Ning Zhiheng was also a graduate of the infantry class of the Whampoa Military Academy, so he was no stranger to various terrain arrangements for battle.
From a topographical point of view, there is an excellent ambush location further ahead. It can be said that as long as our troops enter this sloping area, if someone suddenly attacks from the high ground, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Team leader, what's going on?" Sun Jiacheng's voice came from behind. He was at the rear of the team, responsible for preventing any team members from falling behind in the dark. However, the team's sudden concealment caught him off guard. He quietly crept up and found Ning Zhiheng to ask.
Ning Zhiheng pointed to the darkness ahead and said in a low voice, "I suspect there's an ambush nearby. Let's not take any action yet."
After a while, the scouts ahead heard the commotion behind them and immediately took cover. Shen Xiang, who was in charge of the scouts, also rushed back.
"Team leader! What's going on?"
Ning Zhiheng looked at Shen Xiang and asked, "Have you found anything ahead?"
Shen Xiang shook his head and said, "After dark, our reconnaissance efforts were ineffective, and we didn't find anything!"
What Shen Xiang said was true. Marching at night, relying only on the moonlight, makes reconnaissance work very difficult. Often, by the time the scouts make contact with the enemy, it is already too late.
Ning Zhiheng did not want to explain the reasons in detail, nor could he explain them. However, he was a military commander and had always been assertive. His officers were all his former subordinates and were extremely obedient to him. Therefore, whatever decision he made, they would carry it out without question.
He began, “I have a feeling this location is very unsafe. We are currently at the western end of Shuangmawei. There is a slope on the road ahead, a high ground on the right side of the road, a flat area on the left, and a small river to the left. This is an excellent ambush location.”
I suspect there's an ambush on the high ground to the right. As soon as we climb the slope, the enemy will engage us at close range. Even if we retreat to the flat ground on the left, the river will block our path, and the entire area will be within rifle range. Moreover, the terrain there is flat and offers no cover, leaving us exposed to enemy fire. The enemy, with their superior position, can easily and decisively attack us, resulting in heavy losses.
Several subordinates were puzzled when they heard Ning Zhiheng's words. During the march, the scouts had not found anything unusual, yet the team leader suddenly ordered them to take cover on the spot because he felt that the place was very unsafe.
However, everyone blindly trusted Ning Zhiheng's outstanding abilities. Over the past year, Ning Zhiheng's phenomenal performance left no room for doubt.
They believed that the team leader must have discovered something suspicious, but simply didn't want to say it.
"Team leader, what do we do now?" Sun Jiacheng asked.
He came from a military reconnaissance unit and was no stranger to this kind of small-scale combat. Now it depended on Ning Zhiheng's decision: to fight or not to fight, and if they fought, what strategic objective did they want to achieve—annihilation or defeat? Different strategic objectives meant different tactics!
Ning Zhiheng nodded and said, "First, we need to confirm whether there are any enemies lying in ambush, and then prepare to annihilate them. If they are Japanese, then they are doomed, and this hill will be their burial place."
Now I'll explain the specific arrangements. Old Sun, you lead forty men to guard this place, and send a few more team members to wait along the route we came from. If any of our military transport vehicles pass by, stop them. The Japanese are very likely here for them.
Meanwhile, you all set up your attack positions on the spot and wait for our signal. I will lead the main force down the side path, circle around to the rear of the high ground, and conduct reconnaissance.
If they really are Japanese, then start the attack and drive them off the high ground. When you hear gunfire, block off that direction and eliminate as many as you can.
If it weren't for the Japanese ambush, we would have retreated after a false alarm.
Everyone nodded, but Shen Xiang, who was also a meticulous person, had some questions. He asked, "The Japanese army is very capable in combat, and these plainclothes teams are even more elite. They are on high ground, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If your attack does not go smoothly, what should we do?"
Ning Zhiheng said with a smile, "That doesn't matter. Don't forget that this is Pudong, which is still under our control. There are tens of thousands of troops stationed along the Huangpu River. If the attack doesn't go smoothly, we'll just wait it out with them and send a telegram to the Eighth Army Group stationed here to ask them to come and reinforce us."
The longer this drags on, the better for us. Once our reinforcements arrive, these Japanese will be left with no choice but to wait for their deaths!
Here I want to remind everyone that small-scale skirmishes are different from positional warfare on the battlefield. Our focus is on eliminating the enemy while minimizing our own casualties. We don't care what positions they occupy, so the high ground they occupy is unimportant to us. Once the battle begins, fight if you can, and if you can't, don't charge head-on. Just wear them down. If they try to break out, don't press too hard. Try to inflict as much damage as possible, maintain distance, and keep them engaged. They won't be able to escape. Our brothers don't need unnecessary casualties, understand?
Ning Zhiheng's objective was clear: if it really was a Japanese plainclothes ambush, then he would just keep an eye on them. They were in his own defensive zone and wouldn't be able to escape sooner or later. However, he only had so many men under his command. The Japanese army was very effective in the early stages of the war, and he didn't want to be greedy for this little bit of credit and suffer too many casualties.
Everyone was a smart man, and they immediately understood Ning Zhiheng's meaning. They were relieved, knowing that this fighting style would result in the fewest casualties.
Ultimately, Ning Zhiheng was not destined to be a good general. As the saying goes, "A kind heart cannot command an army." A true general can endure and face heavy casualties among his subordinates in order to achieve strategic objectives, rationally assess gains and losses, and ultimately achieve the expected goals.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com