Without the two tanks, the more than 100 Japanese soldiers of the Kawashima Squadron were no longer a match for the platoon, and the advantages in defensive warfare were still obvious.
Because of the two tanks, the first platoon chose to put the Kawashima Squadron into the first trench. The Japanese thought they had the upper hand. Only after arriving in the trench did they realize that there were twists and turns and passages everywhere.
The Eighth Route Army was familiar with the terrain. The dozens of Japanese soldiers who went down to the trenches were like entering a maze. As they walked, two Eighth Route Army soldiers emerged from behind. When grenades were thrown, several Japanese soldiers were blown down.
There were explosions of grenades everywhere in the trenches, and the Japanese were clearing row after trench. In less than half an hour, the Japanese who entered the trenches were eliminated.
The large number of Japanese outside the trenches were suppressed by the machine guns in the second and third trenches, and the two sides shot at each other near the ring fortifications.
This is the first time the Japanese have experienced this kind of fighting style. In the past, after rushing into the opponent's position, the opponent would let it go.
The Eighth Route Army fought with the Imperial Army inside and outside the trenches, but the Imperial Army was beaten back steadily. Their tactics made the Japanese of Kawashima Squadron very uncomfortable.
It was as if they had emerged from the ground one by one, appearing like magic from places they could not imagine, and then retreated after throwing the grenades.
The Japanese were unfamiliar with the terrain and suffered heavy losses. The Kawashima Squadron finally couldn't bear it anymore and withdrew with the corpses left on the ground.
At the end of the second round of fighting, there were only about 50 people left in Kawashima Squadron, and Li Qing's first platoon also suffered about 30 casualties, including 17 killed in action.
There was no other way to fight like this. The main reason was to knock out the Japanese tanks. As a last resort, some Japanese soldiers were let into the trenches. It became a battle for the tunnels. It was normal for the casualties to be higher.
Fortunately, the Japanese only have two tanks. If there are more tanks and there are no suitable anti-tank weapons, it will be very disadvantageous to fight in positional warfare.
After the Japanese withdrew, the second platoon replaced the platoon with greater casualties, and the commander was also replaced by Zhang Yu, the commander of the second platoon.
Seeing that the first squadron was disabled, Major Uchimura asked them to go down to rest, and the second squadron took over for a new round of attack.
The Second Squadron has a full strength of 182 people. In the previous attack by the Falcon Team, more than a dozen people were injured or killed, so they only have more than 160 people who can go into battle.
Before the infantry attack, artillery preparation is definitely indispensable. The Japanese tactics are as simple as this:
The infantry charges, the artillery fires, the infantry charges the artillery, and then the artillery fires, just like this over and over again.
The Japs also have one of the most commonly used tactics, which is to encircle them with two wings. However, the terrain of Chenjialing makes it impossible to implement an enveloping tactic. The trail in Taihang Mountain is only so wide, and there are either cliffs or steep mountains on both sides.
"Boom boom boom!"
The Japanese artillery preparations began. Two infantry guns continued to bombard the seventh company's position, but unfortunately the effect was not great.
As long as the ring fortifications built by the Seventh Company are not heavy artillery of 105 mm or above, even 75 mm howitzers are useless, let alone two infantry guns.
Ten minutes later, the Japanese Second Squadron began to attack. They were still arranged in several echelons. They had a proper combination of long-range, medium and close-range firepower, and skillful team and group cooperation. At first glance, they were old Japanese.
The two sides exchanged fire at about 80 meters away. The Japanese fought very patiently. This time they used infantry artillery and heavy machine guns as supporting firepower to cooperate with the second squadron's attack.
As long as the second row's machine guns fire more than a few bursts, the Japanese infantry artillery will follow up and clear them out at targeted locations. One machine gun has already been taken down by the Japanese infantry cannon.
This also serves as a reminder to the machine guns in the second row that they must not fire more than three bursts in one shooting position, and they must change places after firing.
The range of infantry artillery exceeds 1,500 meters, and the optimal distance is 600 to 800 meters. At this distance, the Eighth Route Army can only be beaten.
The Japanese tactics were very clear, which was to shoot against the second row between 80 and 100 meters away, creating opportunities for their infantry artillery.
As long as the Eighth Route Army's machine guns are knocked out, the Eighth Route Army will not be able to withstand their attack.
The abacus is very good!
Zhang Yu also has a strategy to deal with it. The machine gun fires only two or three bursts before changing positions. He uses snipers to snipe the Japanese officers and machine gunners. He uses a straight-shooting grenade to throw the grenade 100 meters away. Kill the Japanese infantry.
Both sides fought coldly and piecemeal, and the second platoon had plenty of time to play with the Japanese.
Li Tiezhu, the sniper of the fifth squad of the second platoon, finally has a sniper rifle with a scope. Shooting like this is Li Tiezhu's favorite combat mode. One of his sniper rifles can suppress a Japanese squad.
"Bah!"
Li Tiezhu looked through the scope and watched the head of the sergeant holding the command knife being smashed. He felt very happy. This was already the third time.
The power of the Zhongzheng rifle is very powerful. As long as it hits an important part, there will be no chance of survival.
The disadvantage is that the bolt is a bit heavy. After firing a round, you have to pull the bolt with a lot of force to eject the empty cartridge case, which will affect the shooter's condition to a certain extent.
Tiezhu pushed up another bullet and changed the sniper position. He never fired more than three shots in one place. This was the secret the company commander taught them to save their lives.
This time he set his sights on a heavy machine gun owned by the Japs. He was so brave that he even went crazy within a range of 500 meters. This was a naked provocation to him!
After Li Tiezhu arrived at the new sniper position, he quickly adjusted his condition, adjusted the ruler to the scale required for long-range shooting, and then looked for the Japs' main shooter through the scope. Soon he locked the target, and then gently clicked Pull the trigger.
"Bah!"
The Japanese heavy machine gunner was shot in the middle of his eyebrow and fell to one side.
The iron pillar pushed another bullet, which was already the last bullet in the magazine.
He once again aimed at the Japs' secondary shooter and fired another shot, sending him to the main shooter without any doubt.
Tie Zhu swerved out of reflex, and a bullet grazed his neck and flew out.
Tie Zhu quickly hid in the trench and spat:
"Damn it, we have a companion!"
Tie Zhu took out a bridge clip from his body, quickly inserted it into the magazine slot, and loaded 5 rounds of bullets. The moment the Japanese sniper took action, Tie Zhu had already discovered his position.
Tiezhu changed his sniping position. This position was easier to deal with the Japs. Tiezhu had fortifications and could change positions at any time, but the Japs could not. They could only lie there and shoot at the second row, which was a big disadvantage.
The Japs were well hidden. There was a protruding stone in front of him that could block bullets for him. Unless he shot, the iron pillars would not be able to hit him at all.
Tie Zhu knew that he would definitely take action again, so he was just waiting for the Japs. Snipers were very harmful, so the Japs must be eliminated.
It's time for both sides to compete for patience!
