Comrade, Your Ingredients Are Too Complicated

Chapter 176 Yoshio Shinozuka: I want to rise up

After realizing that the gap between the enemy and ourselves was gradually narrowing, the Mongolian Army and the North China Front put aside their contempt and made sufficient preparations before the mopping up began.

 Attacking from the east to the west is a tactic that never goes out of style. Shun Tada and Masataka Yamawaki sent a large number of reconnaissance troops into northwestern Shanxi, posing as if they wanted to pick on the weak.

 In the eyes of the Japanese, the 120th Division was weaker than the other two armies.

 This matter cannot be blamed on Commander Hu. The main reason is that the people in the northern Shanxi region are barren and poor, and there are insufficient soldiers and food sources, which greatly limits the development of the army. Moreover, when they crossed the Yellow River eastward to join the war, one-third of the 120th Division's troops were left to guard the rear.

This strategy is simple, but it works.

With such a twist in his little life, the eyes of the Eighth Route Army headquarters were immediately attracted.

Taking advantage of this period of time, Yoshio Shinozuka ordered the 36th Division and the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade to disperse into dozens of small groups and sneak into the base area in southeastern Shanxi at night.

 When the time arrived on October 6, the Japanese began to assemble according to the standard of the brigade and began to attack towards the target in the original plan.

The enemy's tactics were very ruthless, and for a time it was like locusts passing through the border, leaving no grass growing wherever they went. This tactic was like a replica of the Hundred Regiment War, and for a while the Japanese really took advantage.

 Fortunately, after the Yuliao Battle, the deputy commander-in-chief was aware of the enemy's movements. The headquarters not only deployed a lot of troops on the periphery, but also relocated villages on the periphery of the base area.

 When the Japs of the First Army fully invaded, the territory of the 129th Division was continuously compressed, almost to the point of lack of room for maneuver.

 In this case, the main forces have almost no depth to advance the enemy and retreat. The previous strategy of luring the enemy deep and then gathering superior forces to eat the protruding part also failed.

However, the headquarters' response was very timely. In order to cover the retreat of the people in the base area, the deputy commander-in-chief proposed a side-stepping tactic. Even if the enemy attacks me, I will attack them back.

The 129th Division had an advantage in terms of military strength. Facing the Japanese raids, a small number of troops retreated with their fellow villagers, while most of the troops attacked the county seat occupied by Xiaori.

Although the troops taking the initiative will face the semi-permanent fortifications rebuilt by the First Army. But in order to ensure the safety of ordinary people, the soldiers did not hesitate.

Such flexible tactics force the enemy to return reinforcements. If the troops returning to reinforcements are small, they will be ambushed and destroyed.

If the main force of the Japanese army returns to support, the small group of troops sweeping up the base area will be accepted by the main force in the base area.

The enemy's attacking style of fighting made the Japanese in the First Army exhausted, and for a time the entire southeastern Shanxi Province was reduced to a pot of porridge.

　　——

 Taiyuan, the First Army Headquarters, Yoshio Shinozuka nodded frequently while looking at the telegrams sent back from the front line.

 According to the current situation, our troops are being led by the Eighth Route Army. But Haolai forced out the opponent's main force. From a long-term strategic perspective, their first army did not suffer losses.

After all, it is always easier to destroy than to build. If the people and their villages are gone, how can your Eighth Route Army develop?

What's more, the 36th Division and the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade fought according to the tactics directed by their superiors and achieved good results.

Had it not been for the large number of people on the other side and the timely support, they could even have eaten one or two thousand people.

Only half a day had passed, and his samurai had achieved such amazing results, which once allowed Yoshio Shinozuka to regain the feeling of leading the 10th Division in 1938.

Thinking of this, the old devil turned to look at the chief of staff aside, and said with emotion:

"Kusuyama-kun, now you understand the difference between yourself and the two commanders. When fighting on the territory of another country, you must show your most ruthless side."

“Almost all of the dozen or so brigades that were separated this time forced out the main force of the Eighth Route Army.”

“If one thing goes down, the enemy will be severely damaged, and the so-called base areas will be completely cleared by us.”

Yoshio Shinozuka seemed to have imagined that the villages were trembling under the iron hooves of his brother's warriors. This made him feel proud, as if the injustice he had suffered some time ago was all worth it.

The old devil came to the sand table and pulled out several small flags with his own hands based on the news sent back by the mopping up troops. Those all represented villages that had connections with the Eighth Route Army.

"Which brigade has not sent back any news yet? What is the progress of each unit?"

Hearing his commander’s question, the combat staff officer immediately ran over to answer.

“There are currently three units that cannot be contacted, namely the Okazaki Battalion of the 36th Division, the Yamazaki Battalion of the 36th Division, and the Yokokawa Battalion of the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade.”

Yoshio Shinozuka frowned, but soon returned to smiling. It was obvious that he didn't take this matter to heart.

As the troops continued to penetrate deeper, high mountains and electromagnetic fields seriously interfered with radio signals. There is no signal base station in such a remote place, so it is understandable that we cannot be contacted temporarily.

“Take the initiative to contact the other party and don’t stop! This mission is very important to the First Army, so there can be no accidents!”

“If the message has not been received after an hour, let Asakawa set off. Search according to the opponent’s previous trajectory! Live or die or see corpses!”

"Hi!"

 The half-day battle gave Yoshio Shinozuka confidence. Although he had to admit that the enemy had become stronger, the old devil did not believe that any Eighth Route Army could kill his own brigade silently.

 According to his arrangement, each unit provided reinforcements to each other. Even if a thousand pigs get into the enemy's ambush circle, they can definitely hold on until friendly forces arrive.

 After all, these are the elites of the First Army.

 Unless there is some fool who has lost his way and deviated from his own arrangements.

Thinking of this, Yoshio Shinozuka quickly shook his head and threw this outrageous idea out of his mind. They are all professional soldiers, how could they make such a stupid mistake.

　　——

 October 7th, 3 pm, Southeast Shanxi.

On a mountain trail in a certain lofty mountains, a group of Japanese soldiers just emerged from an unknown valley.

A young man dressed as a staff officer voluntarily left the team. He ran to a high place aside, opened the map in his hand, and then used the measuring tool he carried to compare the road he had just walked.

 After a while, the major was sweating profusely. He tremblingly pulled off his glasses because he was about to be beaten.

"Sir! We are on the wrong path! The troops' route is deviated 70 degrees to the east! It is at least 30 kilometers away from the original target!"

  If you are the commander of an army, the soldiers you lead are elite and have sufficient supplies and ammunition.

At present, you are ordered to perform a combat mission. As long as you follow the instructions from your superiors and reach the designated location, you can crush the ant-like enemies. Victory is almost waiting for you not far ahead. If you make great contributions, you will definitely be promoted and make a fortune.

 But at this moment, your most trusted combat officer ran over. He carefully told you that we had deviated from the route and most likely lost our way.

 It was impossible for anyone to stay calm in this situation, and Yamazaki had the most normal reaction.

He glared at his combat staff angrily, continued to accumulate strength in his right hand and made a half circle in the air, and slapped him hard!

This combat consultant is obviously an old man, and he has his own skills in getting beaten. Before the slap even reached his face, he tilted his head slightly to relieve his energy.

 After falling to the ground, the little devil couldn't get up and just trembled on the ground. For this mistake, it would not be too much to kill him. "Baga! 70 degrees? Do you dare to be more outrageous! If it's twenty degrees further, we'll be at the Shimen! How do you read the map!"

“Before the end of this mission, if you cannot be convicted and meritorious, I will definitely send you to a military court!”

 “Everyone, stop it!”

 In fact, getting lost is very common in the southeastern Shanxi area. After all, there are endless ravines, ridges and hills, and endless rolling hills.

There is no trace of the path underfoot, either the path taken by people or the path taken by wild animals. After a slight deviation, I don’t know where I turned.

And there is no reference here at all. You may walk for dozens of miles, but you will still see the same unchanging scenery. Except for the undulating hillsides, there are bare valleys.

The Japanese did not have navigation equipment of the same level as later generations, and the geographical knowledge of the combat staff was not very good.

But holding a map and looking at the contour lines, it is really outrageous to see that they are going in completely different directions.

But Yamazaki doesn't care about your reasons. Soldiers are very dangerous weapons, and the risks of fighting in the wild are unpredictable. If you are not careful, you will be defeated and die.

This sweep is like fishing with a big net. We all know there are fish in the pond, but where are they? Deep water and shallow water? have no idea.

 So it is necessary to rely on strict marching to form a tight network. The march of the troops has demarcated goals and routes. Each troop supports and cooperates with each other without any deviation.

 Deviations are loopholes, mistakes, and opportunities given to the enemy. In the history of war, are there many examples of people who were wiped out because they went the wrong way?

The troops have been walking for a long time, and you told me that they were lost. How can I not be angry?

 Who knows if you will lead the team into a ditch? What if we were ambushed by the Eighth Route Army?

 They are just a large team! The heavy weapons and ammunition that can be carried are quite limited. Once the troops go astray during the march, it is very likely to lead to a situation where the troops go deep alone.

In case of being discovered and surrounded by the opponent, the brigade will not be able to receive effective reinforcements from other friendly forces, which means the danger is approaching step by step.

“Send a message to headquarters immediately and report our current position.”

"I only give you ten minutes. If you can't find the way back, then commit suicide here."

Yamazaki has a sinister face and a fierce tone.

At the appointed time, the combat staff was sweating profusely. He really couldn't find the right way and was ready to die.

 But at this moment, a small team responsible for reconnaissance at the front of the team came back. The leading squad leader saved the staff officer's life. He saluted Yamazaki and reported excitedly:

“Report Lieutenant Colonel! We found a building complex nearly three kilometers ahead! It seems to be the Eighth Route Army Arsenal that General Shinozuka mentioned!”

As soon as these words came out, they immediately attracted the attention of everyone around him. Even the combat staff who was waiting for death raised his head.

 Yamazaki's face changed even more, as if the person who was about to execute his subordinates just now was not him, and a penetrating smile appeared on his ugly face.

Their brigade traveled day and night deep into the southeast of Shanxi. They searched here and there but could not find the main force of the Eighth Route Army, not even a militiaman with a gun.

 Nothing was harvested in one day, and there were no people in the villages we passed one after another.

It seemed that the people of the Republic of China had received some news in advance, which made him very distressed. Whenever he heard on the communication channel that other teams had achieved something, Yamazaki felt jealous.

but! Now is the time for them to show the majesty of the Japanese locust army.

  Normally, after discovering that the troops have deviated from the route, they must continue to retreat. But now that Yamazaki can't find his way back and has found his ultimate goal, he can only go forward.

“It seems that Amaterasu has always protected us. Unexpectedly, we found the enemy’s logistics department by mistake.”

 “Let’s go! Let’s go to the front and have a look!”

Yamazaki held the handle of his command sword and ran towards the commanding heights not far away.

On a seemingly secluded hillside, he discovered through his telescope that there was a group of abrupt buildings in the distance that were incompatible with the surrounding environment.

 There are a large number of staff there, as well as doctors and wounded soldiers.

 A large number of mule carts hauling supplies came and went, and Yamazaki even saw some Japanese-style trucks and three-wheelers.

“Hahaha! It seems that today is my lucky day! I have found all the Eighth Route Army hospitals, arsenals, and ammunition depots!”

 “I want all the credit for this time! Nitta-kun! It seems that not only did you not neglect your duty this time, but you also made great achievements!”

 “Everyone! Prepare to attack!”

Although the Japanese lieutenant colonel was extremely excited, his high tactical knowledge prevented him from forgetting to send a message to Taiyuan.

“Use this position to send a report to the division commander and headquarters! The Yamazaki Brigade of the 36th Division has an unexpected harvest and discovered the Eighth Route Army’s arsenal and hospital!”

“Our department is about to launch an attack! I hope all departments will actively cooperate! The enemy will definitely prevent me from destroying its arsenal.”

"Hi."

The staff officer quickly sent a telegram.

　　——————

 Taiyuan, First Army Headquarters.

After receiving the telegram, Kusuyama Hideyoshi quickly ran towards the war conference room. The old devil looked excited, as if he had gotten a big deal!

“Contacted the Yamazaki Brigade! They went the wrong way, but it was a blessing in disguise that they discovered the Eighth Route Army’s arsenal and hospital!”

Yoshio Shinozuka stood up suddenly, his eyes bright.

 Before, he always thought that someone was secretly helping the Eighth Route Army, and because of this, he used his connections to find friends in Europe.

However, recent intelligence shows that the enemy has ways to manufacture weapons, and the output is not low. It's just that our own intelligence network and spies have never found the specific location, and now they finally let him know.

 “Discovered the enemy’s arsenal?”

He quickly walked to the map behind him and ordered loudly:

“Let the 36th Division and the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade provide full reinforcements! We must capture this arsenal at all costs!”

 “Let Masaki Asakawa set off immediately! It’s time for him to perform! Blow it up as hard as possible!”

 “Get ready to send the battle report to General Tada Shun! I’m going to rise up!”

  There will be no casualties, don’t worry everyone

 (End of this chapter)