Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 136 Cooking Platter

"Battalion Commander Niu, we're here!" Long Wenying said breathlessly to Niu Dali. She had gritted her teeth and marched alongside the reconnaissance battalion without falling behind.

"You've arrived just in time," Niu Dali said happily when he saw Long Wenying leading the reconnaissance battalion.

"We have now located the enemy's artillery positions. The battle at the front is currently at a stalemate. We need to launch an immediate attack on the enemy's artillery positions to stop the Japanese artillery from damaging our artillery."

"How is the Japanese artillery position defended?" Long Wenying asked, panting.

“There is a Japanese company defending the outer perimeter of the artillery position, and they have built a complete defensive position. We cannot bypass them and directly attack the Japanese artillery position. In other words, we cannot launch a surprise attack on them right now,” Niu Dali explained.

"Moreover, the Japanese positions were built just outside the range of the mortars, which means that even if we wanted to launch an attack on the Japanese artillery directly with mortars, we would have to occupy the outer positions of the Japanese."

"In that case, shall we launch a full-scale attack? The reconnaissance battalion is strong enough to take down the enemy's defensive positions," Long Wenying asked.

“A direct assault is not advisable. It will be difficult for us to capture the enemy’s artillery positions in a short time. Once the Japanese realize what’s happening and send their troops back to support us, it will be impossible for us to capture their artillery positions again,” Niu Dali rejected Long Wenying’s suggestion.

"In that case, how about we use a diversionary tactic? I'll lead a small force to attack and draw the Japanese defenses away, while Niu Dali will lead the main force to attack the Japanese artillery positions."

"This method works; it can reduce casualties. But let's change our approach. We now have a mortar company with us. As long as we advance into the mortar's firing range, the problem will be much easier to solve."

“Since it’s an artillery position to destroy the Japanese, sending people there or sending artillery shells there will have the same effect,” Niu Dali said.

"This method works. We only need to capture a portion of the Japanese positions, then quickly order the mortar company to launch an attack. After bombarding the Japanese, we'll immediately retreat." Long Wenying nodded in agreement.

"Dali, in that case, I'll take a portion of the troops to draw the enemy's defensive forces. It'll be much easier for you to lead the artillery company and the other troops to attack the Japanese defensive positions," Long Wenying continued.

"No, I think you should take the main force. Since we're going to lure the Japanese out, we need to make it look real. You will be the main force attacking the Japanese troops. That way, we can confuse the Japanese as much as possible."

"Staff Officer Long, you lead three companies of soldiers to attack the Japanese positions. I will only take the mortar company and act alone." Niu Dali made the troop deployment.

"Niu Dali, isn't this too risky? Going alone with only the mortar company?" Long Wenying said.

"Don't worry about that. The fiercer your attack, the more you can lure the Japanese out, which will actually make my side safer. Besides, my reconnaissance battalion's artillery is not weak. Artillery fire is only part of their combat mission; individual combat is also one of their strengths." Niu Dali spoke of his reconnaissance battalion's soldiers with a face full of pride.

"Besides, the cooks from the reconnaissance battalion are with me. They are one of the trump cards of our reconnaissance battalion, and I don't usually use them!"

"Cooking platoon?" Long Wenying looked at Niu Dali with an expression that said, "I think you're kidding me."

"Isn't the cookhouse just for cooking? Don't you think I don't know that?"

"Officer Long, you don't know our reconnaissance battalion's cooking platoon. Officer Long, enough said, let's carry out the mission. We need to end the battle as soon as possible and relieve the pressure on the blocking position."

Niu Dali didn't explain further. After instructing Long Wenying, he decisively led the mortar company and the cooking platoon to sneak towards the enemy's artillery position.

"Oh, I was so stupid to worry like that." Long Wenying stamped her foot as she watched Niu Dali leave.

"First Company, Second Company, Third Company, follow me. Company Commander Qin, you are in charge of leading the advance."

"Yes, Staff Officer Long."

"When you attack the Japanese positions later, you must be fierce. We're going to ambush their troops and then figure out a way to lure them out."

"Yes, Staff Officer Long."

Qin Yang led his company to head towards the Japanese artillery position. The scouts at the front had already reached the Japanese sentries and cleanly eliminated them.

"Move quickly, advance quickly!" Qin Yang urged his company to continue their infiltration towards the Japanese front lines. They were only discovered by the Japanese soldiers when they were about a hundred meters away from the Japanese positions.

"Oh no, Chinese troops are here!" The Japanese company commander defending the artillery position noticed the unusual activity in front of the position and immediately ordered his men to open fire.

"Shoot!"

The defending Japanese soldiers were completely bewildered, but simply followed their commander's orders and opened fire on the positions ahead.

The soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion did not panic after being discovered by the Japanese. Qin Yang, realizing the reconnaissance battalion was no longer concealed, immediately organized his men to attack.

At the rear of the column, the militia soldiers responsible for sniping, led by Wang Fugui, were focusing on eliminating key Japanese targets and heavy firepower points, clearing obstacles for the militia's attack.

When the Japanese artillery, which was under the protection of the Japanese, received news that the rear was under attack by the Chinese army, they immediately turned their guns to prepare to launch a mortar attack on the Chinese troops defending the artillery positions.

"Commander, the artillery positions are under attack by the enemy." The staff officer immediately reported to Masato Ikeda after receiving the intelligence.

"Hehehe, I knew it! They really did attack our artillery positions," Gao Xiang said upon hearing the news.

"Commander, you are indeed well-prepared."

"What is the enemy's troop strength?"

"According to reports from the front, the enemy has about three companies of troops, and they are very well equipped and have heavy firepower," the staff officer reported.

"It seems to be their elite force from the intelligence."

"Order Company Commander Aoki to lead the remaining Japanese troops to support the artillery positions and find a way to wipe out this force. Once we eliminate this force, our rear will be safe."

Masato Ikeda had specifically left a team to keep an eye on this militia unit. Now that this unit had appeared, Masato Ikeda's worries were finally put to rest.

"Yes, Commander, I will coordinate with the troops immediately." The military staff officer received the order and walked out of the command post.

"Correspondent, when will the Second Regiment of the puppet army arrive at the front line?" Masato Ikeda then inquired about the situation of the puppet army.

"Reporting to the Commander, according to their message just now, they are expected to arrive here in an hour and a half."

“Very good. Once they reach the position, it will be the day this enemy force is destroyed.”

"Order the front-line troops to intensify the offensive and not give the enemy a chance to regroup."

"Yes, Commander."

As the battle situation increasingly favored him, Masato Ikeda smiled with relief.

"The Japanese have indeed reinforced their troops." Long Wenying, who was directing from the rear, noticed the change on the battlefield.

"Order all frontline troops to reduce their offensive intensity and retreat slowly to lure the Japanese out."

"Yes, Chief of Staff."

Upon receiving the order, Qin Yang immediately directed his soldiers to feign a failed attack and then retreat.

The newly arrived squadron leader, Aoki, was not about to let this excellent opportunity pass him by. He immediately ordered his troops to pursue Qin Yang in the direction of his retreat.

"Warriors of the Empire, attack!" Captain Aoki charged ahead, taking the lead.

"Leave two squads to defend, the rest of you follow me." The Japanese garrison that was originally stationed there also chased after them.

When Staff Officer Long saw that the Japanese soldiers had almost all come out, he couldn't help but reveal an expression of triumph.

"Let's retreat quickly and lure the Japanese far away."

"Yes, Chief of Staff."

"Battalion Commander, Battalion Commander, the Japanese soldiers have been lured away by Staff Officer Long," the artillery company commander said.

"Alright, now it's time for us to make our move."

"Cooking platoon, platoon leader, the puppet troops on the position are now in your hands."

"Don't worry, Battalion Commander." After saying that, the cook platoon leader sneaked towards the Japanese position.