In the headquarters of the Seventh Column of the Eighth Route Army, the lights were bright, and the staff officers of the headquarters were in and out, and they were busy with their feet not touching the ground.Ma Zhenguo stretched out his hand and pointed to the sand table in front of him, and said with a serious face: "Deputy Commander Yang called back, the Northern Route Army is progressing smoothly and is expected to arrive at the scheduled location at noon tomorrow." ”Li Guotao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Inform Lao Yang and let them overcome all difficulties and arrive at the scheduled location as soon as possible."
The Japanese army must have received the news, and it is estimated that they will send troops to intercept the Northern Route Army, so that they can prepare in advance, and if they are intercepted by the Japanese army, they must be defeated. ”"Yes" Ma Zhenguo replied respectfully, turned around and ordered a staff officer to convey the order.Ma Zhenguo then continued: "The Southern Route Army led by Deputy Commander Li has also arrived at the designated place at present, and will continue to penetrate behind the enemy line this evening, and according to the plan, it will also arrive at the scheduled blocking location at noon tomorrow to block the Japanese army in the direction of Lingyuan from moving north. ”Li Guotao nodded slightly and said: "The problem of the Southern Route Army should not be big, after the general offensive starts early tomorrow morning, the main force of our Eighth Route Army will launch an active attack on the Japanese army of Lingyuan from the direction of the plain, and the 11th Division of the Japanese army of Lingyuan will basically be able to contain it, even if they still have the spare strength to go north to support Chifeng, it is impossible to draw too many troops." ”Ma Zhenguo nodded and said: "You're right, in fact, the main question now is whether the main force of our Central Route Army can break the defense line of the 23rd Division in time and rush to Chifeng in time."
If the main force of our army cannot reach Chifeng in time, then the Northern Route Army and the Southern Route Army that have returned to the enemy's rear will fall into a situation of being alone in the depths of the army, which will be very unfavorable to our army at that time. ”Li Guotao smiled and nodded, and said: "Our Middle Route Army has concentrated the strength of the three main divisions, plus the 80,000 troops under Commander Song, there are more than 100,000 people, if this can't deal with a small 23rd division, then we don't have to enter the northeast." ”Ma Zhenguo nodded and said, "That's the same." ”As he spoke, he raised his wrist and glanced at his watch, it was already ten o'clock in the evening, and he raised his head and said to Li Guotao: "Now there are about seven hours before the start of the general attack, why don't you go back and rest first, and then I will send someone to call you in advance." ”Li Guotao waved his hand and said: "No need, the big war is coming, where I still have the heart to sleep, I will stay here, and I will not go anywhere, so as to keep abreast of the situation on the front line, if I am tired, I will lie on the table and squint for a while." ”Li Guotao said and pointed to a table next to him, then took out a cigarette, lit it and took a puff, sighed softly and said: "This battle is the first battle of our army's strategy to march into the northeast, and it is also the most important battle, so our army must not only win, but also win quickly, so as to ensure the success of our army in the northeast." ”Ma Zhenguo saw that Li Guotao insisted on this, and it was not easy to say anything more, so he nodded and said, "Okay, then you can rest here for a while, and I'll go to the confidential room first." ”As he spoke, he turned and walked in the direction of the confidential room.As the minutes passed, Li Guotao raised his wrist and glanced at his watch, and it was already 4:45 a.m. on May 8, about fifteen minutes before the planned general offensive was launched.Li Guotao raised his head, looked at Ma Zhenguo and asked: "The aeronautist can have news" Ma Zhenguo shook his head and said: "Not yet, but it is estimated that it should be soon." ”Li Guotao nodded, his brows couldn't help frowning, he took out a cigarette again, lit it and smoked it, this night Li Guotao almost smoked a pack of cigarettes, and there was a layer of cigarette butts under his feet.After about two or three minutes, Li Guotao had finished smoking a cigarette in his hand, then threw the cigarette butt to the ground, and his hand involuntarily touched the cigarette case again.At this moment, a staff officer hurriedly ran out of the confidential room and shouted excitedly: "Commander, chief of staff, the aviation division has sent a telegram, and all the fighters belonging to the aviation division have been lifted into the air and rushed to the battlefield." ”"Great" Li Guotao's movements immediately stopped, stood up directly from his seat, and said excitedly: "Immediately notify all troops to launch an attack on the Japanese position at five o'clock according to the original plan." ”"Yes" Ma Zhenguo responded respectfully, and hurriedly went to convey the order.At five o'clock in the morning of May 8, a rumbling cannon sound immediately sounded on the position of the Eighth Route Army, and the Eighth Route Army concentrated hundreds of artillery pieces and began to bombard the positions of the 23rd Division of the Japanese Army.At the same time, the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the direction of Hiraizumi also launched an attack on the positions of the Japanese 11th Division at the same time.Li Guotao hurriedly rushed to a forward observation post, raised his binoculars to observe the Japanese position opposite, only to see that the Japanese position in the distance had been completely shrouded in our army's artillery fire, and pieces of fire continued to rise into the air, and a deafening explosion continued to come from a distance.Seeing this scene, Li Guotao was naturally excited, smiled and nodded, and said: "Good job and beautiful" At the same time, the headquarters of the 23rd Division of the Japanese Army in the enclosure was already in chaos, and the commander of the 23rd Division, Lieutenant General Nishihara Kanji, frowned and asked loudly: "How is the situation on the front line now?"
”The chief of staff replied with his head bowed."
Yaga Yalu" Lieutenant General Nishihara Kanji couldn't help but scold angrily, frowned and said, "It seems that the people of China are really going to launch a full-scale attack." ”"Your Excellency, Commander of the Hai Division, is wise."
The chief of staff replied respectfully.Nishihara Kanji frowned and thought for a while, and then said with a serious face: "Immediately order all troops on the front line to hold their positions and be sure to block the attack of the Shina people." ”The chief of staff of "Hai" replied respectfully."
In addition, immediately call for help from the 8th Division and ask for urgent tactical guidance.In addition, a telegram was sent to the army and aviation authorities, asking them to immediately send fighter planes to provide air support.Hurry up," Nishihara said loudly with a panicked face.The chief of staff of "Hai" responded respectfully, and quickly turned around and ran to convey the order."
Yagaya Road" Nishihara Kanji couldn't help but scold angrily again, picked up the command knife on the table, and said loudly and undoubtedly: "Follow me to the front line to see" The adjutant was stunned for a moment, and originally wanted to stop it, but Nishihara Kanji had already strode out regardless of it, and the adjutant had no choice but to follow obediently.aa2705221: