The equipment of the Japanese troops of the Fifth Division is first-class, their combat qualities are even better, and their artillery firepower is accurate.
Just now, the Eighth Route Army's firepower was firing at the Japs. The Japs' artillery quickly targeted the shooting points. As soon as the Japs retreated, the artillery shells hit the hilltop positions of the 1st Battalion.
Boom boom boom…
Accompanied by enemy mortars and infantry artillery fire in the distance.
A dense wave of artillery shell explosions rose up on the first battalion's position, and the soldiers got into the anti-gun holes to take shelter.
The inexperienced soldier ran a little slower and fell into a pool of blood in the explosion wave.
After the soldiers of the first battalion arrived here, they spent most of the night building fortifications and had dug simple trenches and anti-gun holes.
Although the enemy's artillery fire was intensive, the fire was mostly from mortars and infantry artillery.
Mountain guns and howitzers over 75 mm were not used, and the soldiers of the first battalion suffered few casualties.
Not to be outdone, the artillerymen of the first battalion fired mortars and mountain artillery in the direction of the Japanese artillery position.
The artillerymen from both sides came and went, starting an artillery battle.
Although the first battalion has 16 mountain guns, 60mm and 82mm mortars have also been strengthened.
But after all, the first battalion was under siege, the enemy was in the dark, and the artillery position of the first battalion was almost in the light.
Therefore, even though the artillery firepower of the first battalion was stronger, the artillery firepower of both sides was evenly matched, and no one took any advantage.
As soon as it gets light, Zhang Dabiao can apply for air support, so there is no need to save artillery shells, and the artillery can open up to fire.
"Kill me..."
After the Japanese bombardment, the infantry captains received the order to attack from the division and regiment headquarters, and they all waved their command sabers and roared hysterically.
In the rear of the Japanese, the Japanese mortars and infantry artillery were pushed to within 2 kilometers of the position.
The infantry artillery aimed at the forward positions of the Eighth Route Army and fired directly, while the mortars aimed at the forward positions and fired in a curved direction.
Not to be outdone, the Eighth Route Army's mortar crews mounted their 82mm guns directly on the forward positions, and implemented artillery fire counter-suppression based on the positions where the Japanese muzzle fireworks were exposed.
The Japanese artillery firepower was not cheap, and the Eighth Route Army infantry could get out of the artillery holes and shoot at the Japanese infantry rushing up.
As the Japanese attacked again, the soldiers opened fire one after another about 100 meters away from the forward position.
Amidst the intensive gunfire, the Japanese fell down one by one.
On a hilltop on the right wing, the fourth company of sharpshooters defended the position behind the entire first battalion.
This hilltop is more important. Once the Japs occupy this hilltop, they will use this hilltop as a stronghold and move heavy firepower such as infantry artillery, mortars and heavy machine guns onto this hilltop to suppress other Eighth Route Army hills with firepower.
Support other attacking Japs.
Therefore, Zhang Dabiao deployed the four companies of sharpshooters on the back of the mountain.
As Zhang Dabiao expected, this is where the Japanese will focus their attack.
During the two Japanese attacks, the place was attacked at the Japanese brigade level.
However, the Japs encountered the Fourth Company of Sharpshooters.
This sharpshooter company is in the fourth company, and even the cooks are at the sharpshooter level.
Under the cover of illumination bombs fired from the rear mortars, the entire area nearly 1,000 meters in front of the position was illuminated as if it were daytime.
In front of the Fourth Company's position was an open space, and it was in a condescending position, and the Japanese's formation was relatively dense.
The sharpshooters of the fourth company began the shooting competition.
A full Japanese brigade attacked twice in a row, and was killed by soldiers from the Fourth Company of Sharpshooters, who killed more than 500 people.
The positions 100 to 200 meters in front of the entire Fourth Sharpshooter Company were covered with corpses of Japanese soldiers.
"Haha, this Type 56 gun is so exciting!"
“Much easier to use than the American Garand.”
Watching the Japanese troops rout, Xiao Songyuan, commander of the Fourth Company of Sharpshooters, slapped the Five-Liu Chong in his hand and smiled very happily:
"I killed five of them, how many did you kill?"
Beside Captain Xiao, some said they killed two, some said they killed three, and some said they killed seven or eight Japanese.
"As long as I have enough bullets, I can knock down a hundred of them!"
A sharpshooter veteran squad leader spoke with confidence.
The Japs are not easy to deal with. The Japs in the Fifth Division are still the best among the elite Japs.
Known as the Steel Army.
Moreover, the Fifth Division had just participated in the battle to attack Malaysia. It had been baptized in the battlefields of Southeast Asia and had very strong combat effectiveness.
When the Japanese attack, they attack in a skirmish line. When they charge, they don't just rush straight up with rifles in hand like in the TV series.
Instead, they bent over and hunched over, running from one bunker to another, charging in a zigzag pattern, and it was not easy to kill anyone.
Moreover, while the Japanese soldiers were running, they could still find some opportunities to shoot in the direction of the Eighth Route Army positions with their rifles.
This group of Japs was indeed strong, but they encountered the Fourth Company of Sharpshooters equipped with Type 5 and 6 guns.
Although there are flares to provide light,
"Stop fucking bragging and be anti-cannon!"
Company Commander Xiao laughed loudly and quickly got into the shell-proof hole.
The soldiers of the Fourth Company of Sharpshooters were all elite veterans. Some of the soldiers moved faster than the company commander and squad leader, and had already gotten into the anti-gun holes.
The other soldiers were also in an orderly manner. Although the visibility in the trenches was not good, the soldiers were able to find their own artillery holes. Their movements were as fast as they had been refined, and there was no fight for the artillery holes.
As soon as the soldiers hid, the enemy's artillery shells simultaneously hit the position.
Boom boom boom…
Dense explosion waves formed one after another, with mud, sand and rocks flying across the sky along with shrapnel, and the soldiers endured the deafening roar.
Although the enemy's artillery fire did little harm to the soldiers, the dense explosions ringing in their ears were still very uncomfortable.
If it explodes at close range, it may cause the soldier to become deaf.
…
"What a powerful firepower."
Witnessing two of our own attacks, the soldiers were driven back by fierce firepower before they even got close to the Eighth Route Army's position. Not only did they fail to attack the position, but they suffered heavy losses.
Even the artillery firepower behind the infantry was somewhat suppressed and could not exert much effect.
Matsui Tataro suddenly felt something bad.
At a certain defensive point on a hilltop, the Eighth Route Army's infantry firepower had a full-automatic firepower almost every meter.
The intensive firepower swept up the Japanese soldiers who rushed forward, causing them to fall one by one.
"Does the Eighth Route Army soldier on that position have a light machine gun?"
Matsui Tataro looked confused.
The Eighth Route Army on that position were the New Regiment, Battalion and Company. As the most powerful infantry unit of the New Regiment, each of the First Battalion and Company used to have an MP40 submachine gun, and later each had an M3 submachine gun.
The current battalion and company each have one Type 56 submachine gun.
Although the name is Type 56 submachine gun, it is actually an automatic rifle for each person, which is equivalent to an AK for each person.
From Matsui Tataro's point of view, he naturally thought that the Eighth Route Army in that area had a light machine gun.
Such a powerful firepower cannot be charged by infantry alone, and the artillery firepower brought by the Fifth Division is insufficient and there are not many artillery shells.
Moreover, the opponent's artillery firepower is not weak, and it can even implement artillery fire counter-suppression.
Colonel Sasaki Gosan, captain of the 11th Infantry Regiment, reported to him with an ugly face: "Division Commander, the casualties of the troops are relatively large. More than half of my 2nd Infantry Battalion has suffered casualties."
Behind Colonel Sasaki Gosan stood several disgraced lieutenants and majors.
"waste…"
Matsui Tataro snorted coldly:
"A fully-equipped infantry brigade attacked a hilltop defended by more than 200 Eighth Route Army soldiers, and more than half of them were killed in two attacks? The Fifth Division has completely embarrassed you!"
Colonel Yoshio Sasaki, captain of the 21st Infantry Regiment, also came over and said: "Your Excellency, the division commander, please transfer the 5th Field Artillery Regiment to shell the Eighth Route Army's positions."
Matsui Tataro looked at the watch on his hand.
"idiot!"
"It will be dawn in two hours. By then the Eighth Route Army's aircraft will be able to provide air support. At this time, the 5th Artillery Regiment will be transferred over. Do you want my 5th Artillery Regiment to be completely wiped out?"
Matsui Tataro really wants to give Sasaki Keio a slap in the face.
"Hi!"
Sasaki Yoshio suddenly lowered his head, not daring to speak, with a bitter expression.
Matsui Tataro also knew it very well.
The Eighth Route Army occupied the commanding heights, and its firepower was beyond imagination. It would be difficult to attack it unless the 5th Field Artillery Regiment was mobilized.
But now that Matsui Tataro was asked to withdraw his troops, he was reluctant to do so.
"Ten minutes later, if we gather our troops and attack again, I don't believe that our Fifth Division can't wipe out more than 2,500 Eighth Route Army soldiers!"
Matsui Tataro's tone was filled with murderous intent.
When the Fifth Division attacked Shanxi, the troops were invincible and they were so arrogant and domineering.
Now, they are in a state of confusion by more than 2,000 Eighth Route Army soldiers.
Matsui Tataro originally thought that the more than two thousand Eighth Route Army soldiers would be eliminated and captured, but the situation was far beyond his expectation.
"Hi!"
All the Japanese aides lowered their heads in unison.
Military orders are overwhelming, and as an imperial soldier, he will not hesitate even if he dies on the battlefield.
As Matsui Tairo's order was issued, the Japanese soldiers took a short rest and then began the third wave of attacks.
There is not much time left for the devils.
The Eighth Route Army planes would arrive at dawn, so the Japanese wanted to resolve the battle before dawn, so they launched continuous attacks in such a short period of time.
Although there is nothing commendable about the tactics of this wave of Japanese attacks.
The artillery was still firing and the infantry was charging.
However, this wave of attacks was more fierce than the previous two attacks. The artillery fire came one after another, and all the Japanese soldiers rushed forward risking their lives.
"Battal Commander, the pigeons will arrive at the battlefield in five minutes."
In the first battalion headquarters, a radio soldier put down the receiver and microphone in his hand and reported to Zhang Dabiao.
Zhang Dabiao's eyes lit up slightly, air support has arrived!
For fear of being monitored by Japanese radio stations, all radio conversations on the plane and on the ground were communicated in code words.
Pigeon is the code name of the aircraft in Xinyi Tuan.
Zhang Dabiao gave the order in a cold tone: "Let each artillery position prepare flares and light the fire in four minutes!"