Chapter 1448 Tiger! Tiger!

The Jingu Detachment was destroyed in one attack, but this does not mean that the entire Battle of Shipai is over!

No one expected that in the following days, the Chinese troops led by the Four-Line Regiment would work harder to build positions around the 231st Infantry Regiment's position of less than 2 square kilometers, just like carefully protecting their own sheep.

Since the fifteenth day of the first lunar month of the Chinese New Year, even the cold guns and cold cannons that had been maintained before have disappeared. The various units of the Four-Line Regiment have not been idle. They have dug various fortifications on the various positions they are stationed in, and even hollowed out several mountains for this purpose.

In the eyes of Japanese intelligence personnel, it was not like fighting at all, but military training.

Yes, the IQ of Japanese intelligence personnel is quite online. They guessed correctly and took advantage of this rare "rest and recuperation" opportunity.

Under the arrangement of Ye Chenghuan, the second-in-command of the regiment, the various units of the Four-Line Regiment started various training modes in this mountainous area according to local conditions.

There are special trainings such as mountain fortification construction and mountain attack and defense drills, as well as general trainings such as fully armed cross-country training, shooting, and bayonet fighting.

However, this is not enough to explain that this siege, which even the top leaders of the Japanese army wanted to end as soon as possible, will continue to a result that no one expected.

Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Tang Dao applied to the Fifth War Zone Command, using the promise of no taxation to attract merchants more than a hundred miles away to open entertainment facilities such as theaters and restaurants in a valley behind the defense line.

At the same time, Tang Dao issued a military order that the officers and soldiers of each unit in the encirclement would have one day off per week according to their own arrangements. Those who want to relax can sleep in the camp or go to this valley named "resort" by Tang Dao.

Here, regardless of military rank, consumption only looks at silver dollars. Although the price is 10% higher than the market price, being able to drink wine and watch plays during the intervals on the battlefield is really nothing for the Chinese officers and soldiers who may lose their lives at any time on the battlefield.

For the merchants who risked their heads, the soldiers who won military honors had the most. Their spending power was more than ten times that of the people in the town outside. The first few merchants made a lot of money in less than a week, attracting more merchants to arrive.

The Chinese troops besieging the 231st Infantry Regiment were not only the Sihang Regiment, but also the 4 regiments of the 18th Army, with a total of more than 10,000 troops.

"This siege is a long-term behavior. The string in your mind will break sooner or later if it is too tight. Only by relaxing and resting properly can you fight for the country better!" These are Tang Dao's original words.

But in the eyes of many generals who strictly manage the army, Tang Dao is just an excuse to make money for himself. They have been fighting against Japan for a long time, and their nerves are tense 365 days a year, and no one has gone crazy or stupid.

In the face of cruel war, insignificant things like human nature will not be considered by the superiors at all.

Tang Dao just hoped that his soldiers would be more like normal people after the war, and not like him, who had to put a saber under his pillow when sleeping, otherwise he would not sleep well.

Even if they were married, if their partner moved his arm slightly, their eyes that were originally closed would instantly flash a heart-pounding luster in the dark night.

War traumatic stress disorder, a disease that will not be officially included in the list of psychiatric diseases until more than 40 years later, has never disappeared since the beginning of war.

I don’t know what’s wrong with the two division commanders Hu and Luo. They actually followed Tang Dao’s "mischief" and gave their officers and soldiers a day off every week to relax in the "resort".

Even they themselves went there twice, experienced the wine and food in the "resort", and listened to opera for a long time.

This led to a daily flow of up to a thousand people in the "resort". It was common for each person to consume one or two silver dollars a day. The whole valley was very lively every day.

Tang Dao didn't even keep these secrets. Even the Japanese knew about the existence of this resort through the all-pervasive intelligence system.

"Baga! The Chinese are ready for a long-term siege. They want to force the 231st Infantry Regiment to surrender as a whole, and use the 231st Infantry Regiment as bait to lure our 11th Army into the mountains." Yokoyama Yong sat in his office, his face so gloomy that it almost dripped out.

He saw through the Chinese conspiracy, but he had no way to stop it!

The airdrop supply by hundreds of fighter planes used by the Chinese Expeditionary Force Command at no cost a few days ago proved to be extremely stupid.

The Chinese used these material packages that fell from the sky but could not guarantee accurate delivery to organize the siege of the hungry imperial infantry in the encirclement.

The Chinese didn't need to leave their positions at all. They only needed to concentrate fire on the areas with supplies, and they could easily shoot the well-trained elite soldiers of the Empire in the wilderness. That also caused the already under-strength Jingu Detachment to lose more than two-thirds of its troops in less than 5 days. In the end, they had to abandon most of their positions and be trapped in a corner. Then they were bombarded by concentrated artillery fire from China and the whole army was destroyed!

The 231st Infantry Regiment was stronger. They had already started slaughtering pack horses and war horses and stored a certain amount of meat, but they still couldn't overcome their extreme desire for supplies when they were surrounded. It was a fear of the future.

Therefore, they also fell into this seemingly necessary tactic of the Chinese side. In the end, when the Empire stopped airdropping, the 231st Infantry Regiment still had 1,500 combat-capable soldiers left.

After careful consideration, perhaps the Chinese side had already started their plan by inviting military attachés from Western embassies to observe and persuade them to surrender. They used the Western media to stimulate the people of the Japanese mainland and facilitated the largest airdrop plan in the history of the Japanese Army.

At the beginning, Yokoyama Isamu and a group of Japanese Army senior officials who finally figured out this section set their sights on the 18th Army's commander surnamed Hu, because the commander surnamed Hu, who became famous in the Battle of Shipai, had the title of "Three Heroes" among the young generals under 45 years old in the Chinese military.

It was not until the senior spies lurking in the Third War Zone Command that they judged through clues that the real proposer seemed to be Tang Dao, the commander of the Four Lines Regiment, the highest commander of the Beidoushan Front in China at the time. The Japanese China Expeditionary Army Command was shocked that the little colonel who had fought in North China until the three commanders of the North China Front changed, seemed to be coming to fight in the Central and South China battlefields again.

Moreover, the Four Lines Regiment was more powerful than before in North China. It was not only equipped with tanks, but also cars equipped with 7mm heavy machine guns.

It was these two types of equipment that had never appeared on the battlefield before that caught the 231st Infantry Regiment and the Jingu Detachment off guard and crippled them in one battle.

The small tank equipped with a 20mm machine gun was fine. The main feature of this thing was to catch the enemy by surprise. On the plains, except for the Type 94 armored vehicle, any tank equipped by the Imperial Army could crush this light tank that was only suitable for reconnaissance.

But the car that can run on a hillside of more than 40 degrees is different. If it is placed on the plain battlefield to assist the infantry in the trench assault, the 7mm heavy machine gun it is equipped with is a disaster for the infantry in the trench. It is difficult to threaten this highly mobile and flexible heavy firepower platform with the 70mm infantry gun equipped at the battalion level.

The old hatred has not been settled yet, and new hatred has been added! What is even more frustrating is that the Four-Line Regiment is getting stronger and stronger.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

In Jinling City! The headquarters of the Chinese Expeditionary Army!

"Mr. Itagaki, you led the 5th Division to fight against them in North China. You should have some impression of this Tang Dao!" asked the commander of the China Expeditionary Army, Nishio Juzo.

The name Tang Dao is not unfamiliar to Nishio Juzo. Last year, at least two or three of the ten reports on the front line of the Japanese North China Front Army mentioned this name and the Four-Line Regiment.

But as a general-level commander who led two major fronts and millions of troops of the 11th, 13th, and 23rd Armies, a small infantry regiment with only three or four thousand soldiers was too small. If it weren't for the 231st Infantry Regiment being surrounded this time, he couldn't remember the name Tang Dao at all.

"Tang Dao and its Four-Line Regiment are extremely powerful, with excellent weapons and equipment, and the soldiers' will to fight is tenacious. They can be called the strongest infantry regiment in China." Itagaki Shiro, then the chief of staff of the China Expeditionary Army, who was sitting opposite the commander's desk, had a gloomy look in his eyes, but he was generous in praising the old rival Tang Dao and the Four-Line Regiment.

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"But it would be a mistake to attribute the strength of the Four-Line Regiment to its equipment. At that time, our Fifth Division's detachment-level troops fought against the Four-Line Regiment no less than three times, at Lao Shu Mountain in Guangde, Niangzi Pass in North China, and Wangwu Mountain in North China. Our troops had an advantage in manpower, but we were defeated without exception and suffered heavy losses.

After analysis after the war, it was found that the Four-Line Regiment's fierce firepower alone was not enough to defeat our Steel Army Division. The real reason for our division's defeat was due to unfavorable tactical response.

Tang Dao, the leader of the Four-Line Regiment, was a genius in the use of tactics on the battlefield of 10,000 people. He was always one step ahead of others to find the opponent's loopholes and decisively carry out a fatal blow.

Such a person is extremely rare in my decades of military career!"

"Itagaki-kun actually gave such a high evaluation of Tang Dao?" Xiwei Juzo frowned fiercely.

From his perspective, he never imagined that one day, two senior generals of the Imperial Army would specialize in studying a young colonel from China.

"Not high. If you, Commander, look at all the battle reports about Tang Dao since it emerged from the Sihang Warehouse, you will be surprised to find that Tang Dao may have suffered heavy losses and had to leave the battlefield, but there has never been a battle situation where the battle failed." Itagaki Shiro shook his head expressionlessly.

This was also the investigation he did after the defeat in the last battle of Zhongtiao Mountain. From the perspective of a soldier, every battlefield where Tang Dao fought against the Imperial Army was wonderful. Even the crazy escape from Songhu to Songjiang and then from Songjiang to Guangde was amazing.

Anyway, if it were him, he would never be able to do so well.

"And Tang Dao is very hostile to the Empire. The 11th Army lost in the Battle of Shipai this time, but the Imperial officers and soldiers captured by the Sihang Regiment were very few, less than a hundred! This shows that his heart is far more cruel than ordinary people. If such a person is allowed to continue to grow, it will not be a blessing for the Empire." Itagaki Shiro made his own closing statement.

To be honest, when Itagaki Shiro thought of the fact that at least 50,000 people died under the command of Tang Dao and Shixing Group, he felt a sense of blockage in his heart. If possible, he never wanted to hear this name again.

"Look, this is a confidential document sent by the intelligence department of the headquarters." Nishio Juzo handed Itagaki Shiro an envelope with the words "top secret" stamped on the fire seal.

"It seems that their judgment is almost the same as yours, Itagaki-kun."

"Assassination of Tang Dao?" Itagaki Shiro quickly read it, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Yes, after comprehensive analysis, the intelligence department unanimously determined that Tang Dao, the empire's biggest threat, must be eliminated while he is still just a small army colonel. If he is promoted to general or a group army commander, the empire will suffer huge losses." Xiwei Juzo nodded.

"Yes! While he has not really grown up. But there is one thing that is also very strange. Logically speaking, Tang Dao has made so many military achievements in the past three years of fighting. Even in our imperial army, which is strictly based on seniority, he would at least be promoted to major general of the army. But he has been a colonel for three years." Itagaki Shiro sighed.

"Itagaki-kun, be careful with your words!" Xiwei Juzo felt a little amused.

He, the chief of staff who was transferred from the main division commander, actually did a good job. He never stole the limelight from his superiors, and he, the commander, didn't have to worry too much about the strategic and tactical arrangements. It's just that his temperament is still a bit rebellious. How could he start complaining about the biggest stubborn disease in the imperial army while chatting?

Seniority has been a thing in the empire's navy and army for a long time. If promotion is strictly based on military merit, how will the emperor, the prince, the nobles, and the senior generals arrange their followers?

What? Let those noble sons who come here to gild their reputations carry guns to the front line of the battlefield. Is it possible?

If you want to get involved, you need someone behind you.

It's like Lieutenant General Itagaki Shiro, you have risen to the top entirely because of your military merits. Without the person behind you, based on your background, no matter how hard you work, a lieutenant general division commander is the top.

Even so, Nishio Beastmaster, who has heard the news of his resignation, also knows that with his resignation, this chief of staff who is about to be promoted to army general will also become a marginalized role.

The emperor has begun to impatiently use the new people under his tutelage. A trace of gloom flashed in Nishio Beastmaster's eyes that no one can detect.

If it weren't for the order from the headquarters, he wouldn't want to bother with this idea at all.

I naturally cannot tolerate Tang Dao, a big worry in my position. If I am not in this position, it's none of my business! , In fact, when he thought that the stronger Tang Dao was, the more trouble he would cause to those who came after him, he felt an indescribable sense of pleasure in his heart.

Itagaki Shiro certainly didn't know the various thoughts in his immediate superior's mind. He was just happy that the intelligence department of the headquarters made the same judgment as him.

"The headquarters has approved the assassination plan of the intelligence department and has activated the No. 3 secret agent who has been lurking in China for many years." Nishio Juzo tapped the table with his fingers. "As for the question you just raised, Itagaki-kun, I can answer it at the same time."

"Tang Dao offended their top leader, so that he failed to get promoted for many years. The assassination plan made by the intelligence department, which obtained this secret intelligence through No. 3, is different from the previous one. It will send an elite special agent team to lurk in the enemy area, but will make full use of these to find the right time to kill them in one fell swoop."

"Commander, what do you mean, use the Chinese to fight the Chinese?" Itagaki Shiro took a deep breath.

"That's right! Before I told you about this, I had already talked to Wang and Zhou. They said they would fully support our actions. Those Chinese were old friends with them. For their own retreat, many of them still have some contact in private." Nishio Beast said.

"Brilliant! Commander, this move is really brilliant! No matter how powerful the Tang sword is, how could they have thought that there would be so many hidden guns pointed at him in the area they controlled!" Itagaki Shiro smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Little did he know that he was cursing in his heart! I, the chief of staff, knew it later than those surrendered Chinese, so you might as well not let me know!

"This operation is codenamed "Tiger! Tiger!", and the China Expeditionary Army Headquarters is responsible for assisting in its implementation. Itagaki-kun, as the highest commander in charge of this operation, is responsible for coordinating all matters." Nishio Beast tapped the table again, explaining the last reason he told Itagaki Shiro.

Before, his rank was not high enough, but now he was needed to do the work. After all, a commander who commanded a million troops could not stare at a small Chinese colonel every day, right? That identity was too mismatched.

"Who chose this code name for the operation?"

What kind of code name is this? Itagaki Shiro, who had been in the Northeast for many years, was stunned.

The Japanese Army Lieutenant General knew that the word "tiger" was synonymous with "idiot" in the Northeast. When these two tigers appeared, weren't they all idiots?

"Of course it's me! How about it, isn't it very charming? It can not only represent the extermination of tigers, but also show the tiger power of my Imperial Army." Nishio Juzo was obviously very satisfied with himself for "plagiarizing" the code name that was supposed to appear in the radio waves over the Pacific Ocean 10 months later.

"Very good, very good, very domineering, it really deserves to be the handwriting of your Excellency the Commander!" Itagaki Shiro smiled and gave a thumbs up again.

The subtext is actually just: you are a tiger, your whole family is a tiger!

Anyway, from the moment he heard this code name, Lieutenant General Itagaki Shiro had an ominous premonition!