Traveling through 1937, starting from the Battle of Songhu

Chapter 316: The Japanese Year-End Sweep 5

The Japs were very fast. Under the protection of their iron turtles, they were arrogant, as if victory was just before their eyes.

The Japanese were too eager for victory this time, and the heavy casualties they suffered before caused them to feel quite frustrated.

Although most of the dead were puppet troops, for the Japanese soldiers of the Type A Division, this failure was undoubtedly a slap in their face.

Therefore, they must wash away the shame this time, many devils secretly swore in their hearts.

Boom boom boom!

The advancing Japanese tanks did not spare the soldiers of the third battalion, and their guns were constantly aimed at the position and bombarded.

If it were any other army, they might have only sacrificed their lives, but for the independent regiment, they had blown up so many Japanese tanks that there was nothing to think about. They could just shoot them down with one shot.

When the Japanese soldiers and their tanks entered a distance of 500 meters, the confrontation between the two sides began.

The tank guns were aimed at the positions and bombarded them. For a moment, the soldiers of the third battalion were so suppressed that they didn't dare to look up and could only hide in the trenches and wait for an opportunity.

"Load and prepare to fire!" The platoon leader of the artillery company found the shooting point and ordered the soldiers to prepare.

They had now reached the west side of the second line of defense, about one thousand meters away from the Japanese.

The Japanese soldiers on the tanks never thought that the weapons that posed a threat to them would soon reach them.

At this time, neither the Japanese soldiers nor the Japanese on the tanks noticed that several rocket launchers were already being prepared.

As the shells were loaded into the launcher, the platoon leader poked his head out with a telescope, observed for a moment, and then gave the order directly: "Go!"

With the platoon leader's order, four shells whizzed towards the Japanese tanks.

Rumble!

Four shells hit the front row of Japanese tanks directly, causing a violent explosion instantly.

As expected, the Japanese soldiers in the front row were stunned. The Japanese commander in the tank in the back was also stunned. Colonel Iwata, who was watching the battle from a distance, was even more ashamed and angry, and cursed "Bakayarō!"

"Brothers, kill them!" Wen Jiayi was very good at seizing opportunities. Seeing the Japanese soldiers being frustrated, he immediately ordered the soldiers to attack.

In fact, there was no need for Wen Jiayi's order at all. When four Japanese tanks were destroyed, the soldiers of the Third Battalion knew that their artillery had taken action. How could they not seize the opportunity?

m60, the Japanese Type rifle was the first to fire at the approaching Japanese, followed by the sharpshooter of the third battalion, who was then responsible for the artillery of the grenade launcher.

The Japanese were now very close, only about 200 meters away. As soon as the soldiers of the third battalion took action, the Japanese in the front row were hit by intensive bullets and artillery shells, resulting in more than casualties.

After a short moment of confusion, the Japanese soldiers reacted quickly and lay directly on the ground, shooting at the soldiers of the third battalion.

The artillerymen holding rocket launchers did not stay where they were. After firing, they quickly began to change positions.

Boom boom boom!

Just as they left, the Japanese artillery shells rained down on the artillerymen's position, causing a violent explosion.

At this time, even the militiamen had hidden in the tunnel, and the Japanese's angry artillery bombardment did not cause any casualties.

Five minutes later, the artillerymen ran to the first line of defense again, and after getting ready, another round of four shells went over.

Now, four more Japanese tanks in front were destroyed.

Colonel Iwata was completely furious. He turned around and returned to the temporary command post in the rear. He looked at Tanaka Shinichi and reported, "Your Excellency, the brigade commander, these Chinese have weapons that can restrain tanks. I request that heavy artillery be used to attack."

Tanaka was not surprised to hear Iwata's report. He nodded in understanding and said, "This should be the only trump card the Chinese have."

He was not surprised by this news, as he had known about it for a long time. He sent out the tanks to see what other cards the Chinese had up their sleeves.

After thinking for a moment, Tanaka continued, "Iwata-kun, order all tanks to evacuate first. Notify the Chida and Kouqi regiments, and have everyone evacuate the battlefield."

Then he turned to look at Lieutenant Colonel Zentaro Tsukamoto, commander of the artillery regiment, and said, "Tsukamoto-kun, it's time for you to perform."

Zentaro Tsukamoto didn't say much, he just stood up and agreed respectfully.

Tanaka Shinichi's tactics were nothing special, just the coordination of infantry and artillery, and the cooperation with the flying squadron. Under the three-pronged attack, he believed that he could take this position soon.

Naturally, his plan was also very effective, especially for the current Third Battalion.

The Japs had heavy artillery, and Wu Mazi didn't dare to use the artillery company at this time. The second company had to protect the flank, so it was inevitable that they would suffer.

Now he could only wait for the fourth and fifth battalions and the artillery battalion. As soon as they arrived, the dilemma would naturally be resolved.

Seeing the Japanese retreating one after another, Wen Jiayi returned to the artillery shelter and looked at Wu Mazi, who had a worried look on his face, and said cautiously, "Battalion Commander, the Japanese have all retreated."

"Tell the soldiers to take cover, especially those from the militia company."

Wu Mazi gave a faint instruction, then stood up and walked out of the anti-artillery cave.

It was already past two in the afternoon, which meant that with the troops he had, he had to hold on for at least forty minutes.

At this point, he actually didn't want to fight anymore, but he knew very well that the Japanese would never let him go.

The Japanese suffered so many casualties that it would be impossible for him to let the enemy go.

"Battalion Commander, you'd better go back. There are soldiers outside," Wen Jiayi, who followed out, said worriedly.

The Japanese retreat meant that artillery bombardment would come soon. As the leader of a battalion, Wu Mazi was definitely not suitable to stay outside.

Wu Mazi glanced westward and said, "The Japanese planes should be arriving soon."

Although the Japanese dropped poison gas bombs in the morning without causing serious consequences, he understood that bombing in the afternoon was necessary and the Japanese would definitely not give up their air advantage.

Hearing this, Wen Jiayi fell silent.

Up to now, the Japanese have produced Iron Turtle, flying squadron, heavy artillery and mountain artillery regiment.

It can be said that all means were used, and the damage to the soldiers of the Third Battalion was unprecedented.

In fact, up to now, if it weren't for the militia company, the remaining troops of the Third Battalion would not be able to hold the entire defense line.

"Report to the battalion commander, the fifth battalion sent a telegram, and is now twenty kilometers away from us."

The signalman's words made Wu Mazi feel better. He nodded and returned to the anti-artillery cave.

Ten minutes later, the Japanese artillery bombardment began.

Boom boom boom!

The mountain artillery combined with the 150-caliber heavy artillery almost covered the entire front line, and even the second battalion of the Japanese in the mountains were not spared, bullying the second and third battalions because they had no heavy weapons.

The Japanese artillery had just bombed for ten minutes when their flying squadron arrived over the battlefield with a large number of bombs.

As bombs fell one after another, the Japanese completely gained the upper hand.

Soldiers from the second and third battalions, as well as soldiers from the militia company, were often killed or seriously injured by Japanese artillery shells.

The bombing lasted for more than thirty minutes before it ended. Then the Japanese soldiers attacked. This time there were no Japanese tanks, only infantry from the Chida Regiment and the Kuchiki Regiment.

Da da da!

At 200 meters, the two sides clashed again.

The Japanese did not give the second and third battalions a chance to rest. It was a life-and-death battle and both sides were fighting hard.

On the mountain ridge, Yang Zhenhua received the news from the artillery battalion and was immediately delighted. He looked at the guard company commander and said, "Go tell the artillery company to stop hiding and kill these little devils. Remember to tell them to spread out and change positions after a few rounds. Don't let them be wiped out in one go."

Now that the artillery battalion is in place, the ones who will suffer the loss will definitely be the Japanese, there is no doubt about that.

At the same time, Wu Mazi also issued the same order.

Soon, dozens of artillery pieces from the two battalions were deployed one after another.

One was aimed at the Japanese soldiers going up the mountain, and the other was aimed at the front-line positions.

Ten minutes later, with the order from the artillery company commander of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, the counterattack against the Japanese officially began...