bookcurios Chapter 720 Confirmed, execute according to this plan
Chapter 720 Confirmed, execute according to this plan
Mountain darkly, vista?
The third commander came back marching in step again!
"Commander, what's going on?"
"I told you that you are too straightforward, but you still don't believe me? Although our Weishanhu Independent Division has taken Jining and Yanzhou, there are still Japanese invaders in the surrounding small counties and strongholds. In order to ensure the safety of Jining and Yanzhou, it is reasonable to clear out the surrounding counties and strongholds, right?"
The third captain was delighted at first, but then his face fell.
"Division Commander, as far as I know, we have cleared out all the strongholds within a dozen miles of Jining? Have you forgotten that the First and Second Regiment Commanders took over seven or eight strongholds overnight like they were fighting over dumplings during the Spring Festival!"
"Why can't you think flexibly? The Japs have cars, so how can a safety zone of more than ten miles be enough? I think it should be at least twenty miles, and twenty kilometers! In addition, there should be a buffer zone of ten kilometers! Anyway, you have the final say on these matters, discuss it with the deputy division commander!"
The Third Regiment Commander counted on his fingers and found that there were at least hundreds of strongholds and three or four county towns. If they were all taken down, there would be at least four or five thousand Japanese devils and puppet troops, right?
And there is only one battalion of Japanese soldiers in Heze. Even if the surrounding strongholds and county towns are included, their First and Second Regiments are fighting together, and the armored division in the west is also keeping their eyes on them. It is possible that they will not be able to fight as many as he did in Jining!
"Commander, I've figured it out. I'm going to stay in Jining!"
"Well, it's good that you have figured it out. But I have to remind you that all your military actions must be approved by the deputy division commander and the leading cadre of the work team. You can only take action after ensuring the safety of Jining and Yanzhou!"
The third captain snapped his legs together and saluted.
"Yes! Please rest assured!"
"Also, now that we have conquered Jining, the next step is to train the troops. You will be responsible for recruiting new soldiers, the more the better! Of course, I won't let you work for nothing, I will give you an extra 10% for the new recruits!"
"Yes! Can I be the first one to choose the new recruits?"
"roll!"
The third regiment commander marched in step again and left the command center smoothly.
Jining is about 130 kilometers away from Heze, but it is all endless plains, so the troops moved very quickly.
Wherever they arrived at a place, they would leave a small group of troops behind to clear out the artillery towers and strongholds, while the main force would move non-stop towards Heze.
Ningji Okamura of the North China Front Command looked at the Weishanhu Independent Division and thought that it was as easy as a sharp knife inserted into tofu, and it would make great progress every day.
"Damn it! Didn't we cause them any trouble along the way? Moreover, when did we find such a troop in the rear of our occupied area? Not only do they have light weapons, but they also have a lot of artillery!"
"General Okamura Neiji, this guerrilla force was only active in the Weishan Lake area and did not cause a major impact, so it has been ignored."
"Baka! You call such a well-trained and well-equipped army a guerrilla force? The imperial soldiers along the way couldn't even defeat the guerrillas?"
The Chief of Staff of the North China Front Army then realized that he had spoken out of turn and shut his mouth.
Okamura Yasuji had lost his temper. Now the Japanese main island and the North China Front Army were still immersed in the fantasy of the so-called "invincible empire". Most soldiers and officers had not realized that the independent column had grown into a big tree that was difficult to shake.
Their weapons and equipment were naturally ahead of the Imperial Army, and even their soldiers' training and fighting spirit, which they were proud of, were on par with the Independent Column.
Okamura Yasuji was determined that after the Battle of Central Henan was over, he would return to the main island of Japan in person to explain, and he would not hesitate to resort to disembowelment to awaken the top brass of the imperial army who were still obsessed with their past glory.
However, the most important thing at the moment is to consider the two cities of Kaifeng and Heze, whether to defend them to the death or retreat and preserve them.
Okamura Neiji no longer had any illusions about repelling the attack of the independent column. If he chose to defend himself, he would just be asking for death.
"Huh! In that case, let me wake up all the imperial soldiers!"
Okamura Yasuji convened a full meeting of the North China Front Army Headquarters, and all staff officers attended the meeting.
"Everyone, I think you are all familiar with the process of the Central Henan Campaign, right? Our original goal was to open up the Central Henan section of the Pinghan Line and annihilate the main force of the First War Zone of the Central Army of China.
In the early stages of the Battle of Central Henan, the progress was very smooth. The Imperial Army once captured Zhengxian, Xuchang, Yuzhou and other places. If they had acted faster and captured Luoyang and then moved south, they could have completely encircled and annihilated the First War Zone.
However, the damned Li Yunlong and the independent column crossed the river to join the battle, completely ending the Imperial Army's advantage. All efforts were in vain.
Until now, the imperial army of more than 100,000 people broke out of Zheng County tightly and lost more than 6,000 people! Moreover, Jining and Yanzhou were lost, and Kaifeng and Heze were in danger!
I declare that Kaifeng and Heze will be thoroughly cleaned up, and then all the Imperial Army and the Imperial Auxiliary Army in Kaifeng and Heze areas will retreat to Liaocheng and Jinan. After the mainland is replenished with troops, we will proceed slowly!
The Battle of Central Henan is over! "
As soon as Okamura Neiji finished speaking, the young staff officers immediately shouted angrily and arrogantly:
"Did the Central Henan Campaign fail? Are those officers and soldiers on the front line all stupid monkeys?"
"Commander, I don't believe it. I don't believe that the independent column is so powerful! If possible, I am willing to go to Heze now and lead the remaining brigade to fight a decisive battle with the independent column!"
"I am willing to go too. The spirit of Bushido can crush all those who stand in our way, and the Independent Column is no exception!"
These so-called "big words" were like nails piercing Okamura Yasuji's ears, giving him a splitting headache.
Even the North China Front Army, which had fought the most with the Independent Column, had such a superficial understanding of them, not to mention those nerds on the main island of Japan.
With a "bang", Neiji Okamura slapped the table heavily.
"Baga! Withdraw immediately, no need to say more! All responsibilities will be borne by this commander alone. I will personally return to the main island to apologize to the Emperor!"
The noisy North China Front Army headquarters finally quieted down, and the angry staff officers vented all their anger on the people of Heze and Kaifeng.
The brutal "Three Alls" plan was issued to the defenders of the two cities:
All the gold, silver and jewelry were taken away, including the gold foil on the Buddha statues.
All food and supplies were taken away, and those that could not be taken away were burned on the spot.
Kill all the Chinese in the city!
Although the defenders of Heze and Kaifeng were not good people, after receiving such a crazy order, they still confirmed with the North China Front Army Command again.
After all, Kaifeng and Heze are big cities, and if such a tragedy really happened, you can imagine how great the pressure would be.
"Confirm, execute according to this request!"