Headquarters of the Eighth Route Army.

"Boss, there is good news."

The Deputy Chief of the General Staff walked into the war room with a smile on his face.

I saw the boss and the division commander playing poker.

The battle is over, and it's finally time to relax by playing cards.

"Yes, press on." The boss asked while playing cards, "What's the good news?" ”

The deputy chief of staff asked with a smile: "There are two good news in total, which one do you want to hear, boss?" ”

"You don't sell it to me, I'll blow it up!" The boss threw four 5's on the table, and said, "Is it that the results of the battle of Lijiapo have been counted?" ”

"It's the boss."

The deputy chief of the general staff smiled: "Just guess it." ”

The division commander shook off the two hands of cards and said with a smile: "Straight flush, and then 4." ”

"Lose again." The boss threw the cards and asked, "How many devils have you annihilated?" ”

"More than 1,300!" "4 infantry squadrons, 1 heavy machine gun squadron, 1 baggage squadron, plus 2 artillery squadrons. ”

"Well done!"

The boss clenched his fists hard.

The division commander also asked: "What about the casualties of the independent regiment?" ”

Deputy Chief of the General Staff: "More than 300 people were killed, and more than 80 were seriously wounded. ”

"Oh my God, a three-to-one ratio of battle losses to the enemy?" The boss sighed, "Is the combat effectiveness of Li Yunlong's independent regiment already so strong?" ”

"Boss, I'm afraid this is not a reflection of the real combat effectiveness of both the enemy and us."

The division commander waved his hand and said: "In the final analysis, the Yamazaki Brigade is a tired division, but the Independent Regiment is waiting for work. ”

"Even so, it is enough to prove that the combat effectiveness of the independent regiment is extraordinary." The boss waved his hand and said, "By the way, how much has been seized?" Did we lose or earn this battle? ”

Hearing this, the face of the deputy chief of the general staff fell.

"Boss, why don't you talk about the seizure? I'm afraid you'll be upset to hear it. ”

"Jokes." The boss said, "The battle of Lijiapo has eliminated so many devils, even if I kill all the family funds, I will be happy." ”

"Then I really said it." The deputy chief of the general staff sighed, and then said, "Although the mobile column of the battle of Lijiapo has not exhausted all its assets, it is almost there, at least the heavy machine gun ammunition has been exhausted. ”

"What?" When the boss heard this, he immediately became angry and scolded, "Li Yunlong, this loser, why doesn't he save a little?" I remember that the mobile column had a reserve of 300,000 rounds of ammunition for heavy machine guns? ”

"300,000 rounds of heavy machine gun ammunition, all of them were used up in just one battle?"

"Damn, this is really a cub selling Ye Tian is not distressed, 300,000 rounds!"

"Is it easy for us to save up these 300,000 rounds? Defeated all at once. ”

The deputy chief of the general staff smiled bitterly: "Boss, beyond shooting is originally very bullet-consuming. ”

"Don't talk to me about overshooting, no one is allowed to use overshooting in the future." The boss said angrily, "What kind of war is this?" It's a fucking robbery, and it's worse than a robbery. ”

"Look, I said you're going to be angry."

The deputy chief of staff reluctantly spread his hands with the boss.

The boss said a little unwillingly: "Didn't you capture some bullets?" ”

"There must have been seizures." "But the total is less than 30,000 rounds." ”

"Where's the weaponry?" The division commander then asked, "An infantry brigade that has eliminated the devils, there should be no less weapons and equipment captured, right?" It should be enough to arm a main regiment, right? ”

The deputy chief of staff said: "There are indeed a lot of weapons and equipment captured, but in addition to rifles, others such as mortars, grenadiers and light and heavy machine guns are basically destroyed by the little devils." ”

"Even if it is sent to the arsenal, it can only be dismantled and used as parts."

"The devil is so resolute?" The division commander sighed, turned his head and said to the boss, "Boss, it seems that we can fight such a tough battle, we should try not to fight, otherwise, if there are a few more hard battles like Li Jiapo, our 129th Division's family foundation will really be completely hollowed out." ”

"One time is enough for us, how many times will we have to do it again?"

The boss said angrily: "Try to avoid tough battles in the future." ”

In this battle of Lijiapo, the consumption of ammunition was really large.

If nothing else, 6,000 grenades alone were consumed!

That's almost six months of grenade production capacity at the Water Kidneys Arsenal!

In other words, after the battle of Lijiapo, more than 30 regiments of the 129th Division of the entire Eighth Route Army could not be replenished with even a single grenade within six months.

The price is indeed not small.

There are also bullets, and the 12 heavy machine guns of the mobile column have engaged in a transcendent shooting, this method of fighting is indeed very novel, and the lethality is indeed very considerable, which can be seen from the results of the battle of Lijiapo.

But the ammunition consumption of this tactic is also really staggering, and it is simply heartbreaking.

In less than half a day, 12 heavy machine gun companies actually consumed 300,000 rounds of 7.7mm caliber heavy machine gun ammunition!

You must know that more than three years ago, when the entire 129th Division entered Shanxi to participate in the Anti-Japanese War, there were only 300,000 rounds of ammunition in total.

But now, the independent regiment has destroyed 300,000 rounds of heavy machine gun ammunition in just one battle, and it is no wonder that the boss is so angry that he scolded Li Yunlong for being a loser.

The deputy chief of staff said with a smile: "Boss, now that the mobile column's family has been hollowed out, do we still want to help them fill this big hole?" ”

The boss said angrily: "I just want to make it up, and I have to make it up, right?" ”

The deputy chief of general staff said with a smile: "If you want to make up for it, you can actually make it up." ”

"How do you make it up?" The boss shook his head and said, "Just the production capacity of the Water Waist Arsenal?" ”

The division commander smiled: "Looking for a little devil to make up for it?" But right now, the devils in Shanxi don't have any surplus food, right? ”

The deputy chief of staff smiled: "Boss, didn't I just say that there are two good news?" The other piece of good news is about the Water Kidneys Arsenal. ”

The boss asked, "What good news can there be at the Water Waist Arsenal?" ”

"Boss, the Water Waist Arsenal is not what it used to be." The deputy chief of the general staff said, "Didn't you dismantle a steam engine and a high-power generator from the devil's armored train last time?" ”

"These two machines have solved the big problem of the Water Waist Arsenal."

"One of the major problems that constrained the arsenal was that there was no stable and reliable power supply."

"But now this problem no longer exists, and the arsenal has a stable and reliable power supply, so this capacity has also come up."

"I've already asked Lao Liu."

"Next month, the arsenal will be able to usher in a big explosion of output."

"Oh yes, the Independent Regiment also transported back dozens of machines and equipment from the Niangziguan Military Station."

"Among these dozens of machines and equipment, there is equipment for processing gun barrels and even gun barrels, and now the Shuijiaozi Arsenal has the capacity to produce rifles and even small mortars."

When the boss and the division commander heard this, they immediately became interested.

The boss asked, "Chief of Staff, how much output can a big outbreak produce?" ”

The deputy chief of the general staff said with a smile: "I heard Lao Liu say that it can produce 500 shells and 6,000 grenades per month, plus 100,000 rounds of bullets of various types!" ”

The boss couldn't help but glance at the teacher.

Unconsciously, the Water Waist Arsenal has grown to this point?

The division commander said very happily: "In this way, in less than three months, the Shuijiaozi Arsenal will be able to fill this hole in the mobile column?" That's great! ”

The explosion of production capacity of the Water Waist Arsenal is really timely.

In this way, in less than three months, the mobile column will be able to regain its combat effectiveness.

The deputy chief of the general staff continued: "The fly in the ointment is that due to the limitation of material quality, the Shuijiaozi Arsenal is not yet able to produce high-quality shells and bullets, so the range of the reloaded shells is slightly closer than the original shells, and the reloaded bullets can only ensure the shooting accuracy within 150 meters." ”

"150 meters?" The division commander said, "Enough." ”

Not all the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army are sharpshooters like the Wolf Warrior Squad.

Most of the time, the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army opened fire within 100 or even 50 meters.

The boss said in a deep voice: "If this is the case, I am afraid we will no longer be able to leave as before." ”

"yes." The deputy chief of staff said, "In the past, the factory was small and the equipment was small, and the devils came, so as soon as we buried the equipment, the personnel could be withdrawn, but now not only the number of workers has increased dramatically, but the equipment is also much more than before. ”

The division commander said, "Then make a plan." ”

"yes, we're going to have to make a defense."

The boss said, "Let the secret service come back first." ”

……

Taiyuan, conference room of the headquarters of the 1st Army in Shanxi.

Okamura Ninji said, "In addition, I have one more good news to tell you. ”

Speaking of this, he said: "The Battle of Zaoyi has entered the final stage, and the four infantry brigades transferred to the Central China Battlefield will soon be able to return to the establishment. ”

"In addition, in the next few years, the Empire's operational focus will shift to North China."

"Ladies and gentlemen, the implementation of a large-scale law and order campaign against the vast occupied areas of North China and the elimination of all resistance forces in the occupied areas, especially the Eighth Route Army, will become the main work of the empire in the next three to five years."

"Onboard!" Hearing this, many young officers couldn't help but cheer.

The fact that law and order in North China has become the main job means that they will have more opportunities.

"Gentlemen, please be calm." Okamura Ninji pressed his hands to signal the young officer not to get excited at first, and then said, "Gentlemen, the two consecutive defeats of the North China Front Army in southern Hebei and the Taihang Mountains have made me realize that the strength and cunning of the opponent of the Eighth Route Army far exceeded my expectations!" ”

"I came to Taiyuan this time, not only to summarize and review the defeat in the previous stage, but also to ask you for advice on how to break the enemy, you have been confronting the Eighth Route Army on the Shanxi battlefield for nearly three years, and your familiarity with the Eighth Route Army must be far better than mine, so please also ask you to be sure to give advice."

Speaking of this, Okamura stood up again and bowed deeply.

Seeing this, Yamamoto Kazuki's eyes immediately flashed with a hint of brilliance.

If His Excellency the General is not making a gesture, but really thinks so, then great things can be expected!

At that moment, Yamamoto Kazuki looked at Yoshio Shinozuka again, and this time Yoshio Shinozuka finally bowed his head slightly.

After obtaining Yoshio Shinozuka's permission, Yamamoto Kazuki stood up and paused: "I have a few shallow views that I want to throw bricks and lead the way, and I ask Your Excellency the General to allow me to speak." ”

"Oh, isn't this Yamamoto-kun, a top student at the Berlin Military Academy?"

Okamura Ninji also recognized Yamamoto Kazuki, and said with a smile: "Please speak." ”

"Hello." Yamamoto Kazuki shook his head and said, "The Eighth Route Army called the Battle of the Hundred Regiments in this attack on the main communication arteries in North China, and the main reason why the Imperial Army suffered an unprecedented defeat was not because of insufficient troops, but because the enemy was too lightly attacked, and the tactics adopted were also seriously inappropriate. ”

Hearing this, including senior staff officers such as Yoshio Oshima, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Takuya Mizuhara, the faces of nearly a hundred officers in the entire conference room suddenly fell.

Because Yamamoto Kazuki beat all the officers present to death with a stick.

You alone have brains, and all of us are stupid pigs?

Yamamoto Kazuki's words made Okamura Ningji quite surprised, Yamamoto-kun is quite upright?

Ryuichi Sakamoto couldn't hold back at first, and said angrily: "Yamamoto-kun, what do you mean by saying that the imperial army underestimates the enemy? ”

"Isn't it? Isn't what I'm saying the truth? Yamamoto Kazuki snorted and said, "In the middle of last year, I repeatedly reminded you that you should improve your assessment of the combat strength of the Eighth Route Army, and give up the peripheral strongholds in time, especially those small strongholds with weak defense, and give up decisively!" ”

"Oh, you're such a."

"Are you questioning Your Excellency Umezu's security strategy?"

"What kind of thing are you, and you dare to talk about Shanxi's public security strategy?"

"What a guy who doesn't know the height of the sky, isn't it great to have studied in Germany?"

Yamamoto Kazuki's speech immediately attracted a fierce siege from almost all the middle and high-ranking officers present.

Seeing this, Yoshio Shinozuka's face immediately became gloomy, his heart was actually completely inclined to Yamamoto Kazuki, but unfortunately, Yamamoto Kazuo's views were a minority in the 1st Army, and almost no one supported him, although he Shinozuka Yoshio was the commander, he could not forcibly promote Yamamoto Kazuki's tactics.

In the final analysis, it was the former commander Mijiro Umezu who left too deep a mark on the 1st Army.

Although Yoshio Shinozuka has been in office for more than half a year, he has still not been able to straighten out the personnel of the headquarters, such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Takuya Mizuhara, Yoshio Oshima and others are all senior staff officers selected by Umezu Mijiro when he was in office, and Yoshio Shinozuka has always felt that he is not so handy in commanding.

Although he was besieged by his colleagues, Yamamoto Kazuki was not angry.

Kazuki Yamamoto didn't even bother to argue with his colleagues because he felt that it was a complete waste of time, and Yamamoto Kazuki just looked at Okamura Ninji with burning eyes.

Okamura Ninji immediately got up and pressed his hands weakly.

The enraged officers fell silent.

The entire conference room quickly fell silent.

Okamura Ninji smiled and said, "All the monarchs are the cadres of the empire, and they are all the elites of the imperial army, so they don't even have the grace to listen to different opinions, right?" ”

Your Excellency the General has said so, who dares to have an opinion?

At that moment, Okamura Ninji said to Yamamoto Kazuki: "Yamamoto-kun, please continue." ”

"Hello." Yamamoto Kazuki paused slightly, and said, "The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army has been changing, and the peak of its combat effectiveness was at the end of the 12th year of Showa (1937), when the Eighth Route Army entered the Shanxi battlefield with only 3 divisions and less than 40,000 people, but these 40,000 people were all Jinghua after a brutal elimination called the 'Long March'. ”

"These veterans of the Eighth Route Army have stable psychological quality, superb tactical literacy, and extremely strong physical fitness, so their combat effectiveness is extremely strong, and in the battle of Pingxingguan, the 5th Division, known as the 'Steel Army', fought with it with a white knuckle, not only did not take advantage, but suffered a big loss!"

Takashi Sakamoto said angrily: "That's just the baggage wing of the 5th Division. ”

"Why should Sakamoto-kun deceive himself?" Yamamoto Kazuki said coldly, "In addition to the difference in weapons and equipment, there is any difference in the training received by the baggage wing and the infantry wing of each division and regiment of the Imperial Army, whether it is an officer or a soldier? Can the infantry wing defeat the baggage wing in a white-knuckle battle? ”

"This ......" Ryuichi Sakamoto was speechless.

Okamura Ninji said again: "Yamamoto-kun, please continue. ”

"Hello." Yamamoto Kazuki paused again, "Time entered the second half of the 13th year of Showa (1938), and the Eighth Route Army, out of the consideration of protracted operations, adopted the combat strategy of breaking the whole into parts, with a small number of veterans as the backbone, supplementing a large number of recruits and expanding a large number of combat units, but while the number of its troops increased dramatically, its combat effectiveness fell off a cliff. ”

"By the end of Showa 13 to the beginning of Showa 14, the Eighth Route Army's ability to attack fortifications was almost lost."

"Even if it is a small stronghold garrisoned by an infantry detachment of the Imperial Army supplemented by a small number of Imperial Allied Army, the Eighth Route Army often needs to make a lot of effort to break through."

"At this stage, the Eighth Route Army mostly used sparrow warfare and guerrilla warfare to deal with the imperial army."

"The divisions, regiments, brigades, and regiments that the First Army subsequently organized into the Eighth Route Army came into contact with when they first came to the Shanxi battlefield were the Eighth Route Army at this stage, thus forming a false impression that the Eighth Route Army's combat effectiveness was extremely weak and vulnerable."

Takuya Mizuhara said, "Isn't that the case? The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army was already extremely weak, okay? ”

"That was before." Yamamoto Kazuki shook his head and said, "Since the middle of last year, the combat effectiveness of all units of the Eighth Route Army has begun to recover rapidly, and by the beginning of this year, it has recovered to the level of six or seven percent of its peak, and the combat effectiveness of a very small number of troops has even completely recovered to the combat effectiveness of the peak period. ”

"Because of this, in the attack on various lines of communication a month ago,"

"Hundreds of small strongholds on the outskirts will be breached overnight."

"Even large strongholds with heavy garrisons are not immune."

Yoshio Oshima said: "It was a complete accident, if it weren't for the hijacking of the 11th armored train fleet, the 13 first-class strongholds along Zhengtai Road would not have been breached. ”

"Not an accident." Kazuki Yamamoto shook his head and said, "The fact is that even if the 11th Armored Train Fleet is not hijacked, the 13 large strongholds along Zhengtai Road will also be unable to hold on, at most it will hold on for a few more days." ”

"The reason is that the Eighth Route Army has basically the ability to attack fortifications."

PS: Chapter 2 will wait for the afternoon.

(End of chapter)