Blood-Red Front

East of Lujia Town.

The advance troops of the 41st Regiment had just arrived when they were hit by sniper fire and 60mm mortars.

After losing several lives, the 2nd Battalion of the 41st Regiment retreated to a distance of one kilometer.

After observing through binoculars for a moment, Major Hyakuta, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, said, "The enemy possesses unexplained, precise artillery fire. Make sure the heavy machine gunners are careful and not let their guard down."

The experience of the 11th Regiment also taught the newly promoted officers of the 41st Regiment a lesson: their heavy firepower should not be easily deployed to the front line, and defensive measures should be taken.

The deputy battalion commander standing nearby said, "Major, at this distance, the heavy machine gun can no longer fire accurately. Should we move forward a bit?"

Under normal circumstances, the distance between the starting position of a field attack and the defensive position is between 400 and 600 meters, since the effective range of breech-loading rifles and light machine guns is only about 400 meters.

Moving the starting position to more than one kilometer away means that newly recruited infantrymen have to run 600 meters under artillery fire before they can open fire. This will not only cause unnecessary casualties, but also greatly deplete the soldiers' physical strength.

Moreover, the effective range of the heavy machine guns of the newly promoted army was only 800 meters. Beyond 800 meters, they could not fire accurately and could only suppress enemies in a wide area.

"No rush, let's test the waters with a tentative attack first."

Bai Tian knew that the deputy battalion commander made sense, but he was still hesitant to move the heavy firepower forward easily.

The 12 heavy machine guns of the heavy machine gun squadron are the lifeblood of the 2nd Battalion. Once they are destroyed, the 2nd Battalion's combat effectiveness and firepower suppression capability will plummet.

"Have the 1st Squadron send out two squads to launch a pincer attack from the left and right to test the enemy's firepower."

"Infantry artillery squad, prepare to fire at any time."

There are no rivers obstructing the 2nd Battalion now, allowing for extensive maneuvering.

If Xia Jun's defenses are weak, Bai Tian will advance and push forward with his main force. If he can break into the enemy's position and engage in hand-to-hand combat, he will have a chance to end the battle in one fell swoop.

"Hi!"

……

Inside the command post, looking at the report from the First Battalion, Lin Zhiyuan laughed and said, "The enemy has become more cunning; they've actually run a kilometer away."

"The regimental commander's sharp eyes terrify the newly promoted soldiers." Guan Jianchu laughed as well.

During the defense of Wenhe, Lin Zhiyuan used artillery to destroy all the heavy machine guns on the front line of the Chusheng Army. However, Guan Jianchu was not present at the time and later thought it was an exaggeration.

However, Guan Jianchu is still very shocked after witnessing Lin Zhiyuan's experience on the front lines.

"However, a newly promoted army shouldn't be that afraid. They'll probably push forward further," Guan Jianchu analyzed.

Lin Zhiyuan nodded. "We will definitely push forward, but not now."

"If I'm not mistaken, the enemy's mountain artillery regiment should be moving forward. Once the artillery is in place, that's when the Chu Sheng Army will launch its final assault."

"Chief of staff, take this opportunity to get some rest. You've been up all night."

Last night, the Second and Third Battalions withdrew, and Lin Zhiyuan rested for two hours, but Guan Jianchu was busy all night.

"I'm fine, and I'm not sleepy," Guan Jianchu said, making excuses.

"Look at how big your dark circles are. Go to sleep. That's an order," Lin Zhiyuan said firmly.

There's still a lot of work for Guan Jianchu to do, and he can't afford to overwork himself.

Guan Jianchu had no choice but to rest as Lin Zhiyuan requested.

Since the initial fighting was only minor, Lin Zhiyuan allowed the First Battalion and the initial fighting to engage in combat on their own.

Lin Zhiyuan ignored the attack of the Chusheng Army, and the heavy machine guns of the 2nd Battalion were not targeted by artillery fire.

The initial army's positions were also moving further and further forward.

However, when it was 600 meters away, Momota refused to move any further.

"Let's build our base here," Hyakuta affirmed.

"The heavy machine gun detachment must construct standard underground bunkers with thickened roofs to protect against enemy artillery fire."

A standard underground machine gun bunker should have a breastwork with a soil layer at least 1.5 meters thick and a top layer of soil at least 0.8 meters thick to effectively prevent artillery fire.

However, even with multiple people working in shifts, it would take more than half a day to build such a fortification.

The newly promoted soldiers in the heavy machine gun squadron began to huff and puff as they dug the soil.

Little did Bai Tian know that Lin Zhiyuan was on the roof of the church, observing him through binoculars.

Of course, Lin Zhiyuan didn't risk standing on the highest clock tower, as he was also afraid of artillery fire.

"Commander, the phone is ringing." Wang Xiaoliu walked up to Lin Zhiyuan with a phone in his hand.

Lin Zhiyuan picked up the phone and called the mountain artillery battalion directly.

"Coordinates 823, 469, fire a volley."

"yes!"

Without wasting any words, the mountain artillery battalion commander directly relayed Lin Zhiyuan's orders.

The mountain artillery battalion began adjusting the muzzles of its 12 mountain guns.

Three minutes later, as the small flag was waved heavily, all 12 mountain guns roared in unison.

"boom!"……

A small detachment of newly formed heavy machine gunners, who were diligently digging an underground bunker, was instantly engulfed in artillery fire, and several soldiers were sent flying into the air.

Before Hyakuta could figure out what was going on, another small squad was targeted.

"Baka yarou! How is this possible!"

Bai Tian's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He couldn't understand how digging could be shelled? And it was a precision strike on a heavy machine gun squad, when the infantry squad was clearly further ahead.

"Captain, the situation is not good," said the deputy captain beside him.

"If the enemy's observation skills are outrageous, we'll probably have no choice but to keep digging along the trenches, but that will take a lot of time."

The trench was only wide enough for two people to dig at the same time. To dig an underground bunker that could be used by the entire heavy machine gun squadron, they might not be able to finish even if they worked into the night.

"Baka..." Hyakuta was utterly exasperated: "Request tactical guidance, we need the support of the mountain artillery regiment."

Since heavy machine guns couldn't be set up, the only way to launch an attack was to rely on overwhelming artillery fire for cover.

Hyakuta's plea for help quickly reached Okazaki.

"Brigade Commander, it seems that, just as you predicted, the enemy has built a well-established position in Lujia Town."

Okazaki nodded. "Where is the Independent Mortar Battalion?"

Last night, Okazaki requested that the heavy artillery units march overnight, but this was not so easy. In the end, only an independent mortar battalion equipped with eight Type 97 150mm mortars set off overnight.

After glancing at his watch, the chief of staff reported, "They crossed the Wusong River half an hour ago and are expected to arrive at the battlefield in two hours."

"Very good. After the mortar battalion arrives at the battlefield, it will immediately bombard the enemy positions. The mountain artillery regiment will also open fire to cover the 41st Regiment's attack."

"In addition, the 11th Regiment launched an attack on the west and south of Lujia Town to draw away and disperse the enemy's forces."

"Hi!"

……