Comrade, your ingredients are too complicated.

The distinctive hum of the crane immediately caught the attention of the brigade commander and the skinny staff officer. The two jogged in the direction of the sound and soon arrived at the artillery position that had already been deployed.

After passing through the temporary ammunition depots set up along the railway line, the view suddenly opened up:
Four massive 240mm cannons were already deployed in battle formation at their respective positions. Their barrels were as precise as if measured with a protractor, poised to fire at a loading elevation angle of +3°.

However, the most eye-catching sights were the several new cranes that were hoisting shells.

The sturdy steel cable gleamed coldly in the midday sun, and its highly recognizable yellow and black warning stripes stood out conspicuously on the battlefield.

"Wow, finally we've seen the real thing. The 240mm pipe is indeed thick and sturdy. At first glance, it looks bigger than the chimney of the Taiyuan Arsenal."

"Speaking of which, just how heavy are the shells from this cannon? They actually require a crane to handle them?"

The Mle1930, with a 240mm diameter and 55 caliber barrel, had a barrel length of 13.2 meters.

Standing on its flank, the brigade commander even had to step back a few steps and crane his neck to see the entire gun barrel clearly.

After their commander had walked around the cannon and taken in every detail of the self-propelled gun, the artillery company commander stepped forward and proudly introduced it:

"Reporting to the brigade commander, the standard high-explosive shell of the Mle1930 weighs 220.9 kilograms. If the propellant is included, it will be even heavier overall."

"In addition to HE, the Weapons Experimentation and Research Bureau also provided two other types of ammunition."

"One is a concrete-destroying bomb with a heavy warhead, specifically designed to destroy the fortifications built by the Japanese in the inner and outer city ditches. The other is a special chemical bomb, but only 15 rounds are available, so it needs to be used with caution."

"If you need to inspect it, I can have the ammunition platoon hoist up the ammunition for display at any time."

Upon hearing this, the brigade commander gasped in shock.

With a shell weight of over 220 kg, it's almost five times the weight of a typical 155mm howitzer. If it were the Japanese Army's Type 96 howitzer, that number could even soar to six times!
After a simple calculation, even the well-informed, skinny staff officer couldn't help but gasp, "With this power, imagine how big a crater it would leave on the enemy's position!"

"What is its hit rate? What is the maximum deviation of the shell?"

As if anticipating that the leaders would be concerned about the error rate, the artillery company commander's lips curled into a prescient smile the moment he heard the question.

He quickly pulled out his notebook from the inside pocket of his uniform and then swiftly flipped to the page filled with calculation formulas.

“报告首长，Mle1930的精准度非常高。它的纵向偏差仅为0.3%~0.6%，横向偏差约为0.2%~0.4%。”

"The data we obtained from testing at the Yinshan test site shows that if operated by a skilled gun crew, its first-round hit rate against a 30-meter diameter permanent fortification is as high as 81%."

"According to Director Huang, among heavy artillery in the 203-283mm range, it is definitely a one-slash weapon, both accurate and ruthless."

This is different from the era decades later when a missile with a range of 150 kilometers and a terminal deviation of nearly 3 to 5 meters would be considered unacceptable.

In 1943, without BeiDou navigation system or digital fire control computers, the Eighth Route Army's 240mm gun was undoubtedly the most accurate large-caliber heavy artillery in the world.

All I can say is that it did not fail to live up to Henry IV's 2.05 sigma, nor did it fail to live up to the technological support of the Tiger Awakening System.

The powerful combination of a magic shipyard and a coloring game is just that unreasonable.

After silently calculating the maximum deviation of 125 meters in his mind, the brigade commander adjusted his military cap and, staring at the Pinduoduo-style giant cannon and crane, continued to ask:

"What about the rate of fire? Once a battle breaks out, how many shells can you fire in an hour?"

When it came to his specialty, the artillery company commander remained confident and gave his answer without hesitation.

"If we maintain a fixed firing direction and do not need to frequently adjust parameters during the attack, our company can fire 45 to 60 shells per hour."

"However, the comrades from the Weapons Experimentation and Research Bureau specifically reminded that it is best not to fire the Mle1930 at full load for a long time, since its barrel life is only about 1000 rounds."

"Considering maintenance needs, pausing the cooling process after every 10 shots is the safest operating procedure."

The brigade commander looked at the data reports and maintenance guidelines, and a smile suddenly appeared on his lips: "A lifespan of a thousand rounds? This heavy artillery is more durable than I imagined."

After speaking, he casually handed the notebook back to the artillery company commander, his tone tinged with pride:

"Also with a 240mm caliber, the Japanese Army's Type 90 cannon would be scrapped after firing 600 rounds. As the first heavy siege artillery piece deployed by our Eighth Route Army, the Mle1930 was already quite excellent."

"Prepare for battle. We'll use conventional high-explosive shells; no need for those fancy concrete-destroying bombs. And without my orders, don't even touch chemical weapons!"

"Go ahead. By the time you open fire, the infantry should already be ready for battle. The noise of the high-explosive shells can boost morale and accelerate the enemy's collapse."

······
Forty-five minutes later, the fire preparation for this battle began.

The Japanese soldiers dug two circular blockade trenches, each 8 meters wide and 5 meters deep, around Shimen, and built a total of 2000 pillboxes and bunkers of various sizes within these trenches.

To enhance firepower, they even laid a ring railway between the inner and outer city ditches and specially transferred two armored trains to provide fire support to the front line.

Such a formidable defensive system would all become stumbling blocks for the troops attacking Shimen, and the artillery would have to clear the way for the infantry with continuous and precise fire.

"The general attack begins!"

"Keep bombarding it for two hours. No one is allowed to stop without my order!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Shimen area shook violently.

Hundreds of cannons and rocket launchers fired simultaneously, the muzzle flashes of various cannons blending together, as if someone had set a huge fire on the Hebei Plain.

Soon, a barrage of shells, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound as they tore through the air, rained down on the enemy positions on the outskirts of the city from multiple angles.

Each artillery battalion did not conduct any prior test firings; they immediately unleashed a barrage of fire. This tactic emphasized surprise, aiming to tear through the defensive line instantly with high-density firepower.

"Maintain the rhythm! Maintain the rate of fire!"

"Let the Japanese devils and their puppet troops see what true superior firepower is all about!"

The sky outside the city was almost completely blackened by smoke and explosions after the first round of shelling. Thick smoke obscured the sun, plunging the entire battlefield into an eerie gloom.

The shells blew away not only sandbags and fortifications, but also half-dead bodies that twisted and tumbled in the air.

On a machine gun emplacement, several lucky Japanese soldiers, guns and all, were thrown high into the air, landing squarely in the high-voltage electric fence they themselves had orchestrated. A blinding blue arc of electricity flashed, and these once-arrogant invaders, who had forcibly conscripted laborers, were instantly transformed into human-shaped charred remains hanging on the barbed wire.

As for those two armored trains that the Japanese had high hopes for?
Naturally, it would be as fragile as a paper toy, easily punctured by tons of artillery fire. After all, with only 25 millimeters of armor, what could you expect it to do?

It's worth mentioning that the lieutenant colonel commander on the armored train experienced a taste of what the warlord was like before he died.

Compared to the commander, they didn't even have the chance to write their wills before being impaled by the explosion and shockwave, their knives still embedded in the twisted metal of the train carriage.

The liberation of Shimen is now only a matter of time.

······
Looking at the spectacular scene of the artillery group firing its weapons in the distance, the comrades of the two 240mm self-propelled artillery companies all showed longing expressions.

Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating the moment and ready to go into battle, the phone in the command center finally rang.

As soon as the communications officer picked up the receiver, he heard the brigade commander say in an excited voice:
"Fire! Fire now! Bombard Waishigou and Yunpanshan with two rounds first! There are a few tough nuts to crack over there!"

"I've already sent the coordinates over. You need to conduct an effectiveness assessment immediately after the first round of shelling to ensure that those key targets are completely destroyed."

The brigade commander's words immediately energized the entire position. The engineers and technicians who had just been observing the battle sprang into action, beginning the final pre-launch checks.

After the entire company completed the inspection and confirmed that there were no problems, the artillery company commander turned to look at the puppet army's position on Yunpan Mountain.

A moment later, he suddenly waved the flag, and the roar even drowned out the distant rumble.

"fire!"

The instant the order was received, a soldier yanked down the fuse. The two T-34 vehicles, tandem in formation, crashed into a giant rat weighing a thousand tons, the spade at the rear of the vehicles carving deep furrows into the soil.

At the same time, bright red fireballs spewed from the muzzle of the Mle1930.

The moment the shell left the barrel, the air was torn apart with a deafening shriek, and the storm generated by the muzzle directly evaporated the snow on the ammunition truck into white mist.

"boom!"

"boom!"

After two loud bangs, the breechblock opened automatically. The remnants of the burning propellant were scattered at the rear of the chassis, still emitting wisps of smoke.

At the high observation point, the observer was still carefully calculating the trajectory of the shell, while the comrades in the ammunition platoon were already skillfully operating the crane to steadily lift the second shell to the loading position.

Just as the loader was about to push the second shell into the breech, a ball of orange-red fire suddenly rose from Yunpan Mountain, 23 kilometers away.

A few seconds later, a muffled explosion pierced through the smoke, and the ground beneath our feet trembled slightly.

"Target area hit!"

"Prepare for the second round of shelling. Parameters have been revised as follows!"

······
Yunpan Mountain, the underground command post of the 19th Division of the puppet army.

Under the relentless artillery bombardment, the entire puppet army division had lost its will to fight. The survivors huddled deep within their fortifications, each explosion sending dust plumes down from the top of their bunkers.

During a lull in the shelling, several middle-aged puppet soldiers exchanged glances while tightly clutching the white cloth in their pockets—their last hope for survival.

Meanwhile, the commander of the 19th Division, with a bandage wrapped around his head that was seeping blood, was roaring into the receiver in his hand:

"Major General Yano, our Yunpanshan position has suffered a devastating blow. The Eighth Route Army's firepower is too overwhelming; the damage rate of our fortifications has exceeded 80%!"

Upon hearing this, Hideo Yano, inside the brigade headquarters, snapped the red and blue pencil in his hand.

He strode to the window, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the area covered by artillery fire, his lips trembling uncontrollably.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" The old Japanese soldier's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, his right hand unconsciously gripping the hilt of his military knife.

"The Yunpanshan fortifications were built to the highest standards of the country's army. The reinforced concrete structure is strong enough to withstand direct fire from 105mm or even 155mm artillery."

"No artillery piece in the Eighth Route Army's active service could possibly penetrate these permanent fortifications."

Upon hearing this, the puppet army division commander completely lost control. He ripped open his collar and screamed hoarsely into the microphone, utterly disregarding his status and position:
"You're talking bullshit! I think you, Hideo Yano, are just talking without any real understanding of the situation. If you're so capable, come and see for yourself at the front lines! What are you pretending to be, hiding in the city like a coward?"

"The Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery seemed to have eyes; I watched them destroy the fortress on the mountain right before my eyes."

"Let me tell you, if we don't get reinforcements soon, my brothers and I are quitting!"

After saying that, the puppet army division commander punched the crack in the wall.

His underground command post was only hit by a 240mm shell from the Mle1930, yet it developed a crack more than two meters long, stretching from the ceiling to the ground.

Seeing his division commander slam the phone receiver to the ground, the chief of staff quickly stepped forward and approached.

His eyes were a mixture of hope and fear, and his fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the battle map.

"Commander, have you received any instructions from the Imperial Army?"

The puppet army division commander did not answer immediately, but stared blankly at the shattered remains of the telephone on the ground. The underground command post was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; only the sounds of artillery fire and vibrations could be heard intermittently.

The chief of staff had to take another half step forward, his military boots making a screeching sound as they stepped on the gravel.

"Commander? Are the Japanese still telling us to hold our ground? Should we proceed with the original defense plan, or...?"

The puppet army staff officer swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue, but everyone understood the unresolved question: should they continue to hold out to the death, or consider other options?

"Defend? What are you defending! Do you really think I'm Yoshio Iwamatsu?"

"Given the current situation, I'd rather be captured and publicly tried by the Eighth Route Army than continue to serve the Japanese!"

"Pass on my order: Surrender! Surrender immediately! Send a telegram to Eighth Master in plain text, saying that we have a map of Shimen's defenses and that we want to abandon the darkness and embrace the light." (End of Chapter)