Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 255 Fierce Confrontation

"Battalion Commander, the enemy's attack formation seems to be different from what we expected," the deputy battalion commander said to Zhou Zheng-biao.

“That’s right. It seems they’ve figured out our intentions. Look, they’re attacking from both sides, while the frontal assault force is at the very back.”

"In this way, even if we launch an attack from both flanks, we will not achieve the desired effect."

"Moreover, if we directly engage in combat with their flank forces, we won't be able to utilize our defensive advantages!" Zhou Zheng-biao analyzed.

"Battalion Commander, what should we do?"

"Gather all the troops that are lying in ambush on both sides and form a cone-shaped battle formation."

"We will break through the center directly, and once we do, we can quickly dismantle the Independent Brigade's offensive formation."

"Moreover, the Independent Brigade's artillery equipment is much better than ours, so we can directly engage the Independent Brigade in close combat and bring out their artillery advantage."

"Deputy Battalion Commander, go and prepare immediately," Zhou Zhengbiao said quickly.

"Yes."

"In addition, instruct the soldiers on both sides of the defensive position to expose their firepower, creating the illusion that the firepower on both sides is strong and the firepower in the middle is weak, so that the Independent Brigade's offensive focus is on the middle position."

"Once they take the center position, you immediately lead the center assault force to break through to the center of the independent brigade."

"I will order the troops on both sides to encircle them, thus creating a pincer movement against them."

"Even if they don't fall for it, we will still advance into their center while our flank positions hold back their troops."

"In this way, we will maintain the initiative on the battlefield no matter what," Zhou Zheng-biao analyzed.

"Battalion Commander, your tactic is brilliant!" the deputy battalion commander exclaimed after hearing it.

"Alright, stop flattering me. Go and prepare. Don't delay the battle."

"Yes, Battalion Commander, I'll go prepare right away." After saying that, the deputy battalion commander ran back.

"Communicator."

"arrive."

"Notify all defensive units to prepare for artillery fire."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, the artillery fire from the Independent Brigade's attacking forces first reached the Independent Regiment's defensive positions.

"Under the cover of artillery fire, the attacking troops of the Independent Brigade quickly rushed toward the Independent Regiment's position."

"Attack!" Zhou Zheng-biao hadn't expected the Independent Brigade's attacking force to move so quickly.

They immediately organized troops to launch a counterattack.

"beat."

The battle between the two sides quickly escalated to a fever pitch.

In the distant exercise command post, Tang Weiguo and others were closely observing the battlefield situation.

"Brother Tang, I didn't expect your new recruits to be so skilled in coordinating infantry and artillery," Li Yunfei said with some surprise.

"Haha, to be honest, Commander Li, in Tang Xiaohu's reinforced regiment, only these two units can still use this tactic; it's not feasible for the rest of the units."

Tang Weiguo was telling the truth. These two battalion-level units were trained by Tang Xiaohu as elite troops, and their combat capabilities were being scaled up to the level of a reconnaissance regiment.

"Commander Li, your troops are not bad either. Your response speed was also very fast. You easily repelled the first wave of attacks from the attacking forces," Tang Weiguo said.

"Moreover, I've noticed that Tang Xiaohu's situation is actually a bit dangerous. If I'm not mistaken, Zhou Zhengbiao will definitely adopt a central attack strategy to break down Tang Xiaohu's offensive formation," Tang Weiguo said to Li Yunfei while observing the battle.

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from Brother Tang. Compared to defense, frontal offense is Zhou Zheng Biao's forte."

"After all, offense is also a form of defense, which is why I appointed Zhou Zhengbiao as the commander of the defensive forces in this exercise," Li Yunfei explained.

"Commander Li, judging from the current pace of the battle, it seems we won't need to wait three days. The outcome should be decided today," Tang Weiguo analyzed.

"Brother Tang, let's just wait and see which team wins first!" Li Yunfei said with a smile.

"Let's wait and see."

"Commander, our first wave of attack has been thwarted. The number of defenders and their firepower far exceed our expectations," Shen Lei reported.

"Oh, it looks like they've withdrawn their attacking forces from both flanks. What are they planning?"

"Commander, could it be that they've discovered we've identified their tactics, so they've withdrawn their troops to consolidate their positions?"

"That's possible, but it doesn't fit their style." Tang Xiaohu looked at the battle situation before him and began to think deeply.

Tang Xiaohu observed that the Eighth Route Army's defensive positions had dense firepower on both sides and sparse firepower in the middle, which seemed to be giving the Independent Brigade a false impression and trying to lure them to attack the middle positions.

"Commander, I think the Independent Regiment's central defensive formation is a bit weak. How about I lead a company to break through there?" Shen Lei suggested.

"No, I feel that this was done intentionally by the Independent Regiment to lure us into a trap."

"Commander, shall we maintain the current offensive formation?" Shen Lei continued to ask.

“The Independent Regiment must understand our operational intentions. Deputy Regiment Commander Shen, if you were on the defensive, how would you respond?” Tang Xiaohu suddenly asked.

"In this way, I will adopt a central breakthrough approach to disrupt the enemy's offensive formation, and then the flanking forces will cooperate with the attacking forces to carry out a cutting operation."

"Oh no, Commander, you mean the Independent Regiment will do that?" Shen Lei suddenly realized something and exclaimed in surprise.

"Commander, I will order the troops to retreat immediately."

"No, since that's the case, let's turn the tables on them."

"Deputy Regiment Commander Shen, notify the flank troops to slowly move towards the central force. In addition, the central force should send out a feint attack force to launch an attack on the Eighth Route Army's central position to attract the Independent Regiment's attacking force to attack us."

"Once the Independent Regiment's attacking force moves out, fight and retreat at the same time, and draw them down."

"The place down the mountain is where we will fight our decisive battle."

"Also, notify the reconnaissance platoon to sneak up to position 501 amidst the chaos and capture Zhou Zhengbiao."

"Yes."

As Tang Xiaohu gave the order, the two battalions of the Independent Brigade began to adjust their positions. In order to make the performance more realistic, Shen Lei led two companies of troops to advance towards the central defensive position of the Independent Regiment.

"Battalion Commander, the Independent Brigade has been tricked. I'll attack!" the deputy battalion commander exclaimed excitedly.

"Hmm?" Although Zhou Zheng-biao had some doubts about the Independent Brigade's actions, the die was cast and he had no choice but to proceed.

Zhou Zheng-biao decisively issued the order.

"attack!"

The prepared assault troops leaped up from their positions and attacked the Independent Brigade.

Seeing that the Independent Regiment was starting to fall for the trap, Shen Lei immediately ordered all units to fight and retreat simultaneously.

Seeing the orderly retreat of the Independent Brigade while observing the battle situation from the command post, Zhou Zhengbiao's sense of unease deepened.

Upon seeing that the Independent Regiment's attacking force had reached its expected position, Shen Lei immediately organized a counterattack.

"beat."

The soldiers of the Independent Brigade, who were already prepared, immediately launched a counterattack against the attacking troops of the Independent Regiment, catching the pursuing Independent Regiment troops off guard!

"broken!"

"Communicator, immediately notify the flank troops to support the central troops, and be quick!" Zhou Zhengbiao urged anxiously.

At this point, it was too late for Zhou Zheng-biao to withdraw his troops; he had no choice but to grit his teeth and push forward.

In an instant, the troops of both sides were completely engaged in combat.