Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Wei Hongjun nodded at Wang Qiuyun.

The 400th and th Regiments were not only numerous, but also appeared to be well-equipped. Combined, they numbered over men and possessed nearly light and heavy machine guns. Within the Eighth Route Army, these were considered quite well-equipped units.

But it’s understandable.

After all, the 300th Column had inflicted heavy damage on the nd Independent Mixed Brigade twice, nearly annihilating it the second time. They had also seized a vast amount of weapons and ammunition, including over light and heavy machine guns. Furthermore, the Chahar region had previously been home to troops from the Central Army, the Northwest Army, the Northeast Army, and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, leaving behind a significant amount of weapons and ammunition.

Here, even a landlord's armed forces can own a machine gun, which shows how many weapons are scattered here.

Since some people have weapons, this battle can be fought.

Seeing Wei Hongjun nod, Wang Qiuyun was also full of pride and said, "The 16th and 18th Regiments are good. This time, the political commissar and I have brought the independent regiment with us as well, so we have three regiments. We can mobilize more than 10,000 troops, so we can fight this battle."

Wei Hongjun was of course proud.

Although the Independent Regiment wasn't officially a mainstay of the military region, it wasn't a motley crew. It was formed by merging the 8th Column's Guard Regiment and the New 2nd Regiment, which was a merger of the 8th Column's former 5th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Squadron of the 3rd Division.

Therefore, the independent regiment is quite powerful, with more than 2,000 members. If it were placed in other military sub-districts, it would also be a first-class main force regiment.

"Commander, Political Commissar, is it appropriate to fight such a large-scale battle at this stage?"

Zhang Zihua frowned.

Although the Eighth Route Army fought many major battles since crossing the Yellow River, and even organized large-scale battles involving tens of thousands of troops, aside from the early days of proactively ambushing the Japanese, the army later focused more on developing bases. Only when the Japanese attacked their bases would the Eighth Route Army mobilize large forces to engage them. Otherwise, they fought in small groups. This was because the Eighth Route Army's strategy was to wage independent guerrilla warfare in the mountains behind enemy lines.

What we need to do is accumulate small victories into big ones.

Guerrilla warfare was also designed to avoid the Eighth Route Army's weakness in its ability to attack strongholds. Therefore, unless it was an ambush, the Eighth Route Army would not proactively organize so many troops to engage in such an offensive.

Zhang Zihua believed that the best strategy for the 8th Column now was to dispatch troops to continuously eliminate the surrounding traitorous armed forces and destroy the traitorous government established by the Japanese in the Chahar region. Alternatively, they could destroy the Japanese bunkers built along the Pingsui Road. In this way, they could gradually capture all the towns and villages in the Chahar region and force the Japanese army completely into the county seat or into Zhangjiakou.

This step-by-step nibbling strategy is the best strategy for the Eighth Column.

Rather than such a large-scale military operation.

Wang Qiuyun said, "This battle wasn't caused by the political commissar and I being impulsive or ambitious. It's because the situation has changed. We've received intelligence from the military region that Japan's newly formed 9th Independent Mixed Brigade in Taiyuan will be incorporated into the Mongolian Garrison Army and will be relocated to Zhangjiakou within two months. This means that our future opponents will have an additional independent mixed brigade. Therefore, the political commissar and I have discussed taking advantage of the fact that the Mongolian Garrison Army has not yet fully recovered and dealing a heavy blow to them. This way, even if the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade is incorporated into the Mongolian Garrison Army, it will not be able to threaten us in the short term.

The last time we dealt with the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, the 8th Column also suffered heavy casualties.

However, the Eighth Column had a very strong echelon. Because the Eighth Column had strengthened its local forces, it was able to quickly fill the gaps in its main force. Even more advantageously, the Jidong Guerrilla Corps, numbering over 9,000, arrived at the Eighth Column's base for training.

Those who were able to march from Jidong to the Eighth Column's base were all men of unwavering will. This unit later reorganized into two main regiments, and many highly skilled cadres were transferred to the field. For example, the daughter of Sui Shier, director of the Political Department of the Jidong Guerrilla Corps, was an exceptional doctor.

Previously, he was a top-notch doctor in a major hospital in Tianjin. With such a professional talent, the Eighth Column naturally wanted to make the best use of his talents. Currently, Sui Twelve's daughter is not only a teacher at Chanan Medical School, but also the vice president of Chanan Hospital.

In this way, the Jidong Guerrilla Corps still has nearly two thousand people.

These men supplemented the Eighth Column's main regiments. Each regiment received several hundred men. As a result, the Eighth Column quickly recovered its strength. In contrast, the Japanese troops stationed in Mongolia were not able to recover as quickly. Currently, the Japanese army was short of troops everywhere, and less than half of the new recruits to supplement the Mongolian troops had arrived.

Currently, we are strong and the enemies are weak around Zhangjiakou, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"In addition to the changes in the troops stationed in Mongolia, there are two other reasons."

Wei Hongjun pointed at the lower garden and said, "This is the largest coal mining base in Chahar. There are Japanese mines, power plants built by the Japanese, and hospitals here. The Japanese even built explosives factories and machinery factories here. Surrounding the coal mines here, the Japanese built steel mills, machinery factories, and various other factories in Xuanhua. If we take this place, we can obtain a lot of machinery and equipment needed for the base. Even the military factories in the base can make a big improvement."

Although the Eighth Column built an arsenal very early.

Yet, the arsenal continued to develop slowly. This was not just due to a lack of talent, but also due to the poor quality of machinery and equipment. The best equipment was snatched up by headquarters and military regions, and even further down, by military sub-districts. The 8th Column's arsenal struggled to secure support from above, forcing it to rely on its own resources. Purchasing machinery and equipment from enemy-occupied territory was no easy task.

Xiahuayuan, as the largest mining area in Chahar, has a lot of good things.

If the machinery and equipment here are pulled back, it will be of great benefit to the base’s military factories, hospitals, and other aspects.

"Secondly, as the largest coal mining base in Chahar, this place has a large number of miners. According to the intelligence we have, there are 5,000 to 6,000 miners here. Adding the workers doing other work around the coal mine and the surrounding factories, there are over 10,000 workers here. Most of these miners are prisoners of war from the Nationalist Army, and there are also a small number of prisoners of war from the Eighth Route Army. Once we capture Xiahuayuan and rescue the miners here, they will be the best source of troops. After they recover, we can form two new regiments. What's there to worry about if the Japanese army adds an independent mixed brigade? We can also form two regiments."

"And now is our best opportunity. Xiahuayuan, the largest Japanese coal base in Chahar, is always heavily defended. Not only is it heavily defended, but it's also located between the counties of Xuanhua, Zhuozhou, and Huailai. The Japanese troops stationed in these counties could reinforce Xiahuayuan in a matter of hours. When the Mongolian garrison was fully staffed, we had no chance of taking it. But now, the Mongolian garrison has suffered heavy casualties and has failed to recover. Our intelligence indicates that the Japanese are primarily replenishing the 26th Division in Datong, with the other units relegated to the rear. Therefore, the 2000nd Independent Mixed Brigade stationed in the counties surrounding Zhangjiakou currently has just over 1000 men, even after receiving nearly 2000 new recruits. Even if these recruits have received training, they will undoubtedly be less effective than the previous nd Independent Mixed Brigade in the short term. Furthermore, the five garrison battalions along the Pingsui Road have also suffered heavy casualties and currently only have a little over men. Therefore, this is our best chance—a chance to capture Xiahuayuan in one fell swoop."

"If we win this battle, the strength of our Eighth Column will be greatly enhanced. In the future, our arsenal will provide us with a steady supply of explosives and ammunition. Our hospitals will be better equipped to provide treatment for our wounded. We will also be able to obtain thousands of soldiers with combat experience and thousands of workers who have been oppressed by the Japanese."

“So this battle must be fought.

The first of the three major disciplines and eight points of attention is "obey orders and follow instructions."

But issuing orders forcefully is never as effective as willing action. Therefore, Wei Hongjun tried his best to persuade commanders who disagreed. Not to mention that Zhang Zihua was not only the commander of the 16th Regiment, but also the deputy commander of the 8th Column, making him a leader of the 8th Column.

If Zhang Zihua resists this plan in his heart, something will definitely go wrong.

"Comrade Zhang Zihua, what do you think?"

"Commander, Political Commissar, if we start fighting here, the Mongolian troops will be insufficient and there will definitely be other Japanese reinforcements nearby. It will be a big battle then."

“So we have to plan well.”

Chapter 211: Lower Garden Warfare 3

After Wang Qiuyun finished speaking, Chen Zhonghe stood up and walked over to the map. He said, "The 16th, 18th, and Independent Regiments are responsible for the Xiahuayuan Campaign. The Japanese troops surrounding Zhangjiakou, including those in Xuanhua, Zhuolu, and Huailai, total no more than 2,000 men. Zhangjiakou is the most important area in Chahar, and it's impossible for the Japanese to completely abandon several counties."

Therefore, the Japanese army was limited in the number of troops it could mobilize. At most, it could mobilize one or two squadrons of garrison troops from various strongholds. In addition to these troops, the Japanese army could only mobilize the Pingbei area in the east and the Datong area in the west.

"If the Japanese army wants to transfer troops from the Pingbei area, they must pass through the current defense zone of the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army. Currently, in addition to the troops in Jidong, the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army has three main regiments in Huairou, Miyun, and Shunyi. After passing the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army, it is the Longyanchi base of our 8th Column, where our Longyanchi Detachment is located. After passing this, we can reach the battlefield.

"As for the reinforcements coming from Datong, they will have to pass through our 26th Column's Ninggao Town base. Furthermore, our plan has been reported to the military sub-district, and Commander Yang has approved our operation. The st Division will make a big move in the Yanbei area to support our operations. Besides, the th Division suffered a heavy blow last year, and although they have received a lot of new recruits, their current strength has not yet fully recovered."

Although Chen Zhonghe is only the head of the training department now, he does the work of the chief of staff.

Wang Qiuyun and Chen Zhonghe made many plans and contingency plans for this battle.

Again.

From a global perspective, the situation between China and Japan was one of strength and weakness, a situation that held true throughout the entire Chinese battlefield. However, in Chahar, at this time, it was a classic case of strength and weakness. This was not limited to the Chahar region, as the First Division and the Eighth Column were strong, leaving the Japanese army severely short of manpower in eastern Shanxi and western Hebei.

Of course, the Japanese army also discovered this situation, so they began to increase their troops on a large scale.

Initially, ten divisions and seven independent mixed brigades were reorganized, but the territory occupied by the Japanese was too vast. Even deploying one or two more divisions in each province would still not be enough for these newly reorganized troops. This was especially true for the North China Front Army.

In Shanxi, Hebei and Shandong areas, there were anti-Japanese armed forces everywhere behind enemy lines.

Even after these deployments, the Japanese army's control over the region was still severely limited. This was not to mention the newly reorganized divisions and mixed brigades, which had only just begun their reorganization. Once these units were fully reorganized, entering China would take at least three to six months.

"As long as we win this battle, it will not only severely damage the troops stationed in Mongolia, but also the Japanese reinforcements. At that time, not only will the situation of our 8th Column base be greatly changed, but the situation of the anti-Japanese war in the Ji-Re-Liao advance army and the Yanbei area will also be greatly improved.

Wei Hongjun spoke.

Wei Hongjun is not bragging.

But it is true.

Once the Japanese army was short of troops, they would transfer troops from the Pingbei area, and the Japanese army strength in this area would be reduced. After the establishment of the Ji-Re-Liaoning Advance Army, it had not yet fought any battles, and the troops were mainly undergoing training.

Once the Japanese troops here are reduced, it will be a great opportunity for them to develop.

"Does anyone have any questions?"

"No."

"Comrade Chen Zhonghe, please continue."

"Yes."

"The first phase of the troops' advance is for the 18th Regiment to attack Dajing Town, and the 16th Regiment to attack Kangzhuang. Dajing Town and Kangzhuang are both important routes from Datong to Zhangjiakou, and are also important stops on the Pingsui Road. By then, there will undoubtedly be Japanese reinforcements."

Chen Zhonghe began to convey the battle plan.

Both Dajing Town and Kangzhuang were captured by the Eighth Route Army.

However, their positions were too important, so the Japanese army sent troops to retake them, this time targeting these two places again.

"After the Japanese reinforcements arrive, the 16th and 18th Regiments will split up and attack Xuanhua and Huailai counties respectively. This will draw all the Japanese troops around Zhangjiakou towards these two counties. The Independent Regiment will take this route, moving from the southern part of Xuanhua and heading straight for Xiahuayuan. Xiahuayuan used to have quite a few troops, but a large number of them were recently withdrawn to sweep the Eighth Column's base. It hasn't recovered yet, and Xiahuayuan is mainly staffed by the local garrison. As soon as the 16th and 18th Regiments move, Xiahuayuan's strength will be even weaker. The Independent Regiment must capture Xiahuayuan as soon as possible."

The Eighth Column developed in Chahar for a year and a half.

They had built their own intelligence system around Zhangjiakou and were very familiar with the situation of the Japanese troops in the Chahar area.

In Chahar, Zhangjiakou was a top-tier town, heavily guarded by the Japanese. In other county towns, the Japanese were relatively few, rarely even garrisoned by a battalion. This was because the Pingsui Railway was located there. To protect the safety of the Pingsui Railway, the Japanese built numerous bunkers along the route. These bunkers were manned by scattered Japanese troops to protect the route.

Therefore, after the troops stationed in Mongolia suffered a major blow, the Japanese army's shortage of manpower became increasingly obvious.

"What if the Japanese troops from Peking enter our base from Chunhua Fort?"

Zhang Zihua pointed to Chunhua Castle.

Chunhua Fort is an important pass between Huailai, Zhuolu, Shengxian and Wanping counties.

The 8th Column's headquarters was located in Beilingzhuang, south of Chunhua Fort. The 8th Column had now mobilized its independent regiment, and both the 16th and 18th Regiments would participate in this battle. If the Japanese army marched from Peking and broke through Chunhua Fort, the bases in Shengxian, Huailai, and Zhuolu would be easily swept away. With the main force already engaged, the remaining local forces would be the local forces, making it difficult to stop the main Japanese forces.

Wang Qiuyun explained, "The column transferred the Shengxian County Battalion to Chunhua Fort for garrison, and transferred the two main battalions of the 34th Regiment to Wanping to form a corner with the Shengxian County Battalion in Chunhua Fort to defend Chunhua Fort. Furthermore, the 35th Regiment is in Changping and can also move south."

"Then I'll be fine."

"The Political Commissar, the Operations Department, and I will be accompanying the Independent Regiment. Comrade Xiao Yongshi will be at the headquarters with the rest of the staff. The 16th and 18th Regiments will be operating independently, maintaining contact with the headquarters at all times.

"Yes."

1939 2 Month 19 Day.

The temperature in Chahar area is still very low.

Four months had passed since the last 25th Route Army siege. During these four months, everyone was uneasy. The main force of the Eighth Column had suffered heavy casualties, so the troops had been training during this period. However, the local forces in the Eighth Column's base area had been expanding outward, attacking the traitorous forces.

The troops stationed in Mongolia became even more uneasy.

After fighting the First Division and the Eighth Column, we engaged Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army in Suiyuan. We were completely routed by the 35th Army. It's safe to say there was almost no time for rest. Only in the past month or so have things stabilized somewhat.

But it was obvious that the Eighth Column did not want them to rest and reorganize.

Tens of thousands of troops are in action.

Dajing Town.

Seven months ago, the predecessor of the 18th Regiment, the Special Forces Battalion, captured Dajing Town.

The Japanese army then began to prioritize the defense of Dajing Town, stationing a Japanese squadron and a 600-man regiment of the puppet Mongolian government's security division. In addition to these troops, Dajing Town also housed a 200-man special forces unit. In total, there were 1,000 Japanese and puppet troops stationed there.

Furthermore, the Japanese established a fort twenty miles north and twenty miles south of Dajing Town. Each fort housed a squadron of Japanese soldiers and a puppet army security company. At a time when the Japanese were short of manpower, a reinforced squadron of over three hundred Japanese soldiers was deployed in Dajing Town and the surrounding forts, demonstrating the importance the Japanese placed on Dajing Town.

"Bang one

Chapter 212: Attack and Save

"Tanabe-kun, how many people are outside?"

"Your Excellency, according to our estimation, the Chinese troops outside should be no less than 1500.

"so much?"

Takeo Kawada frowned.

Ojin Town was important, so it was home to many troops. Kawada Takeo was the highest-ranking officer in Ojin Town, a colonel. The Japanese military leaders in these important locations behind enemy lines all held high ranks. This was because local leaders like Kawada Takeo were responsible for all of Ojin Town's affairs, whether military, political, or economic.