Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 108 Combat Order

"Commander, there's one more thing I need to add," Bi Shoucai suddenly said.

“It’s unreliable to just use the Japanese trucks to transport the mining equipment. We have no prior experience with truck transportation. If any problems arise during the transport, all the work we’ve done before will be wasted,” Bi Shoucai said with some concern.

"Therefore, to be on the safe side, my opinion is that we should continue to use horse-drawn carriages as the main mode of transportation, and treat the Japanese truck transportation as an alternative plan."

"This way, we can complete the transportation task and gain experience in using trucks to transport supplies, killing two birds with one stone," Bi Shoucai said, expressing his idea.

"Very good, Director Bi's suggestions are very pertinent." Tang Weiguo nodded in satisfaction.

"Commander, should we finalize the appointment of the company commander for the motor transport company?" Bi Shoucai asked again.

“Yes, we really need to make a decision,” Tang Weiguo replied.

"Staff Officer Long, who do you think is suitable for the position of company commander of the motor transport company?" Tang Weiguo asked Long Wenying.

"Report, Commander, I recommend Zhou Yuan," Long Wenying said without hesitation.

“Commander, Zhou Yuan has undergone specialized training and has studied automobile repair for a period of time, so he can handle problems that may arise on the road. Moreover, even if a motor transport company is established, there are only five or six drivers in the company. Zhou Yuan is more than qualified to serve as the company commander,” Long Wenying added.

"Alright, if you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. Let's listen to Staff Officer Long and appoint Zhou Yuan as the company commander of the motor transport company," Tang Weiguo decided.

"Staff Officer Long, remember to tell Zhou Yuan that we should train more drivers for the militia in the future."

"Yes, Captain."

"But how do we transport them by carriage? We can't travel on mountain roads by carriage, and we can't take the main roads, that would expose our purpose." Tang Xiaohu raised another question at this point.

"Battalion Commander Tang, I've considered this issue. Our logistics wagons have already been modified by the arsenal so they can be disassembled into multiple parts, which the soldiers can carry separately. Wherever horses can go, our logistics wagons can go too," Bi Shoucai said confidently.

"The mountain path leading to Xiaoqingshan was originally traversed by caravans, so riding a horse there is no problem," Sun Qiang explained as he stood up.

"In that case, all the issues for this operation have been taken into account." Tang Xiaohu nodded in approval.

"Commander, what about the timing of the attack?" Zhang Haoshan asked.

"I plan to launch the attack on New Year's Eve. The Japanese will most likely think we're celebrating the New Year, and I predict their vigilance will be lowered on that day. At that time, we'll do the opposite and catch them off guard," Tang Weiguo said.

"Warfare is based on deception. The regimental commander chose a good time," Zhang Haoshan praised.

"In addition, we can also use New Year's Eve to create a festive atmosphere in Wolong Mountain, mislead the Japanese in the county town, and create a better opportunity to capture Sanjiaji."

"Well, Director Li will entrust this disguise mission to your intelligence department," Tang Weiguo said.

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

"It's a bit unfair to all of you, having to fight the Japanese on New Year's Eve," Tang Weiguo said apologetically.

“It doesn’t matter where we spend the New Year, it’s more meaningful to fight the Japanese. We should kill as many Japanese devils as possible to commemorate the fallen soldiers of our militia.” Niu Dali’s face was full of murderous intent.

“Yes, how can we celebrate the New Year if we don’t eliminate the Japanese pirates?” Zhang Haoshan’s face was also filled with murderous intent.

"Alright, in that case, I will now announce the combat mission."

"Order: Tang Xiaohu will lead two companies and a mortar company to the area around the Japanese stronghold at the river mouth the day after tomorrow, disguised as the main force of the Eighth Route Army, and seize the opportunity to take down the Japanese stronghold at the river mouth." Tang Weiguo thought for a while and then confirmed the disguise plan. He then privately contacted the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment to cooperate with Tang Xiaohu's operation.

"After taking down the Japanese stronghold, we will feign a retreat to the north to create the illusion that you are troops coming from the north, and then turn back to the Xiaoqingshan area."

"Yes, Commander." Tang Weiguo replied.

"Niu Dali, you will lead the reconnaissance battalion to the Xiaoqingshan Japanese coal mine area before the 28th of the twelfth lunar month to scout and monitor the Japanese movements. Make a map of the enemy's firepower distribution."

"Yes, Captain."

"Staff Officer Long accompanied Niu Dali on the reconnaissance mission," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Yes, Captain."

"I led two companies of the first battalion, two mortar companies, and a logistics transport team to Xiaoqingshan on the 30th of the twelfth lunar month to meet up with Niu Dali."

"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, you will lead the remaining five companies of the First Battalion to attack the Sanjiaji outpost. Two companies will cooperate with our unit in the attack, and the other three companies will be used to monitor the movements of the Japanese troops in the county town," Tang Weiguo continued.

"Commander, isn't three companies a bit too few to monitor the Japanese in the county town?" Zhang Haoshan asked doubtfully.

“I will have the Second, Third, and Fourth Battalions cooperate with your operation,” Tang Weiguo said.

"In that case, I can rest assured," Zhang Haoshan said.

"Tang Xiaolong, you will lead the mountain artillery battalion to provide fire support. I only have one requirement: once the fighting starts, you must level the Japanese strongholds immediately."

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

"Li Qukou, you do a good job of intelligence and disguise, and hide the actions of our militia."

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

"Remember, caution is paramount in this operation. All units must maintain constant contact with me via radio," Tang Weiguo said solemnly.

"Yes, Captain."

"Alright, does anyone have anything to add?" Tang Weiguo asked.

"Nothing."

"Alright, after the meeting, everyone should formulate their own combat plans and submit them to the regimental staff. The regimental staff will then compile them and hand them over to me."

"Yes, Captain."

"Based on the reported ammunition quantities needed for this operation, each unit will distribute them under the unified management of Bi Shoucai."

"Yes, Captain."

"Alright, meeting adjourned now. Tang Xiaohu and Li Qukou, stay behind for a bit," Tang Weiguo said.

"Yes, Captain."

Tang Xiaohu and Li Qukou then followed Tang Weiguo to his office.

"Does Weiguo have an additional mission?" Tang Xiaohu asked.

"I plan to involve the Eighth Route Army's Independent Regiment in this attack on the Hekou stronghold. You will cooperate with them. This shouldn't be mentioned explicitly in the meeting just now," Tang Weiguo said.

"Alright, I was worried about how to disguise ourselves as Eighth Route Army soldiers so as not to arouse the suspicion of the Japanese. After all, our current equipment is far superior to that of the Eighth Route Army."

"That's what I was thinking too, and there's a lot of Eighth Route Army activity in that area, so the Japanese wouldn't suspect anything if they were in charge of attacking them," Tang Weiguo said.

"I'm entrusting you with the task of driving out the enemy. You'll be responsible for contacting Commander Li and the others. You can discuss the specific rendezvous point with the Independent Regiment," Tang Weiguo instructed.

"no problem."

"I've finished speaking. Xiao Hu, Qu Kou, you two should go back and rest now, and prepare for tomorrow."

"Alright, Weiguo, we're off now." With that, the two walked back side by side.