As a strategic location in North China, the Japanese army attached great importance to Shijiazhuang after invading North China. Even though the Eighth Route Army had previously captured the Jingjie area, the Japanese army still controlled the Shijiazhuang area tightly and still maintained this strategic location.

Even around Shijiazhuang, a military important military site, the Japanese army had fought with the three main divisions of the Eighth Route Army for a long time. Even though neither side finally got any advantage, the Japanese still felt it was worth it.

The reason why the North China Front Army was willing to pay such a price to defend Shijiazhuang was naturally because they knew very well. Once Shijiazhuang was captured by the Eighth Route Army, the Eighth Route Army's attack on North China would be much smoother.

However, with the continuous erosion and infiltration of the Eighth Route Army, coupled with the comprehensive attack launched this time, the North China Front Army stationed in Shijiazhuang also began to realize the risk of being surrounded and annihilated, and had to abandon this strategic location.

But before leaving, they still wanted to send a suicide force to use this place to guard against each other. But they never expected that their plan to delay the blocking was not successful at all.

The Eighth Route Army Air Force troops, which emerged from nowhere, directly defeated the Japanese reinforcements with high hopes. Without the air force providing air support, let alone the troops stationed in Shijiazhuang, even the retreating troops would not be able to get any benefits.

The main force of the Japanese army in Shijiazhuang, who originally thought that it would be relatively safe to retreat during the day, did not expect that shortly after leaving the city, the Eighth Route Army's air force was beaten up.

Not only did the loss of soldiers and generals, even though the large amount of military supplies brought out were destroyed a lot during the attack of the Eighth Route Air Force. Faced with this situation, the Japanese army withdrawn from Shijiazhuang could only speed up the evacuation towards Tiangui.

Under this situation, with the two main legions of the Eighth Route Army, 129 and 120, successfully completed the double-team. The Japanese army in the entire Shijiazhuang really became a turtle in the jar. However, the Eighth Route Army's subsequent actions were beyond the expectations of the Japanese army.

Earlier, in the Japanese army's vision, if the Eighth Route Army wanted to successfully capture Shijiazhuang, they had to gather their main forces to launch an attack. But in the current situation, the Eighth Route Army only sent one troops to attack, and the other two routes decisively launched a pursuit.

In this way, the attacking troops of the Eighth Route Army almost chased behind the Japanese retreating troops and continued to recover the towns abandoned by the Japanese army. The speed of the defeat of the front-line troops also shocked the Japanese army in North China.

In contrast, the three main divisions have all been deployed in place, and the former 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army surrounded Shijiazhuang. Commander Lin also felt a little troubled for the subsequent battle.

According to the feedback from the reconnaissance forces, the Japanese army still stationed nearly 10,000 remaining troops in the city. There are still a lot of Japanese troops in terms of weapons, ammunition and material reserves. In this way, it seems a bit difficult for the 115th Division to attack.

Of course, if you do whatever you want, it will be no problem to take down Shijiazhuang. After all, the number of Eighth Route Army troops deployed outside Shijiazhuang City is also as many as nearly 50,000!

‘Captain, what should I do next? The Japanese blocked the city gates and built fortifications in many streets in the city. It seems that they are planning to fight us to the end. If we attack for a strong force, the casualties of the troops will be very small!’

As the main force of the Eighth Route Army, the 115th Division has also made many impressive achievements in Northwest and North China in recent years. When it first entered the War of Resistance Against Japan, the 115th Division sent news of a great victory in Pingxingguan to the Chinese people.

At this moment, the 115th Division was naturally happy to get the task of attacking Shijiazhuang. But as the commander of the army, Commander Lin still felt that it would be best to avoid major casualties in the army during this attack.

In any case, it is actually very difficult for the 115th Division to expand from a unit of more than 10,000 to nearly 50,000 people today. If too many troops are lost in one battle, the combat effectiveness of the 115th Division will be greatly reduced.

Faced with the inquiry from the Chief of Staff around him, Chief Lin thought for a while and said, "Can you find out where the Japanese supplies and ammunition warehouse are located? In addition, how is the rebellion work going on with our liaison officer?"

‘Captain, our liaison officer in the puppet army, has provided corresponding information. Although many of the puppet troops in the city are willing to revolt on the battlefield, this time, the Japanese seemed to be wary of them.

Most of the puppet troops left in the city by the Japanese army were scattered. Basically, a Japanese squadron was assigned to a puppet army company. In this case, as long as the puppet army takes a slight action, it may be quickly extinguished by the Japanese army.

In the past two years, the Japanese have suffered a lot of losses from the puppet army. I think they have learned to be smart. I know that these puppet army are unreliable, so through this method of dispersed supervision, we ensure that these puppet army dare not rebel on the battlefield.

As for the Japanese's material warehouse, our scouts are currently investigating. But this time, the Japanese seem to be very smart and their command can't be found at all. Our scouts think it should be set up underground.'

With the report from the Chief of Staff, Commander Lin also said with a headache: "It seems that these Japanese devils are really smart! Let our reconnaissance team investigate the situation of the Japanese army as much as possible.

As for the work of instigating the puppet army, let our intelligence officers be careful. If we cannot win over a large number of puppet army to surrender on the battlefield, let them lurk for the time being. I believe that it will not be a problem to take more effort to win this city."

‘But in this way, we are afraid we won’t be able to catch up with the subsequent battle!’

‘Don’t worry! Don’t underestimate the Japanese’s strength. They still attach great importance to Peking and Tian Wei. Perhaps next, President He and President Liu and others can successfully recover the remaining lost land in North China.

But I believe that the Japanese devils in North China will not easily give up the two important cities of Peking and Tianqi. If we want to fight a decisive battle with the Japanese army, there will definitely be a more difficult battle around these two cities.

And this time our air force suddenly appears, the Japanese will definitely be very nervous. Before we solve our air force, the Japanese in North China will not be relieved. Therefore, we don’t have to worry too much.

Let the reconnaissance forces first find out the Japanese's material warehouse and some important places in the city as soon as possible. If possible, we will send a telegram to President Zhu at that time and ask the Air Force to cooperate in the bombing mission.

I think these Japanese were anxious to blow up the Japanese supplies warehouses. If they really didn't work, we also reserved a lot of shells. At worst, we could completely blow up Shijiazhuang, and I wouldn't believe that I couldn't take this city!'

For many commanders of the Eighth Route Army at this moment, their command ideas that used more people-sea tactics in the past have gradually changed. With a large number of artillery troops, they naturally cannot not know how to use them.

Since the Air Force has already appeared, it is normal to cooperate with the infantry attack. Therefore, in the view of Commander Lin, if the Japanese can destroy the Japanese's material supply warehouse in the city, it can also severely damage the morale of the Japanese army.

The worst thing is that the puppet troops in the city will be panicked. Let them know that maybe it will not take long to face the danger of hunger. On the other hand, the Eighth Route Army has a large rear to rely on and does not have to worry about shortage of materials at all.

Just after Commander Lin arranged these tasks, he continued: "Sharpshooters and magic gunners were drawn from each division to continue to harass the Japanese city defense forces. Even if this effect is not great, it can increase the casualties of the Japanese.

As for our artillery units, be prepared for artillery attacks at any time. Once the reconnaissance units find out where the Japanese artillery positions are located in the city, they will immediately carry out artillery attacks and first destroy their artillery units."

‘Yes, commander!’

With a large number of sniper rifles installed in the troops, a group of sharpshooters with accurate gunshots have emerged in the grassroots troops of each legion. These sharpshooters are also a sharp knife force that defeats the enemy during the battle.

Since the Japanese are planning to defend Shijiazhuang City to the death, Commander Lin feels that it is very necessary to give the Japanese a few side dishes first and warm up the war. At least let the Japanese know that they should not show their heads at will, otherwise they will definitely die!

When the Eighth Route Army outside the city began to deploy the subsequent attacks in full swing, the Japanese army retreating to the city were also trying to build defensive fortifications. For the defenders in the city, they also knew that the next battle situation was very unfavorable to them.

The Japanese garrison in the city who listened to reports from time to time seemed a little worried when facing the three encirclements of the Eighth Route Army. But what he was most worried about was whether the main force that had evacuated from Shijiazhuang had safely retreated to the rear at this moment.

He just sent a few telegrams to the main force, and the rewards he received were blocking and retreating. He also knew that this sudden appearance of the Eighth Route Army Air Force did catch them off guard.

It was too late to return to the city, and the Eighth Route Army retreated and was chased and beaten by the Eighth Route Army. This result really made many Japanese commanders seem very frustrated. As for ordinary soldiers, their morale was also greatly frustrated!

‘How is it? Did the Eighth Route Army outside the city do anything?’

‘General, no movement in the Eighth Route Army has been found yet. However, there seems to be a reconnaissance force of the Eighth Route Army in the city. Several of our patrol teams were attacked by unidentified personnel last night.

For safety reasons, I think it is necessary to find these people out and clean them up. Otherwise, our defense situation in the city would be known in advance by the Eighth Route Army. It would be very unfavorable to the next battle!’

The city guard officer who learned the news also nodded: "This suggestion is very correct! Send an infantry brigade to join the city patrol. Be sure to find the Eighth Route Army's reconnaissance forces in the shortest time.

In addition, all the brigades have carried out the defense tasks I have deployed earlier. If there is nothing to do, try to come to the command center as little as possible. If there is any situation, report to the telegram by phone."

It was clear that the Eighth Route Army was also good at beheading operations, and the Japanese general was worried that his command post would be found by the Eighth Route Army. For this reason, before the defensive battle, he assigned defensive combat tasks to the infantry brigades.

In this way, he can hide in this underground command room and remotely control the defenders in the city. But if he is a big city, it would be an easy task to find the Eighth Route Army scouts who are familiar with the city?
Chapter completed!