Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 315 Recruitment Issues

A week has passed since the Battle of Fen County, and all the participating troops of the Independent Division have completed their rest and reorganization. The entire Wolong Mountain has returned to its usual tranquility.

The only difference was that the Japanese troops around Wolong Mountain, especially those stationed in Wolong Mountain County, were becoming increasingly vigilant against the Independent Division.

As the Japanese continued their intelligence work in Wolong Mountain, a report about the Wolong Mountain Independent Division was urgently sent to the Taiyuan headquarters.

When Akira Tsuchiya saw the intelligence at the headquarters, he couldn't help but gasp.

This unit in Wolong Mountain has grown to over 2 troops. Moreover, its soldiers' quality and weaponry far surpass those of other Chinese armies.

Upon seeing this intelligence, Akira Tsuchiya decisively abandoned his original battle plan.

Immediately afterwards, a new operational plan for the Wolongshan Independent Division began to be drafted at the Japanese headquarters in Taiyuan.

Meanwhile, the members of the Independent Division were still immersed in the joy of victory.

.......

Two weeks have passed since the battle, and the long-awaited battle debriefing meeting has finally been held.

At 7 p.m., everyone gathered in the conference room.

"Good evening, everyone. It's good that we've gathered you all together today. First, we'll summarize the situation of the last battle, and then we'll announce the next steps in the development plan for the Independent Division." Zhang Haoshan chaired the meeting as usual.

"The Battle of Fenxian was the first large-scale operation since the reorganization of our Independent Division, and it provided valuable combat experience for our subsequent battles."

"First of all, we achieved final victory in this operation, captured Fenxian County, seized a large number of weapons and ammunition, and suffered far fewer casualties than expected."

"The results we achieved this time also prove the success of our independent division's restructuring."

"However, this operation still exposed that the coordination between our independent division and its units in large-scale operations did not achieve the expected results."

"Especially in the battle of Fen County, in the encirclement and suppression of Pingding Village, we over-concentrated our forces and wasted excess troops, which resulted in us not deploying enough troops to attack Fen County."

"This has delayed the capture of Fenxian County!"

"Therefore, after returning to their posts, the commanders of each unit must strengthen the coordination between their units."

"Now that we have sufficient food, if any unit wants to hold an exercise, they should report to the division headquarters, which will coordinate the exercise."

"The division headquarters has only one requirement: all units must coordinate their operations, unite as one, and fight as one. Only then will the Japanese feel the pain when we fight them."

"Does everyone understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"In addition, this incident also exposed a problem: the positioning of the reconnaissance regiment. Our division command also had problems this time, and the reconnaissance regiment's capabilities were not utilized."

"Our division headquarters is also reflecting on how to leverage the reconnaissance regiment's role in large-scale operations. If anyone has any good ideas, please share them with us after this meeting."

"Alright, next, let's hear from our division commander." Zhang Haoshan finished speaking and sat down again.

"Yes, Deputy Division Commander Zhang's summary this time was very insightful. As the division commander, I am also reflecting on some of the issues, especially regarding the reconnaissance regiment."

"The reconnaissance regiment is the best unit in our Independent Division in terms of personnel and equipment, and it is also the sharpest knife in our Independent Division. However, it played a mediocre role in this battle and did not perform to its full potential."

"Commander, it's all my fault as the regimental commander that I, Niu Dali, failed to perform my duties. I have let you down. I request that you remove me from my post." Niu Dali said loudly with red eyes.

“Niu Dali, sit down first. This is not your responsibility as the regimental commander; it is a problem of the division headquarters. Therefore, I will personally take charge of the reconnaissance regiment’s affairs next.”

Hearing Tang Weiguo's words, Niu Dali sat down listlessly, his deep disappointment not hidden from Tang Weiguo, who was still speaking. However, Tang Weiguo did not say anything more at this moment, but continued to speak to everyone.

"In addition to the aforementioned operational issues, we also face a major problem: troop strength. Currently, our existing forces are barely sufficient to maintain the capability to fight on three fronts."

"Therefore, our most important task is to continue to expand the number of troops. I have decided to form the Second Guard Brigade, and the original Guard Brigade will be renamed the First Guard Brigade."

"The mission remains unchanged: to be responsible for the defense of the entire Wolong Mountain."

"The position of brigade commander of the 2nd Guard Brigade will be temporarily held concurrently by Deputy Division Commander Zhang, who will be responsible for the formation of the unit."

"Zhao Zhu, how's the recruitment going?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, the recruitment work is not progressing well at present. According to the recruitment requirements of our Independent Division, only young and strong men are eligible."

"Most of the young men who wanted to join the army in the Wolong Mountain area have now joined our independent brigade, and all the new recruits we have recently enlisted have been assigned to various combat units."

"We have very few soldiers available now."

"If we want to increase our manpower, we can only lower the standards."

Zhao Zhu said with some helplessness, "Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice."

"No, the recruitment standards absolutely cannot be lowered. The reason why our various Japanese units are roughly equal in strength is because of the quality of our soldiers. This time, we absolutely cannot lower them," Tang Weiguo said firmly.

"What about the Second War Zone Command? They promised to send us more troops," Tang Weiguo continued to ask.

"Commander, I have sent several telegrams to the theater command, but the replies are all the same: they don't have any troops either, and we have to figure it out ourselves."

"Even through Director Bi's connections with the Second War Zone, it still didn't work."

"It seems like they're deliberately trying to suppress the development of our independent division," Zhao Zhu speculated.

"Hmm, our Independent Division has been developing too fast lately, and that old guy's paranoia has kicked in again," Tang Weiguo snorted.

"Since they've asked us to come up with a solution, let's go out and find some soldiers."

"Zhao Zhu."

"arrive."

"Form recruitment teams and send me to villages in the surrounding counties to search for soldiers from house to house."

"Our China is never short of patriotic young heroes!"

"Yes, Commander, I guarantee to complete the mission."

"Niu Dali, this time your reconnaissance regiment is responsible for protecting the safety of the recruitment team, especially the team going to enemy-occupied territory."

"Yes, Commander, I guarantee I will complete the mission." Niu Dali stood up from his chair in a flash.

“Good, very good,” Tang Weiguo affirmed.

"The remaining units will fully cooperate with the recruitment team."

"Yes, I promise to complete the mission."