Double-Cut During the War of Resistance: My Wife Came from 1937

On the way away from the warehouse, Division Commander Liu said to Deputy Division Commander Xu, "Old Xu, go to the telegraph office immediately and inform the two commanders-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army headquarters of this news!"

"good!"

Deputy Division Commander Xu nodded and walked directly towards the telegraph room.

The others went to the headquarters of the 129th Division.

Inside a house, a huge map of North China was hanging.

The text was densely packed with information, including details about each village.

Upon entering the room, Commander Liu immediately told the Eighth Route Army soldiers inside, "You may all leave!"

This matter is of great importance and cannot be known to others yet, even though they already know about the Japanese army's impending operation.

Therefore, this information must be kept secret.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, everyone left the area.

"Xiao Zhang!"

Commander Liu looked at his bodyguard and ordered, "You personally guard the gate. No one is to approach without my permission!"

"yes!"

Zhang Xijun responded and went straight outside to stand guard for everyone.

"Creak!"

Commander Liu closed the door, his gaze falling on Xia Weiwei, and asked, "Comrade Xia, do you know the specific situation of the Japanese army?"

"Um!"

Xia Weiwei nodded and said, "I know."

Upon hearing this, Commander Liu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then, Comrade Xia, why don't you explain it to us?"

Everyone else sat around a large factory table, taking out their pens and paper, ready to record information.

"According to reliable sources, this operation was planned by Terauchi Hisaichi, commander of the Japanese North China Area Army, and involved a total force of 20000 men."

Xia Weiwei took out her phone and slowly recounted: "In this siege of the Jin-Cha-Ji base area, there were more than 14500 active-duty Japanese soldiers, and the remaining 5500 or so were puppet troops."

Political Commissar Luo asked, "Xia, do you know which division is launching this attack?"

Xia Weiwei continued, "This time there are no complete divisions. The attacking forces are divided into two major systems: the North China Area Army and the Kwantung Army Chahar Expeditionary Force. A total of four units are divided into eight routes."

"Firstly, the 5th Division of the elite mountain divisions in North China, which is the main force of the 21st Brigade of the Sakatsugu Division, with a strength of about 3600 men, will launch a two-pronged attack along the Zhengtai Railway to Pingshan and Mengxian, and to sweep through the Beiyue Mountain area."

Xia Weiwei paused slightly at this point.

Because Commander Liu was marking on the vertical map.

Deputy Division Commander Xiao stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "The Sakatsugu Division, that's the top elite mechanized division of the Japanese army in North China! They participated in the Battle of Nankou, the Battle of Xinkou, and the Battle of Taiyuan!"

"So what if they're elite? We're targeting elites!"

Political Commissar Luo adjusted his glasses and said, "In the Battle of Pingxingguan, my 115th Division fought against a part of the 21st Brigade of the Ban Heng Division, causing them to suffer more than a thousand casualties, destroying more than a hundred vehicles, as well as a large amount of supplies and weapons."

"It seems the 21st Brigade of the 5th Division is planning to seek revenge on our 115th Division this time!"

Xia Weiwei continued reading: "There are also 3000 troops from the 15th Infantry Regiment of the 14th Division (Doihara Division) of the First Army of the North China Area Army. They will advance westward along the Pinghan Railway line from Baoding to Yixian to Laiyuan. This plains mobile force will be supported by air force."

"Does the enemy have aircraft?"

Chief of Staff Tang frowned and said, "If they have airplanes, then it will be much more difficult to fight!"

Commander Liu said, "We will fight guerrilla warfare, not direct positional battles with them. We will go to the mountains more often, which will greatly reduce the effectiveness of our aircraft."

"The third part consists of two infantry battalions of the 109th Division of the First Army of the North China Area Army, with a total strength of more than 3100 men. They will launch a two-pronged attack on Wutai and Fanyi from the direction of Daixian, Yuanping and Shouyang along the Tongpu Railway."

Xia Weiwei said, "The remaining 4800 men are from the Kwantung Army Chahar Expeditionary Group. They will launch an attack from Huailai, Yangyuan, and Yingxian along the Ping-Sui Railway in three routes, targeting Weixian, Guangling, and Hunyuan."

"Each Japanese unit was accompanied by some puppet troops, totaling more than 5500 men."

Commander Liu continued marking on the map.

Deputy Division Commander Xiao said dismissively, "Those puppet troops are no match for us. They collapse as soon as we attack them. They can only fight when they have an advantage."

"good!"

Political Commissar Luo nodded and said, "Our real target is these real Japanese devils!"

"alright!"

At this moment, Commander Liu suddenly said, "I've already prepared the map."

Everyone stood up and walked to the side of the map to examine it carefully.

Commander Liu said to everyone, "This time, the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region is the main force against these 20,000 troops, but we can also provide assistance."

"Look, Lao Luo, you and Lao Lin can lead the main force of the 115th Division south to the Fen River in western Shanxi, block the Japanese army advancing south along the Tongpu Railway, and continuously attack the Japanese army's supply lines and rear strongholds."

"As a result, with their rear being harassed, the Japanese troops that were originally going to besiege the Jin-Cha-Ji base area had no choice but to return to reinforce it."

Deputy Division Commander Xiao pointed at the map with his pointer and said, "Part of our 120th Division can attack the railway and highway supply lines and strongholds in areas like Shenchi and Ningwu on the outer lines of northwestern Shanxi. We can even attack the county towns where troops have been withdrawn!"

He glanced at Xia Weiwei and said with a smile, "Comrade Xia brought us a large number of artillery pieces, light and heavy machine guns, and borrowed several 120mm heavy mortars from the Eighth Route Army headquarters. We are not afraid of fighting a tough battle at all."

"If we can capture a few county towns, the Japanese will have to return to defend northwestern Shanxi to avoid being cut off from their retreat."

Commander Liu said, "Old Xiao, besides causing a ruckus in northwestern Shanxi, you can also send some troops north to attack the Japanese flank from the side. This will relieve a lot of pressure on Old Nie and his men."

As he spoke, he gestured on the map: "Our 129th Division was tasked with sabotaging the Zhengtai Railway and cutting off the main artery of the Japanese army's supply lines."

"When the Japanese attacked the Jin-Cha-Ji base area, they had to provide a lot of logistical support for more than 20,000 people. Judging from their attack route, they relied heavily on the Zhengtai Railway and the Pinghan Railway."

"Our division is stationed in southeastern Shanxi, near the Zhengtai Railway. We can launch a night attack on the railway stations and bridges and blow them up. Let's see how they transport supplies then."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Just a few days ago, I traded sulfanilamide for 2000 rifles and a quantity of ammunition from Wei Lihuang. I think we can give them all to the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region first."

"agree!"

Political Commissar Luo spoke first.

Deputy Division Commander Xiao also spoke up: "I believe Old He will agree!"

"Thank you, three leaders!"

Hearing the words of the three leaders, Chief of Staff Tang's previously worried face immediately lit up with joy.

With these weapons and equipment, they could have an additional 2000 armed soldiers.

Moreover, with three main divisions assisting them and relieving the pressure, they will surely be able to win this Japanese encirclement and suppression campaign.