Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 265 The Fall of the East Gate

Immediately afterward, a piercing phone rang on Aomura Kazuo's desk. Aomura Kazuo quickly ran over to answer it.

"Report, Commander Qingcun, the county town is under attack from four directions simultaneously. The enemy's artillery fire is extremely fierce, and the situation is very critical."

"I heard it urgently from Staff Officer Kakuta, who was on duty at the time," he said over the phone.

"I understand. I'll head to the operations room right away. You immediately mobilize the troops in the city to defend the county seat," Aomura Kazuo hurriedly said.

"Hai."

After hanging up the phone, Kazuo Aomura immediately rushed to the operations room. The operations room was in chaos, and Staff Officer Kakuta on duty was shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Heyuan Jun, your squadron must immediately proceed to the north gate of the county town to provide support. You must be quick! The north gate is our only escape route; it cannot be lost. You must hold it at all costs!"

"Hai."

Staff Officer Kakuta put down the phone and picked up another one, shouting loudly at the translator on the other end.

"Immediately notify Commander Pig that they are close to the West Gate and South Gate, and have Commander Pig immediately send troops to support the defense of the West Gate and South Gate of the county town."

"Hai."

"Kuji, you must immediately proceed to the east gate of the county town to provide support."

Staff Officer Kakuta, who was constantly issuing orders, was completely unaware of Aomura Kazuo walking up behind him.

"How is the situation now?" Aomura Kazuo asked abruptly.

Just as he gave the order, Staff Officer Kakuta heard a sudden sound behind him and was startled, almost jumping up and down. He immediately turned around and found that it was Aomura Kazuo who had arrived at the command post.

"Reporting to the Commander, I have already ordered all units to defend the county town from all directions."

"But because the enemy's attack was sudden, most of the Imperial soldiers were fast asleep. Apart from the Second Company, which had already begun to provide support, the rest of the troops would need some time."

"Commander, the enemy must have come prepared, and they are attacking from four directions simultaneously. Judging from the amount of artillery fire, the enemy has deployed at least one artillery regiment!"

"Commander, we urgently need information about this unit!" Staff Officer Kakuta asked anxiously.

“I know that. The unit that attacked us is the Wolongshan Independent Brigade.” Aomura Kazuo sent the intelligence from headquarters to Staff Officer Kakuta.

"What?!" Upon hearing this news, Staff Officer Kakuta was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth.

It should be noted that during the Huang army's operation to encircle and annihilate Wolong Mountain in April, although their operation ultimately failed, the troops at Wolong Mountain also suffered very heavy losses.

Now that the Commander-in-Chief has said that this unit actually comes from Wolong Mountain, Staff Officer Kakuta couldn't help but show this expression.

"This also surprises me. This unit's recovery ability is too fast. Sooner or later, it will become a major threat to us." Aomura Kazuo expressed the same sentiment as Sakai Rai, who was far away in Wolongshan County.

"Has the intelligence that we're under attack been reported?" Aomura Kazuo asked.

“I immediately reported to the higher command. At the time, I found it strange that the higher command did not ask any questions in detail, but told me that they would send troops from other counties to support us. They also asked us to hold Lingshui County.”

"Commander, at first I was puzzled, but now I finally understand why the higher command was so eager to send troops to support us as soon as they heard we were under attack!"

“Now I understand,” said Staff Officer Kakuta, waving the telegram in his hand.

"It seems that our superior command also attaches great importance to this unit!"

"It depends!"

"Commander, the intelligence came too late. If it had arrived half a day earlier, we wouldn't be in this passive situation now."

Staff Officer Kakuta said with some helplessness.

"There are no 'what ifs' on the battlefield. Right now, we must hold Lingshui County!"

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander."

On the other hand, compared to the Japanese soldiers' anxious and passive defense, Tang Xiaohu's attack was going much more smoothly.

"Reporting to the commander, our artillery regiment has destroyed all the enemy's firing positions on the city wall of the county town. We are currently moving the artillery positions forward to support the later stages of the offensive."

"Great, that's wonderful!" Upon hearing Tang Xiaolong's good news, Tang Xiaohu happily hung up the phone.

Now, the troops carrying out the mission to attack the county town are facing few obstacles.

After the artillery fire ended, the Japanese defensive positions at the east gate of the county town, which were already not very strong, were already on the verge of collapse.

Niu Dali led his reconnaissance team, taking advantage of the cover of artillery fire, and quickly approached the city gate.

"Battalion Commander Qin, blow up the city gate for me!" Niu Dali immediately shouted at Qin Yang.

"Yes, Captain."

After saying this, Qin Yang personally led his troops to attack the county town gate.

The reconnaissance team's plan to blow up the city gate was discovered immediately by the Japanese soldiers stationed at the east gate of the county town.

"Squad leader, suppress the enemy immediately! We can't let them destroy the city gate!"

"Company commander, I'm tied up. A Chinese army has appeared here and is attacking us."

"Squad leader, we can't hold on much longer!"

"What?! How come there are Chinese troops in the city?!" The Japanese company commander exclaimed in shock.

Upon hearing this news, the Japanese company commander had no choice but to spare a small number of troops to counterattack the Chinese army that was attacking the city gate.

With such a small number of Japanese soldiers, they were no match for the reconnaissance regiment. Qin Yang led his troops to the county town gate with ease.

"Wang Ping, is the explosive charge in place?" Qin Yang asked.

"Battalion Commander, that's it! Everyone, take cover quickly. I'll pull the fuse right away." After saying that, Wang Ping immediately lit the fuse of the explosive charge and ran outside, hiding close to the city wall.

"boom."

With a loud explosion, the east gate of the county town was successfully breached by the reconnaissance team, less than half an hour after the start of the battle.

Upon seeing that the city gate had been damaged, Qin Yang immediately issued an order.

"Soldiers, charge!" With that, Qin Yang took the lead and charged into the city.

Meanwhile, Sun Qiang, who was in Lingshui County, saw that the city gate had been damaged and immediately led his assault team to attack the guards at the city gate.

With the support of the assault troops, Qin Yang easily captured the east gate of the county town.

"Correspondent, report to the regimental commander immediately. We have successfully captured the East Gate. We are currently building defensive positions on one side of the East Gate to prevent the Japanese troops inside the county from launching a counterattack on the city gate."

"Yes." The messenger then ran over.

Meanwhile, news of the fall of the east gate of Lingshui County was immediately relayed to the Japanese command center.

"What?! The east gate has fallen!"

Upon hearing this outrageous news, Kazuo Aomura was immediately thrown into a panic. The battle had only been going on for less than an hour!

"Commander, what should we do?" Staff Officer Kakuta asked immediately.

As Aomura Kazuo gradually regained consciousness, he began to ponder a strategy.

A moment later, Kazuo Aomura immediately issued the order.

"Except for the troops guarding the north gate, the rest of the troops should immediately retreat into the county town to engage the enemy in street fighting and buy them time!"

"Staff Officer Kakuta, you will personally go to the North Gate to take command and ensure the safety of our breakout route."

"Hay."