Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 273 New Plan

Zhang Haoshan, who was closely monitoring the entire battle situation at the Independent Brigade headquarters, was suddenly summoned by Tang Weiguo.

"Brigade Commander, you wanted to see me?" Zhang Haoshan asked as he entered Tang Weiguo's office.

"Hmm. I have a few questions for you. What is the current situation of the Japanese troops in the Wolong Mountain area?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Currently, this Japanese force is roaming around the Sanjiaji area without any large-scale operations. They have only had a few minor skirmishes with our patrol troops. Our patrol troops retreated quickly without suffering any losses, but the Japanese have not taken any action to pursue them and are still roaming around the Sanjiaji area."

"I don't feel any desire to attack the Japanese," Zhang Haoshan analyzed.

"It seems the Japanese have no interest in attacking us at all, and they're only staying in the Sanjiaji area, not daring to go deep into the Wolong Mountain area. It seems they want to return to Wolong Mountain County at any time," Tang Weiguo said.

“Yes, that is indeed very likely.” Zhang Haoshan also agreed with Tang Weiguo’s assessment.

"How many Japanese troops are attacking Qingshan County?" Tang Weiguo continued to ask.

"According to Commander Li's feedback, the number of Japanese soldiers in the two reorganized battalions is about the same as we expected," Zhang Haoshan said.

"Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, based on the two situations mentioned above, I deduce that there aren't many Japanese soldiers left in Wolongshan County," Tang Weiguo analyzed.

“Brigade Commander, your prediction is correct. The Japanese troops stationed in Wolong County are only about three battalions in size. Currently, almost all of the Japanese troops have been dispatched, so the Japanese forces in Wolong County are bound to be weak.” Zhang Haoshan nodded.

“Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, I remember that according to intelligence reports, the Japanese in Wolongshan County have a batch of supplies to support their southward operations that haven’t been transferred out in time.” Tang Weiguo suddenly brought up this intelligence report that Li Qukou had given earlier.

"Brigade Commander, I know this intelligence. The Japanese have stockpiled a large number of artillery shells and ammunition in Wolongshan County, and they haven't had time to transport them yet."

"Oh. Commander, do you mean we should attack Wolongshan County now?" Zhang Haoshan asked, somewhat surprised, since their independent brigade currently had no spare troops.

"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Let's seize this good opportunity to attack Wolongshan County a second time, capture the Japanese supplies, and that would be an indirect way of supporting the war effort in Central China!" Tang Weiguo said.

"Another crucial point is that if we capture this batch of supplies, we won't have to worry about artillery shells for a long time. Currently, our independent brigade's arsenal cannot produce artillery shells," Tang Weiguo said.

“That’s right, this batch of shells will last us a long time,” Zhang Haoshan agreed.

“But brigade commander, isn’t this too risky? The only forces we can currently mobilize are the guard regiment stationed at the brigade headquarters and the rapid support troops readily available in Lingshui,” Zhang Haoshan asked.

"Moreover, the Japanese troops stationed in Sanjiaji can provide support to Wolongshan County at any time, so we will inevitably face a large battalion of Japanese troops."

“If we rely solely on support troops, it will be very difficult to capture Wolongshan County,” Zhang Haoshan explained.

“I am aware of this situation, and I believe we currently have the resources to launch an attack on Wolongshan County,” Tang Weiguo offered a different perspective.

"At present, the battle situation in Lingshui County has stabilized. The Japanese only have one last line of defense left. Moreover, our anti-aircraft regiment is on guard there. Even if the Japanese planes come to support us, it will not have any impact on the battle situation or the battlefield."

"Tang Dazhuang and Li Debao's two blocking forces are currently fighting the Japanese with ease, so I am not too worried about the safety of the blocking front."

"So, Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, I think we can take this risk. After all, such a good opportunity is not easy to come by."

"As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold; how can we succeed without taking a gamble?" Tang Weiguo showed no concern whatsoever.

"Okay, let's do it." Zhang Haoshan seemed to be infected by Tang Weiguo's confidence as well.

"Brigade Commander, how should the troops be mobilized?" Zhang Haoshan asked.

"I had already planned this out. I ordered the engineering regiment to take over the defense of the Wolong Mountain position from the guard regiment, while the guard regiment would flank and intercept the Japanese troops in the Sanjiaji area," Tang Weiguo issued the order.

"Brigade Commander, deploying the engineer regiment for defense? That's too dangerous," Zhang Haoshan instinctively voiced his objection. In his heart, the Wolongshan military camp was everything. If the Japanese occupied it, all the hard work their Independent Brigade had put in over the past few years would be wasted.

“Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, don’t forget that the engineering regiment has been conducting military training recently. And most importantly, our military fortress was built by them, so the Wolong Mountain Fortress is very familiar to them.”

“The key issue right now is that we don’t have any extra troops available, so we have to use them. But I think they are enough to defend the Wolong Mountain military camp,” Tang Weiguo explained.

“Brigade Commander, since that’s the case, it’s the only way to do it. But I have a suggestion, just in case: all personnel in our brigade headquarters should be moved underground,” Zhang Haoshan said.

“Great minds think alike; that’s what I’m thinking too,” Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Therefore, we now notify Liu Hao's support team to immediately head towards Wolong Mountain, and the logistics team will follow Liu Hao's support team."

"Also, inform Tang Xiaohu that the entire mortar unit of the artillery regiment will follow Liu Hao."

"How the various units coordinate is up to your staff to come up with an operational plan," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Yes." Zhang Haoshan nodded seriously.

"We must be fast. Time is of the essence now. If the Japanese realize what's happening, our plan will fall apart!" Tang Weiguo said seriously.

"Understood, I'll go right away." Zhang Haoshan took the order and ran out.

"Wait." Zhang Haoshan had just run past the gate when Tang Weiguo called him. Zhang Haoshan stopped abruptly, almost falling, and quickly grabbed the door frame for support.

"I almost twisted my back when the brigade commander shouted that," Zhang Haoshan said hurriedly as he turned around.

"I'm sorry, Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang," Tang Weiguo said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Brigade Commander, what new orders do you have?" Zhang Haoshan asked.

"Notify Niu Dali to send a battalion to assist Liu Hao's supplementary regiment in the attack. Their reconnaissance regiment occupied Wolongshan County last time, so they are very familiar with it," Tang Weiguo said.

"Also, notify Li Qukou to send an intelligence team to cooperate with their operation," Tang Weiguo added two more orders.

"Yes, does the brigade commander have any other orders?" Zhang Haoshan continued to ask.

"No, pass the word immediately."

"Yes." Zhang Haoshan then quickly left Tang Weiguo's office and returned to the command center to make new operational plans.