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

Yangjialing, the position of the 3rd Battalion of the 645th Regiment

The soldiers were already on high alert, with the three companies deployed in an inward arc, the second company on the left, the third company on the right, and the first company, the regimental artillery company, and the battalion artillery company on Yangjialing in the middle, a total of sixteen cannons. It would be too extravagant to deal with a group of remnants.

The battalion commander decided to keep the regimental artillery company under surveillance, believing the battalion's strength was enough to capture all the Japanese soldiers. The deputy battalion commander excitedly reported:

"Battalion Commander, the routed Japanese soldiers have arrived, five or six hundred of them!"

By this time, it was already dawn, and the field of vision had widened considerably. The movements of the routed Japanese soldiers were all under the control of the battalion's reconnaissance platoon.

Second Battalion Commander Huang Jianjun said in a deep voice:

"The fleeing Japanese soldiers will definitely take the dirt road in the valley on the right. The First and Third Companies will cut off their retreat, and the Second Company will block the exit on the left flank. The Japanese will have nowhere to escape!"

As the two were talking, a commotion arose from ahead, and the deputy battalion commander shouted excitedly:

"The Japanese devils are coming!"

The Okamoto Battalion was fleeing in disarray, leaving behind more than 300 corpses in front of Hill 203, and retreating with dozens of seriously wounded soldiers. They never expected to be intercepted on their way back.

Nobuhiko Okamoto, carrying his sword upside down, walked at the front of the group, his face covered in blood and looking quite disheveled.

Behind them were hundreds of pursuers, their shouts of battle deafening and their arrogance palpable.

Okamoto Nobuhiko, unable to bear it any longer, said in a fit of rage:

"You bastards! This is outrageous! How dare you pursue and kill Imperial Army soldiers! I'll lead my men to retaliate against these Chinese!"

Shinichi Aoki quickly tried to dissuade him, saying:

"Don't act recklessly. This is Chinese territory, and there are countless people around. If we get caught by the pursuers, the consequences will be unimaginable once the Chinese reinforcements arrive."

Nobuhiko Okamoto wasn't a brute; he was just seething with anger and stubbornly insisted on saying:

"So what if they come? The Imperial Army is invincible!"

Shinichi Aoki quickly changed the subject:

"Yangjialing is just ahead. Just in case, we should send a squadron to occupy the high ground first, and then the main force can pass through via the dirt road on the flank."

Nobuhiko Okamoto said with extreme impatience:

"No need. The military situation is urgent. We were already safe before; we can't just suddenly have an extra force. Let's get through quickly!"

Shinichi Aoki thought about it and agreed, so he didn't insist any further.

The fleeing Japanese soldiers hurriedly plunged into the traps that the Second Battalion had laid out beforehand. Huang Jianjun coldly shouted:

"Fire!"

The light and heavy weapons that had been laid out in advance on Yangjialing fired almost simultaneously, and a dense hail of bullets swept over the Japanese soldiers.

Aoki Shinichi's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively threw himself on Okamoto Nobuhiko, crying out in terror:

"There's an ambush!"

Caught off guard, the Japanese soldiers were swept away in droves, their formations becoming even more chaotic, and they scattered like birds and beasts.

To the Japanese soldiers' despair, gunfire erupted from both flanks as well. Aoki Shin's eyes widened with terror; he understood the gravity of the situation. His lips trembled as he spoke:

"The Chinese had laid an ambush at Yangjialing long ago; they intentionally let the Imperial Army pass through. This is troublesome!"

Nobuhiko Okamoto shoved Captain Aoki aside and shouted coldly:

"Baka yarou! Quickly organize a breakout from the front! Hurry!"

Both of them were lucky enough to escape the first round of fire, but the other Japanese soldiers were not so fortunate, suffering nearly half casualties.

The Japanese soldiers who fled to the flanks were driven back, suffering the same losses and low morale.

With the pursuers closing in, Major Okamoto chose to break out from the front, leading the remaining Japanese soldiers toward Yangjialing, their only way to survive.

Attacking Yangjialing and seizing the high ground would be the optimal solution, as they would only need to face fire from one direction.

Nobuhiko Okamoto has extensive combat experience. He personally led the charge, brandishing his saber with great momentum.

The second battalion commander calmly directed the operation, and the first company opened fire at full capacity. Shells rained down from the mountaintop, exploding large areas with each explosion.

The company's six Browning heavy machine guns formed a crossfire that was like a combine harvester, taking down wave after wave of Japanese soldiers who charged forward. The Browning automatic rifles, the Big Eight semi-automatic rifles, and the 60mm mortars formed a firepower network that could not be broken through by sheer numbers; a forced charge would only result in casualties.

"Thrust, thud!"

"You idiot! Charge! You coward!"

"Baka! You disgrace to the Imperial Army—die!"

Nobuhiko Okamoto fired several shots, killing two fleeing Japanese soldiers, which calmed the situation but also exposed his own identity.

Sniper Yang Yuan decisively pulled the trigger, and the bullet hit Okamoto Nobuhiko in the left chest, killing him on the spot.

"Oh no! The captain has been killed!"

"Run!"

According to wartime regulations, if the commanding officer dies, the adjutant Shinichi Aoki will be the first in line to take over command. However, at this time, morale in the army was in chaos, and no one listened to him.

Unable to capture Yangjialing, the routed soldiers chose to escape through the mountain pass on the flank, only to be ambushed and killed by the combined forces of the right flank and the ridge. Not a single one of them could escape.

The Tiger Legion soldiers on the left flank and rear also surrounded them, beginning to close the net and attack from all sides.

They worked in groups of three, each with a submachine gun, automatic rifle, or semi-automatic rifle, making their firepower very strong.

The newly equipped M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle is very easy to use, as it does not require pulling the bolt while firing. Its range and accuracy far exceed those of submachine guns, and its eight-round magazine ensures continuous firepower. It has received unanimous praise from soldiers in actual combat.

Many squad leaders were replaced with Garand rifles, leaving one Garand, two submachine guns, and one Browning automatic rifle, which were then evenly distributed among the four groups.

The Tiger Legion's squad firepower was greatly enhanced, giving them a significant advantage in close combat. A single squad could easily suppress half a Japanese platoon, leaving the fleeing soldiers with virtually no chance to fight back.

The fleeing Japanese soldiers were surrounded. No matter which direction they ran, they were met with a hail of bullets, and they disappeared with the naked eye.

Lieutenant Shinichi Aoki, knowing he couldn't survive, charged at a combat team with his sword raised high. A semi-automatic rifleman fired three shots, turning him into a bloody mess.

The gunfire gradually subsided, and as the sun rose above the treetops, the battle ended. The Okamoto Battalion was completely annihilated, with not a single soldier escaping.

Under the organization of their squad and platoon leaders, the soldiers cleaned up the battlefield, skillfully finishing off the Japanese soldiers and collecting the spoils of war, including guns, ammunition, equipment, and uniforms.

Although Zhao Yunwen had a system and didn't care about these things, the whole of China was poor. Many people worked hard for a year but couldn't afford a set of clothes. The Japanese military uniforms were valuable items, costing a lot of money.

The Tiger Army's tradition was to strip the Japanese soldiers naked, leaving them only with a loincloth to cover their shame, as a way of preserving some dignity for the soldiers.

The battlefield was quickly cleared, including the area around Hill 203. Everything was tallied and reported to the regimental headquarters.

When Zhao Yunwen was roused and ready to have breakfast, Qiu Fengzi had already finished his work and presented him with the battle report.

Although Zhao Yunwen handed over all command authority, Qiu Fengzi was still very conscientious and reported everything, big or small.

"Commander, the Japanese soldiers who attacked Hill 203 have been completely annihilated. We have found 962 bodies of officers below the rank of major, and captured 2 infantry guns, 8 Type 92 heavy machine guns, more than 600 rifles and pistols, 36 grenade launchers, one radio, and a certain amount of ammunition and supplies."

Qiu Fengzi listed everything in detail, with clear accounts; it was practically all the belongings of a small, unorganized brigade. Zhao Yunwen simply nodded and said:

"The Japanese devils have suffered such a heavy loss; they won't let this go easily. Have our brothers suffered heavy casualties?"

"It wasn't a big deal. We were basically just holding the Japanese down. The troops reported that the Garand rifle was very effective, especially in melee combat, as it could effectively suppress the Japanese bayonets."

In a one-on-one situation, the Japanese soldiers wouldn't even be able to get close; eight bullets would be enough to eliminate three or four Japanese soldiers in a short time.

Qiu Fengzi also adored Garland. It was so comfortable following a wealthy and powerful officer with overseas connections; he didn't have to worry about equipment and supplies at all.

Zhao Yunwen waved his hand casually and said:

"The Japanese were just not used to it. The reason they were able to achieve such a one-sided victory this time was because they underestimated the enemy."

They were unaware of the Tiger Legion's strength. Once the Japanese took it seriously, it would be the start of a fierce battle. The Japanese would be a tough opponent!

He warned his brothers not to be careless!

No sooner had he finished speaking than a volley of large-caliber shells flew over and landed in the Yangjialing and 203 Hill area.

Zhao Yunwen snorted coldly:

"The Japanese are retaliating! Order the mountain artillery battalion to fire back!"