"We are now dividing our forces to occupy the three county towns, which will create various opportunities for the Yizhong Eighth Route Army to defeat them. Not only will we not be able to defend the three county towns, it will further increase our army's losses."

"Instead of wasting troops to defend three counties that are destined to be undefendable, it is better to give up directly and save the troops."

The deputy chief of staff was convinced by Okamura Neiji again.

I particularly agree with this analysis intellectually.

But I couldn't accept it emotionally.

More than 20,000 troops were mopped up, and they fought hard for several days. In the end, they gained nothing. Instead, they lost more than 10,000 troops and a large amount of equipment and ammunition.

In his memory, the North China Front Army has never fought such a humiliating battle since its establishment.

Okamura Neiji said again: "Although we failed in this sweep, we did not gain nothing..."

"Based on the results compiled by various mopping up troops."

"In this sweep, we eliminated a total of more than 6,000 Eighth Route Army troops, destroyed a large number of tunnel fortifications in the Yizhong base area, and at the same time found the latest method to crack the Eighth Route Army's tunnel warfare."

"When our army gathers enough troops to launch a new round of raids, these experiences and lessons will definitely make us unstoppable."

…………

On the top of the northern city wall of Baoding City, Li Yunlong was holding a telescope to observe the latest progress of the commando team.

"This shot was very good. It killed the enemy's heavy machine gun position with one shot. It was really fun..." Li Yunlong commented while watching.

"Deputy commander..." Huang Qi, the commander of the Mancheng Defense Regiment, stood nearby and reminded.

"The troops have advanced 500 meters, can we stop?"

Li Yunlong didn't even turn his head, but directly ordered: "Continue to attack forward..."

"Baoding is full of Japanese and puppet assets. We finally made the trip and entered the city. It would be a big loss if we don't get some benefits and go back."

"We can't take down the arsenal. We can take down some general material warehouses and seize some grain and supplies and take them back."

"Deng Jingye reported: Not many of the Japanese and puppet troops there have been transferred."

"It means that there are not many Japanese and puppet troops in the city, and they cannot threaten the safety of the commandos for the time being."

"Let them continue to attack forward and try to seize a few more material warehouses before retreating."

"You immediately send the mules and horses that are free from the baggage train to the north gate. We will take down a warehouse and empty it out. We must not take advantage of the little devil."

"Report to the deputy commander..." Before Huang Qi could move, he saw the radio operator running over in a hurry.

"The regiment commander sent us an urgent message. The ambush ended successfully. Let us evacuate the battlefield as soon as possible and take a detour back to the base area."

Li Yunlong obviously hadn't fought enough yet, so he couldn't help but muttered: "Kong Er did things too fast, and I didn't even have time to transport the loot."

Huang Qi hesitated and asked: "Deputy commander, do you want mules and horses..."

"Of course..." Li Yunlong said without hesitation.

"The troops have penetrated deeply into Baoding County and have been strangled with the Baoding garrison. It will take time to evacuate."

"It's still early before dawn, two hours should be about the same."

"Call Kong Erluzi back and we'll evacuate Baoding in two hours."
Chapter completed!