Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 267 Blocking Line

"Dali, what's the situation in the city now?" Tang Xiaohu, who had just arrived from outside Lingshui County, asked.

"Currently, our reconnaissance team is advancing into the county town. The Japanese resistance is very strong, and we are engaged in fierce street fighting with them, almost fighting them room by room."

"Our current pace of progress is far slower than we anticipated before the war," Niu Dali said.

"It seems the Japanese are trying to buy us time through street fighting. I just received a notice from the brigade headquarters when I arrived that the Japanese battalions stationed in Yangshou County and Shanghu County have been mobilized!" Tang Xiaohu told him the news he had just received from the brigade headquarters.

"How could it be so fast? The Japanese sent reinforcements so quickly!" Niu Dali said in surprise.

"According to intelligence, the Japanese discovered our operational intentions before our attack, so they were already preparing to mobilize troops to support Lingshui County."

"What the Japanese didn't expect was that they received the intelligence too late. They had just started mobilizing their troops when we launched our attack!" Tang Xiaohu said with a look of relief.

"No wonder the Japanese in the city took action ahead of time. Fortunately, the Japanese received the intelligence about our attack on Lingshui County too late." Niu Dali also looked relieved.

"Yes, intelligence that arrives late isn't intelligence at all. This time, God was on our side. If the Japanese had received this intelligence half a day earlier, the consequences would have been unimaginable," Tang Xiaohu said with lingering fear.

“Yes, if the Japanese really got the news half a day in advance, then we would have to abandon our plan to attack Lingshui County. We can’t take such a big risk to attack a county heavily guarded by the Japanese.” Niu Dali suddenly thought of Lingshui County, which was heavily guarded by the Japanese, and shook his head.

"Dali, we've now entered Lingshui County!" Tang Xiaohu stomped his foot hard on the cobblestone path.

"So, the timing and the location are already on our side. Now it's up to us to take Lingshui County as soon as possible. Moreover, taking Lingshui County quickly will also relieve the pressure on our brother units," Tang Xiaohu said.

“That’s right.” Niu Dali nodded in agreement.

"Dali, let's split up and attack the town from both sides. I've already sent the artillery over to assist in the attack."

"Okay, then let's meet in the middle of the county town."

"Okay." After saying that, Tang Xiaohu and Niu Dali each led their troops to continue the attack on the Japanese!

On the other side, along the road from Yangshou County to Lingshui County, Tang Dazhuang, with the cooperation of the local Eighth Route Army guerrillas, had already built one blocking line after another.

"Captain Wang, you don't need to participate in this battle for now. Wait until we can't hold on any longer before you go to the battlefield," Tang Dazhuang advised Wang Qing, the captain of the Eighth Route Army's Yangshou County Brigade, who was eager to join the fight.

"Commander Tang, how can we Eighth Route Army be left out in the fight against the Japanese? Commander Tang, no matter what you say, our Yangshou County Brigade must participate in the battle." Wang Qing said with a determined look.

Seeing Wang Qing's resolute expression, Tang Dazhuang had no choice but to relent and say something.

"Alright, our Independent Brigade welcomes you to join the battle, but there's only one requirement: you must obey our Independent Brigade's orders!"

"Commander Tang, no problem, we will resolutely obey Commander Tang's orders." Wang Qing said with a look of assurance.

"it is good."

"Captain Wang!"

"arrive."

"I order your unit and my 1st Company of the 3rd Battalion to stand by as reserves," Tang Dazhuang issued the order.

"Ah, Commander Tang, our county brigade has applied to be deployed to the front lines!" Wang Qing was immediately unhappy when he heard that he was to be assigned to the reserve team.

"Captain Wang, you promised to obey orders," Tang Dazhuang retorted.

"This..." Wang Qing didn't know how to refute it for a moment.

"Alright. Commander Tang, our county brigade will resolutely obey orders." After saying this, Wang Qing deflated like a punctured balloon, hanging his head dejectedly.

"Captain Wang, don't be discouraged, you'll have your chance to play." Tang Dazhuang patted Wang Qing's arm.

"Really?" Wang Qing's eyes lit up when he heard Tang Dazhuang's words.

“That’s right,” Tang Dazhuang said with a smile.

"That's great! Our county brigade will now await Commander Tang's orders!" Wang Qing said excitedly.

"Okay." Tang Dazhuang nodded.

"Commander Tang, I'll go prepare." With that, Wang Qing left.

As Tang Dazhuang watched Wang Qing's departing figure, he couldn't help but think that although the Eighth Route Army was poorly equipped, their fighting spirit and will were something the Nationalist Army should really learn from.

"Ring ring, ring ring." Just then, the phone rang.

"Hello, this is Tang Dazhuang," Tang Dazhuang said as he walked over and took the phone.

"Commander, we've spotted the Japanese soldiers. They're less than a kilometer from our forward positions," the battalion commander reported.

"Okay, get ready for battle, I'm coming right now." Tang Dazhuang shouted after hanging up the phone.

"Squad leader of the guard platoon, come with me to the First Battalion for a look."

"Yes."

When Tang Dazhuang arrived, the First Battalion had already engaged the Japanese in battle.

The intense sound of gunfire shattered the silence of the night. The flames from the bullets spitting from the muzzles flickered incessantly in the darkness, like the starry sky, beautiful yet deadly.

"The Japanese are fighting fiercely." Niu Dali rushed to the First Battalion Command Post amidst Japanese artillery fire.

"Commander, it's too dangerous here. You go to the rear first. I'll take care of things here," the battalion commander said as soon as Tang Dazhuang arrived.

"This is nothing, I've encountered far more dangerous situations than this," Tang Dazhuang waved his hand dismissively.

"I heard a faint sound just now. The Japanese have deployed at least one and a half companies in this attack," Tang Dazhuang said.

"That's right, Battalion Commander. This time, the Japanese didn't play by the rules. They launched a strong attack right away. If we hadn't been prepared in advance, the Japanese would have really broken through our lines," said the battalion commander.

"It looks like the Japanese have received a death order; they must support Lingshui County," Tang Dazhuang said.

"Yes."

"What is the situation regarding troop casualties?" Tang Dazhuang asked.

"The position defended by the First Company was a key target for the Japanese attack, so the First Company suffered heavy casualties. I have ordered them to withdraw and be replaced by the Third Company," the battalion commander reported.

"Yes, that's fine. We need to be careful to preserve our regiment's strength and minimize casualties. This time, our regiment has built enough defensive lines. We'll use space to buy time and fight the Japanese layer by layer," Tang Dazhuang said.

"Yes, Commander, I understand," the battalion commander said.

"Mm." Tang Dazhuang nodded.

After inspecting the position, Tang Dazhuang left the front line and returned to the command post in the rear.

"Communicator."

"arrive."

"Notify the brigade headquarters that we have engaged in combat with the Japanese reinforcements from Yangshou County. The Japanese are attacking fiercely, and we are currently using the terrain to our advantage to launch a series of counterattacks."

"Yes."