HLnovel Chapter 29 Another Ambush
Chapter 29 Another Ambush
Two days later, the militia soldiers had rested and, under Tang Weiguo's guidance, once again displayed a high level of fighting spirit.
The First Battalion was almost entirely equipped with Japanese weapons, and despite the reduced number of men, its combat effectiveness was enhanced. Seeing the First Battalion's well-equipped Japanese forces, the Second Battalion wasn't envious; instead, they secretly resolved to compete with the First Battalion. The entire Second Battalion was burning with determination.
"Report, Regimental Commander, Company Commander Niu has sent a message that a Japanese transport convoy has been spotted 20 li (approximately 7 kilometers) from Wangjiazhuang, outside Guji. The convoy is larger than the last one, with about 250 men, two small mountain guns, and seven vehicles," Li Qin reported.
"okay, I get it."
"Communications officer, convene a meeting of key personnel from each battalion," Tang Weiguo shouted towards the door.
"Yes, Captain."
Before long, the key personnel from each battalion arrived at Tang Weiguo's regimental headquarters to report for duty.
“Now, according to Niu Dali’s intelligence, the Japanese have a transport team of 250 men this time. The number of Japanese transport team members exceeds our expectations. The question now is, should we attack?” Tang Weiguo asked.
After hearing Tang Weiguo's words, everyone sat quietly and thought for a while before Tang Xiaohu made a suggestion;
"Commander, I think we should fight. Although these Japanese devils are only 50 more than last time, we have replaced their weapons and equipment. Although our combat personnel have decreased, our actual combat effectiveness has increased."
"Commander, I agree with Tang Xiaohu's point of view. Moreover, this is our first time fighting the Japanese, and we were not prepared either tactically or psychologically. Now, after the last battle, the entire regiment has a full understanding of the Japanese tactics and combat effectiveness, and we are more confident in our ambush of the Japanese this time," Tang Dazhuang added.
The other company commanders also agreed with the two battalion commanders.
“Okay, my opinion is also to fight. Although we suffered casualties in the last battle, our total strength is still more than 900 men, far exceeding the Japanese force of 250 men. Moreover, Bi Shoucai has already transported a large amount of ammunition, landmines, mortar shells, explosive charges, grenades and other weapons from the rear. Now we have enough weapons and ammunition to support us in a high-intensity battle.”
"Moreover, we can take advantage of the Japanese's belief that we will not ambush them twice in the same place, and catch them off guard."
"Since everyone agrees that we should fight the Japanese, the deployment is as follows."
"To prevent any accidents, we will first lie in ambush behind the first ambush position. Once the Japanese enter the encirclement, we will immediately move into the nearby positions."
"Then when the battle began, the mortar companies of each battalion immediately carried out artillery suppression, and used up all the mortar shells in a short time. In such a small area, so many mortar shells were enough to give them a hard time."
"The mortar company will set up its mortar positions 200 meters ahead of the road and hide them. Once the battle begins, the mortar company will quickly take up its positions under the cover of mortars and heavy machine guns and start fighting immediately. We must throw the explosive charges as quickly as possible."
"Finally, each battalion organized its light machine guns into light machine gun platoons. Once the artillery fire stopped, they would charge at the Japanese troops and suppress them with overwhelming firepower."
"The light machine gun platoon will be followed by the entire regiment. When you get within 50 meters of the Japanese, you must throw all the grenades you are carrying."
"Damn it, pile them up with grenades and kill them!" Tang Weiguo shouted angrily.
"Special forces soldiers are responsible for clearing out surviving Japanese grenade launcher operators, artillerymen, and heavy gunners to ensure the safety of the assault team."
"I only have one request: don't engage the Japanese in close combat with bayonets. Use guns if you can, don't use knives. Don't conserve ammunition; use all the bullets you have," Tang Weiguo shouted domineeringly.
"Yes, I promise to complete the mission."
"Alright, depart on time in 10 minutes," Tang Weiguo gave the order.
"Yes, Captain."
While checking on the seriously wounded at the field hospital, Chu Yu watched Tang Weiguo and his entourage depart for the battlefield, silently praying that Tang Weiguo would return safely and victoriously.
"Major Matsushita, we've reached the place where we were ambushed earlier," Captain Nobu said to the much younger man beside him with a fawning expression.
Although Captain Nobu and Major Matsushita were both company commanders in the Japanese army, their positions were different. Major Matsushita was from an imperial noble family and had studied at various aristocratic schools since childhood, which was completely different from those of commoner origin.
Moreover, Major Matsushita is only here to gain experience. Although he is only serving as a company commander, he holds the rank of major, which means that he will soon be promoted to battalion commander.
Captain Nobu's mind was now entirely focused on how to curry favor with Major Matsushita in front of him, hoping that Major Matsushita would give him more opportunities in the future.
"Oh, that's where Sakata was surrounded and annihilated. Sakata was incredibly stupid. How could someone like that be a company commander? I'm ashamed of him. It's one thing for him to die, but he also dragged other warriors of the Empire down with him. He deserves to die a thousand deaths," Major Matsushita said with disdain. In Major Matsushita's eyes, only aristocratic high-achieving graduates like himself, who graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, were qualified to be unit commanders. People of commoner origin like them were simply not worthy.
"Major Matsushita is absolutely right," Captain Noko said, bowing his head in praise.
"Major Matsushita, for safety's sake, you should rest here for a while. I'll take some men to scout ahead and ensure the transport convoy's safety," Captain Nobu said.
“No need, Mr. Noboru. The enemy wouldn’t be so stupid as to ambush you in the same place twice,” Major Matsushita said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Since Captain Nobu has said that in order to save time, the artillery should be ordered to bombard the high ground on both sides of the road," Major Matsushita said, not wanting to refuse Captain Nobu, who was eager to join him.
"Yes, Major Matsushita, I'll go arrange for the artillery to prepare right away." Captain Nojiko received the order and ran towards the rear, hurriedly ordering the artillery squad to fire at varying heights on both sides of the road.
A short while later, explosions rang out from the high ground on both sides of the road. Captain Nokoro observed through his binoculars and, seeing nothing unusual about the bombarded positions, ran over to report to Major Matsushita.
"Reporting to Major Matsushita, there is no situation at the position. Your judgment was absolutely correct. No troops are lying in ambush here." Captain Nobukoku quietly flattered him.
"Yes, full speed ahead." Major Matsushita was very satisfied with Captain Nobu's attitude.
.....
"Commander, you are truly a brilliant strategist. If we had been in the same position just now, that round of artillery fire from the Japanese would not only have cost us soldiers, but would have also exposed our position," Tang Dazhuang praised.
"The Japanese aren't so easy to deal with; we should take precautions," Tang Weiguo said. At this moment, Tang Weiguo personally came to Tang Dazhuang's Second Battalion to boost their morale.
"The Japanese shelling has ended; they should be moving now. Order the entire regiment to conceal themselves and enter the battlefield to prepare for an ambush," Tang Weiguo said.
"Yes, Commander. All personnel, take cover and move into the battlefield." Tang Dazhuang then led the way to the previous sniping position.
Tang Weiguo kept his eyes fixed on the Japanese transport convoy. He saw that as soon as the convoy passed through the minefield, it was struck by a mine and exploded.
"Fire!" Tang Weiguo roared. The explosions seemed to be a signal, and a hail of bullets rained down on the Japanese transport convoy.
The artillery batteries on both sides relentlessly bombarded the Japanese troops in the middle of the road. Under the cover of the artillery fire, the soldiers of the Flying Thunder Artillery Company quietly crawled towards their designated Flying Thunder Artillery positions.