Rise From Eight Hundred

"Keep bombarding! Tell Pang Dahai not to worry about the stock of shells. This battle won't last too long!" At the same time, Tang Dao, 8 kilometers away from Shan Wen, also issued a military order.

From dusk to dark, and from dark to late at night, the artillery battalion of the Sihang Regiment became the busiest combat unit of the entire Sihang Regiment.

The Chinese side's bombardment of the Japanese rear wing defense line lasted for a full 6 hours, setting a new record for the Sihang Regiment and the entire southeastern battlefield of Shanxi.

In the 6-hour bombardment, the Sihang Regiment's 16 mountain guns and 6 150 heavy mortars threw a total of more than 5,000 shells, accounting for half of the total amount of shells carried by the Sihang Regiment this time.

The results of the battle were also brilliant. The Japanese army's originally fragile rear wing defense line was blown to pieces. Whether it was high ground or simple trenches in hilly areas, more than 60% were destroyed, and all villages within sight were bombarded into ruins.

Yamamoto's order to his brigade chief of staff to delay until dark was fulfilled, because apart from the artillery bombardment, the Chinese army in the rear did not send out a single soldier to attack the defense line, but his wish to build fortifications overnight was shattered by the crazy artillery bombardment of a certain regiment commander.

Under the crazy artillery fire, the Japanese army had to abandon the previous simple fortifications and retreat the defense line. The result of a sleepless night was just to dig a few shallow trenches 800 meters behind the previous defense line.

The trenches were no more than 1.5 meters deep, and even the Japanese soldiers, who were so short, had to bend over to dare to walk. Don't you think it's sad?

Faced with the strength of the Chinese artillery, the Japanese artillery battalion did try to retaliate, but in this era there was no artillery radar that could lock the coordinates of the opponent's artillery positions. They could only rely on experience to judge the approximate direction and distance, and then fight back.

Obviously, this almost Xia Jiba's way of fighting had limited damage to the artillery positions of the Sihang Regiment hidden behind the mountain.

Moreover, this almost meaningless shooting involved the energy of the Japanese artillery battalion, resulting in the artillery preparation intensity of the Zhuozhang River line being only one-third of the previous one.

Lai Gu Yinan had to let his infantry launch a second wave of attack on the Zhuozhang River defense line before dark without sufficient artillery cover.

This time, there was no need to test or not test. On the nearly 2,000-meter front, nearly 1,100 infantrymen were dispatched, which were 6 infantry squadrons, divided into three waves in total, two infantry squadrons in front, two infantry squadrons in the back, and finally two infantry squadrons, with a spacing of about 150 meters between each wave.

This was a typical Japanese infantry attack method. The first wave of Japanese troops was used to shoot at the defenders, consuming the opponent's ammunition and energy. The second wave of Japanese troops followed closely, and then the third wave was annoying. Like the waves of the sea, the attack was continuous and difficult to resist.

Leading the way were eight Type 94 armored vehicles, with their black machine gun muzzles shining coldly under the setting sun.

Although the Japanese army suffered heavy losses in the last round of exploratory attacks, they at least gained something. The Zhuozhang River was not a big river, and the river surface was not narrow, nor was the water very deep, which was enough for Type 94 armored vehicles to pass through.

The Japanese engineers who followed the armored vehicles carried wooden boards in teams of three. They were going to blast the ditch ridges more than 2 meters high after crossing the river and lay wooden boards for Type 94 armored vehicles to pass through.

In the trenches 700 meters away, there were six Type 92 infantry guns. Although they had not yet fired, the cold gun barrels had been adjusted to an angle, ready to bombard the exposed Chinese heavy firepower points at any time. That was also the confidence of Lai Gu Yinan to use such a large-scale infantry to attack the defense line.

Fortifications that were not reinforced with steel plates were basically destroyed by a single shot under the bombardment of the 70mm "cannon".

Closer, there were more than 30 groups of grenade launchers walking around the battlefield. Their target was all the light and heavy firepower points within a range of 500 meters. Even if they could not destroy them immediately, they had to cause trouble to them and not cause great damage to the Japanese infantry who were charging.

Under the pressure of the Chinese artillery group in the rear, the Second Mixed Brigade almost used all its strength in this second round of attack, mobilizing more than 1,600 troops of various forces.

If it were other troops, it might be difficult to withstand the impact of such a huge force after encountering 24 mountain artillery bombardments.

But at this time, the main force regiment 772, which would be known as the world's first brigade in the future, was blocked by Wang Xiaoqiang, who would be called a "crazy warrior" in the future. From the regiment commander to the entire infantry regiment, they were the backbone of the 80th Army.

What's more terrible is that their equipment is no longer what it used to be. An infantry regiment is equipped with 16 mortars, 24 heavy machine guns, 4 37mm rapid-fire guns and grenade launchers that are not inferior to a Japanese infantry regiment.

At this time, there were already 60 grenade launcher teams in the second-line trenches alone.

This was also one of the results of the 683rd Brigade's continuous learning of lessons and painful reflections during the six-month battle with the Japanese army.

The losses caused by the Japanese 50mm grenade launcher to the 683rd Brigade were too painful. Although hundreds of Japanese troops were annihilated in the two battles of Qiguan Village, a small grenade launcher of the Japanese army caused the death of about 20 machine gunners of the main combat force 772 Regiment.

Those were all elites who came out of the great transfer of thousands of miles, and they were sacrificed in a battle with completely superior forces. How could the 683rd Brigade not attach great importance to this small "mortar" with a range of four or five hundred meters!

The division uses the strengths of the barbarians to defeat the barbarians! Since the Japanese grenade launchers can cause heavy losses to themselves, use grenade launchers to fight back against them.

Relying on the large number of grenade launchers and ammunition seized from the battle of Shentouling, the 772nd Regiment also set up a grenade launcher group in the infantry platoon. A Japanese infantry squad has two grenade launchers, so the infantry platoon has three, anyway, to surpass the Japanese.

It is under the guidance of such tactical thinking that the 9 infantry companies under the 772nd Regiment actually have 63 grenade launchers, which are not yet fully organized. If they are fully equipped according to Wang Xiaoqiang's idea, there will be more than 80.

Don't underestimate the grenade-type grenades that can only throw less than one pound of charge and more than 100 grams. Once the number is large, the power is also very scary.

Therefore, when Wang Xiaoqiang, who arrived at the front line in person, saw through the telescope that the Japanese army was spreading across the battlefield like ants and slowly moving forward under the leadership of armored vehicles, he did not order the heavy firepower points to suppress the firepower first, but let the grenade launcher teams hiding in the trenches attack freely.

"Boom boom boom!" A cloud of smoke burst out in the Japanese army.

Although the gaps between the Japanese infantry were very wide, a grenade explosion would never cause a situation where one area would be blown up, but the number of grenade launchers in the 772nd Regiment was large, and one round was more than 60 rounds.

Moreover, although the Chinese grenade launcher soldiers did not have the extremely accurate shooting skills of the Japanese veterans, they were also strictly trained and still had a 70-80% accuracy within 300 meters.

After several rounds of firing, at least fifty or sixty Japanese soldiers fell under the shrapnel piled up by quantity.

"Baga! Where did the Chinese get the grenade launchers from?" Lai Gu Yinan was so angry that he burst out with poor Japanese swear words again.

Although the grenade launcher is not high-tech, it is definitely not something that can be used with an iron pipe. Lai Gu Yi Nan has sufficient reason to suspect that these are all from the imperial army.

"However, their commanders are stupid enough to use grenade launchers to bombard infantry. Do they really think that grenades are unlimited?" Lai Gu Yi Nan, holding a telescope, looked at the smoke rising from the battlefield and began to comfort himself psychologically.

For the Japanese army, a grenade launcher team has 2 people, a shooter and an observer who is also an ammunition handler. In wartime, carrying 12 rounds of ammunition is already a lot.

If the Chinese fight like this, it will probably not take long before they have used up the ammunition they carry. He can still afford to consume dozens of lives.

The staff officer next to him wanted to remind him that the Chinese beat the 108th Division and the 14th Division two months ago, especially the 14th Division, which was a baggage train consisting of nearly 200 vehicles. The amount of ammunition transported was unimaginable. What's so great about a few thousand grenade launchers?

But looking at the major who was trying to comfort him, the lieutenant staff officer swallowed the situation back.

The major was already in pain, why rub salt into the wound?

But the Chinese used the next wave of terrible attacks to open another big hole in the heart of Major Lai Yayi.

The heavy machine guns opened fire!

However, it was not from the front line of the Zhuozhang River.

It came from the high ground on the flank.

The high ground was nearly 700 meters away from the battlefield, which seemed quite safe, but it was also within the 800-meter range of the heavy machine gun, and the Chinese were high above, which invisibly increased its range. In other words, even if the bullets were no longer moving straight, why couldn't a slightly drifting bullet kill people?

Heavy machine guns, when did they rely on accuracy to kill people? Isn't it just relying on more bullets and probability!

At least 9 heavy machine guns on 3 high grounds fired at the Japanese infantry on the battlefield. Regardless of the first, second or third wave, the Japanese infantry fell all in the mud.

Unlike chewing mud, you might die. The battlefield is so cruel, and the Japanese made a wise choice.

"Fight back, fight back, let the idiots responsible for defending the flank fight back!" Lai Gu Yinan almost spit out a mouthful of blood.

When did his Second Mixed Brigade become so messed up that anyone who met him wanted to slap him in the face.

Your flank battlefield is at least one thousand meters away from here. Do you have bullets for free or what?

Brigade Commander Cheng: You guessed it right. These are all stolen from the 14th Division. They are really free!

As soon as these 9 heavy machine guns opened fire, the battlefield became lively in an instant. The infantry artillery and grenade launchers, including heavy machine guns, hidden by the Japanese army, all began to fire back.

As the hand-cranked alarm began to sound, the first wave of Japanese troops began to rush towards the Zhuozhang River decisively with their short legs.

The most tragic attack really began.

"Fight for me!" Wang Xiaoqiang gave an order.

More than 30 light machine guns and 12 heavy machine guns opened fire at full force, ignoring the threat of grenade launchers and infantry guns.

Japanese soldiers continued to fall into the Zhuozhang River, and the river water was instantly dyed red, but perhaps the Japanese army had given a death order this time. More Japanese soldiers followed the Type 94 armored vehicles and crossed the Zhuozhang River under the hail of bullets.

At this time, Lai Gu Yinan deployed 16 heavy machine guns on both sides of the battlefield to provide fire cover for his side.

How dense was the rain of bullets?

A Chinese soldier just raised his arm, and before he even let go of the grenade in his hand, a bullet hit his wrist hard.

The thick heavy machine gun bullet directly broke his wrist, leaving only a little flesh on it, and the grenade, which did not gain much kinetic energy at this time, did not leave the trench and fell directly into the trench.

If nothing unexpected happens, the soldier who was holding his wrist and screaming in agony would not feel pain in two seconds, because the grenade was enough to blow him and a comrade beside him away.

But he survived, although he lost his right hand from then on.

At that moment, his comrade made a choice.

Kicking away the grenade that was still emitting blue smoke was the most instinctive choice of the soldier, but the grenade was not a football and could not be kicked out of the trench. At most, it was just a little further away from them, but a little further away, there were comrades who were shooting.

So, the soldier's choice was to pounce and press the grenade with his not-so-thick chest.

Then, the grenade exploded.

The soldier was blown more than two meters high by the energy of the explosion, and the shape of his heart could be seen in his torn chest.

Even so, the remains of the soldier lying on the side of the trench and completely exposed to the battlefield continued to bear the impact of bullets. Bullets shot at the body that had no vitality, and blood flowers bloomed.

"Ah!" When the soldier who was holding his wrist got up from the ground, he saw such a tragic scene and fell to his knees again with a plop.

The intense pain and extreme grief mixed with tears, snot and blood, like a demon, which made the soldiers who rushed over unable to bear to look directly.

This is just a corner of the battlefield, and sacrifice is inevitable.

In other words, death is the main theme on the battlefield, whether it is Chinese or Japanese.

But death will never stop. At this time, China and Japan are like two beasts in the arena. The battle will never stop until one side falls completely.

As the Chinese side continued to throw grenades, the Japanese army also suffered heavy casualties, but the Japanese army still stubbornly refused to retreat, even though their bodies were covered with the flesh and blood of their colleagues torn by grenades.

The Japanese engineers began to blast the ditch ridge. The loud explosion collapsed the ditch ridge, and filled it with wooden boards and earthwork. In less than five minutes, a slope was formed that was enough for tracked armored vehicles and people to run up.

In terms of civil engineering, the Japanese are really professional.

Seeing that at least one-third of the imperial infantry had crossed the river, and the engineers had opened at least six slopes for the Type 94 armored vehicles to advance, Lai Gu Yinan's mouth curved upward for the first time: "Yoshi, order the third wave to advance quickly. I want to completely solve the current Chinese at once. The brigade commander is watching us from behind. The empire, military fortune is prosperous!"

"Toot!" With the whistle of the hand-cranked alarm, the third wave of Japanese troops in the rear no longer bent over and marched in small steps, but collectively shouted "Board!" and marched forward with guns.

This is similar to the charge of the 80th Army. Once the charge order is issued, the troops will never be withdrawn unless they are killed.

But soon, the Japanese army suffered a blow!

The 37mm anti-tank guns that had been hidden for a long time showed their fangs when the Japanese Type 94 tanks just climbed the slope and were about to show off their power by firing 7.7mm machine guns at the front.

The 37mm anti-tank gun is an excellent product of German weapons. Not to mention the thin iron sheet of the Type 94 tank, which is less than 10mm, even the 30mm steel plate of the Type 89 medium main battle tank can be penetrated in one shot at a straight-line distance of 700 meters. Even in the future battlefield of World War II, this anti-tank gun, which is about to be eliminated, has a record of penetrating the 50mm armor on the side of the Leopard tank.

The Type 94 tank without a tank gun is like a sheep meeting a wolf in front of this artillery. Except for bleating a few times to indicate its sheep identity, it has no other use.

It only took 3 minutes for all the Type 94 tanks that climbed the ditch to be destroyed and became burning torches on the river bank.

"Infantry continue to attack!" Although Lai Gu Yinan's face was livid, he still refused to give up.

He knew that this might be his last attack. It was not that the brigade commander Yamamoto no longer trusted him, but that the Chinese would no longer give him a chance.

The muffled thunder from thousands of meters away in the rear continued, showing both the strength of the Chinese artillery and their confidence.

If the Chinese defense line cannot be broken this time, perhaps the entire brigade of thousands of people will be forced to enter a defensive state and no longer have the opportunity to take the initiative on the battlefield.

Without the machine gun cover of six Type 94 tanks, all the bravery of the Japanese infantry was shattered on the river bank.

Because the Chinese started firing at nearly 10 heavy firepower points, which was a firepower network composed of more than 20 heavy machine guns and 50 light machine guns.

The Japanese infantry artillery was constantly attacked by Chinese mortars and could no longer bombard the Chinese heavy firepower as before.

"This battle was awesome!" Seeing the Japanese soldiers rushing over being swept down by light and heavy machine guns, Captain Xiao Ding sighed sincerely.

This was the first time he fought under the advantage of abundant firepower. While feeling the strength of his own side, he watched the embarrassed appearance of the Japanese soldiers struggling for their lives under the flying bullets, and his inner satisfaction was even more amazing.

This time, he no longer had to lead the entire battalion to fight the Japanese hand-to-hand.

Not to mention the sadness of seeing countless familiar faces disappear from his sight after winning the battle.

The Japanese were tenacious enough to hold out for 15 minutes under such intense firepower. There was even a small group of more than 20 Japanese soldiers who reached the front of the trenches, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. They were soon killed at the front of the trenches by the firepower of Mauser pistols and light machine guns.

The Japanese finally retreated!

Of the more than 1,100 Japanese infantrymen and 8 Type 94 armored vehicles, only one armored vehicle and more than 400 Japanese infantrymen were able to return.

Nearly 700 Japanese soldiers were forever sleeping on this battlefield.

The casualties of the 772nd Regiment were less than 150, and the battle loss ratio reached an astonishing 1 to 5.

The Japanese army was defeated.

Since then, the Japanese army has never organized a decent attack as Yoshio Raiya imagined.

The Four-line Regiment bombarded the rear wing of the Japanese army for almost a whole night, and never gave the Second Mixed Brigade a chance.

On the morning of the second day, the three infantry battalions of the Four-line Regiment began to attack the three lines of defense on the left, middle and right of the rear wing of the Japanese army. The 771st Regiment and the Supplementary Regiment began to continuously attack the flanks of the Japanese vanguard in front.

The two lines of defense of the Japanese army were in danger!

The Japanese army, with a strength of up to 8,000, changed from offense to defense in just 2 hours, which is extremely rare in the entire history of the Sino-Japanese War.

But it happened so realistically in the deep mountains of Taihang Mountains!

Captain Sasaki once again led the fighter formation of the Japanese North China Front Army Aviation to go on the expedition!

However, this time, there were 24 fighters, which was the largest fighter formation that the Hara City could gather.