HLnovel Chapter 224 Blocking Enemy Reinforcements
Chapter 224 Blocking Enemy Reinforcements
"Commander, the Fifth and Sixth Battalions have called. They have been intercepted by the Japanese rearguard. According to reports from the front, the Japanese are launching a suicidal attack on them like madmen, and the casualties are quite high."
"The Fifth Battalion is mostly composed of veterans, so their situation is relatively good and the losses are not too great. However, the Sixth Battalion suffered heavy casualties," Zhang Haoshan said.
"The Sixth Battalion has too many new recruits who have not been tested in combat, so it is normal for them to suffer casualties. The Sixth Battalion is ordered to preserve its own strength as much as possible and not to engage the Japanese in direct combat."
"Yes."
"When do you estimate the Japanese will arrive at Lijia Gou?" Tang Weiguo continued to ask.
"There's still half an hour left, 20 minutes ahead of schedule."
"How is Bi Shouchai?"
"The supplies in the Japanese military supply depot far exceed our previous estimates. They have just transported out less than one-fifth of the supplies from the Japanese military supply depot. It is estimated that it will take at least 4 hours to transfer all the supplies."
"Okay, I understand. Go and give Tang Xiaohu the order to hold out for at least three hours."
"Commander, three hours, isn't that too long? I'm afraid the First Battalion won't be able to hold out. After all, they've already been through a major battle and are short of manpower."
"I believe Tang Xiaohu and his men can do it," Tang Weiguo said, his voice heavy. He knew the First Battalion had suffered heavy losses, but all units were losing a lot, and he could only rely on the First Battalion for now.
"Commander, to ensure the safety of the defensive line, I will lead three artillery companies from the First Battalion to support the First Battalion. We will take the back road. I swear on my military oath that I will arrive at Lijiapo within an hour and a half!" Zhang Haoshan volunteered.
"Alright, speed is of the essence in war, you should set off immediately." Tang Weiguo nodded in agreement without hesitation.
Upon hearing Tang Weiguo's agreement, Zhang Haoshan immediately picked up the phone and ordered the artillery company to assemble and depart.
After hanging up the phone, he immediately ran out of the command post.
"Immediately assemble and prepare to depart!" Upon receiving the order, the artillery company commander immediately began organizing the troops and preparing for the march.
A short while later, Zhang Haoshan ran over.
"How's everything going?" Zhang Haoshan asked.
"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, we're still short of some shells."
"No more waiting. Bring as many shells as you have. Now, on my orders, depart immediately and rush to the aid of Lijia Gou." Zhang Haoshan immediately issued the order.
"Yes."
"Attention everyone, depart immediately."
With the order given, the three mortar companies began to move and advance towards Lijia Gou.
Meanwhile, Tang Xiaohu, who was carrying out a blocking mission in Lijia Gou, was making final preparations.
"Battalion Commander, urgent telegram from Regiment Headquarters."
"read."
"The Japanese troops returning from Wolong Mountain are expected to arrive at Lijia Gou in half an hour. Your unit needs to be on alert. In addition, in order to buy enough time for the county troops to transfer supplies, your unit must hold off the Japanese troops in Lijia Gou for at least three hours. I hope you can overcome all difficulties and complete the regimental order."
"Reply to the regimental headquarters that the First Battalion guarantees to complete the mission. Unless the regimental headquarters issues a retreat order, our First Battalion will absolutely not let a single Japanese soldier pass through Lijia Gou," Tang Xiaohu said firmly.
"Yes."
"Communicator, notify all company commanders to attend the pre-battle meeting at the command post."
"Yes."
A moment later, five company commanders ran over.
"First Company, how's the landmine placement going?"
"All the mines have been planted."
"Okay, when the Japanese come over, if you encounter Japanese sappers clearing mines, you have to take out all of them to prevent the Japanese from quickly passing through the minefield."
"Yes."
"I just received a notice from the regimental headquarters that we must hold our position in Lijia Gou for 3 hours, which is an hour longer than the mission we were given before. However, in order to prevent any unexpected situations, I require everyone to be prepared to hold the position for 4 hours."
"Can everyone do it?"
"can."
"Alright, the pressure in this battle is mainly concentrated on the First, Second and Third Companies. You are responsible for defending the front line, which is relatively flat. The Japanese will definitely attack you first."
"You three companies will face immense defensive pressure. To alleviate this pressure, the fourth and fifth companies, responsible for flank defense, must effectively suppress the Japanese from the side."
"Yes."
"The Japanese are almost here. Go back and prepare for battle."
"Yes."
"Report: Japanese troops have been spotted at the forward positions. It is estimated that a company of Japanese soldiers is rapidly approaching the direction of Lijia Gou."
"So fast?"
"Let's go, Company Commander, come with me to take a look. The rest of you, return to your positions immediately for final battle preparations."
"Yes."
"Company Commander, let's go." After saying that, Tang Xiaohu quickly ran towards the front line.
"Battalion Commander, look, this Japanese unit has a very clear objective: to scout the situation at the front," the company commander said.
"It seems they definitely know we have a blocking position in Lijia Gou, otherwise they wouldn't have suddenly searched this place so thoroughly," Tang Xiaohu analyzed.
"Commander, what do we do?"
"Let's fight. Now that we've been exposed, there's no point in hiding. If we can wipe out this Japanese unit, then we will."
"Understood, I'll make the arrangements now."
"Hmm." Tang Xiaohu was still looking at the Japanese troops who were scouting ahead.
.....
"Colonel, we have arrived at Lijia Gou," the Japanese company commander said.
"Yosh, retreat immediately if you spot any signs of the enemy."
"Hai."
"boom."
Just as Masato Ikeda was giving orders to the Japanese company commander, an explosion was heard ahead.
"What's going on up ahead?" Masatoshi Ikeda asked.
"Reporting to Colonel, a soldier has stepped on a landmine," a Japanese platoon leader who ran up from the front reported.
"Let's go and take a look." With that, Masato Ikeda led the Japanese company commander cautiously forward.
Two Japanese soldiers were lying near the landmine that had exploded; they had both been killed.
"Colonel, the enemy has definitely laid a large minefield in this area, and their defensive forces are certainly here," the Japanese company commander observed.
"Your judgment is correct."
"Colonel, we need to start mine clearance operations immediately to clear obstacles for subsequent troops to advance."
"It won't be that easy. The enemy won't let us clear the mines smoothly. Judging from the layout of this minefield, this unit is most likely our previous opponent."
"Colonel, are you saying that the defensive forces in front of us are the defensive forces of Tangjia Town?"
"Nine times out of ten. So they won't let me destroy the minefield easily."
"Then what do we do?"
"Order the troops to immediately and carefully scout the enemy's defenses in the vicinity. Report the situation to the company commander."
"Hai."
Sakai Yori, who was on a forced march, received intelligence from Ikeda Masato.
"A minefield, the enemy's movements are quite swift," Sakai Yori muttered as he looked at the intelligence report.
"Communicator, notify the artillery to build artillery positions immediately upon arrival at Lijia Gou, and cooperate with Colonel Ikeda to clear the minefield."
"Hai."