Songhu: Never Give Up

When the Japanese army entered the ambush position of the 3rd Battalion, the commander of the 3rd Battalion, Song Yunhan, immediately ordered to open fire. Hundreds of light and heavy machine guns sprayed bullets at the Japanese infantry group, killing the Japanese and causing dozens of casualties in just a few minutes.

The other Japanese soldiers evacuated to both sides like hornets whose nest was blown up, taking the opportunity to seize the commanding heights and wait for the opportunity to counterattack.

Colonel Yuanshan did not expect that the Chinese would really ambush them in Wild Wolf Valley. Instead of getting angry, he laughed:
"Yoshi, the guerrilla column really gave me a big surprise. How can they, with such a small number of men and guns, swallow up an entire regiment of the Imperial Army?
No need to worry about bursting your belly!

Mr. Xiaolin, immediately order the second battalion on the right wing to break through your Chinese blocking position, the first battalion to seize the commanding heights on the left wing, the third battalion to launch a counterattack from the front, and the artillery squadron to establish artillery positions on the spot to support the frontal combat. "

Colonel Toyama made adjustments quickly. As an experienced man, he had realized that the Chinese who ambushed them did not exceed 3 and were no match for their entire regiment in a field battle.

This was exactly the effect Song Yunhan wanted. He had never thought that relying on a battalion of less than 2 people to encircle and annihilate a field regiment of the Japanese would really burst his stomach.

When the Japanese artillery group had just completed its deployment, the scouts sent their location coordinates, and Song Yunhan immediately ordered the artillery battalion to open fire.

Rows of artillery shells whizzed over Colonel Yuanshan's head. The old Japanese soldier was so frightened that he almost fell off his horse. Then he laughed and mocked the poor artillery technology of the Chinese.
Soon his smile froze. He suddenly remembered that there was an artillery position behind him. He turned his horse's head in fear and saw the second row of shells hitting the artillery position...

"Bakayaloo, enemy attack!"

Unfortunately, it was too late. The location of the artillery group had been engulfed by thick smoke, followed by a series of explosions that struck his fragile heart. From the noise, it seemed that his artillerymen were in great danger.

Colonel Toyama's nightmare was not over yet. After destroying the artillery that posed the greatest threat to them, the Chinese artillery fire turned its guns on the Japanese baggage train and the regiment headquarters, focusing on hitting important parts.

游击纵队营一级炮兵大队装备了4门75山炮、6门迫击炮、4至6门步兵炮，总共十几门火炮，跟鬼子联队炮差不多；
If it is used to bomb the Japanese infantry, the effect will not be very obvious. There are more than 3 Japanese soldiers, and the loss of two or three hundred people will not have much impact.

If we focus on attacking the artillery and baggage, then we will hit the size of the Yuanshan Regiment. The Japanese are carrying out interspersed operations, and without baggage, it will be fatal.
Song Yunhan was Yue Qianli's platoon leader when he was the commander of the third company. He was a direct disciple and had studied mobile warfare, guerrilla warfare and defensive warfare. This time he chose to destroy the enemy's artillery and baggage first. Now the threat posed by several thousand enemy soldiers to them was greatly reduced.

Colonel Toyama was so angry that smoke came out of his nose. He immediately ordered a part of the main force in the valley to attack the left wing, with the aim of seizing the commanding heights and destroying the artillery group of the defenders.
Song Yunhan had been on guard against him for a long time. When he saw the Japanese rushing towards him on the nameless hill, he ordered the third battalion responsible for protecting the artillery to open fire.

More than 500 soldiers of the Third Battalion were on full alert, firing fiercely at the Japanese with their light and heavy weapons. The dense rain of bullets made it difficult for the Japanese to move, and the hillside was littered with their corpses.

Without the powerful weapon, the regimental artillery, the attack power of the Japanese was greatly reduced. Thousands of Japanese were blocked by the defenders and were useless except for giving away their heads.

At this time, the two sides formed a half-moon-shaped battle line. The defenders relied on the favorable terrain to block the Japanese from the left, middle and right directions of the Wild Wolf Valley.

After losing most of its artillery and baggage, the 50th Regiment's attack power dropped significantly. Although they still had nearly people, it was difficult to break through the defenders' resistance, and the Japanese casualties continued to increase significantly.

After stabilizing the battle line, the 3rd Battalion fought patiently, and the artillery battalion on the left wing provided great fire support to the defenders;
As soon as the Japanese gathered in groups, the defenders' artillery shells would smash down on them. The flying shrapnel became a nightmare for the infantry, as one explosion would hit a large area.

If the Japanese did not concentrate their forces, it would be difficult for them to break through the defense line of hundreds of defenders. Although the Yuanshan Regiment had an advantage in manpower, they fought very passively and suffered far greater casualties than the defenders.

Senior staff officer Major Kobayashi quickly suggested:
“Sir, the left wing not only has artillery but also a large number of infantry. It is difficult to break through.
Don't even think about the center, they can get fire support from both wings, and a strong attack will only lead to death. Now the only hope is on the right wing, both sides are fighting on the ridge, the defenders have no terrain and firepower advantages;
Since the baggage has been lost, we should simply abandon the valley road and concentrate our forces to break through from the right wing. If we break through one point, we will break through all three points."

Colonel Toyama was excited. Previously, he had to take the artillery and baggage through the valley, but now he was free. Xiaolin's suggestion made him suddenly enlightened, and he nodded excitedly:

"Yoshi, each soldier of the Imperial Army carries several days' worth of supplies, which is enough to complete the task of flanking the Big Ox Horn Mountain.

Leave one part behind to feint in the middle and left wing, while the main force breaks through from the right wing!"

After he finished speaking, he immediately drew out his ancestral command knife and shouted:
"Warriors, kill the chicken!"

Colonel Yuanshan personally led a team to reinforce the right wing, which increased the pressure on the right wing. Song Yunhan immediately made adjustments and ordered the artillery battalion to fire at the right wing to share the pressure on the defenders on the right wing.
Then, a small number of Japanese troops were left behind to block the left wing and the center, while the main forces of the First and Third Battalions retreated to Xiaoniujiao Mountain in large strides, leaving several blocking points along the way.

After the two battalions of the 3rd Battalion retreated to the pre-set positions on Xiaoniujiao Mountain, they used the bugle call to notify the artillery battalion on the left wing to retreat;

The two companies that stayed behind also took turns covering the retreat, and last came the second battalion on the right wing.

Due to the weakness of the right wing of the Wild Wolf Valley, after completing the assigned task of destroying the enemy's artillery and baggage, the 3rd Battalion launched a series of blockades and provided alternating cover before retreating to the Xiaoniujiao Mountain, which was more conducive to defense.

Colonel Toyama saw that Major Kobayashi's suggestion was very effective, and he broke through the defenders' resistance in a short time and retreated;

He then ordered the vanguard troops to pursue with all their might, hoping to capture Xiaoniujiao Mountain in one fell swoop and complete the flanking combat mission.

Unfortunately, their vanguard squadron's attack was not successful. They were constantly blocked by small groups of defenders along the way, and suffered heavy casualties.
At the same time, it also greatly reduced the enemy's attack speed, buying precious time for the main force of the 3rd Battalion to deploy defenses at Xiaoniujiao Mountain.

By the time the Japanese stumbled all the way to the foot of Xiaoniujiao Mountain, it was already dusk.

The setting sun was as red as blood, shining on the Japanese like a feast for the god of death. Colonel Toyama felt a sudden palpitation for no reason.

The sunset is beautiful, but it’s almost dusk, which is not a good omen.

"Sir, it's getting dark soon. Should we switch to defense right here and launch the attack after daybreak?"

In response to Major Kobayashi's suggestion, Colonel Toyama waved his hand and said:
"As the Art of War says, the first attack will weaken the enemy, and the third will be exhausted. We cannot give the Chinese time to consolidate their positions. We must launch an attack immediately and end the battle before dark!"

(End of this chapter)