Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 404 A young man came to the North China Front Army Headquarters; the Japanese Army's strategic tactics reform

The North China Front Army Headquarters welcomed its new master.

That is the newly appointed commander of the North China Front Army, Tada Shun.

The first order issued by Tada Shun after taking office was to stop the attack on the Pingxingguan line.

As for the former commander of the Shanxi First Army, Yoshio Shinozuka, he did not receive any punishment from the headquarters.

It was as if he had been forgotten.

While the battle in northern Shanxi was going on.

There was also the Battle of Nomonhan, which took place on China's northeastern border.

The order and priority of the battle in northern Shanxi.

Actually not that high.

During this battle, the headquarters provided almost no assistance to the North China Front Army.

They are also in a state of panic.

The Japanese army today cannot withstand further turmoil.

The reason for all this is actually the 39-year land and sea dispute.

Yes.

The Japanese were also in a mess internally.

As for this round of land and sea disputes.

Actually, the story starts from the beginning of 39.

Shortly after the establishment of the Hiranuma Kiichirō cabinet, Army Minister Itagaki Seishirō proposed a plan to strengthen the anti-communist pact among Japan, Germany and Italy, and submitted it to the cabinet meeting as an important item of national policy.

Because of frequent war failures and the impact of the northward strategy.

This made the Japanese army eager to form a de facto military alliance with another major European country, the Germans.

And this idea.

It was fiercely opposed by the then Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonai and the then Navy Vice Minister Isoroku Yamamoto.

Let’s start with Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonai.

This person is changing faster.

Overall, he is quite twisted, but to put it nicely, he is quite sober and able to judge the situation.

When Japan's full-scale war of aggression against China officially broke out.

Since it had nothing to do with him, Mitsumasa Yonai advocated not escalating the situation.

As the Minister of the Navy, when answering questions from members of parliament in the Special Congress, he said on his own initiative: "The army's combat range will not exceed the Yongding River and Baoding line."

This also caused the Army Minister Sugiyama Gen, who was sitting next to him, to turn pale with anger.

That is the highest commander of the Japanese army in the Battle of Northern Shanxi, former commander of the North China Front Army, Sugiyama Hajime.

As for Isoroku Yamamoto.

This is a celebrity, so it is even more worth talking about.

This old devil has a very clear understanding of the future of Japan and its true enemies.

From the very beginning, Isoroku Yamamoto did not advocate the expansion of the war against China, which was the same idea as Mitsumasa Yonai.

Some even believe that such a war has no meaning and will only waste war resources.

The two had slightly conflicting ideas in 37 and 38.

Isoroku Yamamoto believed that Japan had only two enemies.

One is the Soviet Union and the other is the United States!
Never advocate expanding the war against China.

Unlike Isoroku Yamamoto.

From the very beginning, Mitsumasa Yonai did not advocate expanding the offensive against China.

Slowly, some changes took place.

As the Battle of Shanghai progressed smoothly.

Mitsumasa Yonai began to condone some actions of the Japanese Army, such as the capture of Nanjing.

Advocated using Germans to mediate the war with the Republic of China.

After Toddman's mediation, there was no possibility of peace talks in the short term.

He then turned to support expanding the offensive and later advocated supporting Wang Zhaoming's puppet regime.

and!

There is a more abstract point.

Mitsumasa Yonai supported the army's "northward" strategy.

But after the Battle of Zhanggufeng, he realized the gap in strength between the two sides and gradually gave up this idea.

Later, as the Minister of the Navy, he launched the Battle of Guangzhou and the Battle of Hainan Island.

For Mitsumasa Yonai, the purpose of occupying Hainan was to use it as a base for advancing southward into the Pacific Ocean and launching the Pacific War.

He also knew that the idea of ​​fighting Britain and the United States was ridiculous.

But he took this extremely dangerous step based on so-called common sense.

And consider it from the strategic thinking direction of "going north".

After turning south.

Mitsumasa Yonai did not support an alliance with the Germans.

Although the Minister of the Navy and the Deputy Minister of the Navy had some differences on some issues.

In terms of opposing an alliance with Germany, the basic idea was to avoid being involved in the Japan-US War.

Mitsumasa Yonai and Isoroku Yamamoto reached an offensive and defensive alliance.

This actually indirectly led to an even more intense struggle between the Japanese Army and the Japanese Navy.

originally.

Alliance with the Germans is the general trend and established national policy.

The Japanese Army's efforts to promote an alliance between the two sides should be very smooth.

But the Germans were unwilling to do so, and after dozens of talks without any results, they just gave up.

The Germans and Soviets have formed an alliance!

The army generals who had called for an alliance with the Germans remained silent at this time.

This group of Japanese army officers and soldiers were not satisfied with the lesson they received from the Soviets in the Nomonhan area, and they suffered the bitter consequences of war in the northern Shanxi region.

An independent tank brigade was basically wiped out.

The two mixed brigades that maintained their presence in the occupied areas were severely damaged.

Except for the main division which is still able to continue fighting.

At least in Shanxi, the Japanese army no longer actually possessed the corresponding competitiveness and combat effectiveness.

They want to continue to maintain the existence of the occupied areas and keep the strategic advantage in North China.

The Japanese are left with few options.

First, continue to mobilize additional troops from within the country, while cutting the navy budget and shifting the focus to army equipment and weapons production, as well as training. Although this will take a long time, it will not affect the combat effectiveness of the Kwantung Army in the end.

Second, elite soldiers were drawn from the Kwantung Army to reinforce the North China Front Army, and new soldiers were recruited from the country to fill the gaps in the Kwantung Army.

In any case, it is a further exploitation of war potential and another test of the national economic system.

And what about the navy?

Are they really happy with the current state of the Japanese Army?

Originally, maybe I was just thinking about watching the fun.

But as the situation changes further.

The 11th Army, used as a strategic army, failed to make the expected progress on the Changsha battlefield.

The navy was also gloomy.

The fundamental reason why they did not advocate an alliance with the Germans.

Just worried about fighting the Americans.

As for the deeper reasons.

Because they felt that their navy was no match for the Americans.

It was considered unacceptable for Japan and the Japanese Navy to be involved in this war.

To sum it up in one word, it's cowardice.

They also did not want to continue expanding the war of aggression against China.

They even encouraged peace talks between the two sides and used limited resources to build warships.

To welcome the more likely "Southward Strategy" in the future.

This is why.

The headquarters did not take the North China Front Army's battlefield defeat seriously.

After all, they have more important things to do.

They are engaged in the so-called "dispute over the foundation of the country" and the direction of national policy.

With the resignation of Mitsumasa Yonai, Isoroku Yamamoto was transferred to the position of commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet.

After the navy paid the corresponding price.

Army side.

It directly abandoned the strategy of "going north".

These little devils no longer thought about going to war with the Soviet Union.

And those generals who had been clamoring for war before also agreed with the base camp at this time.

Diplomats seeking peace with the Soviets will focus on the Chinese battlefield in the hope of ending the war early.

The battle on the Pingxingguan front ended after the Japanese army gave up the proactive offensive.

Huang Baitao's troops and Fan Hanjie's troops on the front line also strictly followed the combat orders issued by Chu Yunfei.

Did not take the initiative.

The two sides fell into a state of "peace" for a while.

They both looked like they didn't mind each other.

It is also a rare situation.

The North China Front Army Headquarters at this time.

The Japanese army made a corresponding summary of the battle in northern Shanxi.

Participating in this combat meeting.

There are also the "recovered" First Army Commander Yoshio Shinozuka, the 20th Division Commander Ushijima Sanetsugu, the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade Commander Tsuneoka Kanji, the 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade Commander Yanagishita Shigeharu, and the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade Commander Haruyoshi Momotake.

If you want to know qualifications, look at past resume.

All of these people can be called the "elite of our country."

But this is the lineup of famous generals.

He was repeatedly defeated by Chu Yunfei.

Yukio Kasahara, who had just been transferred to the North China Front Army as chief of staff, stood in front of everyone.

As a chief of staff, he had just taken on the job.

Before preparing meeting materials.

He also caused trouble for Major General Lin Canghui, the head of the Special Service Department, many times.

The two therefore have a good relationship.

Kasahara Yukio stood in front of everyone and continued to introduce: "According to the latest intelligence collected by the intelligence department, it is clearly pointed out that the organization of Chu Yunfei's troops is extraordinary."

"From the perspective of a basic tactical unit like the Chinese company, a main infantry company is equipped with at least thirty-six Thompson submachine guns, twelve grenade launchers, and more than two 60mm mortars."

"If it is an ordinary infantry company, the number of people and equipment will be moderately reduced, but the grenade launcher equipment will be retained, and its supporting firepower far exceeds that of our equivalent organization."

"Our squadron only has nine grenade launchers. Our firepower and range are inferior to the main infantry company of Chu Yunfei's troops in China."

"In terms of light and heavy machine guns, the enemy's current Maxim-like heavy machine guns have better firepower continuity and corresponding performance than our Type 92 heavy machine guns, and they also have a certain advantage in quantity." "Each of their squads is also equipped with a light machine gun, mostly Czech-made light machine guns made in Jin, if we count according to the number indicated in the intelligence."

"In the basic tactical unit of the company level, our army has only one-third of the number of light machine guns (most Japanese troops have nine light machine guns) of Chu Yunfei's main infantry company, and the number of heavy machine guns is basically the same."

When the Japanese army reorganized its troops.

The heavy firepower was used to suppress one-third of the reorganized troops of the National Army.

They knew almost everything about the national army.

So when troops of the same size fight.

Except that the elite Central Army's main force had slightly stronger machine gun firepower than the Japanese.

You're at a disadvantage in all other aspects.

Chu Yunfei also understood the Japanese army's combat thinking and knew how they should organize their troops.

It just happened to suppress the Japanese army.

At least in small-scale organized confrontations.

Although Chu Yunfei's troops were basically trained quickly, their combat capabilities were slightly inferior to those of Japan's elite main forces.

But the tactics and firepower they used were superior to those of the Japanese army.

Therefore, it is not only possible to gain an advantage on the battlefield, but sometimes it can also gain an advantage in fire support at the regiment level.

Tada Shun has a very good impression of Lin Canghui, the incompetent Major General.

At least.

At this time, Lin Canghui still produced some valuable information.

Tada Shun came here this time to accept the mission in a time of crisis.

He came to reverse the dire battlefield situation in North China.

Naturally, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth analysis of the specific situation of this ace main force of the National Revolutionary Army.

"As for larger tactical units, such as the Chinese battalion level, they are not much different from our brigade level. In fact, our army even has a slight advantage."

"But when it comes to the regiment-level organizational units, the gap between us and Chu Yunfei's main regiment is too big."

"First of all, it's about the military strength."

Yukio Kasahara cleared his throat. The reports in his hand were basically provided by Lin Canghui.

"The main regiments under Chu Yunfei's command are numbered as follows: the 1st Infantry Regiment, the 4th Infantry Regiment, the 7th Infantry Regiment, and the 11th Infantry Regiment.

A conservative estimate is that its military strength should be more than 7,000 people.

At the regiment level, there are heavy mortar battalions and direct-fire artillery companies.

It is possible to organize a mortar support platoon at the battalion level.

The corresponding equipment caliber models are large-caliber mortars over 100 mm, medium-caliber mortars over 80 mm, and small-caliber mortars over 60 mm.

Rough judgement.

The number of mortars equipped by each main regiment should be at least 120.

The number of direct-fire artillery and the number of equipment of each main regiment under Chu Yunfei.

It should be within the range of six to twelve doors.

After hearing this, Tada Shun already understood the crux of the problem.

A Japanese regiment.

If it is not reinforced for carrying out combat missions.

The maximum number of troops is about 3,800 to 4,000.

Confrontation at regimental level and below.

Not only do they not have any advantage in terms of light weapons firepower.

In terms of supporting firepower, they were completely beaten.

There is no advantage in terms of military strength.

Before he came, I heard that the tactics were also strictly controlled.

"At present, compared with the Nationalist troops in North China, our army has a strategic-level heavy firepower advantage and corresponding air superiority."

"Our heavy artillery has become the key to our victory on the battlefield."

"The most vexing problem right now is that this unit is not suitable for high-intensity combat in the mountainous Shanxi region."

Tada Shun nodded in agreement.

Doesn’t Sugiyama want to use heavy artillery?
On the contrary, he even wanted to use the heavy artillery force vigorously.

But the use of heavy artillery units is not that simple.

The Battle of Changzhi was held after the Battle of Zhengtai Road, because the Ninth Army took the initiative to attack the Hebei region.

Plus the raiding operations of the 18th Group Army.

This made it relatively difficult for the Japanese army to supply the entire Hebei region.

As for the supply of heavy artillery units.

Basically, it depends on rail transportation rather than road transportation.

In Tada Shun's opinion.

Sugiyama Moto should not have split up the heavy artillery unit, but instead concentrated it for use.

And it should not be assigned to permanent elite units such as the 20th Division of the Japanese Army.

Instead, they should be deployed to the front line in northern Shanxi to cooperate with the tank brigade's counterattack.

Of course.

The reason why Sugiyama Gen used heavy artillery in this way was because he followed the rules.

However, Tada Shun's idea is somewhat beyond the "norm".

Senior Japanese commanders often chose not to break precedent.

This is also one of the shortcomings of their command.

Of course.

The heavy artillery units themselves are also a huge threat.

At this time, Tada Shun had changed his mind and turned to seek more heavy weapons.

In order to gain the corresponding heavy weapons advantage in future confrontations.

At least.

In the eyes of the Japanese.

Not to mention Chu Yunfei’s troops.

Even they themselves could not deal with the threat of heavy artillery without air superiority.

same.

Chu Yunfei had no way to deal with this threat.

Even if we knew the location of the Japanese heavy artillery positions, because of the range.

Only the M-2 towed 105mm howitzer could barely counter it.

Often the Japanese artillery positions were beyond the maximum range.

It was naturally impossible for Chu Yunfei to use his limited assets on the front line.

The risk is simply too great.

The second is that they do not have highly mobile combat troops.

If there was a mechanized infantry regiment.

Chu Yunfei planned the assault route in advance, and could head straight for the Japanese artillery position by tearing open a gap.

And as the war turned into a strategic confrontation.

such an opportunity.

Almost non-existent.

The Japanese side is also seeking stability and defense.

Chu Yunfei was even a little jealous of the Japanese heavy artillery unit.

Damn, what a great weapon.

These little Japanese devils really messed it up.

He wanted to form a heavy artillery regiment under his command in the impoverished and weak Republic of China.

at this point in time.

It is as difficult as climbing to the sky.

Before the Anti-Japanese War, only a few troops used heavy artillery.

Among them, Gun 7 and Gun 17 are equipped with Liao Type 150 mm howitzers.

This thing was developed based on the Japanese Type 150 mm howitzer.

The range is only six kilometers and the performance is extremely average.

It's just a horse-drawn cannon and has no mobility.

Not to mention Yan Laoxi's 150mm howitzer, which was only produced in trial stage but not actually put into service.

The range of the 105mm howitzer was only a few kilometers, and it did not play a big role in the Battle of Xinkou.

As for the only mechanized artillery regiment, it is the 10th Artillery Regiment.

There are a total of twenty-four Krupp 150mm howitzers, all towed by cars, making it the only mechanized artillery unit.

Even Hu Zongnan, who commanded the world's best army.

There is only command of one artillery battalion.

Chu Yunfei had only ever been given command of one of the artillery companies.

In fact, it also indirectly illustrates the preciousness of these weapons and equipment.

In the blink of an eye, another three days passed.

Chu Yunfei is still in Fanzhisi County.

There is no other special purpose, just for acupuncture.

After reporting the battle situation to Yan Laoxi, Zhang Dayun rushed to the Pingxingguan front battlefield to command.

only.

The outcome of this battle was just as Chu Yunfei had predicted.

Apart from the fact that the Japanese army's offensive capability exceeded pre-war estimates, the Third Regiment led by Sun Xinpu attacked without authorization, and Pang Junming concealed the truth, there were basically no major disturbances.

From the perspective of process and results.

Sun Xinpu deserves praise for decisively seizing the opportunity.

He was also responsible for persuading the puppet Mongolian cavalry division to surrender and carried out corresponding reorganization and accommodation work.

It's a great achievement.

Chu Yunfei also understood the underlying logic behind Pang Junming's mistakes.

In essence, he took honor too seriously in order to safeguard the collective interests of the 4th Infantry Regiment.

Officers and soldiers can take the initiative to sacrifice themselves for the collective honor.

In this regard.

Chu Yunfei appreciated and admired him.

It is a good thing to have a sense of honor. It is a collective symbol and spiritual culture that promotes the unity of the soldiers. Chu Yunfei does not criticize or encourage the soldiers who voluntarily sacrifice themselves.

But Chu Yunfei didn't like it, and even felt very disgusted with the commander sacrificing officers and soldiers for the collective honor.

Because this is essentially treating the officers and soldiers below as tools and consumables.

When Pang Junming met Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei said: "A truly excellent commander should seek a balance between strategic wisdom and respect for life."

(End of this chapter)