At the Peking Headquarters, after receiving the 26th Division's telegram requesting assistance, Okamura's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
The sweep in northeastern Shanxi had not yet been completely completed, and the troops had not yet returned to their respective bases.
The battle in Sui and Cha provinces had already begun, and before the main forces had even started the fight, the 26th Division's telegram for help had already been placed on his desk.
He really doubted whether the division commanders under him had any ability. Why did they ask for help for no reason?
Seeing that Okamura was not happy, the Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Force, Yukio Kasahara, could only say,
"Commander, the enemy the 26th Division is facing is the most powerful independent brigade of the Eighth Route Army.
The predecessor of this unit was the local independent battalion of the Eighth Route Army, which had just annihilated the 20th Division.
The 26th Division had no choice but to ask for help. They were no match for the Independent Brigade.
Okamura's thin face turned red because of anger, "The 26th Division is not their opponent, so is the Mongolian Army also not their opponent?
Since you know that this independent brigade is very difficult to deal with, can you tell me how many people they have and what kind of weapons and equipment they have? "
Kasahara Yukio was speechless, and the deputy chief of staff, Hirata Masaharu, said with a stiff upper lip.
"Commander, this independent brigade is very mysterious. Every battle is basically an annihilation war, and it is difficult to leave anyone alive.
Moreover, they had imposed a severe blockade on the base. The intelligence departments of our headquarters, the First Army, and the Special High Technology Department all sent out spies.
However, these people disappeared after entering the independent brigade base, and no news of them came out.
The only thing we know is that the commander of the independent brigade is called Wang Ye, he is not very old, his troops have strong firepower, and they are suspected to be supported by foreign forces! "
"Baga, as far as I know, this independent brigade first emerged during the Eighth Route Army's sweep across northwest Shanxi at the beginning of the year.
Then they successively destroyed our 20rd Independent Mixed Brigade and 108th Division, and a few days ago they destroyed the logistics base of the th Division.
Our intelligence agencies know so little about such a powerful force. Don't you know that the key to war is information?"
Okamura did not expect that the independent brigade had appeared for almost a year, and had grown from a small local force into a powerful force that could annihilate the Japanese Type A division.
They haven't figured out the truth about their opponent yet.
Yukio Kasahara reminded, "Commander, I think the most important thing now is to quickly arrange support for the 26th Division.
According to the intelligence sent by the 26th Division, they have tanks, armored vehicles and heavy artillery, and are advancing very quickly.
The main force of the 26th Division has not yet returned to Suicheng. I am worried that Lieutenant General Kuroda Shigenori will not be able to hold out for long."
Okamura suppressed his anger, stared at the map, and then said to Kasahara Yukio,
"What does the General Staff think?"
Kasahara Yukio thought for a long time before answering, "The Mongolian Army has no more troops available.
The headquarters of the independent brigade is in Yu County, northern Shanxi, so I think the best rescue plan is to let the 108th Division attack Yu County.
Just like the Eighth Route Army rescued the Eighth Route Army in Northeast Shanxi, they attacked their vital points. As long as Yu County was attacked, the Independent Brigade would definitely turn back to rescue them.
In this way, the danger to Suicheng can be eliminated. It only takes two days for the main force of the 26th Division to return to Suicheng.
The three battalions of the Second Independent Mixed Brigade also rushed to Suicheng, and the Independent Brigade's Sui-Cha strategy failed! "
Okamura's gloomy old face relaxed, and he patted Kasahara Yukio on the shoulder and praised, "Attack the enemy and you must rescue them. Kasahara-kun's plan is very good. If it succeeds this time.
I will definitely report your achievements to the headquarters. The rank of major general is no longer enough to match your strength."
"Hey!" Kasahara Yukio said carelessly, "Thank you for your appreciation, Commander, but there is still a problem."
"what is the problem?"
"The 108th Division's logistics base was breached by the Independent Brigade, and all supplies were looted. We must immediately replenish their supplies and ammunition.
This will ensure the success of the subsequent attack on Yu County."
Okamura was extremely angry when he thought that the carefully prepared sweep of northeastern Shanxi was ruined by this so-called Eighth Route Army Independent Brigade.
"How about this, let the 109th Division transfer their logistical supplies to the 108th Division via the railway first.
In addition, let the First Army replenish the 109th Division from Taiyuan, so as not to delay the 109th Division's plan to hold back the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi."
"Hey!"
As soon as the devils took action, the intelligence department of the independent brigade put the news on the desk in the conference room.
Wang Ye never embezzled the funds of the intelligence department. The underground intelligence department consumed the most funds of all departments.
Zhao Gang said anxiously, "Brigade Commander, the Japanese 108th Division has begun to assemble its troops. It seems that the intelligence is very accurate.
There is only one regiment stationed in Yu County. I am worried that something might go wrong. How about letting the Sixth Regiment go back to block the 108th Division?"
"No, the Sixth Regiment has a heavy task to do. The hidden Japanese cavalry group has already taken action.
The Shanxi-Suiyuan Army cannot just sit there and watch the fat meat in front of them. We have to grab the Mongolian bunker before they do. It is not enough to rely on the three regiments alone.
Political Commissar, the most important thing for us this time is to take down the hiding bag. As long as we take down the hiding bag, the supply of weapons and ammunition for our army will no longer be a problem.
Everyone should understand what this means.
As for Suicheng, it would be best if we can capture it this time. If we can't, we must destroy the railway from Suicheng to Mengbao, and we must resolutely drive the Japanese from Suixi to Suizhong."
"What about Yu County? We can't just watch the 108th Division attack Huanglong directly, right?" Zhao Gang was anxious.
"Don't panic!" Wang Ye said calmly, "Let the reconnaissance troops monitor the movements of the 108th Division.
If the 108th Division wanted to reach Yu County, the train could only reach Luanshikou at most, and the rest of the way could only be reached by truck or on foot, which was 110 kilometers long.
And most of them are mountainous areas. As long as the devils dare to advance in large numbers, I will bury them all in the mountains."
Zhao Gang looked at Wang Ye's expression, as if he had thought of something, and exclaimed, "You want to...?"
"Yes, I spent so much money to set up this flying squadron, it has to show itself.
Otherwise, the devils would think that the sky in northwest Shanxi is theirs, and they can fly whenever they want! "
When Wu Fenglin and Wu Chengkai heard this, they both thought of what they had seen when they secretly went to the southern mountainous area of Yu County some time ago, and their mood inexplicably improved.
"Since the brigade commander has a plan, let's act according to it. I will report to the headquarters and hope that other brother units can give us some help." After saying this, Zhao Gang turned and went to the telecommunications room.
Wang Ye had no hope for help from the brother troops. Since the Japanese could arrange the 108th Division to go north, they would certainly arrange troops to hold back the other Eighth Route Army troops.
There are still a lot of troops in Taiyuan.