Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 119 The Japanese Countermeasures

"This Niu Dali is quite impressive. His infantry-artillery coordination is quite impressive." Tang Weiguo praised with satisfaction as he watched the reconnaissance battalion demonstrate their infantry-artillery coordination tactics.

Although the reconnaissance battalion's infantry-artillery coordination tactics looked somewhat immature and had many shortcomings, this was, after all, their first actual combat. It was a small step for the reconnaissance battalion and a giant leap for their militia.

"Staff Officer Long, after this operation, we need to thoroughly summarize the experience gained in this infantry-artillery coordination tactic. I want to promote it throughout the regiment and have the entire regiment learn from the reconnaissance battalion."

"Yes, Commander, I guarantee the mission will be completed," Long Wenying assured.

"Good, it looks like the battle will be over soon." Tang Weiguo saw through his binoculars that the vanguard of the reconnaissance battalion had joined up with Niu Dali and was dividing and encircling the remaining Japanese soldiers.

"Commander, it seems we have achieved our core objective in this battle."

"Great, now it's finally my turn as the Minister of Transportation to take action." Tang Weiguo was in high spirits as he watched the reconnaissance battalion successfully capture the Xiaoqingshan mine, and he joked to himself.

"Haha, the commander is joking."

"Communicator, order the logistics troops to accompany me to Xiaoqingshan Mine to prepare for transporting supplies," Tang Weiguo ordered.

"Yes."

On the other side, in the battlefield where they were responsible for blocking the enemy at Xiaoqing River, the Japanese troops supporting them from the county town just arrived at the banks of the Xiaoqing River.

"Commander, the initial troops have arrived at the Xiaoqing River and are preparing to cross the river for reconnaissance," Staff Officer Ozawa reported.

"Order them to halt their advance. Don't waste time on futile efforts. The enemy is definitely lurking on the other side of the Xiaoqing River. Once we cross the river, we will be immediately attacked," Tanaka Itsuki ordered.

"Hai." Staff Officer Ozawa then gave the order to the communications officer beside him.

"Ozawa-kun, what news is coming from the Kooshima Coal Mine?" Tanaka Itsuki asked.

"Reporting to the Commander, we received a telegram from Company Commander Iwanai, who is stationed at Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine, half an hour ago, and have not received any further news since."

"Commander, I suspect the Iwanai Company is in grave danger," Staff Officer Ozawa analyzed.

"It seems the Xiaoqingshan coal mine has now fallen into enemy hands," Tanaka Shu speculated, observing the dwindling mortar fire coming from the Xiaoqingshan direction.

“Then, Commander, there’s no point in us going to support the Xiaoqingshan coal mine now,” said Staff Officer Ozawa.

“That’s true, but now that we’re here, we can’t just slink away. Order the artillery to bombard this area in front of us,” Tanaka Itsuki ordered.

"Yes, Commander, I will begin preparations immediately." Staff Officer Ozawa received the order and began to act.

At this moment, Tanaka Shu was constantly wondering which unit had captured Xiaoqingshan's coal mine so quickly.

"Strange. Normally, the Japanese troops stationed there should be enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive, but we've only gone halfway before the Xiaoqingshan coal mine falls. Wait, could this unit have also been involved in the ambush of the Japanese troops who reinforced the Hekou stronghold last time?!"

At this moment, Tanaka suddenly remembered the last battle, in which the supporting troops were also quickly wiped out by the enemy.

"Communications officer, quickly inquire with the intelligence department whether they have ascertained information about this unit," Tanaka Shu immediately ordered.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander."

A short while later, the Japanese communications soldier returned.

"With the intelligence support provided by the higher intelligence department, the troops attacking the Xiaoqingshan coal mine are suspected to be an anti-Japanese independent militia, a unit that has recently joined the Jin-Sui Army."

Where does this unit usually operate?

"According to intelligence, this unit is operating in the Wolong Mountain area."

"Wolong Mountain." Tanaka Shu hurriedly took out a map to check.

"Hekou stronghold, Wolong Mountain, Xiaoqingshan coal mine." Tanaka Shu suddenly understood the enemy's tactics. First, they used the Eighth Route Army as cover to take down the Hekou stronghold and clear the obstacles leading to Wolong Mountain. This way, they wouldn't guess that their original target was the Xiaoqingshan coal mine, and they would relax their defenses on the Xiaoqingshan coal mine.

Then they attacked the Xiaoqingshan coal mine. By this time, the Hekou stronghold had been captured and was undefended, so they could retreat through the Hekou stronghold with great ease.

"What a brilliant strategy, what a formidable opponent."

Tanaka Itsuki couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"But now that I know, I can't let you pass through the river mouth outpost so easily."

Tanaka Shu sneered, still remembering the grudge of the last time his troops were ambushed.

"Officer Ozawa!" Tanaka Itsuki shouted.

"What are your missions, Commander?"

"Cease the shelling immediately and move towards the river mouth stronghold. The enemy is about to retreat from the river mouth stronghold," Tanaka Itsuki ordered.

"Why did the enemy retreat from the river mouth stronghold, Commander?" Staff Officer Ozawa asked, puzzled.

"This unit's activities in the Wolong Mountain area meant that if they wanted to bring the coal mine's supplies back to Wolong Mountain, they had to pass through the Hekou stronghold."

"Commander, they still have to pass through the Sanjiaji stronghold to return to Wolong Mountain. We need to notify them in advance to strengthen their defenses," Staff Officer Ozawa suggested.

"Baka yarou, do you want them to laugh at us? Or do you doubt our ability to eliminate this force?" Tanaka Shu looked displeased upon hearing Staff Officer Ozawa's words.

“No, I firmly believe that under the commander’s leadership, we can annihilate this force.” Staff Officer Ozawa’s expression turned serious.

"Okay, let's set off immediately."

"Yes, Commander." Chief of Staff Ozawa then ordered the troops to head towards the river mouth stronghold.

......

"Report, Company Commander, the Japanese devils are here!" the platoon leader of the Third Company said as he ran over from a distance.

"I see."

"Everyone, prepare for battle," the third company commander ordered.

After a while, the militia's defensive forces did not encounter any attacks from the Japanese.

"Company commander, what's wrong with these Japanese soldiers? They haven't made a move for ages," the platoon leader asked, puzzled.

"Yes, that's right. Logically speaking, the Japanese should have attacked long ago," the third company commander said, also puzzled.

Before he could think of anything, he heard the scout running up ahead and saying:

"Reporting to the company commander, the Japanese are preparing to retreat."

"What? That shouldn't be the case?"

"Communications officer, immediately inform the radio operator to report the situation to the regimental commander."

"Yes."

At this moment, the Xiaoqingshan Mine has been successfully captured by the reconnaissance battalion. The soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion are busy cleaning up the battlefield, while the soldiers of the logistics department are starting to load and unload the coal mine's equipment.

Zhou Yuan and the driver successfully started the car and drove it slowly for a bit.

"Company Commander Zhou, how is it?" Tang Weiguo asked upon seeing the situation.

"Report, Commander, no problem. The Japanese cars are well-maintained and can be driven back to Wolong Mountain without any issues," Zhou Yuan said.

"Okay, you must check carefully to make sure there are no problems."

"Yes, Captain."

"Get all the gasoline back for me," Tang Weiguo instructed.

"Yes, Captain."

"it is good."