sbdcsierra Chapter 116 Preparation before the war
Chapter 116 Preparation before the war
With the day of battle drawing ever closer, Tang Weiguo ordered the 3rd and 4th companies of the 1st Battalion, the 2nd mortar company, the logistics department, and the 1st company of the mountain artillery battalion to prepare for battle and be ready to depart at any time.
In his office, Tang Weiguo was reviewing the latest intelligence from the front lines, preparing to adjust his battle plans accordingly. Just as he was engrossed in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by hurried footsteps, followed by the sound of Li Qukou's voice.
"Weiguo, urgent intelligence."
"What happened?" Tang Weiguo asked, somewhat surprised.
"According to the latest intelligence from the county's intelligence agents, a Japanese unit of more than 500 men entered the county this morning. The purpose of this Japanese unit is currently unknown."
“Weiguo, this newly added Japanese force will pose a great threat to our militia’s plan to besiege the stronghold and attack reinforcements. Therefore, I suggest canceling the plan and only attacking the Sanjiaji stronghold to ensure that the equipment from the Xiaoqingshan mine is successfully transported back to headquarters,” Li Qukou continued.
"Let me think about it."
After hearing the news about Tang Weiguo and Li Qukou, he lowered his head and pondered for a moment before speaking.
"The original plan remains unchanged, but this time we will change the objective of the operation. This time, the ambush of the Japanese is not aimed at annihilating them completely, but mainly at harassment and to find out the situation of the Japanese in the county town."
"Besides, the surrounding area is all mountains, so we can retreat at any time, but the Japanese will have to think twice before pursuing us," Tang Weiguo said.
"Weiguo, that would be a good idea. If the Japanese reinforcements are too large, we will retreat. If they are too small, we will take the initiative to encircle and annihilate them. No matter what moves the Japanese make, we can respond. This way, we will still firmly keep the initiative on the battlefield in our hands."
“You’re right about expelling the enemy. As long as we seize the initiative on the battlefield, we’ll have plenty of room to maneuver,” Tang Weiguo said with a smile.
"However, the Japanese wouldn't reinforce such a force without a reason. They're not the kind of people who just suffer losses without retaliating. They'll definitely take action against our militia," Tang Weiguo affirmed.
"To drive out the enemy, your intelligence department must do everything in its power to keep a close watch on the movements of the Japanese in the county town. We should make good use of the intelligence department of the war zone command to obtain intelligence on the Japanese," Tang Weiguo instructed.
"Don't worry, Weiguo."
"By the way, how's the disguise plan going?"
"It is progressing steadily."
"it is good."
"Wei Guo, when are you setting off?" Li Qukou asked.
"tomorrow."
"Defend the country, return safely."
"it is good."
The next morning, with the militia seeing him off, Tang Weiguo led his troops toward Xiaoqingshan.
Because the troops were carrying a large amount of supplies, including assembled horse-drawn wagons, two Type 92 infantry guns and their accompanying shells, the march was slow.
Three days later, Tang Weiguo led his troops to the designated assembly point. Niu Dali and Long Wenying, who had already received the news, had led their men to guard the area near the assembly point, waiting for Tang Weiguo's arrival.
Seeing the regimental commander arrive, Niu Dali hurriedly stepped forward and said:
"Commander, you must be tired from your journey."
"You've worked hard enough. Come on, let's go to your command post first and take a look at the battle plan."
"Alright, Commander, this way please."
"Third Company Commander, Fourth Company Commander, and Mountain Artillery Company Commander, immediately organize your troops to rest on the spot," Tang Weiguo said, turning to the three men behind him.
"Yes, Captain."
"Niu Dali, let's go." With that, Tang Weiguo followed Niu Dali towards the reconnaissance battalion's temporary command post.
Upon arriving at the temporary command post, Tang Weiguo gave the following order to Li Qin:
"Director Li, set up a radio immediately and contact all units to get information."
"Yes, Commander." After saying that, Li Qin went to a corner of the command post to set up the radio and prepare to contact the various units.
"Commander, look, this is the battle plan we've devised," Long Wenying introduced.
"You tell me about it."
"Yes, Captain."
"Commander, our operational plan for this operation against the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine is mainly a feint attack on the front and an attack on the rear. Commander, take a look at the Japanese deployment map we scouted. Currently, the Japanese are mainly defending themselves by relying on the mountain road in front, while the rear mountain, due to its treacherous terrain, only has a few mobile sentries."
"Commander, we have good news. Our reconnaissance battalion accidentally discovered a steep path in the back mountain. It looks like it was explored by herb gatherers in the mountains before. We can use this path to enter the Xiaoqingshan coal mine."
"Commander, I led a team through yesterday. Although it was dangerous, our reconnaissance battalion was able to handle it. So I'm planning to lead the elite troops to sneak into the Japanese mine from the back of the mountain and stab them in the back. This way, we can minimize the casualties of our militia."
"This battle plan is feasible." Tang Weiguo nodded.
"However, are you sure there won't be any problems with using this back road at night?" Tang Weiguo asked cautiously.
"Commander, no problem. We've already explored the area during the day. We've driven steel nails into the dangerous spots and secured them with ropes. Now we're just waiting to move out."
"Alright, in that case, we'll proceed with your battle plan." Tang Weiguo then agreed to Niu Dali's battle plan.
"Yes, Captain."
"Now, order the troops to rest and prepare for the attack tomorrow night."
"Yes, Captain."
"Li Qin, how are things at each unit?" Tang Weiguo asked.
"Reporting to the commander, the first company reports that the Hekou stronghold is currently operating normally and firmly under their control. The Japanese troops in the county town are not making any moves at the moment."
"Reply to them, remain vigilant, and ensure the safe passage of the transport convoy."
"Yes."
"How's Battalion Commander Tang doing?"
"Battalion Commander Tang replied that he had led his men to the Lijia Gou area and had now joined up with the reinforcements. They are currently constructing an ambush position."
"What about Deputy Commander Zhang?"
"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang has led his team to the Sanjiaji area and is ready to enter the attack position at any time. A company of the mountain artillery battalion has already built an artillery position near the Sanjiaji outpost and is ready to launch an artillery attack on the Sanjiaji stronghold at any time."
"Inform Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang that he is ready to take action at any time tomorrow."
"Yes, Captain."
"Correspondent, notify the third and fourth company commanders and the mountain artillery company commander to come over for the pre-battle mobilization meeting."
"Yes, Captain."
After a while, the three company commanders came over.
"Now, Staff Officer Long will announce the combat mission."
"Yes, Captain."
"The 2nd and 3rd companies of the reconnaissance battalion, along with the mortar and mountain artillery companies under the reconnaissance battalion, will be responsible for the frontal feint attack on Xiaoqingshan Mine. Battalion Commander Niu will lead the 1st company of the reconnaissance battalion to go around to the back of the mountain and launch an attack on the Japanese."
"Once Battalion Commander Niu attacks the Xiaoqingshan Mine from the rear, the team responsible for the feint attack will turn the feint attack into the main attack and quickly enter the Xiaoqingshan Mine."
"The 3rd and 4th companies and the 2nd mortar company of the 1st Battalion were responsible for monitoring the movements of the Japanese troops in the county town in the Xiaoqing River area."
"Yes."
"Hey, artillery company commander, take this map of the Japanese firepower distribution. The points marked on it are your target points for this artillery bombardment. Do not fire on any points outside of these targets," Long Wenying instructed the artillery company commander privately.
"Yes, Staff Officer Long, ensure that you only bomb the target points."
"Does anyone have any questions about their mission?" Tang Weiguo asked.
"No doubt about it."
"Alright, everyone, once you get back, immediately take your men to familiarize yourselves with the terrain and prepare for tomorrow night's operation."
"Yes, Captain."