Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 216 Battle Plan

"Let me continue with our objective for this operation: the Japanese army's supply depot," Xu Bo said.

"The Japanese supply depot is the most important part of their defense. This is a firepower deployment map of the Japanese supply depot. Please take a look." As he spoke, Xu Bo unfolded a defense map of the Japanese supply depot that he was carrying with him in front of the group.

"In order to ensure the safety of the military supply warehouse, the Japanese built two four-story bunkers nearby, and each bunker was defended by more than 30 Japanese soldiers. Each bunker was equipped with at least four heavy machine guns, not counting the Type 96 light machine guns."

"The Japanese have disguised these two bunkers to the teeth, so if we can't take these two bunkers, it will be almost impossible for us to break into the enemy's armory."

"Look around the supply depot again. It's completely surrounded by various firing positions. After our intelligence department's reconnaissance, we found almost no weak points in the Japanese defenses, which is not good news for us."

"Xu Bo, do you mean we can only take the direct attack route?" Niu Dali asked.

"Yes, it seems that we have no choice but to launch a direct attack!" Xu Bo nodded and said.

"Besides this problem, we have another crucial issue: our intelligence department has no way to infiltrate the Japanese army's supply depot."

"The Japanese guards were too tight. Only Japanese soldiers were allowed to enter the military supply depot. Our intelligence department tried everything, but we still couldn't infiltrate it."

"Therefore, the internal defenses of the Japanese supply depot will be the biggest risk in this battle, which requires our troops attacking the Japanese supply depot to be adaptable to the situation," Xu Bo continued.

"Battalion Commander Niu, Regiment Commander Li, this is basically the situation with the Japanese in the county town right now."

"Thank you for your hard work, Intelligence Department. It's already quite an achievement to obtain such detailed intelligence," Niu Dali praised.

"Thank you for the compliment, Battalion Commander Niu."

"Commander Li, this is my plan: we will split into two groups. I will lead them into the county town and then directly attack the Japanese army's supply depot."

“Although the Japanese have built bunkers, I brought a Type 92 infantry gun this time, which is enough to deal with the threat. As for the other firepower points, my mortar company is also confident that it can take down the Japanese supply depot.” Niu Dali thought for a moment and said to Li Yunfei beside him.

"Alright, I, Lao Li, won't compete with you for this task," Li Yunfei said after thinking for a moment.

Li Yunfei pondered to himself that if it were their independent regiment attacking the Japanese supply depot, given the Japanese's current firepower, they might not be able to take it down.

Even if they could actually capture the Japanese army's supply depot, they would inevitably suffer very heavy casualties. So Li Yunfei thought about it for a moment and then nodded in agreement to Niu Dali's arrangement.

He had extraordinary confidence in Niu Dali's reconnaissance battalion.

"Battalion Commander Niu, what about the mission of our Independent Regiment?"

"Commander Li, your Independent Regiment is responsible for dealing with the Japanese and puppet troops at the remaining city gates, as well as the Japanese stationed at the Military Police Headquarters, ensuring that they cannot provide timely support to the Japanese at the ammunition depot."

"The rest of the Japanese devils will be handled by our Independent Regiment," Li Yunfei said confidently.

Taking down the Japanese army's supply depots was difficult for them, but dealing with other Japanese soldiers and puppet troops was a piece of cake for him.

"Once you have dealt with all the Japanese soldiers, immediately meet me at the arms depot and we will transfer the Japanese supplies together."

"The regimental commander has ordered these supplies to be transferred to your independent regiment's base first. We'll need your personnel to assist, Commander Li," Niu Dali said.

"Don't worry, I arranged a place to hide the supplies after receiving Commander Tang's notification," Li Yunfei replied.

"I will personally oversee the transfer of supplies. I wonder who will be in charge of this transfer?" Political Commissar Zhao asked.

“It’s your old acquaintance, Director Bi Shoucai. He’s secretly leading the logistics team over and is expected to arrive at 2 a.m. to join us,” Niu Dali said.

"Then there's no problem with this cooperation," Political Commissar Zhao said with a smile. He and Bi Shoucai had worked together several times before and were familiar with each other's working styles.

His collaboration with Bi Shoucai could achieve a result greater than the sum of its parts. At this moment, Political Commissar Zhao was already eager to meet with Bi Shoucai.

"Commander Li, is there anything else you would like to know?"

"Do you have a spare map of the county town for me?" Li Yunfei asked, pointing to the map on the table.

"Yes, this one is specially prepared for you." Xu Bo, standing next to Niu Dali, took out another map from his bag.

"Thank you, Battalion Commander Niu. I'll go back to the Independent Regiment first to arrange the specific combat plan," Li Yunfei said.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Commander Li."

"Battalion Commander Niu, please let me know as soon as possible when Director Bi arrives to join us. I need to discuss the specific transportation plan with him."

"no problem."

"Battalion Commander Niu, we'll take our leave now. We'll be there anytime if anything comes up," Political Commissar Zhao said.

"Okay, I'll ask you all to come over and discuss any new developments."

"Well, Battalion Commander Niu, farewell!" Political Commissar Zhao said before leaving Tang Dali's command post with Li Yunfei.

"Xu Bo, inform your Captain Sun Qiang that after your intelligence team completes the city gate operation, you should immediately search the residences of the Japanese collaborators and traitors that you previously investigated."

"The commander specifically emphasized that we must conduct a thorough search and confiscate their ill-gotten gains."

"Yes."

"What's the situation at the Japanese county hospital?" Niu Dali asked.

"The Japanese county hospital was right next to the military police headquarters, so there weren't many troops stationed there."

"The wounded Japanese soldiers who attacked our militia's garrison are now being treated in the Japanese county hospital. Our intelligence department estimates that there are at least 400 Japanese soldiers."

"In that case, once Commander Li and his men attack the Japanese military police headquarters, I will send a platoon to reinforce you and attack the Japanese hospital together."

"We must eliminate this group of wounded Japanese soldiers. The Eighth Route Army has a policy of treating prisoners of war well. If they occupy the hospital, they will not take any action against these wounded Japanese soldiers."

"But our militia doesn't have so many rules. Being merciful to the Japanese is being cruel to us."

"Understood. I will not let any wounded Japanese soldier leave the Japanese hospital alive."

Xu Bo's eyes flashed with hatred. His parents had both died at the hands of the Japanese soldiers, leaving only him and his sister to depend on each other for survival. He harbored a deep and unforgettable hatred for the Japanese.

"In addition, as for the doctors and nurses of the Japanese hospital, tie them up and escort them back to Wolong Mountain together."

"Yes, I understand."

"Alright, the specifics of how to proceed are up to your intelligence department."

"Yes, Battalion Commander Niu, I will contact Captain Sun Qiang immediately."

“Go ahead,” Niu Dali nodded and said.