Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

Yokoyama Isamu pondered for a moment, then continued, "In addition, the artillery regiment on the front line suffered heavy losses. Immediately dispatch troops to quickly replenish the 68th Division and the 116th Division to ensure that the troops can continue to attack Hengyang."

"Hayi~!"

A Japanese colonel next to him responded respectfully: "I will arrange it right away."

Yokoyama Isamu sighed slightly, staring at the Hengyang City on the sand table, feeling a little worried in his heart.

At this moment, the old Japanese vaguely felt that Hengyang was not so easy to take. It seemed that the previous plan was too optimistic.

However, the war situation has developed to this point, and Yokoyama Isamu has no other choice but to concentrate all his efforts to capture Hengyang as soon as possible and then continue to advance southward.

Yokoyama Isamu gritted his teeth and said, "No matter what, we must open up the mainland transportation line."

For the Japanese, the biggest beneficiary of this incident was undoubtedly Shima Genkichi.

He had suffered a defeat and was living in fear all day long, but unexpectedly, good news came from the sky. Both Sakuma Hitoshi and Ota Sadamasa died, and he accidentally became the acting division commander.

Shima Genkichi looked at the harsh telegram sent by Yokoyama Isamu in his hand. Although he was scolded again, Shima Genkichi was very excited.

Because he understood that this was an opportunity given to him by Isamu Yokoyama to redeem himself and it should also be his last chance.

Judging from the telegram from Yokoyama Isamu, he asked their 68th Division to accept the unified command of Iwanaga Wang, but as the acting division commander, he could still command the entire 68th Division.

Now the 116th Division also did not gain any advantage, and Iwanaga Wang is now unable to take care of himself. As a result, he naturally does not have much energy to take care of the 68th Division, so his autonomy is still very strong.

Shima Genkichi also knew that this should be his last chance. If he could not seize this opportunity and atone for his sins, then all that awaited him would be seppuku to apologize.

So after receiving the order, Shima Genkichi did not delay and immediately rushed to the frontier position south of Hengyang City.

In the evening of that day, Shima Genkichi, who had taken a detour, arrived at the front line.

A group of Japanese officers had been waiting here for a long time.

Shima Genkichi glanced at the Japanese officers and asked, "What is the current situation?"

A Japanese lieutenant colonel replied: "Reporting to the general, the locust army was originally planning to launch an attack early this morning, but an accident occurred and the original attack plan was forced to be cancelled."

"Today, we did not launch any offensive, and the enemy troops on the opposite side were just passively on the defensive."

Shima Genkichi nodded slightly, walked to the front of the sand table, stared at it for a while, and said: "The enemy's defense system is indeed difficult to break through."

The Japanese lieutenant colonel responded respectfully: "Hayi, we have suffered heavy casualties before and have never been able to achieve a substantial breakthrough."

"The enemy's defense system fully utilized the terrain advantage, making it difficult for the locust army to attack these hills, thus hindering the attack."

"There is no better solution at the moment. We originally planned to use special bullets, but now... the special bullets have been basically destroyed."

Shima Genkichi said: "The commander has ordered the urgent dispatch of artillery and special ammunition to support us."

"But we can't just sit there and wait, right?"

"Hai~! Your Excellency the General is right. However, if we use conventional means to attack, the Locust Army will inevitably pay a heavy price in casualties."

Shima Genkichi said seriously: "We did not launch an attack that day. Due to this accident, the locust army suffered huge losses."

"In this way, the enemy will certainly relax their vigilance. Since a strong attack is not possible, we can resort to a sneak attack."

The Japanese lieutenant colonel asked, "You mean to launch a surprise attack at night to attack their defensive positions?"

Shima Genkichi said: "Now should be the time when their defense is the most lax. If we take them by surprise and launch a sneak attack, we may be able to achieve miraculous results."

"As long as the assault troops can climb the mountain, their fortifications will be useless."

"We need to select an elite death squad to conduct a nighttime sneak attack,"

"The probability of success is still very high. Even if we fail, our losses can be borne."

Upon hearing this, the Japanese officers present began to discuss among themselves.

Most of the Japanese soldiers present also agreed with the solution proposed by Shima Genkichi.

After all, they don't want to just keep waiting like this, they have to try it to know whether it works or not.

Shima Genkichi's proposal was quickly passed, and Shima Genkichi ordered: "Since everyone has no objection, let's start preparing immediately."

"Immediately dispatch one hundred elite locust soldiers to attack the enemy positions tonight."

"Also dispatch an infantry battalion and be ready to launch an attack at any time."

"Hayi~!"

The Japanese officers present responded in unison.

The target chosen by Shima Genkichi this time was still Mount Tebing.

The Japanese were well prepared this time and were determined to succeed in this sneak attack.

Everything was calm in the first half of the night and no accidents happened.

Just as the Japanese guessed, since there was no response from the Japanese position, the soldiers on duty became somewhat slack.

In the second half of the night, the commando team organized by Shima Genkichi began to take action.

Hundreds of Japanese soldiers were divided into several small teams and cautiously approached Tingbing Hill.

Under the cover of night, the Japanese successfully reached the foot of Tingbing Hill. At this time, the Japanese troops were divided into three groups.

Twenty Japanese soldiers each quietly encircled the enemy from both sides and went behind Tingbing Hill, attempting to cut off the defenders' retreat and take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack from the rear.

The other sixty Japanese soldiers were lying in ambush at the foot of the mountain, quietly waiting for their opportunity.

When they estimated that the flanking Japanese troops had reached the designated location, they began to quietly climb up the mountain.

These Japanese soldiers were all carefully selected elites with rich combat experience and were good at night attacks. They climbed up to the positions carefully and silently.

When the Japanese soldiers climbed up the mountain, they were discovered by a soldier on duty. The soldier immediately raised his gun and shot at them while shouting to warn them.

"The Japs are coming."

A burst of crisp gunfire rang out, and the sentry on duty was shot to death by the Japanese.

The leading Japanese officer shouted loudly: "Warriors of the Empire, charge up the mountain!"

"Give me the rabbit~!"

Dozens of Japanese soldiers no longer had any worries and rushed towards the mountain screaming.

At this time, all the defenders on the position had been awakened, and Zhang Deshan shouted loudly: "Kill the Japanese devils for me."

However, dozens of Japanese soldiers had already rushed up, and there were only dozens of soldiers on the position. The two sides immediately fought each other, and the scene was in chaos.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, a Japanese soldier released a flare.

Shima Genkichi saw the signal flares rising from the mountain from a distance and immediately ordered: "Order the mortars to concentrate their firepower to bombard the high ridge next to them."

"The second team will come to support immediately!"

"Hayi~!"

Following Shima Genkichi's order, the Japanese mobilized dozens of mortars and bombarded the Gaoling mountain.

At the same time, the two squadrons of the second echelon also took the opportunity to rush onto the battlefield, and the three squadrons of the third echelon behind them also rushed over. At this time, the two sides on the Tingbing Mountain were caught in a melee, and the defenders on the high ridge were also suppressed by the artillery fire of the Japanese.

Company Commander Zhang Deshen raised the box gun in his hand, aimed at the Japanese soldiers rushing towards him and fired continuously, killing three of them.

At this time, the communicator ran over and shouted, "Company commander, the division commander called to ask about the situation."

Zhang Deshen observed the situation and saw that there were too many Japanese troops, and a large number of them behind were about to rush up.

Most importantly, the Japanese appeared behind them and cut off their retreat.

Zhang Deshan shouted loudly: "Brothers, hold on. We must stop the Japanese attack at all costs."

After saying that, Zhang Deshen hurried back to the command center and picked up the phone on the table.

"Commander, I am Zhang Deshan."

Commander Ge also received the notification in his sleep and immediately answered the call from the front line.

Commander Ge asked anxiously, "What's the situation now?"

Zhang Deshan replied: "There are too many enemies. They have rushed up the mountain and we are surrounded by them."

Hearing this, Division Commander Ge was also horrified and quickly said, "The commander said that if we can't hold on, we can withdraw."

"I order you to withdraw from your position immediately. I will call for artillery fire to cover your retreat."

Zhang Deshan said helplessly: "It's too late, we are already surrounded."

"Before I came to Tingbing Mountain, I had no intention of returning alive, and my brothers had already made up their minds that they would die."

"We are determined to live and die with this position."

Commander Ge was furious and shouted, "I order you to withdraw immediately."

Zhang Deshan said helplessly: "The brothers are already fighting with the Japanese, and more and more Japanese are rushing up."

"We will perish together with the Japanese. If the position is lost, the division commander can safely cover the Tingbing Mountain position with artillery fire."

"I will fire a flare first then."

"Master, see you in the next life!"

The situation was urgent. After Zhang Deshen finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

"Hey, hey! Zhang Deshan! Zhang Deshan!"

Commander Ge threw the phone down and rushed out of the command center.

Holding the telescope, he looked towards Tingbing Hill.

The chief of staff next to him pointed to the front and said: "The Japanese suddenly launched a large-scale attack, and the defenders of Gaoling were also suppressed."

"Besides, some Japanese soldiers have already come around. Even if we send reinforcements, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold Tingbing Mountain."

"We were originally planning to give up Tingbingshan and Gaoling, but we didn't expect the Japanese to suddenly launch an attack."

At this moment, an explosion suddenly sounded on the Tingbing Hill position.

This was caused by the defending soldiers pulling the grenades and fighting the Japanese devils desperately.

Division Commander Ge couldn't help but his eyes turned red, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Order the Gaoling defenders to abandon their positions immediately and retreat to the main position in the rear."

"Also, notify the artillery unit immediately and prepare to concentrate firepower to bombard Tingbing Mountain."

The chief of staff was stunned for a moment, then said, "Yes!"

After a fierce battle, the defenders on Tingbing Hill suffered heavy casualties and only a few people were left.

Zhang Deshan raised his gun and killed two Japanese soldiers who were approaching him. He shouted loudly: "Brothers, kill one to get back your money, kill two to make a profit, and fight them to the death."

"I've killed so many devils, I've already made up my mind, I'm going to fight you to the death."

A wounded soldier roared and rushed towards the crowd of Japanese devils holding two grenades.

"Boom~!"

A violent explosion sounded, and several Japanese soldiers around were blown away instantly.

At the same time, the other brothers, seeing that they were unable to stop the Japanese attack, detonated grenades and explosive packs and rushed into the crowd of Japanese. With a series of violent explosions, the Japanese were blown to the ground, with many killed and wounded.

However, the Japanese still rushed forward desperately like a group of mad dogs.

The mountains and plains were full of Japanese soldiers. Zhang Deshen fired two shots in succession and ran out of bullets. Then he took out his signal gun, aimed it into the air and fired a shot. A shining signal flare rose into the sky.

Zhang Deshan threw his gun away, picked up the explosive pack beside him, and said with a sneer, "Damn you little devils, I'll send you off."

When the fuse was pulled, sparks flew from the explosive package.

Zhang Deshen, holding the explosive pack, rushed towards the crowd of Japanese devils without hesitation.

"Boom~!"

There was a loud explosion, and a ball of fire rose into the sky. More than a dozen Japanese soldiers around the loud explosion were blown away.

Division Commander Ge looked at the signal flare on the hill, his eyes slightly red, gritted his teeth and shouted loudly: "Fire~!"

Following the order given by Division Commander Ge, a rumbling sound of artillery fire immediately rang out from the artillery positions at the front.

"Chirp chirp chirp~!"

The shells flew quickly towards the distant Tingbing Hill with a sharp whistling sound.

"Boom~! Boom~!"

Violent explosions continued to sound, pieces of flames rose into the sky, gradually connecting into one, and the artillery fire instantly covered the Tingbing Mountain position.

The Japanese soldiers who had just captured the position had no time to celebrate before they were suddenly attacked by the artillery fire, and a large area of ​​them were blown to pieces, causing heavy casualties.

In order to capture the Tingbing Mountain position, the Japanese once again paid the price of more than 200 people.

The defenders on the opposite high ridge position were also alone and unable to make any move. After receiving the retreat order, they quickly withdrew from the position.

After a fierce battle, the Japanese finally captured these two positions.

After receiving the report, Shima Genkichi was overjoyed. Although the losses were still a bit heavy, they finally managed to take the position.

"Yoshi~!"

Shima Genkichi pointed to the front and said excitedly: "The troops continue to advance, gradually approaching their main position, and prepare for the final general attack."

"Hayi~!"

A Japanese officer nearby responded respectfully and turned to convey the order.

Shima Genkichi then said, "Send a telegram immediately to the commander of the Iwanaga Division and Commander Yokoyama, saying that we launched a surprise attack tonight and have captured two major positions on the enemy's front line."

"I think the most urgent task is to continue attacking Hengyang and not give the enemy any chance to breathe. I believe that with the bravery of the locust army, we can definitely defeat the enemy and occupy Hengyang." (End of this chapter)