Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

The outer perimeter of the Japanese army's positions in Xinxian County.

After the heavy howitzer attack was completed, the aircraft of the New 1st Regiment's flight squadron carried out another bombing raid on the outer positions of the Japanese troops.

Whether it was the new regiment's flight squadron or the independent squadron directly under headquarters, they had an excessive amount of ammunition.

Large transport planes landed at Daguzhen Airport every day, delivering various aerial bombs and napalm to the Eighth Route Army Air Force.

As for aviation fuel, Li Yunlong earned another 3 tons of grade 150 aviation fuel this time.

It is enough for the more than 3 aircraft of the new regiment to carry out three strategic decisive battles.

The excessive supply of aviation fuel and napalm, along with the temporary rotation of pilots, made the Eighth Route Army's air firepower extremely formidable.

In an instant, the outer perimeter of the Japanese fortifications was once again engulfed in flames.

"right here."

On a flat area near Xinxian County, Li Erxi led a company of artillery to the location.

"This location is 4 kilometers away from the enemy's concrete fortifications. The enemy's heavy machine guns can't reach it, and their mortars and infantry guns can't hit us either. It's a perfect place for an artillery position."

There's a specific reason for this distance.

The Japanese heavy machine guns had a range of 1000 meters, the Type 97 mortars had a maximum range of 3800 meters, and the infantry guns had a maximum range of 2800 meters.

Although the heavy howitzer positions were still within range of the Japanese mountain guns.

However, the artillery positions of the Guizishan artillery inside the city walls had been destroyed.

If the Japanese dare to set up artillery positions in the county town to bombard heavy howitzer positions, then the Eighth Route Army fighters and attack aircraft circling in the sky will let the Japanese artillerymen taste the flavor of aerial bombs and 20mm cannon shells.

Under Li Erxi's command, the tractor pulled four 203mm howitzers to their designated positions.

A dozen minutes later, under his command, four B4 heavy howitzers were installed, their muzzles aimed at the Japanese fortifications.

The B-4 employs a special dual recoil-retreat system, making it the first artillery piece in the Soviet Union to be equipped with this system, resulting in exceptional stability during firing.

When the artillery fires, the rear section of its chassis lowers its attitude, while the rear spade is inserted into the ground to form a stable firing platform.

At this time, more than fifty ammunition loading vehicles, designed using the T-18 tank chassis and intended for use with the B-4 gun, arrived near the gun position.

This loading design is very innovative.

First, it places the fuel tank inside the vehicle body, which is essentially two shipping containers with armor thickness of 5-7 millimeters. Each container can carry 5 rounds of 203mm ammunition.

Each ammunition loading vehicle can carry 10 shells, and with more than 50 ammunition loading vehicles, there are a total of more than 500 shells.

On the Soviet side, after this design plan was finalized, it was submitted to higher authorities for review, but there was never any response.

However, the dog system was successfully implemented, which significantly improved the resupply efficiency of the B4 heavy howitzer.

Furthermore, the dog system also equipped the ammunition loading vehicle with a special crane for loading and unloading shells, for which Lin Feng gave the dog system a thumbs up.

By the way, the shells are also more powerful.

"Target: Concrete pillbox No. 1 directly ahead."

Under Li Erxi's command, each artilleryman took their positions. First, the gunners loaded shells and propellant charges, closed the breech and checked the airtightness. The two gunners responsible for adjusting the firing data, with their glasses close to the sights, quickly rotated the elevation and leveling mechanisms, and the muzzle slowly pointed at the Japanese No. 1 concrete blockhouse.

It was a five- or six-meter-high, circular concrete pillbox, two meters thick, with firing ports on both the upper and lower levels.

Unlike brick and stone watchtowers, which have crenellations on top, concrete circular watchtowers are like a cylindrical structure standing there.

All four 203mm howitzers were pointed at the No. 1 concrete blockhouse.

This is a tactic taught by the instructors sent by Boss Lin, which involves using 4-6 B-4 howitzers to bombard a single hardened target in a concentrated manner, thus compensating for the low rate of fire of a single gun.

"Shot 1 ready, Shot 2 ready..." "Fire at will!" Li Erxi gave the order.

With a direct-fire capability of 4 kilometers, there is no need for forward artillery observers to correct the point of impact.

To prevent the enemy from counterattacking and destroying the artillery, Zhang Fugui, deputy battalion commander of the 3st Battalion of the Independent Brigade, personally led three companies of infantry to deploy at a distance of one kilometer from the Japanese concrete fortifications. A tank company was also nearby, ready to provide support at any time.

Meanwhile, two other companies of the heavy howitzer battalion also set up their cannons in the distance, aiming them at the Japanese concrete fortifications.

It was 10:10 a.m., the weather was clear and visibility was excellent. The Japanese soldiers were not blind, and their observers also spotted the Eighth Route Army's heavy howitzers.

However, it was precisely because they saw the heavy howitzer that the Japanese soldiers became even more panicked.

"Report to the squad leader, the Eighth Route Army has brought heavy artillery!" The Japanese observer reported in a panicked tone from inside the No. 1 concrete bunker.

"Why are you panicking?"

"Even a 150mm heavy cannon can't destroy the locust army's pillbox."

The Japanese squad leader guarding the pillbox remained completely calm.

A few days ago, the Eighth Route Army did use 105mm howitzers to fire directly at the concrete fortifications, but it only scratched the surface of the concrete fortifications.

"The Eighth Route Army has deployed artillery of 200mm or more this time!"

The Japanese observer's tone remained flustered.

"Nani!"

"Cannons with a diameter of 200mm or more?"

The Japanese squad leader's tone was filled with fear.

After preparing steel plates and sealing the exits of the concrete fortifications with bricks and stones, the Japanese fortifications were able to effectively avoid attacks from the Eighth Route Army's incendiary bombs. The Japanese prepared ample ammunition and food in each concrete fortification, intending to wage a protracted war and try to use these fortifications to inflict heavy damage on the Eighth Route Army.

The baptism of Bushido and military ideology made these Japanese soldiers fearless and ready to serve the Japanese at any time.

However, the Japanese never expected that the Eighth Route Army would bring heavy artillery with a capacity of 200mm or more!
"Damn it, it really is a cannon with a caliber of over 200 mm! We're in trouble!"

Upon reaching the observation window on the second floor, the Japanese squad leader stood on a stool, raised his binoculars, and looked toward the Eighth Route Army's artillery position. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

Looking at the cannons that had already been set up in the distance, even though only a corner of them was visible, the Japanese squad leader could tell that the caliber of these cannons was definitely 200 millimeters, and the muzzles of the four cannons were already pointing at the No. 1 concrete blockhouse.

During the previous shelling, the Japanese could not see the Eighth Route Army's artillery positions because the artillery positions of the company were far away.

"It must have been the bombardment of the city wall two hours ago."

Taking a deep breath, the Japanese squad leader spoke with a horrified tone:

"Immediately request tactical guidance from the company commander..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he saw four cannons opposite him, their muzzles bursting with flames in succession, and he even saw cannonballs flying straight towards him.

"Prepare for artillery fire!"

The Japanese squad leader shouted loudly, covered his ears, opened his mouth wide, and jumped off the bench to hide.

However, after being hit by four shells, the No. 1 concrete pillbox was blown to smithereens, and all the Japanese soldiers in the squad inside were blown to dust.

"continue……"

After a round of artillery fire destroyed an enemy pillbox, Li Erxi showed no pride and ordered the attack to continue.

On this day, the 9th Brigade's concrete bunkers and pillboxes outside the city were destroyed one by one by B4 howitzers.

The Japanese soldiers of the 9th Brigade affectionately called this cannon "Li Yunlong's Hammer." (End of Chapter)