Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 274 Misleading the Fighter

In Lingshui County, Tang Xiaohu was organizing his troops to once again encircle and annihilate the last Japanese positions. Due to the terrain, Tang Xiaohu and Niu Dali's troops could not launch a large-scale attack and could only carry out attacks with company-level units, fighting the Japanese alley by alley.

"Ring ring." The phone at Tang Xiaohu's command center rang. Tang Xiaohu went over to answer it.

"Hello, this is Tang Xiaohu."

"Reporting to Regiment Commander Tang, according to observations from the outpost, five Japanese planes have circled around and are about to launch an attack on us from the south," Wu Baihui reported.

"It seems the Japanese are planning to harass our artillery positions in the south," Tang Xiaohu said.

"Looks like it."

"Commander Wu, are your troops ready?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

"Report, Commander Tang is ready. He'll make sure the Japanese planes never return," Wu Bai said confidently.

"Okay, we must make sure the Japanese planes don't affect our operations," Tang Xiaohu said.

"Yes, Commander Tang, I guarantee that the prevention and control work will be completed well."

Meanwhile, Kazuo Aomura received news that their support fighter jets were about to arrive.

"Report, Colonel, our fighters are about to arrive at the battlefield. Headquarters has instructed us to prepare," Staff Officer Kakuta reported.

"Good news!" Aoki Kazuo had heard a lot of bad news in a row, and this time he finally heard some good news, so he immediately showed his joy.

"Notify all units to prepare for a counterattack. Once our aircraft sabotage the enemy, we will immediately launch a counter-offensive and at least recapture our first line of defense," said Kazuo Aomura.

"Yes," Staff Officer Kakuta nodded.

While both sides waited, the Japanese plane arrived as scheduled.

"Report! Japanese planes have appeared!" the observer shouted immediately.

"First Battalion, prepare to intercept. Open fire immediately once the Japanese enter attack range." Wu Bai was calmly directing the various units of the air defense regiment from the command post.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz." The roar of an airplane could be heard in the distance.

"Ozawa, you take one plane to search for enemy artillery positions, and I'll take the other two planes to control the front line of combat," said Yoshizawa Ichiro, the squadron leader of the Japanese aircraft team.

"Hay."

"Attention, according to intelligence, the enemy has anti-aircraft fire. You must be careful and always be on guard against the anti-aircraft fire of the Chinese troops below. If necessary, retreat in time to preserve our strength," Yoshizawa Ichiro said.

"Yes, I know what to do," Xiao Zeming shouted.

After saying this, Xiao Zeming immediately led another plane to break away from the unit and began circling and reconnaissance near the east gate of the county town. They had received intelligence in advance that the Chinese army attacking Lingshui County had deployed artillery in the area around Lingshui County.

"Commander, the Japanese planes have split up. Two planes are hovering near the east gate of the county town, seemingly looking for our artillery positions. The other three Japanese planes are flying towards Lingshui County." The observer reported to Wu Bai over the phone.

"okay, I get it."

"Staff Officer Zhao, immediately order the Second and Third Battalions in the county town to prepare for battle, and choose the opportune moment to open fire," Wu Bai immediately issued the order.

"Yes, Captain."

After giving the order, Wu Bai continued to observe the aircraft's movements from the observation post. He saw two planes circling in the sky, seemingly searching for something.

"Commander, the Japanese planes are flying too high; our anti-aircraft guns can't reach them. Commander, it's really frustrating watching them," the battalion commander said helplessly over the phone.

"It seems the Japanese pilots are on guard this time," Wu Bai thought to himself.

"Alright, activate Plan Two, expose the fake artillery positions to lure the Japanese planes there, and then you can attack!" Wu Bai decisively gave the order.

"Yes, sir." After saying that, the second battalion commander hung up the phone and prepared to leave.

Meanwhile, another Japanese plane had already arrived over Lingshui County.

"One last reminder: avoid the buildings marked with red markers; those are the positions of our Yellow Army soldiers," Yoshizawa Ichiro emphasized again.

"Hay."

"Alright, split up and launch the attack as soon as possible. Also, keep a close eye on the enemy's anti-aircraft fire."

"Hai!" After giving the order, Yoshizawa Ichiro flew towards the area where the fighting was taking place.

"What?! Why are there so many red-marked areas?" Yoshizawa Ichiro looked at the buildings below covered in red and asked in bewilderment.

After surveying the area, Yoshizawa Ichiro swooped down toward the houses near the red marker, fired his machine gun, and then immediately pulled up to avoid being targeted by enemy anti-aircraft fire.

And so, Yoshizawa Ichiro repeated his previous actions, firing indiscriminately at the unmarked area. Meanwhile, the soldiers of the Independent Brigade had already led the civilians to evacuate from that area, leaving only empty houses to draw Japanese artillery fire.

"Battalion Commander, the Japanese are too cunning. Our anti-aircraft guns can't reach them," the company commander of the 2nd Battalion said anxiously to the battalion commander.

"What's the rush? I'm not in a hurry, so why are you? Keep a close eye on things. If you miss the chance to shoot down those Japanese planes, I'll deal with you when we get back." The second battalion commander retorted sharply.

At this moment, the second battalion commander was also extremely anxious. He was worried as he watched the Japanese planes flying in the sky. He did not expect the Japanese pilots to be so vigilant this time!

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kazuo Aomura, who was defending against the Independent Regiment's attack, was also feeling bewildered. The reinforcements that had arrived had been rendered useless.

Not a single shell from the supporting aircraft landed on the heads of the attacking Chinese troops.

"Baka yarou, what the hell are they doing!" Aomura Kazuo cursed upon seeing the scene before him.

Support? They provided nothing but empty support.

"Colonel, something terrible has happened!" Staff Officer Kakuta rushed in, panicking as he spoke.

"Speak quickly," said Kazuo Aomura impatiently.

"Colonel, the enemy has also marked their occupied territory in red, misleading our plans," Staff Officer Kakuta quickly reported.

"Damn it! The enemy is incredibly cunning!" Aomura Kazuo slammed his fist on the table.

At this moment, Kazuo Aomura understood why their planes had not been effective.

"Staff Officer Kakuta, fire the signal flares to attract the attention of our fighter jets," Aomura Kazuo ordered immediately after calming down.

"Hai, I know what to do."

As the order was given, plumes of smoke rose from the Japanese positions.

Just as Yoshizawa Ichiro was preparing for the next wave of attacks, he suddenly noticed smoke nearby, which appeared to be a distress signal flare. After a moment's thought, Yoshizawa Ichiro immediately flew over to scout the area.

Yoshizawa Ichiro realized that the small area below was actually the battlefield of their Yellow Army. He had been deceived by the Chinese army below!