Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 213 Casualty Statistics

"Commander, a battle report has arrived from the front: we have captured the enemy's third line of defense," Staff Officer Andao reported.

"Great! We've finally broken through the enemy's defenses!"

"What is the situation regarding troop casualties?" Sakai asked.

"The troops have suffered heavy casualties. The attacking force now has less than 300 combat-ready men. In this battle, our entire regiment has lost more than 1200 men," Staff Officer Andao reported truthfully.

"What?! How could this be?" Sakai Rai exclaimed in surprise.

Sakai Yori thought to himself that, including the two previous battles, his own regiment had lost more than two-thirds of its troops so far.

"The enemy's resistance is extremely fierce, and their weaponry is no worse than ours. Moreover, the enemy's third line of defense is located in a very treacherous area, with two hills forming a defensive triangle that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Our offensive is extremely difficult," Staff Officer Andao explained.

"Commander, our unit has suffered more than two-thirds casualties. Should we request support from headquarters?" Staff Officer Anjima asked.

"The headquarters can no longer spare any extra troops. According to intelligence from headquarters, our 'Ten-Route Encirclement and Suppression' plan has not achieved its intended results. This time, the Eighth Route Army and the Nationalist government's defensive operations are very resolute, and they have already recaptured several county towns that we previously occupied."

"The ten-pronged encirclement plan will most likely end in failure," Sakai Yori sighed.

"Ah, how could the situation have changed so drastically all of a sudden?" Staff Officer Andao was quite surprised.

"This is a mountainous area, which is not conducive to our troops launching a large-scale offensive. Moreover, the main target of this offensive is the 18th Route Army, which is extremely skilled in guerrilla warfare, especially mountain guerrilla warfare."

"According to intelligence, they have been fighting guerrilla warfare with the Nationalist government in the mountains for many years. In the Taihang Mountains, they are like fish in water, as the Chinese idiom would say," Sakai Rai said.

"However, this only applies to mountainous areas. Once we cut off the connection between the mountains and the plains, the Eighth Route Army will be no threat," Sakai Rai explained.

"But what is the significance of the headquarters launching this ten-pronged encirclement campaign?"

"Suppress the Eighth Route Army's operational space to ensure that our military supplies and troops can continue their southward offensive smoothly. After all, our biggest threat right now is the Nationalist government's army!"

"I understand. What should we do now? Do we need to retreat to the Sanjiaji position?" Staff Officer Andao continued to ask.

Sakai Rai did not answer immediately, but sat on the table and pondered.

"Report, urgent telegram!" The communications officer's voice broke the silence of the command room.

“Read it.” Sakai Yori said solemnly, sitting at the table.

"Hay."

"Colonel Matsukawa reports that the attack on Tangjia Town has failed. They were attacked by enemy reinforcements, but they have broken out. Colonel Matsukawa is currently leading a force of less than 600 men to the Sanjiaji stronghold."

"You bastard, what a piece of trash!" Sakai Rai felt a surge of anger upon hearing the contents of the telegram.

But then it dawned on it that its own regiment had already suffered a humiliating defeat here, and it was no longer qualified to teach other units a lesson.

Thinking of this, Sakai Yori couldn't help but sigh.

"Staff Officer Anjima, order the troops to remain stationary for now. As for the next order, wait for notification from headquarters," Sakai Yori ordered with a sigh.

"Yes, I'll arrange it."

With Sakai Yori's order, the Japanese troops on Wolong Mountain ceased their offensive and began to rest.

Meanwhile, news of the victory in Tangjia Town reached the regimental headquarters.

Just as Tang Weiguo returned to the command post, he heard cheers from inside.

"What's the good news that everyone's so happy about?" Tang Weiguo asked as he walked in.

"The commander is back! The commander is back! Everyone, quiet down!" Zhang Haoshan shouted.

After a moment, everyone quieted down, but they couldn't hide the joy on their faces.

"Did they win the battle in Tangjia Town?" Tang Weiguo asked in return.

"Commander, you're amazing! You guessed it right away. I just received a call from Battalion Commander Tang. The Japanese troops who attacked Tangjia Town have already retreated from Tangjia Town. Battalion Commander Tang and his men have won."

"The First Battalion is our main force; defeating the Japanese was within my expectations," Tang Weiguo said calmly.

"Commander, there's more good news! Battalion Commander Tang and his men captured 10 Type 92 infantry guns!" Zhang Haoshan shouted excitedly.

"How many? Ten doors?" Tang Weiguo wondered if he had misheard.

"Commander, that's right, 10! We're rich now! Adding to the 10 Type 92 infantry guns we had before, we have a total of 20! We're rolling in money now!"

"This is really good news!" Tang Weiguo smiled happily after confirming that everything was correct.

Now he could form two artillery battalions, not far from the firepower of an artillery regiment. Thinking of this, Tang Weiguo laughed even louder.

"Report, Commander, we just received intelligence from the front lines," Long Wenying said as she ran over after hanging up the phone.

"What information."

"According to Battalion Commander Liu of the Fifth Battalion, the Japanese have stopped their attack and are currently stationed at our third line of defense."

"Commander, it seems the Japanese have also received news of their defeat in Tangjia Town," Zhang Haoshan said.

"Order all units to seize this favorable time, take the opportunity to rest and prepare for the next wave of Japanese attacks."

"In addition, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, please take stock of the casualties of each unit."

"Yes."

Night fell quickly, but the Japanese took no action, remaining cautiously on guard at their third line of defense. Meanwhile, the militia headquarters was brightly lit, and Tang Weiguo was holding a new operational meeting.

"Now, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang will report on the casualties of both sides in this phase of the operation."

"Yes," Zhang Haoshan reported, standing up.

"After an afternoon of statistical analysis, it is found that apart from the Fifth and Sixth Battalions which have maintained their full strength, the other battalions have suffered heavy losses."

"The First Battalion stationed in Tangjia Town has suffered more than half of its casualties. The Second, Third, and Fourth Battalions have lost more than two-thirds of their personnel. The Logistics Transport Battalion has also suffered a small number of losses. According to this statistic, we have killed more than 2000 people and wounded nearly 1000 soldiers in this battle. Our militia has been severely weakened."

"However, the Japanese also suffered heavy losses. The First Battalion killed about 1500 Japanese soldiers in Tangjia Town, and we killed more than 2000 Japanese soldiers here. In total, we killed more than 3500 Japanese soldiers."

"Including the five fighter jets we shot down before, although our regiment suffered heavy losses this time, the results were amazing. Once we survive this battle, the future development of our militia will be immeasurable." Zhang Haoshan said with a fanatical expression.

"The results of this battle are indeed remarkable!" Tang Weiguo nodded.

“Staff Officer Long, please take good care of the follow-up treatment of the wounded. These wounded are the future backbone of our militia.”

Tang Weiguo gestured for Zhang Haoshan to sit down and then spoke to Long Wenying, who was standing to the side.

"Yes, I have already assigned someone to assist the hospital."

"it is good."