Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 128 Difficult Resistance

"Battalion Commander, come over here quickly, it's safe here," the artillery company commander shouted as he saw Tang Xiaohu and his group running toward the artillery position.

"You guys are alright!" Tang Xiaohu exclaimed in surprise when he saw the artillery company all safely sheltered to the side.

"Battalion Commander, thank goodness I ran early, otherwise our company would have been wiped out here." The artillery company commander had a look of relief on his face. It was during artillery training earlier that the instructors had warned them that the Japanese artillery fire was powerful, and that they should immediately move to a new position after a round of shelling.

No sooner had he moved to a new position than the Japanese artillery fire arrived; any later and he would have been killed.

"Great!" Tang Xiaohu patted the artillery company commander hard.

"I'm relieved that you're all alright. Now, go to the new artillery position immediately and await my orders. In the next round of enemy attack, do not launch an attack. Hide and create the illusion that all your artillery has been wiped out."

"Wait for the Japanese to launch another attack, and give them a big surprise." Tang Xiaohu said with a sneer.

"Yes, Battalion Commander, don't worry."

"Alright, get ready quickly. After the next shelling, fire all the shells and then retreat immediately. We can't hold out for that long."

"Yes, battalion commander."

"Everyone else, come back with me." Tang Xiaohu led everyone back to the front line to continue fighting.

"Communicator, inform the Second and Ninth Companies that there is no artillery support for this defense, so be careful."

"Yes, battalion commander."

After the Japanese artillery bombarded the militia positions from back to front, Gou Dongxi, under the orders of Commander Ikeda, once again commanded the puppet army regiment to launch an attack.

"Brothers, charge! Kill one enemy soldier and I'll reward you with ten silver dollars!" Gou Dongxi shouted repeatedly in his ranks. Hearing Gou Dongxi's shout, the morale of the puppet army soldiers was immediately boosted, and they charged towards the militia's defensive positions.

"Kill! Kill! My dollars!" the puppet troops shouted as they charged.

They were warmly greeted by hot bullets spraying from the gun barrels of the militia.

"Grenadier squad, aim at the enemy's heavy firepower and fire hard!" As the 2nd Company Commander spoke, he threw a grenade into the densely packed group of puppet troops, killing five or six of them. The puppet troops behind him, undeterred, continued their attack on the militia's defensive positions. For a time, the soldiers of the 2nd and 9th Companies faced a difficult battle.

"Battalion Commander, why don't we get the artillery company involved in the battle? The Ninth Company looks like it's about to collapse," the deputy battalion commander suggested to Tang Xiaohu.

Within the battalion's order of battle, the 1st Company is the strongest, while the 9th Company is the weakest due to its low proportion of veterans. In a favorable situation, these weaknesses are not apparent, but they become magnified in an unfavorable one.

The Second Company's position remained steadfast in the face of the enemy's attack, but the Ninth Company's position was already in grave danger.

"No, we can't use the artillery company this round." Deputy Battalion Commander, you take the guard platoon to support the Ninth Company.

"Battalion Commander, this is our last remaining force!"

"I know, but maintaining the front line is the priority. Obey orders and carry them out immediately."

"Yes, battalion commander!"

"Guard platoon, follow me." The deputy battalion commander led the guard platoon toward the Ninth Company's position.

"Telegraph operator, prepare to send a message."

"Yes."

With the help of the guard platoon, the soldiers of the Ninth Company stabilized the defensive line and once again drove back the attacking puppet troops.

"Deputy Battalion Commander, it's all my fault for being useless, making the Battalion Commander mobilize the guard platoon so early." The Ninth Company Commander slammed his fist hard on the mound of earth on the trench in frustration.

"Alright, the battalion commander knows the strength of your company. You have too few veterans. The fact that you've held out this long is beyond the battalion commander's expectations. There's no need to be so downcast. Immediately organize the soldiers to defend."

"Yes, Deputy Battalion Commander, I know what to do."

"First platoon leader, come with me to inspect the position."

"Yes, Captain."

Gou Dongxi commanded the puppet army regiment to launch several assaults on the high ground on both sides of the transportation route, with battalion-level units, but failed to capture the two high grounds held by the militia. The left flank was about to be breached, but was repelled by a sudden enemy force. Gou Dongxi was so angry that he shouted in a fit of impotence.

Seeing that this new offensive had still failed to capture the enemy's position, Gou Dongxi had no choice but to slink away to Ikeda Masaki and humbly report in a low voice:

"Reporting to Commander, your subordinate is incompetent and has been unable to capture the enemy's position for a long time. Please punish me."

Gou Dongxi broke out in a cold sweat looking at the stern-faced Ikeda Masakatsu, fearing that he might be shot if he was displeased. The image of Ikeda Masakatsu executing the treacherous collaborators in front of him was still vivid in his mind.

"Haha, Gou-san, you're incredibly amazing!" Ikeda Maken suddenly laughed and said to Gou Dongxi, startling Gou Dongxi into taking a step back.

"The performance of the puppet army this time exceeded my expectations. Gou Sang, you did a great job." Ikeda Maken patted Gou Dongxi on the shoulder.

"Thank you, thank you, Commander," Gou Dongxi said hesitantly.

"Alright, your puppet troops can retreat now. The rest is up to our Imperial Army," Ikeda Maken ordered.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander."

Gou Dongxi turned around, carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Survived!"

"Brothers, retreat!" Gou Dongxi arrived at the front line and raised his arm to call out, ordering the puppet army to retreat.

"Battalion Commander, the puppet troops have withdrawn."

"This is not good news for us. The next wave will probably be the Japanese themselves taking action," Tang Xiaohu sighed.

"Deputy Battalion Commander, how long have we been holding them off here?"

"We've been holding them off here for two and a half hours," the deputy battalion commander said, glancing at his watch.

"I planned to hold them off here for four hours, but it seems I won't be able to do that."

"Deputy Battalion Commander, immediately organize the soldiers to move the wounded to the rear. We will retreat immediately after the next wave of attacks."

"Yes, Battalion Commander, I'll get ready right away."

"Notify the artillery to fire immediately. The first company will attack in 10 minutes," Masatoshi Ikeda ordered.

"Yes, Commander," the staff officer replied after receiving the order.

"Take cover! Take cover!" Tang Xiaohu shouted again as the Japanese artillery fire resumed.

As the Japanese artillery fire ceased, Tang Xiaohu once again rallied his soldiers to reorganize the defense.

"Battalion Commander, the Japanese devils are coming up this time."

"Yeah, I knew it."

"Notify the artillery battalion to open fire immediately after I fire, and use up all the shells."

"Yes."

"Let the Japanese get close and fire. Concentrate your light machine gun fire, find a target and fire hard."

"Yes, battalion commander."

Seeing the Japanese soldiers getting closer and closer, Tang Xiaohu decisively ordered an attack.

"beat!"