Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 264 Preemptive Attack

In the dead of night, thick clouds obscured the moon, and the night, devoid of moonlight, was pitch black and terrifying.

"Qu Kou, it's past 11 o'clock now, less than an hour before the attack. Have the Japanese garrison in the county town changed anything?" Tang Xiaohu asked Li Qu Kou, who had come with him, in the pre-battle command post.

"According to the intelligence personnel in the city, everything is normal in the county town. Except for the Japanese squadron on duty and the puppet troops, all other Japanese troops are resting in the county town barracks."

"okay."

"How's the commando team that's been hiding in the county town doing?" Tang Xiaohu continued to ask.

"They have already lurked near the east gate of the county town. Once we launch an attack, they will immediately cooperate with Niu Dali's reconnaissance team to launch an attack on our colleagues at the east gate."

"To ensure the success of the operation, a combat company sent by Niu Dali has arrived. We currently have two platoons of combat strength in the Japanese-occupied county town," Li Qukou said again.

"Yes, we must break through the Japanese east gate as soon as possible. I have already ordered the artillery regiment to allocate half of its artillery units to support the operation at the east gate."

“I understand,” Li Qukou nodded.

“The current head of the commando team in the county is Sun Qiang. He has a wealth of experience and is capable of handling all kinds of situations,” Li Qukou said.

"it is good."

"We're about to launch an attack. Order the intelligence personnel in the county to keep a close watch on the Japanese movements and prevent any accidents at this crucial moment."

"I understand, I'll go make the arrangements now." After saying that, Li Qukou left.

"Dali, the heavy responsibility of the East Gate rests on your shoulders. This is the most important part of our battle." Tang Xiaohu reminded Niu Dali again, still somewhat worried.

"Don't worry, Xiaohu. According to our intelligence, the defense of the east gate of the county town is the weakest. Our reconnaissance team assessed it before the battle."

"With the support of the artillery regiment, our reconnaissance regiment will definitely be able to capture the east gate of Lingshui County within two hours."

"Yes, as long as we can break into Lingshui County and fight the Japanese in the town head-on, our Independent Brigade is not afraid of them," Tang Xiaohu said confidently.

"Besides, we outnumber them three to one, which is enough to crush them."

"So, Xiao Hu, this time we not only need to win, but we need to win spectacularly, and make our brigade commander proud," Niu Dali said calmly.

"That's for sure." Tang Xiaohu nodded in agreement.

"Dali, there's less than an hour left. Let's all prepare and launch the attack at 12 o'clock sharp."

"clear."

After saying that, Niu Dali also left the command post and, under the cover of night, headed towards the ambush position of the reconnaissance team at the east gate of Lingshui County.

After Niu Dali left, Tang Xiaohu picked up the phone again.

"Hey, get me the artillery regiment."

Tang Xiaohu waited a moment and then heard a voice coming from the microphone.

"Commander, this is Tang Xiaolong."

"Xiaolong, are your artillery units alright?" Tang Xiaohu asked again before the battle.

"Reporting to the commander, we have re-inspected the artillery targets and there are no problems. Once the battle begins, we will proceed with the plan to eliminate the Japanese firing positions."

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear that!"

"In addition, we must ensure the firepower at the East Gate, as that is the core of our operations."

"Yes, Commander. I will personally command the artillery positions at the East Gate."

"Okay." Tang Xiaohu hung up the phone with satisfaction.

After confirming all the attack preparations, Tang Xiaohu walked out of the command post and looked at the Lingshui County town in the distance, where lights were beginning to appear in the thick darkness.

At that moment, the Japanese soldiers in Lingshui County were unaware that a ferocious tiger was about to launch a deadly attack on them.

.....

It was almost midnight when a Japanese communications officer on duty rushed to the door of the room of the highest-ranking Japanese commander stationed in the county town.

"Knock, knock, knock." Because they were in such a hurry, the Japanese messenger knocked on the door very loudly.

"Colonel Aomura, urgent military intelligence!" the communications soldier shouted, knocking on the door.

"Baka yarou!" An unpleasant voice came from inside the room. Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged Japanese commander with a mustache walked out of the room.

"What is it?" Aomura Kazuo looked at the communications soldier in front of him with some anger, as he was being disturbed so late at night.

"Reporting to Colonel Aomura, we have received urgent intelligence from headquarters that the Independent Brigade stationed in Wolong Mountain is very likely to attack our Lingshui County in the near future."

"Headquarters has ordered us to strengthen our defenses and prevent the Wolongshan Independent Brigade from launching a surprise attack on Lingshui County." The Japanese communications officer quickly finished relaying the intelligence.

"What?! This army is so bold as to launch a preemptive attack on our Lingshui County!" Aomura Kazuo grabbed the telegram and checked it again.

Seeing the emphasis from headquarters, Aomura Kazuo, who always obeyed orders from headquarters, realized the seriousness of the situation. Without any hesitation, he immediately gave orders to the communications officer.

"Immediately notify the Second Company and the Second Battalion of the Imperial Army to support the First Company and strengthen the defense of the county town."

"Also, notify all commanders to hold a meeting!"

"Hay."

After receiving the order, the communications officer ran to the dispatch room to issue the operational command.

After reading the telegram, Aomura Kazuo was wide awake and rushed to his office. Upon arriving, he glanced at the clock hanging on the city wall; it was already past 11:30.

Yawning, Aomura Kazuo went to the cupboard, opened it, and took out a cup of coffee to brew himself a cup to perk him up. He knew tonight would be another sleepless night.

Meanwhile, the movements of the Japanese troops in Lingshui County were immediately detected by intelligence personnel of the Independent Brigade who were lurking in Lingshui County.

"Captain, the Japanese might be planning something; they're sounding the assembly call so late."

"Report the intelligence to the section chief immediately!" Upon hearing the bugle call from the Japanese military camp not far away, the intelligence squad leader in charge of reconnaissance immediately sensed something was wrong.

The troops are about to launch their attack!

After receiving the intelligence, Li Qukou hurriedly notified Tang Xiaohu.

"Little Tiger, the Japanese in Lingshui County are making strange moves; they are gathering their troops!" Li Qukou said hurriedly.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaohu made his decision immediately without hesitation.

"Communicator, order all units to immediately launch the attack according to the predetermined plan."

"Yes."

"Drive out the enemy! It seems the Japanese know our operational objective!" Tang Xiaohu said.

"It seems so. However, judging from the fact that the Japanese troops in other areas have not made any moves, it seems that the Japanese have only just learned of our combat objectives."

"So this is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, it's truly a blessing from heaven for our Independent Brigade!" Tang Xiaohu exclaimed.

As soon as Tang Xiaohu finished speaking, the artillery regiment began to unleash a barrage of fire on Lingshui County.

To ensure the success of this mission, Tang Xiaohu specifically asked Tang Weiguo for an extra half-base load of artillery shells, which would be enough to handle the mission.

"Boom, boom, boom."

Intense artillery fire erupted over Lingshui County.

Kazuo Aomura, who had just brewed his coffee, was startled by the sound of gunfire outside, and the coffee slipped from his hand and fell to the ground without him noticing.

"Bagaya road!"

Aomura Kazuo immediately realized what had happened - Lingshui County was under attack!

As the artillery fire began, piercing alarms blared throughout Lingshui County.