freenovelworld Chapter 324: Japanese Reinforcements
Chapter 324: Japanese Reinforcements
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadakazu also had a look of ashamed on his face. Intelligence compilation and analysis was within his jurisdiction, and he had to bear some responsibility for the major intelligence incident that occurred this time.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, this cannot be entirely blamed on you, and you should not feel any pressure. Since the Chinese government is so deliberate in plotting against us, let us show the Chinese government that in the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks are useless. Didn't they hide the existence of these two troops? That's perfect, then we will eliminate one of their direct troops this time to teach them a lesson." Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura said while looking at the sand table with a sinister look on his face.
It would be sheer nonsense to say that Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji was not angry. This time, the Chinese government not only deceived Yoshimoto Sadaichi, but also played a good trick on Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji.
"Commander, please give the order. This time our 11th Army must teach the Chinese government a lesson." When Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto heard that Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji did not blame him for his dereliction of duty, he quickly stood at attention and bowed to express his position.
Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji looked at the sand table, pointed to the direction of Zaoyang on the sand table and said, "According to our plan, after occupying Xinye, the flanking troops will turn eastward to attack and surround the Chinese troops in Zaoyang and Suixian. Now the 31st Army of the Chinese government is in Zaoyang, so we will attack this army and completely eliminate this Chinese government army in the Zaoyang area."
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto followed the words of Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura and also analyzed the sand table. Indeed, although the Chinese government did a very good job of intelligence deception this time.
However, the Fifth War Zone of the Chinese government did not know that its Eleventh Army was originally planning to encircle Zaoyang and Suixian. This was equivalent to the Chinese government sending one of their elite troops into its own encirclement, which would also make the results of the Eleventh Army's encirclement operation even more significant.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, we need to slightly change our previous combat deployment. Let the 3rd Division attack Gaocheng and Talwan tomorrow. First, block the Chinese army in Suixian's way to the north, and then let the 29th Brigade in Xinyang attack Tongbai to the west. In this way, our left-wing flanking troops only need to detour and occupy Xinye, and the encirclement will be basically completed." Commander Lieutenant General Ningji Okamura also made some changes to the combat plan.
The changes this time were mainly on the right-wing offensive force. First, the 29th Brigade, which was not originally included in the battle, was reinforced to the right-wing attack, and then this force completed part of the combat mission originally assigned to the left-wing flanking force.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto immediately understood why Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura sent additional troops to the right wing to ease the combat mission of the encirclement troops.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto quickly found the root cause on the sand table in front of him: Xiangyang.
Yes, on the west side of the left-wing flanking route of the troops, Xiangyang City is located at a key position on the waist of this route.
Originally according to the previous plan, the outflanking force was sufficient to ensure the integrity and safety of the encirclement, but now the New 22nd Army of the Chinese government in Xiangyang is there.
At that time, the Chinese government's new 22nd Army could attack Xinye, which was captured by the outflanking troops, from Xiangyang to the northeast, or it could break through its own encirclement to the east and bring out the troops from Zaoyang and Suixian.
General Li of the Fifth War Zone of the Chinese government really has a sharp eye. His move made the encirclement troops of the 11th Army a little hesitant.
According to the previously planned deployment of troops, there would be no problem in dealing with the attack from outside the encirclement by the troops of the Fifth War Zone of China. However, if it was the New 22nd Army of the Chinese government, which had already made a name for itself, the troops previously deployed would be a bit insufficient.
This is also the reason why Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura ordered the 29th Brigade stationed in Xinyang to join the battle. In this way, the encirclement troops would not need to allocate troops to capture Tongbai as previously planned.
They can use the saved manpower to guard against the New 22nd Army of the Chinese government, which can ensure the success of this operation to a great extent.
"The commander's plan is really brilliant. This way, before the encirclement troops are deployed, they can save about a brigade of troops to guard against the new 22nd Army of the Chinese government. This time, the Chinese government will definitely lose more than it gains." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto quickly gave a big compliment to the commander, Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura.
Commander Lieutenant General Ningji Okamura also enjoyed a little bit of the flattery from Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto. He also felt that his ability to respond on the spot was very good, and this turned the originally uncertain situation around.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, how do you think Admiral Li from the Fifth War Zone of the Chinese government will respond to our encirclement?" Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji also discussed with Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi in front of the sand table.
Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi, the chief of staff, looked at the sand table and thought for a while before saying, "Commander, I think that after the encirclement is formed, General Li of the Fifth War Zone of the Chinese government should order the new 22nd Army to attack from the east. If they can break through our defense line, they can quickly support the 31st Army of the Chinese government in Zaoyang."
Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji understood what Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi meant, but he still asked: "Why do you think the Chinese government's new 22nd Army will not attack Xinye?"
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto was also stunned when he heard the question from Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura, but he immediately realized that the commander was intentionally considering his own judgment of the overall situation, including political factors.
"Your Excellency Commander, after more than a year of fighting, the Chinese government's direct troops have lost a lot of experienced veterans. China has not implemented a military service system, and many of their troops are now mainly recruits who lack combat experience. After being surrounded by our troops, their government may be eager to rescue their direct troops as soon as possible. The top leaders of their government are very concerned about the safety of their direct troops. If we attack Xinye, it can only be regarded as an act of besieging Wei to save Zhao, and it will not be of any substantial help to the breakout of the 31st Army of the Chinese government in Zaoyang." Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also explained his views.
Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji also nodded in approval. He also did not think that the top leaders of the Chinese government would abandon their own troops.