The Iron-Blooded Army of Beacon Fire

Chapter 393 Artillery Plays the Leading Role

Although the 18th Division's firepower assault was not as fierce as the previous assault corps' attack on the Japanese Marines crossing the river, the firepower composed of a special forces company directly under the division equivalent to an infantry company, a heavy machine gun company and a mortar company was still considerable.

Dense machine gun bullets and continuously fired 82mm mortar shells were all concentrated and fired at the center of the Japanese boat group, causing the center of the wide Japanese boat group that was originally advancing in a parallel formation across the river to be sunken and fall far behind the boat groups crossing the river on both sides.

In the middle of the river, there were corpses of Japanese soldiers who had fallen into the water and wounded Japanese soldiers crying for help in the surging river. The twisting and harsh friction sound of bullets hitting the steel hull of the boat and the painful screams and cries for help of the hit Japanese soldiers were endless.

"Hit them! Hit them hard! Avenge our brothers who died on the west bank of the Fuchi River!"

On the position of the 18th Division, the major regimental adjutant of the 18th Division, who was in command, roared with bloodshot eyes, pulled the trigger of the Type water-cooled heavy machine gun hard, and kept shaking the gun.

With the reciprocating motion of the toggle-type locking mechanism at the rear of the gun and the rising hot steam in the cooling water tank, rows of 7.92mm heavy pointed bullets were fed into the feed port by the yellow canvas belt. The roaring machine gun muzzle spewed out long tongues of fire, pouring bullets onto the Japanese boat group in the middle of the river, creating red and yellow splashes in the river.

Around the major's regiment, the other five heavy machine guns of the heavy machine gun company and hundreds of Hanyang rifles and nine light machine guns of the heavy machine gun company and the special forces company were also roaring and firing dense rain of bullets.

Most of the officers and soldiers who remained on the position were veterans of the 18th Division who had participated in the Battle of Shanghai. Facing the oncoming Japanese boats, they showed no panic at all and all fired calmly.

"Don't worry about the Japanese troops on the two wings, concentrate them and attack the enemy in the middle!"

Although the major regimental adjutant was shooting personally, he did not just focus on his own pleasure. Instead, he kept directing the firepower at hand and concentrated all the firepower on the center of the Japanese boat group, while simply turning a blind eye to the rest of the Japanese boat group.

This small elite force led by the major's regiment had no original intention of holding the position, nor of repelling or severely damaging the Japanese troops crossing the river. All they needed was to inflict a small amount of damage on the Japanese before leaving. The center of the Japanese river crossing boat formation, which had just been attacked by a mine explosion, naturally became the first target of this small elite force.

Boom
Boom
Amid the roar of artillery fire, the 82mm mortar shells whizzed over the head of the major's regimental adjutant. Like the dense machine gun bullets fired by the light and heavy machine guns and rifles on the position, the 18mm mortar company stationed not far behind the positions of the 82th Division's special forces company and heavy machine gun company opened fire fiercely, and the shells they fired continuously hit the center of the Japanese boat group. The dense shells exploded in the river in all directions, creating waves of water columns.

Faced with such fierce machine gun and mortar fire attacks, the Japanese boat group in the center of the formation suffered heavy losses, and a large number of folding boats, rubber boats and steel boats were sunk one after another.

However, other Japanese boat groups that were not attacked by fire were not affected. They completely ignored the intensive fire attack on the center of their own river crossing boat formation. Instead, they gradually accelerated their advance speed and quickly advanced to the east bank of the Fuchi River. The light and heavy machine guns on the boats also increased their shooting intensity, firing wildly at the positions of the 18th Division.

As a result, the Japanese boats in the center of the boat formation were severely beaten by fierce firepower. While they were being beaten to death, more Japanese boats gradually approached the east bank of the Fuchi River.

The major who was firing his machine gun saw the Japanese troops about to land and immediately yelled to the messenger, "Messenger, the Japanese are about to rush onto the river beach. Tell the mortar company to stop firing and quickly dismantle the guns and retreat!"

"Yes!"

The messenger agreed, then rolled over to the phone and yelled into the transmitter: "Mortar Company, stop firing and retreat immediately. The enemy is about to attack the riverbank!"

Whoosh-Boom
After another round of whistling mortar shells fell into the river, under the retreat order from the major of the regiment, the 82nd mortar company stopped firing and began to collect their artillery and retreat.

The 18th Division's special forces company and heavy machine gun company continued to fire relentlessly at the center of the Japanese boat formation. The light and heavy machine guns on the Japanese boats that were gradually approaching the river beach also did not give in and fired fiercely during the river crossing.

For a moment, the blazing fire streams shot out by both sides set off deadly crossfire lines on the Fuchi River.

At the same time, on the position of the Japanese 150mm howitzer battalion, the battalion commander Akamatsu Tomoichiro looked through the gun mirror at the sudden burst of fierce firepower from the 18th Division's position and the battalion of boats that were beaten to a pulp on the river. He shouted anxiously to his adjutant, "Order all squadrons to stop shelling the enemy's deep positions, concentrate firepower on the enemy's front positions, and destroy the Chinese army's firepower points!"

"Yes! Stop the extended artillery fire and attack the enemy's front-line firepower points!"

The adjutant kept shouting into the transmitter, conveying Akamatsu Touichiro's orders to each gun position.

On the Japanese artillery position, eight Type 8 96mm howitzers that were continuously firing projectiles stopped firing one after another. The Japanese gunners quickly and skillfully adjusted the height and elevation of the artillery according to the newly calculated combat firing parameters.

At the same time, the ammunition operator loaded the 150mm instantaneous explosive grenade into the gun barrel for firing at unprotected machine gun positions. After the grenade was loaded into place and the breech block was closed under the action of the ramrod, the Japanese gunner in charge of firing opened his mouth wide and pulled the gun rope again.

Boom boom boom

There was another loud roar from the Japanese artillery position. Eight Type 8 96mm howitzers roared in unison. The powerful muzzle kinetic energy raised a cloud of dust, and eight grenades whizzed towards the position of the 150th Division.

Whizzing
The sharp whistling sound of heavy artillery shells breaking through the air instantly broke the rhythm of the unilateral fire attack on the 18th Division's position. The major of the 18th Division, who was pulling the trigger and firing fiercely, felt the sharp whistling from the air, and immediately released the trigger of the heavy machine gun to stop shooting, and while shouting "Get down", he immediately squatted down and curled up his body.

The veterans of the 18th Division's special forces company and heavy machine gun company also stopped shooting and began to avoid the artillery fire.

Immediately, the sultry air was torn apart by the scorching airflow generated by the whistling artillery shells, and eight 8mm grenades accurately landed on the position where the major's regimental attaché was located.

Eight heart-shaking explosions sounded one after another. The powerful explosive grenades immediately blasted several large gaps in the positions of the 18th Division's special forces company and heavy machine gun company, setting off a torrential rain of mud and dust. Deadly shrapnel also made strange sounds and flew all over the position.

The major regimental adjutant squatting in the communication trench had never imagined that the power of the Japanese artillery bombardment was so great. Looking up, the major regimental adjutant saw at least three Type 24 water-cooled heavy machine guns that were blown away and flew into the sky. The bodies of more than a dozen brothers were blown up like goose feathers by the shock wave of the exploding artillery shells and were torn to pieces in the air.

Gravel, dirt, and heavy machine gun bullets kept falling and smashed into the positions where the officers and soldiers of the 18th Division's special forces company and heavy machine gun company were located. Suddenly, curses, cries of pain, and sounds of saving people rose and fell in the positions.

After this round of fierce bombardment from 150mm howitzers, the major regimental adjutant looked towards the river again and saw that more than a dozen Japanese landing craft had already approached the river beach, and hundreds of Japanese infantrymen were jumping onto the river beach and rushing towards their positions.

Seeing that the Japanese artillery attack was very fierce and that the Japanese troops who had crossed the river had successfully landed, the major regimental adjutant knew that he should not continue to resist, so he immediately climbed to the front of the Type 24 heavy machine gun he was operating, turned the muzzle to fire at the Japanese troops who had landed, and shouted: "Brothers, we have made enough money, retreat quickly, the heavy machine gunners stay to cover, and the others retreat quickly. After the cover is completed, blow up all the machine guns! Also blow up the ammunition that cannot be taken away!"

"Retreat! Retreat!"

"Blow up the machine gun!"

"Back off, back off!"

The officers and soldiers of the 18th Division's special forces company and heavy machine gun company had no intention of fighting the Japanese army to death on the battlefield. After the order from the major's regimental adjutant, the officers and soldiers left their combat positions one after another and began to retreat along the communication trench under the cover of several Type 18 water-cooled heavy machine guns. A few minutes later, several more explosions were heard in the th Division's position.

After knocking down more than 20 Japanese soldiers who had landed on the river beach, the heavy machine gunners who were providing cover also blew up the heavy machine guns with grenades, then quickly left their positions and retreated.

This small-scale battle, which lasted only more than twenty minutes, ended here.

An hour later, Hata Shigeichi looked at the devastated 18th Division position with a gloomy face. In the huge trenches, apart from more than bloody corpses, several destroyed water-cooled heavy machine guns, four or five boxes of heavy machine gun bullets and blown-up telephones found in the trenches where the Chinese army had just put up fierce resistance, there were only a series of empty communication trenches.

Even in the bunkers, machine gun nests and shelters that were destroyed by the heavy 150mm shells in the recent bombardment, not a single Chinese soldier's body was found. Only a pile of miscellaneous items such as empty ammunition boxes and dry food bags were found.

Standing in the still warm bomb crater in the 18th Division's position and looking at the empty positions around him, Shigekazu Hata felt mixed emotions.

The adjutant carrying a folder hurriedly ran along the communication trench and ran to Hata Shigekazu to report: "Report to the commander, all the troops of my detachment have crossed the river, and the casualties in the battle just now have been counted. The 1st Infantry Regiment of Taiwan Island has 51 officers and soldiers killed and 77 wounded. The 8th Independent Engineer Regiment has 14 officers and soldiers killed and 9 wounded."

Hearing the casualty figures reported by the officers, Shigekazu Hata became even more depressed and suddenly felt like he had been tricked.

So many artillery shells were consumed, so many troops were deployed, and more than a hundred casualties were suffered, but all they got were more than twenty corpses, hundreds of unused heavy machine gun bullets and an empty position.

Hata Shigeichi suddenly felt like he had been tricked by the Chinese army.

Barely suppressing his anger, Hata Shigeichi whispered to his adjutant, "Order all troops to continue marching, speed up, and advance towards Banbi Mountain. Advance to the enemy's defense line and deploy all forces according to the predetermined plan. Attack, and we must take down Banbi Mountain and kill all these damn Chinese troops!"

Just as the Japanese Hata Detachment reached the east bank of the Fuchi River and marched towards Banbi Mountain, in the command post of the 385th Brigade on the Big and Small Xiong Mountains, Luo Guangwen, the acting commander of the 18th Division, narrated to He Wei and Ma Ji the entire process of the battle that made Hata Shigeichi feel like he was being fooled.

He Wei and Ma Ji were very happy after learning that the 18th Division had caused an estimated loss of 18 people to the Japanese army with only dozens of casualties. Especially He Wei, he had not originally planned to let the th Division put up any strong resistance, nor did he expect their small force to withstand the Japanese attack for a long time.

Now the 18th Division was able to disgust the Japanese with such a battle where dozens were exchanged for a hundred, which was an unexpected surprise for He Wei.

After the battle, the 18th Division withdrew to the defense zone of the Banbishan Garrison Command and is now on standby behind the 385th Brigade's defense line.

In the 385th Brigade Command Post, Luo Guangwen, who had finished describing the details of the battle, patted his chest and said, "Captain He, Brigade Commander Ma, my division has now withdrawn to the defense zone of the Banbishan Garrison Command. If you have any combat missions or support needs, my 18th Division will certainly be responsible for it."

Ma Ji smiled and said to Luo Guangwen, "We are all national troops, so we should support each other. My 385th Brigade is under the battle sequence of Captain He's Banbishan Garrison Command, and all the troops have been deployed. The use and arrangement of your troops still depends on Captain He's opinion."

Then, Ma Ji turned his gaze to He Wei.

Compared to Li Fangbin, the former commander of the 18th Division, He Wei admired Luo Guangwen, a sincere and upright man from Sichuan Province, so he nodded slightly and said, "In this case, I will not be polite now that we are facing a powerful enemy."

Seeing that He Wei was about to assign combat tasks, Luo Guangwen and Ma Ji's expressions became solemn.

"Division Commander Luo Dai's troops just won a small victory and dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army, but the Japanese army's heavy troops and sharp edges cannot be stopped by this small victory. The enemy will soon attack in the direction of Banbi Mountain and reach the defense zone of Brigade Commander Ma's 385th Brigade."

"Brigade Commander Ma's troops have been preparing in their defense zone for a long time. Our next tactics are not complicated. In two words, hold on to the death! We cannot give up every inch of land from the 385th Brigade's defense zone to Banbi Mountain easily. We must fight for every inch of land. Brigade Commander Ma, this first line of defense is handed over to you."

He Wei looked at Ma Ji with encouragement and expectation. Ma Ji also said solemnly: "Please rest assured, Captain He, our troops will defend the position to the death. As long as there is one person alive in my brigade, we will definitely hold on to the position to the death!"

"The main force of our assault corps has now advanced to the reverse slope of the Big Bear Mountain and Small Bear Mountain highland positions where the 385th Brigade is located, and has already entered the fortifications and shelters built on the reverse slope, ready to provide support to the 385th Brigade at any time."

"With the strength of our corps, we have enough troops to reinforce the Big and Small Bear Mountain Heights or to defend the open areas on both sides of the Big and Small Bear Mountain Heights. Moreover, Brigade Commander Ma has deployed one regiment on the Big and Small Bear Mountain Heights, and the other two regiments are deployed in the open areas on both sides of the Big and Small Bear Mountain Heights. The overall infantry strength is sufficient and there is no need to worry for the time being. Therefore, your 18th Division, Commander Luo, should not be used for the time being. I hope that your troops can build fortifications in the open plains between the Banbi Mountains behind the defense area of ​​the 385th Brigade, and enter the position to wait for rest after the fortifications are built. Once the positions of Brigade Commander Ma's troops are lost, the positions built by your troops can immediately become the second line of defense against the Japanese army."

Listening to He Wei's tactical arrangements, Luo Guangwen nodded repeatedly and said, "This arrangement is very appropriate."

He Wei continued, "I think that in the next battle, since our army has no shortage of infantry, the support for Brigade Commander Ma's troops should be mainly artillery firepower. Moreover, Brigade Commander Ma's troops do lack artillery firepower. Each of the three infantry regiments in the entire brigade has only one mortar company."

"My artillery battalion has six 75mm mountain guns and six 76mm mountain guns, five 6mm tank defense guns, and eight 45mm heavy howitzers in the 5mm heavy artillery battalion assigned to me. Although the artillery units under my command have begun to take shape, they are still slightly insufficient in the face of the Japanese heavy forces. Moreover, I want to concentrate the available artillery units in the defense zone of my Banbishan garrison headquarters. I wonder if Division Commander Luo can provide some reinforcements in this regard?"

He Wei looked at Luo Guangwen and asked.

Luo Guangwen did not hide anything and said straightforwardly: "My division has artillery. My division has a direct artillery battalion, but this artillery battalion is not equipped with mountain artillery, but three artillery companies with 12 82mm mortars. If the captain needs it, my division will fully support you at your disposal!"

He Wei thought for a moment and said, "Then I won't be polite. Haha, if we don't have field artillery, mortars will be good too. Then please ask Commander Luo to temporarily transfer your division's mortar battalion to me."

"No problem, I'll give the order now and transfer the artillery battalion!"

He Wei smiled and stood at attention, saluted Luo Guangwen and said, "Thank you, Commander Luo!"

Just as He Wei said, the various combat readiness preparations for the 385th Brigade's defense zone, which was about to bear the brunt of the attack by the Japanese heavy forces, were well arranged under the command of Ma Ji, a master of defensive warfare, with sufficient fortifications and manpower.

In this case, the elite infantry units of the assault corps would certainly not be used in a short period of time.

Artillery firepower is bound to become the "protagonist" of He Wei's support for the 385th Brigade's operations in the next period of time.

After receiving support from the 18th Division's artillery battalion, not counting the tank defense guns, the artillery firepower in He Wei's hands already included 75 76mm mountain guns and 6mm mountain guns, 150 8mm heavy howitzers, and 82 12mm mortars. If the mortar companies in the three infantry battalions of the assault corps were withdrawn for concentrated use, there would be 12 additional 81mm mortars.

The firepower created by such an artillery group will surely be enough to give the attacking Japanese army a hard time!
(End of this chapter)