“Lao Xiao, if we're going to use a pincer attack, it's going to be noisy, and the other Japanese troops won't easily give up on the heavy weapons those Japanese soldiers carry.”
“Do you think we should inform headquarters and give them a report?”
Political Commissar Wang Yan said with some concern.
The Japanese were always very protective of their weapons and equipment, and they would never easily let the Eighth Route Army capture them, especially heavy weapons.
This group of Japanese soldiers who came to carry out the sweep had been reinforced with a small artillery unit and carried two Type 92 infantry guns.
Once these Japanese soldiers were surrounded, they would inevitably come to the rescue at any cost, and the entire situation would change, making Wang Yan worry about whether the 399th Brigade could handle it.
............................
“Lao Wang, you're worrying a bit too much. The closest to our 399th Brigade's defense zone is the Japanese 222nd Regiment stationed in Shuozhou. Once the battle starts, only they can quickly come to the rescue.”
“Currently, most of the Japanese troops in Shanxi Province are concentrated in the southern part of Shanxi, facing off against the Nationalist forces, preparing to launch a major battle in Zhongtiao Mountain.”
“Japanese troops stationed in other places are short-handed, and they are struggling to maintain control of their occupied areas.”
“As long as they dare to come to the rescue, I believe that other friendly forces near their occupied areas will not miss this opportunity.”
“And although the 222nd Regiment is powerful, they also need to control a lot of areas. Based on my judgment, they can at most squeeze out one infantry battalion to come to the rescue.”
“With the strength of our 399th Brigade, we can completely stage a beautiful pincer attack.”
“My plan is to use the two Japanese companies that came for the sweep as bait and eliminate the Japanese reinforcements!”
“However, Lao Wang, you are right to think about this. Such a large-scale military operation should indeed be reported to headquarters!”
If this battle goes smoothly, it will be possible to completely wipe out a Japanese battalion, setting a precedent in the War of Resistance.
After all, the previous Pingxingguan victory, where the Eighth Route Army under the command of the 101st Division achieved victory, only eliminated over 1000 enemy soldiers. It doesn't have the same weight as wiping out an entire Japanese battalion.
It's only because the main force of the Japanese troops in Shanxi Province are currently concentrated in the south, facing off against the Nationalists, that Xiao Yun is confident in attempting to wipe out a Japanese battalion.
Just the Japanese reinforcements rushing in from all directions would be enough to give his 399th Brigade a hard time!
Xiao Yun is not Li Yunlong. As a graduate of a regular military academy, he would never be as undisciplined as Li Yunlong, who has defied orders on the battlefield multiple times.
Whenever there is a large-scale troop movement, he does what he needs to do, reporting and seeking permission.
However, although he says it's seeking permission, it's basically just a formality.
As a veteran who participated in the Yuzhang Uprising, in many cases, as long as his battle plans aren't too outlandish, headquarters will approve them and even provide a lot of assistance, such as coordinating with surrounding friendly forces.
Besides, Xiao Yun isn't a fool. On the contrary, he is considered a general-level figure in tactical command and would never come up with a battle plan so outrageous that headquarters would reject it.
“Okay, okay. You know what you're doing, Lao Xiao!”
Political Commissar Wang Yan nodded.
According to their division of responsibilities, Xiao Yun, as the military commander, is in charge of all matters related to combat and training.
While Wang Yan is in charge of ideological work and logistics, not intervening in combat command. He had only reminded Xiao Yun out of concern.
.................................
Xiao Yun nodded and stood up, walking over to the operational map hanging on the wall. His finger followed the direction of advance of the Japanese troops carrying out the sweep as mentioned in the intelligence, eventually stopping at a place called Zaijiu'ao.
Yes, this time Xiao Yun intends to take the initiative and stop the enemy outside of the defense zone.
The 399th Brigade hasn't been in the northwest of Shanxi to establish an anti-Japanese base for very long and hasn't fully gained the trust and support of the local people.
As for whether the Eighth Route Army can protect the safety of the base, the local people are still observing.
This battle will be a battle to establish the reputation of the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi, and it must be a resounding victory.
Zaijiu'ao is a place surrounded by mountains on two sides, with a winding road running through it. The terrain is narrow, and as long as both ends are blocked, it will be possible to establish a trap and take advantage of the high ground to achieve a sure victory.
A perfect ambush location!
Xiao Yun intends to sound the death knell for the two Japanese companies who came to carry out the sweep here.
As for the Japanese reinforcements, Xiao Yun has also prepared a perfect burial ground for them.
With his current tactical command attribute points reaching 90, it is easy for him to predict where the Japanese will send reinforcements.
The Japanese 222nd Regiment stationed in Shuozhou is a standard infantry regiment, consisting of a regimental headquarters, three infantry battalions, one artillery company, one anti-tank company, one communication company, etc.
Apart from an infantry battalion dispersed in various towns and villages, only two Japanese infantry battalions remain stationed in Shuozhou city.
Now, half an infantry battalion has been sent out to sweep through the base area, leaving only one and a half infantry battalions stationed in Shuozhou city.
At most, they can only dispatch one infantry battalion to come to the rescue, and they cannot carry a lot of heavy weapons, otherwise, Shuozhou city, defended by only half an infantry battalion, will be in danger.
As for the infantry battalion dispersed in various towns and villages, it is absolutely untouchable.
Although an infantry battalion seems like a lot of people, they are dispersed across various locations, only a few dozen to a hundred people at most.
If they were to draw troops from this battalion to send reinforcements, even the guerrillas alone would be enough for the Japanese troops left behind to face a tough time.
Since you know where the Japanese are coming from, then planning against them is a piece of cake!