Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 72 Blocking the Japanese

After hearing the latest intelligence, Li Yunfei, who was standing aside, said to Tang Weiguo, "Commander Tang, what should we do now?"

"Commander Li, the terrain along our retreat route is narrow and not suitable for a large-scale offensive. Although the Japanese are numerous, the terrain limits their maneuverability. I estimate they can only deploy a company at most for the attack."

"The most crucial point is that they can't bring in heavy weapons," Tang Weiguo analyzed.

"What does Commander Tang plan to do?" Li Yunfei asked.

"Commander Li, give me a squad of scouts familiar with the surrounding terrain. I will lead a battalion and, relying on this mountain road, we will block the enemy's advance layer by layer."

"Commander Li, quickly lead your men to set up an ambush position in Liushan Gully. I am transferring command of the militia to you; you will be in charge of battlefield command."

"No, Commander Tang, it's too dangerous for you to do this. Let Old Li handle this. You don't know, Old Li has been fighting as a guerrilla since he was born."

"Commander Tang, in terms of direct combat, the Independent Regiment is far inferior to you, but when it comes to guerrilla warfare, my Independent Regiment is not afraid of you," Li Yunfei said casually.

Tang Weiguo thought to himself, "That makes sense. They're the masters of guerrilla warfare. They've fought their way from the south to the north, and their forces have only grown stronger with each battle. Tang Weiguo has no choice but to admire their guerrilla tactics."

After much deliberation, Tang Weiguo finally agreed with Li Yunfei's opinion.

"Alright, the blocking mission of Regiment Commander Li is now yours."

"Okay, I'll go right now." Li Yunfei was about to set off.

"Wait, Commander Li, the firepower of the blocking team cannot be lacking."

"Tang Xiaohu will provide Commander Li with 10 light machine guns, and also notify the artillery company to join them," Tang Weiguo said to Tang Xiaohu beside him.

"Yes, Captain."

"Good, with Commander Tang's support, Old Li is even more confident." Li Yunfei nodded when he saw that Tang Weiguo had not refused to provide weapons and personnel.

"You've returned safely." Tang Weiguo solemnly shook Li Yunfei's hand.

"Okay." Li Yunfei said and left.

"Communicator, notify all units to speed up and get to Liushangou as quickly as possible," Tang Weiguo ordered again.

"It's the regimental commander."

After Li Yunfei left, he went to the location of the Independent Regiment's camp.

"Zhou Zhengbiao, come here to me, you old man." Li Yunfei called Zhou Zhengbiao over.

"What is it, Commander?"

"Urgent mission. Immediately notify the First Battalion to assemble."

"Yes, Captain."

"First Battalion, assemble immediately."

"Time is of the essence and the mission is urgent, so I'll get straight to the point. The Japanese devils are closing in from the rear, and we need to intercept them immediately. Let's move out now," Li Yunfei ordered.

"Yes, Captain."

"These 10 light machine guns were provided to us by Commander Tang. Take them with you."

“Great!” Zhou Zhengbiao was overjoyed.

"Let's go." Li Yunfei led a battalion from the Independent Regiment and an artillery company from the militia towards the rear. Before leaving, he instructed Zhao Xiaogang to give him overall command of the Independent Regiment's work.

...

Commander Fujino led a large contingent of Japanese soldiers into the mountains and pursued them along the mountain roads.

"Reporting to Commander Fujino, according to the reconnaissance soldiers at the front, based on the traces left by the enemy's retreat, we are getting closer and closer to the enemy," Chief of Staff Sawada reported.

"Alright, order the entire army to speed up. I want to catch up with them and teach them a lesson they can't touch." Fujino Kii's face was full of murderous intent.

"Hai. Pass down the order: the entire army must speed up." Chief of Staff Sawada commanded the communications officer beside him.

"Hay."

.....

Upon reaching his position, Li Yunfei used the terrain to construct five or six defensive lines in one go. He also positioned the militia's artillery company on a small hilltop, ensuring it could provide artillery support at any time while avoiding enemy bombardment.

At the forefront of the blocking line, Li Yunfei deployed a company of troops to block the enemy.

"Commander, the enemy is coming soon," Zhou Zhengbiao said.

"Alright, tell the soldiers to let the enemy get close and attack, but don't linger in battle. Once the Japanese are seen attacking, retreat immediately. Our goal is to buy time for the main force," Li Yunfei instructed.

"Yes, Commander."

"Have the harassment forces on the flanks been arranged?" Li Yunfei asked.

"It's all arranged. I've assigned a company of soldiers, divided into squads, to be stationed on both sides of the mountain road to harass the Japanese army at any time."

"it is good."

While Li Yunfei was speaking, Gou Dongxi led the puppet army over cautiously.

"Prepare to attack. There are puppet troops ahead. Light machine guns are not allowed to fire. The puppet troops are no match for them. We need to save them to deal with the Japanese." Li Yunfei hurriedly ordered.

"Yes, Commander," Zhou Zheng-biao replied.

Li Yunfei saw through the moonlight that the puppet troops had approached within 100 meters of the position, and Li Yunfei decisively gave the order:

"Comrades, fire!"

The Independent Regiment soldiers, hidden in the shadows, unleashed a hail of bullets at the puppet troops.

"Brothers, there are enemies! Run!" Just as Li Yunfei had predicted, the puppet army collapsed at the first blow and fled in all directions.

The fleeing puppet troops disrupted the formation of a Japanese company that was preparing to attack from the rear. Upon seeing this, Fujino Kiichi couldn't help but curse loudly.

"What a bunch of rubbish."

"Staff Officer Jersey ordered the puppet troops to retreat quickly to the rear, reorganize the scattered Japanese companies, and prepare to launch an attack."

"Hay."

Jersey walked to the front of the column and readjusted the Imperial Army's attack formation.

"Illumination flares, three in rapid succession," Chief of Staff Jersey ordered.

"Hai!" The artillery squad behind them fired three flares in quick succession. The flares shot into the sky, emitting a dazzling white light that illuminated the entire valley as if it were daytime.

"Begin shelling for 5 minutes," Chief of Staff Jersey continued, issuing orders.

The Japanese artillery squad began to unleash a barrage of fire on the spot where Li Yunfei had just fired. Li Yunfei had anticipated this move by the Japanese and, after attacking the puppet army, immediately led the soldiers of the Independent Regiment to retreat to a defensive line in the rear.

As soon as the Japanese artillery fire ceased, the Japanese company behind them launched an attack in a staggered formation.

"Commander, the Japanese are still using the same old tricks: artillery bombard first, then infantry attack," Zhou Zhengbiao joked.

"If we had that many cannons, we would do the same. The Japanese tactics are very effective, and we have suffered countless losses because of them," Li Yunfei said, marveling at the difference in firepower between them and the Japanese.

"Comrades, pay attention! The Japanese devils are approaching. Prepare to fire," Li Yunfei whispered the message.

The machine gunners of the first company were already prepared and ready to attack, just waiting for Li Yunfei to give the order to attack.

"Call me."

As Li Yunfei finished speaking, the soldiers of the Independent Regiment, unable to contain themselves, began to unleash a torrent of bullets at the Japanese soldiers.

In order to create the illusion that they were the main force, Li Yunfei deliberately placed all 10 machine guns provided by Tang Weiguo in his current company.

In an instant, the Independent Regiment's machine gun bullets rained down on the Japanese soldiers like a storm. One after another, the Japanese soldiers at the forefront fell, pinning down the Japanese soldiers behind them, unable to lift their heads.

Tang Weiguo, who was on his way to Liushangou, heard the dense gunfire coming from behind and knew that Li Yunfei had engaged the Japanese. He immediately urged his troops to speed up.