Shuozhou is a key stronghold in northern Shanxi, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Back then, the Japanese devils paid a heavy price to capture Shuozhou.
And in the War of Resistance against Japan, no Chinese army has ever liberated a city, not even a county.
And now, a mere division of them is going to attack Shuozhou, which sounds somewhat irrational.
“Old Wang, don't get ahead of yourself, let me explain to you slowly!”
“If it were Shuozhou a month ago, or even a week ago, I wouldn't have dared to touch it. But think about it, how many defenders could still be left in Shuozhou now?”
“After the 36th Division was largely pulled back to southern Shanxi, only the 222nd Regiment was left guarding Shuozhou.”
“And that 222nd Regiment, we've already wiped out half of them.”
“The remaining half of the regiment trying to control the entire Shuozhou region, they're definitely going to be stretched thin.”
“Aside from the battalion originally stationed in the towns and counties, there are at most half a battalion and an artillery platoon left in Shuozhou city, equipped with six Type 92 Infantry Guns.”
“This force may seem formidable, but in reality, it's all bark and no bite.”
“After the Zhai Jiu Ao Ambush and the Niu Jiao Feng Ambush, our 399th Division captured a whole and a half battalion's worth of Japanese weapons, equipment, and supplies.”
“Now, counting the ones Li Yunlong hasn't sent yet, we have a total of four Type 92 Infantry Guns!”
“Add that to the artillery company we already have in the division, our artillery firepower far surpasses that of the Japanese!”
“Not counting the battalion they've scattered outside, our manpower is more than ten times that of the Japanese!”
“We are strong in both manpower and firepower, and we have heavy weapons for attacking fortifications, what is there to fear in Shuozhou?”
“Besides, there's another crucial factor that makes it imperative to attack Shuozhou.”
“After these few battles, Old Wang, you've seen it for yourself. The reason why our 399th Division can go head-to-head with the Japanese devils, hold our own, and even firmly suppress them, is primarily due to our ample ammunition reserves.”
“But if we keep fighting like this, if we can always keep up with the current rate of capture and use captured supplies to sustain ourselves, that's fine.”
“But once the tide turns against us, that would be a devastating blow to the development momentum of our 399th Division.”
“Shuozhou, as a major stronghold in northern Shanxi, should have a considerable amount of machine tools.”
“If we can seize Shuozhou while the Japanese forces are depleted, get our hands on these machine tools, we might be able to alleviate our logistics problems to some extent.”
“This is of great significance for establishing a stable anti-Japanese base in northern Shanxi. Therefore, in my view, Shuozhou must be taken!”
“If we miss this golden opportunity, once the Japanese main force returns from southern Shanxi, we will have no chance to touch Shuozhou again!”
“Old Xiao is right, this is a golden opportunity. We must not miss it, our 399th Division!”
As the 399th Division’s logistics manager, Wang Yan knew better than anyone the immense pressure on the 399th Division’s logistics during these two battles.
Now, there was a chance to fundamentally solve the problem, and the risk involved wasn't great either, so he was quickly convinced by Xiao Yun.
After Xiao Yun formulated the general battle plan, the two signed and sent a telegram to the headquarters, requesting their approval.
After all, an action of this scale needs to be reported to the headquarters.
“I wonder if the higher-ups will be as shocked as we are when they see the plan,”
Political Commissar Wang Yan thought to himself after sending the telegram.
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Meanwhile, Li Yunlong and Kong Jie assigned soldiers to transport the captured goods back to their respective garrisons, while they personally led some soldiers to deliver the two Type 92 Infantry Guns to Xiao Yun.
On the one hand, they couldn't bear to part with these two cannons, wanting to stay with them a little longer.
On the other hand, they were also interested in the next battle plan mentioned by Xiao Yun on the phone, and wanted to ask for a combat mission in person.
The New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment weren't regular units with official designations, but their two commanders were incredibly ambitious, always wanting to compete with the 811th and 812th Regiments.
“Division Commander, the Type 92 Infantry Guns you requested, Kong Er Lengzi and I have brought them to you!”
From afar, Li Yunlong saw Xiao Yun and immediately went forward, looking very loyal.
“Okay, I see them, have the soldiers send them to the artillery company. Also, how are the casualties from the Zhai Jiu Ao Ambush for your two regiments?”
“Report, Division Commander, the New First Regiment suffered 121 casualties, 26 lightly wounded, and 15 seriously wounded.”
“Report, Division Commander, the Independent Regiment suffered 133 casualties, 21 lightly wounded, and 13 seriously wounded.”
Li Yunlong and Kong Jie reported in succession.
The troop quality and weapons and equipment of their two regiments were inferior to those of the 811th and 812th Regiments, and they had to leave behind those two companies of Japanese devils to carry out the fishing mission, so they couldn't wipe them out cleanly.
The delay in the process inevitably increased the number of casualties, although this was expected by Xiao Yun, he still felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
“Take care of the compensation for the fallen soldiers and provide proper treatment for the wounded soldiers. If you lack any medicine, tell me directly, and I'll find a way!”
“Yes, Division Commander!” ×2
Leaving this heavy topic behind, Li Yunlong and Kong Jie started probing about the 399th Division's next battle plan.