Chapter 109: Songhu Priority

The 129th Division!

The Division Commander sent a special envoy to the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army, and the two armies discussed the situation of the upcoming battle.

Where to choose the battlefield, how to divide the spoils after the campaign ends, and how to divide the combat supplies.

After friendly negotiations, both sides reached an agreement on all of the above.

After the joint operations meeting with the friendly forces concluded.

Deng Xihou specifically convened the generals of the Sichuan Army for a meeting.

At the meeting, Deng Xihou emphatically stressed that the Sichuan Army had come to Jin Province this time.

Then they must fight the first battle well.

After all, for the Imperial Army, treaties are just waste paper, not even as good as toilet paper!

If Hashimoto Ryuji were here and knew that this was what Kawakishi Bunzaburo was thinking.

Upon hearing this, Kawakishi Bunzaburo's gaze sharpened as he looked at his Adjutant, Colonel Mitsui.

Preparing to incorporate the 6th Division into the 10th Army and commit it to Songhu.

"This Sichuan Army?"

At present, the troops commanded by Kawakishi Bunzaburo are locked in a tug-of-war with the defending forces and cannot break through the Niangziguan Battlefield all at once.

If the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army arrives at Niangziguan.

His gaze turned toward Shimen Town!

"Order Colonel Hashimoto to outflank and take Donghui Town as quickly as possible!"

Coupled with the fierce fighting on the Songhu Battlefield, the Japanese devils also felt immense pressure.

Giving Kawakishi Bunzaburo enough time to deliberate!

Once the Niangziguan Battlefield receives reinforcements from the Sichuan Army, it will inevitably make Kawakishi Bunzaburo's offensive against Niangziguan even more difficult.

But, at the same time, he very much wanted to engage the Sichuan Army in Jin Province.

"Huang Shaohong is in charge of the Niangziguan Battlefield; this man holds the title of one of the Guangxi Clique Three Heroes in Zhongtu!"

It must be done before the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army arrives.

The current strategy within the Japanese nation is that the Songhu Battlefield takes priority, and other battlefields come second.

"In the face of the Imperial Army's artillery fire, the Sichuan Army should prepare to die!"

"Hai!" Colonel Mitsui bowed and scraped: "The 22nd Group Army belongs to the Sichuan Army and has a total of forty thousand men!"

Seeing that Colonel Mitsui was about to leave, Kawakishi Bunzaburo said coldly: "Come back!"

"Your Excellency Division Commander, according to the telegram from the Special Higher Police, the 2nd War Zone has added the 22nd Group Army?"

Colonel Mitsui stood at attention and said: "It is a telegram regarding the troop reinforcements in the 2nd War Zone!"

"Immediately send a telegram to the garrison troops within Zhuozhou to transport a large quantity of Special Smoke over here."

He would certainly tell Kawakishi Bunzaburo that the combat effectiveness of the Sichuan Army is not bad at all.

Kawakishi Bunzaburo put down the telegram in his hand and looked at Colonel Mitsui.

"Your Excellency Division Commander!"

Kawakishi Bunzaburo waved his hand, "The Sichuan Army... they are nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs!"

The Sichuan Army again!

Organized into the Kunisaki Detachment, it was also committed to the Songhu Battlefield!

Now that a portion of the troops in the Pingjin Region has been transferred away.

If the Deputy Division Commander is killed in action, then the Chief of Staff takes his place; if even the Chief of Staff is killed in action.

The Sichuan Army!

"Hai!" Colonel Mitsui nodded heavily.

His brow was tightly furrowed!

Now in the direction of Niangziguan!

Possessing Sun Lianzhong's 2nd Group Army, the 27th Route Army, and the 26th Route Army.

"Bring the Special Smoke; if you encounter resistance from the defending forces, use the Special Smoke immediately."

At the same time, the 5th Division fighting in Jin Province also drew out one Brigade from within.

Both sides continuously reinforced their troops; it was a fierce battle.

Not long after the Communications Soldier left!

"Niangziguan!"

In order to break through the Niangziguan Battlefield as quickly as possible, Kawakishi Bunzaburo was now utilizing the Imperial Army's specially made weapons.

But!

"Colonel Hashimoto is currently commanding the troops to outflank the rear of Niangziguan."

These three words are now a thorn that makes Kawakishi Bunzaburo's eyes ache!!

Kawakishi Bunzaburo roared!

Hashimoto Ryuji, who was riding on horseback, received the telegram from the Division Commander.

"Order!"

Once it falls into a stalemate, it will be the same as the Songhu Battlefield.

"The combat effectiveness of the troops has also increased!"

Hashimoto Ryuji harbored extreme hatred for this unit in his heart.

"Your Excellency Division Commander, after the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army commanded by Deng Xihou crossed the Yellow River."

The Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army has reinforced Niangziguan; be sure to let the Hashimoto Detachment be careful.

Kawakishi Bunzaburo's Adjutant hurried into the command post.

Kawakishi Bunzaburo also issued orders to the Hashimoto Detachment.

If so, this would inevitably result in the Niangziguan Battlefield not being broken through quickly, and both sides would once again fall into a stalemate.

Such a war situation is extremely unfavorable for the Japanese.

If a Platoon Leader is killed in action, a Squad Leader takes their place; if a Company Commander is killed in action, a Platoon Leader takes their place, and so on.

These three strategic group armies total 8 Divisions, one Independent Brigade, and one Training Regiment.

The Division and Brigade-level commanders are arranged this way, and the Platoon and Company-level commanders are the same.

"Form another flanking force!"

Otherwise, once the Niangziguan Battlefield falls into a stalemate, it will become the next Songhu Battlefield.

"Sichuan Army?"

Originally, some divisions were to be transferred to the Pingjin Region, but now they are being transferred directly to Songhu.

After Colonel Mitsui finished speaking, Kawakishi Bunzaburo reached out and took the telegram from his hand.

Especially the officers of the Sichuan Army; they must lead by example. If a Division Commander is killed in action, then the Deputy Division Commander takes over.

"Cut off the retreat route of the defenders in the direction of Niangziguan."

"Is the direction of the reinforcements Niangziguan?"

The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters has shifted the focus of its offensive from the Pingjin Region to the Songhu Region.

After all, on the Songhu Battlefield, Hashimoto Ryuji had personally experienced the prowess of the Sichuan Army.

The Japanese 6th Division fought very smoothly in the Pingjin Region and has now been transferred to the Songhu Battlefield.

"My unit has received an important telegram from the Special Higher Police!"

For the sake of the Imperial Army's Holy War, Kawakishi Bunzaburo did not feel at all that he was violating international conventions.

"Hai!"

All services are prioritized for the Songhu Battlefield.

"What telegram?"

Nakajima Kesago's 16th Division was originally intended to reinforce the Pingjin Region.

Deng Xihou also arranged the order of succession for Brigade Commanders to replace Division Commanders.

At this moment!

Niangziguan Battlefield!

Kawakishi Bunzaburo's Division command post.

But now, the General Headquarters has incorporated it into the combat sequence of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army and transferred it to Songhu.

"Reinforcements?" Kawakishi Bunzaburo said coldly: "Which unit has the 2nd War Zone added?"

"Reporting to the Division Commander, sir!"

"Moreover, this unit also underwent re-equipping in Baoji and Chang'an!"

"At the same time, have the unit flanking the left wing of Niangziguan carry a large quantity of Mortars!"

"They are traveling directly by train toward Niangziguan; this army is now under the command of the 2nd War Zone Deputy Commander... Huang Shaohong!"

"Yoshi!" Kawakishi Bunzaburo smiled upon hearing this.

To him, such weapons are a bit of an unfair victory.

"Flank toward the left wing of Niangziguan!"

There are not many troops left that the Japanese can send to Jin Province.

Therefore!

The Niangziguan Battlefield must be broken through as quickly as possible.

"Hai!" The Japanese Communications Soldier nodded and bowed to Kawakishi Bunzaburo.

"Colonel Hashimoto has already led his troops to capture Shimen Town."

Upon arriving in Jin Province... he encountered the Sichuan Army again.

Once the war begins, the Sichuan Army must disregard life and death.

"The 22nd Group Army was originally subordinate to the Sichuan Army 2nd Route Army."

After speaking, Colonel Mitsui saw that the Division Commander was deep in thought, so he stood silently to the side.

"Division Commander, do you have any other instructions!?" Mitsui stepped forward quickly.

Hashimoto wanted to know if he could defeat this Sichuan Army unit now that he had obtained the manpower of a brigade.

The seven thousand-plus Japanese soldiers did not suffer heavy casualties in the battle at Shimen Town.

(End of chapter)