Chapter 202: Departing In Gloom
While Doolittle and his party in Hong Kong were intensively preparing for that unprecedented aerial transfer, inside the headquarters of the First Army of the Japanese North China Area Army in Taiyuan, Shanxi, a tense atmosphere still enveloped the place.
Ushijima Sanetsune’s 20th Division suffered a crushing defeat in Wolf Valley, with nearly all of its elite troops lost, and the division commander himself became a prisoner of Su Yaoyang.
This news struck like a bolt from the blue, not only severely undermining the Japanese army’s arrogance in Shanxi but also casting a dark shadow over the face of Lieutenant General Umezu Yoshijirō, the commander of the First Army.
Umezu Yoshijirō, a Japanese army general known for his toughness, was now standing before a large operational map, his eyes gloomily fixed on Wutai County and its surrounding areas.
The designation of the 20th Division had been marked with a shameful red cross on the map, a reminder to Umezu Yoshijirō that he must never forget this painful lesson, with failure and disgrace gnawing at his heart like venomous snakes.
“Baka! A bunch of useless fools!”
Umezu Yoshijirō cursed under his breath, his voice hoarse and filled with suppressed rage.
For days, he and the staff officers at the headquarters had reviewed that defeat several times, concluding that Ushijima Sanetsune’s carelessness was the primary reason for this immense failure, while the weaponry of the Shanxi militia and their strength of resistance were secondary factors.
He had not expected to encounter resistance, but he never imagined that a local militia of modest size could inflict such a devastating blow on his elite division. This was not only a military failure but also a great humiliation to his personal command abilities.
After tallying the immense losses, Umezu Yoshijirō confined himself to his command post for several days. He mobilized all available intelligence resources, attempting to ascertain the details of Su Yaoyang’s unit, analyze their tactical characteristics, and find their weaknesses.
He had even begun to draft new operational plans, preparing to mobilize more troops to launch a larger-scale “mopping-up” operation in the Wutai County area, determined to uproot this obstacle, avenge the 20th Division, and salvage his own reputation.
This defeat had not extinguished his fighting spirit; instead, it made him even more eager to prove himself, vowing to wash away this disgrace with a greater victory.
However, just as Umezu Yoshijirō was preparing to unleash his full power and redeem himself, a transfer order from the Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo was like a bucket of ice water poured directly over his head, chilling him to the bone.
That afternoon, a dark green Type 96 land attack aircraft landed silently on the runway at Taiyuan Airport.
Unlike the commotion of other aircraft, this plane, after landing, quickly taxied to a secluded tarmac, which was immediately cordoned off by a troop of armed military police.
The cabin door opened, and the stairs were lowered. First to disembark were several solemn-faced, erect-backed officers of the field-grade rank. After getting off the plane, they scanned their surroundings vigilantly.
Closely following them was a Lieutenant General of the army, of medium build, with a gaunt face, a distinctive small mustache, and sharp eyes. He descended from the aircraft surrounded by his retinue.
He was wearing a crisp Showa-era uniform, adorned with several medals on his chest, and the stars on his shoulders gleamed somewhat piercingly in the autumn sunlight.
He was the newly appointed commander of the First Army of the Japanese North China Area Army… Lieutenant General Shinozuka Yoshio.
Shinozuka Yoshio and his party made no stop at the airport, directly boarding several black Toyota sedans flying general’s flags. Escorted by numerous security motorcycles, they sped towards the First Army headquarters like a whirlwind.
Umezu Yoshijirō’s office was located on the second floor of the headquarters building, under strict security. When Shinozuka Yoshio and his group arrived, Umezu Yoshijirō was in the midst of discussing an operational plan for Wutai County with several staff officers when he suddenly received notification from his aide that a special envoy from the Imperial General Headquarters and the new commander had arrived.
Umezu Yoshijirō’s heart sank, and he felt a vague sense of foreboding. He quickly tidied his uniform and hurried out of his office, where he met Shinozuka Yoshio and his entourage in the corridor.
“Umezu-kun, I trust you are well.”
Shinozuka Yoshio wore a professional smile, but there was no warmth in his eyes. Although he and Umezu Yoshijirō were from the same class at the Army War College, their relationship was not harmonious.
“Shinozuka-kun, welcome to Taiyuan.”
Umezu Yoshijirō also forced a smile, but his heart was pounding. He knew that the Imperial General Headquarters would not send Shinozuka Yoshio at this time merely for an inspection.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they entered Umezu Yoshijirō’s office together.
After dismissing the surrounding staff officers and aides, a Colonel accompanying Shinozuka Yoshio retrieved an order, stamped with the crimson seal of the Imperial General Headquarters, from his briefcase. With a solemn expression, he unfolded it and began to read:
“By order of the Imperial General Headquarters: Lieutenant General Shinozuka Yoshio is hereby appointed Commander of the First Army of the North China Area Army, effective immediately. Lieutenant General Umezu Yoshijirō, the former Commander of the First Army, is to be transferred to the position of Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, and must complete the handover within three days and report to Shinkyo. This order!”
“Boom!”
This order struck Umezu Yoshijirō’s mind like a thunderclap. The color drained from his face instantly, and his body swayed slightly, almost losing his balance.
Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army? While it sounded like an important position, compared to the commander of the First Army, who commanded a large force and was responsible for the entire Shanxi war theater, it was undeniably a promotion in title but a demotion in substance!
Furthermore, to transfer him away at this critical juncture, when he was preparing for a major counteroffensive to redeem himself, was clearly a repudiation and a lack of trust in his command abilities!
“Why… why is this?!” Umezu Yoshijirō’s voice trembled with resentment and anger. He stared intently at Shinozuka Yoshio, as if trying to read something from his face.
Shinozuka Yoshio’s smile remained unchanged, but his tone carried an unquestionable authority: “Umezu-kun, this is the decision of the Imperial General Headquarters.
As soldiers of the Empire, obeying orders is our sacred duty!
The annihilation of the 20th Division has had an extremely adverse impact on the Area Army and the entire progress of the Holy War. The Imperial General Headquarters requires someone to be held accountable for this. Simultaneously, a new commander is needed to stabilize the situation in Shanxi and reverse the decline as soon as possible.”
Although his words were phrased delicately, their meaning was crystal clear… Umezu Yoshijirō, you are being held responsible for your misguided command that led to the crushing defeat of the 20th Division, and you must now step aside!
Umezu Yoshijirō opened his mouth, wanting to argue further, but seeing Shinozuka Yoshio’s cold eyes and the expressionless faces of the surrounding officers, he knew that everything was settled. No amount of resentment or anger would be of any use.
He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, although his eyes were still filled with regret and unwillingness, there was now a hint of helplessness and obedience.
“Hai… I understand.” Umezu Yoshijirō lowered his head, his voice hoarse and dry, and left the office with a dejected expression.
