Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 126 Operational Deployment

"Wait a minute." Tang Weiguo suddenly called out to Li Qin, who was about to leave.

"Order: Tang Xiaohu, immediately cease the ambush mission at Lijia Gou, and immediately organize troops to establish multiple defensive lines along the route from Lijia Gou to Sanjiaji to delay the Japanese reinforcements. Li Debao and Zhou Liansheng will cooperate with them in the defense."

"Order Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang that if the Hekou stronghold is captured, he should immediately proceed to the Sanjiaji Yuan ambush position and establish a blocking position."

"Order: Staff Officer Long, speed up the troops' march."

"Order: Wolongshan garrison to enter a state of first-level combat readiness. Order all villages and towns in Zhangzhu to evacuate personnel in an orderly manner to prevent Japanese retaliation."

"Have you written it all down?" Tang Weiguo asked, looking at Li Qin who was taking shorthand notes.

"Report, Commander, it's been recorded." Li Qin said, glancing at the notebook in her hand.

"Okay, send the message immediately."

"Yes, Commander." After saying that, Li Qin immediately returned to the radio station to begin her mission of sending messages.

Meanwhile, at Lijia Gou, Tang Xiaohu was directing his troops in preparation for the final battle.

"Reporting to the battalion commander, we have received orders from the regimental commander."

"Read it," Tang Xiaohu said.

"The regimental commander ordered us to immediately cease the ambush mission at Lijia Gou and to immediately organize the troops to establish multiple defensive lines along the route from Lijia Gou to Sanjia Ji in order to delay the Japanese reinforcements. The Third and Fourth Battalions will cooperate with us in the defense."

"Alright, forward the regimental commander's order to the Third and Fourth Battalions. Also, request the Third and Fourth Battalions to build sniper positions in the Juma River area."

"Yes, Battalion Commander."

"Correspondent, invite Regiment Commander Li over to discuss the battle situation."

"Yes, battalion commander."

A short while later, Li Yunfei walked in. To Tang Xiaohu's surprise, Zhao Xiaogang, the political commissar of the Independent Regiment, was following behind Li Yunfei.

"Political Commissar Zhao?" Tang Xiaohu exclaimed in surprise.

"Commander Tang, it's been a long time!" Political Commissar Zhao greeted him with a smile.

"Why did Political Commissar Zhao come here? Regiment Commander Li said you were stationed in the Independent Regiment, right?" Tang Xiaohu asked, puzzled.

"Commander Li told me about our current situation, so I immediately led the remaining troops of the Independent Regiment to provide support," Political Commissar Zhao explained.

"Thank you so much," Tang Xiaohu said quickly.

"Without further ado, let's quickly arrange our operation. The Japanese aren't giving us much time."

"Commander Li, Political Commissar Zhao, our militia has established blocking lines in three places: Lijia Gou, the Juma River area, and Sanjiaji."

"However, the militia has no extra troops to defend the 20-mile stretch from Lijia Gou to Juma River, so I request that our Independent Regiment slow down the Japanese advance along this section of the road," Tang Xiaohu pleaded.

“Okay, no problem, leave it to us. It’s just about slowing down the enemy’s march, right? We’re good at that.” Li Yunfei readily agreed.

"Battalion Commander Tang, I can't guarantee anything else, but our Independent Regiment can definitely delay the Japanese for four hours on this stretch of road," Political Commissar Zhao continued.

"That's great! Commander Li is in your hands now." Tang Xiaohu was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"No problem, then we'll take the troops there immediately to arrange the combat mission."

"Commander Li, wait a minute. I've prepared ammunition for you. Replenish your ammunition before you set off."

"Hahaha, I knew the militia was rich and powerful. We won't lose out by helping them." Li Yunfei said.

"Okay." Tang Xiaohu immediately saw Li Yunfei and the other person out.

"Communicator, notify the Second Company Commander, the Ninth Company Commander, and the Artillery Company Commander that they can come to me."

"Yes, battalion commander."

Before long, the three men, including the company commander, ran over.

"Battalion Commander, what new orders are there?"

"Proceed according to plan. The Second Company is on the right flank, and the Ninth Company is on the left flank."

"How's the second mine placement going?" Tang Xiaohu then asked.

"Battalion Commander, use all the weapons we brought this time. We'll blow those Japanese devils to smithereens."

"Okay, remember that the Japanese have engineers. When the time comes, aim and fire hard."

"Yes, battalion commander."

"How's the digging of the Jiulian car ditch going?"

"Battalion Commander, we dug a trench more than four meters deep and three meters wide. The Japanese trucks can only be driven into the trench by digging soil to fill it."

"it is good."

"Artillery company, take aim! If the Japanese send anyone to fill in the crater, blast them to smithereens!"

"Yes, battalion commander."

"Our mission this time is to slow down the Japanese advance in order to avoid direct conflict with them. We are facing nearly 300 enemies."

"Yes, battalion commander."

"Go back and make arrangements, and make sure to preserve your strength to the greatest extent possible."

"Yes, Battalion Commander." The three men then accepted the order and left.

In Sanjiaji, they also received an urgent order from Tang Weiguo.

"Reporting to Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, the Regiment Commander has sent an urgent telegram ordering you to command the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Companies of the 1st Battalion, as well as the Mountain Artillery Battalion, to immediately prepare for an attack on Sanjiaji."

"Okay, I will call back the commander immediately. Please rest assured, I will take the Hekou stronghold as soon as possible."

"Yes, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang."

"Staff Officer Sun, execute Operation Plan No. 3 immediately." Prior to this, Zhang Haoshan had formulated five contingency plans based on various possible scenarios on the battlefield, and this time he chose Plan No. 4, which was specifically designed for a rapid offensive.

"Yes, Deputy Commander, I will give the order immediately." Staff Officer Sun took the order and ran over.

"I haven't commanded any battles since the last Battle of Taiyuan. This time I must show the militia soldiers my face and let them know that I am a true deputy regimental commander. I can command an artillery battalion this time. I never fought such a rich battle when I was in the Sichuan Army."

At that moment, Zhang Haoshan secretly made up his mind that he must fight this battle brilliantly.

"Let's go!" Zhang Haoshan waved and marched forward with high spirits.

At the Hekou stronghold, Long Wenying led the transport troops to the stronghold.

"Reporting to the commander, our unit has arrived. The commander has ordered the next steps," Long Wenying reported to Tang Weiguo.

"Very good, 20 minutes ahead of schedule." Tang Weiguo praised Long Wenying, who looked travel-worn.

"The communications officer notifies the transport unit to rest for ten minutes, inspect the transport vehicles, and ensure there are no problems. Ten minutes later, all personnel shall depart immediately."

"After ordering the Fourth Company to immediately hand over the captured supplies to the transport unit, they should immediately lead a reconnaissance team to ensure that the transport unit can proceed smoothly without hindrance."

"Yes, Commander." The communications officer ran out immediately after receiving the order.

"Commander, what's the situation now? Should I go with the 4th Company?" Long Wenying asked with concern.

"Currently, a battalion of Japanese troops and a regiment of puppet troops are approaching the Hekou stronghold. Battalion Commander Tang Xiaohu has led the blocking force to establish a defensive line to block the Japanese troops coming to support the county town."

"So many people?" Long Wenying exclaimed involuntarily.

"Therefore, the situation is extremely critical. We are currently racing against time with the Japanese. The distance from the Hekou stronghold to the Sanjiji stronghold is about 80 kilometers. We must reach the Sanjiji stronghold tonight and successfully pass through back to Wolong Mountain." Tang Weiguo said with a serious expression.

"Commander, I'll check the convoy right away to make sure there are no problems during the transport."

"Okay, make sure there are no problems."

"Yes." Long Wenying accepted the order and left.

"Li Qin, what's the situation with each unit?"

"Reporting to the regimental commander, we just received a telegram from Battalion Commander Tang Xiaohu that the Japanese are about to arrive at Lijia Gou."

"Tell Tang Xiaohu that their mission is to slow down the Japanese reinforcements, and not to engage them in a direct confrontation."

"Yes, Commander." Li Qin immediately sent a telegram.

"How is the situation at Sanjiaji being handled by Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang?"

"Yes, Captain."