The screen zooms to Jinzhong County.

Yasuda Makoto, chief of staff of the 9th Japanese Infantry Brigade, hurriedly came to the brigade commander Naoomi Hattori and reported: "Your Excellency, brigade commander, General Yamashita called back and said that they were blocked by the Eighth Route Army at Fenghuangling and are currently exchanging fire with them.

He told us to hold on and after defeating the Eighth Route Army, we would rush to Jinzhong as soon as possible."

Hattori Naoomi nodded expressionlessly. The situation was similar to what he expected. Sure enough, the 8th independent mixed brigade had not arrived in Jinzhong for so long and was really blocked halfway.

Then he asked: "What about the Black Island Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Armored Vehicle Battalion?"

Yasuda Makoto: "We have not been able to contact these two imperial armies so far. They must have been blocked by the Eighth Route Army on the way.

Maybe the radio is damaged, or maybe..."

Yasuda didn't continue talking, but the answer was already obvious. The comprehensive strength of these two Japanese armies was far inferior to that of the independent mixed 8th Brigade.

It is too easy to ambush the cavalry. As for the armored troops, it will not be too difficult as long as more anti-tank mines are deployed.

Hearing this, Naoomi Hattori's expression turned ugly again.

Yasuda Shinori asked for instructions again: "Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, what should we do now? Should we report the situation here and the situation of the independent mixed 8th Brigade and other units to the headquarters?"

At this time, Hattori Naoomi had completely lost his ambition to defeat the Eighth Route Army in front of him, and was not even sure about holding Jinzhong. His whole mood was low, and he was left with only unwillingness and resentment.

Although he wanted to be strong all his life, he had to bow his head and face reality at this moment, so he nodded and agreed to Yasuda's proposal.

…

In Taiyuan City.

Japanese 1st Army Headquarters.

Yoshio Shinozuka was anxiously waiting for the battle situation on the front line. At this time, Nobunaga Ono, the head of the communications section, suddenly hurried in from outside.

He walked up to Yoshio Shinozuka with sonorous and powerful steps, put his feet back and stood at attention, and then said after a pause: "Your Excellency, Commander, the 9th Infantry Brigade of the Jinzhong Imperial Army is calling."

Yoshio Shinozuka asked: "But the 8th independent mixed brigade and other units have arrived in Jinzhong?"

Ono Nobunaga looked grim and said, "No, General Hattori said in the telegram that he had just contacted the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade and other departments not long ago.

Among them, only the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade was successfully contacted. They were blocked by the Eighth Route Army in Fenghuang Ridge, and the two sides are currently exchanging fire.

Although General Yamashita said that they would soon defeat the Eighth Route Army blocking them and head to Jinzhong, General Hattori said that one-third of the county seat in Jinzhong has been lost, and the Eighth Route Army is still increasing its strength, so they may not be able to hold on.

Reinforcements have arrived.

As for the Black Island Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Armored Vehicle Battalion, there is no contact at all.”

Yoshio Shinozuka said with a serious face: "The 9th Brigade did not contact the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Armored Vehicle Battalion. Could it be that they were also blocked by the Eighth Route Army?"

Before Nobunaga Ono could speak, Yoshio Shinozuka asked again: "Ono-kun, have you tried to contact the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade and other departments?"

Ono Nobunaga: "I just tried this, and not only did the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment lose contact with the 3rd Armored Vehicle Group, but also the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade lost contact."

"Nani? The 8th independent mixed brigade has also lost contact?"

Shinozuka Yoshio was shocked when he heard this, and Chief of Staff Miyano Shun, Yamamoto Kazuki and others also felt a "thump" in their hearts.

Because the reason for the loss of contact can be big or small, it may be that there is no signal temporarily, or the radio station may be destroyed, or the entire army may simply be wiped out, so naturally there will be no way to contact them.

After a while, Chief of Staff Miyano Shun came to his senses and asked for instructions: "Your Excellency, Commander, the Imperial Army's 8th Independent Mixed Brigade and other units have lost contact. This matter is not trivial. Should we send a scout to investigate the situation?"

?」

Next to him, Yamamoto Kazuki was far more thoughtful than Miyano Shun thought. He said: "Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, Your Excellency, Commander, the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army is limited. Even if they set up an ambush halfway, they will not be able to defeat them."

It is possible that the Imperial Army can be independently mixed into the 8th Brigade, the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Armored Vehicle Battalion and eliminated."

Shinozuka Yoshio turned to look at Yamamoto Kazuki: "Why did Yamamoto-kun say this?"

Yamamoto Kazuki pointed at the map and said: "Commander, you see, the Eighth Route Army did not choose the ambush location at Turkey Ridge, which has a more dangerous terrain, but chose Fenghuang Ridge. Although this is far beyond our expectations, it may even be possible.

The independent mixed 8th Brigade was caught off guard."

After a pause, Yamamoto Kazuki changed the topic and continued: "But it is precisely because of the terrain that it is impossible for the Eighth Route Army to wipe out the independent mixed 8th Brigade, and at most it will be severely damaged."

Chief of Staff Miyano Shun asked again: "Yamamoto-kun, the 8th independent mixed brigade suddenly lost contact, what is the explanation?"

Yamamoto Kazuki: "There are many reasons why radio stations lose contact. It may be that there is no signal, the radio station may be damaged, or the entire army may be wiped out.

Of course, it could also be that the owner of this radio station is unwilling to contact the outside world."

Miyano Shun: "Yamamoto-kun, what do you think is the reason why the independent mixed 8th Brigade lost contact?"

"General Yamashita took the initiative to cut off contact with the outside world!" Yamamoto Kazuki said firmly.

"Yamashita Lord suddenly cut off contact with the outside world?" Miyano Shun was stunned and asked: "How do you say this?"

Yamamoto Kazuki: "The 9th Brigade must have just made contact with the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade and immediately reported the situation to the headquarters.

Then, Ono-kun immediately contacted the independent 8th Brigade, and the interval between them would not exceed 20 minutes at most."

"Even if the 8th independent mixed brigade may be wiped out by the Eighth Route Army, it is absolutely impossible to be wiped out in such a short period of time. At least General Yamashita cannot even have a chance to send a telegram to report!"

Miyano Jun pondered for a moment and then said: "Yamamoto-kun, I don't object to your analysis, but the question is, why did Yamamoto-kun take the initiative to cut off contact with the outside world?"

Kazuki Yamamoto: "Shogun Yamashita is an extremely strong person."

Miyano Jun nodded. They all knew that Yamashita Fengfumi always wanted to prove himself. He didn't want to live in the shadow of his brother Yamashita Fengfumi, so he wanted to be strong.

After a pause, Yamamoto Kazuki continued: "That's the problem. General Yamashita is eager to prove himself, so he has been working hard.

Now, if he can't even eliminate an Eighth Route Army that's blocking him, then all his previous efforts will be in vain."

"General Yamashita didn't want to be disturbed, so he took the initiative to cut off contact with the outside world to prevent being disturbed, so that he could devote himself to the battle wholeheartedly."

……
Chapter completed!