Chapter 340 No, we turn east!

After breaking through the first line of defense of the 23rd Independent Infantry Brigade of the Japanese Army, Qian Zhengqing's 70th Regiment prepared to advance further.

But this time, the Japanese army was really ruthless and used their positions to resist step by step.

More importantly, the Japanese began laying mines in front of their positions.

Qian Zhengqing's 70th Regiment suffered a heavy loss.

"I didn't expect that these damn Japanese devils would know how to lay mines in front of our position. They are trying to delay our actions." Qian Zhengqing took a deep breath and suppressed his inner anger.

"Commander, why don't we withdraw first and let the artillery company fire first?" someone suggested.

"No, our artillery caliber is still too weak."

If it were in the past, Qian Zhengqing would definitely beat his subordinates severely after hearing this.

It would be nice to have artillery.

Still think the caliber is too weak?

Now, I do feel that the artillery is too weak.

The effect of the 105mm howitzer is really average, and he has already looked down on it.

"Commander, an artillery battalion supported by the heavy artillery regiment has arrived at the battlefield. Ask if we should open fire?" At this time, the communications staff officer came in and spoke quickly.

Hearing this, Qian Zhengqing showed a hint of joy on his face.

"Fire! Tell the forward observation post to immediately pass the coordinates to them. Make sure to bomb these sons of bitches hard."

"Yes, Commander."

…………

"How are the preparations going?" At a position about ten kilometers away from the 155rd Independent Infantry Brigade, fourteen 1mm heavy howitzers had removed their camouflage, revealing their ferocious muzzles. In addition, there were six M155 "Long Tom" mm cannons.

The gun has a range of up to 23.5 kilometers.

The reason why only six guns were brought was because this type of artillery was too inconvenient to transport, and not many people carried one.

This time, the heavy artillery regiment brought fifty artillery pieces such as howitzers and cannons.

Of course this is only a small part.

Some are in Hanoi and other places.

It is called a heavy artillery regiment, but in fact it is equivalent to a heavy artillery division, all of which are equipped with large-caliber heavy artillery.

Even military factories are researching heavy artillery larger than 200mm.

Of course, it cannot be researched in a short time.

"We are building the position, it will take a while." The subordinate replied quickly.

"It's too slow. Let's let the heavy artillery that has been deployed first open fire and see if we can catch a big fish." The artillery battalion commander Chen Simou pondered for a while and decided not to expose all the firepower. He planned to test it out to see if he could find out the location of the Japanese heavy artillery.

According to intelligence, the Japanese troops in the city still have some heavy artillery that has not been used.

If we expose all our firepower now, we will probably suffer a great loss.

He was originally an observer of the Fifth Army Artillery Regiment. He was injured during the battle in Burma and later stayed in Myitkyina to recuperate.

Later, he joined the Sichuan Army.

From an observer to the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion of the Heavy Artillery Regiment.

According to Chen Simou's idea, the maximum range of the 155mm cannon is close to 24 kilometers, and now it is within the range of 10 kilometers. The purpose is to block the Japanese army's retreat route when necessary.

Then completely destroy the Japanese troops in front of them.

After all, there are not many opportunities to completely wipe out a Japanese brigade.

Although it is just a third-rate brigade.

But they are also a brigade after all.

It sounds nice if you say it out loud.

It can be said that for this attack.

Meng was annoyed but he put in all his effort.

It would be really embarrassing if this didn't bring him honor.

There are so many heavy artillery pieces. Even if the Japanese heavy artillery division came, they might not have so many large-caliber heavy artillery pieces.

"Yes, but we are still moving ammunition. The shells are too heavy. It takes two people to move one shell, and we need to rest for a while after moving it." The officer next to him responded.

"Let them speed up. This time we want to let the Japanese know what heavy artillery is, and let our friendly forces see that heavy artillery is the soul of the army." Chen Simou said with a smile.

"Yes!"

Countless artillerymen, as diligent as ants, were busy serving these big guys, digging fortifications, carrying shells, and they were having a lot of fun.

Chen Simou took a pen and began to record the coordinates sent by the 70th Regiment on the map.

According to observations from the front line, the distance between the Japanese army's second and third lines of defense was not very large.

In other words, after bombing the second line of defense, we can bomb the Japanese army’s third line of defense.

He was not very worried about the Japanese troops on the opposite side. He was just curious about when the Japanese heavy artillery would appear.

After all, a heavy artillery showdown is interesting.

This kind of small fight doesn't feel like anything.

"How are the preparations for each artillery position going?" Chen Simou put down his pen and asked.

"Basically everything is in place. The logistics department is still delivering supplies. It will take another ten minutes." The subordinate said quickly.

Hearing this, Chen Simou nodded.

"In that case, let's launch the attack in ten minutes."

"Yes."

.........

On the other side, Major General Kenji Shimokawabe of the 23rd Independent Brigade was very panicked. He was originally a colonel.

Later, when the troops were expanded, he naturally became the brigade commander of the major general.

But his infantry brigade is not one of those elite brigades.

There were no tanks, no artillery, no engineers, etc.

There were only six infantry battalions.

The results of it?
One battalion was destroyed and two battalions were drawn out.

The remaining three battalions still need to defend two lines of defense.

Although reinforcements were on the way, he was already pessimistic.

If his two battalions had not been withdrawn, he might be living well now.

Thinking of this, Xiahebe Kenji could only sigh in his heart.

"Your Excellency the Brigade Commander, the Commander has already ordered the 104th Division to provide support. Zengcheng is very close to us and is expected to arrive in half a day. As long as we can hold on, we will win." The combat staff advised.

"Yeah, I know." Shimokawabe Kenji nodded expressionlessly.

At first he was very happy about his promotion, but now he is panicking.

He became the brigade commander to make money, not to lose his life.

Although we haven’t made much money yet, we have actually made a lot.

We've gotten a lot of good stuff along the way, but we haven't had time to transport it back yet.

Especially in Guangzhou, a lot of money has been made in recent years.

Because the navy’s shipping costs were too expensive, we decided to save more and then ship them back.

Who would have thought that while we were waiting, the enemy would come knocking on the door.

And judging from the current situation, it doesn't seem to be very good.

If I die in disgrace, wouldn't all this money go to others?

For a moment, he was a little dazed. "Sir, are you worried about the frontline? Don't worry, they are all ready to fight to the death." His subordinates thought that Shimokawabe Kenji was worried about the frontline, so they quickly advised him not to worry too much.

"Die with honor?" Shimokawabe Kenji's face became even uglier.

If I die in glory, won’t all the money be gone?
"Mr. Nakamura, most of our Independent 23rd Brigade are composed of reserve forces. You know exactly what their combat effectiveness is." Shimokawabe Kenji's sudden words made his subordinates a little confused.

"Compared to those Type A divisions, what we lack is some passion."

This made the subordinates even more confused.

what does this mean?
Surrender?
No way?
And Shimokawabe Kenji continued.

"Remember the 4th Division? I suddenly think they have some wise moves now."

"Every time there is a war, they always try to protect themselves first."

"Sir, brigade commander, do you want to surrender?" The subordinate's leisurely words made Shimokawabe Kenji not know what to say for a moment.

"Nakamura-kun, I'm old, and I originally had no hope of becoming a major general."

"Later, the army was expanded and I was promoted from colonel to major general. I originally thought that I could stay in Yangcheng and maintain public order, wipe out some guerrillas, and then wait until the war was over, and then I could become a rich man."

"Your Excellency, the commander of the brigade, in fact, we all have wives and children, and we focus more on our families."

"We are not very passionate about war. What we want to do is to make our wives' lives better." The subordinates also said.

It’s because the firepower of the Sichuan Army is so terrifying.

A brigade is gone just like that.

And in a short period of time.

This really shocked them.

Now that I think about following in their footsteps, I naturally think more about it.

Just as the two were discussing whether to surrender or make a tactical change.

Suddenly, I heard a dull whistling sound coming from the front. This whistling sound was particularly dull, followed by a faint sharp sound.

Xiahebian Kenji's face changed immediately. Any experienced veteran knows that the larger the caliber of the artillery, the duller the sound it makes when gliding in the air.

Now this sound is obviously the sound of large-caliber artillery, and the caliber is most likely a 155mm heavy howitzer.

"Get down quickly." Xiahebian Kenji shouted hurriedly, and then rushed into the nearest air-raid shelter.

Not long after we got in, we could feel the ground shaking as if a giant had hit it with a huge hammer.

"Heavy artillery, quickly dodge..."

The other Japanese soldiers also reacted and immediately went into the dug air-raid shelter.

.........

"Fire, fire at me. You are not allowed to eat until we finish the battle today." Chen Simou shouted excitedly.

Behind him were fourteen 155mm heavy howitzers roaring.

The trajectory formed by more than a dozen artillery shells is extremely colorful.

Then, it smashed heavily on the Japanese position.

Every time a shell hit the ground, a huge cloud of fog would erupt and the entire earth would shake.

Under the bombardment of these artillery shells, the positions built by the Japanese army collapsed like fortresses on the beach.

"Amaterasu, this is heavy artillery."

"Baga, how are we going to defend it?"

"Mom, I want to go home."

Kenji Xiahe, who was hiding in the air-raid shelter, was completely dumbfounded. What he was thinking about now was not how to hold on for three days, but how to survive today.

With this level of firepower, how can he hold his position?
He now had a strong desire to survive in his mind and only wanted to leave here.

"Your Excellency the Brigade Commander, the front line has lost contact." Another piece of bad news came from his subordinates.

He knew his second line of defense was doomed.

He reimbursed an entire team.

Now there are only two battalions left.

He really doesn't want to die.

"Report, the vanguard of the 104th Division has arrived at the position." Just when Kenji Shimokawa was feeling a little desperate, his subordinates finally brought him good news.

"Really? Let them enter the defense line immediately." Shimokawabe Kenji shouted anxiously.

"Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, I'm afraid they are not here to take over the defense line." At this time, the communications staff officer rushed in with a horrified expression on his face.

"Damn, what's going on?" A bad thought flashed through Kenji Shimokawabe's mind.

"The 104th Division directly disarmed our 130th Independent Infantry Battalion, and they crossed our defense line and headed straight for Yangcheng." The communications staff officer said this with an expression of disbelief on his face.

why!
What exactly is the 104th Division going to do?
Do they want to rebel?

Don't they know what they are doing?
This is a mutiny.

After being confused at first, Kenji Shimokawabe came to his senses and guessed the other party's intention.

It must be a mutiny.

You must know that the Japanese army has a tradition of defeating the superiors with the inferiors since ancient times.

There is even a tradition of having a prime minister.

So mutiny is really nothing.

But he didn't expect that the other side would mutiniate on the battlefield.

"Your Excellency the Brigade Commander, we must report this situation to the Commander-in-Chief and ask him to mobilize troops to suppress the 104th Division." The communications staff officer said anxiously, looking at Kenji Shimokawabe who was still in a daze.

"Baka, let me calm down." Shimokawabe Kenji thought he was too noisy and slapped him directly.

"No, pretend you don't know." Finally, after a moment of silence, Shimokawabe Kenji decided not to notify the headquarters.

He now wished that the other side would kill Lieutenant General Nakazono Moritaka directly, so that he could surrender openly.

After all, the powerful firepower of the Sichuan Army really scared him.

After losing two infantry battalions in succession, no one can hold on.

"Brigade Commander, what are you doing..." The communications staff officer was also dumbfounded.

"Baga, do you want to die? Or do you not care about your family back home?" Shimokawabe Kenji roared.

"Order, the troops turn east immediately."

"Ah? To the east is the 104th Division. Aren't we walking into a trap?"

A whole battalion has already been disarmed. If we move in again, wouldn't that be courting death?

"Baga, staying here is just waiting for death. Even if we are disarmed by the 104th Division, at least we can survive. There must be some reason we don't know about."

"I suspect that the 104th Division may have some connection with the th Division. Don't forget, they come from the same place, and this time the Sichuan Army suddenly joined the battlefield. Didn't you have any doubts?" Faced with life and death, Shimokawabe Kenji's brain was working rapidly, and he felt that he seemed to have found the truth.

"Now, listen to my orders and turn east immediately."

"Hay."

On the other side, the 104th Cavalry Battalion led by Colonel Fujiwara advanced directly towards Yangcheng.

He wanted to take down the headquarters before Lieutenant General Nakazono Moritaka could react.

At that time, the troops around Yangcheng could be ordered to lay down their arms and surrender in the name of Lieutenant General Nakazono Moritaka.

"Baga, which unit are you from? Who told you to ride horses in the city?" The 23rd Army Military Police was patrolling Yangcheng, and they saw the 104th Cavalry Battalion rushing directly into Yangcheng, and they immediately scolded them.

"Bang!" Colonel Fujiwara didn't bother to talk nonsense with him, he raised his hand and fired a shot, and the cavalrymen behind him also opened fire.

A volley of musket fire instantly eliminated the team of gendarmes in front of them.

"Go, speed up."

"Hay."

(End of this chapter)