Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 196 Tangjia Town Position

"The regimental headquarters has issued an order requiring us to carry out the defensive mission according to Operation Plan No. 1," Tang Xiaohu said to the people at the command post after hanging up Zhang Haoshan's call.

"Battalion Commander, it seems your judgment was absolutely correct. The Japanese did indeed adopt a two-front war strategy." Shen Lei said with admiration.

"Battalion Commander, how many Japanese soldiers did they send to attack us this time?" Yao Xing asked.

"The number of Japanese troops attacking this time is less than we expected. The Japanese troops attacking Tangjia Town consist of only two full-strength battalions, which is less than the three Japanese battalions we estimated."

"That's great news. Now our defensive pressure will be greatly reduced," Shen Lei replied with a sigh of relief.

"However, according to intelligence from the regimental headquarters, the Japanese have left a force of more than 1500 men in Sanjiaji, which seems to be a reserve force for this battle. We must be wary of this Japanese force," Tang Xiaohu added.

“That’s right, Battalion Commander. However, we’ll leave three companies as reserves for this defensive operation. I believe we can handle this battle,” Yao Xing said.

"Alright, now that the Japanese are ready to be served, we should get moving."

"Shen Lei instructed the Fourth Company to closely monitor the Japanese movements, and the other units to immediately move into the tunnels to avoid being bombarded by Japanese artillery fire."

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away." Shen Lei then picked up the phone and began issuing orders.

"Yao Xing, how's the evacuation of the villagers in Tangjia Town going?"

"Commander, the evacuation of townspeople began this morning as ordered, and they have all been moved to the tunnels. The town protection team is now checking each house to ensure that no townperson is left behind."

"Okay, make sure all the townspeople are safely evacuated so we won't have any worries about our rear when we go to war."

"Battalion Commander, it's only a little over an hour for the Japanese to get here from Sanjiaji. So, Battalion Commander, let's move our command post underground as soon as possible," Yao Xing said.

"Do as you say. Move the command post underground first, but I'll stay here to observe the Japanese situation."

"Battalion Commander, for safety's sake, I'll stay outside to observe the Japanese situation. You should move into the tunnel and continue commanding the troops," Yao Xing quickly advised upon hearing Tang Xiaohu's suggestion.

"Alright, execute the order." Tang Xiaohu didn't think much and gave the order directly.

"Why don't you, Deputy Battalion Commander, try to persuade the Battalion Commander?" Yao Xing turned to Shen Lei, who had just hung up the phone, and said.

"Staff Officer Yao, don't worry, I'll stay with the battalion commander too. I promise you, I'll guarantee the battalion commander's safety," Shen Lei said, turning around.

Shen Lei knew that Tang Xiaohu had to personally scout the Japanese situation before each battle, so there was no point in trying to persuade him. He might as well stay and protect Tang Xiaohu himself.

"Alright then, Battalion Commander and Deputy Battalion Commander, you must be careful!"

"Don't worry." Shen Lei gave Yao Xing a reassuring look.

"Then I'll move the command post." After saying that, Yao Xing began the relocation of the command post.

“Come on, Shen Lei, come with me. Let’s go to the front lines and take a look.”

"Yes."

Tang Xiaohu and Shen Lei walked out of the command post one after the other, and headed to the hidden observation post built by the Fourth Company.

Around 1 p.m., the Japanese attacking force arrived near Tangjia Town, stopped, and set up camp.

"Battalion Commander, the Japanese are coming!" Shen Lei said, seeing the Japanese troops from the observation point.

"Hmm, it looks like they're preparing for battle," Tang Xiaohu said, looking through his binoculars.

"Battalion Commander, the Japanese have just stopped and started building artillery positions. I just counted, and this time the Japanese brought 10 Type 92 infantry guns. And I saw the Japanese carrying shells box by box. Damn, it looks like the Japanese have prepared plenty of shells this time."

"Hehehe, let them explode. We're perfectly safe hiding underground." Tang Xiaohu had great confidence in the tunnel network of Tangjia Town.

"It's a pity about the houses in the town. I wonder how many usable houses are left after being destroyed by the Japanese artillery fire," Shen Lei said with a sigh as he looked back at Tangjia Town.

"It's worth trading houses for the lives of Japanese devils! As long as we're still here, even if Tangjia Town is completely destroyed, we can rebuild a brand new Tangjia Town."

"Battalion Commander, you're right. As long as our militia is here, Tangjia Town will always be here."

"Battalion Commander, look at the last one, isn't that the Type 92 six-wheeled armored vehicle mentioned in the intelligence?" Shen Lei pointed to the strange vehicle lined up in front of the Japanese transport trucks.

It looks like a car, but it's covered in armor and has two extra wheels compared to a four-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, several dark gun barrels protrude from the armor on the upper part of the vehicle, making it resemble a mobile bunker.

"Hmm, don't worry too much. This thing has thin armor. Besides, we've already planted landmines in Tangjia Town, enough to give this guy a good meal." Tang Xiaohu said calmly.

"Luckily, the Japanese didn't send any tanks; those are the real tough guys." Shen Lei recalled Tang Weiguo's introduction to the Japanese tanks during the training course.

"Hehe, even if tanks come, we're not afraid. We'll just go into the tunnels, and they won't be able to do anything to us."

"It's the commander who had the foresight to organize the tunnel excavation work. Otherwise, we would be in real trouble now."

“You’re right. If he weren’t the regimental commander and you weren’t the deputy battalion commander, that would be the difference. You should learn more from the regimental commander. Our militia will continue to grow in the future. When the troops expand, you can lead troops on your own as a battalion commander and take charge of things independently.”

"Thank you for your guidance, Battalion Commander."

"Alright, study hard." Tang Xiaohu continued to stare at the Japanese artillery positions.

"Battalion Commander, what are you thinking about?" Shen Lei noticed that Tang Xiaohu had been frowning.

"I'm trying to figure out if I can find a way to take down the Japanese artillery positions, but it seems very difficult right now. It looks like the Japanese have learned from their previous mistakes, and they've put more effort into building their defensive positions." Tang Xiaohu observed the Japanese artillery positions and felt at a loss as to where to start.

"Not only that, the Japanese have divided their artillery positions into three parts, apparently to prevent us from wiping them out in one fell swoop. They're being too wary of us," Shen Lei said.

"This Japanese unit is very cautious because they're afraid of being ambushed by us. But we'll leave this piece of meat for last, and then we'll deal with them later," Tang Xiaohu sneered.

"Battalion Commander, I will personally lead the team when the time comes."

"it is good."

Under the close observation of the two, the little devil's attack preparations gradually came to an end.