On the front line, the Japanese are also constantly sending scouts to explore the main direction of the Su army's attack, whether it is in the south city or the north city.
At the headquarters of the Japanese Third General Army, Army Commander Akabane Dagui heard reports from the scouts, saying that the artillery unit of the Su Army was constantly testing artillery shells in Beicheng, and the main attack direction was most likely in Beicheng.
"Impossible, this must be a cover-up trick by the Su family army."
Akabane Dagui looked at the three division commanders in front of him and said, "Found in the east and attack in the west. This is the most commonly used method by the Su family army. There are a large number of minefields deployed outside the North City. The five kilometers of open space outside are not suitable for large corps operations, but the hills around Nancheng There are quite a few, there are many natural shelters, and the terrain is suitable for large corps to fight, so I think the main attack of the Su family army must be Nancheng."
"well."
The three division commanders also agreed.
"In this way," Akabane Dagui said to the deputy commander of the General Army behind him, "send the heavy artillery regiment, the armored regiment directly under the General Army, and the ace 213th Brigade to support Nancheng."
"Hiyi."
...
At the frontline headquarters of the 11th Army, after Chen Jie arranged for 200 field reporters, he called all the division commanders to the headquarters. Looking at the dozen division commanders in front of him, Chen Jie said with a smile, "This battle, I, Chen Jie, can rely on you all."
Having said that, Chen Jie pointed to the simulated sand table and said, "This is a 29:1 simulated sand table produced by the General Staff overnight. There is an army division in Beicheng defended by the Japanese, with more than 24,000 people, and there are no less than countless bunkers around it. Hundreds of them, so my plan is to use artillery to blow up the Japanese fortifications, and then send out the infantry."
"Also," Chen Jie continued, "the north and south cities are very close to each other, only about 40 miles apart. According to the Japs' marching speed, they can arrive in two hours, so before the war begins, we must first Confuse the devils."
"Pretend to attack Beicheng first."
Chen Jie held the baton and said, "Get the location of the Japs' support troops. If the Japs' support troops are in North City, we will turn around and attack Nancheng. Let the Japs' support troops rush to Nancheng for support and wait for the Japs' support." After the troops arrive in the south city, we will attack the north city. Let the support troops of the little devils run back and forth like walking dogs. When they are tired, we will gather all our strength to launch a full-scale attack and strive to capture the north city within five hours. .”
"Rocket artillery division," Chen Jie said to the four rocket artillery division commanders, "you sent two rocket artillery divisions and two heavy artillery divisions to bomb the North City. The main purpose of the bombing was to destroy the bunkers outside the city. Blow up the area and give the infantry a way out."
"Yes, Commander."
"As for the remaining two rocket artillery divisions," Chen Jie said to the other two rocket artillery divisions, "you use your mobility to go to Nancheng and confuse the little Japanese."
"clear."
After Chen Jie issued the order, the troops began to mobilize urgently, and the two rocket artillery divisions also began to rush to the Nancheng area. With their marching speed, they could reach their destination in a quarter of an hour.
At seven o'clock in the morning on the 19th, Chen Jie launched a feint attack three hours in advance.
In the rear artillery position, the two rocket artillery divisions were all in place, and 432 rocket launchers were ready, with all the barrels above aimed at the Japs' forward position.
On the side, two heavy artillery divisions and 96 152mm large-caliber howitzers also began to spread out. Cannons raised their proud heads as far as the eye could see. A large number of artillery shells were all in place, waiting for orders from above.
"It's time to give the little devil a taste of steel cannonballs."
Chen Jie said to the adjutant, "Order, three volleys, hit me hard. The heavy artillery division will hit first. After the heavy artillery division finishes, the rocket artillery division will hit again, and then the armored forces will feint attack."
"Yes, Commander."
After the artillery received the order, the 96 heavy artillery began to adjust their muzzles and aimed at the Japs' bunker, and the city wall began the first round of shelling.
"Aim straight and fire!"
As the artillery commander issued the order, 96 large-caliber howitzers began to roar, the entire ground was shaken, dust flew everywhere, and 96 steel artillery shells exploded towards the Japanese positions.
"Boom!"
The huge explosion set off a sea of fire, and the entire North City was shaken. The Japanese inside quickly became alert and began to prepare for a counterattack.
A 152mm howitzer hit the top of the Japs' bunker, directly blowing up the 40-centimetre-thick fortress. The Japs inside were blown to pieces by the huge explosion, leaving only a bloody mist inside the bunker.
Immediately afterwards, the second round of shells landed again.
This time the shells hit the city wall of the North City. The huge explosive force directly shook the entire city wall, scaring the Japanese so that they quickly fled the city wall. 96 steel shells were aimed at one point and bombed, directly blowing up a huge hole in the North City Wall. The cracks in the city wall will collapse with just one more bombardment.
However, the artillery did not bomb at this time, because now that the bombing has begun, the Japanese will immediately build fortifications for repairs, and then the artillery will have to carry out bombing. This has to be tried. After the general attack is imminent, the city wall will be bombed. , so that the Japanese can't react, and the infantry can just carry out a big charge.
At the headquarters of the Japanese 31st Division, the division commander was asking for help from the general army. He said that the Su family army had put the general attack direction in the North City. Because the wall of the North City had not been repaired for a long time, it was easy to explode.
Thinking clearly about this, Akabane Dagui secretly made a mistake, so he quickly asked the armored regiment, heavy artillery regiment, and 213th Infantry Brigade from Nancheng to come to North City for support.
After the troops in Nancheng learned about it, they quickly began to rush to Beicheng.
"Boom."
Immediately afterwards, the third round of shelling landed. This time the target was extended to the interior of Beicheng, where the Japanese arsenal and headquarters were located. However, it did not cause a big explosion, which showed that the Japanese arsenal was not destroyed.
After the heavy artillery division completed three rounds of artillery bombardment, a scorching temperature emanated from the barrel.
Three rounds of artillery fired 288 artillery shells, and war reporters also clearly recorded this scene, the scene of artillery shells bursting out of the muzzle.
"Attention all artillerymen."
After the heavy artillery division completed its bombing mission, it was time for the rocket artillery division. 432 rocket launchers formed a huge rocket artillery position, which made more than a dozen field reporters excited. This was the artillery force of their Daxia Kingdom.
"Three rounds of shooting, fire for me!"
Following an order, the 432 rocket launchers began to fire at full power, bursting out nearly 7,000 rocket shells in a moment, aiming at the little devil's minefields, bunkers, and artillery shells to provide fire coverage.
