Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 214 New Plan

"Unless the Japanese send reinforcements, the likelihood of them continuing their offensive will be greatly reduced."

"According to intelligence, the Japanese encirclement and suppression operation in the south is not progressing well. Some of the counties previously occupied have been recaptured by the Eighth Route Army or the Nationalist Army. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Japanese will send troops to reinforce Wolong Mountain."

"I think the Japanese troops besieging us will most likely choose to retreat," Tang Weiguo judged.

"Therefore, we must execute the next step of the plan as soon as possible before the Japanese retreat."

"Commander, do you mean we should start attacking the Japanese county town now?" Zhang Haoshan asked.

“That’s right. The Japanese have fewer troops in the county town now, and the intelligence team has already grasped the Japanese defense situation. We have the ability to take over Wolongshan County Town in a short time.”

"Commander, is our objective still to destroy the Japanese munitions depot this time?" Zhang Haoshan asked.

"No, our main objective is to seize supplies from the Japanese army's arms depot!" Tang Weiguo said.

"The Japanese military depot in the county town has a large stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies. If we can capture these supplies, it will greatly expand the development of our militia."

"Moreover, once the Japanese army's logistical supplies are destroyed, they will have no choice but to retreat, even if they don't want to!"

"The key point is that the Japanese casualties have exceeded our expectations. We now have the capability to occupy the county town and transfer supplies from the Japanese ammunition depots while ensuring our safety," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Commander, although the Japanese have suffered heavy losses, there are still more than 2000 Japanese troops stationed in Wolong Mountain. Once the county town is attacked, the Japanese will definitely return to reinforce it. At the current speed of the Japanese advance, they can reach the county town within 4 hours."

"Therefore, we must capture the Japanese munitions depot within four hours and move the weapons and supplies out," Zhang Haoshan warned.

“It will take more than four hours. I will order Tang Xiaohu to lead the troops to block the enemy along the line and delay their return. This will buy the troops an extra hour.”

“The extra hour is enough for us,” Tang Weiguo said.

"Does anyone have any other opinions on this battle plan?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"No," everyone answered in unison.

"The operation plan is as follows: the reconnaissance battalion will be responsible for the operation, the intelligence department's action team will provide support, and the logistics transportation battalion will be responsible for transporting supplies. The First Battalion will lead its troops to secretly infiltrate the Lijia Gou area to ambush the Japanese troops and buy time for the troops in the county town."

"The operation is scheduled for 4 a.m. tomorrow. It is 8 p.m. now. We have 8 hours to allow all units to prepare."

"To avoid confusion in command, Niu Dali has been appointed as the overall commander of the frontline operations, and all units will obey his command."

"Your staff office should immediately update the previous action plan, submit it to me for approval, and then distribute it to all units immediately."

"Yes," Zhang Haoshan said, standing up.

"Bi Shoucai, you immediately lead the logistics transport unit to secretly infiltrate the county town area via back roads and meet up with Niu Dali to await further orders. In addition, to increase the strength of transporting supplies, the logistics department should also organize a team to participate in this emergency transport of supplies."

"Yes, I'll go prepare right away." Bi Shouchai stood up, said this, and left the meeting.

"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, you now notify Tang Xiaohu to lead his troops to secretly infiltrate the Lijia Gou area, set up defensive positions, and block the Japanese to buy time for the operation in the county town. The three flying thunder artillery companies of the mountain artillery battalion will cooperate with the First Battalion's operation."

"Yes."

"As for the troops remaining at Wolong Mountain, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang devised an action plan: once the Japanese begin to retreat, the troops would operate behind the Japanese lines to slow down the Japanese reinforcements."

"Li Qukou, come to my office. Meeting adjourned. Everyone, get to work."

"Yes."

With Tang Weiguo's order, everyone began to perform their duties and get busy.

Tang Weiguo then brought Li Qukou to the office.

"Where are Commander Li and his men now, driving out the enemy?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, Commander Li secretly infiltrated the vicinity of the county last night and is waiting for our orders at any time."

“Very good. Inform Commander Li to cooperate with Niu Dali, who is lurking around the county town, to carry out an operation against the county town. Tell them that the spoils of war will still be divided according to the previous 30/70 split.”

"Yes."

"Also, notify them to organize transportation resources and do everything possible to transfer Japanese supplies in the county town."

"Yes."

"Have you thoroughly investigated the residences of the Japanese collaborators, traitors, and Japanese merchants in the county town?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"We've already investigated thoroughly. The residences of all the Japanese collaborators and traitors in the county, as well as the locations of Japanese merchants, have been marked on the map. I've already had someone hand over the map to Niu Niu Dali."

“Very good. This time, your intelligence department will take the lead, and Niu Dali will send a company to cooperate with your operation. They will definitely wipe out the assets of these traitors.”

"These traitors and Japanese merchants have amassed a fortune; we must dig out their money and use it for military expenses!"

"Yes, I will arrange it properly."

"Drive out the enemy! This time, it all depends on the performance of your intelligence division's action team!"

"Don't worry, our intelligence department will definitely not let the commander down this time."

"Okay, arrange the work right away."

"Yes."

As the mobilization power of the militia headquarters was once again demonstrated, all orders were accurately transmitted to the military commanders of each unit.

Tangjia Town.

Tang Xiaohu is making the most of his spare time to reorganize his troops. To facilitate command, Tang Xiaohu has reorganized the companies. Originally there were 12 companies, but now only five full-strength companies remain.

"Yao Xing, how are the wounded?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

"They have all been transferred to the regimental hospital via the transportation route. Dean Chu is organizing the hospital to prioritize the treatment of the seriously injured."

"Tell Dean Chu that we're entrusting these wounded soldiers to them. I'll thank them properly after the war."

"Yes."

"Battalion Commander, Battalion Commander, an unexpected discovery!" Shen Lei rushed over.

"What discovery?"

"While cleaning up the battlefield, we found two mortar shell boxes with skulls and crossbones painted on them, left behind by the Japanese. After Li, the company commander, opened them while wearing a gas mask, he discovered that there were still unused poison gas shells inside!"

"What! Immediately have the company commander carefully and properly place it to avoid accidentally injuring any troops," Tang Xiaohu ordered immediately. "Yao Xing, report this matter to the regimental headquarters."

"Yes."