Even before the Japanese army formulated a plan to occupy Henan, it also considered the possibility of the Eighth Route Army sending troops. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 But they also didn't seem to expect that the Eighth Route Army's response would be so rapid, and that it would mobilize so many troops as soon as it was dispatched.

After taking Kaifeng, the 14th Division of the Japanese Army, which should have been happy, soon learned that the Eighth Route Army had dispatched nearly 60,000 or 70,000 troops from three main divisions. Such a big attack made the Japanese army also a little worried.

The most important thing is that although they had guessed that Jiang Dingwen's troops would retreat, they did not expect that they would retreat so simply. didn't even stay in Zhengzhou and pretend to fight with them, which gave the Eighth Route Army an opportunity to take advantage of.

At present, the two main divisions of the Eighth Route Army came straight to Zhengzhou from Jiaozuo and Xinxiang respectively. The offensive line of these two armies collided exactly with the offensive line of the 14th Division. If one is not careful, the 14th Division may be outflanked.

It's just that Zhengzhou is close at hand and doesn't take it, and Tufeiyuan is somewhat unwilling. After all, it was not easy to open the passage to Zhengzhou, and it was somewhat frustrating for him to give up arming in Kaifeng like this.

Looking at the road map sent by the special high class about the main march of the Eighth Route Army, Tu Feiyuan looked at the officers of the division and regiment, and said with a somewhat serious expression: "Gentlemen, this battle is related to whether we can successfully take the entire territory of Henan and open a passage for the follow-up troops.

If we can take Zhengzhou and hold it. Then our troops in North China and Central China can also be assembled one after another. At that time, we will have a springboard to attack Shaanxi, the rear base camp of the Eighth Route Army, at any time.

For this reason, we must be ahead of the Eighth Route Army in the next battle and successfully take Zhengzhou City. If the Eighth Route Army is allowed to take over Zhengzhou before us, it will be very unfavorable for our next situation! ”

Just when the command post of Tufeiyuan was moved to the strategic point of Zhongmu, such a pre-war meeting was specially convened. It's just that for the officers who were in the meeting, they felt that the situation was becoming more and more unfavorable.

A brigade commander said: "General, the supply convoy that was supposed to arrive the day before yesterday has not arrived today. The ammunition reserves of our brigades are already approaching a dangerous level. If the ammunition is not replenished, the soldier will be left with no ammunition available. ”

The commander of the artillery wing, who came to attend the combat meeting, also said in a timely manner: "The shells of our field artillery wing will also not last long. The longer the front is stretched, the more difficult it will be for us to supply logistically.

Most importantly, the Eighth Route Army was moving too often behind us. On the way from Shangqiu to here, we could see the troops of the Eighth Route Army moving everywhere. If we don't ensure the safety of the supply line, it will be dangerous for us to push forward! ”

Supply line!

Although before the start of the war, Tohihara knew that there would be problems with the supply lines. Before the attack, the troops were specially organized to carry out a sweep. At the same time, checkposts and outposts were set up on some highways.

But now it seems that these checkpoints and outposts are not working. The size of the Eighth Route Army's troops behind them seemed to be somewhat beyond their imagination. And at present, Shandong and Anhui are also at war everywhere.

Faced with the problem that his subordinates urgently needed supplies, Tu Feiyuan still said calmly: "I already know the problems you have encountered. Trust our baggage troops, and trust them to deliver the supplies we need.

Even then, we don't have enough weapons and ammunition. However, I believe that with only the materials and ammunition carried by our division, as long as we can take Zhengzhou City, we can also let the military headquarters carry out air supply at that time. ”

In Tu Feiyuan's view, whether or not Zhengzhou can be won is the focus of this battle. As for weapons and ammunition, if it is really not possible, let the air force carry out air replenishment. I believe that for such a material supply method, the Eighth Route Army can only stare dryly.

With Tu Feiyuan's confident answer, the brigade commander and the wing commander who participated in the meeting also didn't say anything more. Even many officers admired Tu Feiyuan, and deliberately asked their troops to carry more weapons and ammunition before the battle.

Despite carrying so much supplies on the road, some of them increased the burden on the march of the officers and men of the troops. But now that a few battles have been fought, their ammunition consumption is not small. However, because of the large amount of ammunition and materials carried, they are not short of ammunition for the time being.

Just want to confront the two main divisions of the Eighth Route Army, and sufficient ammunition is very important. Especially for the Japanese army, the very important artillery shells are also the basis for the artillery unit to ensure its combat effectiveness.

If there are no shells, there is no artillery support. At that time, they can only fight with the Eighth Route Army. But thinking about the scale of the Eighth Route Army entering Henan at this moment, many officers feel a little bottomless in their hearts.

Even if Tu Feiyuan was also a little worried in his heart, as the commander of the division, he couldn't express this worry either. Otherwise, it will also affect the morale of his subordinates.

After the pre-war meeting, an infantry brigade of the 14th Division quickly set off for Zhengzhou. As for Tu Feiyuan, who was still staying behind, he began to contact the military headquarters and baggage team in the rear.

When he learned that the baggage team was still blocked by the Eighth Route Army at the moment, and he must not be able to arrive in a short time, Tu Feiyuan was also a little anxious. can only urge the baggage team to find a way to send the supplies.

In addition, Tu Hihara also suggested that the cities they were stationed in the rear could send more troops to protect the convoys that carried supplies to them. Only then will they be able to ensure victory in this battle.

When it was over, Tu Feiyuan even said directly: "Call the headquarters and ask them to prepare a batch of airborne supplies in advance." If the ground transport convoy cannot deliver the supplies on time, please do not arrange airborne supplies. ”

If there were no shells, the artillery units would have been muted. If there are no bullets, the infantry brigade will be in an embarrassing situation without guns. If there is no food, the troops are afraid that they will have to go hungry.

In this case, Tohihara felt the need to get the command headquarters to prepare them for air dropping supplies. Even if it is to provide supplies in this way, it is somewhat too expensive. But it can guarantee the strong combat effectiveness of their 14th Division!

After arranging these things, Tu Feiyuan continued: "The 13th Division and the 18th Division, where are they now?" If they make progress in their offensive, it is hoped that they will be able to send troops to support them in the shortest possible time. ”

Not long after, the telegrapher who sent the telegram to inquire said: "Report to the general, at present, the 13th and 18th divisions are also facing multiple layers of resistance from the Eighth Route Army. Two divisions are on the offensive, but not yet much progress has been made.

In addition, according to the information we have learned before, in Xinyang, which was recovered by their two divisions earlier, there are also traces of a large number of activities of the Eighth Route Army. Even in Zhoukou and Luohe, the blocking troops of the Eighth Route Army were found.

Listening to the telegraph operator's answer, looking at the location marked on the map, Tu Feiyuan also said with some unhappiness: "Eight Geya Road! Where did these Eighth Route Army come from? Our troops in Xinyang can't hold Xinyang? ”

Faced with such an inquiry, the intelligence officer could only smile bitterly and said: "General, how much strength the Eighth Route Army has in our occupied area. In fact, we have never been able to get accurate data.

However, according to the information we have, the troops currently blocking us at Zhoukou and Luohe should not be the troops of the independent column of the Eighth Route Army. The combat effectiveness and combat style of this army are indeed not easy to deal with! ”

'Separate columns again?' Aren't they active in Xinyang? Why did you suddenly go to Zhoukou and Luohe again? Didn't their two divisions carry out sweeping missions earlier, and they didn't have much armed Eighth Route Army in the territory? ’

As the main attacking force in this attack on Henan, Tufeiyuan naturally needed to know the combat effectiveness of the two divisions and regiments, as well as the military strength of the Eighth Route Army in Central China. But now it seems that some plans are not as good as change.

The independent column, which was supposed to be hit hard, suddenly appeared at this time. Not to mention the guerrilla attacks in Xinyang, he also rushed ahead of the other two divisions and regiments, and controlled some strategic roads in Zhoukou and Luohe.

It must not be an easy task to be seized by the independent column, and then to successfully break through the blocking front of the Eighth Route Army. But the battle has been fought to this extent, and it will be useless to blame anyone who is afraid.

Just when Tu Feiyuan felt that those two divisions were somewhat concealing the true situation in the occupied areas. An intelligence staff officer quickly came over and said, "General, something happened in Hubei!" Macheng, which we occupied earlier, was captured by the Eighth Route Army. ”

'What? How is this possible? Didn't we have an infantry brigade stationed in Macheng? ’

It is actually very important to know the location of Macheng, which is a material transfer station that can connect Xinyang and Wuhan. At present, Macheng was suddenly captured by the Eighth Route Army, and it will also pose a huge threat to the two divisions occupying Zhumadian.

Without supplies from the rear, how long can their two divisions hold out?

Looking at the translated telegram sent by the intelligence staff officer, Tu Feiyuan's eyes widened again and said: "When the Eighth Route Army attacked Macheng, it actually used heavy artillery. How is this possible? How could the Eighth Route Army have heavy artillery? ”

'General, the heavy artillery should be for the 10th and 16th Divisions. I think that when our two divisions captured Xinyang last time, they did not urge the Eighth Route Army to rob our heavy artillery troops, and now let the Eighth Route Army use it to attack the city. ’

Having heavy artillery to cooperate with the Eighth Route Army to attack the city was undoubtedly a nightmare for the Japanese army's defending troops. But what's even more infuriating is that these heavy artillery were originally their equipment!

Is this time we going to go back in vain?' ’

It is clear that at this stage, Wuhan has just been taken. If Macheng is lost, it will also pose an effective threat to the Japanese army in Wuhan. Most importantly, according to the information shown by intelligence, the Eighth Route Army used the strength of one division in the battle to recover Macheng.

This means that earlier they all thought that the news that the independent column had been severely damaged was not true. And the Eighth Route Army has been hidden, perhaps just waiting to give them a fatal blow at this time! (To be continued.) )