boyutpedia Chapter 230 The 1st Battalion's Retreat
Chapter 230 The 1st Battalion's Retreat
Chapter 230 The First Battalion Retreats
On the other side, on the battlefield of Lijia Gou, the First Battalion was also fighting extremely hard. The attacking Japanese soldiers were all elite troops of the Japanese army. The First Battalion barely managed to hold the position with the help of artillery fire.
"Da da da."
As the gunfire subsided once more, the First Battalion repelled the Japanese attack once more.
"Shen Lei, take the guard platoon and go to the Fifth Company's position to check what's going on. I just listened and the gunfire from the Fifth Company's position has clearly decreased a lot."
"Yes, I'll go right away."
"Communicator, order each company to immediately compile and report casualty figures."
"Yes."
"Battalion Commander Tang, according to the latest report from the regimental commander, the transfer of supplies in the county town has been completed. The regimental commander's instructions are for us to hold out for another half hour to buy more time for the transfer troops to finish up."
"However, the troops have suffered heavy casualties so far. I wonder if we can move the position back further?"
“In this way, we can consolidate our forces and concentrate our defense,” Zhang Haoshan said from the side.
"Battalion Commander Tang, look, we're guarding the exit section of Lijia Gou. If we use explosives to blast the road deeper, even if the Japanese recover quickly, it will still take them 15 minutes. This will give us 15 minutes of buffer time."
"In this way, our actual defense time is only 15 minutes, which can reduce the casualties of our troops," Zhang Haoshan continued.
"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, your idea is good. Let's do it your way." Tang Xiaohu thought for a moment and immediately agreed with Zhang Haoshan's method.
"Communicator, notify the first, second, and third companies to retreat to the last line of defense. The fourth and fifth companies, as well as the three mortar companies, are responsible for transporting the wounded and retreating immediately."
Tang Xiaohu immediately gave the order.
"Yes."
"Also, notify the artillery company to find a way to destroy the entire road deeper into the terrain."
"Yes."
Following Tang Xiaohu's order, the defensive line of the First Battalion contracted again. The Fourth and Fifth Companies, along with the artillery companies without missions, retreated first, carrying their wounded. Without the burden of the wounded, although the three companies of the First Battalion together numbered less than 200 men, Tang Xiaohu believed that holding out for half an hour would be enough.
As the First Battalion began its operation, the attacking Japanese soldiers also discovered its work.
"Reporting to the regimental commander, the enemy continues to tighten their defensive lines; it seems they are running out of manpower," Tanaka Shu reported.
"And they are currently destroying roads extensively, probably preparing to retreat."
"Staff Officer Yaxi, have you made contact with the county town yet?"
"There has been no reply yet."
"It seems the enemy's operation is about to end, otherwise this unit wouldn't have suddenly given up its defense."
"Commander, what should we do now? Wait for them to retreat? Our troops have also suffered heavy losses."
"Alas, it's too late for us to rush back to the county town now. Order the troops to stop the attack and wait for the enemy to retreat before we return to the county town."
"Hai."
"Everyone, please step back. Let me have some peace and quiet." With that, Sakai Yori dismissed everyone.
"Hai." After saying that, everyone left Sakai Rai's tent, leaving Sakai Rai alone in the tent sighing.
On the other side, on the position of the First Battalion.
"Battalion Commander, what's going on? Ten minutes have passed, why have the Japanese suddenly stopped attacking? What are they up to now?" Shen Lei asked, puzzled.
"It's a good thing that the Japanese aren't attacking. Notify the reconnaissance squad to keep a close eye on the Japanese."
"Yes."
"What does Deputy Commander Zhang think?" Tang Xiaohu asked.
"I guess the Japanese devils noticed our retreat and they must have guessed that our operation in the county town is over. It's pointless for them to rush back now."
"Haha, great minds think alike. It seems we can get through the last half hour peacefully," Tang Xiaohu said with a hint of relief.
"We blew up the road for nothing, wasted explosives for nothing," Shen Lei said with heartache.
"Hahaha." Tang Xiaohu and Zhang Haoshan laughed in unison when they saw Shen Lei's expression.
"It seems that the defense of Wolong Mountain is basically over." Zhang Haoshan looked at the rising sun in the distance.
"Yes, it's almost over," Tang Xiaohu chimed in.
Just as Zhang Haoshan and Tang Xiaohu had expected, they waited calmly on the position for 30 minutes.
"Mission accomplished, everyone retreat." Tang Xiaohu saw that the agreed time had arrived and immediately ordered everyone to retreat.
Following the order, the three combat companies of the First Battalion quickly retreated towards Wolong Mountain.
Seeing that the enemy troops had retreated, the Japanese soldiers set off again, heading towards the county town. Along the way, Sakai Yoriichi walked with exceptional difficulty; of the more than six thousand men who had set out, less than a thousand had returned.
"Brigade Commander, we have received an urgent telegram from the Independent Regiment."
"What is that kid Li Yunfei up to now? Let me see it quickly." After saying that, the brigade commander took the telegram from the Independent Regiment sent by the chief of staff.
"Hmm, are we going to fight the Anti-Japanese Independent Militia in Qingshan County?" The brigade commander read it quickly.
"Chief of Staff, what do you think?" the brigade commander asked.
"Based on our continuous reconnaissance of the battle situation at Wolong Mountain during this period, the combat effectiveness of the garrison unit far exceeded my expectations. Our staff never imagined that our Chinese troops could match the combat effectiveness of the Japanese."
"According to the latest intelligence report from the Independent Regiment, the Japanese troops attacking Wolong Mountain have suffered heavy losses, and the county town of Wolong Mountain has been temporarily occupied by them."
"However, Wolongshan County is strategically important, and the Japanese will definitely try to retake it. The commander of this unit will not make such a basic mistake, so they will definitely retreat in time."
"Qingshan County is not so important in terms of location. Moreover, our bases are around it. Once they occupy it, they will form a pincer movement with us. Therefore, I think it is also very necessary for us to occupy Qingshan County."
"The more crucial point is that this unit is very young and lacks sufficient management cadres. We can send cadres to assist them in managing the county town, increasing cooperation between our two sides, and see if we can eventually bring this unit over," the chief of staff analyzed.
"Yes, Chief of Staff, your analysis is very accurate. Occupying Qingshan County is also of great significance to us. Currently, our Second Regiment is near Qingshan County. Immediately order them to cooperate with Li Yunfei in capturing Qingshan County and assist the Anti-Japanese Independent Militia in its defense."
"Yes, I will immediately send a communications soldier to notify the Second Regiment."
"In addition, send a telegram to Li Yunfei, telling him that the Second Regiment will cooperate with their operation."
"Yes, I'll make arrangements right away."
Meanwhile, Niu Dali's reconnaissance battalion and Li Yunfei's independent regiment were advancing towards Qingshan County.
"Commander, urgent telegram from brigade headquarters!" The Independent Regiment's communications officer ran over to report.
"read"
"The brigade headquarters approved our operation and informed us that the Second Regiment would cooperate with our operation, and instructed us to contact the Second Regiment after we arrived in Qingshan County."
"Great!"
"Zhou Zhengbiao!" Li Yunfei shouted.
"Commander, you wanted to see me."
"Take the reconnaissance platoon of the first battalion and go to the second regiment to find Commander Kong. Then we'll meet up in Qingshan County."
"Yes, I'll go right now." After saying that, Zhou Zhengbiao led his men to set off.