Comrade, your ingredients are too complicated.

October 1942, 10, northern Jiaolai Plain.

At dawn, the plains looked devastated after hours of night fighting. The combination of fire, smoke and corpses presented a dull silence.

In the vast fields, the wreckage of the downed fighter planes was still burning. The billowing black smoke rose into the sky, just like the wolf dung that was burned for border warning in ancient times.

Looking into the distance along the "wolf smoke", one could see the sky filled with chaotic white lines.

That was the flying cloud left by hundreds of fighter planes half an hour ago, and it was the trace left by the Japanese Army Aviation in order to intercept the Eighth Route Army Air Force bombers.

"Baga, how can the gap be so big? 12:1, and this is the casualty ratio we achieved by taking advantage of the situation. The enemy's air force is really like a monster."

"Well, fortunately the warriors' sacrifice was not in vain. At least, the cannon fodders have explored the enemy's firepower points, and the 3rd Flying Division has also created a window of opportunity for us."

"First Tank Brigade! Prepare to attack!"

In the attack array, Japanese Major General Tian Meiyulang stood on the turret of a Type 97 command tank. Through the telescope, he had a panoramic view of the brutality on the battlefield.

Although the old devils were shocked by the strength of the Eighth Route Army Air Force and the tenacity of the garrison troops, they still resolutely raised their samurai swords and issued an order to prepare for the attack.

There is no way, the arrow is on the string and has to be shot.

We have finally figured out the enemy's deployment and consumed a certain amount of manpower. If we don't attack, it would be a waste of a whole night's work.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

As if in response to Tian Meiyulang's pre-war mobilization, dozens of large-caliber artillery pieces behind the position opened fire at the same time, and dense artillery shells fell like raindrops on the plain in front of them.

The sky full of mud debris mixed with the smoke from exploding artillery shells made the Jiaolai Plain at this time vaguely resemble the Western Front in Europe in 1940.

Under such high-intensity artillery bombardment, the positions built on the plain could be described as a complete mess.

The exposed communication trenches, barbed wire fences and minefields were all destroyed. Even some half-buried bunkers collapsed under the bombardment of howitzers.

This un-Showa-like bombardment lasted for more than half an hour. The amount of shells consumed during the entire process was so incredible that even the grassroots Japanese soldiers exclaimed that it was incredible.

"attack!"

"Maintain the T-formation and penetrate the Eighth Route Army's defense line in one go."

As soon as the artillery fire stopped, Tian Meiyulang waved the samurai sword in his hand and urged the soldiers of his brigade to launch an attack.

With the violent roar of the engines, dozens of Type 95 light tanks and Type 97 medium tanks jumped out of the bunkers. The Japanese soldiers gathered their strength and were determined to show their style as the Asian No. 4.

After all the armored units have launched their attack, the mobile infantry regiment, mobile artillery regiment and many auxiliary units will follow closely.

They strictly abided by the regulations and requirements during training and also advanced into the battlefield fearlessly.

"All regiments, be sure to observe carefully. The enemy battalions and regiments are equipped with 25mm Hotchkiss anti-tank guns, which are enough to penetrate our frontal armor at a certain distance."

"The same is true for the 75mm field artillery, which is also a high-threat target that needs to be guarded. Once you find an enemy firepower point that is difficult to deal with, immediately report it to your superiors via flag signals or radio!"

"I emphasize again, do not forget the precautions I told you before the war. I do not want your military career to be tarnished like the 3rd Tank Division."

Tian Meiyulang graduated from the Infantry Department of the Army Academy and was promoted to major general in October 1941.

If you just look at his face, he could easily be mistaken for a small-time officer with no ability.

But the fact is just the opposite. This old Japanese not only participated in the Battle of Nomonhan, but also won an epic medal named after himself in World of Tanks with his outstanding tactical mind.

In addition, Tian Meiyulang also served as the principal of the Honda Army Youth Tank School.

His unique teaching experience gave him prestige in the Kwantung Army's armored forces that was no less than that of the two division commanders, which was also the main reason why he was qualified to be a front-line commander.

"Hi!"

"Please rest assured, Major General. We will not let you down."

Under the command of Principal Tian Meiyulang, the entire 1st Tank Brigade formed multiple offensive fronts with squadrons as the basic combat units based on the width of the current battlefield.

These forward lines all have two medium tank squads as the first echelon and another medium tank squad as the second echelon.

The light tank squads are distributed on both wings. While preventing enemy attacks from the flanks, they are also responsible for protecting the accompanying infantry units.

······
"Something is wrong. It's definitely wrong."

"Even if the Eighth Route Army's defensive positions were covered by artillery fire, they would not be completely destroyed. At this point, why haven't the enemy's anti-tank guns and field artillery opened fire?"

"Could it be that this is another old trick to lure the enemy deeper into their territory?"

The Japanese armored forces' attacks usually started at dawn. They would do their best to advance secretly to a position about five kilometers behind the front line and then launch an unexpected attack.

Advancing at a top speed of five kilometers, this distance might be troubling for fully armed infantry, but for the Type 95 light fighter and Type 97 medium fighter, it is just a matter of stepping on the accelerator.

They were still one kilometer away from the battle zone, but the Eighth Route Army did not offer any resistance.

Such a strange situation really made Tian Meiyulang feel uneasy.

"Boom!"

Just as the old Japanese was thinking secretly, the crew of the 1st Tank Brigade that was rushing in the front suddenly made a crisp sound, and at the same time the body of the Type 97 medium tank also produced abnormal vibrations.

Upon seeing this, most of the tank commanders closed the hatches to avoid becoming the first person to perform a head-first aerial performance.

"Anti-tank gun! Anti-tank gun!"

"Quick, find that group of enemies! The Eighth Route Army's anti-tank guns are very short, all crews continue to advance and keep watch!"

Most of the Japanese armored soldiers were from the Junior Tank School. If they wanted to graduate, they had to go through a long and gradual learning process.

So theoretically speaking, their personal abilities were all above the passing line. The vehicle-mounted heavy machine guns that opened fire at suspicious locations at the first opportunity were the most direct manifestation of this.

but!

The sighting and observation system of the Type 97 medium-range fighter was very poor. After several upgrades, the command tower did not have a periscope, but only relied on a few narrow gaps for observation.

In the Pacific battlefield of the original timeline, the reason why the 3nd Tank Division encountered the so-called Stuart Crisis was precisely because the M could take the initiative most of the time.

After being hit by several shells, the Japs finally found the location of the anti-tank gun.

But they also paid a heavy price. The two Type 25 medium-sized fighters that were in the front were pierced into sieves by the mm magic needles that were not even a stepping stone.

"Stop the car! Kill those sinister Republic of China people!"

"Turn turret left, distance 1500!" "High explosive bomb!"

Following the commander's order, the driver pulled the brakes to stop the tank steadily. At the same time, its turret began to rotate and aim at the anti-tank gun in the distance.

Although the Type 97 medium-sized tank could fire while moving, in order to ensure the hit rate and killing effect, the Japanese still chose to shoot while stationary.

"One high-explosive round, loading complete!"

"emission!"

"boom!"

After the smoke cleared, the 25mm Hotchkiss anti-tank gun took off directly from the spot. The ammunition that was detonated by the 57mm high-explosive shells created a large explosion with a radius of several meters.

As if they were holding back resentment, several Type 97 heavy machine guns were still firing, as if they wanted to vent their anger on the corpses of the Eighth Route Army.

But none of the Japanese noticed that there were no corpses at the center of the explosion.

"Keep attacking."

After confirming the results of the battle, Tian Meiyulang, who was in the rear, ordered to continue advancing.

The old Japanese now realized that the area they attacked was where the enemy's troop deployment was weakest, and the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army in Shandong Province was not as good as that of the main force in Shanxi Province.

Weak resistance?
It's normal to be weak!

Accompanied by the roar of diesel engines, the 1st Tank Brigade continued to advance.

When the first medium tank squadron officially entered the combat zone, the tracked vehicles and wheeled vehicles behind it stopped one after another, and the mobile infantry quickly got off and joined the battlefield.

"Follow the tanks, don't fall behind!"

"Pay attention to the distance. You should use the vehicle body to avoid the enemy's firepower and kill any Eighth Route Army soldiers that may appear in time. Especially those carrying rocket launchers, you must focus your fire first!"

"Hi!"

······
Let’s talk about two things at the Fifth Division Field Command Post of the Shandong Provincial Military Region.

In a sturdy bunker, the commander of the Fifth Division held up a high-powered telescope and stared intently at the battlefield in the distance.

With tanks as the vanguard, the enemy's advance was very smooth, and any terrain obstacles could be easily overcome. Under the deliberate indulgence of the garrison troops, the enemy even crossed most of the battle zone.

"Damn it, the Japanese Kwantung Army is really as famous as they say. Dozens of 105mm howitzers fired for more than half an hour. Our divisional artillery regiment can't match this amount of shells."

"Fortunately there were not many people on the battlefield, otherwise the chief of staff would have killed me alive."

"Pass my order. Beat you to death for the next hour. It's really frustrating to be beaten all the time. Without artillery, the armored forces alone can't easily break through my defense line."

"Yes!"

After receiving the order to counterattack from their superiors, the artillery of the 4th Division and the 7th and th Garrison Brigades took the lead in attacking.

Unlike the Japanese, at a moment when their own air force has firmly grasped air superiority, comrades can bombard the 1st Tank Division without restraint and do not even treat the enemy's aviation as human beings.

As for what to do if Japan uses large-caliber artillery to counterattack?
Are you kidding? Do you really expect these divisional artillery regiments to fight an artillery battle while they are busy transferring?
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Accompanied by the roar of more than twenty 105mm howitzers, the counterattack of the 4th Division and the 7th and th garrison brigades officially began.

Under the baptism of artillery fire, the first casualties were naturally the mobile infantry regiments of the 1st Tank Division. The Japanese were dying in the rain of shells, and there was no natural shelter on the plains.

Of course, it is still a bit difficult to use indirect fire weapons to hit tanks at long distances, especially when the number of tanks is far smaller than that of the enemy's armored forces.

To deal with the Type 97 medium tank, you still have to use a direct-fire anti-tank gun.

"Oh!"

After a dull thud, the Type 97 medium-sized tank at the forefront of the offensive line was directly penetrated by a shell.

Unlike previous cases of flying heads, ammunition rack explosions and cremations, this time there was no obvious damage to the exterior of the Japanese tank and it died peacefully.

Without close observation, the cooperating Japanese soldiers would not even be able to detect the small hole in the front armor.

"Yeah! Hair loss!"

After successfully killing the enemy with the 47mm Mle SA37 anti-tank gun, the soldiers from the th Division clenched their fists excitedly.

After months of training, this was the first time their class officially achieved victory on the battlefield. Even though they were all veterans, they couldn't control their emotions due to the joy and sense of accomplishment.

A year ago, a lousy armored vehicle could chase them across the plains. Now the two extremes have reversed, and the word "cool" cannot describe the comrades' feelings.

"Keep going! The enemy hasn't discovered our artillery position yet, no need to move in a hurry!"

"The weather is nice today, I think we can have another shot!"

As a high-quality weapon produced by Awakening the Brave Tiger, the system repaired the SA37's originally defective recoil control device, thereby improving the accuracy of long-range artillery fire.

The added muzzle flash suppressor makes this one-meter-high anti-tank gun a magical weapon for hiding and shooting, which is why the gunner suggested firing a few more shots.

Hearing the familiar Jiangsu and Zhejiang accent, the artillery squad leader nodded subconsciously.

Their division commander repeatedly stressed before the battle that they must abandon all heavy weapons and retreat quickly when they receive the notice. This means that the SA37 in their hands is used less and less, and every shell may be a farewell.

Adhering to the principle of getting enough for the money, he said in a firm tone:
"Okay, let's fire a few more rounds. The battlefield is in chaos right now, and the enemy tanks won't have time to find us for a while."

"Everyone, please pay attention."

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Before the artillery squad leader could finish his words, he was interrupted by the sound of muffled thunder coming from the heavy machine gun position in the left front.

Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw a 180cm tall strong man from Shandong holding a 38kg Hotchkiss M1930 and firing continuously in short bursts at the Japanese Type light combat vehicle.

The side armor is only 8 mm thick and cannot withstand the 13.2 mm armor-piercing incendiary bullets.

In just a few seconds, the light tank that was supposed to protect the accompanying soldiers was killed along with the surrounding Japanese infantry.

"Quick! Save him! He's killing people!"

"Which squad is this machine gunner? Why doesn't he use a tripod and just shoots from the hip?" (End of this chapter)