Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 266 Japanese Reinforcements

"Xiao Hu, we've breached the east gate of Lingshui County! I'm leading all the troops into Lingshui County and we're continuing our attack on the Japanese!" Niu Dali relayed the latest news to Tang Xiaohu over the phone.

"So fast! No wonder you're a reconnaissance team." Tang Xiaohu glanced at the time on his wristwatch and exclaimed in amazement.

"I now order the remaining troops to join your unit and continue the attack into the county town."

"Xiao Hu, since I captured the East Gate, I haven't seen any Japanese counterattacks. I estimate that the Japanese want to fight us in street battles inside Lingshui County." Niu Dali said, expressing his thoughts.

"Without the city walls to provide cover, fighting street battles with us is the best option for the Japanese, since we have the numerical advantage!"

"Xiao Hu, those damn Japanese devils! If we fight them in the streets, the people in the county will suffer!"

"Dali, if we're fighting in the streets, we must be careful to protect the safety of the civilians!" Tang Xiaohu solemnly instructed.

"Little Tiger, I understand. Our reconnaissance team will carry it out!"

"I will immediately disperse the troops and launch an attack along the east side of the county town towards the center. When it comes to street fighting, our reconnaissance regiment has never been afraid."

"Yes, I believe you. I've also notified the artillery regiment to continue supporting you!" Tang Xiaohu continued.

"it is good."

"I'll lead the troops into the city right now. See you in Lingshui County!"

"Okay." After saying that, Tang Xiaohu put down the phone and said to Yao Xing beside him.

"Staff Officer Yao, notify all attacking units that, except for the units responsible for guard duty, all other units should enter the county town through the east gate of Lingshui County."

"Yes, Commander, I will notify them immediately."

"Also, inform Deputy Regiment Commander Shen to prepare for street fighting with the Japanese."

"Yes."

"Once it's done, compile a report on the battle situation and send it to the brigade headquarters." Tang Xiaohu issued several orders in one breath.

"Yes!"

After saying that, Yao Xing led the regiment's personnel to begin their work.

......

Inside the Wolong Mountain Brigade Command Post, the lights were on full display, and the telegrams from the operations command center rang incessantly, like the croaking of frogs after a spring rain.

"Brigade Commander, Brigade Commander, Regiment Commander Niu has led the reconnaissance regiment to break through the east gate of Lingshui County! The troops attacking Lingshui County are currently engaged in street fighting with the Japanese!" Li Qin ran over to report.

"Take it quickly, let me see." Tang Weiguo grabbed the telegram and read it again.

"That kid Niu Dali, he's really full of surprises, no surprises at all!" Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Commander Niu, you are truly a valiant general!" Zhang Haoshan remarked with considerable agreement.

"It's so fast, it's incredibly fast!"

"There's less than an hour until the attack!" Zhang Haoshan said, checking the time.

“That’s right.” Tang Weiguo nodded.

"I don't know how long it will take for Tang Xiaohu and his men to completely occupy Lingshui County. If it drags on for too long, it won't be very advantageous for us!" Tang Weiguo said cautiously.

“Brigade Commander, Niu Dali and Tang Xiaohu both have experience in urban warfare. I believe they will also give us a surprise!” Zhang Haoshan said, contrary to his usual cautiousness.

"Then we'll wait for their good news!" Tang Weiguo nodded.

"Brigade Commander, the Japanese troops around us are moving!" Li Qukou ran in from outside and said.

"What's the situation with the Japanese reinforcements?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"According to intelligence, the Japanese have drawn a battalion from Yangshou County and Shanghu County and are heading towards Lingshui County."

"The support from these two Japanese units was within our expectations."

"What's the Japanese doing in Wolongshan County?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"The Japanese soldiers in Wolongshan County have begun to assemble, but they haven't moved out immediately. It seems they're waiting for something," Li Qukou said.

"Brigade Commander, it seems the Japanese in Wolongshan County are scared of us and are being so cautious!" Zhang Haoshan analyzed from the side.

"It's good that the Japanese are being cautious; it will reduce the pressure on us!"

"Brigade Commander, the Japanese troops in Quanyang and Zhongjin have also begun to move," Li Qukou continued to report.

"Huh? How come the Japanese in these two places are moving so fast!" Zhang Haoshan said in surprise.

“Currently, our intelligence network in these two locations is too weak. We can only scout the movements of the main Japanese forces. However, according to intelligence, it seems that the Japanese have already begun to assemble their troops before the battle even begins!” Li Qukou said.

"Could it be that the Japanese discovered our plan to attack Lingshui County ahead of schedule? That shouldn't be the case. If that were the case, the Japanese should have had countermeasures by now!" Zhang Haoshan voiced his doubts.

"Based on the intelligence reported by Tang Xiaohu and the others, I speculate that the Japanese discovered our plan to attack Lingshui County, but they discovered it too late, so they had no time to react in advance!" Tang Weiguo stated his speculation.

“I agree with the brigade commander’s opinion. Late intelligence is worthless. It seems that our brigade did a very good job in the early stages of secrecy!” Zhang Haoshan nodded to Li Qukou.

"Indeed, your intelligence department has done a great service again. If the Japanese had received this intelligence half a day earlier, the situation would not be as optimistic as it is now!" Tang Weiguo said with great approval.

"Brigade Commander, this intelligence must have been provided by the Japanese spies who are lurking in our Wolong Mountain. These Japanese spies are too slippery. We almost caught them several times, but they always managed to get away!" Li Qukou said with some regret.

"Don't lose heart! As long as these Japanese spies are still in our Wolong Mountain, we will definitely be able to dig them out!" Tang Weiguo encouraged.

"Don't worry, brigade commander, the rabbit's tail won't last forever. I'm determined to dig out this Japanese devil!" Li Qukou said earnestly.

"Deputy Brigade Commander Zhang, now that the Japanese have mobilized, the blocking troops should prepare for their mission. Forward the relevant intelligence to Tang Dazhuang and Li Debao, and instruct them to resolutely block enemy reinforcements."

"Yes."

"Order: Zhou Liansheng and Cao Yingjie to closely monitor the movements of the Japanese troops in Wolongshan County!"

"Yes."

"In addition, inform the Independent Brigade of the relevant intelligence. The Eighth Route Army has its own intelligence network, and I estimate they have already received the relevant intelligence," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Yes."

"Brigade Commander, should we have Liu Hao lead the rapid support troops to cooperate with Tang Xiaohu and his men in attacking Lingshui County?" Zhang Haoshan suggested.

"Don't move them for now. These are the last troops we can use. We still need them to guard against the Japanese troops in the Zhongjin direction."

"I trust Tang Xiaohu and his team to support Lingshui County," Tang Weiguo said.

"Yes, I understand. I will issue the order immediately."

"it is good."

"Drive out the enemy. Your intelligence department will continue to monitor the movements of the Japanese in the surrounding area."

"Yes."