As the 117th Division, which was operating in Hebei, Shandong, and Henan, began to recover some of the counties occupied by the Japanese army, the Japanese troops in Central China and North China seemed to be aware of the crisis. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 info Even though it was difficult to transfer troops, he began to act intensively.

It's just that compared with the Japanese army, which was prepared for a long time and responded passively to the battle, it undoubtedly seemed a little rushed. Moreover, whether the troops are transferred from North China or Central China, it will affect their local security control.

The most important thing is to mobilize these urgently assembled troops to rush to the front line, and also need to provide corresponding material and ammunition support. And these things, it is somewhat difficult to rely on the self-preparation of the two front armies.

Just as the Battle of Henan began to enter the counteroffensive stage of the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese army, which had been suppressed by the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi, suddenly concentrated its superior forces and launched an attack on Jincheng. This move of the Japanese army in Shanxi has also attracted the attention of many people.

At this time, the Japanese army stationed in Shanxi attacked Jincheng again, undoubtedly to open up contact with the Tufeiyuan Division again. This move of the Japanese army in Shanxi also attracted the response of various combat units of the Eighth Route Army.

The first to do it was the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, which was operating in the area of Shexian County. Although at this time, the Shanxi Dispatch Army transferred the main force of their 116th Division to the Changzhi area, the 129th Division also began to attack some county towns in Changzhi.

The main force of the Eighth Route Army, which was responsible for arming behind enemy lines in the Changzhi area, also launched rounds of offensives in Changzhi to deal with Fu Zuoyi's troops who were blocking the Japanese army in Jincheng. For a time, the war around Henan seemed to be fighting more and more.

He Zhengdao, who had not been back in Yulin for a long time, learned that the reconnaissance group led by Li Xiangdong had arrived in Jincheng. Let him rest for a short time in Jincheng and help Fu Zuoyi's troops block the Japanese army, and also prepare to go to Shanxi.

He Zhengdao, who convened the division commander and first-class officers of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army, also said directly: "In order to temper our main forces and increase the actual combat experience of our newly formed units, our unit was ordered to participate in the Battle of Shanxi.

This battle is the first actual battle of our army, and I believe that my style is very clear to my comrades. This time, we are still responsible for the main attack, and Mr. He and the 118th Division will also cooperate.

As for our only goal in this battle, that is, to recover the entire territory of Shanxi. And our first task is to take Taiyuan City, liberate the entire territory of Shanxi, and completely drive the Shanxi Dispatch Army out of Shanxi or annihilate it.

In fact, the plan for the Battle of Shanxi was drawn up together with the plan for the Battle of Henan. However, for the sake of secrecy at that time, the plan for the battle of Shanxi was never announced. Today, it's time! ”

In addition to the fact that it took some time to form the new Third Division, after He Zhengdao returned to Yulin, it did not take much time to form the other two infantry divisions. What really took the time was nothing more than finding the right divisional leadership for these main divisions.

After saying these words, He Zhengdao continued: "Today is the first division-level officer meeting of our Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army, and everyone present believes that everyone present is familiar with and relatively unfamiliar. But in the future, everyone will fight side by side.

As for the mission of our unit, I am sure you already know it from the number of the unit. Just want to advance into the northeast to fight, for us now, the task is still very arduous.

Here, I would like to introduce a new comrade to my comrades, who I specially invited from the 129th Division. From today, he will take up the post of division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army. He is Comrade Lu Zhencao, the former commander of the Jizhong Self-Defense Army! ”

Under He Zhengdao's name, Lu Zhencao, who had just been ordered to report to the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army in Yulin, was somewhat surprised that He Zhengdao had specially applied to the headquarters to let him come over as a division commander.

Although in the 129th Division, he was the commander of a self-defense army. But Lu Zhencao knows very well that the Self-Defense Army is also a resistance force behind enemy lines, and it is still incomparable with the main division commander of the main army.

At present, He Zhengdao suddenly transferred him to serve as the commander of the Third Division of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army, and Lu Zhencao was still very surprised and happy. With this position, he can be regarded as a real high-level commander of the Eighth Route Army.

Lu Zhencao, who got up in the applause of everyone, still said something similar to a work report very modestly. After he finished speaking, He Zhengdao also applauded first, which could be regarded as welcoming him to truly join the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army.

After everyone made up their minds, He Zhengdao smiled again: "After gossiping, then start issuing combat orders." Chief of Staff, it's up to you to read the battle order! This battle can be regarded as the opening battle of our Northeast Anti-Japanese Coalition Army! ”

Ye Jianying, as the chief of staff, also got up quickly and said: "According to the operational deployment of the Central Committee and the General Headquarters, the Northeast Anti-Japanese Coalition Army is responsible for the Battle of Shanxi this time. The troops participating in the battle consisted of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions, the 1st cavalry division, the artillery brigade, and the reconnaissance brigade.

The supply of materials and the safety of the rear will be the responsibility of Political Commissar Chen and Director Tan. The commander will be in charge of the front-line combat command together with me. The rest of the ministries immediately went to Xinzhou to stand by from the day the order was issued.

At present, the 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions have arrived in Xinzhou for rest, and the reconnaissance brigade is also secretly assembling. Next, the 3rd Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry Division and the Artillery Brigade will be secretly dispatched to Xinzhou to stand by according to the corresponding order. ”

As Ye Jianying finished issuing the combat orders of each division, everyone who had finished the first combat meeting also enjoyed a dinner in the military canteen. For this kind of hospitality, except for Lu Zhencao, everyone else is very used to it.

This kind of reception dinner can be regarded as deepening the feelings between the commanders. It's just that compared with the other division-level cadres who came to the meeting this time, most of them are He Zhengdao's old subordinates, and they are no longer familiar with He Zhengdao.

These old subordinates are very happy to be able to return to He Zhengdao's command this time. As these old subordinates said, following He Zhengdao, the old chief, there is meat to eat, and the current situation is indeed true.

The Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army had just been formed, and its first combat mission was to recover such a large-scale campaign as Shanxi. Using such a battle to temper the troops is unique among the main forces of the Eighth Route Army.

The most important thing is that after the battle in Shanxi, the Northeast Anti-Japanese Coalition Army will also officially launch the recovery operation against the Northeast. Everyone knows that if there are no accidents, their army will have endless battles in the future.

To compete with the Kwantung Army, the most elite of the Japanese army, these old subordinates who are also eager to fight, everyone seems to be very longing. And they also know that in the future, the Northeast Anti-Japanese Coalition Army will still expand its army.

Once the team is expanded, their status as the main division commanders will also rise. Speaking of which, since the formation of the independent column, most of the old subordinates who followed He Zhengdao have been promoted relatively quickly.

The most important thing is that the promotions of these officers have all made real achievements. In this case, many people think that they are also following the right person. Sometimes, it is also very important to follow a commander in the army.

After the dinner, He Zhengdao also summoned Lu Zhencao alone. Speaking of which, it is not the first time He Zhengdao and Lu Zhencao have met. At the time of the Xi'an Incident, He Zhengdao also met Lu Zhencao, but neither of them had a deep chat.

This time, Lu Zhencao rushed to Yulin to report for duty, He Zhengdao was busy with the affairs of the troops, and did not formally talk to him, so he entrusted political commissar Chen Yun to welcome his arrival on behalf of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army, and sent him to the Third Infantry Division to take up his post.

In He Zhengdao's office, looking at He Zhengdao, who personally served him tea, Lu Zhencao still said with some gratitude: "Commander, how dare you be this!" ”

'That's it! As long as you don't blame me, just transfer you from Jinzhong. I believe that when I came, Senior Liu Bocheng, I should have told you the reason why I transferred you here. How is it, is it still suitable for working in the third division? ’

After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, with the disintegration of the Northeast Army, Lu Zhencao, the officers of the Northeast Army who joined the Eighth Route Army, gradually adapted to their new identity. And Lu Zhencao is the fastest among the officers of the Northeast Army who have joined the Eighth Route Army.

Of course, the position he holds now should also be the highest. Being able to become the commander of the main division is enough to show that the Eighth Route Army did not have to be from the Red Army in the appointment of commanders, as others say.

It is also the principle of promoting talents advocated by the Central Committee and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters!

'Thank you Commander for your concern!' In fact, after I passed, I learned more about the situation, and Political Commissar Chen and the others had already set up the squad, and after I took office, I also learned more about the situation of the troops.

I have to say that the equipment of the third division and the combat quality of the soldiers surprised me very much. To tell the truth, I really don't know how to take up such an important position here, and I am afraid of disappointing the expectations of the head of the Central Committee and the General Headquarters! ’

Lu Zhencao, who was born in the Northeast Army, can also be regarded as a person who has seen a big scene. It's just that in his impression, although there are many troops in the Eighth Route Army, the weaponry and training are somewhat rough.

But after taking office in Yulin this time, Lu Zhencao really understood why the independent column became the most elite unit of the Eighth Route Army. The key is that the equipment of this army is really good, and it is more elite than the previous Northeast Army.

The regiment-level troops, except for the machine guns assigned to the squad, are all 38 large cover rifles of one water. In addition, each main regiment had an artillery battalion, an anti-aircraft machine gun battalion and a cavalry battalion.

As for the third division, there is also a directly subordinate artillery regiment, which is equipped with 75 mountain artillery and field artillery of the little devils. The 92 infantry gun, which was regarded as a treasure in other main divisions, was attached to the regimental level in the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army.

Such equipment, at least in Lu Zhencao's opinion, is not inferior to the elite troops of the Japanese army. Not to mention, after he took office, he also heard that the Northeast Anti-Japanese Coalition Army also has an armored tank brigade.

Being able to serve as the commander of a division in such a unit, Lu Zhencao naturally knows how lucky he is. can command such a force to advance into the northeast to fight, as Lu Zhencao, who was born in the Northeast Army, is also full of expectations and confidence! (To be continued.) )