Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 74 Lure the enemy deeper

"How's the progress, Political Commissar Zhao?" Tang Weiguo asked, feeling like he was racing against time.

"Commander Tang, there's only one last batch of supplies left. We expect to get through Liushan Gully in about half an hour," Zhao Xiaogang replied.

"Good, I'm relieved that the losing team has passed through Liushangou." Tang Weiguo breathed a sigh of relief.

"Political Commissar Zhao, let's immediately begin preparing the ambush positions. My militia will be responsible for the frontal ambush, and your independent regiment will be responsible for the ambush on the eastern flank," Tang Weiguo said.

“I have no objection to this arrangement,” Zhao Xiaogang said. He knew that the Independent Regiment’s combat strength was not as good as Tang Weiguo’s militia, so being responsible for the flank was the most suitable option.

"Communicator, immediately notify Regiment Commander Li to retreat. Upon reaching Liushan Gully, immediately rendezvous with the Independent Regiment's ambush position on the east side. Inform Company Commander Wu to continue cooperating with the Independent Regiment's operation."

"Yes, Commander." A communications officer next to Tang Weiguo quickly left.

"Let's set up an ambush here in Liushan Gully and let the Japanese devils know that we are not easy to bully," Tang Weiguo said domineeringly.

"Today, I will fight alongside you against the Japanese pirates." Zhao Xiaogang's eyes were also filled with fighting spirit.

"Commander Tang, I'll make the arrangements right away," Zhao Xiaogang said before leaving.

"Correspondent, notify a battalion commander to come to my place for a meeting."

"Yes, Captain."

Before long, Tang Xiaohu and his group arrived at Tang Weiguo's place.

"Have the troops been reorganized?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Reporting to the regimental commander, the troops have completed reorganization and are now taking the time to rest, preparing to fight the Japanese devils again."

"How is the team's casualty situation?" Tang Weiguo asked immediately afterward.

"Nearly one-third of the personnel in each battalion have been lost."

"I understand," Tang Weiguo said, a hint of sadness in his voice. One general's success is built on the bones of countless others, and as these vibrant lives were sacrificed one after another before Tang Weiguo's eyes, his heart grew heavy. This was a critical moment, so Tang Weiguo temporarily suppressed his grief and composed himself, saying:

"Attention everyone, we are about to have a tough battle to fight. To ensure the complete safety of the transport troops, we need to ambush the Japanese pursuit force here. The Japanese are coming soon, and I will give you the instructions immediately."

"Captain, just tell me how to fight," Tang Xiaohu said directly.

"Look at this." Tang Weiguo picked up a twig and drew the terrain of Liushan Gully on the ground.

"Xiaohu, Dazhuang, your two battalions are responsible for the ambush mission on the front. The terrain in Liujiagou is relatively spacious. I estimate that the Japanese can deploy two companies to carry out the attack. Your two battalions are the main force of our militia. The important task of blocking the Japanese on the front is entrusted to you."

"Commander, no problem. We've fought against Japanese companies before." Tang Xiaohu had a fearless expression.

Upon hearing Tang Xiaohu's words, Tang Weiguo immediately spoke seriously:

"All the battalion commanders here must be responsible for the soldiers under their command. Do not be negligent. You must all be serious about fighting the enemy. I do not want any accidents to happen here. Do not let your command mistakes cause the sacrifice of soldiers."

"Yes, Commander, we will be careful when facing the enemy." Tang Xiaohu and the others replied seriously with serious expressions.

"The Independent Regiment is responsible for the east side, and Li Debao's Third Battalion is responsible for the ambush mission on the west side," Tang Weiguo continued, assigning tasks.

"Yes, Captain."

"Zhou Liansheng, your 4th Battalion should serve as the reserve force and be ready to provide support at any time."

"Yes, Captain."

"What questions does everyone have?"

"no problem."

"Alright, everyone, prepare immediately according to the plan and set up an ambush position on the spot."

"Yes, Captain."

On the way to Liushangou, Li Yunfei fought and retreated. The harassment of the Japanese marching column by a company that Li Yunfei had sent out earlier had no effect. The Japanese had set aside a separate force to defend against them, and the 1st Battalion of Li Yunfei's Independent Regiment was fighting with great difficulty. Led by a suicide squad, the Japanese broke through Li Yunfei's defensive line layer by layer.

"Zhou Zheng-biao, what's the situation regarding casualties in the team?"

"Commander, the unit has suffered more than half its casualties. What should we do, commander? Retreat immediately?"

"No, we can't retreat without Commander Li's orders. Even if we're wiped out, we have to buy enough time for the supply troops in the rear. With these supplies, our independent regiment can grow stronger."

"Commander, you retreat first. Leave this to me. Our Independent Regiment can do without me, but it cannot do without you as its commander. First Platoon Leader, tie up the commander and get him safely back to the rear."

"Bullshit! You think I, the regimental commander, would desert? No way! If you dare to tie me up, I'll break your legs."

"When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail. I am not convinced that I cannot stop these little devils," Li Yunfei said menacingly.

"Now I'm giving you all a chance. Those who are afraid of dying, retreat. Those who are not afraid of dying, stay here and fight the Japanese devils with me."

"We swear to follow our commander to the death." At this moment, not a single remaining soldier of the Independent Regiment left.

"Good, as expected of the soldiers of our Independent Regiment, not a single one of them is a coward."

"Commander, the Japanese are coming up again."

"Prepare to attack." Just as Li Yunfei gave the order to attack, ready to fight the Japanese to the death, the militia's communications officer ran over breathlessly and hurriedly said this to Li Yunfei.

"Commander Li, Commander Tang says the blocking mission is complete, please retreat immediately."

"This order came just in time, comrades, let's retreat."

"Zhou Zheng-biao, how many grenades do we have left?"

"The regimental commander still has more than 20."

"Alright, set up booby traps everywhere. We should leave the Japanese with a little surprise before we leave."

"Yes, Captain."

"Also, when you retreat, catch some Japanese devils for me, catch them in Liushan Gully. Don't prepare a big meal for the little devils."

"Commander, don't worry, I guarantee the mission will be completed."

After saying this, Li Yunfei led the Independent Regiment soldiers to retreat quickly, leaving only Zhou Zhengbiao with a squad of soldiers to set up booby traps as they retreated.

Upon receiving orders from his regimental commander, Wu Shui, who was in the rear, immediately fired mortar shells to cover the Independent Regiment's retreat.

"Attention all platoons, fire freely, empty your shells immediately, and retreat immediately," Wu Shui ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

After the militia's artillery company ran out of mortar shells, it quickly retreated to join Li Yunfei's team and headed towards Liushangou.

"Not good, the enemy is retreating. Order the troops to advance." Chief of Staff Jersey keenly sensed the change on the battlefield.

"Yes, Chief of Staff." The attacking Japanese company quickly chased after Li Yunfei in the direction he had retreated.

"Commander, the enemy is preparing to flee. I have already ordered the troops to intensify their pursuit," Chief of Staff Jersey reported.

"Hmph, a bunch of rats who only know how to run away. Notify the team, and make sure I devour them before dawn," Fujino Kiichi said contemptuously.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander."

Zhou Zheng-biao and his men, who were desperately retreating ahead, heard the sporadic explosions coming from behind and knew that the Japanese had stepped on the booby traps they had just laid.

"You damn brat, you deserve to go see the King of Hell for chasing after me!" Zhou Zhengbiao cursed.

"Comrades, slow down. We're almost at Liushan Gully. We need to leave the Japanese devils trailing behind us."

"Yes, battalion commander."