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

The 116th Vanguard Infantry Regiment of the 13th Division has already maneuvered to its position on the flank of the Rengang defense line. Compared to the gentle slope on the east side, the terrain on the flank is much steeper, with rocks and trees everywhere and rugged mountain roads, making it unsuitable for large-scale troop deployment.

Regimental Commander Colonel Soeda Fu was observing the terrain through binoculars. The southern route was the continuous Dabie Mountains, with hills everywhere and dense trees, making it almost impossible to see the road.

Without sufficient logistical supplies, Tenda Fu did not dare to venture into the mountains rashly. The Tiger Army had a large force deployed in the rear and was not afraid of a small number of Japanese soldiers outflanking them.

Tenda Fu also considered crossing the mountains to launch a flanking attack on Xinyang City, but then gave up; he wasn't arrogant enough to do that.

Colonel Soeda rejected the plan to penetrate deep into enemy territory and carry out a large-scale flanking maneuver, leaving only a flanking attack on Rengang as an option. He immediately gave the order:

"Send the Yoshino Battalion to probe the Chinese forces first, with the mountain artillery company providing support!"

The senior staff officer bowed and accepted the order before leaving. Not long after, Major Yoshino led several hundred Japanese soldiers and cautiously made his way towards the southern ridge of Rengang.

The mountain roads were rugged, and the Japanese advance was not fast; their movements were all under the control of the 1st Battalion of the 647th Regiment.

Due to the relatively long front line on the south side, the First Battalion could only defend the front about one kilometer ahead, with only the mountain ridge as a defensive line.

It stretches over a thousand meters from east to west and a little over eighty meters from north to south. It consists of three trenches, front and back, and contains dozens of firing points of varying sizes. It is also a simple tunnel that extends deep into the mountain.

As the Japanese skirmishers approached the foot of the mountain, the previously hidden machine gun positions opened fire almost simultaneously, spraying a dense hail of bullets at the Japanese troops.

Where bullets swept across, men and horses fell, and the Japanese soldiers at the front were hit and fell one after another. Colonel Soeda's worst fears had come true.

The defending forces were indeed prepared on the flanks, and their firepower was not weak. The Yoshino Battalion, which was leading the advance, was suppressed and suffered heavy casualties.

Senior Staff Officer Major Kenji Watanabe said in a deep voice:

"There are twenty or thirty machine gun strongpoints, using Browning M1919 heavy machine guns, which have amazing firepower. We have to take them out."

"Alright, bring in infantry guns and rapid-fire cannons to join the battle, and focus on destroying the Chinese machine gun positions."

Colonel Soeda quickly made a decision: since the defenders' bunkers were hidden in mountain tunnels, indirect fire artillery such as mountain guns and mortars would not be very effective, and only direct fire artillery could be used.

The Type 92 infantry gun can be used in both direct and curved fire, but its range is greatly reduced when fired in direct fire, and it can only be fired at a distance of about 800 meters, which greatly increases the risk.

The defending troops occupied the high ground with a wide field of vision, and they quickly spotted the Japanese infantry artillery. The observer excitedly reported:

"Company commander, there's a Japanese dwarf tiger at two o'clock!"

Following the direction the observer pointed, artillery company commander Chen Kai spotted an infantry artillery unit preparing to fire, with the dark muzzles of their cannons aimed directly at the defending army's machine gun positions.

The infantry gun was camouflaged and could not be detected without careful observation, but the gun crew of more than a dozen people was too conspicuous to escape the sharp eyes of the observers.

Chen Kai shouted coldly:

"Mortar unit, prepare! Four mortars, direct fire! Take down those damn short-legged tigers!"

By deploying four artillery pieces in a single saturation attack, Chen Kai was leaving the Japanese with no way out.

The mortar unit quickly determined the firing parameters, but they were a beat slower than the Japanese. Their shells had already been fired, hitting the hillside behind the machine gun emplacement and creating a deep crater, but they failed to destroy the emplacement.

The firing positions hidden inside the tunnels must be hit directly. The tunnels are less than half a meter in diameter, making it difficult to hit them directly from 800 meters away.

The Japanese shells deviated from the center by more than two meters, so the shockwave alone did little damage to the defenders inside the tunnel.

The Japanese soldiers loaded new shells, preparing to fire another shot. Before they could finish loading, the platoon leader heard the sound of the shell breaking open, and his face changed drastically.

"Enemy attack!"

"Boom boom boom!"

Four mortar shells instantly covered the area where the infantry gun was located. The shock wave from the explosion destroyed the artillery, and all of the dozen or so artillerymen were knocked down, either dead or wounded. None of them were able to stand up.

"You idiots, a bunch of useless trash!"

"Who let them stand so close?"

Tenda Fu witnessed the destruction of the infantry artillery unit and cried out in pain. The entire 116th Regiment only had 8 infantry guns, and losing one meant losing one less.

The rapid-fire gun squadron has four 37mm anti-tank guns, specifically designed to destroy machine gun emplacements, but their range is limited and they are easily detected.

Tenda sent out artillery to fire at the defending positions. Shells whizzed towards the machine gun emplacements, and the 1st Battalion also suffered casualties, with two M1919 machine guns destroyed.

Tenda Fu's expression improved slightly, and he proudly praised:

"Good job, artillery! Keep firing like that!"

"Boom boom boom!"

A barrage of shells rained down from the sky, covering the location of the rapid-fire gun squadron and instantly destroying two anti-tank guns. Tenda Fu's smile froze, and he felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

Then, enraged, he shouted:

"Baka yarou, where is the mountain artillery company? Quickly wipe out the Chinese artillery!"

"The machine gun squadron must suppress the Chinese heavy firepower!"

The rapid-fire artillery company of the 116th Regiment was no match for the battalion's artillery company, whether in terms of the number of artillery pieces or their range.

Soeda Fu could only use the mountain artillery company to bombard the artillery battery position with volleys of shells, but unfortunately, it was all for naught.

After firing all their shells, the artillery company quickly moved away. Whether it was a mortar or an infantry gun, they could withdraw as soon as they finished firing. Mountain guns couldn't keep up with the reaction speed.

The artillery of both sides were engaged in a battle of wits and courage. The battalion had more than just the six cannons of the artillery company; each infantry company also had three M2 light mortars.

They hid in the trenches, either firing in unison or individually, relying on their numerical and range advantages to keep the Japanese heavy firepower pinned down, completely suppressing the Japanese Type 92 heavy machine guns and grenade launchers.

These mortars have an effective range of up to 1800 meters and a kill radius of 15 meters, threatening all heavy weapons in the area. Infantry guns and rapid-fire guns dare not approach them.

The Japanese also had six 90mm mortars with a range of over 6 meters, posing the greatest threat to the firepower of the First Battalion.

Fortunately, the mortars were indirect fire, so they couldn't hit the machine guns inside the tunnel.

Despite their best efforts, the 116th Regiment still couldn't gain the upper hand.

The Yoshino Battalion's infantry charged up the mountain fearlessly, one wave falling as another surged forward, and the defenders' firepower never diminished.

As the distance closed, a large number of light weapons joined the battle, resulting in highly dispersed firepower. The Japanese artillery didn't even know who to fire at first.

Major Yoshino lay prone in the shell crater, his eyes filled with resentment. He was fighting so suffocatingly, unable to muster any strength.

"You idiots, cowards, a bunch of cowards!"

"Not a true samurai!"

Major Yoshino attempted to urge his soldiers to continue the charge, but was stopped by his adjutant.

"Yoshino-kun, the Chinese firepower is too strong. Our warriors are being suppressed and cannot lift their heads. A forced charge will only increase casualties."

Major Yoshino glared angrily and roared:

"Baka yarou, what else can we do? The regimental commander is watching from behind!"

The adjutant didn't have a better solution either, so he could only bite the bullet and say:

"The Tiger Legion is well-equipped; they can only prevail through marksmanship and fighting spirit."

Major Yoshino, blinded by shame and indignation, ignored his adjutant's advice and forcibly drove his soldiers into battle, brandishing his sword.

"Warriors, the time has come to serve His Majesty! Thrust, thrust, thrust!"