You are ordered to support the War of Resistance against Japan; China enters Level 1 combat readines

"The Japanese have mobilized three divisions along the Zhengtai line; it seems to confirm our previous analysis of scenario three!"

"Scenario 3..."

The executives pondered for a moment.

Even before the Battle of Jiaodong City began, the leaders had already anticipated all possible reactions from Gangcun and formulated a total of eight contingency plans.

The idea that Okamura would mobilize three divisions near the Zhengtai Railway to launch a night attack on Jinan was the third scenario they had deduced, and also the most likely one.

"Even their night march was exactly as we calculated."

The division commander pointed to the Zhengtai Railway line on the map and shook his head: "You can't blame him for this. After all, the bones of the 33rd Division are not cold yet. Unless Okamura is a fool, he would never dare to swagger out 70,000 troops in broad daylight."

"In that case, there's nothing more to say."

The vice president put down his teacup, his eyes sharpening: "Since the Japanese have delivered themselves to our doorstep, let's fight according to Plan Three."

"agree!"

"No objections!"

The executives all nodded in unison, without any objection.

The deputy general manager stood up, walked to the map, and tapped his finger heavily on a valley east of Niangziguan:

"Order: The 2nd Tank Regiment shall immediately assemble and rush to the ambush position at Qingshixia overnight to block the vanguard of the Japanese army from the front."

The independent artillery regiment was attached to the 2nd Tank Regiment and constructed artillery positions on both sides of the valley. Once the Japanese troops entered the ambush zone, they immediately began to bombard the area with artillery fire.

Local armed forces and militia cooperated with the main force to sabotage the Japanese army's rear railway lines and cut off their retreat.

All troops must be in their designated positions before dawn and ready for battle!

"yes!"

The communications officer immediately turned around and ran out to relay the order.

In the operations room, the commanders exchanged smiles.

. . .

In southeastern Shanxi, outside the city, was the garrison of the Second Tan Regiment.

The 160 Type 59 tanks brought by Shen Wangxin were organized into two tank regiments, namely the 2nd Tank Regiment and the 3rd Tank Regiment.

As for the Tank First Regiment, it was naturally Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment!

The camp was quiet in the dead of night. The soldiers of the 2nd Tank Regiment had finished their day's training and were already fast asleep.

Suddenly, a sharp emergency assembly call pierced the night sky.

Almost at the same instant the bugle sounded, all the barracks lit up simultaneously.

The soldiers sprang out of bed like springs, dressed, grabbed their equipment, and moved with the speed and agility of flowing water.

There was no panic in the entire camp; only the sound of synchronized footsteps and the clanging of metal could be heard.

"Is it routine training or an emergency mission?"

"It seems like there really is a mission!"

"Great! It's finally our turn!"

As the soldiers dressed, they excitedly discussed among themselves, their faces showing no fear, only barely suppressed excitement.

The 2nd Tank Regiment was just formed half a month ago, and it is equipped with the latest Type 59D main battle tanks.

This modified Type 59 tank not only has enhanced armor and firepower, but most importantly, it is equipped with advanced infrared night vision devices, giving it a strong ability to fight at night.

Since its formation, the soldiers have been spending every day on the training ground, practicing night combat tactics diligently.

They had heard the old squad leader recount countless times the heroic deeds of the Tank Regiment: capturing a county town in ten minutes, repelling an army of 100,000, chasing the Japanese devils around, and so on.

The reputation of the First Tank Regiment is deeply imprinted in the hearts of every soldier in the Second Tank Regiment.

They had been holding back for a long time, eager to prove themselves and compete with Tan Yituan.

Now, the opportunity has finally come.

"Attention, everyone! Assemble at the tank garage!"

The regimental commander stood on the parade ground and loudly issued orders.

The soldiers immediately formed neat lines and ran towards the tank garage.

Inside the garage, 80 silver-gray Type 59D tanks were lined up in a row, their cold armor gleaming under the lights.

The gunner, driver, and loader rushed to their tanks and climbed into the cockpits.

The roar of the engines rose and fell, soon merging into a deafening roar.

"Squad leader, do you think we can win a great victory this time?"

As the young loader, Xiao Li, inspected the shells, he asked excitedly.

"Of course!"

The squad leader patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "We're driving an upgraded version of the Type 59 tank. Its firepower and armor are far superior to those old tank regiments!"

"Exactly! What the First Tank Regiment can do, our Second Tank Regiment can do too! Maybe after this battle, we'll be even more famous than the First Tank Regiment!" the driver next to him chimed in.

"Haha, that's ambitious!"

The regimental commander shouted, "Brothers, this is our 2nd Tank Regiment's first battle! We must show our might! Let the Japanese know that the Eighth Route Army has more than just the 1st Tank Regiment!"

"clear!"

All the soldiers roared in unison, their voices echoing through the night sky.

"Set off!"

The regimental commander gave the order.

The garage door slowly opened.

The first Type 59D tank slowly rolled out, its headlights piercing the dark night sky.

Immediately afterwards, tanks rolled out one after another, forming a long steel dragon, and sped towards Niangziguan.

The tracks rolled over the hard ground, leaving two deep ruts.

In the darkness, the 80 tanks, without their headlights on, relied solely on infrared night vision devices to determine their direction, like a group of hunters lurking in the shadows, silently approaching the ambush position.

No one spoke; only the deep rumble of the engine could be heard.

The soldiers sat inside the tanks, gripping the control levers tightly, their eyes filled with anticipation and fighting spirit.

. . .

Niangziguan, Qingshixia.

The night was as dark as ink, turning the continuous Taihang Mountains into a deep black.

The cliffs on both sides are steep as if cut by a knife, with a narrow valley in the middle. The Zhengtai Railway, like a long black snake, winds its way through the valley.

The mountain wind howled through the valley, whipping up pebbles and withered leaves, making a mournful sound like the wailing of ghosts.

This is a vital passage in eastern Shanxi, and also an excellent location for ambushing trains.

At 2 a.m., 80 silver-gray Type 59D tanks silently drove into the pre-arranged positions on both sides of the canyon.

The tanks had all their headlights turned off, relying solely on infrared night vision devices to observe their surroundings. The cold armor blended into the night, making them look like a group of giant beasts lurking in the darkness.

The cannon barrels slowly rose, aiming precisely at the railway at the bottom of the valley.

The soldiers sat inside the tanks, gripping the control levers tightly, their hearts pounding.

This was the first battle since the formation of the 2nd Tank Regiment.

Everyone was determined to win a resounding victory and prove that they were no less capable than the Tank Regiment.

"Squad leader, when do you think the Japanese train will arrive?"

As the young loader Wang Lei inspected the shells, he asked in a low voice.

His voice carried a hint of nervousness, but even more so, an undisguised excitement.

"It'll be soon, headquarters said around 3 o'clock."

Squad leader Li Gang patted him on the shoulder, his eyes sharply fixed on the night vision goggle screen.

"Don't be nervous, just like in regular training. Our Type 59 can handle these metal trains like cutting tofu."

"I'm not nervous at all!"

Wang Lei, his neck stiff with anger, declared, "My sister was killed by the Japanese devils! Today, I will personally blow up their train to avenge her!"

"My mother is too."

The gunner next to him whispered, "When the Japanese devils were sweeping through, they burned my mother to death in the house. Today, it's a good day to settle the score."

"Don't worry, we'll have plenty of Japanese devils to kill today."

The regimental commander's voice came through the radio: "The commanders have been strategizing and have dug a pit for the Japanese long ago. Today, none of them will escape!"

"clear!"

All the soldiers responded in unison.

The valley was quiet, save for the howling of the mountain wind and the low idling of the tank engine.

Time passed by, second by second.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, intently at the end of the railway.

3:15 a.m.

"They're here!"