Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 209 This child must not be kept
As early as after the Battle of Wuhan, the Japanese found that they were trapped in the abyss of protracted war that they had always wanted to avoid.

Moreover, as time went on, the larger the territory the troops occupied, the deeper they were stuck. Even strong support for the puppet army was of no avail, as they could not pull their legs out.

The vast territory requires a large number of garrisons. The Japanese deployed more than 80 troops in other parts of China except the Northeast.

Moreover, in order to control such a large occupied area, the Japanese could only break up their garrisons into small groups and station them in artillery towers and strongholds in small teams and squads. This meant that a Japanese division could only maintain the mobile force of a battalion.

But even so, the Japs' control over the controlled areas was still not very effective.

The guerrillas behind enemy lines on both the Guo and Hong sides not only lived well, but were even in a mood to "friction" with each other.

Therefore, in order to reduce the size of the Chinese Expeditionary Army in 1940 and save military funds to produce and reserve sufficient equipment, ammunition and complete the maintenance plan, the Japanese headquarters had no choice but to agree to the 11th Army's large-scale offensive against the Kuomintang's Fifth War Zone, trying to increase military pressure on the Kuomintang and hoping that the Kuomintang would agree to peace talks.

So, when the second industrial exhibition was held in Yan'an, the Japanese launched an attack on Zaoyang; at the same time, the Japanese also launched the Liangkou Operation in Guangdong.

Almost at the same time, on the European battlefield, Germany invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and entered Paris, France on June 6.

After learning that Germany had occupied Paris, the Japanese were greatly encouraged and directly changed their original intention. They decided to occupy Yichang and force the Guo Party to surrender. The Japanese occupied area expanded again.

However, the conditions offered by the Japanese were even lower than those after the end of the Battle of Wuhan, which was far below the bottom line of the Standing Committee Chairman.

Therefore, the Japanese did not get any other response except a few words of "Niang Xipi".

However, due to the international situation and the blockade of China-Myanmar and China-Vietnam transportation lines, the capitulation faction within the Kuomintang began to rise.

In order to boost the people's confidence in the war of resistance, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters held several meetings in succession to prepare for launching a major campaign.

However, before the Eighth Route Army Headquarters could make a decision, the Japanese took action first.

"Brigade Commander, we have received a telegram from the First Army Headquarters. General Shinozuka ordered our troops to advance to Sanhe Town immediately." Ryotaro Toyama reported.

"Hey, has the summer sweep begun? It's finally time for me to take revenge!" said Nara Yukio excitedly.

He was getting impatient waiting for this day.

"Who else besides us?" asked Yukio Nara.

"As far as I know, there are also the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade, in addition to the 26th Division of the Mongolian Army; if the cooperating Locust Army is included, the total strength should be around 5." Ryotaro Toyama reported.

Ryotaro Toyama did not have much hope for this battle. The reason was simple: there were not enough troops.

The 3-strong Locust Army plus the 2-strong Locust Alliance Army would be a very strong force if it were a frontal battlefield, and could easily defeat the Guo Party's army of more than .

However, it was a bit stretched for a mopping-up operation behind enemy lines, as northwest Shanxi was too large and mostly mountainous.

Although the Eighth Route Army nominally only had one division in northwestern Shanxi, no one knew exactly how many troops there were.

The Locust Army can only undertake the tasks of minefield and perimeter blockade and cannot participate in the frontal attack at all.

It would probably take several months for a locust army of 3 to sweep this place.

But does the locust army have so much time? Dongshan Toyama Ryotaro was not sure.

There are now three pots in front of the First Army, but there is only one lid. Even if they borrow a lid from the Mongolian Army, it still cannot cover the pots.

It's okay to transfer the troops away from their base for a short period of time, but if they dare to stay outside for more than half a year, the pot without a lid will probably jump up and cover the head of the First Army.

However, Nara Yukio did not have the same worries as Toyama Ryotaro. He did not really care whether the raid would be successful or not. He only wanted revenge.

"Mr. Dongshan, which locust army is responsible for assisting the 3rd Mixed Brigade?" asked Nara Yukio.

"The 13th Mixed Brigade of the Locust Army, but they will be responsible for taking over the defense of our strongholds. Only the 13th Regiment will march with us." Toyama Ryotaro explained. "Only one regiment?" But after thinking about it, Nara Yukio felt that it was enough. Dayun Mountain itself was surrounded, and the th Regiment only needed to step on the mines.

"Mr. Dongshan, send a message to the 2th Mixed Brigade of the Locust Army and ask them to speed up the process. The replacement must be completed within two days."

"The main force of the 3rd Mixed Brigade will immediately move forward to Sanhe Town and wait for the follow-up troops to assemble!" ordered Yukio Nara.

"Hai!"

"Commander, this is a telegram from the military district." A combat staff officer handed the translated telegram to Chen Chengxing.

"What's going on?" Luo Ping asked from the side.

"The Japs are gathering their forces and it looks like they are planning a large-scale sweep," Chen Chengxing said seriously.

According to the intelligence gathered by the military region, the Japanese 9th Independent Mixed Brigade is gathering from Yexian, Luye and other places towards Fu'an and Shuiquan; the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade is gathering from Taigu and Taiyuan towards Luyang; the 26th Division originally stationed in Suicheng has already arrived in the Jiuqu area

The old rival of the New Second Regiment, the Independent Third Mixed Brigade, also marched into Sanhe Town. It went without saying that they were coming for them.

"Should we assemble troops to respond?" Luo Ping asked after looking at the telegram.

"Don't rush to assemble the entire army. Let the troops assemble in battalions and guerrilla battalions. The county battalions will remain stationary, and the local government will be responsible for deploying and covering the transfer of the people."

"The Japanese Third Mixed Brigade probably hates us to death and will definitely not let us go. However, the New Second Regiment cannot confront the Japanese Third Mixed Brigade head-on now." Chen Chengxing said seriously.

If the New Second Regiment gathered all the troops in the entire Zhongyunshan area, including the county battalion and district squads, it would not be impossible to confront the Japanese head-on.

However, a head-on confrontation requires hard power, and there is not much room for Chen Chengxing to use his tactical command and insight skills. The best outcome at that time would be complete losses on both sides.

If that happened, the entire Zhongyunshan area would have to be lost, which would be a huge loss for the New Second Regiment.

Moreover, as long as the New Second Regiment does not gather together, the Japanese's Third Mixed Brigade can only use the tactic of dividing the forces and attacking together. Only when the Japanese are separated will the New Second Regiment have a chance.

Standing in front of the map, Chen Chengxing pondered for a moment, then ordered: "After the first battalion and the first guerrilla team assemble, retreat southward to the Xinshui Highway area and hide and wait."

Although according to the division headquarters and the military region's inference, the Japanese 9th Mixed Brigade should attack the Yalu Mountain Base from both sides, but looking at the Japanese movements on the map, Chen Chengxing always felt that the Japanese in Fu'an had some bad intentions, and the other side was very likely to raid the First Battalion and the First Guerrilla Team operating in the Zhongshan area.

In the New Second Regiment, the First Battalion and the First Guerrilla Team have the largest territory, but they are also the farthest away from other troops. Once they are separated, they can easily be surrounded and annihilated.

However, as long as the 1st Battalion and the 1st Guerrilla Team retreat to the Xinshui Highway area, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions will be able to provide support at any time. With the strength of three battalions plus three guerrilla teams, it is enough to contend with the Japanese in the direction of Fu'an. According to intelligence, there is only half a mixed brigade here.

After the soldiers of the communications squad left, Chen Chengxing discussed with Luo Ping, and the regiment headquarters began to move eastward.

Just as Chen Chengxing issued the order and the troops began to move, the system's task reminder sounded.

[Side quest released: This kid must not be allowed to stay. ]

[The commander of the Japanese Army's 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade, Nara Yukio, has always harbored resentment towards the New nd Regiment and has never given up on the idea of revenge. If this continues, it will surely become a major concern for the host.]

[Mission objective: Kill Yukio Nara/eliminate the 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade]

[Task Reward: A copy of random intelligence.]

"Intelligence? It seems I have to think about it carefully this time." Chen Chengxing said secretly.

Every time the system rewards intelligence, the New Second Regiment can make a fortune, so this cannot be given up easily.

However, whether or not Nara Yukio can be killed or the 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade can be destroyed depends on fate.
(End of this chapter)