Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 203: Withstanding the Attack of Two Divisions

On the left wing, the 114th Division's offensive was equally fierce. They seemed to have no awareness of being a special division and were focused on capturing Hill No. 6 before the 2th Division.

114师团是10月24日才组建的，隶属于第十军，师团长末松茂治中将，下辖127旅团（步兵第60联队、102联团）、128旅团（步兵115联队、150联队）；
The direct subordinate units include the 18th Cavalry Battalion, the 120th Field Artillery Regiment, the 114th Engineer Regiment, the 114th Quartermaster Regiment, etc., and the total strength is not much less than that of the th Division.

Japan's reserve system and wartime mobilization system were very complete, and stimulated by the rapid progress on the Chinese battlefield, the local reserve personnel were very enthusiastic about participating in the war, and the troops were sufficient;
These special divisions that were expanded in the early days were all organized according to the first-class divisions, but this could not meet the needs. One after another, they cried out to come to China to join the war, and the people even tightened their belts to support the war against China.

Therefore, there are few innocent Japanese people. Without their support, the Japanese army would not have been able to hold out for more than a few years.

The reason why the 114th Division made faster progress than the 6th Division was that they invested more troops and each attack was at the wing level;

The three regiments took turns to fight, and only the 150th Regiment was watching. The regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yamamoto Shigeshige, was so anxious that he asked the division commander to fight again:
"Your Excellency, the Chinese only have one last position left, and the other regiments have suffered heavy casualties. Why not let our fresh troops take over?
Give us a chance, and we will surely be able to capture the Chinese positions in one fell swoop and rush into the Zhonghua Gate before the Sixth Division."

It is no wonder that they are so eager to try. As the commanders of the special division, their military rank is only lieutenant colonel. They urgently need to add that star for their military achievements so that they can be worthy of the position of commander.

Lieutenant General Suematsu was also moved. The other regiments were losing their spirits. Sending in the 150th Regiment, which had been gathering strength, might have a miraculous effect. Thinking of this, he nodded and said:
"Yoshi, I know about Yamamoto-kun's loyalty and bravery. Since you want to show it to the Chinese, then as you wish, the task of conquering Hill No. 2 will be handed over to you!

Mr. Yamamoto, in front of Yuhuatai is Zhonghua Gate. Just hearing the name, you can tell its significance to the Chinese people.

His Royal Highness the Prince has already said that he will award a medal to the warrior who broke through the Zhonghua Gate. This is a royal medal. Whether you can bring this precious medal back to the 114th Division depends on you!
Go ahead and kill them all!"

Lieutenant General Suematsu almost shouted out his last sentence, which was filled with murderous intent. Li Jie could sense it from a distance and muttered:
"The rain is coming and the wind is blowing all over the building!"

"Captain, the Japanese are preparing a big move. We have been showing weakness all along, just to stimulate the Sixth Division to attack Hill No. 3 and make the 114th Division proud.

Now the effect has been achieved. Since the Japs are holding back their ultimate move, why don’t we give them a good hammer and make them behave themselves.”

After the artillery battalion commander Yu Liangtao finished speaking, he looked expectantly at the captain of a detachment, Li Jie. His artillery battalion had been held back by Li Jie and had not been put to use, so he had been frustrated for a long time.

Li Jie nodded and said:
"A kind man is often bullied, a kind horse is often ridden. I have always been a grandson, but I never thought that these little devils would really think they were so awesome.
If the tiger doesn't show its power, they will really think we are sick cats, so let's get them some help!

After the two sides start fighting, your artillery camp will..."

"Boom boom boom boom..."

"Boom boom boom..."

The Japanese artillery bombardment instantly drowned out Li Jie's voice. A new round of attack by the 114th Division was launched amid the rumbling of artillery fire.

Still the same old routine, artillery bombardment first!
The old Japanese soldier Suematsu invested a huge amount of money and mobilized the firepower of the field artillery regiment. Dozens of cannons bombarded the positions of a regiment. The shells fell like raindrops, almost plowing through the positions of a platoon. Lieutenant Colonel Yamamoto was so excited that his blood boiled. His chance had finally come!
The senior staff officer of the wing, Major Hirahara Rabbit Horn, said excitedly:
"Sir, the defenders have been squeezed into a very narrow area. The position has no depth at all. One artillery shell can wipe out their entire squad, or even half a platoon!

The divisional artillery fired 48 shells in one salvo. When the bombardment was over, I really couldn’t imagine how many of them would be alive.”

Lieutenant Colonel Yamamoto couldn't help but smile complacently after hearing this.

"If that's the case, then my 150th Regiment won unfairly. This is the gap between the two countries. The Empire is not as powerful as China!

Start the attack, and let the warriors collect the bodies of the Chinese!"

Major Hirahara accepted the order and left. He was full of expectations for the next attack.

The same thing happened to Yamano Shigejiro. He was standing in the formation of the first wave of attacks, waiting for the artillery fire to extend. They needed to attack by following the artillery points, rush into the Chinese positions, and then kill them all.

He unconsciously glanced at Onuma Takehiro. They were classmates and childhood playmates. They joined the army together, retired together, and went out to sea to fish together after returning to their hometown to make a living.
If it were not for the war, they might have to spend their entire lives on fishing boats, leading a hard life with no food to eat, and might even be swallowed up by the wind and waves one day.

It was the war that gave them hope for life. When they were in school, their teachers told them that the land of China was fertile and the city of Jinling was full of gold. As long as they conquered China, they would no longer have to rely on the sea for a living.
The teacher was right. Jinling City was right in front of them. He and Takehiro Onuma had an agreement that whoever killed 100 Chinese people first would be eligible to marry the teacher's daughter, and the other would give up voluntarily.

Private First Class Oonuma smiled at him provocatively, then rushed out with his gun in hand. Yamano Shigejiro was unwilling to be left behind, so he chased after him with his bow legs swinging several dozen centimeters. He couldn't lose to this bastard Oonuma.

As soon as the artillery fire extended, the 150th Regiment launched an attack, and densely packed Japanese troops swarmed towards the core position of the First Squadron like locusts passing through a border;
This is their last line of defense. If they retreat any further, they will reach Mountain No. 1. Li Jie doesn't want to join Yue Qianli in the fun.

With Yue Qianli around, he could only play a supporting role, but now he is the protagonist. Facing the locusts passing through, he is not panicked at all, but also picked up a telescope and watched the show with great interest.
The deployment of troops had already been completed, and how to fight specifically was the business of the battalion commanders. He could not interfere. This rule was very good, just like Lao Yue never interfered with his command.

As a commander, he just needs to do his own job well. His main job now is to be a spectator and enjoy watching the show. Unfortunately, he lacks a handful of melon seeds - bad review!
"DaDaDa..."

"Boom boom boom..."

Suddenly, there was a burst of intense gunfire from the front positions. The first and second battalions defending the positions opened fire at full force, and the Japanese offensive was halted. Hundreds of Japanese soldiers were shot and fell.

Yamano Shigejiro successfully escaped the danger and then lay down on the ground to avoid the rain of bullets.

What's unfair is that Konuma survived, and Yamano Jujiro thought that Aunt Amaterasu must have gone blind, and he started to fight back;
It doesn’t matter whether you hit the target or not, at least you can feel braver and won’t be scolded by the team leader.

Once the defenders' light and heavy machine guns were exposed, the Japanese heavy firepower such as infantry guns, heavy machine guns, and mortars also began to show their power, and from time to time a machine gun was destroyed;

Fortunately, the heavy machine guns were hidden in the bunkers, and the mortars and heavy machine guns could not do anything to them. They were more of a diversionary role to cover the infantry to continue the attack.

The heavy firepower of the defenders was quickly suppressed, and the Japanese infantrymen were encouraged. Driven by officers and non-commissioned officers at all levels, they climbed up from the ground and continued to rush forward screaming.

There is still a big gap between the reserve and active troops. They have been retired for several years, and their understanding of the battlefield remains the same as before. They always think that the Chinese only have these three tricks, and with powerful artillery support, they are fearless. Yamano Shigejiro rushed to the front, and he couldn't wait to attack the Chinese position. At this time, a row of artillery shells suddenly fell from the sky, smashing into the group of Japanese soldiers and knocking down a large number of them in an instant, and also stunned Yamano Shigejiro.

"Bagayalo, artillery group - the Chinese have artillery!"

After realizing this, Shanye broke out in a cold sweat. Before he could make any move, another round of shells hit him, making his head buzz.

This guy was lucky, not a single hair was lost in two rounds of bullets, but the other devils were not so lucky;

一支队的炮营装备了12门迫击炮、6门75毫米山炮以及3门步兵炮、3门战防炮，总共24门火炮，比鬼子的联队炮还要猛。

Li Jie had been holding down the gun to no avail, which gave the Japanese the illusion that the defenders had no artillery, so they dared to arrogantly launch a regiment-level charge;
When the artillery battalion opened fire at full power, the nightmare of the Japs began. They charged with no cover, their heads bare, and were exposed to the bombs. The thin steel helmets were of little use.

The artillery battalion fired more than a dozen rounds, leaving the Japanese screaming and howling in disarray. Although the casualties were only a few hundred, the attacking formation was completely disrupted.
Immediately afterwards, loud military bugles sounded, and a team took advantage of the Japanese's confusion to launch a counterattack. This was Li Jie's biggest killer move.

Previously, one team had been holding back and showing weakness, while the main force had been accumulating strength, ready to launch a counterattack against the Japanese at any time;

Simply defending will not work. You must have efficient and short counterattacks so that the attacker will be hesitant and dare not use his full strength.

After hearing the charge, rows of soldiers rushed out from the trenches and tunnels, charging towards the Japanese in overwhelming numbers, firing at them with their guns as they charged;
The Japanese soldiers who were previously stunned by the bombing collapsed instantly, and the smarter ones turned around and ran away, such as Shigejiro Yamano.

There were also some who were a little bit more stubborn, like Onuma Takehiro, who rushed forward with a gun towards a group of soldiers, and ended up being shot to pieces;
Until his death, he never understood why the Chinese would actually fight back. This was completely different from what he had heard.

I thought I encountered a group of sheep, but it turned out to be a group of wolves, so it was reasonable that I got eaten.

"Kill the devil!"

"Kill!"

"Don't let that bastard get away!"

The counterattack of the first team was like a rolling river, and all the short-legged devils were swept away by the river and turned into corpses...

"Bagayalu, what kind of work is this?"

Lieutenant Colonel Yamamoto could hardly believe his eyes. They were the ones who initiated the attack, but in the blink of an eye, the situation was reversed and they were being chased.

His big, muddled head was unable to process what was happening, and he could only watch helplessly as his warriors were slaughtered.

Fortunately, one team simply drove them down the hill and did not chase them anymore. Instead, they quickly retreated to their position and continued to hide, as if they had never launched a counterattack.

"Bagayalu, fire! Blow them to death!"

Yamamoto did not react, but Lieutenant General Suematsu angrily gave the order to fire, and the 150th Regiment made him lose face;
He no longer cared whether his own people would be hit by the bomb. If possible, he would like to blow up these cowards to death to avoid bringing shame to the Utsunomiya Division.

Team One reacted quickly. When the Japanese launched a retaliatory artillery attack in anger, they had already hidden in the tunnel, and the Japanese artillery attack did not cause too many casualties.

Li Jie had a triumphant smile on his face. He knew that with this counterattack, the Japanese would no longer attack with all their might.

Because a hidden artillery group is always the sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the Japanese, which may cut off their necks at any time.

The battle situation on the left wing was stabilized, and the only thing left was the right wing. The 6th Division was also preparing to strike a thundering blow to the defenders. Thousands of Japanese soldiers from the 23rd and 13th Regiments were ready and were waiting for the field artillery regiment to prepare their artillery fire.
The captain of the second detachment, Liao Jianping, was also ready. Although the Japanese were gathering with murderous intent, the soldiers were fearless and fought to the death!
At the headquarters of the 13th Regiment of the 23th Division, Colonel Okamoto and Colonel Sano Torata, the commander of the rd Regiment, were waiting quietly. The headquarters was so quiet that one could even hear the sound of breathing.

Suddenly the ground began to tremble, and it could be felt from a long distance away. This was the sound that could only be made by a 105mm heavy howitzer.

The artillery preparations of the Sixth Division's Field Artillery Regiment arrived as expected. Rows of heavy grenades slammed into the defenders' positions. The huge explosions tore the trenches apart, occasionally hitting an anti-artillery hole, killing all the soldiers hiding inside.

If they were not buried alive, they would be killed by the shock wave. Under the attack of the Japanese heavy artillery, the casualties of the soldiers of the Second Detachment increased sharply. Whether they could survive depended entirely on luck.

Liao Jianping didn't have any better solution and could only endure it silently. Fortunately, the Japanese didn't have many heavy artillery pieces and their accuracy was not high. In addition, the probability of the shells hitting the anti-gun holes was not high, so the casualties were still within the tolerable range. He did not request artillery support from the brigade headquarters.

I don't know how long it took, but the Japanese artillery fire began to extend. At the same time, thousands of Japanese soldiers launched a charge almost on the artillery points, and rushed towards the position of the Second Detachment in dense crowds.

Whistles blew everywhere on the battlefield, and Platoon Leader Lu Zhenyuan shouted at the top of his voice:
"The devils are coming. If you can still breathe, kill them with me!"

Soldiers from the second platoon rushed out of the tunnels, their bodies covered in mud. Some struggled to climb out of the collapsed anti-artillery holes, then aimed at the Japanese and opened fire.
First there were sporadic gunshots on the battlefield, then the sound of frying beans, and finally a series of crackling noises that sounded like firecrackers set off during the Spring Festival.

The Japanese soldiers were killed and fell in large numbers. The casualties increased sharply, which made Colonel Sano's facial muscles twitch.

What was even more painful for the Japanese was yet to come. The artillery battalion of the Second Detachment also launched a fierce artillery attack on the Japanese. They specifically bombed the Japanese infantry groups exposed in the wild. Sometimes a single artillery shell could take out more than a dozen Japanese.

Okamoto immediately ordered the artillery of the two regiments to return fire, and an artillery battle broke out between the two sides. The firepower of the second regiment was gradually suppressed.

Liao Jianping simply ordered the artillery to move and let the Japanese infantry attack, because the Japanese still had the most threatening divisional artillery, which could destroy them with just one attack, so they could not be provoked.

Seeing that the defenders' artillery fire was completely suppressed, Okamoto finally smiled, and the Japanese infantry took the opportunity to launch a fierce attack on the main position, trying to capture the position of the Second Detachment in one go.

(End of this chapter)