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

At the headquarters of the 9th Infantry Brigade, battle reports from the front lines poured in like snowflakes. Major General Guo Zhideng, the brigade commander, finally realized something was wrong and said in a deep voice:

"It seems the Chinese intentionally let the Imperial Army into the city so they could fight in the streets!"

The chief of staff, recalling unpleasant memories of Nanjing, said with concern:

"Zhao Yunwen's troops have extensive experience in urban warfare. If it is really as Your Excellency guesses, then we will be in trouble."

Although Zheng County is not large, if the Chinese are determined to fight street battles, it is possible for them to fight for ten days or half a month.

Should we report this new development to the division commander?

Guo Zhideng shook his head. He also had his pride; he couldn't very well say he was afraid of the Tiger Army.

"Let's wait and see. How's the situation with the 16th Division?"

The chief of staff quickly replied:

"They have just arrived outside the city walls and have not yet launched an attack."

"Damn it! These cowards from Kyoto, have they been scared out of their wits by the Chinese?"

Guozhi Deng vented all his anger on the 16th Division, which he considered a disgrace to the Imperial Army.

The chief of staff, who had previously served in an army group, had heard some rumors about the 16th Division and boasted:

"General, the 16th Division has suffered several losses at the hands of Zhao Yunwen, and its entire force was wiped out in Nanjing. I imagine you are somewhat apprehensive."

"waste!"

Major General Guozhi estimated that they could not be relied upon. The Fifth Division was the main force of the attack, and it would be good if the Sixteenth Division could hold back some of the defending troops.

"Your Excellency General, the 11th Infantry Regiment requests tactical guidance;"

They hoped the 5th Field Artillery Regiment could provide another round of artillery support, ideally enough to flatten the Chinese positions.

The chief of staff's words reignited Major General Guozhi's fiery temper, and he roared:

"That bastard Nagano has really become something. Does he think he can't fight without artillery support?"

Despite his initial outburst, Major General Guozhi ultimately ordered the 5th Field Artillery Regiment, which was cooperating with the operation, to provide fire support to the city.

Before long, shells rained down on the city. The 75mm howitzers were incredibly powerful, unleashing a devastating attack that destroyed countless houses.

The artillery brigade in the city did not allow the Japanese to be arrogant for long. The heavy artillery battalion, mountain artillery battalion, and howitzer battalion fought back with all their might, and then launched a counterattack, destroying more than a dozen Japanese artillery pieces in succession. They completely defeated the 5th Field Artillery Regiment and dared not fire indiscriminately again.

Guo Zhideng committed the entire 11th and 41st Infantry Regiments to the battle inside the city. The 648th Regiment of the 324th Division fought against two enemy forces at once and held its own. The two sides were locked in a fierce battle with gunfire everywhere.

Under the strict orders of the Second Army Commander, the 16th Division launched an attack from the southeast. The 647th Regiment of the 324th Division fought back and stopped the Japanese offensive.

After Nakajima Kesago's frontal attack was thwarted, he then dispatched the 133rd Regiment of the 30th Infantry Brigade and the 20th Cavalry Regiment to bypass the southern front and attempt to cut off the retreat of the Zheng County defenders. However, they ended up running right into the arms of the 322nd Division.

The 133rd Infantry Regiment suffered heavy losses. This unit, which had been completely annihilated by the guerrilla column, had long lost its military spirit and its combat effectiveness was greatly reduced. It was easily defeated by the 643rd Regiment.

The cavalry suffered heavy firepower, losing more than 300 riders, and fled in disarray, abandoning their infantry.

After this defeat, Nakajima Kesago became a complete good boy, and his attack on the 647th Regiment was all bark and no bite, he just played a minor role.

The 5th Division was left to launch a foolish and aggressive attack, while the 21st Infantry Brigade was decimated at the Jinshui River and is currently recovering.

The two infantry regiments of the 9th Infantry Brigade were all committed to the city. The 648th Regiment of the 324th Division changed its tactics. Under Zhao Yunwen's instruction, the main force hid in the tunnels and let the Japanese into the city.

Soon the Japanese controlled the surface positions of the eastern city, and their forces were dispersed without them realizing it. Two infantry regiments with more than 6,000 men sound like a lot, but scattered throughout the entire eastern city, not many were left.

After occupying Dongcheng, the Japanese soldiers began a frenzy. They stormed into houses in small teams or even detachments, attempting to rob money, food, and women.

They later discovered that the eastern part of the city had been cleared out. Unwilling to have come up empty-handed, the Japanese soldiers spontaneously surged towards the western part of the city and engaged in firefight with the 651st Regiment of the 324th Division.

The 651st Regiment was a newly formed unit, but its core members and officers were all veterans. Relying on the pre-built bunkers, trenches, barricades, and underground tunnels, they held off the Japanese invaders.

The main force of the 9th Infantry Brigade was completely bogged down in the quagmire of street fighting. Gunfire erupted in a chaotic and disorderly manner, all of which were Japanese weapons, and it was impossible to tell who would win or lose.

At the Tiger Legion headquarters, Xie Polu delivered the latest battle report. All eyes turned to the west city. Lu Ping said worriedly:

"The 651st Regiment is a newly formed unit. Isn't it a bit too much to put them in the face of the ferocious 5th Division?"

Zhao Yunwen remained calm, showing no worry whatsoever, and confidently stated:

"Old Lu, although the 651st Regiment is a new unit, it has a good foundation. The backbone and battalion and company commanders are all elites drawn from various regiments, and the others are not simply new recruits. Most of them are veterans who have experienced actual combat in the First War Zone."

These brothers simply lacked experience in urban warfare, but with the guidance of key personnel and officers, they became familiar with it after a few days of fighting.

I need them to hold off the Guozhi Brigade, while the 648th Regiment rests in the tunnels. If the Sakamoto Brigade comes to reinforce, the 648th Regiment will tie them down, thus trapping the entire 5th Division in the city.

The 5th Division is the strongest Japanese unit; once it is depleted, the Second Army in North China will be unable to advance south.

Xie Polu interjected:

"The 324th Division is under considerable pressure, with only two regiments fighting against two infantry brigades in urban warfare!"

Xie Polu was somewhat worried that the 624th Division's core members would be wiped out, but he didn't say it outright. Zhao Yunwen insisted on fighting, and no one else dared to object.

Zhao Yunwen knew what his two old buddies were worried about, so he stopped beating around the bush and said directly:

"We still have the 322nd and 323rd Divisions, right? When needed, they can each send an infantry regiment to support us. It just depends on whether the Japanese will send reinforcements."

Lu Ping quickly understood Zhao Yunwen's thoughts and continued, "..."

"Are you worried about the 10th Division joining the battle?"

Zhao Yunwen said domineeringly:

"I'm not worried about them joining the war; on the contrary, I'm looking forward to it. The banquet is already set; whether it's one table of guests or two tables, it's still an invitation."

In urban warfare, the Tiger Legion has never feared anyone!

Lu Ping and the others suddenly felt their blood boil; compared to Commander Zhao, their vision was too small.

The attacking Japanese soldiers, unaware of the trap, thought the defending troops were exhausted and about to be defeated, so they intensified their offensive.

Units were thrown into the vortex of street fighting, like a bottomless pit, with gunfire and artillery sounds resounding day and night throughout the city.

At the 5th Division headquarters, Chief of Staff Takeshi Sakurada was the first to notice something was wrong and said worriedly:

"Your Excellency, both infantry brigades have entered the city, and the gunfire has not only not stopped, but has intensified."

There's a conspiracy going on here. Zhao Yunwen is a vicious wolf; we must be wary!

Reminded by Sakurada Takeshi, Itagaki Seishiro also realized the seriousness of the matter and asked in a deep voice:

"Has the 16th Division entered the city?"

Sakurada Takeshi quickly replied:

"Yes, but they encountered strong resistance from the Chinese and made little progress; it seemed more like they were just going through the motions."

"You idiot! Don't talk nonsense! You're judging a gentleman by your own petty standards. Nakajima is a true samurai."

Itagaki Seishiro's words clearly lacked conviction, so Sakurada Takeshi could only continue to persuade him:

"The 16th Division is currently blocked in the east of the city, and my two brigades are holding out on their own, suffering heavy casualties."

Should we urge Mr. Nakajima again?

This time, Itagaki Seishiro did not veto the order; he was appointed as the forward commander and temporarily took control of the 16th Division.

"Sakurada-kun, then we will do as you say. Send a telegram to the 16th Division headquarters, ordering them to intensify their offensive without delay!"

Itagaki Seishiro didn't know if it would be of any use, but he didn't have many cards left to play, so he could only wait for the chaotic battle in the city to determine the winner.

From then on, the sounds of gunfire continued for several days, and the city was in complete chaos, with no clear victor in sight.

Seishiro Itagaki's face grew increasingly grim as he realized with horror that the two brigade headquarters had lost contact with the troops in the city.

Currently, contact can only be made up to the regimental level. The regimental commander can no longer contact the battalion commander, let alone the company commander.

Sakurada Takeshi looked flustered:

"Commander, chaos! Utter chaos! We can't continue fighting! Let the warriors retreat!"