Knowing that Ulanqab City had been captured by the Eighth Route Army, the commander of the North China Front, Sugiyama Moto, was angry again. It's just that he already knows that he can't stop the current situation in North China, so he can only stabilize the existing occupied areas first.

The infantry brigades sent to quell the chaos in eastern Hebei did not wipe out the troops of the Eighth Route Army operating in eastern Hebei as he expected. On the contrary, with their purge, the situation in eastern Hebei became more and more chaotic, and the railroad that was blown up has not been repaired to this day.

In addition to the worrying situation in eastern Hebei, the situation in Shanxi, Hebei and Shandong is also not optimistic. Although for the time being in Hebei and Shandong, the large county towns have not been lost for the time being, but the rural areas are basically armed behind the enemy lines of the Eighth Route Army.

The troops stationed there were harassed and ambushed twice in three days. Faced with such a situation, Sugiyama could only ask the War Department for help, hoping to transfer troops from Korea and Taiwan again to strengthen the garrison in North China.

It's just that the war in the Central Plains is currently hot, and the Central China Front also hopes for reinforcements. The Japanese army, which had already launched an offensive against Guangzhou and Fujian, could be said to be begging for troops there. Sending new troops to North China is just a matter of waiting for a while.

Faced with the current erosive situation in North China, Sugiyama has given up the matter of asking for help from the 12th Division. The Zhangjiakou area, which originally had the largest number of troops, was also ordered by Sugiyama Yuan to start stabilizing the place and blocking the attack of the Eighth Route Army.

Turning from offensive to defensive is the countermeasure that the North China Front has no choice but to adopt at this moment. This change in strategic planning is enough to show that the Eighth Route Army's switch from defense to offensive has already caused the North China Front Army to feel tremendous pressure.

As for the strategic change of the Japanese army in North China, it is natural that it cannot be concealed from those who are concerned about the situation in North China. Many people's descriptions of North China have changed so quickly, and they still feel a little incredible.

However, some people still believe that the rapid development of the Eighth Route Army in the northwest and north China is related to the battle around Xuzhou at this moment. If it weren't for the Central Army holding back the main force of the Japanese army in Xuzhou, I'm afraid that North China would not have become like this.

Of course, the people who say such things still think that the Eighth Route Army has taken advantage of it. But when they counted the number of Japanese troops that the Eighth Route Army thought they had eliminated since the War of Resistance Against Japan, they would not say such a thing.

The encirclement and suppression battle organized by the North China Front Army alone included an elite Kwantung Army division, as well as tens of thousands of troops who cooperated with the march. Such a large-scale offensive force was almost wiped out by the Eighth Route Army.

The U.S. military and the Soviet Union, which had been paying close attention to the war in China, were also truly aware of the role that the Eighth Route Army could play in the War of Resistance. There are also many more foreigners who wish to visit the areas controlled by the Eighth Route Army than before.

Even, with the counteroffensive of the Eighth Route Army in the northwest and north China, many patriotic overseas Chinese groups who supported the Chinese War of Resistance also began to find ways to contact the Eighth Route Army and provide financial and manpower support to the Eighth Route Army.

For this change, He Zhengdao naturally expected it. At all times, strength is the best thing to meet the respect of others. If the Eighth Route Army did not have the strength, no one would take the Eighth Route Army seriously.

Although there is still some time before the outbreak of World War II, the smoke of World War II has spread to Europe. The most important thing is that the Japanese bowl, which has entered a state of madness, seems to be no longer satisfied with the invasion of China.

European countries, which also have many colonies in Asia, are gradually feeling the greed of this Asian power. In their view, war was undoubtedly the last thing they wanted, and they had to protect the interests of their Asian colonies.

Under these circumstances, only by hoping that China would slow down the Japanese army's advance into other Asian countries could their colonial interests in Asia be fully guaranteed. If they want Huaxia to die with the little devils, they naturally want to show some sincerity and expression.

Regarding the affairs of the rear, He Zhengdao, who was on the front line, did not pay much attention to it. Even if he knew that his time and space had changed history a lot. But he still believes in the fathers who led the Eighth Route Army forward at this moment.

In today's Eighth Route Army, there may still be many problems. But on some major matters, He Zhengdao believes that they will make decisions that are beneficial to the Eighth Route Army and the country.

After ordering the main force of the 4th Division, which was confronting the Japanese army in Zhangjiakou, to begin to retreat and establish a blocking position. The main force of the 1st Division, which captured Ulanqab, also began to march in the direction of Zhuozi to carry out the final encirclement of the 12th Division.

Also receiving a telegram from the North China Front, the commander of the 12th Division, Yamamura Seitaro, who stayed in the town, said with a somewhat solemn expression: "Baga! How so? Ulanqab was actually captured by the Eighth Route Army! ”

The chief of staff of the division also seemed a little surprised by this news, but he was very worried: "Division commander, what should we do next?" Looking at it like this, I'm afraid we can't wait for reinforcements to arrive. ”

The people attending the meeting also nodded when they saw Xiusan and said, "With the fall of Ulanqab by the Eighth Route Army, the road we want to retreat to North China has been blocked. Next, do we have to wait for reinforcements from Datong? ”

Regarding the words of Hitomi Xiusan, Yamamura Seitaro said directly: "Renjianjun, if we don't wait for the reinforcements from the Datong side to come, can we break through the encirclement of the Eighth Route Army with only our existing strength?" You know, the Chahar Banner has also fallen!

From here, it will take at least a week or so to break through to the Xilin League's side, at our current marching speed. Moreover, judging from the current situation, the Mongolian army is afraid that it will not be able to provide us with any help.

This means that it may take longer than we expected to break through there. If we want to break through, maybe we should join up with Datong's reinforcements before thinking about it. With us alone, it is difficult to break through and succeed! ”

Thinking of this, Yamamura Seitaro immediately said: "Send a telegram to the reinforcements from the Datong side, and ask them how long it will take for them to arrive at us?" If necessary, we can take care of it here and contain the troops of the Eighth Route Army. ”

'Yes, Your Excellency, Division Commander! ’

Not long after a telegram was sent, the chief of staff of the division took a telegram from the reinforcements and said with a little joy: "Your Excellency, the division commander, they are only about two days away from us. At present, the blocking force of the Eighth Route Army seems to be much smaller! ”

Hearing this, Yamamura Seitaro said with joy in his heart: "Yo! It seems that in this battle, not only did we suffer heavy losses, but the Eighth Route Army actually did not have a good time. To block the reinforcements from North China, they also need troops to block them.

With so many places to deploy troops, I'm afraid that there will be problems with their troop deployment. In the early hours of tomorrow morning, your brigade will begin to counterattack. I will let the heavy artillery brigade cooperate with you in counterattacking the Eighth Route Army outside the town at that time. ”

'Hey! ’

Knowing that the reinforcements were only two days away from them, they were also very happy to see Shuzo. For him, this time also seemed worried. You must know that their situation at the moment is undoubtedly the most dangerous moment since the formation of the division.

If they were really wiped out, their entire division would be removed. After all, almost all of their divisions came to attack Suiyuan this time. Once they are completely annihilated, this division will be removed from the Japanese army!

Compared with the 12th Division and the Datong reinforcements, I look forward to the arrival of their division. The main force of the 2nd Division, which blocked the reinforcements of Datong, also collectively retreated to arrange a new battlefield. After a short rest, I also waited for the arrival of the rapid responder.

The next day, the 12th Division, under the orders of Hitomi Shuzo, began to send troops to tentatively break through the encirclement and requested air support from the Japanese army and aviation. The three divisions that blocked them also fought very tenaciously.

The heavy artillery unit that had already been run-in, He Zhengdao was still strictly ordered not to use it. In He Zhengdao's view, these heavy artillery pieces should be reserved for use at critical moments. As for the 12th Division of the Japanese Army, what if they broke through?

Even when the attack was in the afternoon, He Zhengdao ordered: "Jiang Shan, order the three regiments to withdraw from the blocking position and let go of the opening." I want to see if these little devils dare to stand out! Dare to come out, I want him to look good at night! ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

With He Zhengdao's order, he withstood the fierce resistance of the Japanese army with three regiments, and soon retreated on all fronts. The Japanese troops occupying the blocking position seemed to be very excited. But looking at the sky, people saw that Xiusan didn't dare to send the troops out.

Because people also know that today they are tentatively breaking through, and if there is no cooperation from the Air Force, I am afraid that it will not go so smoothly. What's more, after a day of fighting, he also lost thousands of infantry in the blocking position of the Eighth Route Army.

The most important thing is that the heavy artillery they supplied in the air a few days ago has also been consumed a lot. In this case, if the breakout is carried out immediately. At night, I'm afraid they'll lose even more.

Looking at the Japanese troops occupying the blocking position, they built fortifications in the blocking position. This scene made the commanders and fighters of the Third Division who were watching the battle also feel that He Zhengdao had calculated that the Japanese army was breaking through tentatively today.

He Zhengdao smiled and said, "Do you see it?" The little devils' breakthrough today was more of a tentative attack, and they didn't dare to give up the defensive positions they had built before. During the day, it is their world, and at night it is ours.

With an army of nearly 20,000 men, it would not be easy for them to break out of the town. Tell our commanders and fighters not to rush into battle. Tonight, they'll know there's no hope of breaking through! ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

With the blocking position of the 3rd Regiment, it was occupied by the 12th Division of the Japanese Army. But at night, the little devils who were guarding the position were attacked by the small detachment of the Eighth Route Army at night, and they also lost a lot of troops.

But the real highlight of the night was not on He Zhengdao's side. The real highlight was the rapid reaction division, which successfully joined forces with the 2nd Division, and launched a night attack on the Japanese troops coming from Datong that night.

Originally, in the eyes of the Japanese army, the open area that could effectively prevent the Eighth Route Army became a battlefield for the armored regiment to gallop. The barrage fortifications they had built seemed to pale under the assault of the tanks of the armored regiment.

This night, for the reinforcements from Datong, it is the real future! (To be continued.) )