Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 187 The Japanese Retreat

"Regimental Commander, what are the arrangements for Battalion Commander Zhou's troops? Will they accompany Tang Xiaohu to assist in the defense of Tangjia Town?" Zhang Haoshan continued to ask.

"Not needed for now. Have the Fourth Battalion stand by at Sanjiaji. Once the other battalions have assembled, we will coordinate their defense of the main road into Wolong Mountain. As for the Tangjia Town position, the First Battalion will be in charge."

"As for the defense plan for the Wolong Mountain Pass, your staff should refine the operational plan to ensure that nothing goes wrong. I don't want to force us to reveal our last trump card."

"Yes, Commander, I'll make the arrangements right away."

"Alright, go ahead. It's getting late. After assigning tasks and arranging shifts, let everyone get some rest. This battle won't be resolved in just a day or two."

"The current combat mission is over, there's no need for everyone to stay here," Tang Weiguo said, stretching.

"Yes." Zhang Haoshan nodded in agreement.

"Go and make the arrangements. I'm going to get some sleep. If there's anything urgent, have Cheng Shanshan wake me up."

"Yes, Commander." Zhang Haoshan replied and hurriedly began assigning tasks. Tang Weiguo then went to rest in a nearby room.

"Battalion Commander, Battalion Commander, the regimental headquarters just issued an order for us to retreat immediately and then proceed to Tangjia Town to set up defensive positions," the deputy battalion commander said as he ran over after receiving the order from the regimental headquarters.

"Hmm." Tang Xiaohu's reluctance to attack coincided with the regimental headquarters' orders.

"Fourth Battalion, what are the arrangements from the regimental headquarters?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

"The regimental headquarters ordered the fourth battalion to stand by in Sanjiaji, while our first battalion went to Tangjia Town on its own."

"Alright, we'll carry out the regimental headquarters' orders. You'll immediately arrange for the troops to prepare for a retreat. Remember to keep your movements covert and buy the Japanese as much time as possible."

"Yes, Battalion Commander, I will organize the troops to retreat now." The deputy battalion commander turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Tang Xiaohu called out to the deputy battalion commander.

"Although we have retreated, we cannot let the Japanese retreat easily. We have ordered the First Company to follow behind the Japanese and find an opportunity to stab them in the back."

"Yes, Battalion Commander, I'll make the arrangements."

"Mm." Tang Xiaohu nodded.

After the deputy battalion commander left, Tang Xiaohu spoke to the battalion staff officer beside him.

"Staff Officer Feng, move the command post immediately. We're going to Tangjia Town."

"Yes."

Upon receiving the order, the people at the command post began to busy themselves, packing their belongings and moving the command post. Tang Xiaohu, meanwhile, left with his bodyguards.

"It's almost dawn. This battle really went by quickly," Tang Xiaohu remarked, looking at the sun peeking out in the distance.

"Let's go and take a look ahead." Tang Xiaohu led his guards toward the retreating group.

"Old Zhou," Tang Xiaohu greeted Zhou Liansheng from afar.

"Xiao Hu." Zhou Liansheng saw Tang Xiao Hu and walked towards him.

"Xiao Hu, we've only been working together for a short time, and now we have to part ways again. I'm really going to miss you," Zhou Liansheng said with a smile.

"Haha, me too. It's rare for us brothers to have the chance to fight side by side. Now we have to split up again. But don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to cooperate in the future. After this battle is over, we'll have a good get-together in the barracks."

"See you at the regimental headquarters after we drive this army away!"

“Okay.” Tang Xiaohu extended his hand, and Zhou Liansheng did the same, the two shaking hands tightly.

"Farewell." After saying this, Zhou Liansheng led his troops to retreat, while Tang Xiaohu also led a battalion of troops toward Tangjia Town.

On the Japanese position, Masatoshi Ikeda was cautiously watching the battlefield, constantly on guard against an attack from the local militia. Having not slept all night, Ikeda looked utterly exhausted.

"Commander, judging from the looks of it, the militia won't be attacking again anytime soon. Why don't you take a nap? I'll keep an eye on things from headquarters," Staff Officer Ozawa said with concern.

"How are Suzuki and the others?" Instead of answering, Masatoshi Ikeda asked Staff Officer Ozawa.

"Colonel Suzuki just sent a telegram saying that they have arrived safely in the county town without encountering any ambushes along the way."

"okay."

"How long has it been since the militia's last attack?" Masato Ikeda asked again.

"One hour and twenty minutes," said Staff Officer Ozawa, glancing at his wristwatch.

"It's been so long, and there's still no movement," Masato Ikeda said after a moment of thought.

"You arrange for a reconnaissance team to go and scout the enemy's position. I estimate that the enemy has retreated."

"Yes, I'll make arrangements right away."

"Okay, also notify the troops to prepare for withdrawal, we are also preparing to withdraw."

"Yes."

Ten minutes later, Staff Officer Ozawa returned to command.

"Commander, just as you predicted, the enemy has already retreated."

"This is not good news for us."

"I don't understand what you mean, Commander," asked Staff Officer Ozawa from the project department, puzzled.

"Their retreat shows that they are unwilling to fight us to the death here. Attacking us was just one part of their plan. They definitely have other battle plans waiting for us."

"Siguoyi, Commander, what should we do now?"

"Let's retreat back to the county town now and wait for the Sakai Regiment to arrive before making further plans."

"Hay, I will organize the remaining troops to retreat immediately."

"Also, the reconnaissance team will stay behind and scout out enemy movements."

"Hay."

Soon, the staff organized the remaining troops to begin an orderly retreat from the position.

Before leaving, Masato Ikeda looked at the position in front of him, which had already been ravaged by artillery fire several times, and secretly vowed that he would definitely come back.

"Let's go back to the county town." With that, Masato Ikeda led the remaining less than one company of Japanese soldiers in a retreat toward the county town.

Unbeknownst to Masato Ikeda, a militia force was following them closely, preparing to attack them at any moment.

On the other side, the remaining troops of the militia had all assembled at Sanjiaji.

"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, the Second to Sixth Battalions have completed their assembly at Sanjiaji and are now awaiting their next mission," Long Wenying reported.

"Okay. Now inform them to destroy all the positions in Sanjiaji first."

"Destroy the positions we've built?"

“Yes, since we’ve given up Sanjiaji, we can’t leave the Japanese with the positions we’ve built. If the Japanese use the positions we’ve built to defend against us when we counterattack, we’ll be shooting ourselves in the foot and asking for trouble.”

"I understand. I will notify all units immediately."

"Then send them the latest defense plan, instruct them to deploy their troops according to the plan, and inform them that all work must be completed by this afternoon."

"Yes."

After explaining this matter, Zhang Haoshan thought of other issues and issued several orders to the other staff officers.

After arranging for the duty officer, Zhang Haoshan returned to his room to rest.

As the Japanese troops left the area controlled by the militia, the militia entered a period of calm again, but everyone in the militia knew that this was the calm before the storm.

The militia units are racing against time to set up positions, rest their troops, and prepare to be in top condition to deal with the Japanese's next fierce attack.