Chapter 340: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 350 Chu Yunfei: One Division Is Enough for Me

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The Eighth Route Army launched a large-scale raid on the Daoqing Railway, while National Army troops also launched an offensive near Jiyuan, greatly shaking the North China Area Army.

Inside Beiping City, North China Area Army Commander General Sugimoto Gen sat on pins and needles.

General Sugimoto Gen had originally served as Army Minister. Because former North China Area Army Commander General Terauchi Hisaichi had conducted operations unfavorably, and with the rise of the Youth Corps, the Japanese high command dismissed former commander General Terauchi Hisaichi and parachuted General Sugimoto Gen into North China to coordinate the overall situation.

Upon taking office, the new North China Area Army Commander General Sugimoto Gen was very active, deploying strict controls over the Youth Corps at Zhengzhou.

To restrain the Youth Corps, Sugimoto Gen deployed the 110th Division at Jiaozuo on the north bank of the Yellow River, across the river from Zhengzhou;

deploying the 21st Division and two Kwantung Army mixed brigades in the Lanfeng area east of Zhengzhou.

Broadly speaking, just monitoring Lv Muzhi used up forces equivalent to three divisions.

General Sugimoto Gen had no other request, only hoping that during the Wuhan campaign, the Youth Corps would not make any major moves.

However, what was feared came to pass: fierce fighting broke out in the Jiyuan area, and 110th Division Commander Lieutenant General Kuwaki Shigemasa sent an urgent telegram requesting aid.

General Sugimoto Gen stared at the battle report, sweat beading on his forehead.

Xia Guo's First War Zone dispatched the 95th and 166th Divisions, and Chu Yunfei's Youth Corps division had also crossed the river northward, heading straight for Jiyuan.

Most troublesome was that the Jiyuan garrison consisted of only one regiment of the 110th Division, about three thousand men.

It was not that the 110th Division did not value Jiyuan City, but rather the division's main force was stationed in Jiaozuo City, which produced coal; as a small city, Jiyuan having over three thousand Japanese troops stationed there was already sufficient to show it was valued.

It was just that facing Chu Yunfei's division coming with great momentum, the over three thousand Japanese troops appeared outmatched.

Moreover, now that the Youth Corps had actively crossed the river to attack, Sugimoto Gen had to be vigilant: did Lv Muzhi intend to use Jiyuan as a springboard to counterattack North China?

The 110th Division Headquarters was stationed at Jiaozuo, and reinforcements had to advance west along the Daoqing Railway, but the railway was being continuously raided by the Eighth Route Army.

The 95th Division's guerrilla troops also continuously harassed road strongholds; this was clearly premeditated coordinated operations.

"Does Lv Muzhi really have the guts to counterattack North China?" General Sugimoto Gen mused.

The Chief of Staff reminded: "Commander, rest assured, the Youth Corps does not have the strength to seize all of North China. What should be worried about now is that if Lv Muzhi occupies Jiyuan and then advances east to capture Jiaozuo, the consequences will be serious.

Jiaozuo's coal resources absolutely cannot be lost!"

"I understand," General Sugimoto Gen said, "that is why I stationed the 110th Division to guard Jiaozuo. Many of the newly supplemented divisions of the North China Area Army recently are triangular divisions with only three regiments;

but the 110th Division is still an old four-regiment establishment, with stronger strength.

Notify Kuwaki Shigemasa: he must do his utmost to support Jiyuan and drive Chu Yunfei's unit back to the south bank of the Yellow River!"

At this moment, the Communications Staff Officer delivered an urgent telegram: the Central China Expeditionary Army reported that the Youth Corps had already dispatched two divisions to the Wuhan battlefield via the Pinghan Railway.

General Sugimoto Gen's heart tightened—another pincer movement!

During the Xuzhou campaign, Lv Muzhi had used this tactic to inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army.

Now he was copying it again: attacking Jiyuan northward to threaten the North China Area Army; moving south to support Wuhan and strike the Central China Expeditionary Army.

General Sugimoto Gen thought for a moment and said: "Hmph! A pincer movement? Then the Zhengzhou headquarters is probably wide open! I absolutely will not allow the defeat at Xuzhou to repeat!"

"Order the recently transferred Garrison Mongolia Army 26th Division to move toward Jiaozuo, assist in opening transportation lines, and support the Jiyuan garrison.

At the same time, order the 21st Division in the Lanfeng area and the Kwantung Army Independent Mixed Brigades 3 and 13 to advance westward, pressuring the Youth Corps.

Cable Central China Expeditionary Army General Hata Shunroku, requesting that the two divisions of the Expeditionary Army's direct reserve be transferred north to guard against Lv Muzhi counterattacking North China."

"Yes!" The Chief of Staff received the order and left.

Inside Jiyuan City, the garrison's 110th Division Infantry 139th Regiment Commander Colonel Nagata Fumio was anxious like an ant on a hot pan.

The staff officer reported: "The Youth Corps has already crossed the river in full and is advancing toward Jiyuan.

The division commander ordered us to hold fast and await reinforcements, but the transportation lines are severely damaged, reinforcements are advancing on foot, and are again being blocked layer by layer by the Eighth Route Army and the 95th Division..."

"Stop saying these useless things, just tell me when the reinforcements will arrive?" Colonel Nagata interrupted impatiently.

"No definite time for now!"

Colonel Nagata waved his hand irritably. He had taken Jiyuan from the National Revolutionary Army 166th Division less than a month ago, and his backside had not even warmed before he was about to be driven away. The worst case was: he might even be buried here!

"Sigh!" Colonel Nagata sighed, but still decided to focus on city defense and asked: "How are the city wall repairs?"

The staff officer answered truthfully: "Jiyuan City has experienced three major battles of attack and defense this year; the city walls are long unusable and are still under repair."

This was truly bad news. Colonel Nagata was anxious: "It's almost been a month! The city walls still aren't repaired? Are the people below slacking?!"

The staff officer explained: "Jiyuan City has changed hands repeatedly between our army and the National Army; the city walls are severely damaged, and the war has caused city residents to flee, so there really isn't enough labor!

Many able-bodied men inside the city and nearby villages have been conscripted by the National Army, many have gone up the mountains to join the Taoist Eight Route, and others have long since fled. There is a severe shortage of manpower to repair the city walls..."

Colonel Nagata panted heavily, having already prepared himself to die, and asked his final question: "How many tanks has Chu Yunfei deployed?"

"The enemy did not deploy any tanks this time!"

Colonel Nagata was startled and breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally some good news!"

The 110th Division was a newly formed unit, and upon first entering the battlefield had heard of the fame of the Youth Corps' tank units.

Now Chu Yunfei's siege forces actually had no tank coordination; it could be said his pressure had suddenly decreased.

"Notify all battalions: hold the positions firmly and hold on until reinforcements arrive!"

"Hai!"

Below Jiyuan City, Chu Yunfei's 2nd Division temporary command post.

Chu Yunfei lowered his binoculars and turned to National Revolutionary Army 166th Division Commander Ma Liwu beside him.

Ma Liwu was actively volunteering: "Division Commander Chu, my 166th Division can be responsible for feint attacks on the east and west sides of Jiyuan City, pinning down Japanese firepower. Your Youth Army can concentrate forces to attack from the south as the main assault; this way there is a greater chance of success!"

Chu Yunfei pondered briefly and shook his head: "Division Commander Ma, I appreciate your good intentions.

But feint attacking Jiyuan is of little significance. The Japanese 110th Division's main force is at Jiaozuo, and reinforcements will certainly advance west along the Daoqing Railway or the highway.

The 95th Division and the Eighth Route Army brothers were conducting guerrilla warfare, raids, and blocking actions over there, under immense pressure.

Blocking and delaying the Japanese reinforcements coming to reinforce them—that is the most important thing! We cannot let the devils from Jiaozuo come over comfortably.

Ma Liwu, division commander of the 166th Division, asked: "Then here... can you handle it alone..."

Chu Yunfei laughed: "Where am I alone? My Youth Second Division is at full strength with over fifteen thousand men. Although we have no tanks or heavy artillery, we can still directly trample this Jiyuan City flat!"