Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

Li Guotao still couldn't help but feel a little worried about the current situation. After all, the 10th Army had limited manpower.

The battle has been going on for more than ten days and the troops have suffered casualties. If this trend continues, the casualties of the 10th Army will become increasingly serious.

In order to capture Hengyang, the Japanese launched fierce attacks at all costs.

If things continue along the original trajectory, the 10th Army will eventually be completely wiped out.

Li Guotao also wanted to preserve as many troops of the 10th Army as possible so that they could play a certain role in future counterattacks.

Therefore, Li Guotao still needs to go to the frontline battlefield as much as possible, try to kill more Japanese devils and accumulate more supplies.

But there is no need to rush this matter. After all, Li Guotao is not made of iron and he needs to rest.

Li Guotao chatted with Yang Jihe for a few more words. Seeing that Yang Jihe was already sleepy and began to yawn, Li Guotao smiled and said, "Captain, you should take a rest first."

Yang Jihe nodded and said, "You should also go and have a good sleep. It is most important to have enough rest. After all, there will be big battles to fight in the future."

Everyone understands that this battle will definitely not end in a short time. Such a protracted war is a test for everyone.

If you want to survive in such a cruel war situation and defeat the enemy, you must first ensure that you have sufficient energy so that you can devote yourself to the next battle.

Li Guotao nodded slightly, without saying anything more, turned and left the regiment headquarters. After learning about the situation of the troops, he found out that the brothers were already sleeping in the arranged places. Li Guotao also found a place to catch up on his sleep.

Meanwhile, the fighting on the front line continues.

Although the attacking Japanese suffered heavy losses under the tenacious resistance of the defenders, they did not give up and continued to launch fierce offensives.

The battle had completely entered a stalemate. Under the command of Kurose Heiichi, the Japanese launched fierce attacks again and again.

A large number of Japanese soldiers fell on the Zhangjiashan position, but under the fierce attack of the Japanese soldiers, the casualties of the defenders were increasing.

Heiichi Kurose mobilized a large amount of direct firepower, using tanks, infantry guns and anti-tank guns to aim at the cliff and began bombarding.

Under such fierce bombardment, the cliffs collapsed in several places, forming gentle slopes. In this way, the Japanese could rush directly up the mountain, which was much easier than climbing ladders.

Moreover, the ladders that had been transported up earlier were destroyed in large numbers by grenades and some homemade incendiary bombs.

So the Japanese had to keep carrying ladders and rushing up the mountain. But with these gentle slopes, the Japanese no longer needed to use ladders, and it became easier to rush up the mountain.

In this way, it will undoubtedly become more and more advantageous for the attacking Japanese.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, large numbers of Japanese soldiers launched group charges one after another.

Although the defenders put up a tenacious resistance and inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese, their casualties gradually increased as the battle progressed.

Kurose Heiichi looked at the situation on the battlefield and cursed with gritted teeth: "The enemy is so cunning, thinking that they can stop the locust army's attack by taking advantage of the terrain, that is a foolish dream."

"Today, let these bastards see how powerful the locust army is. No one can stop the locust army's attack. Even if we have to consume them bit by bit, we must consume these bastards completely."

A Japanese lieutenant colonel next to him said, "Sir, the battle has lasted for so long. Although the Locust Army has suffered heavy casualties, the enemy has also suffered heavy casualties."

"The most important thing is that it has become easier and easier for us to attack now."

"I believe it won't be long before we can take over the opposing position."

"It is becoming easier and easier for the locust army to rush up the mountain now."

"Yoshi~!"

Kurose Heiichi nodded with satisfaction.

At this time, the fighting on the battlefield had reached its most intense moment.

The Japanese mobilized dozens of heavy machine guns and fired wildly at the mountain. Bullets fell on the positions on the mountain like raindrops.

At the same time, there were at least twenty mortars and dozens of grenade launchers, concentrating their firepower on the main position of Zhangjiashan and shooting frantically. Mortar shells and grenades flew to the mountain one after another, exploding with a loud bang.

"Give me the rabbit~!"

At the foot of the mountain, a large number of Japanese soldiers, under the command of Japanese officers, rushed up the mountain desperately.

The trenches and hillsides were littered with the corpses of Japanese soldiers, but the attacking soldiers turned a blind eye and rushed forward screaming and holding their bayonets.

The defenders on the mountain also fired machine guns and grenades, and the Japanese were shot and killed continuously.

However, the crazy Japanese soldiers continued to rush up to the positions, and a large number of them rushed to Hill 227.7 and Hill 221 on the front line of Zhangjiashan.

The reason why the Japanese were so crazy was that this attack was led by the battalion commander, Major Osuga Gong.

The old Japanese soldier waved his saber and rushed up the mountain regardless of everything. The captain was so fearless and brave that it greatly boosted the morale of the young Japanese soldiers.

Not only Osuga Gong, but also the captain of the second battalion on the other side, Major Adachi Hatsuo, was not willing to be outdone. He led his soldiers and rushed to another high ground.

The entire battlefield was only 227.7 meters wide, but there were two captains who personally led the charge, attacking Hill 221 and Hill respectively.

Such scenes are rare in the entire history of war.

After all, the battlefield is relatively narrow. Generally speaking, on such a battlefield, at most two squadrons would be sent to launch an attack.

For the Japanese, they only needed to send a captain to command two squadrons.

But after a fierce battle, the two battalions were basically completely destroyed.

The Japanese soldiers who suffered heavy losses went completely crazy. Two captains personally led their teams and launched attacks at the same time, each with a group of Japanese soldiers, attacking the two small hills on the front line of Zhangjiashan.

If you want to take the main position of Zhangjiashan, you must take these two heights. As long as you take these two small heights, taking Zhangjiashan will become much easier.

Under the command of these two captains, the crazy Japanese rushed to two heights one after another.

After a fierce battle, the defenders on the mountain also suffered heavy losses.

When Osuga Gong led the Japanese soldiers to rush forward, a figure suddenly jumped out from a bomb crater nearby with several grenades hanging on his body. The grenades were still emitting black smoke, and it was obvious that the fuses had been pulled.

The man roared and rushed directly into the crowd of Japanese soldiers. Osuga Gong didn't have time to react at all, and saw a burst of fire in front of him. The hot flame rushed towards him and instantly engulfed him. Then the old Japanese soldier was directly blown away, and the broken shrapnel hit him, instantly turning him into a sieve.

Major Osuga Gong was killed on the spot, ending his sinful life prematurely.

A large number of the Japanese soldiers who had just rushed up to him were also blown to pieces.

At the same time, in other directions, some people rushed towards the Japanese crowd, detonated grenades or explosive packs, and died together with the Japanese who rushed up.

At this moment, all the soldiers on the position were blood-thirsty. As there were not many people left and the ammunition was almost consumed, the people on the main position were suppressed by the Japanese firepower and could not come to support.

Seeing the Japanese soldiers swarming in like a tide, the soldiers knew they could not stop their attack, so they detonated grenades and died together with the Japanese soldiers who were rushing towards them.

Although this action killed many Japanese soldiers, they were also blinded by blood and continued to rush forward regardless of the consequences.

After a fierce battle, all the defenders on Hill 227.7 died heroically, and the Japanese took advantage of the situation to occupy Hill 227.7.

On the other side, the captain of the Japanese 2nd Battalion, Hatsuo Adachi, had both his legs blown off after he rushed up to Hill 221, but this old Japanese soldier luckily managed to save his life.

The Japanese soldiers who rushed up suffered heavy casualties, but more and more Japanese soldiers followed, and eventually Hill 221 was also occupied by the Japanese soldiers.

Kurose Heiichi looked at the scene on the battlefield and said excitedly: "Yo, we finally took these two small hills."

"Order the attacking troops to continue the attack and strive to capture the main peak of Zhangjiashan in one go."

"Hayi~!"

The Japanese officer next to him responded respectfully and turned to convey the order.

At this moment, the sky was gradually getting dark.

However, the Japanese attack did not stop. After taking the two heights, the Japanese continued to attack the main peak position of Zhangjiashan not far away. The battle continued. Relying on the defensive positions on the mountain, the defenders stubbornly resisted the Japanese attack and repelled several group charges of the Japanese.

Commander Fang came to the front-line command post again and met Commander Ge of the 10th Reserve Division.

"How's the situation?"

Division Commander Ge frowned and said, "The situation is not very good. The damn Japanese are like crazy, constantly launching attacks."

"Now the two small hills on the front line of Zhangjiashan have all been lost. The Japanese are concentrating their forces to attack the main position of Zhangjiashan."

When General Fang heard this, he became anxious and said, "Once Zhangjiashan is lost, our entire defense line may be in danger of collapse."

Teacher Ge said: "I know, but we really tried our best."

Commander Fang waved his hand and said, "I don't want to hear this. I just want to ask, are you sure you can take back the two lost heights?"

Commander Fang didn't waste any words. He did not ask whether they could hold the main peak of Zhangjiashan, but whether they could recapture the two lost heights.

Because everyone knows that if these two high ground cannot be recaptured, the main peak position of Zhangjiashan will be in danger, and it will be lost sooner or later.

If we can recapture these two heights, there will be room for maneuver. As long as we can hold these two heights, we can not only curb the enemy's attack, but also ensure that Zhangjiashan is safe.

Division Commander Ge sighed helplessly and said, "The Japanese attack was very fierce. The brothers fought very hard. The casualties of each unit were heavy. I really don't have the troops to launch a counterattack now."

Commander Fang frowned and said, "I don't have any extra troops to support you, but I order you to do everything you can to recapture the two lost heights for me."

"We must defend Zhangjiashan no matter what. It's only been a short time since the battle began. Our goal is to hold on to Hengyang for a long time. Judging from the current trend, we estimate that we will have to hold on for at least a month."

"If we lose Zhangjiashan now, how can we fight in the future? Hengyang won't be able to hold out for much longer."

Division Commander Ge naturally understood the seriousness of the situation. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Let me think of a solution. The Japanese are now attacking like crazy. We can only make sure to defend the main peak position as much as possible."

"Only if we defeat the Japanese first can we have a chance to launch a counterattack. Otherwise, it will be difficult to recapture these two high grounds."

Commander Fang sighed helplessly and said, "I also know your difficulties, but now we have no other choice. No matter how difficult it is, we must persist in fighting and defend Hengyang at all costs."

Division Commander Ge quickly assured: "Yes, please rest assured, Commander, we will definitely go all out to try to recapture these two high grounds."

Commander Fang said: "When you counterattack, I will have the artillery units provide you with artillery cover."

"I remember that these two high grounds were occupied by the Japanese before, but we finally took them back, didn't we?"

"Now I hope you can recapture these two high grounds like you did last time."

"Yes!"

Commander Ge quickly responded: "I will ensure that the mission is completed."

Commander Fang agreed to provide artillery cover, which made Commander Ge couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

With artillery fire cover, launching a counterattack would be much easier.

But the biggest problem now is the lack of troops and how to draw on them to launch a counterattack.

Every position needs to be guarded, and the fighting is very fierce. It is too difficult to withdraw troops now because there are not enough troops in the first place.

It's not that Commander Fang really can't mobilize any troops at all. The military reserve forces still have some troops, but the military reserve forces are basically the last reserve forces. If they are used at this time, what will happen in the future?

Commander Fang was reluctant to use the army reserve unless it was absolutely necessary.

The situation on the Third Division's side was not very good either, and the fighting was quite difficult. Commander Fang was also very worried. If this trend continued, he didn't know how long they could hold out.

Commander Fang stared at the sand table for a while and said, "Are the Japanese concentrating their forces to attack Zhangjiashan with all their strength?"

Division Commander Ge nodded and said, "Yes, the attacks on other battlefields were basically feints by the Japanese. Most of their artillery fire was concentrated on Zhangjiashan, with at least two battalions of troops deployed."

"If the terrain wasn't so limited, they would have deployed even more troops."

"We have been fighting for a whole day. We have basically wiped out most of the Japanese troops in these two battalions, but these little Japanese are still like crazy and keep launching attacks." (End of this chapter)