Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

After this battle, the situation in the three-point zone was completely opened up.

Marshal Nie had always been concerned about the changes in the Third Division's leadership. He worried about problems with General Huang Yong, who was uncontrollable. However, judging by the results of this counter-mopping-up operation, Huang Yong's leadership was far more effective than Chen Manyuan's. Chen Manyuan's tenure as commander of the Third Division had never seen such a spectacular battle.

After discussing the other military sub-districts, Zhan Tong's expression grew serious. He continued, "During this counter-mopping-up operation, the First Division and the Eighth Column suffered staggering casualties. According to the Eighth Column's report, preliminary statistics show that the 16th Regiment suffered over 1100 casualties, the 18th Regiment over 1500 casualties, the 19th Regiment 900 casualties, the 25th Regiment 1200 casualties, the 26th Regiment 800 casualties, the 34th Regiment 1400 casualties, and the 35th Regiment 700 casualties. The seven main regiments suffered over 8000 casualties."

Truly massive casualties.

The main target of the Japanese army's raid was the First Division.

In fact, it was the 1st Division and the 8th Column, and as a result, the 1st Division and the 8th Column suffered the heaviest casualties.

The Ninggaozhen Detachment of the Eighth Column suffered 1200 casualties, the First Security Regiment suffered 630 killed, and almost all the rest were injured. Over 1400 were wounded, both lightly and seriously, for a total of over 2000 casualties. The Second Security Regiment suffered 400 casualties, and the Third Security Regiment suffered 900 casualties. In addition to these troops, the Eighth Column also had nearly 4000 local troops participating in the battle, suffering over casualties.

The casualties in this area were nearly 9000.

"Roughly speaking, the Eighth Column has suffered over 17000 casualties."

It's really a serious injury.

Fortunately, it is the 8th Column, which has developed rapidly and has a solid foundation.

However, no matter how strong the Eighth Column's foundation was, this level of casualties was a real blow to its vitality. Almost all of the Eighth Column's accumulated wealth was consumed in this battle. However, the headquarters had to admire the Eighth Column's strength.

Despite such heavy casualties, the 8th Column has not yet fallen apart.

This alone demonstrates the strength of the Eighth Column. Zhan Tong continued his report, "The Eighth Column suffered heavy casualties, but also achieved brilliant results. The Eighth Column reports that during the more than 186 days of the anti-mopping-up campaign, the 4782th Column's units engaged in 6760 engagements. They killed, wounded, or captured 11400 Japanese soldiers, wounded or captured 8 puppet soldiers, and annihilated over 34 Japanese and puppet troops. Among them, they killed Shinichiro Nagumo, Major General of the 19th Independent Mixed Brigade, and Norihide Abe, Major General of the 26nd Independent Mixed Brigade, and Japanese colonels. The th Regiment destroyed the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army in a single battle. The Ninggao Town Detachment of the Eighth Column destroyed Japanese forts, and the Chadong Detachment destroyed Japanese bunkers."

The 8th Column’s achievements were truly brilliant.

Not to mention the puppet troops, nearly 5000 Japanese troops were annihilated.

But no one was happy. This victory was achieved at the cost of so many casualties for the Eighth Column. 17000 casualties, all troop casualties. Such casualties were previously unthinkable.

Zhan Tong saw that everyone's emotions had calmed down a bit, and continued, "The report from the First Division shows that the 1st Regiment suffered 1900 casualties, the 3rd Regiment suffered 1100 casualties, the 17th Regiment suffered 900 casualties, the 20th Regiment suffered 1000 casualties, the 21st Regiment suffered 1400 casualties, the 27th Regiment suffered 600 casualties, the 28th Regiment suffered 700 casualties, the 29th Regiment suffered 400 casualties, the 32nd Regiment suffered 800 casualties, the 33rd Regiment suffered 1100 casualties, and the Special Forces Regiment suffered 1600 casualties. The 11 regiments in the First Division suffered more than 12000 casualties.

"Local troops in the First Division reported that over 4700 local troops in the base areas had suffered casualties.

90% of the Japanese troops were deployed in Division 35. Of these troops, about 65% were used to sweep the Eighth Column base, and % were used to sweep Yang Quanwu's side.

This is the result.

The situation in the First Division and the Eighth Column is very bad.

"The First Division also achieved brilliant results. 3480 Japanese soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured; 9700 puppet troops were killed, wounded, or captured; and approximately 13000 Japanese and puppet troops were annihilated. Especially after defeating the Third Army, the 300th Independent Regiment, the 26th Independent Regiment, the 6th Independent Regiment, and the 17th Independent Regiment of the North China Security Army in Zhuoxian and Laishui, over Zhongzheng and Hanyang rifles alone were captured, along with over light and heavy machine guns, infantry guns, and heavy artillery pieces. Furthermore, Japanese supplies were seized, including rounds of Type rifle ammunition."

Commander Nie held the statistical reports submitted by various units in his hand and remained silent for a long time. After a while, he said, "Call them back and tell them that we have won the victory against the mopping-up operation."

Chapter 264 Huge Influence

The nearly one-month-long anti-mopping-up operation in the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region finally ended.

The 8th Column killed two Japanese major generals in one day, which caused a sensation throughout North China and the whole of China.

Chongqing, Eighth Route Army Office.

Wu Hao hosted some pro-democracy figures from Chongqing. Many members of the United Nation Building Comrades Association, the forerunner of the China Democratic League, had come to the Eighth Route Army office. Among them were university professors, high-ranking government officials, and prominent social activists.

There were more than thirty people coming.

"Mr. Wu Hao, Xinhua News Agency reported that the Eighth Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Eighth Route Army killed two Japanese brigade commanders, major generals. Is this true?"

Too sensational.

Of course, it also has to do with timing.

In December 1938, Wang Jingwei fled Chongqing and began openly expressing his intention to collaborate with Japan. Chiang Kai-shek, enraged, sent assassins to assassinate him, but failed. In May 12, Wang Jingwei traveled to Japan and began openly negotiating peace. Upon his return, he secretly convened the Sixth National Congress of the Kuomintang in Shanghai, preparing to form a new Nationalist government.

Who is Wang Jingwei?

He was a founding member of the Tongmenghui and the top leader of the Kuomintang after Sun Yat-sen's death. His seniority within the party made him one of the most senior figures in the current Kuomintang. Even though he ultimately lost to Chiang Kai-shek, he was still the vice president of the Kuomintang. For such a powerful figure to defect to the Japanese would have had a very negative impact.

Wang Jingwei did not flee alone to join the Japanese. Many high-ranking KMT officials followed him to Japan and are now back in Shanghai. Wang Jingwei's decision further fueled pessimistic public opinion about the war of resistance in China.

It was at this time that the Eighth Route Army troops defeated two Japanese major generals in the counter-mopping-up operation, which immediately boosted the morale of the whole country.

However, after the Xinhua News Agency reported it, many people couldn't even believe it.

It is believed that the Eighth Route Army falsely reported its battle results.

This resulted in the killing of two active Japanese generals.

"Mr. Biefang (Zhang Lan), the Xinhua News Agency report is absolutely true, without a trace of falsehood. This time, the Eighth Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Army killed Abe Nobuhide, Major General and Commander of the 12nd Independent Mixed Brigade of the Mongolian Army, and Nagumo Shinichirō, Major General and Commander of the th Independent Mixed Brigade of the th Army of the North China Front Army. The Japanese side will also announce this soon; this is something that cannot be concealed. After all, these are two active Japanese generals."

Wu Hao answered confidently.

Because this was really not a false report of the Eighth Route Army's victory.

With the fact that two Japanese generals were killed, we have the confidence to speak.

“It turns out it wasn’t for publicity.”

"Great."

"Yes. The Eighth Route Army is truly brave and skilled in fighting.

Everyone was very excited to hear Wu Hao's affirmative answer in person.

Because it's so morale-boosting.

Luo Longji asked, "Mr. Wu Hao, is this the Eighth Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Region the same unit that killed the Japanese major general last year?"

"Yes. The person killed last year was Major General Kanji Tsuneoka, commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade of the Mongolian Army.

"This unit has strong combat effectiveness."

Luo Longji's words suddenly reminded everyone of the Eighth Route Army's first kill of a Japanese major general last year. It was the Eighth Column of the Shanxi-Chahar Wing. Everyone sighed.

This is the powerful force of the Eighth Route Army.

Luo Longji continued: "I remember that the commander leading this unit was very young."

"Yes. The commander of the Jin-Cha-Ji Eighth Column is Wang Qiuyun, 25 years old. The column's political commissar is Wei Hongjun, 24 years old. But don't be fooled by their young age; they enlisted in the Red Army ten years ago."

"Young hero, young hero."

"A famous anti-Japanese general."

Everyone was praising it.

25, 24, how young they are.

Yet there were such results.

Marshal Ye added, "The Eighth Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Region was originally the unit that led the Chinese Communist Party to the Jinggang Mountains during the Autumn Harvest Uprising in 1927. It was a unit that came from the First Red Division."

Why is it said that the First Red Division has a legitimate lineage?

That's it.

The more outstanding the independent regiments reorganized from the First Red Division performed during the War of Resistance, the more they brought glory to Chairman Mao, the Autumn Harvest Uprising, and Jinggangshan. Neither Yang Quanwu nor Wei Hongjun participated in the Autumn Harvest Uprising nor went to Jinggangshan. However, since they were both cadres of the First Red Division, they were naturally associated with the Autumn Harvest Uprising and Jinggangshan.

"It turned out to be the troops led by Mr. Mao back then."

"No wonder, no wonder."

Huang Yanpei said: "Mr. Wu Hao, we would like to jointly congratulate the Eighth Column. Is this possible for you?

“It’s their honor.”

These people are all from Chongqing, and they are probably very famous figures across the country.

The influence is huge.

Their joint congratulations to the Eighth Column not only brought glory to the Eighth Column but also promoted the entire Eighth Route Army. What was the purpose of their Eighth Route Army Office? Besides communicating with Chiang Kai-shek and his men, it was also to promote the Eighth Route Army.

Utilize the Eighth Route Army Office to publicize the Eighth Route Army, unite the upper echelons of the Kuomintang, win over more middle-class forces, win over the vast majority of students in the Kuomintang-controlled areas, and raise supplies in the Kuomintang-controlled areas.

These influential people, by helping to publicize the Eighth Route Army, would help the Eighth Route Army gain more support from the middle forces, attract more young students to join the Eighth Route Army, and also attract more people to provide supplies to the Eighth Route Army.

So Wu Hao was very happy.

After seeing them off, Marshal Ye came over and said, "The Eighth Column has really made us proud this time. Ever since Xinhua News Agency reported that the Eighth Column killed two Japanese major generals, the number of young students coming to us for consultation has been increasing. Furthermore, some major newspapers have asked us if we can visit Shanxi, Chahar, and Hebei."

"We must treat these young students well. As for the reporters, we can make an appointment with them.

"Yes."

Marshal Ye continued, “General Feng Yuxiang and General Li Jishen also want to come and visit you.

"Schedule a time as soon as possible."

After the Xinhua News Agency report came out, people flocked to the Eighth Route Army Office in Chongqing.

Many people came to verify the authenticity of the Xinhua News Agency report.

Singapore.

At this time, the overseas Chinese in the Dutch East Indies, later known as Indonesia, were in Singapore. Since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the overseas Chinese in Nanyang were deeply concerned about the fate of their country. Consequently, they united and established the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Relief Association for Refugees in the Motherland (abbreviated as the "Nanyang Overseas Chinese Relief Association") in Singapore in October 1938. Tan Jiageng served as president, with Indonesian overseas Chinese leader Zhuang Xiyan and Filipino overseas Chinese leader Li Qingquan serving as vice presidents.

They did their utmost to help the country fight against Japan.

Not only did they donate money and supplies, they also sent people to directly support the war of resistance.

After the Burma Road opened to traffic on August 1938, 8, there was a severe shortage of drivers and mechanics, prompting the Nationalist government to appeal to overseas Chinese for help. The Nanqiao General Association immediately issued a call, and within just over six months, over 31 people returned to China to support the war. These were primarily young, skilled workers.

It can be said that the patriotic enthusiasm of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia is very high.

However, after 1939, overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia became increasingly concerned about the ongoing war of resistance in China. The first concern was, of course, the defection of Wang Jingwei, Vice President of the Kuomintang, to the Japanese. Although the Wang Puppet Government had not yet been established, Wang Jingwei's attitude directly influenced a large number of people.

Wang Jingwei's treason was definitely a major blow to China's War of Resistance.

Wang Jingwei's name is well-known even to overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Yet, such a prominent figure actually became a traitor. If even a figure like Wang Jingwei lost faith in victory in the War of Resistance, could China truly have won this battle?

This is a question in the minds of many overseas Chinese.

This is one aspect.

Another factor was that friction between the KMT and the CPC increased after the Fifth Plenary Session of the Fifth Central Committee of the KMT in early 1939. Armed clashes even broke out in areas such as Shandong.

In the Nanyang region, the Kuomintang's influence is deeply rooted.

This is not because the KMT now controls China's political power, but because the Nanyang region has supported Sun Yat-sen's revolution since the days of the Tongmenghui, the KMT's predecessor. Sun Yat-sen and his group have been active in Nanyang for many years, so they have deep roots there.

Zhuang Xiyan, for example, joined the Tongmenghui after its founding. Many overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia joined the Tongmenghui at the time. They raised funds for the Tongmenghui and supported Sun Yat-sen's revolution in China.

When Sun Yat-sen took office as the provisional president in Nanjing, many representatives from overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia also attended the ceremony.

Because of this connection, most overseas Chinese here trusted the KMT. Coupled with KMT propaganda, overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia viewed the Chinese Communist Party as an evil organization that "communistized women."