Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 197 Attack on Tangjia Town

"Aoki-kun, what do you think of this battle?" Matsukawa Maki observed the unusually quiet Tangjia Town in front of him.

"Matsukawa-kun, according to intelligence, the troops in front of us are carrying out a lot of earthwork and tunnel excavation. This battle will not be easy for us."

"Therefore, the headquarters specifically asked me to bring special weapons this time," Matsukawa Maki said.

"You mean that one?" Aoki Kuroto asked, somewhat surprised.

"That's right, this was specifically prepared to destroy the enemy's tunnels."

"Hahaha, let our enemies sleep forever beneath the grounds of Tangjia Town," Aoki Kuroto said with a sneer.

"Reporting to the two colonels, Regiment Commander Sakai just sent an order to attack at 3 o'clock sharp," the staff officer ran over to report.

"It's 2:10 now, 50 minutes until the attack. Aoki-kun, let's go back to command to confirm the attack plan," Matsukawa Maki said, glancing at his military watch.

“Alright, I’ve just observed the situation in Tangjia Town, let’s confirm the battle plan,” said Aoki Kuroto.

"Let's go." The two returned to the command post.

"Officer Oda, how's the artillery position construction going?" Aoki Kuroto asked as soon as he returned to the command post.

"Reporting to Colonel Aoki, the artillery positions have been completed, and the artillery is undergoing final adjustments," Staff Officer Oda reported.

"Very good, notify them to shell Tangjia Town at 3 o'clock sharp."

"Hay."

"Matsukawa-kun, please take a look at this map of Tangjia Town, which is the location of the intelligence department. The red dots on the map are the militia firing positions that the intelligence department has scouted. I have already notified the artillery of these militia firing positions in advance. They will destroy all the exposed militia firing positions in the first round of shelling, clearing the way for our attack," Aoki Kuroto said, pointing to the map on the table.

"Judging from the distribution of firing points on the map, the enemy commander has a very sharp eye. Almost all the firing points he set up are strategic points. It seems that the enemy commander is a tough guy. Aoki-kun, we need to be extra careful this time."

“Matsukawa-kun, your analysis makes a lot of sense. So this time, the amount of artillery fire is twice the usual amount. Let them taste the power of our artillery.”

Upon hearing Aoki Kuroto's words, Matsukawa Maki nodded and then spoke.

"Aoki-kun, please look at the map. Tangjia Town is divided into two parts, left and right, with the main road in the middle as the center."

"So, Aoki-kun, our two units will each take charge of one unit and advance together, forcing this Chinese army into their tunnels. As for us bringing armored vehicles, we'll use them to support the infantry's advance along this main road."

"Aoki-kun, what do you think of this battle plan?"

"We'll proceed according to Matsukawa's plan, but after the infantry advances, we'll order the engineers to immediately dig at any suspicious locations and expose the enemy's tunnels," Aoki Kuroto added.

“Okay, that way there will be no mistakes.” Matsukawa Maki nodded.

"Matsukawa-kun, for this attack, we will each send out two companies, with each squad as the attack unit. Each squad will cooperate with each other, like a net, and we will wipe out all the enemies in one fell swoop!" Aoki Kuroto continued.

"Alright, it's settled then. This time, our two forces will cooperate to wipe them out completely and restore the glory of our empire." Matsukawa Maki said with high spirits.

"Matsukawa-kun, it's almost time to attack. Let's all return to our units and make arrangements."

"it is good."

After saying this, the two returned to their respective units for a final battle mobilization.

At 3 o'clock sharp, the artillery of the Aoki Battalion and the Matsukawa Battalion unleashed a barrage of fire on Tangjia Town, and a series of explosions resounded throughout the town.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey." Shen Lei accidentally ate some dust that had fallen from above the tunnel.

"Battalion Commander, the Japanese are really going all out this time. They've been shelling for over ten minutes and haven't shown any signs of stopping. I wonder how our ground positions are doing."

"It seems that the Japanese intelligence is not to be underestimated. The Fourth Company just reported that the enemy has destroyed the firing points that we deliberately exposed on the surface."

"Battalion Commander, you're really something. Even if the Japanese are smart, they wouldn't have thought that you used these important defensive positions to draw enemy fire."

"How can you fight the Japanese without using some tricks?"

"Notify all units to be ready to return to their local areas for combat at any time. I estimate the Japanese will soon cease their shelling."

"Yes, I'll go right away." After saying that, Shen Lei picked up the phone and notified each company one by one.

Five minutes later, the artillery fire that had been raging in Tangjia Town finally ceased. The battalion that had been lying in ambush underground immediately returned to the surface to prepare for the Japanese attack.

"Battalion Commander, the Japanese have attacked," Shen Lei said.

"Notify all units to take advantage of the tunnels, fire one shot and move to another location, so that the Japanese can't figure them out."

"Also, notify the 6th Company stationed on the main street to keep a close eye on the Japanese armored vehicles. Since they have come to Tangjia Town, make sure they don't misunderstand."

"Yes."

"Regarding our planned artillery positions, once the Japanese units are spotted, they should report immediately, and Staff Officer Yao Xing will compile the reports and contact the artillery battalion."

"Yes." I'll go right away.

While Tang Xiaohu was giving the order, the Japanese soldiers stormed into Tangjia Town.

"Fire!" The fifth company commander, who was hiding in the wall, opened fire immediately after seeing the Japanese soldiers charging towards him.

"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat." The fifth company commander, holding his Czech-made rifle, fired a burst of shots at the Japanese soldiers in front of him.

"Ah, ah, ah."

The first three or four Japanese soldiers at the front of the column fell to the gunfire without any warning.

"Take cover!" shouted the squad leader in charge of the Japanese unit.