Bright Sword: The brigade commander is shocked! You call this a county brigade?

Chapter 194 "Who is attacking Yangquan?"

Since the Hundred Regiments Campaign began, the Taiyuan First Army Command has been in chaos. Shanxi region was the main battlefield of the Hundred Regiments Campaign.

Countless Eighth Route Army troops carried out sabotage along the Zhengtai Railway in Shanxi, and countless distress telegrams were sent to the headquarters every day.

The Japanese staff officers had to deal with a large number of telegrams every day and deploy troops to suppress the activities of the Eighth Route Army. Every Japanese officer was so busy that the whole Shanxi region had become a chaotic place with fighting everywhere.

In addition to suppressing the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi, the Japanese First Army also had to guard against the Shanxi Suiyuan Army and the Central Army taking advantage of the situation to rob.

Standing in the headquarters, Yoshio Kozuka asked his adjutant, "Adjutant, how many areas were attacked by the Eighth Route Army yesterday?"

The adjutant thought for a moment and replied.

"Report to the commander. Yesterday, the Eighth Route Army attacked the strongholds and road transportation facilities along the Zhengtai Railway and also attacked the nearby county town."

"idiot!"

"These Eighth Route Army soldiers are really haunting us. Order all troops along the railway to step up patrols. The Zhengtai Railway must not be further destroyed."

"Hai."

Yoshio Kozuka looked at the situation between the enemy and our side on the big map, and now he was also very troubled.

The sudden large-scale attack by the Eighth Route Army completely interrupted his subsequent plan. He was originally planning to use the reinforcement division of the North China Front Army to deal with the independent column in Ping'an County.

Unexpectedly, the Eighth Route Army would actually play this trick, resulting in the reinforcements being withdrawn to defend railways and important cities.

He felt ashamed of the existence of the Ping'an County Independent Column and he must avenge the Fourth Brigade. According to intelligence personnel, the loss of a previous batch of gold was most likely caused by the Independent Column.

This batch of gold is extremely important to the empire and he must take it back, otherwise he will not be able to explain to the headquarters.

Just as Yoshio Ozuka walked to his desk and sat down, a Japanese officer ran in with a panicked look on his face.

"Report to the Commander, the Yangquan Ninth Brigade sent an urgent message."

"read."

"Commander, Yangquan City is under attack by the Eighth Route Army's independent column. The Eighth Route Army is carrying a large number of heavy artillery to attack Yangquan. The Eighth Route Army has occupied the outer positions of Yangquan, the Yangquan Railway Station, and the 9th Brigade requests support."

After hearing the officer's report, Yoshio Kozuka stood up from behind his desk.

"idiot!"

"Independent Column, I will never stand with you."

Yangquan, as the most important transportation hub on the Zhengtai Railway, must not be lost.

As the lifeline of the front-line troops, the Zhengtai Railway undertakes a very important transportation task. Every week, a large amount of supplies and troops are transported to the front line by railway.

Yoshio Kozuka was very clear that if Yangquan was lost, he, as the commander of the First Army, would be to blame.

"Guards, notify the Chief of Staff to come to the office immediately."

It didn't take long.

The chief of staff hurried to Yoshio Ozuka's office.

"Commander, what do you want from me?"

"Chief of Staff, the 9th Brigade in Yangquan just sent an urgent telegram that the Eighth Route Army Independent Column is attacking Yangquan."

The chief of staff was shocked when he heard this, as he knew very well the importance of Yangquan to the North China Front Army.

"Commander, Yangquan is extremely important and must not be lost. We must send troops to support it immediately." The chief of staff said anxiously.

"Chief of Staff, I plan to mobilize the 37th Division in the Zhongtiaoshan area to take the train back to the Yangquan area to provide assistance...."

The chief of staff fell into deep thought after hearing what Ozuka Yoshio said. The three divisions in the Zhongtiao Mountain area were very important, and the transfer of any division could cause changes in the situation. After all, there were more than 100,000 Central Army troops in the Zhongtiao Mountain area.

Yoshio Kozuka knew that the current situation was very serious and he had to take a gamble, otherwise the Shotai Railway would be in big trouble. He believed that even with only two divisions, the Central Army in the Zhongtiao Mountain area would not dare to take the initiative to attack.

Finally, after some discussion, the two decided to transfer the 37th Division back to Yangquan area, as it would take 3 to 4 days to reach Yangquan from Zhongtiao Mountain.

Therefore, Yoshio Kozuka decided to withdraw part of the garrison troops from Taiyuan, Jinzhong and Niangzi Pass, mobilizing nearly 9000 Japanese soldiers to fully support the Yangquan area.

All of a sudden, a large number of Japanese troops from the areas around Yangquan moved out collectively and marched towards Yangquan.

This move by the Japanese army immediately attracted the attention of the Eighth Route Army headquarters.

.........

"Reporting to the commander, the Japanese army in Shanxi is mobilizing on a large scale. Even the Japanese divisions in the Zhongtiao Mountain area are mobilizing. According to the analysis of intelligence personnel, their target is Yangquan."

"Intelligence personnel in the Yangquan area sent back information that Eighth Route Army troops are attacking Yangquan City."

After hearing the intelligence officer's report, the chief turned around, walked to the large map, and asked the chief of staff.

"Chief of Staff, we actually have troops that dare to attack Yangquan. This is big news. Whose troops are attacking Yangquan?"

The chief of staff smiled and replied, "Commander, I don't need to guess. It is most likely Gaoda's independent column that is attacking Yangquan. Apart from his independent column, which unit of our Eighth Route Army dares to attack Yangquan?"

"Hahaha, you're right. Right now the Independent Column is the strongest fighting force of our Eighth Route Army. Judging from the reaction of the Japanese First Army, the Independent Column must have already reached the city of Yangquan, otherwise the Japanese wouldn't be so anxious?"

The leader was very happy. Yangquan was the most important transportation hub for the Japanese. If the Eighth Route Army could capture Yangquan and completely destroy the Japanese transportation hub, it would be the biggest gain of this Hundred Regiments Campaign.

If the Japanese fully support Yangquan, the defense in other areas will certainly become weak, which will enable the Eighth Route Army troops in other areas to launch more attacks.

The chief continued, "Chief of Staff, since the independent column is attacking Yangquan, we can use Yangquan as an opportunity to get the Japanese in other areas to fully support Yangquan, and our other troops can take the opportunity to attack the important areas of the Japanese."

The chief of staff nodded after hearing the leader's analysis.

"Commander, your idea is very good. I agree with it."

"Okay, let's do it. Chief of Staff, draft a telegram and send it to the independent column, asking them to continue attacking Yangquan City and attract reinforcements from the Japanese in other areas. I believe Gundam can understand what I mean."

"Yes, Commander. I will draft a telegram and send it to the independent column right away."

After receiving the order, the chief of staff turned and left the command center.