Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 177 Road Siege

"The other five and six battalions were deployed in sequence along the route into Wolong Mountain."

"Yes, Captain."

"Commander, what's the mission of our reconnaissance battalion?" Niu Dali asked.

"Next, I'll entrust the most dangerous task to you." Tang Weiguo's tone became serious.

"Commander, just give the order! Our reconnaissance battalion guarantees to complete the mission!"

"Alright, before the battle begins, your reconnaissance battalion will immediately flank to the outer line and wait for an opportunity to act."

"Commander, what is our objective?" Niu Dali asked.

"Wolongshan County Town!"

“Once the Japanese launch a large-scale attack on our Wolong Mountain, the county town will inevitably be left undefended, which will create an opportunity for your reconnaissance battalion. You must find a way to storm the county town.”

"Commander, do you mean sabotage the enemy's logistical supplies?"

“That’s right. Since Wolongshan County is the Japanese’s distribution center for supplies, if we cut off their logistics, it’s like cutting off a tiger’s leg. It looks scary, but in reality, it’s just a bluff.” Tang Weiguo nodded.

"Yes, Commander, our reconnaissance battalion guarantees to complete the mission."

"You infiltrated the county town last time. This time, let the intelligence department's action team cooperate with you to ensure that you capture the enemy's logistics warehouse with minimal casualties."

"Yes, Captain."

"Does anyone have anything to add regarding this battle plan?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, I think we shouldn't blindly defend from the beginning. We should take the initiative and launch a continuous attack on the Japanese army's march to lower their morale," Tang Xiaohu said.

"Yes, your idea is good. Today we are only formulating the general operational guidelines. The specific action plan and personnel allocation will require the newly established staff office to formulate the specific operational plan."

"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, Staff Officer Long, this is the first operation since the establishment of our militia's staff office. Can you complete the mission?"

"Commander, we are confident that we can complete the mission."

"Well, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, this time the battle plan will be entirely in your hands. You commanded the battle at Sanjiaji very well last time!"

"Thank you for your trust, Commander. I will definitely lead the staff to improve the battle plan."

"it is good."

"During the remaining time, the entire regiment will enter a state of war. Each battalion must strengthen its training, especially the newly formed units. They must pay attention to live-fire training. This time, I will instruct Bi Shoucai to distribute all the stored training ammunition to each of your battalions."

"Remember, make the most of this precious time and train hard!"

"Yes, Captain."

"Okay, let's all work together to deal with this crisis."

"Yes, victory will surely be ours!" the crowd said confidently.

"Alright, everyone go back and prepare after the meeting. Meeting adjourned!"

"Yes!"

With the meeting concluded, the militia once again entered into intense pre-battle preparations. Batches of weapons and ammunition were distributed to various combat units.

The arsenal changed its production plan, increasing the production of landmines and grenades. With the increased production of new explosives, newly manufactured landmines and grenades began to use these new explosives.

The engineering battalion halted construction of the underground fortress. One part reinforced the defensive works on the road leading into Wolong Mountain, while the other went to Tangjia Town to continue improving the tunnel complex.

Chu Yu continued to provide intensive training to the medics dispatched from various battalions to ensure they could buy more treatment time for wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Amidst the group's intense preparations, the end of March arrived.

The conference room in the Wolongshan County Headquarters was filled with officers. Gou Dongxi and Jia Chusheng sat quietly at the back. These two had not had a good time lately, as they had been scolded by Ikeda Maken quite a bit.

"Suzuki-kun, thank you for coming to our aid," Ikeda Masaki said to Colonel Suzuki, who was sitting next to him as a new reinforcement.

“Ikeda-kun, there’s no need for that. If we work together to eliminate this resistance force entrenched in Wolong Mountain as soon as possible, we can better serve His Majesty the Heavenly Locust.”

"Suzuki-kun is right."

"Mr. Ikeda, this time, in order to encircle and annihilate this Chinese army in Wolong Mountain, the headquarters has formulated a special battle plan. In addition to our two battalions, there is also the Tanaka Battalion from Qingshan Prefecture. Furthermore, an infantry regiment has been specially drawn from the 109th Division. In total, there are nearly 7000 people. This number is enough for us to launch a small-scale battle."

"According to intelligence, this unit is called the Anti-Japanese Independent Militia and belongs to the Second War Zone Command of the National Army. Is a regimental-level unit worth so much attention from the command?" Suzuki Ichiro asked with some doubt.

"Suzuki-kun, although this unit is called a regiment, its actual combat personnel far exceed the size of a regiment. According to intelligence, the total number of personnel in this militia is close to 6000."

“I have fought against them before. Their troops are very strong. Suzuki, you know I come from the 5th Division. Even though I led the 5th Division, they still defeated us.”

"Such a thing has happened. We need to take this seriously," Ikeda said in a serious tone.

"Moreover, this unit doesn't like frontal battles; instead, it prefers to use the terrain for ambushes. Its fighting style is more like the Eighth Route Army than the Nationalist Army," Masatoshi Ikeda continued.

"Ah, although the Eighth Route Army's weapons and equipment are not good, they are extremely difficult to deal with. They disappear as soon as you attack, but if you don't attack, they will bite you unexpectedly like a mosquito."

"Therefore, the headquarters formulated the 'Ten-Route Encirclement' plan, which aimed to eliminate the resistance forces in the occupied areas."

"I hope that this time, we can achieve our goal in one fell swoop and completely wipe out the enemy in this area," Ichiro Suzuki remarked.

"Yes, I will. Now, I'll trouble Suzuki-kun to work with me to develop an attack plan."

"According to the headquarters' deployment, the northern front operations will be under your unified command, and my main role will be to cooperate with your unit."

"Thank you for your support, Suzuki-kun."

"The duty lies."

The intelligence that the Suzuki Battalion was to reinforce Wolong Mountain in the county town was immediately relayed to the militia headquarters by the militia intelligence personnel who were lurking in the county town.

"Commander, it seems the Japanese are about to make their move," Li Qukou reported hurriedly after receiving the intelligence.

"What is the situation regarding the Japanese troops' movements in the south? Has the Second War Zone's intelligence department sent back any intelligence?"

"Yes, according to their intelligence, the Japanese troops involved in this encirclement and annihilation include the 108th Division, the 16th, 20th, and 109th Divisions, and the Sakai Brigade."

"Judging from the unit designations, there are no main force divisions, which is good news for us. How many troops did the Japanese mobilize?"

"According to intelligence, the Japanese have mobilized a total force of more than 3 men."

"Yes, keep a close eye on the Japanese intelligence. My intuition tells me that this time our militia is facing a much more difficult situation with the Japanese."

"Yes."