nucmednet Chapter 178 Defense Plan
Chapter 178 Defense Plan
"Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang, according to the current intelligence, only the Japanese troops in Qingshan County are operating as a separate battalion. What if we concentrate our superior forces to wipe out this Japanese battalion first?"
"Commander, isn't this too risky? If we can't wipe out this battalion of Japanese soldiers in time, we'll be in danger when other Japanese reinforcements arrive," Zhang Haoshan said after a moment's thought.
"There's no war without risks."
"Commander, are you planning to send the reconnaissance battalion?"
"Yes, that's right. The reconnaissance battalion is the strongest fighting force in our militia of the same size, so it should be used in the most critical places."
"Commander, it's difficult for a single reconnaissance battalion to wipe out an entire Japanese battalion."
"Yes, I know. I plan to transfer three combat companies from the First Battalion, plus a mortar company, and Zhou Liansheng's Fourth Battalion to cooperate with Niu Dali in the operation."
"We must try to wipe out the Japanese battalion coming from the direction of Qingshan County as quickly as possible."
"Even if we can't finish it, we should still choose to cripple this Japanese devil."
"Commander, if we change the battle plan like this, the defensive strength of the Sanjiaji position will be reduced."
"In this way, the three families will dispatch six battalions to assist in the defense. Once the battle is over, the battalion that participated in the encirclement and annihilation of the Japanese brigade in Qingshan County will quickly withdraw from the battlefield and return to Wolong Mountain via the small path to carry out defensive operations."
"That's a safer approach. Good, Commander. I'll adjust the battle plan immediately."
"Wait a minute, I've also decided to use Liu Hao's 5th Battalion as the reserve force. I have some concerns about this defensive battle." Tang Weiguo thought for a moment and then voiced his thoughts.
"Commander, I think it's better to let the 5th Battalion take over the three companies of the 1st Battalion for defensive operations. Although the 5th Battalion has many veterans and is quite strong, it is better to keep the three combat companies of the 1st Battalion as reserves. They are good at both defense and offense."
"Yes, you make a good point. We'll do it your way and keep three companies from the First Battalion as reserves."
"Yes, it's the commander."
"What I'm worried about now is the defensive operations in the southern part of Wolong Mountain. Once the Japanese break through the defense line, they will directly reach Tangjia Town."
"If these two groups of Japanese troops join forces, we will have to abandon Tangjia Town and rely on Wolong Mountain for defensive operations."
"In this way, our Wolong Mountain fortress complex will be exposed ahead of time. Therefore, deploying two battalions in the south is still not enough."
"Commander, the terrain south of Wolong Mountain is treacherous and there are no roads, which is not conducive to the Japanese army's large-scale march. I think it is unlikely that the Japanese will launch a large-scale attack from the south."
"On the contrary, I think the Japanese devils from the south will launch an attack on our troops through Wolongshan County," Zhang Haoshan analyzed.
"I was worried that the Japanese had anticipated our prediction and were attacking from the south. If the Japanese launched a large-scale attack on the southern defense line, we would be at a disadvantage."
"So, Commander, what do you plan to do?"
"I plan to assign the Fifth Battalion to the southern defense line. After Zhou Liansheng's Fourth Battalion completes its mission, it will immediately go to the Sanjiaji stronghold to assist in the defense."
"This arrangement is appropriate."
"This time, we also brought the air defense battalion into Sanjiaji to prevent the Japanese from sending planes to assist in the attack."
"Commander, if the Japanese send planes, they'll be treating us like a proper army." Zhang Haoshan was quite surprised to hear Tang Weiguo say this.
“Deputy Commander Zhang, the Japanese see us as a thorn in their side, a thorn in their flesh. We can’t be too careful.”
"Yes, Captain."
"Your staff should first revise the defensive combat plan according to what we just discussed."
"Remember not to be afraid of trouble. The battle plan must be detailed. Last time I asked your staff to go through the pre-selected battlefield. Did you finish it late?"
"It's done. Our staff is adjusting the operational deployment based on the actual situation on the ground."
"Yes, good. We must investigate in person; practice makes perfect!"
"Yes, Captain."
"Go and get ready quickly, the Japanese don't have much time left for us."
"Yes."
As Japanese reinforcements arrived in Wolongshan County, the situation around Wolongshan gradually became tense, and the Japanese reconnaissance troops sent out had already engaged with the frontline defense forces.
As the Japanese reconnaissance units became more and more active, the shadow of war loomed over Wolong Mountain. April arrived.
On the evening of April 2nd, Tang Weiguo convened his last operational meeting.
"I don't need to say much, I'm sure everyone has felt it. Recently, the Japanese reconnaissance units and intelligence personnel have been constantly infiltrating our militia-controlled areas, trying to find out the true situation of our militia."
"Yes, Commander, especially in Sanjiaji, we've recently encountered no fewer than 10 waves of Japanese reconnaissance troops," Tang Xiaohu nodded.
"It seems the Japanese are about to launch an attack on us soon, so Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang will now issue the battle plan."
"Yes, Captain."
"Our staff has named this battle the Wolong Mountain Defense Operation."
"We divided this defensive operation into three phases."
"The first phase is a frontal defensive operation."
"We are using the Sanjiaji stronghold as the core to block the Japanese. Currently, we know that we are facing two battalions of Japanese troops from the direction of Wolongshan County and one battalion from the direction of Qingshan County."
"As for the deployment of the Japanese troops on the southern front, we are not clear about it yet. The intelligence department is closely monitoring the relevant intelligence."
"I now announce the first phase of troop deployment."
"Yes, sir." The officers sat up straight and picked up their pens to record the orders.
"Order: The reconnaissance battalion, the fourth battalion, and the fourth, fifth, and sixth companies of the first battalion, the first artillery company, plus a flying mine gun company from the artillery battalion, shall go to the river mouth area and lie in ambush."
"Your mission is to seize the opportunity to encircle and annihilate that Japanese battalion from Qingshan County."
"Yes."
"In order to unify command, Niu Dali will serve as the front-line commander for the encirclement and annihilation of the Qingshan devils. All cooperating units are requested to obey Niu Dali's command."
"Yes."
"Once the mission of encircling and annihilating the Japanese battalion is completed, the reconnaissance battalion will immediately go to hide outside Wolong County and await new orders."
"Yes."
"The fourth, fifth, and sixth companies of the first battalion, as well as the first artillery company, shall immediately return to the mountain road leading up Wolong Mountain and set up defenses along the route."
"Yes."
"The Fourth Battalion and the Flying Thunder Artillery Company returned to support the Sanjiaji stronghold."
"Yes."
"The three-level stronghold is defended by the 7th, 8th and 9th companies of the 1st Battalion, two artillery companies, plus the 6th Battalion, the artillery battalion and the air defense battalion."
"Yes."
"Tang Xiaohu will serve as the commander of the three-tiered stronghold front defense."
"Yes."
"The Second, Third, and Fifth Battalions closely monitored the enemy situation in the south and set up defensive positions in the direction of the narrow pass that the Japanese would inevitably pass through."
"Yes."
"The three newly formed recruit companies of the First Battalion went to Tangjia Town to set up defenses."
"Yes."
"The first, second, and third companies of the first battalion are to be used as reserves."
"Yes."
"All units carrying out defensive operations at Sanjiaji are to await orders to carry out the second phase of operations at any time."
"Second phase of the operation: Lure the enemy deep into our territory."
"After receiving orders, the three-level defensive units will take turns providing cover as they withdraw from the battlefield."
"The 7th, 8th, and 9th companies, plus two artillery companies, shall immediately retreat toward Tangjia Town to draw the Japanese troops toward Tangjia Town."
"The Fourth Battalion and the Air Defense Battalion shall immediately proceed to the direction of Yixiantian, while the Sixth Battalion and the Mountain Artillery Battalion shall return to the direction of Wolong Mountain."
"Yes."
"The reconnaissance battalion will seize the opportunity to attack Wolong County and destroy the Japanese logistics base."
"Yes."
"Our main task in the second phase is to take advantage of the terrain and kill as many Japanese soldiers as possible. The task of the southern defense forces is mainly to block enemy reinforcements and prevent the Japanese reinforcements from joining up with the two Japanese battalions at Wolong Mountain."
"Yes."
"In the third phase of the campaign, all units will encircle and annihilate the two Japanese units that have penetrated deep into our Wolong Mountain. The task of the southern defense forces remains to block enemy reinforcements."
"That concludes the entire plan for the defensive operations at Wolong Mountain," Zhang Haoshan said before sitting down.
Does anyone have any further questions?
"Nothing."
"Alright, everyone go back and prepare immediately. Please keep in touch during this time. The specific operation time will be issued by the staff office."
"Yes, Captain."