afterglow

Chapter 447 Seven hundred medals; whatever you are afraid of, you will get it

"Sir! The situation here is critical! A large number of Chinese infantry are approaching!"

The Australian soldiers squatted in the shelter of the trench, holding the Enfield rifles tightly in their arms, enduring the three-dimensional firepower of the Ming army, land, sea and air.

Whenever the artillery fire began to extend backwards, the officers would blow their whistles, and the non-commissioned officers would also shout at the top of their lungs to urge the soldiers to leave their shelters and enter their positions to prepare for battle.

This time, the Ming army's air attack came a little later. The army's field artillery group had already begun to conduct interception fire in depth. The twenty-odd Type 36 bombers that took off from Rabaul arrived belatedly.

After observing the smoke columns released by the red smoke canisters and blue smoke canisters appearing on the ground, the aircraft responsible for the guidance began to fine-tune its course and chose the best attack entry route.

The fleet of aircraft flew over the last line of defense of the Australian 8th Infantry Division, and more than two hundred 100kg aviation anti-personnel explosive bombs were dropped one after another.

The Australian position directly opposite the main axis of the attack was blown into a sea of ​​flames. The area was covered in overwhelming smoke and dust, and countless pieces of wood and soil fell down.

Because the meteorological observation unit found that the current wind direction, wind speed, and humidity were more suitable for launching smoke screens, rows of smoke screen grenades were launched before this round of offensive was launched to assist the attacking troops.

A total of more than ten smoke bombs were dropped four hundred meters to the left of the target from near to far, and the same was true on the right side.

They formed a wall of smoke that cut off the field of vision on both flanks, preventing enemy troops in adjacent positions from damaging the attacking force with direct fire.

"The Chinese are attacking! The Chinese are attacking! Everyone get into position, immediately!"

Second Lieutenant Upton shouted sternly, stumbling and waving in the trenches. The fierce shelling and air strikes destroyed many communication trenches and bunkers, and many places could only be climbed over.

Several soldiers carrying Vickers heavy machine guns looked numbly at the half-collapsed machine gun position, and had to rush to another backup firing position without stopping.

The soldiers who hastily entered the fighting position opened fire spontaneously. The sporadic crackling fire had no effect. Several Vickers heavy machine guns and Bren light machine guns were also firing randomly.

I saw eleven tanks lined up in a row, roaring towards them. Countless Ming army infantry followed a few meters behind the tanks, trotting forward.

"Duang—Biu—"

A 40mm MkI armor-piercing round hit the front of one of the Type medium tanks heavily, and the piled sandbags absorbed part of the kinetic energy.

After implementing the sandbags, the artillery shell finally failed to penetrate the 30mm thick surface-hardened armor steel.

Another 2-pounder anti-tank gun also opened fire at about the same time. The armor-piercing projectile it fired hit the side of the tank turret at an angle of incidence of about 25° and penetrated it.

The 40mm armor-piercing bullet without charge is essentially an iron lump. It deforms and breaks during the penetration process, carrying large and small metal fragments and drilling into the inside of the tank.

Since part of the kinetic energy is converted into heat energy during the impact, these hot debris will not only kill the vehicle crew members, but may also ignite flammable materials such as gasoline.

The tank stopped, but was quickly hit by multiple shells in succession. Three or four holes were opened in the side, and wisps of black smoke came out of the holes and gaps.

The hatch on the top of the turret was pushed open, and the loader, who was covered in bruises, stuck his head out, climbed out with difficulty, fell to the ground with a thud, and stopped moving.

The low and concealed characteristics of anti-tank guns make tank soldiers from all countries very disgusted. Tanks with narrow vision are difficult to detect in time and fire back quickly.

Everyone used experience to observe the most suitable position for placing anti-tank guns. After watching for a while, they discovered the target through the muzzle flash.

Less than a hundred meters away from the Australian frontline position, the tanks fired alternately with artillery and machine guns in an attempt to destroy the enemy anti-tank guns, while the infantry rushed out from behind and launched a direct attack.

"Class 2, Class 3, come on!"

"What are you doing standing still? Grab the machine gun and let's go!"

The defenders' firepower was weak and messy, so the Ming soldiers did not use alternate cover to advance, but directly swarmed forward in a sparse formation.

When dozens of officers and soldiers rushed in to a distance of only thirty or forty meters, both sides could clearly see each other's expressions.

At this time, the Bren light machine gun and Enfield rifle rang again.

Amidst the gunfire of "ta da da da", the slightly messy shooting of the Australian soldiers caused the Ming army soldiers at the front to be shot one after another and fell to the ground, and the others behind them quickly followed suit.

Then they lay on the ground and threw grenades, and a dozen of them were thrown into the trench in front of them.

The continuous muffled explosions caused the mud in the trench to roll. The explosion of grenades caused fragments to fly across this section of the trench. It was unknown how many people were knocked down by the fragments or stunned by the shock wave.

The only two Bren light machine guns here also misfired. Because these two light machine gun teams were regarded as a thorn in the side of the Ming army, they dropped the most grenades.

The disheveled Second Lieutenant Upton stood up unsteadily, with red eyes, and shouted frantically: "Don't be in a daze! They are coming!"

Before the smoke of the explosion dissipated, figures were already rushing towards them.

The Ming infantry who broke into the position fired violently with various weapons, shooting the scattered Australian soldiers in the dilapidated trenches.

"Bang! Bang!"

While running around a corner, the staggering Second Lieutenant Upton fired several shots from his revolver and knocked down a Ming soldier who was reloading his automatic gun.

But the next second he felt his back being hit hard several times, and then his body seemed to have been drained of energy, and he collapsed weakly to the ground.

Just as he fell in the mud, a corporal carrying a Type 35 semi-automatic rifle stepped over him.

The sturdy corporal leaned over to check the beaten classmate, then shook his head and sighed, and continued walking deeper into the trench with the others...

Since it had been raining intermittently these past few days, most of the officers and soldiers of the Ming'ao and Ming'ao armies were wet, muddy and dirty.

The Australian 8th Infantry Division's front was on the verge of collapse. At first, they deployed three lines of defense and set eight highlands as support points.

Now the first two lines of defense have long been captured by the Ming army, leaving only the last precarious line of defense. Of the eight highlands, only Highland 121 and Highland 165 are still under control.

If the Ming army's offensive in the past few days seemed unhurried, then today's general attack was fierce with a completely different style, as unstoppable as the oncoming stormy waves.

The time to launch the general offensive should be when this enemy force has already fallen into fatigue and decline.

In Zhou Changfeng's opinion, it is best to launch an attack on the entire front at this moment, concentrating firepower and armored units on one or two main attack directions. The remaining auxiliary attacks and feint attacks find that although only a small amount of troops are invested, they should also find ways to create a large scale. A huge formation.

While hindering and confusing the enemy's judgment, it can also put heavy psychological pressure on them.

Is it difficult for a strong crossbow to break through the ice? No, no, no, the remaining enemy in front of you is just thin ice that is about to melt.

"The First Battalion of the Thirty-Eighth Regiment has achieved its goal, annihilating more than 300 enemies, and is advancing in depth to expand the results..." The chief of staff of the Thirteenth Division gave a brief feedback on the latest situation on the front line, and then looked at the generals present.

"Don't stop. Let them go three to four miles deep to the northwest and establish a position to cut off the enemy's left and right communication. Where is the 37th Regiment? They haven't opened a big gap yet? Call them and press them again!"

After understanding the situation, the commander of the 13th Infantry Division Yu Zhuchang ordered as follows.

Zhou Changfeng developed symptoms of high fever this morning and was obviously infected with malaria. He tried to hold on for a while but still felt that it was not working, so he handed over the command to Yu Zhuchang.

In fact, he didn't like this shrewd guy very much. He was very cautious in the past few days. In order to avoid excessive casualties and being held accountable, he was timid in fighting. The efficiency of the entire division's advancement was quite inefficient.

Now, contrary to his previous style, he continued to instruct the troops to attack fiercely to expand the results, regardless of the disconnection and separation of individual units due to continuous operations.

Having such generals is a good subordinate for superiors, but it may not be good news for lower-level officers and soldiers.

As of the evening of December 12, the two sides were already engaged in the final contest.

The remnants of the Australian 3rd Light Tank Company led two infantry companies with minimal casualties to launch a counterattack, trying to repel the rd Battalion of the st Marine Regiment, st Marine Brigade, which was stuck at an important junction.

Six American-made M2A2 light tanks attacked in a wedge formation, but in just four minutes they were destroyed by several anti-tank guns and rocket-propelled grenades flying from all directions.

The Australian soldiers who followed were immediately bombarded by mortars, and were later exposed to heavy machine gun crossfire.

This fruitless counterattack, which suffered heavy casualties, had no effect. It only added six steel bonfires and dozens of corpses to the already messy battlefield.

The most brutal fighting broke out on Highland 165, which had been fought over many times.

Broken bayonets, cracked gun butts, tattered steel helmets, curled engineer shovels, and empty bullet casings of different calibers can be seen everywhere.

Corpses with different postures and dilapidated bodies were scattered all over the place, layer upon layer. The remains of many fallen soldiers still maintained the expressions they had during the fight before their death.

Every position and every section of trench has to go through several or more than a dozen battles. It will not stop for a moment until one of the parties is temporarily unable to counterattack.

The Australian 12th Field Artillery Regiment (Battalion), which was attacked by an air attack yesterday because its position was exposed, lost most of its artillery and equipment. The remaining artillerymen picked up their carbines and went into battle, but after a day and night of fierce fighting, only three points were left. One of the people can still move.

The 13th Infantry Division used its overwhelming artillery superiority and automatic firepower to inflict heavy losses on the stubborn Australian army. Every time it resisted an attack, almost half of the company was wiped out.

But even so, the fierce bloody battle also caused serious losses to the Ming army. The blood flowing from both sides was mixed with mud and water.

The 165th Infantry Regiment was responsible for capturing Highland . A total of fourteen attacks from the past to the present were finally driven down. There seemed to be endless enemies on that hill.

It was not until the neighboring troops captured the flanking Australian positions that the connection between Highland 165 and other Australian troops was completely cut off.

Next, the 38th Regiment of the Ming Army took over the attack, and the remnants of the enemy were soon killed and wounded under the continuous fierce attack.

This hillock, which consumed at least 430,000 kilograms of steel and explosives and killed more than 1,200 soldiers, was called "Blood Ridge" by war reporters, which shows how cruel and bloody it was.

The 1014th Infantry Regiment, which suffered the most casualties, initially planned to apply for 322 Qi Li Medals - the total casualties were , excluding the killed or deceased, the rest were almost this number.

"Jin Zuo, the enemy's entire front line has collapsed, and it is estimated that they will be defeated."

In the reserve headquarters, Xie Wancheng excitedly reported the latest progress to Zhou Changfeng.

The latter is now wearing a military blanket and is preparing to take a few more Guizhi Fuling Pills on time.

The symptoms of malaria are really uncomfortable, with alternating colds and hotness, and a splitting headache. Although I have experienced the infection once before, it is still extremely uncomfortable to suffer it again now.

"Go to the headquarters and tell them. Don't pursue a large-scale pursuit. Just deploy one or two reinforcement battalions. Correspondingly, you must prepare a few tanks and two infantry teams to follow up and be ready to support the rescue at any time."

The pursuing troops could easily fall into traps deliberately set by the enemy, and would be in danger if they were ambushed. Therefore, Zhou Changfeng requested that a support team including infantry and tanks be prepared so that they could respond to emergencies in a timely manner.

It seemed that the Australian army had been defeated and seemed to be trying to retreat deeper into the mountains to the northwest.

Zhou Changfeng couldn't help but feel a little regretful. It would be great if the partial division taking the Kokoda Trail could arrive on time. In this case, it would definitely make the remaining enemy more confused.

Unfortunately, the influence of terrain factors is too great. In such rugged and narrow places, it is easy to do less versus more.

At this moment, in the headquarters of the Australian 8th Infantry Division, everyone was packing up equipment and burning some minor documents numbly and mechanically.

Major General Vernon and the officers had anticipated this day before the battle began - sea control and air control were in the hands of the Ming army. It was impossible to defend Moresby with the garrison alone, and the defensive battle would fail sooner or later.

He planned to hold on for two weeks, but he failed to achieve his expected goal. At that time, he still underestimated the great disadvantage of losing air and sea control.

Fortunately, the complex terrain here prevented the Ming army from advancing forward. Although all three lines of defense collapsed, the Ming army could not quickly advance in depth to separate and annihilate the Australian army.

Therefore, the remaining Australian troops can still cover their retreat relatively calmly.

The militia battalion guarding the Kokoda Trail is really worthy of admiration. If they had not fought bloody battles, Ming troops might have taken the path and appeared in the rear. That would be unimaginable!

With Major General Vernon thinking this, the adjutant entered the headquarters, saluted and reported: "Sir, the vehicle is ready, please evacuate here."

Division personnel filed out and put equipment and important documents on the off-road vehicle.

Major General Vernon, who had already stepped into the car, glanced at the smoke-filled distance and sighed heavily.

But at this moment, the sharp sound of shells breaking through the sky suddenly came from the sky.

"Boom!"

A 64mm mortar shell landed a few meters away next to the convoy, followed by the second and third rounds...

"Take cover!"

"what happens?!"

"Where is the enemy?!"

A shell also fell next to the Humber car where Major General Vernon was sitting. The window glass was shattered on the spot, and the smoke and dust instantly swallowed up several people here.

Many times, whatever you fear comes to you.

(End of this chapter)