sbdcsierra Chapter 179 Encirclement Operation
Chapter 179 Encirclement Operation
The war broke out suddenly, just as everyone had expected.
Several Japanese divisions immediately launched an attack on the southeast region, and Shanxi was once again engulfed in war.
In the Wolong Mountain area, the Japanese troops launched an attack from two directions: Qingshan County and Wolong Mountain County.
"Report, Commander, Niu Dali reports that the Japanese battalion in Qingshan County has set off and is heading towards Sanjiaji," Li Qin reported.
"Okay, Li Qin sent a telegram to Niu Dali, instructing him to act according to the pre-arranged plan."
"Yes."
"Drive out the enemy and continue to closely monitor the movements of the Japanese in Wolongshan County."
"Yes."
"Any unusual activity from the Japanese troops in the southeast region?"
"No for now. The vanguard of the Japanese troops is engaged in fierce fighting with the Nationalist government forces and the Eighth Route Army. According to intelligence from the Second War Zone, there are no unusual movements of the Japanese troops for the time being."
"Yes, I'll keep an eye on it."
"Keep in touch with Li Yunfei and stay informed about the movements of the Japanese troops at the front," Tang Weiguo whispered in Li Qukou's ear.
"Yes, I've already contacted them, and so far I haven't found anything unusual," Li Qukou replied in a very low voice.
"Could it be that my worries are unnecessary? Did the Japanese actually only send three battalions to attack?" Tang Weiguo couldn't help but lower his head and ponder.
Meanwhile, Niu Dali had already led his troops to lie in ambush in the river mouth area.
"Battalion Commander, the Regiment Commander has called back, instructing us to proceed with the mission according to the pre-arranged plan," Qin Yang said.
"This time, it all depends on how well you guys perform," Niu Dali said earnestly.
"Battalion Commander, just you wait and see. If we don't win this battle, you can come back and dismiss me."
"Very well, a promise is a promise."
"Communicator, summon the commanders of all units to a pre-battle mobilization meeting."
"Yes."
Soon after, the company commanders who had been summoned arrived at Niu Dali's temporary command post.
"Finally, let's confirm the battle plan again. The 1st Battalion will be responsible for the right flank, and Lian Sheng, your 4th Battalion will be responsible for the left flank. Once the Japanese are encircled, you will suppress them from both sides and force them to gather in the middle. As for the frontal assault, that will be left to our reconnaissance battalion."
"The artillery company and the Flying Thunder Artillery Company of the First Battalion will have to follow the command of our artillery company commander, Zheng," Niu Dali said to the artillery company commander of the First Battalion.
"Battalion Commander Niu, you're too kind. The mission is the most important thing. We'll do exactly what Company Commander Zheng says. We will resolutely obey Company Commander Zheng's command." The two company commanders nodded in agreement.
"Okay, thank you for your hard work."
"Alright, Japanese devils, come here quickly. Everyone, watch my signal and begin the operation."
"Yes."
As Niu Dali reiterated the battle plan, Tanaka Shu led the newly formed battalion toward the river mouth.
Ever since Tanaka Shu learned of the operation plan to encircle and annihilate the Wolong Mountain militia, he has been eager to launch an attack on Wolong Mountain, determined to avenge his previous defeat.
"Commander, we've reached the river mouth outpost. Should we stop and rest?"
The newly recruited staff officer, Onimaru, asked.
"Pass through without stopping."
Kawaguchi base was a place of sorrow for Tanaka Itsuki, where he almost did not see the sun rise the next day. Fortunately, thanks to the protection of His Majesty the Heavenly Locust, he was able to escape.
Thinking of this, Tanaka Itsuki couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"Battalion Commander, the Japanese have passed the Hekou stronghold and are currently advancing in our direction. They are expected to arrive here in 20 minutes."
"Pass the order down to all units to prepare for battle."
"Yes."
Tanaka Tsuki led his large contingent of Japanese soldiers onward toward Wolong Mountain.
To avoid another enemy ambush, especially since Tanaka knew that Wolong Mountain was adept at ambushes, he specifically ordered the reconnaissance troops to scout ahead of the main force. Only after confirming that there were no ambushes did the main force continue to advance.
Tanaka Itsuki was terrified of being ambushed, so he acted with extra caution.
"Haha, the regimental commander is truly a genius! He foresaw that the commander of this Japanese battalion is indeed very cautious. Qin Yang, this must be the second wave of Japanese reconnaissance troops." Niu Dali looked at the Japanese reconnaissance troops in the distance through his binoculars.
"Yes, thankfully the battalion commander was cautious and positioned the troops outside the ambush area," Qin Yang replied.
"However, they have also created difficulties for us. It's impossible for them to launch a surprise attack again. Although we ambushed them this time, we still gave the Japanese a lot of time to react," Niu Dali said helplessly.
"Don't worry, Battalion Commander, we're fast enough to keep the Japanese from having too much time."
"This time, your company will not participate in the attack. Stay in the rear and wait for my orders."
"Yes."
"The messenger relayed the order: the main force of the Japanese troops is about to enter the designated ambush location."
"Yes."
Through his binoculars, Niu Dali saw the vanguard of the Japanese convoy slowly making its way through a winding road, which was precisely the encirclement he had meticulously prepared for them.
"The Japanese soldiers are all inside the encirclement. Send the signal immediately to attack."
Niu Dali immediately gave orders after seeing the Japanese soldiers enter the encirclement.
"Yes."
"Bang, bang, bang."
Three red signal flares were launched into the sky.
"Oh no, an ambush!" Tanaka Itsuki, who was sitting in the car, felt a sense of foreboding when he saw the signal flare launch into the sky. Anxiety quickly followed, and a surge of anger rose within him.
"Damn it, the militia ambushed me again!!!" Tanaka Shu never expected that the Wolong Mountain Independent Militia would dare to ambush them here.
"I was careful enough, but I still got infected!"
"Organize a defensive posture in place!" Tanaka Shu hurriedly issued the order.
"Boom, boom, boom."
The militia's mortar shells fired at Tanaka Itsuki's Japanese troops as the signal flare was raised.
"Hide, hide."
"Staff Officer Onimaru, immediately set up artillery positions and launch a counterattack." This time, Tanaka Shu did not panic, but calmly and collectedly dealt with the militia's attack.
"Hay."
He had been ambushed many times before, so he was quite experienced. Moreover, he had more than 1000 imperial soldiers under his command, so he was confident in dealing with this ambush.
"Communicator, immediately send a telegram to Colonel Ikeda, informing them that part of the militia's main force is with me, and instructing them to launch an immediate attack."
"Hay."
Upon seeing the signal flare launch, the militia soldiers lying in ambush on both sides immediately leaped from their hiding places and, under the command of their respective company commanders, ran towards the designated ambush positions.
At this moment, time is power!
Although the militia soldiers were moving at breakneck speed, they still gave the Japanese soldiers time to prepare, and the battle quickly escalated into a fierce one.
"Soldiers, fight hard and kill the Japanese!" Zhou Liansheng took the lead, leading the Fourth Battalion to suppress the Japanese troops on the left flank.
"Veterans, pay attention! Direct the new recruits next to you in combat!" Zhou Liansheng commanded as he fought.
The troops of the First Battalion, which was ambushing the position, fought exceptionally fiercely. Since the First Battalion received a batch of light machine guns last time, the firepower of their light machine guns in each company has been further strengthened.
The concentrated firepower of the three companies of the first battalion kept the Japanese soldiers pinned down for a time.
"Baka yarou, this is definitely the main force of the militia."
Tanaka was also shocked by the militia's firepower; in less than two months, the militia's strength had increased again.
"Colonel Tanaka, the enemy's left flank is weak in firepower. I'll lead my troops to charge. Once we break through the left flank, our situation will be reversed."
"Alright, you'll lead two companies, and I'll also assign you a machine gun squad. Make sure you break through the enemy's position in one go."
"Yes."