Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 67 Clouds move in all directions

"Commander, based on the current situation, our previous plan to blow up the entire bridge is no longer feasible."

"But if our goal is not to destroy the bridge, but to prevent enemy reinforcements, then the difficulty will be reduced."

"If we want to stop enemy reinforcements, we only need to destroy a few piers of the bridge. As for the ice on the river, that's even simpler. We can line up the flying thunder cannons and bombard the ice directly to blast it open."

"At this temperature, if the Japanese soldiers try to cross the river by force, they will either freeze to death or lose their fighting ability," Zhao Zhu said.

“Yes, blowing up a few bridge piers would be easy,” Tang Weiguo affirmed.

"Commander, since this can destroy the bridge and block enemy reinforcements, I think we should proceed as planned," Tang Xiaohu said immediately.

“Yes, Commander, and the train will be passing by at night, which is more advantageous for our operations. I also agree to proceed as planned,” Zhou Liansheng said.

Having followed Tang Weiguo in beating up the Japanese devils last time, Zhou Liansheng is now full of confidence.

"Alright, since everyone agrees to continue the operation, I will rearrange the combat mission based on the current situation."

"Tang Xiaohu, Zhou Liansheng."

"Here, here."

"You two battalions will continue to be responsible for the Japanese troops on the bridge. Tang Xiaohu will lead the First Battalion to launch a feint attack on the Japanese bridge defenders. Zhou Liansheng will cooperate with the demolition team of the engineering regiment behind the First Battalion to build defensive positions. We need to build the positions in front of the Japanese bridge to compress the Japanese's space for maneuver."

"In addition, Li Debao sent the machine gun company of the Third Battalion to support the First Battalion. They must suppress the Japanese firepower and attract the attention of the Japanese under the bridge."

"Zhou Liansheng, you must keep a close eye on the movements of this small group of Japanese soldiers under the bridge. Once this small group of devils attacks Tang Xiaohu from the flank, your Fourth Battalion will cover the First Battalion's retreat back to the position and use the position to block the Japanese soldiers."

"Yes, Captain."

"Niu Dali, your reconnaissance battalion's mission is to send a group of men, along with Tang Xiaohu, to take out the searchlights on the bridge. Then, the reconnaissance battalion will provide cover for the mountain artillery battalion's operation."

"If the Japanese soldiers under the bridge don't come to their aid, your reconnaissance battalion should take them out."

"Yes, Captain."

"This bridge-bombing operation will be handled by the mountain artillery battalion. A portion of the mountain artillery battalion should pile explosives on the bridge piers as quickly as possible. The exact amount of explosives to pile will be discussed with Wang Qiang and Professor Zhao from the arsenal after this meeting. But one thing is certain: you must ensure that the bridge collapses for me," Tang Weiguo said to Tang Xiaohu, the newly appointed battalion commander of the mountain artillery battalion.

Tang Xiaohu was an artillery talent discovered by Zhao Zhu. After only a short training period, he mastered the operation of captured mountain guns, leaving Zhao Zhu, a veteran artilleryman for many years, in awe. Therefore, Zhao Zhu proposed that Tang Xiaohu be appointed as the battalion commander of the mountain artillery battalion, and Tang Weiguo, recognizing Tang Xiaohu's talent, agreed.

"In addition, the plan to blow up the bridge piers must be carefully calculated to ensure that the Japanese soldiers on the bridge deck cannot build a passage across the bridge in a short time."

"Yes, Captain."

"In addition, bring all the flying thunder cannons of the entire battalion to me, and make sure to blast a long strip of ice on the river as soon as possible, so that the Japanese reinforcements cannot cross the river."

"Mountain artillery battalion and reconnaissance battalion, once you've completed your mission, immediately provide support to Tang Xiaohu and his men and wipe out the remaining Japanese soldiers on the bridge."

"Yes, Captain, I promise to complete the mission."

"Tang Dazhuang, you will continue to be in charge of the Japanese forces in the direction of the train station. Continue to defend the nearby positions. In addition, send a machine gun company to assist the Independent Regiment in attacking the train station."

"The fiercer the fighting is on the Independent Regiment's side, the less likely the Japanese will dare to send troops to support you."

"Yes, Captain, I promise to complete the mission."

"Alright, it's Monday today. We'll depart promptly the day after tomorrow afternoon. Everyone, get ready!" Tang Weiguo said.

"Yes, Captain."

Headquarters of the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment.

Li Yunfei was chatting with Zhao Xiaogang. The last time Li Yunfei returned, he challenged Zhao Xiaogang to a competition, but Zhao Xiaogang proved superior and won by one point. This result left Li Yunfei quite frustrated, but it was precisely because of this experience that Li Yunfei gradually began to respect Zhao Xiaogang.

"Commander, the Japanese are very accurate shooters, so the small unit we send to lure them out must be elite. If the Japanese chase after us, we'll ambush them from the outside. If they don't chase after us, we'll still achieve our goal of preventing them from providing support, thus minimizing our casualties." Zhao Xiaogang had participated in several ambushes against the Japanese before, and the Japanese's marksmanship left a deep impression on him.

"That's my plan too. Lure the Japanese out of their stronghold, but we need to control the direction and prevent them from attacking the militia's defenses," Li Yunfei said.

"Not only that, but with the two mortars borrowed from the militia this time, I have a total of 5 artillery pieces at my disposal. In addition, there are 5 'heartless' mortars that I previously asked for from the brigade headquarters. I am now organizing them together to provide artillery support for the attacking troops that are going to lure the enemy."

"Oh, right, Regiment Commander Tang sent a telegram saying he'll be sending an artillery company to assist us. Damn it, we're always the ones getting bombed by those Japanese artillery; this time we'll make those devils taste what it's like to be bombed!"

“Commander Tang is truly thinking of us,” Zhao Xiaogang suddenly said.

"Old Li also sees that when they encounter difficulties in the future, Old Li will do everything in his power to help them."

"Report, emergency!" A communications officer rushed in and handed a note to Li Yunfei.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xiaogang asked Li Yunfei after he finished reading the note.

"Damn it, the Japanese military train has been moved up. It was originally scheduled for Wednesday night, but now it's been changed to tomorrow night."

"Fortunately, we made preparations beforehand," Zhao Xiaogang said thankfully.

"Li Dapeng informed Comrade Ma Dong to send a telegram to Tang Tuanzhan that the Japanese plan has changed and they will assemble at Liushangou at 4 pm tomorrow."

"Yes, Captain."

.....

"Commander, urgent telegram!" Li Qin rushed to Tang Weiguo's office after receiving Ma Dong's message.

"What information?"

"Commander, the Independent Regiment has called. The Japanese have changed their plans. We will assemble at Liushangou at 4 pm tomorrow."

"Okay, please reply as follows: I have received your reply and will arrive promptly at 4 PM tomorrow."

"Yes, Captain."

"Communicator."

"arrive."

"Notify all participating units to depart on time tomorrow."

"Yes."

...

In the Japanese headquarters in the county town, Fujino Kiichi dialed Sakai Taiji's number and asked:

"Sakai-kun, what's the movement of the Tangjia Town army?"

"Commander Fujino, the Tangjia Town army is currently making no moves."

"Okay, keep a close watch on me."

"Yes, Commander Fujino." After hanging up the phone, Fujino Kiichi rubbed his head. He had been feeling uneasy lately, as if something big was about to happen. To put his mind at ease, he called out to the person on duty at the door.

"Signal soldier".

"arrive."

"Notify all defense units along the railway line within the defense zone to strengthen vigilance."

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander."