Suiyuan's Baotou airfield was attacked again, the planes and pilots were all shattered, and the infantry guarding and supporting them suffered heavy losses. After such a telegram was sent, the North China Front was naturally indignant.

But no matter how angry you are, what can you do, now the entire North China and Northwest China are in a mess. The main forces of the North China Front Army divisions and regiments that entered the Central Plains to fight will not be able to return for a while and a half, and they will not be able to transfer their troops, so what can they do.

Even if someone suggests that the Kwantung Army be transferred out of the customs, it will take time. Not to mention that the Kwantung Army was to be in charge of the Far Eastern Army of the USSR. If they go out of the customs, the loss of the Northeast will be even more incalculable for the entire Japanese army invading China.

In the face of such an erosive situation, the Japanese army, which launched a full-scale war of aggression, finally realized the biggest problem they existed, that is, the serious shortage of troops. The longer the battle line is pulled, the more passive they become.

In addition, they underestimated the strength of the Eighth Route Army in North China, so that they were so passive this winter. Even the chaos in North China and Northwest China affected the deployment of the Japanese army in the south.

On the other hand, on the side of the Eighth Route Army, looking at the base areas that have been connected one after another, they also look very happy. For the Eighth Route Army, this winter offensive is undoubtedly to fight with all its might. Fortunately, the result is still satisfactory.

With the capture of Yuanping, an important military town in Xinzhou, Itagaki Seishiro, who was sitting in Taiyuan to command the battle, knew that even if he was a little unwilling. He needs to make some sacrifice to ensure that Xinzhou City is not lost.

The troops originally sent to fight in Xinzhou soon broke away from the battle one after another, focusing on the towns near Xinzhou City. Other towns, even where there were still Japanese garrisons, were ordered to break through by Itagaki .

In view of this situation, He Zhengdao said in a timely manner: "Order the first division to launch a recovery operation against Shuozhou." After the battle, the main forces of the division assembled in the direction of Datong. The rest of the Fourth Division built blocking fortifications on the front line of Tianzhen and Huai'an. ”

With the issuance of this order, the 1st Division, which was fighting in Shuozhou, also accelerated its efforts to recover the entire territory of Shuozhou. The troops of the 120th Division and the 129th Division, with the recovery of Yuanping, the base areas were also connected.

It is even very gratifying that the base areas of the two main divisions are also linked with the base areas of the 115th Division, which advanced into North China to fight. In this way, the Eighth Route Army's great passage into North China was undoubtedly opened.

In order to avoid inflicting too many casualties on the three main divisions. According to the current situation and the weather, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army made an order in a timely manner to stop attacking the county town where the Japanese army was stationed, and went all out to move to the stage of defensive preparation.

For this order issued by the headquarters, He Zhengdao still felt that it was very necessary. It seems that the Eighth Route Army currently has the upper hand, but it is more of the advantage of time and location that will make the Japanese army stationed in Shanxi so passive.

If it is really summer, it is estimated that the reinforcements of the Japanese army will arrive in Shanxi one after another. At that time, the person responsible for the attack will become the Japanese army, and the Eighth Route Army can only take a defensive position.

Under these circumstances, it was undoubtedly a very wise decision for the Eighth Route Army to end its reconquest of Shanxi ahead of schedule and begin to build defensive preparations in Xinzhou. This provided the basis for the next step to break the sweep of the Japanese army.

The three main divisions operating in Xinzhou are now beginning to switch from offensive to defensive. He Zhengdao's independent column undoubtedly did not have to worry about the reinforcements of the Japanese army from the western direction of Shanxi, and it was natural to seize the time to clear out the stubborn enemy.

The defenders of Shuozhou City, who had fallen into a shortage of materials, were also very helpless and unwilling to the main force of the first division surrounding them outside the city. During this time, the Japanese army in the city was also in a slump.

Knowing that they had cut off their communication with the reinforcements, the Japanese commanders in the city also knew that they had no choice. Either starve to death in the city, or launch a breakthrough, hoping for a glimmer of life.

The captain of the Japanese army stationed in Shuozhou City, looking at the telegram sent by Taiyuan, summoned several infantry captains of the wing and said: "Gentlemen, this is the telegram just sent by Taiyuan, and we can't wait for reinforcements. ”

As soon as these words came out, the captain of the infantry group who came to the meeting seemed expressionless. Perhaps, in the eyes of these captains, they had already guessed that reinforcements would not come. It's just that Taiyuan directly informed this situation.

One of the captains quickly said, "Captain, what should we do next?" Will the Air Force continue to airdrop supplies for us, or will it allow us to break through? If you break through, in which direction will you break through? ”

Listening to the words of the infantry captain with a hint of resentment, the Japanese wing captain shook his head and said, "The effect of the airdrop supply has also been seen by you. Nearly half of the supplies airdropped by the air force the day before yesterday floated to the positions of the Eighth Route Army outside the city.

What we have to do now is to save the only materials and try to break through in the direction of Xinzhou. As long as we can successfully break through the resistance of the Eighth Route Army outside the city and enter the territory of Xinzhou, we will have a chance to break through successfully.

Moreover, according to the order of the commander of Itagaki , after the breakthrough was successful, the divisions broke through in a brigade. If we join forces, the target is too big and it is easy to be surrounded by the main force of the Eighth Route Army.

In contrast, if we break through in large groups, some of us may be able to successfully break through to Xinzhou City. At that time, the main force of the Fifth Division, which is stationed there, will send troops to meet us for the breakthrough.

I know it's going to be difficult, but we're running out of food. If we stay trapped for two more days, we will all be left with no food to spare. In this case, we had to break out as soon as possible and go outside the city to find supplies.

After the breakthrough is successful, the departments do not have to worry about anything. On the way to break out, whether it is civilians or troops, there is only one thing you have to do, and that is to kill. Rob all their things, kill all the people here, and be ashamed of the soldiers of the empire. ”

'Hey! ’

This kind of breakthrough strategy made the captain of the Japanese infantry brigade, who was almost crazy during this time, also seem very excited. For them, this kind of policy of snatching and killing everything is undoubtedly also loved by their soldiers.

When formulating the method of breaking out, the infantry wing stationed in Shuozhou finally sent half an infantry brigade to urge the puppet army brigade in the city to break through in the direction of North China. These people play more of a feint role.

As the little devils in the city began to pack up their weapons and ammunition, they made rice balls and steamed buns into the only food and distributed them to the soldiers of the army. The reconnaissance detachment of the 1st Division, which was lurking in the city, also realized that something was wrong with the situation.

After receiving the news from the reconnaissance detachment, Zhang Cheng quickly said: "It seems that the little devil can't hold back and is ready to break through!" Ordered the main regiments to strengthen the fortifications of the blocking positions. The artillery regiment directly under the division entered the combat position. ”

'Division, we don't know yet, in which direction the little devil is breaking through! ’

Listening to the words of the chief of staff, Zhang Cheng said with a smile: "In addition to the direction of Taiyuan, the little devil can also break through there." In the direction of Datong, there is the area where the second division and the commander are responsible, how can they break through successfully?

To break through to North China, they need to pass through the defense area of the 129th Division and the 115th Division, do you think it is possible to break through successfully? As for breaking through to our base areas, it is even more impossible.

At present, the only hope of a breakthrough is in the direction of Taiyuan. Both the distance and the troops stationed on this line are the best route for them to break out. But no matter what, we have to be prepared.

The reconnaissance battalion directly under the division was sent to a blocking position, and the cavalry regiment directly under the division was ready to encircle and annihilate the remnants of the little devils. If these little devils are allowed to wander into the base areas to wreak havoc, our people and guerrillas will be in danger. ”

'Yes! Teachers! ’

With Zhang Cheng's order, the 1st Division, which was originally preparing to attack, was also temporarily adjusted. Strengthen the defense of the blocking positions in each city, and wait for the Japanese army in Shuozhou City, and obediently open the city gate to break through.

This wait did not last long, and at noon a force of more than 1,000 men launched a breakthrough operation in the direction of the three regiments. Regarding the departure of this army from the city, Zhang Cheng quickly saw that most of this army was dominated by puppet troops.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "The cannon fodder of the little devil is out!" Tell the third regiment not to show mercy to my subordinates, and give me a hard beating. Unless I surrender voluntarily, all the troops who go out of the city will be annihilated by me.

Also, inform the county brigades and let them control the paths around the main force blocking the position. If a small devil's army breaks through, give me all my strength to stop it, and call for help from the nearest unit. ”

This infantry brigade of more than 1,000 men began to move towards the blocking position defended by the three regiments. The remaining more than 3,000 little devils in the city also began to make final preparations, and the direction they went out of the city was exactly where the group was.

This main force, which was composed entirely of Japanese troops stationed in the city, came straight to the blocking position under the responsibility of the 1st Division and 1st Regiment. The commander of the first regiment, who heard the news, also appeared very confident, and also began to give orders to prepare for battle.

At present, the most elite reconnaissance battalion of the division, as well as the artillery regiment directly under the division, and the cavalry regiment are all fighting with them. If he can't solve this Japanese wing that took the initiative to send to the door, then he really can't explain to the division headquarters!

There were cavalry to plug the gap, and the artillery cooperated with them in attack and defense, and a regiment only needed to hold the blocking position, so that the Japanese wing out of the city could not successfully break through. Of course, what the regiment expects more is the total annihilation of this Japanese army.

As the Japanese wing left the city, they went straight to the blocking position of a regiment of defense. These Japanese soldiers who came out of Shuozhou knew that if they could not successfully break through, they would all be broken in Shuozhou.

If they want to survive, they must go all out in the next breakthrough. In the words of the Japanese co-captain, one can escape this breakout. But in the process of breaking out, everyone must use their lives.

Because, if they don't have to die, the breakout is likely to fail. Even the Eighth Route Army couldn't break through the first line of resistance, so how could they talk about successfully breaking through from Shuozhou City to the vicinity of Xinzhou City? This means that the little devil is going to play with his life! (To be continued.) )