Chinese martial arts! Grandmaster

Chapter 286 The Strongest Army in History

Cough cough—cough cough—!
After Colonel Hisakichi Takahashi was killed, the entire Kwantung Army was thrown into chaos.

Fujita shouted loudly, trying to reorganize the team.

but,

He had virtually no prestige in Takahashi Hisayoshi's army.

For a while,
The Kwantung Army was in complete chaos.

Ximentang's sniper rifle continued to fire.

At first, the hit rate was slightly low, but as the Kwantung Army charged closer, the accuracy improved.

Tap tap—!
Ximentang's heavy machine guns began to demonstrate their power as a "deadly weapon" on the battlefield.

Dozens of heavy machine guns, with immense power!
The heavy machine gun was blocking the entrance to the valley, so the light infantry had no chance of getting through.

As soon as it shows its face, it's immediately riddled with bullets.

Even with their shields raised, the heavily armored soldiers couldn't withstand the fierce fire from the heavy machine guns.

Simultaneously,

The Kwantung Army machine gunners would be taken out by snipers as soon as they set up their heavy machine guns.

The same applies to gunners!

As soon as the artillery starts setting up their guns, they will immediately become key targets for sniping.

The sniper rifle is not a single-shot weapon, but rather a five-round magazine.

Therefore,
The frequency of sniping is extremely high.

Following the heavy machine gun's fierce opening fire, the replica AK47 assault rifle also began firing fiercely at that moment.

The assault rifle magazine holds 30 bullets.

At this moment, Ximentang's mortars finally opened fire.

The direction of the artillery fire was the Kwantung Army's retreat route.

Although the mortars of the arc formation were dispersed, they were all targeting the same objective.

During this forced march to pursue the Kwantung Army, Ximen Tang's elite troops carried only one thousand mortars.

At this time, only three hundred gates were attacked, arranged in three rows.

After the first row fired, the second row followed, and then the third row.

Each artillery barrage was less than ten seconds apart, which largely avoided wasting shells.

Boom! Boom! Boom!
After the artillery cut off their retreat.

The Kwantung Army was in complete chaos, and its people were filled with fear and unease.

This battle was completely out of control for the Kwantung Army.

No one expected that the commander of the Kwantung Army would be the first to be assassinated.

Originally, according to Takahashi Hisakichi's plan, despite the powerful artillery of the Daiqian Ximen Hall army, they were able to achieve their goal.

but,

Within the valley passage, the advantage of artillery is not obvious.

Especially during a rapid charge, the distance of artillery bombardment can easily create blind spots.

Although there will definitely be resistance during the charge, as long as we break into the enemy's camp...

Next, the two sides will engage in close combat.

Takahashi Hisayoshi believed that his army could absolutely annihilate the Ximen Hall of the Great Qian Dynasty in a bayonet charge.

All soldiers in the Kwantung Army received special training in bayonet fighting.

On the battlefield, the short-statured Kwantung Army soldiers, with half their strength, defeated the North Russian army in hand-to-hand combat.

At present, as long as we can break into the enemy's camp, it means victory.

In every previous battle, Hisakichi Takahashi had used this tactic with unparalleled success.

At least Hisakichi Takahashi has never failed.

but,

This time, the positional battle with Ximentang had a completely different outcome.

Besides possessing unparalleled artillery, Ximentang also had other advantages.

They even had sniper rifles.

This sniper rifle not only has an extremely long range, but also incredibly high accuracy.

Under the relentless firing of snipers from Ximentang, commanders of the Kwantung Army were sniped and fell to the ground one after another.

Moreover, artillerymen, heavy machine gunners, and even heavily armored soldiers were precisely wiped out.

In the end, Takahashi Hisayoshi, the commander-in-chief, was also killed by a sniper from the Oguri Special Forces.

On the battlefield, any unit that loses its commander will fall apart.

However, the Kwantung Army truly lived up to its reputation as an elite force that upheld the spirit of Bushido.

Their army is renowned worldwide for its combat prowess and is famous for its bravery and skill in battle.

Despite suffering a fierce attack from Simon's Palace and losing its commander.

but,

The Kwantung Army did not collapse and flee.

Although they had lost their commander, they still followed their previous orders and launched an attack on the garrison of Ximentang.

at this time,

The Kwantung Army soldiers raised their muskets with bayonets fixed, hoping to charge into Ximentang's position and engage in hand-to-hand combat.

The spirit of Bushido played a very important role at this moment.

They had no fear of death.

As the elite troops of the Kwantung Army approached Ximentang's position, they were quickly crushed by heavy machine guns.

Under the suppression of dozens of heavy machine guns, the Kwantung Army had almost no chance to get close.

Especially after entering the 50-meter range, it becomes an area of ​​extremely strong firepower suppression by heavy machine guns.

Even though they were wearing thick heavy armor, they couldn't withstand the fierce fire of the heavy machine gun.

Without exception, anyone hit by a machine gun bullet or shrapnel from a grenade was knocked down and rendered incapable of fighting.

Because Ximentang's firepower was too strong.

Therefore,
The Kwantung Army was simply unable to organize an effective counterattack, not to mention that Takahashi Hisakichi was already dead.

This was nothing short of a massacre!

Without Colonel Hisakichi Takahashi's command, the Kwantung Army was like moths to a flame, rushing towards the heavy machine guns of Ximentang to their deaths.

Da da—da da—!
Amidst the roar of heavy machine guns, the entire valley passage transformed into a living hell.

The elite soldiers of the Kwantung Army fell one after another, riddled with bullets.

Some soldiers were even shot to pieces, their flesh and blood flying everywhere.

At close range, the power of a heavy machine gun is terrifying.

If it hits the body, it will tear a large hole.

Just then, Simon's mortars began to block their retreat.

Even if some Kwantung Army soldiers wanted to retreat, they no longer had the chance.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, mixed with the stench of blood, reminding everyone that a fierce battle was taking place here.

Meanwhile, the special operations regiments on both flanks of the Ximentang position began to converge towards the center.

Encirclement!

Indeed, as the Kwantung Army was continuously annihilated, Ximen Tang's army began to encircle them.

The entire battle, though seemingly long, actually lasted less than ten minutes from the initial charge to Takahashi Hisayoshi's death and the loss of control of the battlefield.

Under the relentless barrage of heavy machine gun fire.

In less than ten minutes, the more than 10,000 Kwantung Army soldiers responsible for covering the rear had been reduced to less than 2,000.

The troops at the very front of the charge suffered almost complete casualties.

They couldn't even get within fifty meters of Ximentang's position, let alone charge into it.

With the combined attack of the 'arrow formation' and the 'arc formation', how could Ximen Tang possibly give the opponent a chance for close combat?
As soon as the Kwantung Army got close, they would be hit with grenades.

At the same time, the assault rifle fired fiercely until the opponent fell to the ground.

The faster the Kwantung Army charged, the faster they died.

The Kwantung Army had never encountered an army with such terrifying firepower.

Even the army of the British Empire in the West could not possess such terrifying firepower.

With the frenzied attacks, the remaining remnants of the Kwantung Army had their fighting spirit completely shattered.

They wanted to escape, but their escape routes were blocked by mortars.

Panic spread throughout the Kwantung Army.

at this time,

The final clarion call for the Ximen Hall offensive has finally sounded.

The special operations regiment, equipped with fully automatic assault rifles, began clearing the battlefield.

The remaining less than two thousand Kwantung Army soldiers quickly collapsed.

Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Jie immediately ordered Aman to lead light infantry in a full-scale pursuit of the fleeing Kwantung Army soldiers.

Because this time, when they went out of the city to pursue the Kwantung Army, Ximen Tang's vanguard force only consisted of 10,000 men.

Thirty thousand troops led by Xiong Chao are on their way.

This was the first real land battle for Ximentang since they took up residence in Songjiang Prefecture.

Apart from leaving 10,000 troops to defend the city.

The remaining 40,000 elite troops were mobilized in full force, with the aim of annihilating this entire Kwantung Army. For everyone in the Ximen Hall, this was a golden opportunity to earn merit.

Moreover, now that we have the upper hand, everyone is willing to kick a dog when it's down.

The elite special operations troops generally do not give the enemy a chance to get close.

therefore,

Under Aman's leadership, Ximentang began clearing the area.

As soon as he saw a live one, he would pull the trigger.

The Kwantung Army had already been defeated, and it had no power to resist the clearing operation by the Ximeng Special Forces Regiment.

In less than five minutes, the entire system collapsed.

When the Kwantung Army arrived in the Great Qian Dynasty, whether it was invading Shandong or landing in Lushun in the Northeast and sweeping across Liaodong.

They had never been defeated and had always chased the Daqian army around.

right now,

The situation has finally reversed.

Ximen Tang's army chased after the Kwantung Army.

At this point, even if the Kwantung Army soldiers wanted to escape, they had no chance at all.

Even when some Kwantung Army soldiers surrendered, it was to no avail; the Ximentang Special Operations Regiment didn't give them a chance to surrender at all.

no way,
They are currently only the rearguard of the Sakata Army, not the main force of the Sakata Army.

At this time, Ximen Tang refused to accept prisoners.

After seeing that the battlefield had been mostly cleared, Chen Jie said to Tie Niu, who was following him:
"Master Tie, the Japanese have always called themselves the 'Invincible Army'!"

"Now that I think about it, it's not that great!"

Tie Niu nodded, remaining silent for a long time.

He was extremely excited at that moment.

Regardless, this time it was Ximentang who sent troops to garrison Songjiang Prefecture and pursued the Japanese to Nantong Prefecture.

He represented the Grand Council in assisting Ximentang, although he only brought a few hundred men with him, serving as logistical personnel accompanying the army.

However, since the military command had rendered meritorious service in defeating the Sakata army in Nantong Prefecture, they were bound to receive a reward from the imperial court.

-

Sakata Takeo heard the sounds of cannons and gunfire and was extremely anxious.

He had his main force set up an "ironclad defense" and was ready to set off to support Takahashi Hisakichi at any time.

Top priority,
The first thing to do is to find out the number of people and equipment of Ximentang's pursuing forces.

In his opinion, once the two sides entered positional warfare, it would take at least half an hour to determine a winner.

but,

Shortly after he dispatched his men, someone arrived at his door on horseback with a report:

"Reporting to the general, Colonel Hisakichi Takahashi has been killed in action. The rearguard command collapsed completely and was defeated by the Daqian army!"

Upon hearing this, Takeo Sakata was greatly surprised:
"Impossible! Only a few minutes have passed, how could the battle be over?"

"Colonel Hisayoshi Takahashi commands 10,000 elite Kwantung Army soldiers, who are also equipped with heavy firepower!"

Although he understood that with the 10,000 troops under Takahashi Hisayoshi's command, he certainly couldn't stop the army of the Daqian Ximen Hall.

but,

From the start of the battle to its end, it only lasted a dozen minutes.
How could more than 10,000 elite Kwantung Army soldiers lose so quickly?

Therefore,
Not only did Takeo Sakata not believe it, but even his closest confidants couldn't believe it.

The soldier responsible for delivering the message affirmed:
"General, Colonel Hisakichi Takahashi has been killed in action! I saw it with my own eyes—!"

"Luckily I retreated quickly, otherwise the Daqian army's artillery would have blocked my retreat and I wouldn't have been able to come back at all!"

finished,

He pointed behind him and said:

"The battle over there is over, and the Daqian army will catch up soon!"

"idiot--!"

Upon hearing this, Takeo Sakata looked up and turned to look behind him.

hiss--!
Then, he couldn't help but take a deep breath.

really,

After defeating Takahashi Hisayoshi's forces, Ximen Tang's army quickly caught up.

It is clear,
In the battle just now, Ximentang suffered very few casualties.

"Damn it—what on earth is going on?"

Sakata Takeo simply couldn't accept all of this.

Hisakichi Takahashi led 10,000 men to cover the rear, and they were equipped with heavy firepower.

The original purpose of having them cover the rear was to have them hold off Ximentang's army.

Who would have thought that Ximentang would break through their defenses in just over ten minutes?

in fact,

What Takeo Sakata didn't know was that Hisakichi Takahashi did not follow his orders to engage in positional defense when pursued by Nishimondo.

If Takahashi Hisakichi sets up an impenetrable fortress and doesn't launch an attack on Nishimondo.

Then,

Even if Ximentang could defeat Takahashi Hisayoshi's alliance, it definitely wouldn't be this fast.

Therefore, in land battles, while weaponry and equipment are important, tactics are absolutely crucial.

Takeo Sakata was indeed the best commander in the Kwantung Army, having experienced large-scale battles.

He did not panic, but instead gave the order for the Kwantung Army to form ranks and begin to meet the Ximen Hall Army of the Daqian Dynasty.

in addition,

He sent an urgent order to Dongmen Wulang, instructing him to retreat and provide support, to flank the garrison from the sidelines and cut off Ximentang's army's retreat.

Although Takahashi Hisayoshi's army was defeated, the 80,000 elite troops of the Sakata Army were still intact.

The Kwantung Army was indeed one of the most powerful armies in the world.

They were well-equipped and well-trained, and their battle formation was orderly and disciplined.

In less than ten minutes, the battle formation was quickly set up, ready for battle.

at this time,

Some of the routed soldiers under Takahashi Hisayoshi escaped from the artillery fire.

Seeing their disheveled state, Takeo Sakata was too shocked to utter a sound.

Damn it—!
Is this still the same Kwantung Army that once swept through the Allied forces of North Russia?

The Kwantung Army, known as one of the world's strongest armies, was actually defeated so badly?
Sakata Takeo, a seasoned veteran, naturally knew that morale was of utmost importance at this time.

He brandished his sword, signaling the Japanese field artillery and heavy machine guns to prepare.

Within a radius of several kilometers, the iron barrel formation formed a large circle.

Thousands of Japanese field guns were aimed at the path that Ximen Tang was pursuing.

at this time,

As soon as Ximen Tang's army enters the line of sight at the mouth of the valley, they will be under the fire of the Kwantung Army's artillery.

but,

Just as Ximentang's army was about to enter the valley entrance, they suddenly stopped.

From a hillside a few kilometers away, Chen Jie saw through his binoculars that the main force of the Sakata Army had already formed an "iron barrel formation"!
then,

He ordered his troops to halt and wait for Xiong Chao's 30,000-strong army to join him.

Under Aman's leadership, Ximentang retreated 100 meters at the bend in the valley to avoid entering the enemy's artillery range.

Sakata Takeo summoned the soldiers who had just fled and asked them in detail what had happened during the pursuit.

Why were Takahashi Hisayoshi's allied forces completely defeated in just over ten minutes?
quickly,

After learning that Takahashi Hisayoshi had been sniped at the very beginning of the battle, Sakata Takeo couldn't help but take a deep breath.

No wonder they lost so quickly!
It turns out that Ximen Tang's army was so despicable that they actually targeted and assassinated the commander of the Kwantung Army.

Once he understood the key point, he immediately ordered all commanders to change out of their officer uniforms and put on the helmets of ordinary soldiers.

He was the first to change his 'major general uniform' into ordinary soldier's clothes, and even let his personal guards carry his command sword.

in addition,

He ordered all machine gunners and artillerymen to wear helmets and armor.

As one of the most outstanding commanders in the Kwantung Army, Takeo Sakata had an extremely keen sense of the battlefield.

From the very beginning, sensing the crisis, they abandoned their attack on Songjiang Prefecture.

As he retreated all the way to Nantongzhou, his sense of crisis grew stronger, and he did not rashly retreat to support the Takahashi Hisakichi coalition.

Takeo Sakata truly deserved the rank of 'Major General of the Kwantung Army'.

Although he found it unbelievable that Simon had accurately shot down the commander of the Kwantung Army.

How could Ximentang's muskets have such high accuracy at such a long distance?
but,

To prevent any potential danger, he quickly ordered all commanders to change their clothes to avoid being sniped by the enemy.

Ten minutes later,

Just as Sakata Takeo had everything prepared, Nishimondo's army finally began its operation.

Xiong Chao led 30,000 elite troops of the Ximen Hall's "Xiong Division" to join forces with Chen Jie's 10,000 troops.

This battle,
Chen Jie wanted to take down the entire Sakata Allied Forces in one fell swoop!
(End of this chapter)