Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

at the same time.

Other troops in the Jinzhong base area each launched an attack from the south and north of the Niangziguan Fortress, with one battalion from each side.

In a short time, the Japanese suffered considerable losses due to the New First Regiment's three-three system tactics.

In the southern, eastern, and northern regions, the Japanese forward positions were all captured by the attacking forces of the New First Regiment.

"idiot."

At the Niangziguan Fortress, in the headquarters of the 108th Brigade, Major General Yoshitaro Hayashi's face darkened upon learning of the situation.

Although Niangziguan Fortress was very large, the fact that the front lines were captured by the Eighth Route Army so quickly made the situation very unfavorable for the 108th Brigade.

"Order the bunkers and mountain guns to open fire."

"The infantry launched a counterattack."

"Recapture the front lines within one hour!"

Yoshitaro Hayashi issued the order in a cold and stern tone.

During the construction of the Niangziguan Fortress.

The Japanese deployed mountain guns and fortress-style cannons inside concrete fortifications.

The Eighth Route Army did the same thing back then.

The advantage of doing this is that it can effectively avoid being hit by enemy artillery fire and aerial bombs.

However, the Japanese never expected this.

The Eighth Route Army not only gained air superiority, but also deployed powerful heavy artillery, specifically designed to destroy concrete fortifications.

However, the Japanese quickly reacted and moved some of the surviving mountain guns into tunnels and bunkers.

Inside the Niangziguan Fortress, there are still some unexposed concrete bunkers and tunnel firing ports.

"Hi."

Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi abruptly lowered his head, then turned around and quickly relayed the order.

After issuing the order.

Yoshitaro Hayashi and Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi quickly went to their hiding place on the mountaintop to observe the battle situation.

Following the order from the brigade headquarters.

Inside the Niangziguan Fortress, some well-concealed firing positions were exposed by having bricks removed and cannon barrels protruding from the tunnel entrances, all pointing towards the Japanese forward positions.

On the front lines, the Eighth Route Army, which had already captured the area, was taking a short break in preparation for the next phase of the offensive.

suddenly--

"Da da da…"

"Boom boom boom..."

Inside the Niangziguan Fortress, the sounds of machine guns and explosions filled the air, with dense bullets raining down on the front lines and explosions erupting everywhere.

"Be careful!"

Although the new regiment suffered casualties, the soldiers did not appear panicked. The company commander, while reminding the soldiers to take cover, issued orders:

"Artillery observer, immediately report the enemy's bunkers and artillery positions' firing data to the rear artillery positions!"

In an instant, a hundred cannons roared from the artillery positions of the new regiment behind them.

Shells rained down on the hilltop of Niangziguan Fortress.

but,

The Japanese machine guns and mountain artillery positions were all located inside concrete bunkers and tunnels, so the shelling did little damage to the Japanese.

Soon after a barrage of artillery fire from the Japanese, the infantry, bayonets at their ready, launched a counterattack against the Eighth Route Army on the front lines, attempting to retake the positions.

The artillery units in the rear opened fire, although the long-range artillery could not suppress the Japanese firing positions in the bunkers and tunnels.

But fighting Japanese infantry was incredibly satisfying.

Under the combined fire of machine guns and artillery, the Japanese infantry suffered dozens of casualties and were quickly driven back.

"idiot!"

On the hilltop, seeing this scene, Hayashi Yoshitaro was furious. Even with attacks from above, supported by bunkers and mountain artillery, they couldn't recapture the forward positions?
"Your Excellency, the artillery firepower of the Eighth Route Army is too fierce, and the accuracy of its strikes is very high; it can hit almost any target."

Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi, the chief of staff, spoke with a deep sense of helplessness.

Hayashi Yoshitaro sneered, "Among the Eighth Route Army troops that have stormed the hilltop, there must be Eighth Route Army artillery observers. We must eliminate them..."

He paused here, explaining that he wanted to kill the Eighth Route Army artillery observer, but he simply couldn't.

The recent counterattack, while inflicting some casualties on the Eighth Route Army, resulted in even greater losses for the Japanese.

Moreover, the second wave of air support from the Eighth Route Army had not yet arrived.

If troops were to continue the counterattack at this point, the losses would be even greater if the Eighth Route Army's planes arrived.

"Next, the Eighth Route Army infantry will continue their attack," Hayashi Yoshitaro said, changing the subject. "What we need to do is shoot them one by one on their way!"

"Hi!"

Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi suddenly lowered his head.

Not long after, the Eighth Route Army's air support arrived as expected, and immediately launched a wave of dive-bombing and bombing raids on the hilltops occupied by the Japanese at Niangziguan.

"Boom boom boom..."

After the planes finished their dive-bombing and bombing, the three artillery groups to the north, south, and east bombarded the Japanese hilltop for another half hour.

After this wave of bombing and shelling, the hilltops of Niangziguan Fortress were blasted to pieces, with white rocks and ash exposed, and the remains of Japanese soldiers could be vaguely seen. Although some Japanese bunkers were not destroyed, they were also exposed.

"Now, we must continue our attack on the enemy's hilltop positions."

On the eastern front line, the company commander of the third company of the eighth battalion convened a meeting with the squad and platoon leaders.

The 5th Company, which had previously attacked the forward positions, has withdrawn for rest and recuperation.

"Once you spot an enemy firing position, do not attempt to attack; immediately seek cover."

"Our artillery observers will call for artillery support for us."

"Is the artillery support effective?" the platoon leader asked. "The shelling and bombing over the past half hour haven't destroyed the Japanese bunkers."

The third company commander smiled slightly: "I just received a notification from the battalion headquarters that the B4 heavy howitzer positions are ready."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the squad and platoon leaders lit up.

The troops of the Jinzhong Military Region were not equipped with B4 heavy howitzers.

Currently, the Eighth Route Army has a total of 26 of these weapons, with 13 in the 129th Division and the other 13 in the New 1st Regiment of the Jin-Sui Military Region.

In preparation for the attack on Niangziguan Fortress, the heavy howitzer battalion of the 129th Division has been temporarily assigned to Xing Zhiguo's command by the division commander.

"With the support of the B4 heavy howitzer, this battle will be much easier," the second platoon leader said confidently.

"We must not underestimate the enemy," the Third Company instructor warned. "Although the B4 heavy howitzer can destroy enemy bunkers, it cannot destroy tunnel fortifications. We have to take down all the tunnel firing ports one by one."

"Understood!" The squad leaders nodded.

"Follow me!" After giving the tactical instructions again, the third company commander picked up a submachine gun and led his soldiers up the hill.

The attack on the hilltop still employed the three-man tactic, with all soldiers forming groups of three. Moreover, after confirming safety at each concealed position, they would crouch down and proceed to the next concealed position.

Soon, the Third Company encountered its first Japanese bunker, where two Type 92 heavy machine guns opened fire on it.

Caught off guard, one attack team fell in a pool of blood, while the other soldiers quickly lay prone to take cover.

Even so, sporadic gunshots rang out on the mountain, and almost every shot hit an Eighth Route Army soldier.

"There are Japanese snipers."

"Everyone, stay hidden."

The company commander quickly pinpointed the location of the Japanese sniper and shouted to the artillery observer:

"The sniper is positioned at the 1 o'clock position, about 400 meters away from us. Call in the B4 heavy howitzer to fire at the Japanese sniper."

"Sniping duel?" The artillery observer thought of this term.

The only difference was that the Eighth Route Army's sniper rifles were 203mm caliber, while the Japanese sniper rifles were 6.5mm caliber.

Despite these thoughts, the artillery observer acted swiftly, confirming the firing data and promptly calling for artillery positions. (End of Chapter)