Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 263 Japanese Espionage

"The key to this battle is the troops attacking Lingshui County."

"Once we capture Lingshui County, the Japanese will have no reason to provide further support."

"Therefore, the main force of this attack, the reinforced regiment and the reconnaissance regiment, you have a very heavy responsibility on your shoulders." After Zhang Haoshan finished speaking, Tang Weiguo stood up and said to Tang Xiaohu and Niu Dali.

"Brigade Commander, we all have experience attacking county towns, and we guarantee that we will complete the mission of capturing the county town in a timely manner," Tang Xiaohu stood up and answered confidently.

"Having information is a good thing, but don't underestimate the enemy. After all, the Japanese have a reinforced battalion stationed here."

"Yes, Brigadier."

"Although the General Staff has formulated an operational plan, each regiment needs to make judgments based on the actual situation."

"This week is for everyone to prepare. Please take into full consideration the actual situation in the county."

"If any unit encounters difficulties in its mission, it should report to the brigade headquarters in a timely manner, and the brigade headquarters will make unified adjustments," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Yes, Brigadier."

"Commanders, this is the first battle since our militia was expanded into an independent brigade. I hope you can continue your efforts and show the might of our militia in this battle!" Tang Weiguo shouted loudly.

"Yes, brigade commander!" the entire crew shouted, standing up.

"Okay, I see everyone's determination!"

"There is one more thing I need to remind everyone. There are still Japanese and puppet spies lurking in our base area. So when you move troops, you must keep it a secret to avoid our actions being discovered by the Japanese."

"Yes, Brigadier."

"Tonight's meeting is now adjourned. Afterwards, everyone will receive the battle plan, and combat mobilization will begin tomorrow."

"Yes."

.....

The next day, the commanders of each unit left the brigade headquarters early in the morning to return to their respective units and begin preparations for battle.

During this week, the seemingly calm Wolong Mountain area was actually turbulent beneath the surface.

One independent brigade after another secretly rushed to the designated combat area and lay in ambush, preparing for action.

In a village near Tangjia Town, Kawashima Matsuko was in a hidden outpost, listening to intelligence reports from her operatives on the latest intelligence gathered.

"Commander Kawashima, according to intelligence, the militia's troop movements have been quite frequent lately."

"Moreover, a large amount of supplies, suspected to be ammunition, were transported from the independent brigade's base to various units," a thin young man reported.

“I suspect this unit will be planning a major operation soon!” Yoshida Hiroto speculated.

"Their troop movements," Kawashima Matsuko asked seriously.

"Currently, we only have information on the movement of troops stationed around Wolong Mountain."

"Most of their troops were moving back and forth on the west side of Wolong Mountain, under the guise of military exercises."

"Another part of the troops moved toward Sanjiaji."

"The west side?"

"Correct."

"Take out the map," Kawashima Matsuko said.

"Yes."

Then, Yoshida Hiroto laid the map out on the table. Kawashima Matsuko, holding a kerosene lamp, marked the movements of the Independent Brigade on the map according to Yoshida Hiroto's report.

“Although their troops have been moving back and forth, their positions have been shifting further and further west each time.” Kawashima Matsuko keenly observed the movements of the Independent Brigade.

"Commander Kawashima, according to the map, the Lingshui County town that we have occupied is located near the west side of Wolong Mountain."

"Could it be that they are going to attack Lingshui County?" Yoshida Daisho was also startled by this thought.

"I suspect it's possible, otherwise the Independent Brigade wouldn't have been able to prepare so many supplies."

"However, according to intelligence, a reinforced battalion of Yellow Army soldiers is stationed in Lingshui County, and this unit of the Independent Brigade is absolutely powerless to attack the county town."

"These units are not the elite units of the Independent Brigade. If I'm not mistaken, the main force of the Independent Brigade is also moving towards Lingshui County."

“Look, the location of Lingshui County is right at the junction of Wolong Mountain and Qingshan County.”

"If our troops rely on Lingshui County as an offensive fortress and launch an attack on the Independent Brigade's base, we will divide the Independent Brigade's base in two, so that we can encircle and annihilate the Independent Brigade."

"If I can come up with this combat strategy, then the genius commander of the Independent Brigade must have thought of it as well."

"The most crucial point is that our troops are not making good progress in the Central China battlefield. The Chinese army's resistance is stronger than we expected, forcing us to send troops to support the Central China battlefield."

"The number of troops currently stationed in Shanxi is much smaller than before."

"If I were the commander, I would definitely take this opportunity to remove this thorn in Lingshui County," Kawashima Matsuko analyzed.

"Commander Kawashima's analysis is indeed insightful; he truly deserves to be our intelligence unit's ace!" Yoshida Hiroto looked at Kawashima Matsuko with admiration!

"Alright, stop joking around and report this information immediately," Kawashima Matsuko said with a smile.

"Yes, I will report immediately."

After saying that, Yoshida Hiroto turned on the radio and began sending messages.

When Yoshida Hiroto sent the message, all units of the Independent Brigade were already prepared for battle.

Tang Xiaohu and Niu Dali, each leading their troops, had already infiltrated the city of Lingshui and were waiting for the right time to attack.