Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

At the military headquarters, Xie Polu arrived in a hurry, his voice preceding his arrival:

"Commander, news has come from the front that the Itagaki Division is using heavy artillery to bombard the city, causing heavy damage to civilian houses and shops on the west bank of the Jinshui River. Commander Qiu requests fire support."

Zhao Yunwen remained expressionless and said in a deep voice:

"Telegram to the artillery brigade, granting them the right to counterattack independently and find a way to destroy the Japanese heavy artillery. As for losses in the city, there's no need to report them anymore; better to die a glorious death than live a shameful death!"

Compared to using water as a weapon, this loss was insignificant. Zhao Yunwen was determined to fight the Japanese to the death, even if it meant turning the city into ruins.

Xie Polu turned and left, and Lu Ping leaned over and said:

"Commander, the Jinshui River is indefensible, and the position is completely exposed to the enemy's heavy firepower. The brothers will suffer heavy casualties. It would be better to put it into the city and fight street battles."

Lu Ping was puzzled by Zhao Yunwen's decision to fight the enemy's large force to the death in Zheng County. The mission of covering the rear had been accomplished, and the best option was to abandon the city. The main force retreated to the south of Zheng County, deploying defenses in a tiered manner along the railway to block the enemy at each level.

Zhao Yunwen seemed to have seen through his thoughts. In front of Lu Ping, there was no need to hide anything except the matter of time travel.

"Old Lu, actually I don't want to fight the Japanese at a loss in Zheng County, but several top-class divisions are concentrated in eastern Henan. If we don't hold them back in Zheng County, they will definitely go all out to go south, and the first target will be Jiangcheng, a major city in central China."

This is the last strategic foothold in the core area of ​​China. If we cannot wear down the Japanese troops around Jiangcheng, they will inevitably launch a full-scale attack into Sichuan and the hinterland of Southwest China, and the Nationalist government will have no choice but to become a government in exile.

Without the Nationalist government as the banner of resistance against Japan, China would experience a large-scale wave of surrenders, just like at the end of the Ming Dynasty, with traitors everywhere, making the situation even more difficult.

Preparing for war in Jiangcheng takes time, and transferring people and supplies to the southwest takes even more time. The First War Zone has just suffered a defeat, and reorganizing our forces also takes time. Therefore, we must continue fighting and hold off the Japanese at all costs.

Lu Ping stood up in awe and said:

"Commander, I understand! With 40,000 Tiger Legion soldiers here, it won't be easy for the Japanese to take Zheng County. They'll have to pay with their lives. It would be best if they could wipe out the 5th and 16th Divisions."

Zhao Yunwen stood tall, his gaze sharp:

"That's right. The life-or-death battle at Jinshui River was just an appetizer, a warm-up for the Japanese. Once they enter the city, they'll know what hell is like."

At the Fifth Division headquarters, Itagaki Seishiro felt a sudden, inexplicable unease. This was not a good omen. Then, a deafening explosion shook the ground, which could be felt from a great distance.

"Sakurada Takeshi, what's going on?"

Sakurada Takeshi burst in, looking flustered, and loudly reported:

"It was the Chinese heavy artillery. The heavy artillery brigade was counterattacked and suffered heavy losses."

Itagaki Seishiro flew into a rage:

"You idiots, a bunch of useless trash!"

"How many times have I told you to be wary of the Chinese artillery? Have you ignored me? This is a crime, a betrayal of His Majesty the Emperor's trust!"

Sakurada Takeshi lowered his head and remained silent. He couldn't very well say that the Type 38 150mm heavy howitzer was outdated and completely unsuitable for the needs of the Chinese battlefield.

If the enemy has no ability to retaliate, the 150mm heavy artillery is a devastating weapon for destroying bases, a god-like existence.

However, the Tiger Army also had heavy artillery, although only 105mm mountain guns. But they occupied advantageous terrain, were highly mobile, and could effectively suppress the Japanese heavy artillery groups.

One thing subdues another; braising water sets tofu!

On Shibalipu Heights, the heavy artillery battalion, having successfully launched a surprise attack, quickly moved away on mules and horses, leaving without giving the Japanese any chance to retaliate.

Shortly after their withdrawal, volleys of shells rained down from the sky, covering the former artillery positions several times over, leaving nothing but barren land.

Unwilling to accept defeat, the Japanese launched another ground offensive. The 323rd Division Commander, Qiu Fengzi, was also enraged, his eyes wide with fury as he roared:

"Fire! Fire!! Shoot them to death! I'm done for!"

On the Jinshui River defense line, thousands of Japanese soldiers surged toward the defending troops' positions. The Sakamoto Brigade launched a full-scale attack, with all artillery pieces coordinating the operation, determined not to give up until the river was crossed.

The same was true on the southern front. The two divisions, as if by prior arrangement, charged forward recklessly, their fierce offensive changing the very color of the sky and earth.

The 323rd and 322nd Divisions fought with all their might, no longer holding back, and unleashed a hail of bullets from all their artillery.

The army's artillery brigade also cooperated in the operation, bombarding the Japanese with dozens of artillery pieces of various sizes, including 105mm mountain guns, 75mm mountain guns, and howitzers, causing the Japanese soldiers to fall and their bodies to lie everywhere.

Faced with intense artillery fire, an infantry charge was tantamount to suicide, and even the mid- to high-ranking officers who never treated their soldiers as human beings trembled with pain.

That's brutal!

"Baka yarou! We underestimated the Tiger Army's firepower. They're even stronger than the Imperial Army! They're monsters!"

Seishiro Itagaki let out a hoarse roar; his defenses had been completely broken. The "Steel Army" could not withstand such a huge drain.

But now the die is cast. If a retreat is ordered now, the Steel Army's momentum will be completely destroyed, its glory will be lost, and it will be reduced to an ordinary division.

Sakurada Takeshi comforted him, saying:

"Commander, the Imperial Army has suffered heavy casualties, and the Chinese have also suffered considerable losses. Once we cross the Jinshui River, the defending forces will surely collapse."

Seishiro Itagaki no longer hesitated. He had no way out. No matter the cost, he was determined to defeat the Tiger Army and win this ten-dan battle!

"Sakurada-kun, send some artillery to hold back the Chinese artillery, and bombard the Jinshui River defense line with the rest to cover the infantry crossing the river."

"Anyone who dares to retreat will die!"

Having made up his mind, Itagaki Seishiro, without uttering a single unnecessary word, simply snorted and left to carry out his orders.

The 5th Division used all its artillery to bombard the 323rd Division's positions. In order to destroy the bunkers along the Jinshui River, it did not hesitate to lay down its anti-aircraft guns for artillery fire.

One by one, the defenders' bunkers were destroyed, greatly reducing their firepower. The Japanese also paid a heavy price, losing three anti-aircraft guns and four 150mm heavy guns.

Corpses were piled up on the river, and the Japanese soldiers charged forward like madmen, completely disregarding their own lives.

The main bunker of the Fifth Company at the stone arch bridge could not withstand the heavy artillery bombardment of the Japanese and was destroyed. The Seventh Platoon fighting inside was almost wiped out, with only three seriously wounded soldiers rescued, including the main gunner Luo Guangxu and the platoon leader Zhu Yu who was killed.

Company Commander Zhang Yaoda was covered in blood, and it was unclear how many wounds he had, yet he was still directing the battle.

Three of the five bunkers were destroyed, leaving only two low, concealed bunkers, which greatly reduced their firepower.

The three mortars were fortunately saved, but two gunners were killed or wounded, both thanks to the Japanese heavy artillery.

Zhang Yaoda, holding an M1919 rifle, fired wildly, acting as a machine gunner. Under the intense firepower of the Japanese, the machine gunners suffered the greatest casualties.

Although the Browning machine gun was very lightweight and could be moved by one person, there was still a loophole.

There were too many Japanese infantrymen, who swarmed across the river like locusts. Many machine gunners disregarded their own safety and continued firing until they were covered by artillery shells.

After suffering heavy casualties, the Japanese soldiers finally surged ashore. Zhang Yaoda roared:

"One bomb drop, and that son of a bitch is dead!"

The remaining brothers of the company threw three grenades in succession, successfully blocking the Japanese offensive and taking down many Japanese soldiers.

Seeing this rare opportunity, Zhang Yaoda raised his arms and shouted:

"Brothers, charge with me! Kill the Japanese devils!"

Zhang Yaoda burst out of the trench like a tiger emerging from the mountain, and the others followed suit, shouting slogans as they charged towards the Japanese.

The large number of submachine guns finally showed their power, one gun could suppress several Japanese soldiers. There were two in each squad, eight in each platoon, and twenty-four in the company.

With the Browning automatic rifles in addition, lined up in a row, they had a huge advantage in the melee, dominating more than twice the number of their opponents and killing the Japanese soldiers, who were skilled in bayonet fighting, as they were forced to retreat.

Zhang Yaoda had just taken down two Japanese soldiers with his Mauser pistol when he heard the bugle call behind him and shouted excitedly:

"Brothers, reinforcements are here! Let's fucking kill them!"

The others also heard the bugle call, and their blood boiled instantly. They chased after the Japanese soldiers and attacked them fiercely.

At the critical moment, Qiu Feng committed his reserve force to the battle; they were the newly formed 650th Regiment.

The addition of more than two thousand fresh troops completely shattered the balance of the battlefield, becoming the last straw that broke the camel's back.

It's unclear who started it, but the Japanese troops began to collapse, and the collapse spread like a plague, eventually leading to a complete rout.

Seishiro Itagaki could hardly believe his eyes. Was this still the Sakamoto Detachment that had swept across North China?

"Baka yarou! Shame on the Empire! Fire! Bomb them to death!!!"