"Bang..."
Everyone threw grenades. For a moment, the Japanese squadron was on their backs, looking for a place that could be used as a bunker in a panic.
It's a pity that this location was carefully selected by the Wen Gu brothers and sisters. The slope is not high and it is easy to climb up. However, the hillside is very clean and there is no obstruction that can be used as a cover.
The Japs could only lower their bodies as low as possible, praying in their hearts that they would not become a target for others.
Wen Gu's brother and sister and a platoon of elite scouts beat the Japanese. Seeing that few Japanese were moving below, Wen Gu gave an order.
"withdraw!"
The soldiers quickly took their belongings and retreated to the rear. When the Japanese reinforcements came over, they only saw the corpses of the Japanese everywhere.
In just 5 minutes, more than 120 people were killed and injured in one Japanese squadron. When Matsumoto received the report, his face was extremely grim.
"These Tubal Roads are too cunning. Sir, Chief of Staff, have the artillery brigade of the division commander followed? You must arrange soldiers immediately to protect them.
I'm worried that Tubal Road will arrange elite troops to attack our only artillery unit! "
After contacting Matsumoto by phone, Wing Chief of Staff Yusuke Sakai reported, "Matsumoto-kun, the mountain artillery brigade has arrived behind us. I would like to arrange for a squadron of infantry to pass over. How about it?"
"Yo Xi, there are about 400 people in a squadron plus their original guards. It's okay. Even if they are attacked, they can still support us."
"Report to Captain Matsumoto that the mines in front have been cleared and can pass!"
After the Wen Gu brothers and sisters returned to the first battalion position with the reconnaissance platoon, Dakui and Xu Baichuan hurriedly greeted them. The reconnaissance platoon leader reported to Qian Zhengyang,
"Battle Commander Qian, the Japanese army is about to pass through the minefield. You must be ready for battle, and the Japanese mountain artillery group has also arrived."
Qian Zhengyang heard the report with a solemn expression, and instructor Zhu Xu reminded:
"The old moneyed devils are powerful, must we fight them?"
Qian Zhengyang said firmly, "We must fight. Our battalion has never fought a tough battle. This opportunity is very rare. The soldiers must see blood."
Instructor, you and I will check the soldiers' trenches and anti-blast holes respectively, and if any problems are found, ask the soldiers to correct them immediately! "The two took action immediately after dividing the work.
Brother and sister Wen Gu were being pulled by Da Kui and Xu Baichuan, "Sister, are we going to use this to fight the Japanese later?"
Dakui asked excitedly, pointing to the two 82 mortars on the ground.
"That's right. Later, Dakui, you follow my sister, and Xu Baichuan, you follow me. Our goal is to make all the Japanese heavy machine guns and mortars misfire."
Xu Baichuan had already felt the chilling atmosphere on the battlefield, and the soldier's blood buried deep in his heart was also aroused. He patted his chest and assured,
"Xiao Gu, don't worry, I have a very strong figure. No matter where you fight, I will definitely carry the shells for you."
Dakui also nodded.
The Matsumoto regiment advanced very quickly. After the minefield was breached, the entire regiment advanced at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.
The forward troops quickly entered the ambush circle of the first battalion, and Qian Zhengyang gave the order, "Hit me!"
The entire first battalion fired all light and heavy firepower, striving to cause maximum casualties to the Japanese in the first attack. The Japanese's truck was the key target of the attack.
The mortars in the hands of brother and sister Wen Gu were firing like sparks. They were really firing like a truck. Da Kui and Xu Baichuan could hardly keep up with the shells.
However, the two men moved more vigorously, and almost all the two dozen Japanese trucks that entered the ambush circle were taken care of.
After 5 minutes, the Japanese finally started to counterattack sporadicly, and at the same time, the brigade behind them also quickly followed up. When Qian Zhengyang saw this posture,
"Comrades, prepare to retreat!"
Matsumoto heard the sound of gunfire from behind and felt nervous.
He knew very well that these battles were not regular battles, they were fought quickly, but the Tubal Road was full of mines, followed by ambushes.
Their speed couldn't increase, and the logistics couldn't keep up. His premonition was getting worse and worse.
The previous battle ended with the retreat of the Eighth Route Army. Matsumoto and Sakai saw the ambush site,
"Sakai-kun, you see, the trenches on Tubal Road are dug in a very regular manner, with corners not far apart. This can avoid shrapnel and shock waves from artillery shells.
And these individual soldier pits are also very good. When I participated in the Battle of Wuyang, I had never seen such standard trenches.
I felt like I was facing a regular elite force. "
Sakai Yusuke couldn't help but said: "Matsumoto-kun is right, and the one-hit-and-go tactic is also very difficult. In just 5 minutes, we lost nearly two squadrons of warriors.
Before entering the Black Wind Mountain range, our regiment lost almost one-third of its troops, not counting the puppet troops who were dragged away by that loser Asai to clear mines. "
Matsumoto looked at the corpse of the Japanese on the mountain road and said to Sakai: "Sakai-kun, I decided to slow down and let the mountain artillery brigade follow us closely.
At the same time, we will increase the number of guards on both wings to maximize our safety! "
"Hey, I totally agree with Matsumoto-kun's arrangement!"
The first battalion retreated to Erdaogang. Jinghong, the commander of the second battalion, looked at Qian Zhengyang, who was covered in gunpowder smoke, and asked with concern:
"Old Qian, how is the situation in the First Battalion?"
"There are not many casualties. We sent them all back to the soldiers. The Japanese are coming soon. Lao Jing, how are you prepared?"
"Don't worry, all preparations are made, just wait for the Japanese to take the bait!" Jinghong said confidently.
"Batalion Commander, Battalion Commander" Soldiers from the reconnaissance platoon of the second battalion ran back from afar.
Jinghong asked with concern: "What's going on?"
The soldier panted and said, "The Japs have slowed down, and there are Japs on the gentle slopes on both sides of the mountain road."
Jinghong and Qian Zhengyang looked at each other and saw solemnity in each other's eyes.
Jinghong thought deeply: "Aren't these Japs in a hurry? Why did they suddenly slow down?"
"Although Matsumoto is only a colonel, I heard that he is a veteran who has participated in many large-scale battles and has very rich experience.
It was obvious that he had discovered our intentions and wanted to proceed slowly and efficiently. "
After listening to Qian Zhengyang's words, Jinghong immediately reported what happened here to Hu Changshun.
Hu Changshun, head of the Third Regiment, looked a little ugly. All their deployments were to march quickly against the Japs. Now the Japs have slowed down.
With the three battalions deploying their defenses in a dispersed manner, it becomes very difficult to block attacks at all levels.
Ma Jun looked at the telegram and said, "Old Hu, why don't you send the telegram back to the brigade headquarters and let the brigade commander think of a solution?"
"It's too late. Although the Japs have slowed down their advance, the entire three-level post is only a short distance away.
Let the two battalions withdraw and fight here, and contact Wang Dali. He came out with his men and disappeared without a trace! "
