Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 185 Preparing for the Attack

P.S.: Merry Christmas everyone!

"Suzuki-kun, are you worried that the militia will launch a night attack on our camp?"

"You can rest assured about that. I've already set up defenses for the military camp tonight, so we're not afraid of a night attack by the militia," said Masanori Ikeda confidently.

“Ikeda-kun, it’s not that I’m worried about the defenses of our camp. I’ve seen your defensive setup, and it’s exactly the same as the one in our school textbooks. It’s very good.”

"So, Suzuki-kun, what are your concerns?"

"I'm just worried that our current forces are insufficient to deal with the militia's attack on us."

"Hmm? Why do you say that, Suzuki-kun? Our troops' attack was hampered during the day, mainly because their militia held the advantage of position."

"If they leave their positions and launch an attack on us, it would actually be good news for us. This would give us the opportunity to have a good fight with them."

"Without the terrain advantage, what can they use to fight us! Our individual combat capabilities far surpass theirs," Masato Ikeda said confidently, clenching his fist.

“Ikeda-kun, I don’t think our current enemy is the elite militia.” Suzuki Ichiro said, voicing his own guess.

"Hmm? Suzuki-kun, why do you make that judgment?"

"When we attacked the Sanjiaji position during the day, the defending troops were not very strong. Several times, my troops almost broke through their defenses."

"Given the fighting strength of the unit in front of us, it would be difficult to defeat the Tanaka Battalion in a short time. Therefore, I speculate that the unit in front of us is not the true main force of the militia."

"Moreover, although the Sakai Regiment is currently secretly heading to Wolong Mountain to meet us, the movement of a force of this size will leave traces no matter how well we hide."

"Forget about the Nationalist government departments, the Eighth Route Army's intelligence work is incredibly powerful," Suzuki Ichiro said.

"Hmm, you mean the Eighth Route Army will also cooperate with them?"

"Definitely. The Eighth Route Army advocates and calls for the unity of all forces that can be united, and they will not give up their support."

"Ikeda-kun, if you were the leader of the militia, and you knew in advance that a regiment was about to reinforce the enemy, what would you do?"

"Either retreat in advance, or concentrate superior forces and defeat this force before the private reinforcements arrive," Masato Ikeda said after thinking for a moment.

"Yes, given the current situation, the militia is unlikely to abandon this place, so they only have one option left: to defeat us before the Sakai Regiment can send reinforcements!"

“Ikeda-kun, according to intelligence, they captured at least 10 of our Type 92 infantry guns tomorrow. I didn’t see them use them during the daytime defensive battle.”

"So, Suzuki-kun, in that case, what are you planning to do?"

"We should retreat immediately, first to the county town, and then reorganize our attack once the Sakai Regiment joins us, and take Wolong Mountain in one fell swoop!" Suzuki Ichiro said, expressing his idea.

After listening, Masaki Ikeda rested his chin on his hand and pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Okay, do as Suzuki-kun says. I'll organize the evacuation right away."

"Staff Officer Ozawa, immediately organize the troops to withdraw back to the county town," Masato Ikeda said, turning to Staff Officer Ozawa beside him.

"Hay."

With the order given by Masatoshi Ikeda, the Japanese army camp began to move.

Meanwhile, a battalion of troops carrying out reconnaissance missions near the military camp immediately discovered the anomaly at the Japanese camp.

"Company commander, what are those Japanese devils planning to do in the middle of the night? Gathering troops at this time, are they planning a night attack on us?"

"Who knows? Quickly notify the regimental command."

"Yes."

"Hello, command post, this is the 4th Company of the 1st Battalion, reporting the latest situation of the Japanese. The Japanese are currently assembling their troops, and our unit is continuing reconnaissance."

The Fourth Company reported intelligence to the regimental command via hand-cranked telephones.

"Alright, the regimental headquarters is aware of this. Your unit is now required to continue reconnaissance and report back as needed."

"Yes."

In a short time, the regimental command received several pieces of battlefield intelligence, all of which concerned events that had occurred in the Japanese army camp.

"Commander, according to reports from the frontline reconnaissance units, there is unusual activity in the Japanese camp. The Japanese are currently assembling their troops."

"Our staff unanimously believes that the Japanese may have sensed something and are preparing to flee," Zhang Haotian reported.

"what happened?"

"I don't know the specifics, but according to your frontline observer, the Japanese are organizing their equipment and preparing to retreat."

"It seems that the current Japanese commander is quite cautious, unlike the previous Japanese commanders."

"Yes, our staff also judged the same way; there must have been a change in the Japanese command structure."

"How is our troop assembly going?" Tang Weiguo asked immediately.

"Companies 1 through 9 of the 1st Battalion, along with the three mortar companies of the 1st Battalion, have assembled and are ready to launch an attack at any time. Other battalions are on their way."

"How is the mountain artillery battalion deployment going?"

"The artillery positions have been completed, and the mountain artillery battalion can enter the artillery positions at any time to prepare for shelling."

"Alright, let's not wait any longer. Immediately notify Tang Xiaohu to organize troops to launch an attack on the Japanese camp."

"Yes."

"The objective of this battle is to inflict heavy casualties on the Japanese soldiers and to remind Tang Xiaohu to prevent the Japanese from launching a counterattack."

"I will issue the order immediately."

"Okay." After saying that, Tang Weiguo walked to the window of the command post, picked up his binoculars and looked in the direction of the Japanese army camp in the distance where there was a faint light.

"Hey, is this the mountain artillery battalion? This is Zhang Haoshan. How long do you need to prepare?"

"10 minutes, good, 10 minutes. Immediately order all artillery to open fire on the Japanese camp."

"The shelling will last for 20 minutes."

"Yes, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang." After hanging up the phone, Tang Xiaolong immediately ordered the mountain artillery battalion to deploy Type 92 infantry guns towards the already constructed artillery positions.

On the other end, after hanging up the phone, Zhang Haoshan immediately dialed Tang Xiaohu's command center.

"Tang Xiaohu, the Japanese are trying to escape, so the plan to attack the Japanese camp has been brought forward. I have already notified the mountain artillery battalion to open fire in 10 minutes, with a shelling time of 20 minutes. I order your unit to immediately prepare for the battle deployment against the Japanese camp."

"Yes, Deputy Commander Zhang, I guarantee the mission will be completed."

"Remember, the regimental commander said the main objective is to inflict heavy casualties on the Japanese."

"Yes."

"Attention, after the shelling ends, you will immediately launch an attack, and be careful to avoid a Japanese counter-charge."

"Yes."

"Xiao Hu, what combat mission does the regimental commander have?" Zhou Liansheng asked.

"We just received orders from the regimental headquarters that the plan to attack the Japanese has been brought forward. The mountain artillery battalion will launch an attack on the Japanese camp in 10 minutes and bombard it for 20 minutes, so we must seize the time to deploy our troops as soon as possible."

"Little Tiger, just give the order."

"Alright, I now order Lian Sheng to lead the 4th Battalion in a right-wing flanking attack, while the 1st to 3rd Companies will launch a flanking attack from the left."

"Remember, leave the Japanese a way to retreat. Don't push them too far and make them fight us to the death."

"The remaining troops will follow me in launching a frontal attack."

"Yes."

"All units must begin preparations and deployments immediately; time is of the essence."

"Yes." After saying that, everyone began to carry out their tasks.