Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 115 Pre-War Reconnaissance

It wasn't until the morning that Tanaka Itsuki received intelligence that his troops supporting the Kawaguchi base and the garrison at the Kawaguchi base had all been killed in action.

"Damn it! My troops were wiped out by the Eighth Route Army! This is an utter disgrace!" When Tanaka Shu heard the news, he angrily smashed and threw things in his office.

"Correspondent, order the intelligence department to quickly gather information on this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers."

"Hay."

That afternoon, Tanaka Itsuki received intelligence from the intelligence department.

"Reporting to the Commander, according to intelligence, this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers should be the main force of the Eighth Route Army from the northern region, and their purpose is to support the Second Regiment of the Eighth Route Army that is being besieged by them nearby."

"According to the intelligence officers at the front, the Second Regiment of the Eighth Route Army has returned to the mountains after replenishing its supplies at the Hekou stronghold, while the Eighth Route Army that attacked the Hekou stronghold has retreated to the north. At present, the whereabouts of the enemy's main force are unknown."

"You bastard, I'll remember this debt!" Tanaka Itsuki said bitterly.

.....

After Tang Xiaohu withdrew from the Hekou stronghold, he took Li Yunfei with him and retreated northward to prevent the Japanese from not knowing that they were retreating northward.

Tang Xiaohu deliberately left traces along the way to prevent the Japanese from being unable to track him. Sensing the time was right, Tang Xiaohu immediately turned towards the Taihang Mountains, heading towards Lijia Gou via mountain paths.

On the militia side, after receiving a telegram from Tang Xiaohu, Li Qin hurriedly ran to find Tang Weiguo.

"Reporting to the regimental commander, Battalion Commander Tang has captured the Hekou stronghold. In addition, Battalion Commander Tang, in coordination with the Independent Regiment, ambushed and annihilated two companies of Japanese soldiers. Currently, Battalion Commander Tang is moving towards the northern part of Qingyun County and is looking for the right opportunity to return to the Lijia Gou area."

"In addition, Battalion Commander Tang has left a company to monitor the movements of the Japanese troops at the Hekou stronghold and in the county town. The company has been equipped with a radio and can contact the regimental headquarters directly."

"Okay, inform Battalion Commander Tang to be careful in all operations, and to contact them again after they arrive at Lijia Gou."

"Yes, Captain."

"Further, notify the 1st Company of the 1st Battalion to closely monitor the movements of the Japanese troops near the Hekou stronghold, and whether the Japanese are increasing their defensive forces at the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine."

"Yes, Commander." Li Qin left after noting down Tang Weiguo's orders.

"The first phase of the operation has been successfully completed. It seems it's time to move on to the second phase," Tang Weiguo thought to himself.

"Correspondent, notify Niu Dali and Staff Officer Long to come over."

"Yes, Captain."

Before long, Niu Dali arrived with Long Wenying. Recently, Niu Dali and Long Wenying had become quite familiar with each other, chatting and laughing all the way.

"Commander, is our reconnaissance battalion ready to move out?" Niu Dali asked anxiously. After learning about the battle plan, Niu Dali couldn't wait to set off.

"Yes, Tang Xiaohu has successfully captured the Hekou stronghold. The first phase of the mission is complete," Tang Weiguo reported to Niu Dali.

"Commander, Xiao Hu did a great job! I thought we'd have to wait a few more days. Now that the Hekou stronghold has been captured, shouldn't the reconnaissance battalion set off too?" Niu Dali asked.

"Yes, you and Staff Officer Long will head to the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine area starting tomorrow to scout out the mine's defenses."

"Yes, Captain, I promise to complete the mission."

"Staff Officer Long, based on Niu Dali's reconnaissance, work with Niu Dali to formulate an attack plan. After I lead the troops there, we will launch an attack on the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine together."

"Yes, Captain."

"Okay, you two go back and get ready."

"Yes, Commander." After saying that, the two left the commander's office together.

Tang Weiguo watched the two figures leave and muttered to himself:

"Niu Dali has a good chance of making it."

The next day, Niu Dali couldn't wait to lead the reconnaissance battalion to replenish their supplies and set off towards Xiaoqingshan. He had already sent the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion to scout the way in the past few days, so the reconnaissance battalion was now advancing at an astonishing speed.

To take care of Staff Officer Long and prevent her from falling behind, Niu Dali, relying on his strength, offered to carry Long Wenying on his back. Long Wenying had already witnessed the reconnaissance battalion's marching speed, and not wanting to hold them back, she felt embarrassed and let Niu Dali carry her.

On Niu Dali's back, Long Wenying secretly made up her mind that when she returned this time, she would definitely strengthen her physical training. Who says women are inferior to men? Long Wenying would be the first to disagree.

After a day and a half of travel, Niu Dali led his reconnaissance battalion to the Xiaoqingshan coal mine area.

"Officer Long, look, the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine is just ahead." Niu Dali observed the situation at the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine through binoculars.

"Battalion Commander Niu, the Japanese defenses are quite strong." Staff Officer Long observed and marked the firing points at the Xiaoqingshan Coal Mine.

"Yes, it's stronger than we imagined, Staff Officer Long. Look at the bunkers on both sides of the mountain road. They perfectly cover our attack route. If we don't take out these two bunkers immediately, it will be difficult for us to attack the Xiaoqingshan Mine."

"Battalion Commander Niu, judging from the sturdiness of the two bunkers, mortars would hardly pose a threat to them," Long Wenying analyzed.

“If that’s the case, even if the reconnaissance battalion manages to capture these two bunkers, they will suffer heavy casualties. It’s a losing proposition, and the regimental commander has said we can’t do it,” Niu Dali said.

“We can’t just give up on this problem,” Long Wenying asked.

"What about the Type 92 infantry gun?" Niu Dali continued.

"The Japanese Type 92 infantry guns are fine, but how do we get them transported here?" Long Wenying asked, puzzled.

"I believe those guys in the artillery battalion have a way."

"Battalion Commander Niu, the Japanese trucks are very close to the fuel depot. We need to be careful when we attack. If we accidentally detonate the Japanese fuel depot, not a single Japanese truck will be left. The regimental commander's truck fleet plan will fall through."

"Okay, Staff Officer Long, mark this down. We'll consider it together when we finalize the attack plan."

"it is good."

......

"Report, Regiment Commander, Battalion Commander Niu has sent an urgent telegram," Li Qin reported to Tang Weiguo.

"read."

"According to the reconnaissance, the Japanese have built some bunkers on Xiaoqingshan Mountain, which are difficult to be threatened by mortars. In order to take down these bunkers, we request to bring Type 92 infantry guns for assault missions."

"okay, I get it."

"Notify Battalion Commander Niu to continue their thorough reconnaissance of the Xiaoqingshan coal mine."

"Yes, Commander."

"Also, contact the company and have them report some intelligence."

"Yes, Captain."

"The Xiaoqingshan coal mine is indeed not so easy to conquer." Tang Weiguo sighed inwardly.

"Correspondent, notify Tang Xiaolong to come over."

"Yes, Captain."

Tang Xiaolong arrived shortly afterward.

"Xiaolong, how's the mountain artillery battalion's training going?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, no problem, the mountain artillery battalion is ready to attack at any time."

"Okay, can your battalion carry the Type 92 infantry guns and come with me to Xiaoqingshan?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Commander, no problem. We will disassemble and transport the infantry guns, and reassemble them once we arrive at the battlefield. Our battalion has already conducted several field training exercises, so we guarantee there won't be any issues."

"Good, very good," Tang Weiguo said with satisfaction.

"Go back and prepare. This time, your mountain artillery battalion will be accompanied by two Type 92 infantry guns."

"Yes, Captain."