Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 24 Discovering the Japanese

Once outside the Wolong Mountain area, Tang Weiguo ordered Niu Dali to lead the reconnaissance company forward for reconnaissance. Ma Dong was to carry a radio and accompany Niu Dali so that the special forces company could contact Tang Weiguo.

Tang Weiguo led the main force of the militia quietly toward Xikou, maintaining constant contact with the reconnaissance company to avoid being discovered by the enemy.

For several days, the militia remained calm and encountered no trouble. At this moment, Tang Weiguo led his militia to a hidden location in Xikou without making a sound.

Tang Weiguo saw that the surrounding mountains were high and the forests were dense, making it suitable for hiding. He immediately decided to make this place a temporary rest point for the militia.

Before Tang Weiguo could give any orders, the first and second battalions each deployed a platoon to guard a place 5 miles away from the temporary encampment, ensuring the safety of the regimental headquarters' temporary encampment.

Bi Shoucai led the soldiers of the logistics department to begin building a temporary warehouse. Bi Shoucai was preparing to create a logistics transport line to the militia camp. His plan was approved by Tang Weiguo, who ordered him to use the supplementary battalion's troops for transporting supplies.

Chu Yu began directing the medics to set up a temporary field hospital. Chu Yu had led the medics in numerous drills on how to build a field hospital, and now they were proceeding with the task with practiced ease.

The various tasks of the militia proceeded smoothly in a short period of time.

Tang Weiguo was at the temporary regimental headquarters holding a combat meeting for officers of all ranks in the militia.

"According to news from the front, the Japanese have already engaged in fierce fighting with the defenders of Xikou," Tang Weiguo said.

"Xikou is a strategically important location, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Commander Yan has amassed a large force here, and even with the cover of aircraft and artillery, the Japanese will find it difficult to capture it in the short term," Zhao Zhu said. Zhao Zhu came from the Jin-Sui Army and had some understanding of Commander Yan's Jin-Sui Army.

“Yes, but don’t forget the Japanese soldiers we studied. If their frontal assault fails, the Japanese will definitely look for an opportunity to attack from the flank. And Niangziguan near Xikou is lacking in garrison. If I were the Japanese commander, I would definitely send a team to attack Niangziguan. Once Niangziguan falls, the flank of the Xikou defense line will be exposed to the Japanese. At that time, Xikou will really be unable to hold out,” Tang Weiguo analyzed.

"Ah, we need to find a way to inform Commander Yan," Zhao Zhu said anxiously. Zhao Zhu came from the Jin-Sui Army and still had feelings for it.

"You say I can figure it out, but Commander Yan's staff officers can't? Besides, the Eighth Route Army participated in this defense battle, how could their military commanders not see it? As far as I know, these senior officers of the Eighth Route Army are all veterans of war," Tang Weiguo replied.

“The Xikou defense line will definitely fall, and once Xikou falls, Taiyuan will be lost as well.” Zhao Zhu said with some surprise. He really couldn’t understand why the Jin-Sui Army was defending like this.

"Judging from the current situation, Taiyuan is in grave danger," Tang Weiguo sighed.

"The old warlords all have their own agendas, and no matter how much they fight, they can't afford to lose everything." Tang Weiguo didn't voice his true thoughts.

"Now we need to find the Japanese logistics teams, take them out, reduce the amount of weapons and ammunition the Japanese can transport to the front lines, and indirectly support the front-line defenders," Tang Weiguo said.

"Commander, we haven't found any Japanese transport convoys for several days now. Do you think we can find them?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

“We’ll definitely find them. With so many Japanese soldiers, they must need a huge logistics team. You can’t rush things,” Tang Weiguo replied.

"Report, Regimental Commander, the reconnaissance company has sent a telegram. They've spotted a Japanese transport convoy near Wangjia Village, estimated to be about 300 men. There's a mountain hollow about 5 li in front of Wangjia Village, perfect for an ambush, and it's the only way to Xikou," Li Qin rushed over and reported.

"Wangjiazhuang is here, Commander, about 20 li away from us," Tang Xiaohu said, pointing to the map.

"Little Tiger, you really are my lucky charm. Speak of the devil, and he appears," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Li Qin, send a telegram to Niu Dali, instructing him to closely monitor the movements of the Japanese transport convoy. I will lead the First and Second Battalions to join them," Tang Weiguo ordered Li Qin.

"It's the regimental commander."

"Alright, I'll give you 10 minutes to prepare. We'll depart on time in 10 minutes," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes, Commander." The meeting room was immediately empty.

Ten minutes passed quickly, and Tang Weiguo led the assembled team, rushing towards Wangjiazhuang.

When Tang Weiguo was almost at Wangjiazhuang, Niu Dali and his men were already waiting for him.

"How is the situation?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, those beasts! By the time our special forces arrived, they had already slaughtered all the people in Wangjiazhuang. That's an entire village! Those Japanese devils are worse than animals!" Niu Dali said angrily to Tang Weiguo, his eyes red.

"These little devils are beasts, not even beasts to be trusted. We will avenge the people of Wangjiazhuang," Tang Weiguo said angrily.

"Commander, the Japanese are currently resting in Wangjiazhuang. It looks like they'll be setting off soon," Niu Dali reported.

"Alright, Niu Dali, you send a team to keep a close eye on the Japanese devils, and the rest of you come with me to that mountain valley you mentioned. We're going to avenge the people of Wangjiazhuang there."

"Yes, Captain."

Then Niu Dali gave some instructions to the communications officer beside him and led Tang Weiguo and his group to a nearby mountain valley.

When Tang Weiguo arrived, he saw that the road was flanked by hills of varying heights, with a winding road in the middle of a depression. The road was narrow, and it looked like it could only pass one car at a time, making it a good spot for an ambush.

"Now I will assign tasks. Tang Xiaohu, the two companies of your first battalion plus the artillery company will guard the high ground on the left. Tang Dazhuang, the two companies of your second battalion plus the artillery company will guard the high ground on the right. The remaining company of your battalion will flank and prevent the Japanese from launching a counterattack on our flank."

“Just now, Niu Dali told you everything that happened in Wangjiazhuang, so we can’t let any of these Japanese devils get away. We must annihilate them all. Remember, I don’t want prisoners. Leave no Japanese devils alive. Send them all to the eighteenth level of hell.”

"As everyone knows, the Japanese soldiers we are facing have very high combat skills and are also obsessed with that bullshit Bushido spirit. They are always willing to sacrifice to their dog emperor. So we must not let our guard down and must fight them with 120% concentration."

"It's the regimental commander."

"Niu Dali, you must lead the reconnaissance company to assign me the Japanese grenade launcher operators, heavy machine gunners, and Japanese commanders, and make sure they are unable to perform their duties."

"It's the regimental commander."

"Xiaohu, Dazhuang, you must instruct the artillery company to keep an eye on the Japanese artillery and heavy machine guns, and work with the special forces to take out the Japanese heavy firepower points."

"Yes, Captain."

"Finally, when the battle is over and the battlefield is being cleaned up, make sure to finish off each corpse one by one. I don't want a single survivor," Tang Weiguo shouted angrily.

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

"I order that we now prepare to construct ambush positions and prepare to ambush the Japanese. All units shall proceed according to plan."

"Yes."