Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 137 Attack on Japanese Artillery

By this time, the sun had already set and darkness had fallen. Fortunately, the night provided excellent cover for the cooking platoon's attack.

"Platoon leader, it's finally our mess platoon's turn to move. Let's show them who the strongest unit in the reconnaissance battalion really is," the squad leader said eagerly.

“When we were lying in ambush, I observed that the enemy’s left flank was poorly defended. Our main attack will be on the left flank. Once we capture the Japanese position, it will provide an opportunity for the mortar company to attack,” the cook platoon leader said to the three squad leaders in front of him.

"Yes, platoon leader, I guarantee I will complete the mission."

"Alright, let's prepare for the attack immediately and get back as soon as possible. We still need to cook for the soldiers," the cook platoon leader continued.

"Yes, platoon leader, I promise not to delay the meals of our reconnaissance battalion soldiers."

After saying this, the three mess platoons covered each other and began to sneak towards the Japanese position, while the artillery company followed far behind.

To avoid being discovered by the pursuing Japanese soldiers, the mortar company did not fire on the Japanese positions, but instead provided fire support for the attacking cook platoon.

"Advance covertly," the cook platoon leader whispered the order.

Under the cover of darkness, the cooks slowly approached the Japanese position. The Japanese soldiers, having just fought, relaxed their guard after the Chinese troops withdrew. Only a few sentries stood loosely on the position.

Several tens of minutes later, the cooking platoon had already infiltrated the Japanese position, so close that they could almost see the facial features of the Japanese soldiers on guard.

"Squad leader, take out those sentries for me," the cook platoon leader ordered the squad leader.

"Yes, platoon leader."

Upon receiving the order, the squad leader led several soldiers to approach the Japanese sentry post under cover of darkness. Once they reached the foot of the Japanese soldiers, the squad leader and his men pounced on the soldiers on duty, swiftly and decisively eliminating them with their knives.

After the squad leader dealt with the Japanese sentries, he immediately signaled to the platoon leader. The cook platoon leader then led his soldiers in.

When the cooks rushed to the Japanese position, the Japanese discovered the Chinese troops who had suddenly appeared on the position and immediately launched a counterattack, trying to drive the Chinese troops off the position.

The cooks, who had just been sent up, were not about to let such a good opportunity pass them by. They immediately used the Japanese positions to launch a defensive counterattack.

"Second squad leader, I'm notifying the artillery company soldiers to move forward immediately and establish an artillery position."

"Yes, platoon leader."

"No need, I'm leading the team up." Before the second squad leader could leave, the cook platoon leader heard the battalion commander's voice.

"Battalion Commander, I told you, it would definitely be fine to leave it to our mess platoon," the mess platoon leader said cheerfully.

"I'll give you a proper reward after the battle. For now, hold this place tight, and I'll teach the Japanese artillery a lesson."

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

"Artillery company commander, get moving! Aim at the Japanese artillery and fire!"

"Yes, Battalion Commander." The artillery company commander hurriedly set the positions of the enemy artillery.

Just now, when the Japanese artillery launched another attack on the militia's position, the flashes of the shells were exceptionally bright in the darkness.

"Is that enough, artillery company commander?"

"Battalion Commander, you may attack now."

"Alright, fire! Boom the hell out of them!"

"Yes."

"Fire!" With a command from the mortar company, the soldiers unleashed a barrage of fire on the enemy's artillery positions.

"Boom, boom, boom."

"Oh no, enemy attack!" The Japanese artillerymen panicked and tried to move their guns away, but the reconnaissance battalion had finally seized this opportunity and was not about to let the Japanese artillerymen escape.

A barrage of mortar shells rained down on the Japanese artillery positions as if they were free, with explosions echoing continuously. Japanese soldiers who were trying to move their Type 92 infantry guns were instantly killed by the mortar shells.

Seeing this, the remaining Japanese soldiers abandoned their Type 92 infantry guns on the position and scattered and fled. Under the artillery fire of the reconnaissance battalion, all four of the Japanese Type 92 infantry guns were destroyed, and the Type 92 infantry gun shells piled up nearby were detonated by mortar shells, causing secondary explosions.

A huge explosion suddenly rang out in the valley.

"Oh no!" Upon hearing the explosion, Masaki Ikeda immediately stood up in a panic and looked towards the artillery position. The flash of the explosion illuminated the entire artillery position.

"Commander, something terrible has happened! Our artillery positions have been destroyed by the Chinese army!" the communications officer rushed over and said in a panic.

"Damn it, I'm not blind!" Enraged, Masato Ikeda slapped the communications officer.

"Commander, we've fallen into a trap," the military staff officer rushed over and said.

"The pursuing troops lost track of the enemy, and when they returned to their positions, the Chinese troops attacking the artillery had also retreated and disappeared."

"A cunning tactic to lure the tiger away from the mountain! This Chinese army is extremely cunning!" After figuring it out, Masato Ikeda slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"Commander, what's our next step? Should we continue the attack now that we have no artillery?" the staff officer asked.

"Continue the attack. Now that the artillery has been destroyed, there is no need to defend the artillery positions. Immediately assemble all troops."

"Although our artillery has been destroyed, the Second Regiment of the puppet army will arrive soon. Once they arrive, we will launch a general offensive against the positions in front. I believe they can hold out."

"As long as we eventually retake the Sanjiaji stronghold, final victory will surely belong to us!" Ikeda Maken said viciously.

"Yes, Commander, I understand what to do."

"Very good, we have only suffered a temporary setback, but the final victory will surely belong to our empire!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" the military advisor immediately shouted.

"Go and get ready."

"Yes, Commander." The staff officer then left.

"Mission accomplished, let's retreat quickly." Niu Dali was completely relieved when he saw the shells exploding on the Japanese artillery position. With an explosion of this scale, not many Japanese soldiers would survive. So he immediately ordered the cooking platoon and the artillery company to evacuate the Japanese position and retreat to the place he had agreed upon with Long Wenying.

During the retreat, the cooks covered the artillery unit's retreat from behind. After repelling the last wave of pursuing Japanese soldiers, the cooks sped up their retreat, completely shaking off the Japanese soldiers.

Not long after, Niu Dali arrived at the agreed location and met up with Long Wenying.

"The operator sends a telegram to the regimental commander: The Japanese artillery has been destroyed by our unit. Please issue the next operational order."

"Yes, battalion commander."