Chapter 6: Using Japanese Puppet Forces for Transport Training! The Independent Regiment Also Targets the Transport Units
Page (1/3)
“Commander, there’s an entire Japanese squad here,” Shen Quan reminded him.
Shen Quan was well aware of the combat capabilities of the Japanese forces.
Although the New First Regiment had 110 men, facing a Japanese squad and a company of puppet troops meant their chances of victory were slim, perhaps even very slim.
A Japanese squad typically consisted of about 54 soldiers, with a machine gun team (equipped with two light machine guns), a grenade launcher team (two grenade launchers), and two rifle teams.
They possessed two grenade launchers and two Type 11 light machine guns (the so-called "crooked handle"), while the rifle teams were equipped with Type 38 rifles.
Their strength was not to be underestimated.
Li Yunlong was naturally aware of this and understood Shen Quan’s concerns.
“Shen Quan, you’re not scared of those little devils after facing them, are you?”
“Who’s scared!” Shen Quan retorted. “I’m just worried that the forces we’ve painstakingly assembled will be wiped out again.”
Li Yunlong’s expression grew serious. “Soldiers need to be tempered by the fires of war to grow—that’s indispensable.”
“The moment they choose to enlist and fight the devils, it’s as if they’ve tucked their heads into their waistbands. Without the courage to face death and then live, they are truly beyond cure.”
“If anyone chickens out, we can transfer him away from the main force—our New First Regiment doesn’t tolerate cowardice!”
“Immediately notify the troops to assemble, distribute ammunition, and move separately toward Jingxing Ridge. We must arrive before the enemy transport convoy passes through.”
“Specific operational plans will be arranged en route.”
“Yes, sir!”
Without hesitation, Shen Quan responded and immediately turned to make arrangements.
Wei Village was dozens of kilometers from Jingxing Ridge, so reaching there before the Japanese transport convoy was a tight squeeze.
Moreover, they had to avoid some Japanese and puppet strongholds.
However, after observing, Li Yunlong believed that the current quality of the New First Regiment’s soldiers made it achievable.
Besides, the fact that the transport convoy was escorted by a full Japanese squad suggested what they were carrying must be important.
Since breaking through the Nüzi Pass defenses, the Japanese had ended the Battle of Xinkou in the Second War Zone and retreated to Taiyuan, hoping to hold the city defensively.
Unfortunately, despite fierce sieges and assaults, Taiyuan eventually fell to the Japanese.
According to Li Yunlong’s speculation, this transport convoy was likely carrying the spoils the Japanese had gathered in Taiyuan.
What exactly they carried remained unknown.
This sparked a certain anticipation in him.
After a brief moment, once Li Yunlong had briefed Shen Quan on the relevant deployments, he led several soldiers ahead toward Jingxing Ridge.
Li Yunlong knew very well that to wipe out this transport convoy with the current strength of the New First Regiment, meticulous planning was necessary.
This required a detailed survey of the terrain to prepare the ambush.
...
Elsewhere.
Page (2/3)
Independent Regiment Base.
Regimental Headquarters.
As reports came in from subordinates, Kong Jie, the commander of the Independent Regiment, also received news about the transport convoy.
“Seems like those little devils intend to transport something away!”
“We absolutely cannot let them succeed!”
“Report immediately to the brigade headquarters, and send people to closely monitor the convoy’s movements. Prepare the troops for combat.”
“Yes, sir!”
Though Kong Jie wished to intercept the Japanese transport convoy, he dared not dispatch troops without orders.
Compared to Li Yunlong, he was more conservative—or rather, more disciplined.
Of course!
The Independent Regiment had now grown into a full-scale unit, unlike the New First Regiment which only had the strength of a single company.
This hesitation slowed Kong Jie’s actions.
...
Around Jingxing Ridge.
Li Yunlong spurred his horse and finally arrived at Jingxing Ridge.
He began scouting the terrain, marking it carefully on his map, and already had an ambush plan brewing in his mind.
Late at night.
Shen Quan and others finally reached the designated location and reunited with Li Yunlong.
“Commander, how’s the situation?”
Li Yunlong explained, “The Japanese transport convoy is currently stopped at the Jingxing stronghold. They’re expected to pass through here early tomorrow morning.”
“I’ve already surveyed the terrain. The deployment is as follows—remember this.”
“The 1st platoon will be deployed here; the 2nd platoon’s positions are at these spots. Once the 1st platoon engages, they must…”
“Arrange for people to plant booby traps around here. When the devils are attacked, they will likely flee in this direction. That’s when we’ll send them off for good.”
“The 3rd platoon will cover the rear, cutting off the Japanese retreat. As for the puppet troops, if they flee, let them go—the main target is the Japanese soldiers; prioritize killing them.”
“Is everyone clear?”
The men nodded.
“Clear!”
No one questioned Li Yunlong’s plan—after all, the commander’s capabilities were well known.
“Each platoon, move into position under cover of darkness. Keep the soldiers restrained and hidden. Absolutely no exposure.”
“Go!”
Page (2/3)
“Understood!” the platoon leaders whispered, then turned to carry out their orders.
The temperature was bitterly cold, and the only way to surprise the devils was to ambush them in advance.
The cold was a price the soldiers had to pay.
Fortunately, from the previous battle, they had captured many cotton-padded jackets, providing some warmth.
The night passed silently as the soldiers waited quietly.
At dawn, as the sun rose, the chill was finally dispelled.
The soldiers stretched their limbs to restore their physical vitality.
At that moment, a signal came from the forward sentries.
Immediately, all soldiers went into hiding.
Li Yunlong peered through binoculars and saw a group of Japanese and puppet soldiers escorting the convoy slowly approaching.
“They’re coming quite fast!”
Shen Quan exclaimed in surprise, “Commander, those devils are so impatient! They’ve appeared here so quickly—looks like they left the stronghold at daybreak.”
“Judging by that, what’s on those trucks must be something important,” Li Yunlong whispered. “Notify everyone to avoid damaging the cargo on the trucks if possible.”
“Got it!”
Shen Quan immediately instructed the radio operator to send the message.
Moments later.
Two sidecar motorcycles entered the ambush zone, their mounted light machine guns firing continuous bursts at suspicious areas around them.
“Tat tat tat... tat tat... tat tat tat...”
Although the new recruits had heard from veterans about Japanese firepower reconnaissance, the sudden gunfire still gave them a jolt, tightening their grips on their rifles.
After a while, the Japanese found nothing unusual and continued riding the sidecar motorcycles forward to scout.
The rear units, seeing the safe signal, resumed marching.
Soon after, the transport convoy steadily entered the New First Regiment’s ambush zone.
Li Yunlong lowered his binoculars and said to Wang Xikui, “Taking down the first truck is your job.”
“Commander, you can count on me!” Wang Xikui replied quietly.
He then adjusted the sight on his Type 38 rifle slightly and aimed carefully at the first truck.
After a deep breath, Wang Xikui decisively pulled the trigger.
“Bang!”
---
Page (3/3)