Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 202 Japanese Reinforcements

The next day, before dawn, Shen Lei received a message from the Fourth Company and hurriedly went to the command post. At that moment, Tang Xiaohu was holding a bowl, drinking porridge with pickled vegetables.

"Deputy Battalion Commander Shen, you're up so early. Come and have a bowl of hot porridge to warm yourself up," Tang Xiaohu said warmly.

"Deputy Battalion Commander Shen, this bowl is for you." Yao Xing said as he handed the bowl to Shen Lei.

"Thanks, Staff Officer Yao." Shen Lei took the bowl and started drinking.

"It feels so good. A bowl of hot porridge has warmed me up. I'm not cold anymore."

"Shen Lei, why are you rushing around so early in the morning, like your pants are on fire? Is there some emergency?" Tang Xiaohu asked, putting down his bowl.

"There's something going on, but it's about the Japanese camp. Battalion Commander, you're amazing! Sure enough, the Japanese were lying in ambush outside the camp last night."

"Just now, the fourth company commander sent over intelligence. Their reconnaissance this morning revealed that there weren't many Japanese troops inside the tents in the camp. Instead, a large number of fully armed Japanese troops, estimated to be over 1000, were lying in ambush outside the camp."

"The battalion commander is really something, he ruined the Japanese plan so easily," Yao Xing said, giving a thumbs up.

"The Japanese devils have suffered losses at our hands time and time again. Even a pig would know to try to set a trap for us, let alone these little devils," Tang Xiaohu explained.

"Therefore, we should not take the initiative to attack without complete certainty. When we do attack, we must strike decisively and secure victory in one fell swoop!"

"Yes, Battalion Commander, we have learned something."

"Any further developments with the Japanese?"

"There's another very important piece of intelligence: the Fourth Company also observed that two more Japanese companies were reinforcing them from the direction of Sanjiaji," Shen Lei recounted the situation from this morning.

"Battalion Commander, it seems the Japanese won't give up until they take us down!" Yao Xing said.

"When soldiers come, we'll meet them head-on; when the Japanese come to reinforce, we'll fight our own battle."

"Battalion Commander, the surface of Tangjia Town has been basically destroyed. It's practically impossible for us to fight like we did yesterday."

"Moreover, our artillery has been exposed. Given the Japanese's nature, they will definitely take action against our artillery. Today's battle will be difficult."

"Even if it's difficult, we have to find a way to fight. There are many of us, so let's pool our wisdom. As the saying goes, three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. Let's three of us think about it carefully," Tang Xiaohu said.

"Let's take a look at the map."

Tang Xiaohu stood up and walked to another table, on which was a defense map of Tangjia Town.

"Now that the Japanese have discovered our tunnels, they will definitely continue digging today. Our tunnels are all over Tangjia Town. It will take the Japanese ten days to half a month to dig them all out."

"Moreover, our soldiers are currently mostly in the second level of the tunnels, making it even more difficult for the Japanese to find us by digging."

"Therefore, I think we can repair the tunnel entrances that have been destroyed by the bomb, and then the troops can operate in squads to launch surprise attacks on the Japanese troops entering Tangjia Town using these tunnel entrances," Tang Xiaohu said, pointing to the map.

"Battalion Commander, I think we need to find a way to lure the Japanese into the tunnels. We've dug four layers of tunnels, which should be enough to hold off the Japanese in the tunnels," Shen Lei said.

"Battalion Commander, I think we can use the tunnels leading out of the town to move the reserve forces out and harass the Japanese from the outside, diverting their attention and creating a greater opportunity for the troops remaining in Tangjia Town," Yao Xing said.

"Is it too early to mobilize the reserve force now?" Shen Lei asked.

"We can't spare any troops for defense now, so we have to use our reserves."

"Alright, let's do as Staff Officer Yao says. We'll have the First and Second Companies lead their troops in a flanking attack around Tangji Town, creating the illusion that they are our reinforcements, and continuously putting pressure on the Japanese." Tang Xiaohu thought for a moment and agreed to Yao Xing's suggestion.

"Deputy Battalion Commander Shen, you will organize each company to fight the Japanese in squads. Remember to fight and withdraw immediately, and move with the battle."

"Yes."

"As for the tunnel entrance, repair it as quickly as possible."

"Yes."

"Let's get started."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Aoki Kuroto, who had waited all night in the cold wind, was dumbfounded to find no enemy positions. He had endured the freezing cold for nothing. With dark circles under his eyes and a long face, Aoki Kuroto returned to the command post.

“Damn it, this Chinese army is incredibly cunning! They didn’t fall for it.” Aoki said to Matsukawa Maki as soon as he returned to the command post.

“Aoki-kun, this Chinese army is quite cautious.”

"I, Aoki, will avenge the great loss I suffered yesterday!"

"Aoki-kun, Regiment Commander Sakai has already sent Ikeda-kun with two squadrons to support us, and there will be aircraft to support us today to destroy the enemy's artillery."

"Great! We suffered a loss because of the enemy's artillery yesterday. Once the enemy's artillery is destroyed by the planes, the remaining militia forces will be no threat!" Aoki Kuroto regained his confidence after hearing Matsukawa's words.

"Report, Your Excellencies, Colonel Ikeda has arrived with reinforcements." At this moment, Staff Officer Yashi walked in from outside and said.

"Aoki-kun, let's go greet him," Matsukawa Maki said hurriedly.

"No need to greet me, I'm here." Masatoshi Ikeda's voice rang out from outside the tent, and then he walked in.

"Ikeda-kun, you must have had a hard time getting here so early in the morning."

"It's all for carrying out the mission. I heard from Regiment Commander Sakai that the battle situation here is not good, so he specifically asked me to lead the troops to provide support. Moreover, most of the reinforcements I brought this time are engineers, specifically for dealing with the enemy's tunnels."

"This is great!"

“Ikeda-kun, we suffered a great loss to the Chinese army yesterday, with more than half of our troops killed or wounded. Last night, I devised a plan to lure this Chinese force into attacking our camp, but they didn’t fall for it.”

"Just as Ikeda-kun said, this unit is extremely cunning."

"Ikeda-kun, it's so great that you could come to help this time!" Aoki Kuroto said with a hint of excitement.

"Aoki-kun, I understand how you feel. This time, the three of us must work together to wipe out this force and avenge our defeat!"

"it is good."

"Aoki-kun, Ikeda-kun, your two units should rest for now. How about we launch an attack at noon today?"

"Yes, let the soldiers rest well," Aoki Kuroto nodded.

Before long, it was noon. The Japanese soldiers attacking Tangjia Town were ready for battle and were just waiting for the order to attack.

"Aoki-kun, the mission for this operation is to lure out the enemy's artillery. I have already reported the operation time to Regiment Commander Sakai. It is estimated that our planes will come to our aid in an hour."

"Okay, leave it to me."

"Ikeda-kun, I'll trouble you to lead the engineering corps to dig as many enemy tunnels as possible. We need to sabotage them and reduce their operational space."

"Okay, leave it to me."

"Begin the shelling now. Attack in 20 minutes."

"it is good."

"Begin the bombardment!"

With a command from Matsukawa Maki, the Type 92 infantry gun, which had been silent all night, started firing again.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom."

A barrage of artillery fire erupted once again on the battlefield in Tangjia Town.