regiment of the 36th Division, artillery, and search regiment in the previous encirclement and suppression operation, and had just been replenished.

The 12th Army in Lu Province now needs to face the mountain troops led by 101

The Eastern Eighth Route Army did not have much mobile forces - in fact, its forces were so scarce that the threat posed by the Japanese was not as great as that posed by the puppet army and the stubborn enemy" (Statement 101). The Mongolian troops were mainly composed of cavalry, and they did not have enough manpower themselves, so naturally they could not withdraw personnel to provide support.

In this case, Itagaki Seishirō could only find a way to deploy reinforcements from the North China Front Army's own direct troops.

However, the three divisions and four independent mixed brigades under the North China Front Army (which are being reorganized into divisions) also have their own defense areas and their own security tasks.

The 1st and 8th Independent Mixed Brigades (reformed

Organized into the 50th and 57th Divisions), more than half of their troops were wiped out in the encirclement and suppression campaign. Now they have a high proportion of new recruits and lack the crucial field artillery regiment and search regiment, so they can only be used as a reserve force.

The 35th Division repeatedly patrolled and attacked the Eighth Route Army in the Shangdang area to ensure the security of the occupied area, and could not easily escape. The 110th Division, the only four-unit division, had already taken on the defense of the Pinghan Railway, which far exceeded its capabilities, and needed the 106th Division transferred from Central China to fill in the gaps to maintain public order.

How could our mighty North China Front Army, after fighting a small battle in Zhongtiao Mountain, be reduced to the predicament of having few troops to mobilize?

Itagaki Seishirō felt deeply that the situation facing the entire front was like a slowly tightening string, which might snap at any moment. Helplessly, he could only issue an order to activate the 27th Division stationed in the Tianjin area.

The 27th Division, in a sense, served as the reserve division for the entire North China Expeditionary Force, boasting a well-organized structure. Aside from its engagements against the Red Army in eastern Hebei, it had not experienced significant losses in security operations, and its combat effectiveness was quite strong. Simply by reducing the pressure on the Red Army in eastern Hebei during this period and deploying the 64th Division (formerly the 15th Independent Mixed Division) stationed in Sijiucheng to assist, it could be deployed at near-full strength.

But that’s not enough!

在凑齐了第一军的36、37、65、41和58师团，华北派遣军的第50、27师团和骑兵第四旅团一部，以及第12军勉力抽调而来的21师团一部，凑足8个师团又1个旅团的明面兵力之后，司令部的参谋们依旧给出了一个鬼畜的结果:兵力还是不太够。

Because of the closed terrain of Zhongtiao Mountain and the fixed attack route, the commander in charge of defense only needs to coldly arrange defensive positions in multiple layers to greatly slow down the speed of the attacking troops; if the attack is only in one direction, the 20 defensive troops on the interior will gather like a tide, blocking the width of the battlefield on the defense line.

Even if the Imperial Army broke through one, two, or three lines of defense, the enemy could destroy the roads and retreat to the next line of defense, trading space for time. By then, the Imperial Army's ever-extending logistics and losses would kill them without even the Chinese army attacking.

What's more, if the battle drags on, the Eighth Route Red Army will inevitably complete its assembly and attack the Imperial Army - at that time, the situation will become unpredictable.

In fact, Wei Junru had done the same thing before. This simple and plain tactic was indeed very suitable for the National Army, and it really hit the weakness of the Japanese army's poor logistics. It worked every time and was very useful, defending the Zhongtiao Mountain area for several years.

The staff devised two strategies. The first was to launch a major offensive from multiple directions with real breakthrough potential, thus preventing the Nationalist army from coordinating its front and rear, dispersing its forces, and reducing the density of defenses encountered in any single direction. The second was to organize a powerful force with sufficient breakthrough capability, significantly enhancing its firepower. This would allow it to quickly break through the enemy's immediate vicinity before the Nationalist army could assemble, penetrate the enemy's soft central zone, and directly decapitate its command structure, causing the entire enemy force to collapse.

Of course, in order to win quickly and avoid complications, the staff suggested that it would be best to take a two-pronged approach and prepare for both situations.

More troops, stronger breakthrough capabilities, and more firepower?

Due to the Japanese's misunderstanding of armored units, Itagaki Seishirō didn't immediately consider bringing in tanks. He was like a poker player, hesitating over his cards, searching for the right combination.

Firepower wasn't a problem. The North China Expeditionary Army boasted a significant strategic force: the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. This unit was equipped with 15mm and 10.5mm howitzers. One of its regiments could be deployed to any breakthrough area that needed reinforcement. By linking up the division-level mountain and field artillery, the Imperial Army in that area would receive powerful, multi-layered firepower support, creating a decisive artillery advantage over the Nationalist Army, which relied solely on mountain artillery.

In addition, with some aerial "tactical guidance" from the 3rd Flying Division, the firepower was foolproof.

The key is people. Itagaki tapped his fingers and thought, where can I find people? Or, where can I find a unit with strong combat effectiveness and strong desire to fight? Paying soldiers full wages like Tsuchida Heigo did is certainly a good idea, but if it is rolled out, the North China Army naturally cannot afford it.

"If they do, maybe."

After thinking for a while, Itagaki Seishirō thought of a troop. He pressed the doorbell, called his orderly in, and began to draft a telegram to the headquarters: he wanted to apply for the use of a temporary reinforcement force, change his original combat plan, and serve as temporary external aid; and as a former army minister, Itagaki could ensure that this report could be directly sent to the highest decision-making level and reviewed by the leader personally, so that it could "reach the ears of the emperor directly."

"Departing from the Magic City, instead of mobilizing via the Jinpu Road, it would be better to take a ship directly and land at Jieshi Island. Well, then we will mobilize with the 27th Division to participate in the main offensive on the eastern battlefield."

He dropped his pen, leaned back in his armchair, and breathed a long sigh of relief, as if the long-lasting pressure had finally been relieved.

"The Imperial Guards Brigade! One of them is even known as the Ominous Regiment... Ha, let's see if this Ominous Regiment can wash away the shame of the past."

Chapter 331: Dark Clouds Over the City (3) National Army Prepares for War

Wars often begin with strategic planning. To some extent, this strategic planning determines who will take the initiative on the battlefield. During this process, the Eighth Route Army draws on information gathered by its intelligence system, conducting deductions and simulations to draw their own conclusions. The Japanese, as the initiators of the campaign, mobilizes troops and advances their own preparations.

As for the Nationalist Army, the Nationalist Army is probably just slacking off.

In the original time and space, the Nationalist Army's intelligence work against Japan during the War of Resistance could not be said to be completely absent. This was because their own major intelligence systems rarely cooperated, and they were more proficient in assassination and sabotage than intelligence work—to some extent, in the form of "chicken soup for the soul"—also, the Nationalist Army's own telegraph code was almost equivalent to plain text, and they lacked the ability to intercept Japanese telegrams on a large scale. Even if intelligence was obtained by a few elite codebreakers, it would be intercepted by the Japanese during the telegraph calls between other Nationalist departments and then used against them.

However, it is not particularly appropriate to say that the National Army's intelligence work on Japan was completely slacking off. For example, the National Army's Military Commission did infiltrate and gather intelligence on the puppet army. After all, no matter which historical line, the large-scale military mobilization of the Japanese army is always difficult to hide from the puppet army: if the Japanese attack force is small, it needs the cooperation of the puppet army.

Then naturally the puppet army will also receive orders to prepare in advance; if a certain battle

The puppet army didn't need to go to the front lines during the war, but because the main force of the Japanese army was gathering, the puppet army always had to adjust its deployment to fill the vacancies of troops in the security battle. Therefore, in June 1940, Guofu began to receive fragments of information about the Japanese army's troop movements.

For example, the puppet army in Langya City (Wang Xizhi's hometown) reported that the 21st Division of the Japanese Army stationed there had recently counted its equipment, assembled and set off to advance westward, while a part of the 4th Cavalry Brigade located in Bianjing (the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty) also took a train from the newly opened railway to Xinxiang.

At the same time, the 38th Army and the 98th Army of the National Army stationed in Dongfeng and Shimen areas of Zhongtiao Mountain reported that they had recently discovered that small groups of Japanese troops were actively active, "intending to infiltrate the Zhongtiao Mountain area and spy on military intelligence."

Based on this, the Military Commission made an intelligence judgment: "In recent days, the Japanese invaders have been gathering troops and moving eastward, and seem to have the intention of invading us within this month." However, the Military Commission also attached the front-line feedback from Tang Keqin and Zhang Benyao's troops, believing that "apart from local intrusions, the Japanese invaders have no intention of invading at present," and did not directly make a conclusion.

One—one—one—

"Commander Sun, telegram."

At the Fourth Army headquarters, there was a knock on the door of Commander Sun Shutang. Yao Jingchen, the head of the headquarters office, walked in, clutching a thick stack of telegrams. "Which telegram is this?"

Normally, wired and wireless telegrams were delivered to him by the signalmen, but this one was delivered personally by Director Yao from the office, so it was obviously something quite important. "From over there."

"Oh...you, go out for a moment, close the door, and stand guard at the door." Commander Sun said with an ambiguous "oh" and turned around to order his trusted guard to leave the room.

Seeing the door closed, he stood up from his chair and walked to the conference table.

He took the telegram and asked, "Which radio station did it come from?"

As a unit with close ties and cooperation with the Eighth Route Army, and a serious organization for the United Front, the fourth episode not only has a Workers' Committee and a Soldiers' Movement Committee, but also a radio station directly connected to the Eighth Route Army. On weekdays, to avoid being monitored by the Military Control Commission, this radio only sends and receives routine messages, and only starts receiving messages from the Eighth Route Army after receiving a special call sign.

Well, the first one is three shorts, short-long-long-short, long-long-short-long, and the last two shorts are sandwiched with a long - others don't know this call sign, it must be a telegram from over there

Yao Jingchen answered carefully in a low voice, "I didn't even let the signalman

Take it, I did it myself and brought it to you after I finished translating it."

"Very good! If this gets out to others, it'll cause a lot of trouble." Commander Sun nodded. "Go call Song Qiyun and the others over, and we'll discuss this."

Major General Senator Song Qiyun, Office Director Yao Jingchen, and Intelligence Director Cheng Zishen formed Sun Shutang's elite team, capable of providing richer information and more effective advice than typical staff discussions. Furthermore, the telegram from "over there" was very long. The dense Morse code, translated into classical Chinese using a one-time notepad cipher, contained a vast amount of information, making it more like a compressed intelligence summary, requiring the collaborative analysis of multiple personnel.

Several team members worked together to report their intelligence on the headquarters map. Currently, in episode four, there are two Japanese units: their old rival, the 41st Division, and the newly formed 58th Division. While the 41st Division is constrained by its defense zone and will not attack in full force, the 58th Division (formerly the 9th Independent Mixed Division), originally stationed in Jinyang City, will likely be the primary attacking force, with its entire force deployed. This will bring the Japanese force's strength to over five regiments, and will undoubtedly be supported by field artillery, search regiments, and even Army aviation.

"Hiss... It's not easy to deal with. This isn't even the main attack direction of the devils, yet they already have such a strong force..."

Everyone began to feel a bit daunted. After all, while the Fourth Army boasted a "Group Army" and comprised two army-level units, the 38th and 96th Armies, its actual strength was barely over 30,000 troops, organized into just one division, two brigades, and two regiments. While the Nationalist forces stationed in Gaoluo also had the 43rd Army, its manpower was even lower than Zhao Shengling's 38th Army. Furthermore, it was comprised of old Shanxi Army units that had defected after the collapse of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, making it even less capable of fighting.

"Actually, they're quite optimistic about our ability to hold on. Our terrain is mountainous, with limited width, making it difficult for the Japanese to utilize their artillery and armor advantages. The weather and terrain are complex, making air support difficult for the Japanese... As long as we establish multiple layers of defense, we have a chance." Cheng Zishen slowly stated this fact. "But as for the outcome of this battle, although they haven't said it explicitly, I'm still... a little pessimistic."

After all, the brothers fought alone, but with their flanks and rear breached, they were ultimately powerless, unable to turn the tide. "Song Qiyun pointed to the Zhongtiaoshan defense zone on the map and said with a hint of disdain, 'Forget about anything else.' The 43rd Army on our flank is commanded by Commander Liang Chunpu, right? He's a native of Shandong Province, a ragtag group of the old Jin Army. He was just released from 'over there' along with Chen Jieshan, and now he's in charge of an entire army. How can he possibly control those Jin troops under his command...?

Silence spread throughout the headquarters. The enemy was powerful, our forces were weak, and our allies were unreliable. This situation was truly overwhelming. Everyone's attention turned to Commander Sun, who was staring at the map. At this point, whether to fight or not, and how to fight, was a decision that needed a leader.

"We came here to fight against the Japanese. Leading the charge and fighting bravely is our duty."

After pondering for a long time, Sun Shutang finally spoke.

"The Japanese invaders are powerful. Even if the situation is hopeless, we must prioritize the greater good and fight bravely. How can we retreat without a fight? With a major war imminent, we must prioritize national affairs." The commander of the ragtag group army set the tone for everyone and then fulfilled his leadership responsibilities. "I'll figure out a solution for the old man. Don't worry about that. We haven't received a transfer order yet, so let's ignore it. Our priority is to defend against the Japanese invaders.

"Fuzhen, you'll be responsible for the deployment of the defenses. Don't overload the front lines with troops. The Japanese are powerful. It's better for the brothers to dig more trenches and build fortifications so they can hold their positions. Also, set up more roadblocks and conduct strict inspections to prevent spies from infiltrating and gathering information."

"Understood." Song Qiyun responded briefly and saluted.

"Zishen, please strengthen the intelligence gathering work here. If we can't do it here, please ask Director Meng of the Working Committee to help. Leave the money and grain issues to me. I have offended so many people anyway, so this one time won't make a difference. In addition..." After thinking for a long time, he added,

"And Jingchen, go and pick a time in my name and invite Commander Zhao and Commander Li to come over. Tell them I'm treating them to a meal." Sun Shutang gave the final order.

"Man proposes, God disposes. Some things need to be prepared in advance."

Get ready…”

In this way, precious time for pre-war preparations gradually passed.