Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 42 Battle Plan

After the Japanese occupied Taiyuan, most of the county towns in northern Shanxi fell to the Japanese. The county town where Wolong Mountain was located was also occupied by the Japanese immediately. A large Japanese battalion was left to defend it, while the rest of the Japanese continued to invade the North China Plain.

The original garrison regiment of the county town surrendered without resistance after the Japanese occupied Taiyuan City, and became the Japanese's lackeys.

At this moment, in the former county government headquarters, now the Japanese military police headquarters, a middle-aged man with a sleazy face and yellow fur coat was bowing and scraping as he reported to the Japanese soldier in front of him. This man was none other than Gou Dongxi, the former commander of the county garrison regiment. And in front of him was Fujino Guiyi, the highest-ranking Japanese officer in the county.

"Commander Fujino, as you requested, I have conscripted civilians to build the pillbox. They are now working hard under the command of the Imperial Army. Rest assured, sir, these laborers are all working for free. The Imperial Army will not pay them. It is their honor to work for the Imperial Army."

The translator, after translating Gou Dongxi's words to Commander Fujino, said with a slight smile, "Gou-san, you are a loyal subject of the Empire. From now on, you will be the commander of the puppet army in the county."

"Gou Sang-jun, do a good job in the future, and the Empire will not treat you unfairly." Commander Fujino said, patting Gou Dongxi on the shoulder.

"Thank you for your guidance, Commander Fujino. I will definitely serve the Imperial Army well."

Gou Dongxi bowed deeply to Commander Fujino, his head almost hitting the ground.

“Gou Sangjun, I like your attitude. You are different from other Chinese people. You are the true friend of the empire.”

"Commander Fujino, we are friends." Fujino Guiyi was overjoyed to hear Gou Dongxi say that.

"Gou Sangjun, I'm entrusting the labor matter to you."

"Yes, Commander Fujino." After saying this, Gou Dongxi saluted Commander Fujino and left.

"Commander, how is it? What did Commander Fujino say?" The adjutant, who was waiting outside, asked hurriedly when Gou Dongxi came out.

"All done. I'm now the commander of the puppet army in the county." Gou Dongxi said with an arrogant expression.

"Thanks to our cleverness, we managed to find able-bodied men to repair the pillboxes for the Imperial Army."

“They’re all a bunch of troublemakers. It’s an honor for them to work for the Imperial Army, yet they’re all unwilling. They all deserve to be taught a lesson.”

"By the way, tell the brothers to keep a close watch on them, they can't escape."

"Don't worry, Commander, I've explained everything."

"Commander, look how late it is. Let's go to the brothel, Yihong, and have some fun. They recently got a top courtesan there; she's very beautiful." The adjutant revealed a lewd expression.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry up and go. I've been working myself to the bone lately. I need to get some rest tonight."

Gou Dongxi muttered curses. After saying that, the two of them left the Japanese headquarters and headed towards the brothel.

......

Just a few days after the last meeting, Tang Weiguo convened another meeting of military commanders to prepare for issuing battle plans.

"In the past few days, the reconnaissance battalion has thoroughly investigated the situation of the Japanese troops in the vicinity. Now, Niu Dali will report on the specific details." Tang Weiguo finished speaking and looked in Niu Dali's direction.

"Reporting to the regimental commander and battalion commanders, this is the situation of my special reconnaissance battalion. Since the Japanese occupied Taiyuan, the surrounding counties have also fallen into Japanese hands one after another."

“There is currently a reinforced Japanese battalion stationed in the county where our Wolong Mountain is located, with an estimated strength of about 1500 men.”

In addition, the original garrison regiment of the county town surrendered to the Japanese and became traitors. Their numbers were approximately 2000.

"Currently, the Japanese are building pillboxes at various key transportation locations, preparing to control all major transportation routes."

The Japanese are currently constructing buildings in several locations, including Sanjiaji, Lijiazhuang, Zhaojiahe, Longting, and Hedong. These traitorous dogs have already captured many civilians to serve as laborers for the Japanese.

"Damn it, these traitors only know how to bully their own people. If they fall into my hands, I'll teach them a lesson." Tang Xiaohu's fiery temper flared up, and he interrupted Niu Dali.

"Xiao Hu, listen to Niu Dali first. We'll talk about the traitorous dog later." Tang Weiguo interrupted Tang Xiao Hu and gestured for Niu Dali to continue.

"Based on the investigation, Zhao Jiahe, Longting, and Sanjiaji are the three largest strongholds, and these three strongholds contain a large amount of building materials."

Moreover, these three strongholds pose the greatest threat to us. Once these three strongholds are completed, our militia's operations will be restricted by the Japanese. Therefore, I suggest we prioritize attacking the Japanese forces at these three strongholds.”

"Dali, what is the troop strength of the Japanese at these three strongholds?" Tang Weiguo asked at the opportune moment.

“There was about a small squad of Japanese soldiers stationed there, along with about a company of puppet troops,” Niu Dali added.

"How long does it take the Japanese soldiers from the county town to reach the stronghold?"

"Given the Japanese transport capabilities, they can get support here in less than an hour," Niu Dali calculated in his mind.

"Now that everyone understands the basic situation, let's hear your thoughts." Tang Weiguo turned his gaze to the others.

"Commander, with the Japanese troops stationed here, we can easily take them out in less than an hour. The problem is that our objective this time is to build supplies for the military camp. We cannot move the supplies in a short time, and we will inevitably have to fight with the Japanese garrison in the county town."

"Given the current balance of power between the enemy and our forces, even if we were to win, it would be a partial victory, which would contradict our objectives." Tang Xiaohu, with his quick thinking, directly analyzed the problem.

"In that case, we should use a portion of our forces to attack the stronghold, while the main force blocks the enemy's route to slow down their reinforcements and give the rear enough time to transport supplies," Tang Dazhuang added.

"Commander, this method works. The Japanese soldiers rely heavily on roads for transportation by truck. As long as we guard the few roads the Japanese must take out of the city, we can effectively block their reinforcements," Zhou Liansheng added. He had fought many battles with the Japanese and knew them very well.

"Commander, it would be best if we attacked from several directions at once, taking advantage of the Japanese soldiers' lack of preparedness to launch a surprise attack. If we attack one Japanese stronghold first and then another, the Japanese soldiers at the other strongholds will be prepared in advance, making it much more difficult to attack them."

"Those damned Japanese devils are really good at using ordinary people as shields to coerce our attacks," Zhou Liansheng said bitterly.

After listening to everyone's ideas, Tang Weiguo pondered for a while and then issued the battle order.

"Order the 1st Battalion to capture the Zhao Jiahe stronghold."

"The 2nd Battalion is responsible for attacking the Longting stronghold."

"The 3rd Battalion is responsible for attacking the Sanjiaji stronghold."

"Your three battalions will be divided into two parts. One company plus an artillery company will attack the stronghold, and the remaining two combat companies will be responsible for blocking the approaching Japanese troops."

Remember, the purpose of holding off the Japanese is to buy time for the supply convoys to move supplies from the rear, so your holding team must not engage the Japanese in direct combat.

"Currently, even with the same equipment and the same number of people, our combat effectiveness still lags behind that of the Japanese, which is an undeniable fact."

"Therefore, the most important thing for you three battalion commanders is to implement the blocking tactics according to plan, so as to gain the most time with the least cost."

"It's the regimental commander."

"In addition, there are our civilians in the stronghold, so we must be careful when attacking, and prioritize the safety of the civilians," Tang Weiguo emphasized.

"Commander, in that case, we can schedule the attack for late at night. The Japanese will be less vigilant then," Tang Dazhuang suggested.

He had previously raided Black Fox Stronghold at night and was experienced in night combat.

"That's what I'm thinking too."

"In addition, we are currently unsure whether the Japanese will also provide support from multiple directions, so the Fourth Battalion is being kept as a reserve force to support other units at any time."

"The reconnaissance battalion will be divided into three to assist the other battalions in the attack."

"The replenishment regiment is under the command of the logistics department, which will then be responsible for the unified transportation of supplies. I have only one requirement: the supplies must be transported away as quickly as possible."

"Can Bi Shoucai do it?" Tang Weiguo asked, looking at Bi Shoucai sitting at the back.

"Commander, in addition to the supplementary regiment, I request to mobilize the people of Wolong Mountain."

"Okay, but remember to keep a clear record of the points for every ordinary person who comes to help. Not a single point can be missing."

To foster positive relations between the military and civilians at Wolong Mountain, Tang Weiguo adopted a points system from later generations. The militia would issue tasks, and civilians would come to help, earning one point per day's work. These points could be accumulated and exchanged for supplies, silver dollars, and other valuables at the militia headquarters.

The reason Tang Weiguo established the points system was that the people of Jin were too simple and honest. As soon as they heard that it was for fighting the Japanese devils, they all actively helped without asking for anything in return.

But Tang Weiguo knew how difficult it was for these simple people in this era, and he didn't want them to work for the militia for nothing.

Another reason is to create a positive environment where everyone's efforts will be rewarded, fostering a strong sense of unity between the military and civilians of Wolong Mountain. This is how the Wolong Mountain base established by Tang Weiguo can be sustained in the long run.

"Commander, in that case, I can guarantee that the logistics department will be able to transport the supplies away in 3 hours," Bi Shoucai said after calculating.

"Really? There's no joking in the military?"

"Commander, I guarantee there won't be any problems."

"Alright, I'll give everyone one day to mobilize. The attack will begin promptly at midnight the day after tomorrow."

"Yes."