Traveling through the sword to engage in military industry.

Chapter 164 Key Decisions
Liujiacun.

Serves as a barrier and source of ore for Yangcun.

Since Liu Dabang was dealt with, the main force of the 3rd Battalion of the Independent Regiment moved forward and stationed here, expanding the protection range of Yangcun and ensuring the safety of the ore production area.

From the county seat to the end of the road at the entrance of Liujia Village, there is a dangerous terrain of about 500 meters with a ravine sandwiched between two hills. On the south side is a steep ridge about four or five hundred meters high parallel to the road, and on the north side are the remnants of three ridges that are rolling.

The positions of the 3rd Battalion were divided into four north and south positions based on the terrain. The first company was responsible for the first and second lines of defense on the north side, the second company was responsible for the third line of defense on the north side, and the third company was responsible for the south line of defense. They supported each other within 4 meters. Two mortars of the battalion's mortar squad were set on the top of a mountain north of the third line of defense on the north side, where the view was wide and convenient, and there were also two or three hundred meter mountain tops for easy transfer (see picture).

The 3rd Battalion dug trenches based on the terrain on the mountain. After the Japanese troops set out, the 3rd Battalion immediately set up a large number of roadblocks and mines on the road.

Every 50 meters or so in the trenches there were solid machine gun firing points built with stone slabs. There were three machine guns on each line of defense, including six Type 3 light machine guns, three Czech-type machine guns, and three newly-produced MG6s renamed Type 3 by Ren Zhong. The new Type 3 machine guns were deployed on the last two north and south lines of defense.

In addition, at least two grenade launchers were deployed on each line of defense. The four lines of defense of the 2rd Battalion were located on high ground. Logically speaking, even if a field battalion of the Japanese came, they would be in trouble. In this terrain, they could not deploy an attack formation at all and needed to attack from a height of 3 to 4 meters. With the sufficient ammunition supply in Yangcun, the 2rd Battalion would basically have no problem holding its position. This configuration was enough to deal with the battalion-level Japanese.

Now with 82mm mortars and detailed measurements of the distance from the cave to the road made in advance, the mortar squad had the advantage even if they faced a Japanese artillery squad carrying 92mm infantry guns and could shoot down the enemy's artillery.

However, a little more than two hours after Zhao Gang deployed his troops for the battle, the Japanese vanguard rushed over brazenly.

Although the guerrillas deployed by Wang Huaibao along the way caused certain casualties to the Japanese, the Japanese soon separated out a small team to deal with the sneak attack by the militia guerrillas, while the rest of the troops did not stop.

It was obvious that the Japanese had already prepared a response strategy for the sneak attacks along the way. After dividing into several teams in succession, they basically restrained Wang Huaibao's sporadic sneak attack teams.

A regiment of puppet troops walked in the front, followed by the first squadron of the Japanese devils, and then the infantry artillery squadron and the mountain artillery squadron were guarded in the middle, and they were towed forward together with the machine gun squadron by trucks.

The Yoshino Japanese soldiers trotted on their horses to speed up the marching troops, and almost ignored the sneak attacks around them.

This made it difficult for Wang Huaibao, who was attacking with a mortar, to keep up with the pace of the Japanese. After all, they were crossing mountains and forests, while the Japanese were taking the main road and were much faster.

"Battalion Commander, let's set up an ambush directly at Mati'an. Judging from the way the Japanese are doing, I think they're going to head straight for our Third Battalion's position. Their artillery positions are either in Dongzhuang or Matou Village. We can definitely reach them from Mati'an," suggested Cai Jinhai, the artillery platoon leader.

The place he mentioned was within 4 kilometers of the Third Battalion's position. This distance was just a comfortable range for the Japanese 41-type mountain artillery. The 82mm mortars of the Eighth Route Army position could not reach it, so they could calmly fire under the guidance of the front-line artillery observers.

The Yoshino Battalion must have known the general situation of the Independent Regiment's defense through the Military Police Battalion a long time ago.

"I think it's okay. Jinhai, you lead the artillery platoon to set up an ambush there. I will lead a few militia guerrillas to follow them. When they stop, we will approach them. Then we will attack with grenade launchers, and you will use mortars. I will try my best to delay the time for them to move the artillery position." Wang Huaibao thought about it and felt that running after them was not a solution. Even if there were slight mistakes in the implementation of Cai Jinhai's suggestions, they could be quickly corrected through the intercom. After all, this was their home ground.

After reading the three strategies, which were good, medium and bad, sent out by the border region, Commander Wei was shocked.

"Brother Guangming, people in the border areas are more open and have a bigger picture. Our army is at this critical moment of life and death. Our rear, theater headquarters and front lines are all distracted and are all trying to protect themselves. How many people are left to study the enemy situation and figure out how to win this battle?" Commander Wei sighed after handing the long telegram to his aide Shao Guangming.

"Hiss, Commander, this matter is indeed of great importance. The three strategies of the border area are well-reasoned and are the key to our solution. It is a matter of great importance. I suggest that the Commander go to the rear to present the report in person and urge the Chairman to promote the best strategy. Our army still has a chance to turn the tables!" After reading ten lines at a glance, Shao Guangming was extremely excited and said to Commander Wei excitedly.

"Brother Guangming, the battle is in full swing, how can I leave? The headquarters has also received a secret message about this matter. If there is any action, the chairman must come to the Second War Zone to supervise the battle. But our three families are quite dirty. It is impossible for us to work together and even risk our lives. On the contrary, our war zone has a lot of room for discretion, so it is still feasible." Commander Wei shook his head. He had a clear view of the overall situation.

He also knew why he had been called back to the rear for a long time and had been idle until the war broke out.

It’s really because the higher-ups are too suspicious of the other two parties!
General Junru knew that his superiors would never turn their backs on the other side.

I have finally established a good relationship with the border area, and today I have received an excellent reward. If you look at it from an objective standpoint, this is a great thing, but for my superior, it may not be the case.

Even General Junru didn't know how he would deal with it.

After all, that person's ideas are always unexpected.

"What? It's already this time, and the higher-ups still haven't put aside their prejudices. Are we going to watch this golden opportunity to survive slip away, and then put the blame on the commander?" Shao Guangming said in surprise.

"Brother Guangming, my personal honor and disgrace is not a big deal, but if the superiors are still so self-centered and my more than 100,000 brothers are facing death, it will be really heartbreaking." General Junru said here, feeling a little discouraged.

"The border region is indeed full of talented people, and their intelligence work is better than mine. As for the three strategies at hand, our staff could never have come up with them. Even now, we still don't know the intentions of the Japanese. The higher-ups are still hesitating, thinking that the Japanese will just mop up the place like before and leave. We want to hold on with the old rigid defense, which is really a far cry from the truth."

"Then should we stick to our previous strategy and wait for help, and then wait for new instructions from above?" Shao Guangming asked unwillingly.

"Of course not!" General Junru said flatly.

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(End of this chapter)