Rise from eight hundred.

"First-line infantry company, each person has two grenades, throw them at me!" Wang Xiaoqiang, who had already approached less than 400 meters from the front line, ordered coldly.

The 772nd Regiment is also equipped with long-handled grenades, and the standing throwing distance is about fifty or sixty meters away, which is basically the distance between the most advanced trench dug and the Japanese trenches.

Therefore, the frontline officers and soldiers did not need to aim at all, they could just stand in the trench and throw forward as hard as they could.

Of course, most of the grenades were thrown at the front of the Japanese trenches. Hundreds of grenades were thrown over, causing a mess at the front of the Japanese trenches.

Only about one-tenth of the grenades fell into the Japanese trenches, but just these dozens of grenades, no matter how many Japanese infantry were killed by each one, caused great psychological pressure on the Japanese infantry.

Because this means that from this moment on, they can only be beaten passively, and even hiding in the trenches cannot guarantee their life safety.

Due to its light weight and shape, the melon-type grenade equipped by the Japanese infantry can only be thrown from a maximum distance of 40 meters, which poses no threat to the Chinese trenches 60 meters away.

What's even worse is that they don't dare to retreat to the second-line trenches because of this. The distance between the two sides is really too close, and the Chinese have always had the 'bad habit' of using grenades to clear the way and then charge. If the first-line trenches were lost like this, it would be quite a disaster. Yu Baisong.

"Baga! The Chinese have limited grenades. I don't believe they can keep throwing them like this! Order the entire army to strictly guard their positions. If the Chinese dare to rush over, let them see the power of our empire's permanent divisions!" Lieutenant Colonel Saburo Kuroda, whose headquarters was located less than 500 meters away from the front line, gave the order with a cold face.

Don't tell me, at least in terms of moving the headquarters forward, Lieutenant Commander Kuroda Saburo has the same courage as the 'Mad War General'.

Even though they are only one mile away from the front line, in the era of hot weapons, the difference between 500 meters and 50 meters is actually not that big. As long as the opponent attacks with artillery fire, the two top commanders of China and Japan are facing a high chance of being destroyed. More than sixty percent.

Unfortunately, neither party did this.

The Japanese side was because the distance between the infantry trenches on both sides was too close. If the artillery shells hit them, the probability of both being destroyed was greater. It was not cost-effective to use this move before the last moment.

The Chinese side is because their 'artillery' range is not that far, or perhaps the elimination of the Japanese army's effective forces is what they value, and what commander is not a commander is not among their key considerations.

Wang Xiaoqiang's real tactical intention was to "snake the enemy" by throwing grenades into the Japanese trenches to make the Japanese soldiers highly nervous and want to escape but dare not.

Of course, Saburo Kuroda and the Japanese infantrymen did not know that dozens of large oil barrels were half buried diagonally in the soil under the ridge in an area of ​​nearly 180 meters behind the Chinese front line trenches.

Needless to say, that was the 'flying thunder cannon' technology taught by Tang Tuanzuo. In the past, the 683 Brigade was limited by the shortage of explosives and could only be used for training. This technology was rarely used in actual combat.

But this time it was different. Before the 772nd Regiment set out for the expedition, the Sixings Regiment Military Factory sent more than 500 5-kilogram explosive bags overnight. This was the most important reason why Wang Xiaoqiang uncharacteristically dug wildly after arriving on the battlefield and did not attack by force.

Everyone in the world has seen the madness of the 'Mad War General', and only those who know him very well know that he has an extremely smart mind, and his ability to assess situations is ranked among the top three in the entire 683 brigade!

This time, his craziness was to use 150 "flying thunder cannons" that quietly approached the Japanese position no more than 36 meters away and buried the Japanese infantry in the trenches of the Japanese front line.

The attack was so unexpected that the Japanese infantry and artillery had no time to react.

"Captain, everything is ready!" A captain and company commander ran over and reported to Wang Xiaoqiang, who was staring ahead with a telescope.

"Let all the front-line commanders and fighters throw another round of grenades and then all retreat to 300 meters away. After 3 minutes, use the Charge as the number, and each thunder cannon will fire 5 explosive packets. Then, all personnel will evacuate!" Wang Xiaoqiang He nodded, a chill flashing in his eyes.

He had used a small amount of the 'Cyclone Explosive' developed by the Sixings Regiment Military Factory during the Japanese Army's 'New Year's Day Offensive' half a year ago. The destructive effect of an explosion of the same weight was several times that of ordinary gunpowder. This time he I just ordered the throwing of nearly 1000 kilograms of explosives. I didn’t know what kind of effect it would have. I was really looking forward to it!

However, it is still a pity to say that this kind of local artillery with oil barrels as barrels is very powerful, but the range is too short and has no accuracy at all, and it has no maneuverability. Once it is targeted by the enemy's long-range artillery group, , almost equivalent to disposable items.

Therefore, after quickly firing the prescribed explosive package, all personnel had to evacuate quickly, but the hot barrel could not be taken away.

Fortunately, for this battle, the 772nd Regiment's supply battalion prepared more than 150 large empty oil barrels. During the march, they contained explosive packages and were carried on horseback for transportation. They could also be used as explosive storage. During the war, they naturally served as barrel handles. After the explosives are blasted out, the oil barrel can be filled with sand and soil for temporary fortifications in an emergency. It is a universal treasure.

Sure enough, when they heard the charge horn that resounded throughout the position from the Chinese side, all the Japanese infantry entered the front-line trenches and were on high alert. Even the light machine guns were set up, regardless of the danger of being attacked by grenades again.

Nearly 1600 Japanese infantry soldiers are waiting in full formation!

Then, there were bursts of muffled 'dong-dong' sounds from the Chinese position. In the field of vision of the Japanese infantry and Saburo Kuroda, who had been staring at the position with binoculars, small black dots fell from high in the sky.

"What is that?" Lieutenant Commander Saburo Kuroda's eyes were frozen, showing a burst of confusion and fear.

The black dot that he could see hundreds of meters away was definitely not a grenade, it couldn't be a stone thrown by a trebuchet!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The earth-shattering explosion filled the ears of all Japanese people present.

Seeing the fireballs rising from the frontline position a mile away, Lieutenant Colonel Saburo Kuroda's mind was completely blank.

Swept by the turbulent air waves, Lieutenant Colonel Kuroda was as stubborn as his immediate boss Yoshio Shinozuka, but he was not as majestic as Yoshio Shinozuka and had personal protection from guards as he climbed out of the trench. When he got up, his mouth was already full of blood. When he touched his hand, a white thing fell into his palm.

There were not many front teeth there, and Kuroda Nakasa's eyes were filled with flames and gleaming light. He felt like he was returning to the helplessness he felt when he was a child holding his fallen front teeth.

Fireballs were still rising on the defense line of more than 2000 meters. Even though they were 500 meters away, the blazing air waves were still blowing towards their faces. You can imagine what kind of hell the imperial officers and soldiers of the infantry brigade and a half waiting there were in.

"The Chinese used clay to make mortars!" Saburo Kuroda is indeed a commander with extremely rich battlefield experience. After being stunned for more than ten seconds, he gritted his molars and came to the most accurate judgment.

"Notify the artillery wing to immediately cover the 300 meters, no, 200 meters, front edge of our position with artillery fire!"

"Your Excellency, Captain, there are all the officers and soldiers of our front-line troops there." A major infantry captain's expression was extremely ugly.

With such close range artillery fire, there is no telling how many shells will fall on our own positions. Infantry commanders like them know very well what level the artillery wing guys are.

"But Mr. Xueluo, you have to know that if I don't do this, when the Chinese rush into the trenches like a tide, they will all die, including you and me!" Saburo Kuroda's face was almost distorted.

"As commanders and imperial soldiers, we can all accept death in battle, but we cannot die worthless. I admit that the Chinese's home-made mortars gave our army a heavy blow, but they can throw such a heavy The gun body of the explosive pack is absolutely heavy. If we don't take the opportunity to annihilate them at this time, will we wait for them to drop explosives on the heads of the Imperial warriors in the next round?"

The Japanese Army Major was speechless.

Saburo Kuroda's decision was very wise and decisive. In less than 5 minutes, the 20 mountain artillery pieces requested by the frontline headquarters ignored the target again and bombed the front of the Japanese position, shrouding the trenches of both China and Japan. in.

If Wang Xiaoqiang hadn't given the order first, all the front-line officers and soldiers would have retreated to more than 300 meters away. After firing the five explosive packets, the flying thunder cannon operation team would have fled without hesitation. With this wave of desperate shelling by the Japanese army, the losses There may be more than one infantry company.

The soldiers of the independent regiment ran away, but the Japanese front-line infantry did not run away.

Ninety percent of the nearly 200 5-kilogram explosive packets actually fell outside the trenches. Just as Wang Xiaoqiang regretted, the 'flying thunder cannon' was not accurate at all, and it was a blind attempt.

Some flew no more than 150 meters before falling to the ground, and the special delay fuse often exploded after two or three seconds. Some flew for more than 200 meters and exploded before landing, and some even From the left, some to the right, there was even an explosive pack that didn't explode and hit a Japanese soldier holding his head in the trench, knocking him unconscious.

But no one cares where these explosive packets fly, as long as they are forward, it can be regarded as realizing the future combat concept of launch and forget in advance. It was precisely because of the 'free flying' nature of the explosive packets that the Japanese infantry suffered so much. The veterans could judge the general type of ammunition and the general area of ​​landing by hearing the howl of the shells piercing the sky. There are explosive packets flying around, so it’s hard to judge.

The only thing they can do is huddle in the trenches and wait for the verdict of fate!

As long as the explosive package is not exploded in the trench or more accurately in the trench 50 meters away from you, you have a chance to survive.

The Japanese trenches were actually built in a very standard manner, with right-angled corners at every other section to withstand the impact of air waves caused by artillery shells falling into the trenches. This also directly saved the lives of many Japanese infantry.

The crazy explosion of explosives swept away 90% of the protrusions on the Japanese positions, but the explosives that fell into the trenches and exploded actually killed and injured more than 300 Japanese troops, which only accounted for one-fifth of the total number of Japanese troops. one!

To put it bluntly, this round of crazy firepower output wiped out all kinds of fortifications on the Japanese army's positions to a greater extent, and the damage to personnel was not actually devastating.

But what the Chinese failed to do, the Japanese did.

The 20 mountain guns were output regardless of cost, but 772% of the shells fell on the forward position of the 38 Regiment where there were not many people left. Few people were killed, and more than a dozen trenches were collapsed. In addition, guns were destroyed. Eighty percent of the 'flying thunder cannons' buried in the loess were destroyed, but % of the shells fell on their own heads.

This was good. The Japanese infantry who had just enjoyed the air wave massage and were still shivering could only desperately withstand another wave of sharp shells from their own mountain artillery. The Japanese soldiers who were originally just buried or stunned by the soil of the collapsed trench could still survive. Rescue, when this wave of shells comes, there is no need to dig a hole, just bury it inside.

According to post-war inspections, just in this round of "If you hit me, I will fight to the death, I will fight you twice" Lieutenant Colonel Kuroda Saburo's desperate operations, more than 1600 Japanese infantrymen were reduced by more than 500 people!

Before Saburo Kuroda could breathe a sigh of relief, within half an hour, the Chinese came back again!

Not long after a round of grenades, the charge sounded again.

"Everyone go to the frontline trenches, the Chinese are coming." Saburo Kuroda made a quick judgment.

However, it was still a familiar recipe and a familiar taste, and another wave of black dots came over me.

Japanese Army

Saburo Kuroda

This time, Kuroda Saburo suddenly got better and took the initiative to lie down.

There are only two front teeth in total, and one of them is gone. No matter what, I have to save the last one!

Facing Blind Ji Bafei's explosive pack, experience can't save his life, it all depends on luck.

However, as the number of troops decreased, it was true that the bomb-proof cave was not so crowded. At most, only more than 200 people were injured or killed in this wave of bombardment, and the casualty rate was much smaller than in the previous round.

"I don't believe the Chinese still have home-made mortars! Instruct the artillery to continue covering the forward positions!" Saburo Kuroda almost roared and ordered again.

That kind of mortar was really terrible. He wanted to destroy it even if both sides were harmed.

Lieutenant Colonel Kuroda Saburo's orders were not criticized after the war. Even the most demanding soldiers could not criticize his decisiveness and bravery. Not everyone can be a person on the battlefield who can coldly use his troops as pawns. The commander's belongings were discarded on the chessboard, even if it was just so that more people could survive.

But Lieutenant Colonel Saburo Kuroda did it. He had regarded the trenches on both sides as the border between Chu and Han, and the soldiers on both sides were exchangeable pawns, including himself.

Because from the beginning to the end, he never left the headquarters, which was only 500 meters away from the front line, and even lost a precious front tooth because of it.

But in the end he was paralyzed by the so-called exchange.

Therefore, when the Chinese launched a third round of almost identical attacks, he did not let the more than 800 remaining troops enter the front-line trenches again.

Then, when the Chinese charge horn sounded, Lieutenant Colonel Saburo Kuroda's eyes went dark.

At least four infantry companies jumped out of the trenches less than a hundred meters away and rushed toward the Japanese front-line trenches like lightning.

Dozens of mortars fired wildly, forming a barrage between the Japanese first-line trenches and second-line trenches. The Japanese infantry who woke up only had time to fire a few shots, and the only front-line trenches with less than a hundred people left were already jumped by Chinese soldiers. .

The Chinese soldiers who used submachine guns and grenades to clear the trenches did not give the Japanese soldiers holding 38-inch caps much time to resist. In just ten minutes, the battle in the front-line trenches was completely over.

The Japanese infantry who attempted to counterattack were either killed on the way to the front-line trenches, or were killed in the passage of the traffic trenches. The firepower of the Chinese soldiers with submachine guns in close combat was completely overwhelming.

In less than 3 hours, the frontline trenches of the defenders led by Saburo Kuroda were completely lost. There was only one trench left that could protect the Japanese army. The two sides were once again less than meters apart, but behind the Japanese army there was nothing but wilderness.

However, the 772th Regiment, which occupied the front-line trenches of the Japanese army, no longer attacked, but continued to dig, connecting the captured trenches with its own original trenches. The entire position was like a huge spider web, surrounding the precarious Japanese trenches. .

Compared to the ashen-faced Lieutenant Colonel Kuroda Saburo, Shinozuka Yoshio, the supreme commander of the 10th Division, was like an ant on a hot pot, suffering extremely.

Saburo Kuroda's side only suffered a defeat. There was still a fragile defense line and more than 700 soldiers. However, an infantry brigade on the left defense line was attacked by a Chinese lurking inside the 10th Division position. An army major and five captains who were having a combat meeting were killed on the spot. The highest rank of the 800-man infantry brigade turned out to be an army lieutenant.

Moreover, this news was delivered back by a communications soldier who risked his life by crossing the battlefield. The Chinese had already cut off the phone lines there, turning the position there into an information island.

The anxious Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinozuka had no choice but to send out the last reinforced infantry squadron he held in his hand and escort his lieutenant-general and deputy chief of staff to the infantry group to take over the command.

Unexpectedly, in broad daylight, a small group of Chinese elite troops lurking in the position actually gathered to besiege this reinforced infantry squadron with 6 infantry squads.

It was the Black Tiger-style "encirclement and reinforcements" led by Gu Xishui. The mountain infantry company and the reconnaissance company were scattered over a battlefield of more than ten square kilometers. The original tactical design of the mountain infantry company and the reconnaissance company was originally just for the purpose of raiding and harassing the Japanese army on the battlefield. The mobilization creates a containment.

However, as the battlefield situation changed, especially with the arrival of the 772nd Regiment and the independent battalion of the Jinan Division, nearly 9000 people formed a peripheral siege on the Japanese army. Gu Xishui was keenly aware that an opportunity for two elite infantry companies had come. .

The Japanese army allocated at least half of its troops to guard against peripheral attacks, and the main force of the Four Lines Regiment in the Zhaojiazhuang direction was not unreasonable. The 10th Division did not dare to relax. There were many troops deployed on the front line, and there were definitely not enough troops to search the battlefield.

Ming Xin and Niu Er followed Shen Laoliu and his reconnaissance platoon and happened to touch the headquarters of a Japanese infantry brigade. Perhaps because of the fierce fighting on the front line, the Japanese officers who were having a meeting placed two squads outside the headquarters. Japanese troops were on alert.

Niu Er, known as the top marksman of the Four Lines Regiment, once again demonstrated his godlike marksmanship. With 10 shots, he killed 8 Japanese machine gunners, making the four light machine guns the eunuch's chirp from the beginning of the battle - ——Decoration.

More than 20 Japanese soldiers who lost fire support were attacked by the "Beasts" with submachine guns and semi-automatic rifles. The entire defense line was broken through in less than 3 minutes. All the Japanese officers who were in the meeting received their lunch boxes on the spot.

After knowing the rank of the Japanese officer who was killed, Gu Xishui keenly judged that the Japanese army must send a higher-level officer to take over the command. Killing him would prevent the Japanese army from increasing its combat effectiveness and continue to consume the effective strength of the Japanese infantry. .

As a result, six platoons, which gathered most of the strength of two elite infantry companies, were about 6 meters away from the Japanese defense line and boldly ambushed more than 1000 Japanese troops.

No one knew that this small battlefield, which lasted no more than 20 minutes and involved only more than 700 people on both sides, would become the last straw for the 10th Division. (End of chapter)