Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 204 Setting the Bait

"Yes, yes, I understand. Don't worry, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, I will definitely cooperate with Battalion Commander Tang to complete the air defense mission."

"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, I assure you, as long as the Japanese planes dare to come, our air defense battalion will definitely shoot them down," Wu Bai said confidently to Zhang Haoshan over the phone.

"Alright, the team leader and I will be waiting for your good news."

"Commander, I've already notified Battalion Commander Wu." After hanging up the phone, Zhang Haoshan turned to Tang Weiguo and reported.

"Yes, both of our air defense company's Madsen anti-aircraft guns are stationed in Tangjia Town. I can place high hopes on the air defense battalion. If they can shoot down a few more Japanese planes, we can really dampen the Japanese's spirit and provide strong support for the defense of Tangjia Town."

"If the situation in Tangjia Town is improved, our defense will be easier, and the Japanese will definitely be wary of our troops deployed in Tangjia Town."

"By the way, Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, could you keep an eye on things at the command post and then go to the front line? I'm still a little worried. The third line of defense is very important to us. If we lose it today, our subsequent defense will be very passive."

"Commander, let me go. The Japanese planes are flying overhead right now. It's too dangerous for you to go to the front lines," Zhang Haoshan said.

“The soldiers on the front lines are in even greater danger. Besides, I’m not going to personally go to the battlefield and fight the Japanese hand-to-hand. How dangerous can it be? This is settled then,” Tang Weiguo said resolutely.

"Cheng Shanshan, let's go." After saying that, Tang Weiguo called to Cheng Shanshan and walked outside.

"Yes."

"Hey, Commander."

Zhang Haoshan understood the commander's thoughts. The third line of defense was currently locked in a fierce battle, and Tang Weiguo's personal command would undoubtedly greatly boost the morale of the defending soldiers.

Zhang Haoshan wholeheartedly agreed with Tang Weiguo's decision to personally go to the front lines. Watching Tang Weiguo walk away, Zhang Haoshan suddenly smiled, turned around, walked to the phone, and dialed the number for the front lines.

"Hey, pick up Tang Dazhuang for me."

Zhang Haoshan waited a while and then heard Tang Dazhuang's voice coming from the telephone receiver.

"Deputy Commander Zhang, this is Tang Dazhuang. What are your orders?" Tang Dazhuang asked.

"Battalion Commander Tang, the regimental commander is heading in your direction to take command. You must ensure his safety."

"What! The commander is coming to the front lines?"

"Understood, Deputy Commander Zhang, I know what to do."

Before Zhang Haoshan could continue, Tang Dazhuang hung up the phone.

"Wow. This guy is more anxious than anyone else when he hears about the regimental commander. But with Tang Dazhuang around, we don't need to worry too much about the commander's safety."

"With the regimental commander stationed at the front line of Wolong Mountain and Tang Xiaohu in Tangjia Town, it seems I can relax today and just do some logistical work."

Thinking of this, Haoshan leisurely returned to his seat.

On the other end, upon hearing the phone ring and then hang up, Wu Bai put down the phone and smiled.

"Battalion Commander, do we finally have a mission? Yesterday we were watching the First Battalion fight the Japanese, and it got me really itching to join in," the company commander asked the smiling battalion commander.

"You guessed right. Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang just sent word that the Japanese have already sent planes to reinforce Wolong Mountain, so the regimental headquarters expects that there will definitely be Japanese planes reinforcing Tangjia Town as well."

"So, our air defense battalion's chance has come!" Wu Bai rubbed his hands excitedly.

This was the first time he had commanded troops to attack Japanese aircraft since the air defense battalion was established.

"Battalion Commander, tell me how we should fight. This time we must shoot down as many enemy planes as possible and show the Japanese the strength of our militia." The company commander was eager to try.

Recently, they have been practicing air defense day and night. In order to meet the battalion commander's requirements, their palms have become sore from sweating.

To ensure their air defense battalion met their training physical needs, their battalion commander even asked the regimental commander to approve an extra late-night snack. In this way, they finally mastered the Madsen anti-aircraft gun and how to conduct air defense operations in the shortest possible time.

Now it's finally their time to show their skills!

"First Company, Second Company, begin preparations for combat according to the planned schedule. I'll report to Battalion Commander Tang."

"Yes."

Just as Wu Bai finished speaking, the phone on the command post table rang.

"Hello, this is Wu Bai," Wu Bai said, stepping forward and picking up the phone.

"Battalion Commander Wu, this is Tang Xiaohu."

"Hello, Battalion Commander Tang, I just happened to be calling you to report on my work."

"Is it about the Japanese planes?"

"Commander Tang guessed right away; great minds think alike."

"I just spoke with Xiaolong. This time, we plan to use the artillery battalion as bait to lure the Japanese planes here. Your air defense battalion will hide and act as hunters."

"Commander Tang, that's what I was thinking too. Let the artillery battalion act as bait, and our air defense battalion will lie in ambush on the side to catch the Japanese warplanes off guard," Wu Bai said excitedly on the phone.

"Haha, it seems we've thought of the same thing. You should discuss with Tang Xiaolong how the artillery battalion should cooperate with you, and try to shoot down as many Japanese planes as possible."

"Battalion Commander Tang, no problem, leave it to me."

"Alright, the task of air defense in Tangjia Town is now in your hands."

"Battalion Commander Tang guarantees the mission will be completed. I will contact Battalion Commander Tang Xiaolong right now."

"Okay, I wish Battalion Commander Wu a great victory!" Tang Xiaohu said and then hung up the phone.

"Battalion Commander, how did it go?" Yao Xing asked as Tang Xiaohu hung up the phone.

"Everything is arranged. Everything is ready, we just need the right opportunity!"

"Officer Yao, do you hear the Japanese artillery fire stopping soon?" Tang Xiaohu heard the artillery fire outside gradually subside.

"Judging by the time, the Japanese shelling should be stopping soon," Yao Xing replied.

"Okay, notify all units to wait until our artillery barrage ends before launching the attack."

"Yes."

With the firing of the last Japanese shell, the Japanese bombardment came to an end.

After several rounds of shelling, it's now difficult to find a single intact house in Tangjia Town; everything has been reduced to ruins. Beams and wooden doors, set ablaze by the shelling, are still burning. No one would imagine that just yesterday this was a vibrant town.

"attack."

With the artillery fire ceasing, Aoki Kuroto returned to command of his troops and launched an attack.

This time, the Japanese troops again adopted the tactic of attacking Tangji Town in small squads. To avoid artillery fire from the local militia, Aoki Kuroto ordered the squads to maintain a distance from each other.

Behind the Japanese attacking force, Masatoshi Ikeda directed his engineers to follow the attacking troops at a distance.

"Colonel Matsukawa, Regiment Commander Sakai is calling. Our planes are expected to arrive at the battlefield in 20 minutes."

"I see."

"Pass this message on to Aoki-kun, and tell him to control the pace of the attack and make sure to draw the enemy's artillery to attack before our planes arrive."

"Hay."

Aoki Kuroto, who was directing the battle, received a message from Matsukawa Maki.

"The plane will arrive in 20 minutes? There's no sign of enemy artillery fire yet. I need to change my tactics," Aoki Kuroto thought to himself.

"Order the Second Company to immediately form a diamond formation and advance directly into Tangjia Town. The Fourth Company shall maintain its current operations for the time being."

"Hai." Aoki Kuroto issued the new order.

"In addition, order the Second Company to retreat immediately upon encountering artillery fire."

"Hay."

The Japanese soldiers of the Second Company quickly penetrated into Tangjia Town.