Chapter 124: Good News For The 129th Division
Northwest Shanxi, 129 Division garrison.
In mid-October 1937, the Japanese Army that occupied Shijiazhuang pressed on relentlessly, continuing to advance westward.
Eighth Route Army Headquarters speculated on the Japanese Army’s operational intentions: the Japanese Army’s 20th and 109th Divisions advancing west along the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Railway, together with the 5th, 12th, and 1st Divisions, were about to form pincer offensive, with their spearhead aimed straight at Taiyuan in Shanxi.
Therefore, to cooperate with the Jin Army in defending Taiyuan, Eighth Route Army Headquarters ordered the 115 Division’s 343 Brigade to move south from the Wutaishan area, to coordinate with the 129 Division south of the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Railway to strike the Japanese Army, which was the Battle of Pingxingguan.
But now it was only July 1937, and the war had not yet begun.
Division Commander Liu of the 129 Division was at his garrison at this moment, troubled by the resupply of weaponry and ammunition.
“Division Commander! Recently our troops have added quite a few new members, but the supplies from Headquarters have not yet been fulfilled!”
“Now our new recruits basically only have cold weapons for military training!”
“Even our veteran troops do not have much firearms and ammunition, and they are all kinds of assorted firearms, with limited lethality, and even the homemade hand grenades are running out!”
“And winter has already been here for more than three months, and our grain and cotton-padded clothes are also very scarce!”
Logistics Section Chief Zhang Jiajun, however, was full of anxious and worried expressions, incessantly complaining to Division Commander Liu.
“.”
Division Commander Liu.
He indicated that he was also very troubled.
“I will do my best to find a way, and of course I will also discuss it with Headquarters!”
“But no matter whether we have firearms, weaponry and equipment now or not, we must ensure that all new recruits receive proper military training, at least learning to hold knives, use sabers, and throw hand grenades, these most basic combat skills!”
“And firing guns also needs to be learned; even without extra bullets for live firing, they must learn to fire and become familiar with the parts and structure of firearms!”
“There are always more methods than difficulties!”
“Just like when I crossed snow mountains, traversed grasslands, and escaped the pursuing enemy’s encirclement and suppression in such difficult times, I made it through, so the so-called hard days ahead, we can also endure!”
However, Division Commander Liu still used a mild tone to encourage him.
“Mm! I understand! Division Commander!”
“But food and cotton-padded clothes really need new supplies prepared immediately, otherwise in this cold winter, if the soldiers fall ill, or run out of food, it will be hard to bear!”
“And it won’t be long before New Year!”
However, Logistics Section Chief Zhang Jiajun continued to worry about the lack of cotton-padded clothes and food.
“.”
Division Commander Liu.
“Phew! Give me some time to handle it!”
“Headquarters will also do everything possible to handle these matters!”
“You go back to work first!”
“I also need to go personally supervise the new recruits’ military training; this absolutely cannot be relaxed, now the Japanese people are full of ambition and may start war at any time!”
“I just don’t know where they will choose to ignite war again!”
“Moreover, besides facing the Japanese people’s provocation of war, we also have to face the National Revolutionary Army Troops’ merciless encirclement and pursuit at any time, so the new recruits’ military training must be completed as soon as possible; this concerns their own lives and safety!”
“Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime!”
Division Commander Liu shook his head, changed the topic, and prepared to end the discussion.
“Alright! I understand!”
Seeing Division Commander Liu who was no longer willing to continue talking,
Logistics Section Chief Zhang Jiajun could only slink away dejectedly,
But after leaving the command post, he also sighed lightly, deeply worried about the impending lack of grain and cotton-padded clothes, because he had already seen some soldiers starting to show symptoms of colds,
So he worried that more and more soldiers would fall ill due to thin clothes and lack of food.
But just as he was so worried,
Suddenly, Li Zhibang from his logistics section hurried over to him,
“Section Chief! Someone has delivered a large batch of food and cotton-padded clothes to us!”
Logistics staff Li Zhibang reported breathlessly.
“What! Really?”
Hearing this, Logistics Section Chief Zhang Jiajun was surprised,
Then hurriedly asked back.
“It’s true!”
Logistics staff Li Zhibang nodded seriously in agreement.
“Who are they from?”
Logistics Section Chief Zhang Jiajun continued to press.
“They said they are merchants from Taiyuan and Beiping!”
“It seems to be subordinates of a boss named Zhou Wenhua, bringing supplies, food, and cotton-padded clothes!”
Logistics staff Li Zhibang continued to report truthfully.
“Quickly go notify the Division Commander!”
“Quick! He will surely be very happy!”
“I will go personally receive them right now!”
“This cold winter, our soldiers’ winter clothing and food are secured!”
“This is truly heaven’s blessing!”
After hearing this, Logistics Section Chief Zhang Jiajun said excitedly.
And logistics staff Li Zhibang immediately acted on orders and went to the command post to notify Division Commander Liu of this good news.
