Chapter 293: Command Post Moves Forward

In the darkness.

The houses in Baiyang Town that were bombed remain ablaze.

Zhang Liang immediately ordered, "Collect the spoils."

"Old Zhang, it looks like only two companies of Little Devils, right?" Jiang Yuan came up from behind at this moment, kicking a Type 38 rifle at his feet that had already been split in two.

Zhang Liang wasn't sure either. "Maybe. I think we should shift our position forward a bit, and directly on the hill on this side of Baiyang Town, establish a defensive position."

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "Right, we'll block the bridge on this side, not letting the Little Devils cross. We have an Artillery position on the south bank, and daytime air support, enough for the Little Devils to have a drink."

The two quickly agreed and immediately decided to set up a defensive position at Baiyang Town, using the slope facing northeast as the main position.

"Old Zhang, have your second Company rest promptly, and let my third Company handle the fortifications," Jiang Yuan offered.

Zhang Liang looked at the second Company soldiers still collecting weapons and equipment, his nerves strained all night and indeed tired, "Alright, then it's on you. I'll first send a telegram to the Battalion Commander and the Commander, stating that we've already taken Baiyang Town!"

The Artillery position on the south bank of the Yangtze River returned to calm.

Jiang Anguo hadn't expected it, but the second and third Companies on the opposite bank were also fierce, launching a counterattack directly against the Little Devils.

However, this reminded Jiang Anguo that the Little Devils also had reinforcements at Zhijiang, with a battalion's strength, and in Jingzhou, there was the Japanese Army's 39th Division.

Jiang Anguo felt no fear, no worry. "Come on, the more guests, the better."

"Jiang Xingxue," Jiang Anguo shouted loudly.

Guard Company Commander Jiang Xingxue jogged over to Jiang Anguo, stood at attention, "Ready!"

Jiang Anguo nodded, "Deploy a Company's troops, bring more machine guns and infantry mortars, to support the whole regiment across the river. That Company will obey the regiment's orders."

"Yes."

Soon a force of 160 men was drawn, equipped with fifteen MG42 machine guns and six 75mm infantry mortars.

This firepower configuration is stronger than even the former 150th Division's.

Company Commander Zhang Yuan, specialized in defense.

Jiang Anguo also arranged two LCI landing craft at the riverbank, responsible for transporting the Guard Company's soldiers and their weapons and equipment.

The weapons and ammunition Jiang Anguo gave this Infantry Company were enough to equip an entire Infantry Division.

At the same time Jiang Anguo also sent five SCR-300 backpack radios, basically walkie‑talkies, or plainly, "big brother radios."

These devices aren't light; they weigh 15 kilograms, with a communication range of 10–20 kilometers.

Jiang Anguo called Shi Xiaomao over again, "Shi Xiaomao, your position is right here. Take this radio with you; if support is needed over at Baiyang Town, fire directly, no need to request."

"Yes," Shi Xiaomao said.

"By the way, Regiment Commander, I only have a Company's troops here. What if the Little Devils cross the Yangtze River?" Shi Xiaomao said anxiously.

Jiang Anguo almost wanted to give the kid a beating.

"You kid, you're being stubborn! Your Artillery Company has 198 men, and they're all holding fire sticks, they can't shoot!"

"Moreover, the sky now belongs to us. During the day the Little Devils don't dare cross the Yangtze, at night you both coordinate, shine searchlights onto the river surface, and see if the Little Devils dare to cross; let them have no way back."

"Did you remember?" Jiang Anguo stepped forward and kicked Shi Xiaomao.

"Got it, Commander."

Shi Xiaomao nodded seriously.

Jiang Anguo stopped the chatter, leading the remaining Guard Company troops to Yidu; at this moment the other Infantry Battalions of the Independent Regiment had already rushed up from behind.

May 30, 21:28.

The area around the Yidu dock was noisy and chaotic, utterly disorderly; anyone unaware would think it was another massive retreat.

Jiang Anguo had already reached the Yidu dock; seeing the crush of people, his face turned very grim. He drew the pistol hanging at his waist, pointed at the sky, and—bang bang!

Two gunshots, and the entire dock fell silent instantly.

"Where are your division commanders! Let them come over, each level of officer restrains their troops. I tell you, the Little Devils just launched a surprise attack on Baiyang Town, and now my Independent Regiment has annihilated them completely; look at yourselves, you'd think you were retreating troops!"

Xu Guozhang walked over with an embarrassed expression, "Brother, hey, you've made a big mess, look at this!"

Jiang Anguo pulled Xu Guozhang aside; he no longer commanded the 150th Division, but instructed, "Brother Xu, take your 449th Regiment. Currently my three transport ships can each carry a battalion's troops; first get this regiment across."

"Alright, got it! Let's do it that way," Xu Guozhang, also eager to cross the river, said in his haste.

Sure enough, after Jiang Anguo's gunfire, the units of the 150th Division fell much more into order.

Jiang Anguo found a sparsely populated spot, bought all the supplies the troops needed with points, and laid them on the ground.

"Brother Xu, make sure the soldiers' hands aren't empty—bring all the ammunition and supplies across," Jiang Anguo gestured grandly and said.

Xu Guozhang stared in disbelief at the mountain of supplies before him, finally understanding what 'piled like a mountain' truly meant.

"Brother, these are all for me?" Xu Guozhang asked in disbelief.

Jiang Anguo nodded and said, "Brother Xu, your 150th Division has a heavy mission. Just now we were attacked from the Zhijiang direction by the Japanese Army, about two companies in strength, but they were repelled. The Japanese forces from Jingzhou and Danyang will likely come to support Yichang."

Dangyang, the place where Zhang Fei once single‑handedly repelled Cao Cao's army.

The Japanese forces in this direction are the 13th Division's 116th Regiment and the 17th Mixed Brigade. Their presence not only protects the main force of the Japanese 13th Division in Yichang, but more importantly blocks the eastward advance of the Fifth War Zone's Li Zongren.

"In a moment two more transport ships will arrive. Brother Xu, quickly send all your troops across, and leave just one Company stationed here at Yidu," Jiang Anguo said.

"Brother, with so much supplies, we're short on manpower!" Xu Guozhang said with a troubled expression.

Jiang Anguo looked at the older brother before him, shouted loudly to the onlookers, "Fellow villagers, we're about to cross the river to fight the Little Devils, but we lack manpower. We don't need you to risk your lives; we hope you can help move the supplies. Those who help, each person gets one can of meat per day."

Sure enough, Jiang Anguo's tactic worked; the Yidu townsfolk, who had been watching the spectacle late at night, started to stir up a commotion.

"Commander, we don't want the canned food; we'll help," the man said, stripping off his clothes, hoisting a crate of ammunition, and walking toward the shore.

More and more people joined in.

Men, women, old and young, anyone present joined in to help move the supplies.

Jiang Anguo was deeply moved, saying, "Brother Xu, we cannot lose this battle!"

Xu Guozhang, seeing this, was also full of emotion, "Brother, don't worry. Tomorrow, I, Xu Guozhang, will definitely capture Xiaoting for you, and I will also hold the Japanese forces at the Xiaoting direction for you."