Rebirth of the Republic of China: The Rise of China

The Spring of the Kwantung Army

After listening to Prime Minister Inuyang's words, the happiest person in Nuoda's imperial hall is undoubtedly Lieutenant General Shigeru Honjo, the supreme commander of the Kwantung Army.Because, once this matter becomes a fact, the Kwantung Army will change from the weakest front army of the imperial army to the strongest front army of the imperial army.

Of course, the Kwantung Army with such a large number would never allow itself to be led by a small mid-term future.The current North Korea and the Kwantung Army are another place of right and wrong for the entire Japanese military circle.Lieutenant General Honjo Shigeru is confident that no general will go to North Korea to serve as the supreme commander of the Kwantung Army.The rank of general will fall on top of his head without any accident.

However, what surprised Lieutenant General Honjo Shige was that Prime Minister Inuyang attached much more importance to the Kwantung Army than what he just said.Just when Honjo Shigeru was full of longing for his future, Prime Minister Inuyang's voice sounded again in the hall.

"Your Majesty, with the pure infantry strength of the five field divisions under the Kwantung Army, it is far from being an opponent of the Chinese Ninth Army. Because, in the Chinese Ninth Army, our intelligence personnel also found a large number of armored troops and air forces." [

Seeing the shocked expression on Emperor Hirohito's face, Prime Minister Inuyang continued: "In order to further increase the strength of the Kwantung Army against China's Ninth Army, I believe that while increasing the infantry establishment of the Kwantung Army, we will also It is necessary to add a tank brigade, an independent heavy artillery brigade, and an aviation division to the Kwantung Army...>

"This...>

After a full minute of digesting the news.Emperor Hirohito reacted from the astonishment.Facing Prime Minister Quanyang, he asked back with a puzzled look: "Mr. Quanyang. Do you know what you are talking about?"

"Five field divisions, one tank brigade, one independent heavy artillery brigade, and one aviation division... This is almost one-third of the strength of the Imperial Army. Our Great Japanese Empire actually took out one-third of the army Doesn’t this conform to a Chinese saying: ‘Kill a chicken with a bull’s knife’?”

Emperor Hirohito's doubts are of course also the doubts of his colleagues around him.

After another salute to Emperor Hirohito, Prime Minister Inuyang said confidently, "I would like to inform you, Your Majesty, that the strength of the Kwantung Army has been strengthened to such an extent that it is not just to deal with a Chinese Ninth Army. It is for the whole of China." Northeast...>

Hearing this, the doubts on Emperor Hirohito's face became even stronger.Emperor Hirohito didn't like this kind of following other people's tunes very much. He asked bluntly: "Three voices in Northeast China, dog raising king, I don't understand. Is there any connection between the expansion of the Kwantung Army and Northeast China... >

"Yes, Your Majesty...>

After quickly sorting out the thoughts in his mind, Prime Minister Inuyang said: "Your Majesty, according to the intelligence, since China's Zhang Xueliang took over as the commander-in-chief of the Northeast Army, the combat effectiveness of the entire Northeast Army has been less than [-]% of that of Zhang Zuolin's period."

"In addition, Zhang Xueliang is far less tough than Zhang Zuolin in his attitude towards our Great Japanese Empire. After repeated analysis by the intelligence department, we have made a judgment: If our Great Japanese Empire sends troops to the Northeast at the right time, the wēixié of the imperial army will Next. In order to avoid triggering an all-out war between the two countries, the cowardly Zhang Xueliang will definitely give his subordinates an order not to resist...>

"And this time. It is the best time for our Great Japanese Empire to take the opportunity to occupy Shenyang, and even fully occupy the three northeastern provinces. Bring the three northeastern provinces of China under the rule of the empire."

"During the entire operation, the Kwantung Army, which is closest to the three northeastern provinces of China, is undoubtedly the best executor. Therefore, our real purpose of expanding the Kwantung Army is to take down the entire three northeastern provinces in addition to defending against China's Ninth Army."

As soon as Prime Minister Quanyang’s words fell, the chief of staff, Prince Gong Zairen, followed closely and said: “Your Majesty, I fully support the idea of ​​Quanyangjun: According to the information sent back by the Special High School, the underground offices in the three northeastern provinces of China The various mineral deposits buried can be described by the words 'immeasurable'."

"As long as we can win the three northeastern provinces of China, our Great Japanese Empire will no longer need to worry about the shortage of minerals. At the same time, after the land that is twice the size of the empire's mainland is brought under the rule of the empire, the economy of the entire empire will also It will grow at twice the current rate. At that time, neither the Imperial Navy nor the Imperial Army will need to argue over military expenses and resource issues. Therefore, for the sake of the three northeastern provinces, even if the Kwantung Army is expanded into ten field divisions , and before it's too late...>

Prince Gongzaijin's words still carry a lot of weight in Japan's top management.Even Emperor Hirohito, who was sitting on the throne, agreed noncommittally with the reasons given by the elders.

Therefore, this strategic policy, which is of great benefit to the navy, the army, and even the imperial economy, was truly confirmed by the Japanese cabinet.

At the same time, the wish of Lieutenant General Honjo Shigeru, the current commander of the Kwantung Army, did not fail.Lieutenant General Shigeru Honjo, who had been serving as a lieutenant general for several years without a general willing to go to North Korea to preside over the work of the Kwantung Army, was unexpectedly promoted to the rank of general and continued to serve as the supreme commander of the Kwantung Army ...

The Kwantung Army Command, because it has just been promoted to the rank of general.General Fan Fan of the village can be said to have a red face.Under the compliments of a group of subordinates, he walked slowly to the conference room and met with all the generals of the Kwantung Army.

"Stand up...>

Under the watchful eyes of all the generals, Shigeru Honjo stepped onto the "chairman" podium with great care.A pair of sharp eyes quickly scanned dozens of officers, large and small.General Honjo Fan with a smile on his face gave the order.

"Everyone, please sit down..."

Because this is the first enlarged meeting since the expansion of the Kwantung Army, plus many division heads.The head of the brigade arrived at the headquarters in advance.Report to Commander Shigeru Honjo.Therefore, to most of the generals sitting in front of him.General Honjo Fan, who has been staying in the Kwantung Army, is not very familiar with him.After carefully looking at the list that the Chief of Staff had just handed to him, General Honjo Fan spoke.

"You are all senior generals of the Empire of Japan, and they are the future of the Imperial Japanese Army. Now, since you have been assigned to our Kwantung Army by the military department, you are a member of our Kwantung Army. Therefore, I hope that all of you here can work hard with me , in the next time. Lead the Kwantung Army to glory..."

In the next few hours, under the introduction of the chief of staff, General Shigeru Honjo had an understanding and understanding with all the officers above the major general of the Kwantung Army.And it wasn't until this moment that General Shigeru Honjo, who hurried back from the country to the headquarters of the Kwantung Army, realized the current true strength of the Kwantung Army very intuitively.

After expansion, the Kwantung Army has a total of five field divisions under its jurisdiction, ranking first in the Imperial Army.Second, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Field Divisions.in.Each field division is the standard 5000 people, a total of 12 people...

In addition to the army units of the five field divisions, the General Command of the Kwantung Army is directly under a tank brigade.Under the jurisdiction of the two chariot wing.An independent heavy artillery brigade, under the jurisdiction of three heavy artillery regiments.An independent heavy artillery brigade.An aviation division has two fighter wings under its jurisdiction.A bomber wing...

After adding up all the troops, the total strength of the entire Kwantung Army directly exceeded an astonishing 15 troops.

After the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Kunizaki Koiso, nodded his head very politely, General Shigeru Honjo's slightly excited voice sounded again during the meeting: "Everyone, I believe everyone already understands the current situation of the Kwantung Army. Here, I can tell you with certainty that the Kwantung Army, which has been continuously strengthened by the military, will usher in a new round of glory with our joint efforts. Grow stronger and become a hero of the empire... >

"Next, let the division heads and brigade heads each introduce the situation of their own troops. At the same time, report to the headquarters how long it will take for the troops under their respective command to arrive at the Korean battlefield and officially join the Kwantung Army order of battle."

General Honjo Fan's voice fell, and the Lieutenant General of the First Division of the Empire, who was sitting in the first row on the far right, stood up first.After paying a military salute to General Honjo Fan, he opened his mouth to report: "Your Excellency, Commander, after supplementation from the military department, our First Division has a total of two infantry brigades, one field artillery regiment, and one engineering regiment. A cavalry regiment...the total strength is more than [-] people..."

"After the entire division has been strengthened by the military department, it has a total of heavy weapons under its jurisdiction: 105 12mm large-caliber howitzers... 75 36mm caliber field guns...>

"Because a branch of the First Division is stationed in Tokyo, together with the Imperial Guard Division, they will defend the safety of the Imperial Tokyo. Therefore, it will take at least three days from the assembly of the troops to the boarding of the ship...>

As soon as the head of the first division's voice fell, the lieutenant general of the second division stood up from his seat and began to report.

The result was no surprise. In order to cope with the terrifying firepower equipment of the Chinese Ninth Army, the Japanese military directly strengthened all the limited heavy weapons reserves in its hands to the five field divisions under the Kwantung Army.

In addition to the original heavy weapons, each of the five field divisions has strengthened an independent large-caliber howitzer brigade or mountain artillery brigade.Coupled with the strengthening of other light and heavy weapons, the firepower of the five field divisions under the Kwantung Army has directly increased by more than [-]% compared to the original.

While feeling excited, Lieutenant General Koiso Kunizaki, the chief of staff who was not clear about the Kwantung Army's final combat purpose, sitting next to General Honjo Shigeru, couldn't help expressing emotion: "Yo Xi, Your Excellency, Commander, from the five divisions Judging from the equipment situation, the real spring of our Kwantung Army has arrived. Such a powerful firepower equipment is not bad even against the most elite Ninth Army of the Chinese army...>

General Benzhuang Fan nodded noncommittally, and responded: "The chief of staff is right. The spring of our Kwantung Army has really come. I believe that the Kwantung Army will truly flourish in our hands... >

At this moment, Major General Ningji Okamura, the deputy chief of staff and chief of the intelligence section of the Kwantung Army, said: "Your Excellency Commander, Your Excellency Chief of Staff, we just listened to the report of the Army. According to the Kwantung Army's According to the expansion order issued, in addition to the five field divisions, the Kwantung Army Command also has several directly subordinate units. The combat effectiveness of these directly subordinate units should not be underestimated."

Saw sitting under the stage.Several senior generals who were eager to try, General Fan Fan of the village nodded understandingly, and said: "Mr. Gangcun is right. Next, I will invite the head of the army directly under the headquarters to introduce to you. Let’s take a look at the situation of our respective troops. In this way, let’s start with the Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade..."

"Hayi..." As soon as General Benzhuang Fan's voice fell, an artillery general with the rank of lieutenant general on his shoulders stood up from his seat very neatly and saluted.Opened the report.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Commander, according to the latest establishment given to us by the military department: my Second Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade has a total of one 150mm large-caliber howitzer wing, one 120mm caliber cannon wing, and one 205mm caliber independent heavy artillery brigade. However, in order to deal with the heavy artillery division under the Chinese Ninth Army, on the basis of the original establishment of the artillery brigade, the military department specially added a 150mm large-caliber howitzer wing to strengthen the artillery strength of our Kwantung Army...>

"As for the time when the Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade officially joined the Kwantung Army's combat sequence, everyone knows. All the equipment under the Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade is too heavy. It must be transported by car. In addition, the troops need to carry a large number of shells when they go abroad. , The entire transfer process may take a little longer. According to preliminary estimates, within half a month, all the equipment and personnel of the Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade will land in North Korea and officially enter the Kwantung Army's combat order...>

As senior generals of the army, these people are very aware of the importance of heavy artillery on the battlefield of land warfare.Especially for the 205mm heavy artillery brigade under the independent heavy artillery brigade, it can be said that when a shell weighing 180 kilograms explodes, with the point of impact as the center, all lives within a radius of 50 meters will be killed, even if they are not killed. Will be shocked to death by the huge shock wave generated by the shell explosion.

Then, a burst of sighs followed, and began to sound in the meeting room.

Everyone here is happy that the Kwantung Army can have such a powerful artillery unit.

In the hands of China's Ninth Army, General Honjo Shigeru, who has suffered from shelling, can also be described as excited at this time.Because, with the independent heavy artillery brigade and these large-caliber heavy artillery, I will be able to fight a tooth for a tooth on the battlefield against the Ninth Army in the future, and let the Chinese Ninth Army also taste the taste of being bombarded.

After some emotion, under the signal of General Honjo Shigeru, the Lieutenant General of the Second Imperial Tank Brigade stood up from his seat.He spoke to his colleagues and officers who were still immersed in excitement.

"Report to Your Excellency, Commander, and Chief of Staff. My Second Tank Brigade has two light tank regiments, an independent medium tank brigade, and an independent heavy artillery brigade. The whole brigade is equipped with a total of 250 light tanks. vehicles, 40 medium tanks, 10 armored command vehicles, 105 12mm caliber howitzers..."

In the battle a few days ago, although the Ninth Army did not dispatch chariots.However, it is no secret to Japan that the Ninth Army is equipped with tanks.Therefore, this chariot brigade was undoubtedly set up for the chariot troops of the Ninth Army.

Of course, even if the Ninth Army is not used, the vast plains of the three northeastern provinces of China are also very suitable for tank brigades to fight and make contributions to the empire...

After the tank brigade reported, the head of the Lieutenant General of the Sixth Aviation Division of the Empire immediately stood up from his seat.Kaikaihui reported: "Report to Your Excellency Commander, Your Excellency Chief of Staff, our aviation division has two fighter wings, one bomber wing, and one independent reconnaissance aircraft brigade. A total of 80 fighter jets, 40 bombers, and 15 reconnaissance aircraft are equipped. frame...>

Lieutenant General Shigeru Honjo, who suffered a big loss at the hands of the Ninth Army Aviation Corps, is also eager to see through the Imperial Air Force.As soon as the voice of the lieutenant general of the aviation division fell, the voice of General Honzhuang Fan rang out.

"Okay, our Kwantung Army's long-awaited aviation division finally has...>

"Miyamoto-kun, I will entrust you with the air protection mission of the hundreds of thousands of Kwantung Army troops from now on. I hope that the aviation division can seize North Korea's air supremacy in the shortest possible time. It will operate within North Korea's airspace All Chinese planes, all wiped out...>

Lieutenant General Miyamoto, with a proud face, replied subconsciously without even thinking about it: "Please rest assured, Commander, the aviation division promises to complete the mission...>