Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 201 Planning for the County Town

"Commander, Commander, a great victory!" Zhang Haoshan shouted excitedly when he received a phone call from Yao Xing, a staff officer of the First Battalion.

"Commander, this afternoon the First Battalion lured the enemy deep into our territory and, in coordination with the artillery battalion, killed or wounded nearly 1000 Japanese soldiers, severely damaging the Japanese troops that came to attack Tangjia Town. Currently, the First Battalion is organizing its troops to clean up the battlefield."

"Commander, with the Wolong Mountain defense forces eliminating the Japanese, we expect to eliminate 6 Japanese companies today."

"Moreover, our unit's total casualties did not exceed 800. Regimental Commander, today was truly a resounding victory."

As Zhang Haoshan finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted in the regimental headquarters, celebrating today's victory.

Hearing Zhang Haoshan's words, Tang Weiguo was also somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Tang Xiaohu to achieve such amazing results.

He had anticipated that eliminating two Japanese companies on the first day of fighting would be a great success. He never expected Tang Xiaohu to give him such a huge surprise!

"Alright, everyone, quiet down. The great achievements our militia made on the first day of the battle are inseparable from everyone's previous preparations. Today's victory is the result of the contributions of everyone present. I hope everyone will continue to work hard and achieve the final victory together."

"Yes, Commander! We guarantee to complete the mission!" Zhang Haoshan shouted at the top of his lungs.

"After today's battle, the Japanese will probably realize what's happening and adjust their tactics. So, inform all units to be extra careful tomorrow and not to underestimate the enemy."

"Yes, Commander, I'll arrange it right away," Zhang Haoshan replied.

"The Japanese usually don't fight us at night. Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, after you've arranged the duty personnel, tell everyone to go back and rest early so they can have plenty of energy for tomorrow's battle."

"Yes."

After saying that, Tang Weiguo left the command post and went to his office.

"Hey, Qu Kou, come to my office for a moment." Tang Weiguo dialed Li Qu Kou's number as soon as he returned to his office.

A short while later, Li Qukou arrived.

"Wei Guo, did you come to me to inquire about the Japanese soldiers in Wolong County?" Li Qukou asked.

"Hmm, I knew I couldn't hide it from you. How's the reconnaissance of the Japanese situation in the county town going?"

"The intelligence agent who was lying in wait in the county town just sent a telegram. Because the county town is under martial law, our intelligence agents' daytime reconnaissance work has not been very successful. So far, they have only been able to find out the general situation of the troop strength in the county town."

"They plan to take advantage of the darkness tonight to thoroughly investigate the Japanese situation in the county town, especially the defenses of the county town's arsenal."

"How many troops are currently stationed in the county town to drive out the enemy?"

"There were about 500 Japanese soldiers and more than 500 puppet troops."

"More than 500 Japanese soldiers, fewer than I expected." In Tang Weiguo's mind, the puppet troops were almost negligible.

"Drive out the enemy. Tell the intelligence agents lurking in the county town to find out as much as possible about the town's firepower configuration while ensuring their own safety."

"Yes."

"Expelling the bandits, you said you sent your intelligence team to infiltrate the county town last time. How many people did you send in total?"

"Weiguo, I've sent the entire action team over there, about a platoon."

“Very good, now we have a hidden armed force in the county.”

Tang Weiguo knew that the action team of the intelligence department was formed by soldiers drawn from the reconnaissance battalion. In the past six months, after being trained by Li Qukou, their combat effectiveness was even higher than before.

Moreover, they were very skilled in infiltration, assassination, and sabotage. Having them infiltrated the county town was undoubtedly like planting a time bomb for the Japanese troops there.

“I have an idea to drive out the enemy.”

"Wei Guo, you speak."

“Our original plan was to blow up the Japanese armory, but the situation has changed. First, the number of Japanese troops stationed in Wolongshan County is lower than I expected. Second, the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Regiment has returned to cooperate with us in the operation.”

"Moreover, we inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese in the first day of fighting. So I think we might as well change our previous plan and instead of blowing up the Japanese armory, we could occupy and recapture the county town, what do you think?"

"There are so many Japanese supplies stored in the county town. It would be such a waste if we didn't get our hands on them!" Tang Weiguo said.

"Reclaim the county seat? Seize the Japanese army's supplies?"

Li Qukou was taken aback by Tang Weiguo's bold suggestion.

But then he thought again, there was still a very high chance that this would succeed. Even if it failed, at worst he could blow up the Japanese armory, which would still accomplish the mission he had planned.

"Weiguo, I think it's possible. If we can recapture the county town, it will really boost our morale and let the gentlemen on the banks of the Yellow River see what it means to be wholeheartedly dedicated to fighting the Japanese."

For some time, Li Qukou had been trying to gather information about the Japanese troops attacking the local militia, and he had faced considerable difficulties from the intelligence department of the Second War Zone.

"So we'll leave the task of driving out the enemy to your intelligence department. The more detailed the intelligence, the greater our chances of success."

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

"Also, inform Commander Li to find a way to lie in wait near Wolongshan County in the next few days and await our next instructions."

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

"By the way, have all the weapons and ammunition that were used to support Commander Li and his men last time been handed over to them?"

"They've all been handed over to the Independent Regiment. Regiment Commander Li and Political Commissar Zhao expressed their gratitude to us."

"Good, with their ample weapons and ammunition, they can sustain a high-intensity battle."

"Weiguo, should we inform Commander Li and the others about our plan to attack the county town in advance?"

“Okay, let them know in advance so they can prepare themselves mentally. Also, inform Niu Dali and tell his reconnaissance battalion to get ready.”

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

"it is good."

"That's all, you can go back now."

"Yes." After saying that, Li Qukou left.

"Wolongshan County Town".

Tang Weiguo returned to the table and marked the location of Wolong Mountain heavily on the map.

Meanwhile, in Tang Xiaohu's command post, everyone was gathered together discussing new battle plans, without taking a break.

"Battalion Commander, let's lead a raid on the Japanese camp tonight," Shen Lei suggested.

"I agree with the deputy battalion commander's opinion. Let's take advantage of the heavy losses suffered by the Japanese today and continue to attack them, so that these little devils will never have peace!" Yao Xing added.

"I do not support continuing the attack on the Japanese camp tonight. The Fourth Company just sent over intelligence that something is wrong with the Japanese camp. Their defenses are unusually loose, as if they want us to launch a night attack."

“The Japanese aren’t all fools. I think there must be a trap. So, for safety’s sake, we’ll suspend all operations tonight, rest and recuperate to prepare for the battle tomorrow,” Tang Xiaohu explained.

When Shen Lei and Yao Xing heard Tang Xiaohu say this, they looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"Follow the battalion commander's instructions."