Even before the Japanese army formulated a plan to occupy Henan, they considered that the Eighth Route Army might send troops. But they also did not expect that the Eighth Route Army would react so quickly, and they would use so many troops as soon as they sent troops.

After taking Kaifeng, the 14th Division of the Japanese Army, who should have been happy, soon learned that the Eighth Route Army had dispatched nearly 60,000 or 70,000 troops of three main divisions. This large-scale projection made the Japanese army also a little worried.

The most important thing is that although they guessed that Jiang Dingwen's troops would retreat, they did not expect that they would retreat so simply. They didn't even stayed in Zhengzhou and did not act like a fight with them, which gave the Eighth Route Army an opportunity to take advantage of.

At present, the two main divisions of the Eighth Route Army came straight to Zhengzhou from Jiaozuo and Xinxiang respectively. The offensive routes of these two troops happened to hit the offensive route of the 14th Division. If you are not careful, the 14th Division may be surrounded.

It was just that the Zhengzhou that was so close to him would not take it down, Doihara was somewhat unwilling to accept it. After all, it was a bit frustrating that he had finally opened the passage to Zhengzhou and asked him to give up on the defense in Kaifeng.

Looking at the Special High School sending the roadmap for the main force of the Eighth Route Army, Doihara looked at the officers of the division and said with a serious expression: "You guys, this battle is related to whether we can successfully capture the entire territory of Henan and open a passage for the subsequent troops.

If we can occupy Zhengzhou and hold it on, then our troops in North China and Central China can also gather one after another. At that time, we will have a springboard to attack Shaanxi, the rear base of the Eighth Route Army at any time.

For this reason, we must seize Zhengzhou City in the next battle. If the Eighth Route Army is in front of us, it will be very unfavorable to our next situation!"

Just as Doihara's command post moved forward to the strategic rush of Zhongmu, such a pre-war meeting was specially held. However, for the officers who were in the meeting, they felt that the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable.

A brigade commander said, "General, the material supply convoy that should have arrived the day before yesterday has not arrived yet. The ammunition reserve of our brigade is close to a very dangerous level. If the ammunition is not replenished, the soldiers will be in a situation where there is no ammunition available."

The artillery corps leader who came to participate in the combat meeting also said in time: "The shells of our field artillery corps will not last long. The longer the front line is, the more difficult it will be for our logistics supply.

The most important thing is that the Eighth Route Army is moving behind us too frequently. As we go from Shangqiu to here, the Eighth Route Army troops can be seen everywhere. If the safety of the supply line is not ensured, it will be very dangerous for us to break forward even further!"

Supply line!

Although before the war started, Dohihara realized that there would be problems with the supply line. Before the attack, he specially organized troops to carry out a sweep. At the same time, inspection posts and outposts were set up on some roads.

But now it seems that these inspection posts and posts have not played a role. The size of the Eighth Route Army troops behind them seems to be somewhat beyond their imagination. And now, wars are also going on everywhere in Shandong and Anhui.

Faced with the urgent need for supplies from his subordinates, Doihara said calmly: "I already know the problems you have encountered. We must trust our baggage troops, and I believe they can deliver the supplies we need.

Even if we don’t have enough weapons and ammunition next time, I believe that only by the materials and ammunition carried by our division, as long as the Zhengzhou City can be taken down, the military will be allowed to implement air supply at that time."

In Doihara's view, whether Zhengzhou can be taken down is the focus of this battle. As for weapons and ammunition, if it really doesn't work, let the Air Force implement air supply. I believe that the Eighth Route Army can only stare at such a material supply method.

With Doihara's confident answer, the brigade commander and the corps commander who participated in the meeting also stopped saying anything. Many officers even admired Doihara and intended to let their troops carry more weapons and ammunition before the war began.

Although they brought so much supplies to the road, some of them increased the marching burden of the officers and soldiers. However, after several battles, their ammunition was consumed quite a lot. However, because they carried a lot of ammunition and medicine, they were not short of ammunition and medicine for the time being.

Just want to fight against the two main divisions of the Eighth Route Army, sufficient ammunition is very important. Especially for the Japanese army, very important artillery shells are also the fundamental reason why the artillery troops ensure their combat effectiveness.

If there were no artillery shells, there would be no artillery fire support. At that time, they would have to fight with the Eighth Route Army. But when they thought about the scale of the Eighth Route Army entering Henan at this moment, many officers felt a little unsure.

Even if Doihara is also worried, as the commander of the division, this kind of worry cannot be revealed. Otherwise, it will affect the combat morale of his subordinates.

After the pre-war meeting, an infantry brigade of the 14th Division quickly set off for Zhengzhou. As for Tu Feiyuan, who was still staying behind, he began to contact the military headquarters and the baggage team in the rear.

When he learned that the baggage team was still blocked by the Eighth Route Army at this moment, he must have been unable to arrive in a short time, Tu Feiyuan was also a little anxious. He could only urge the baggage team to find a way to deliver the supplies.

In addition, Doihara also suggested that there were cities they stationed in the rear and that more troops could be sent to protect the convoys that transported them supplies. Only in this way could they ensure the victory of this battle.

When he was about to come, Dohihara even said directly: "Get the command center and ask them to prepare a batch of airborne supplies in advance. If the ground transportation convoy cannot deliver the supplies on time, please do not arrange airborne supplies."

If there are no artillery shells, the artillery troops will be silent. If there are no bullets, the infantry brigade will fall into an embarrassing situation of having guns but no bullets. If there is no food, the troops will be afraid that they will be ready to go hungry.

In this case, Doihira felt it was necessary to ask the command center to prepare for air supply delivery. Even if the supply is provided in this way, it would be a bit too much. But it can guarantee the strong combat effectiveness of their 14th Division!

After arranging these things, Doihara continued: "The 13th Division and the 18th Division, where are they now? If their offensive progress is made, I hope they can send troops to support them in the shortest time."

Not long after, the telegrapher who sent the telegraph to inquire said, "Report to the general that the 13th and 18th Divisions are also facing multiple layers of blockades from the Eighth Route Army. The two divisions are on the offensive, but have not made much progress yet.

In addition, based on what we have learned before, a large number of Eighth Route Army activities appeared in Xinyang where the two divisions had recovered the previous period. Even the Eighth Route Army blocking troops were found in Zhoukou and Luohe.

Listening to the telegrapher's answer and looking at the location marked on the map, Doihara said with some displeasure: "Bageya Road! Where did these Eighth Route Army emerge? Can't our troops in Xinyang defend Xinyang?"

Faced with such inquiry, the intelligence officer could only smile bitterly: "General, how much power the Eighth Route Army has in our occupied area. In fact, we have never been able to obtain accurate data.

But according to the information we have, the troops that are currently blocking our attacks in Zhoukou and Luohe should not be the troops of the Eighth Route Army’s independent column. The combat effectiveness and combat style of this army are indeed not easy to deal with!”

‘It’s another independent column? Aren’t they active in Xinyang? Why did they suddenly run to Zhoukou and Luohe again? Earlier, weren’t their two divisions carrying out mobilization missions? Isn’t there much armed forces in the Eighth Route Army in the territory?’

As the main attack force for the attack on Henan, Doihara naturally needs to know the combat effectiveness of the two divisions and the Eighth Route Army in central China. But now it seems that some plans are not as good as changes.

The independent column, which should have been severely damaged, suddenly appeared again at this time. Not only did he stay in Xinyang to fight guerrillas, he also rushed in front of the other two divisions and controlled some strategic roads in Zhoukou and Luohe.

It is probably not easy to be seized by the independent column and then successfully break through the Eighth Route Army's blocking front. But even if the battle is at this point, it will be useless to blame anyone.

Just when Doihara felt that the two divisions were concealing the real situation in the occupied area, an intelligence adviser quickly came over and said, "General, something happened in Hubei! The Macheng we occupied earlier was captured by the Eighth Route Army."

‘What? How is this possible? In Macheng, didn’t we have an infantry brigade stationed?’

It is actually very important to know the location of Macheng. It is a material transfer station that can contact Xinyang and Wuhan. Now that Macheng is suddenly captured by the Eighth Route Army, it will also pose a huge threat to the two divisions occupying Zhumadian.

Without the supply supplies from the rear, how long can the two divisions last?

Seeing the translated telegram sent by the intelligence staff, Dohihara opened his eyes again and said, "When the Eighth Route Army attacked Macheng, it actually used heavy artillery. How could this be possible? How could the Eighth Route Army have heavy artillery?"

‘General, the heavy artillery should be from the 10th Division and the 16th Division. I think the last time our two divisions captured Xinyang, they did not destroy the Eighth Route Army to seize our heavy artillery troops. As a result, the Eighth Route Army is now used to attack the city.’

With heavy artillery to cooperate with the Eighth Route Army to attack the city, it is undoubtedly a nightmare for the Japanese defending troops. But what is even more infuriating is that these heavy artillery were originally their equipment!

‘Is it possible that we will return without success this time?’

It is clear that Wuhan has just been taken down at this stage. If Macheng is lost, it will also pose an effective threat to the Japanese army in Wuhan. Most importantly, according to the information displayed, the Eighth Route Army used a division of troops in the battle to recover Macheng.

This means that the news that they had thought that the Independent Column was severely damaged was not true. The Eighth Route Army has been hiding, perhaps just waiting to give them a fatal blow at this time! (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!