Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 256 A Draw

As the fighting raged on, a group of soldiers from an independent brigade dressed in Eighth Route Army uniforms circled around the edge of the battlefield. It was none other than the reconnaissance platoon that Tang Xiaohu had arranged in advance.

Led by the reconnaissance platoon leader, the group arrived safely at the foot of Hill 501. The two sides were locked in fierce fighting, and no one noticed the Eighth Route Army unit that had suddenly appeared at the foot of the hill.

"Platoon leader, what's the next step?"

"Now that we're all wearing their clothes, let's stick to the original plan and head towards the summit as usual."

"Yes."

After saying that, the reconnaissance platoon leader ran up the mountain.

Zhou Zheng-biao, who was in the command post, suddenly noticed an additional unit at the foot of the mountain that wasn't joining the battle but instead heading uphill. He then called over the squad leader of the guard platoon.

"Wang Hong, go and see which unit they are from, and why they haven't joined the battle?" Zhou Zheng Biao pointed to a group of soldiers dressed as Eighth Route Army soldiers in the distance.

"Yes." After saying that, Wang Hong led two people toward the group.

Zhou Zhengbiao watched as the troops continued to observe through their binoculars.

"This Eighth Route Army train is moving quite well. Could it be the Second Battalion?" Zhou Zheng-biao asked, looking at the train in front of him with a puzzled expression.

"That's not right. The Second Battalion Commander didn't say he sent troops to the command post."

"Oh no, it must be the enemy in disguise."

"Attention all personnel, prepare for battle!" Zhou Zheng-biao shouted, leading the remaining personnel of the command post to the front line immediately. He fired warning shots into the air to indicate to Wang Hong that the enemy was ahead.

Upon hearing the gunshots, Wang Hong grabbed the soldier beside him without a word, immediately lay down and rolled to either side of the road to find a hiding place.

"Platoon leader, we've been exposed!" a soldier from the reconnaissance platoon said.

"How did these guys identify us?" The reconnaissance platoon leader suppressed his curiosity and immediately organized his troops to launch an attack.

Since it's already exposed, there's no need to cover it up.

"Charge! Flatten Hill 501 and capture Zhou Zheng Biao alive!" the reconnaissance platoon leader shouted, leading his troops in an attack on Zhou Zheng Biao's command post. At this moment, they were less than 100 meters away from the command post.

"Fire!" Zhou Zhengbiao decisively opened fire, organizing the more than 30 people remaining in the command post to defend the position with difficulty.

Meanwhile, in the exercise command center, Tang Weiguo asked curiously.

"Commander Li, how did Battalion Commander Zhou discover that the unit was ours? That unit looked no different from yours."

"Brother Tang, it's because of the queue," Li Yunfei replied with a smile.

"queue?"

“That’s right. Our Independent Regiment’s soldiers can’t march out in such neat formations as yours. If it weren’t for the formation, I would probably have a hard time recognizing your troops from a distance.”

"I didn't expect it was the queue that exposed us!"

"Indeed, details determine success or failure!" Tang Weiguo exclaimed.

The Independent Regiment, which was directing the battle at the foot of the mountain, noticed the commotion on the mountain. The Second Battalion Commander hurriedly shouted to the First Battalion Deputy Battalion Commander.

"Commander Zhou, there are enemies over there. Quickly take a platoon to support us. I'll hold them off here."

"Alright, Battalion Commander Yang, I'm leaving this place to you!"

"Company Commander, have the Third Platoon follow me." After saying that, the deputy battalion commander hurriedly led the troops up the mountain.

Meanwhile, Tang Xiaohu, who was observing the battle situation, couldn't easily let the Independent Regiment go back to provide support. He immediately brought out his last reserve company.

"Launch a general offensive!"

With this company from the independent brigade joining the battle, the entire independent regiment's defensive line was in grave danger. At that moment, the soldiers of the independent regiment displayed unparalleled fighting spirit.

Enraged, some of the Independent Regiment soldiers charged into the Independent Brigade's ranks, some carrying explosive charges. The battlefield observers recording the events were utterly stunned.

The soldiers of the Independent Brigade were equally determined, launching their own attack on the Independent Regiment, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. The fighting was equally fierce on the mountain, with only Zhou Zheng-biao and a few guards remaining, relying on the defensive fortifications built by the early command post.

"Comrades, it seems we can't hold out any longer." Zhou Zheng-biao said as he saw the Independent Brigade soldiers launching another attack.

"Comrades, as long as we are here, we will hold our ground!" Zhou Zheng-biao shouted to the men beside him.

"Battalion Commander, no problem." The young soldier's voice was tense but firm.

At this moment, these people no longer treated this as a drill, but as a real war. They were all prepared to fight to the death.

"Little Sun, are the 'glorious bullets' ready?" Zhou Zhengbiao asked.

"Battalion Commander, everything is ready! We've got enough to give the enemy a run for their money."

"it is good."

"Comrades, the enemy is coming up quickly, we are ready to fight."

"Yes."

A somber atmosphere permeated the entire command center.

.....

"Soldiers, we're about to win! Charge!" The reconnaissance platoon leader's face lit up with joy as he saw the command post so close at hand.

He led his reconnaissance platoon and charged toward the Independent Regiment's command post.

The Independent Regiment Command was no longer able to organize effective resistance.

The reconnaissance platoon leader led his troops successfully into the command post.

"Commander Li, it seems our Independent Brigade is about to win." Tang Weiguo saw the Independent Brigade's reconnaissance troops successfully storm into the Independent Regiment's command post.

"I don't think so," Li Yunfei said calmly.

"Oh, could it be that Commander Li has prepared a surprise for me?" Tang Weiguo asked in confusion.

"This isn't me. I believe in our soldiers," Li Yunfei said confidently.

As soon as Li Yunfei finished speaking, Tang Weiguo saw thick black smoke billowing from the Independent Regiment's command post through his binoculars.

"Commander Li, I really admire your Eighth Route Army soldiers now."

At this moment, Tang Weiguo also understood what Li Yunfei was talking about: Zhou Zhengbiao, who was stationed at the command post, had died together with the soldiers of the attacking Independent Brigade.

"They all have a determination to defend their country to the death." Li Yunfei looked at the command post billowing smoke in the distance with a tragic expression.

Although today was just an exercise, Li Yunfei knew that they would make the same choice if they encountered this situation on the battlefield.

Similarly, the battle down the mountain was also nearing its end. Both combat teams had suffered casualties of nearly two-thirds, but neither team showed any intention of withdrawing from the battle.

"Commander Li, I think we can announce the end of the exercise now," Tang Weiguo said.

“Yes, I agree.” Li Yunfei nodded.

"It seems our two forces are evenly matched," Tang Weiguo said.

"In truth, we've lost," said Political Commissar Zhao, who was standing nearby.

As the defenders, they fought to a draw with the attacking force, given the same number of troops.

"Winning or losing is not the purpose of this exercise; the main purpose is to test the results of our training."

"Looking at the results, I'm still very satisfied!" Tang Weiguo said to Political Commissar Zhao.

"That's right, the results of this training exceeded my expectations. Now I feel even more confident in fighting the Japanese!" Political Commissar Zhao said confidently.

"Brother Tang, I look forward to our next collaboration in fighting the Japanese!"

"Don't worry, we'll have another opportunity to cooperate soon." Tang Weiguo looked in the direction of Wolong Mountain.