Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Chapter 625: The Flamethrower Tank is Now Available!

While Hayashi Yoshitaro was pondering.

Another huge explosion came from the opposite hilltop.

When the explosions stopped, he quickly raised his binoculars and looked out, only to see that the bunkers among the rocks had been destroyed by heavy howitzers.

The two Type 92 heavy machine guns in the bunker fell silent, and the machine gunner and the stockpiled food and ammunition inside were reduced to dust.

The Eighth Route Army emerged from their various concealed positions and continued their attack on the hilltop.

"idiot!"

Upon seeing this, Hayashi Yoshitaro immediately launched into a furious tirade.

Using 203mm howitzers to deal with concrete fortifications is one thing.

They also used 203mm howitzers to deal with snipers deployed on the hilltop.

Dozens or even hundreds of large-caliber high-explosive grenades were used just to eliminate five sniper teams?!
That's the kind of nouveau riche fighting style of the Eighth Route Army.

Even if there were more sniper teams, they would only be feeding the Eighth Route Army with artillery shells.

But in this situation, he has no other choice.

"Yamauchi-kun!"

"Immediately assemble sniper teams, and request the division headquarters to deploy even more sniper teams to the Niangziguan battlefield!"

Hayashi Yoshitaro said in a cold and stern tone.

"Brigade Commander, I retract my previous tactical suggestion. The Eighth Route Army's artillery fire is too powerful. They started with artillery barrage right from the beginning, making it too difficult for snipers to survive," Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi said with concern.

With the Eighth Route Army's extravagant tactics, even a large number of sniper teams would be easy prey.

"We have no other choice now!" Lin Fangtaro said coldly. "We can only use our veterans and elite troops to deplete the Eighth Route Army's artillery shells as much as possible. This will be beneficial for the subsequent decisive battle between the North China Area Army and the Eighth Route Army."

Lieutenant Colonel Yamauchi: "...Hi!"

Immediately afterwards, the attacking Eighth Route Army encountered the Japanese tunnels, where the Japanese set up machine guns and mountain guns at the tunnel entrances and opened fire.

However, the soldiers did not launch a direct assault, but immediately called for artillery support from the B4 heavy howitzers.

After a barrage of 203mm high-explosive shells at the entrance to the Japanese tunnels, the infantry rushed up and used flamethrowers to roast the enemy.

Although the Eighth Route Army suffered losses with every step forward, the heavy artillery support ensured that the losses were not significant.

Under Xing Zhiguo's command, the troops in the Jinzhong base area are gradually eroding the 108th Division stationed at the Niangziguan Fortress.

"Nani?"

"The Eighth Route Army used heavy howitzers to deal with five sniper teams?"

at the same time.

In Shimen City, at the headquarters of the Japanese 110th Division, Lieutenant General Takaaki Sangki, the division commander, suddenly stood up after listening to the report from his communications staff officer, his face filled with disbelief.

In another timeline, because the brilliant general of the younger brother country withered in the Taihang Mountains, Abe Norihide sent a telegram to the headquarters before his death, saying that Kuwagi Takaaki had failed to come to his aid. As a result, Kuwagi Takaaki was quickly transferred away.

However, at present, Abe Norihide's death has nothing to do with Kuwagi Takaaki, so Kuwagi Takaaki is still serving as the commander of the 110th Division.

However, Sang Mu Chongming was originally from the artillery and had served as the commander of a heavy artillery brigade.

In the last Jin-Sui Campaign, Sang Mu Chongming served as the temporary commander of the heavy artillery division.

It was precisely because of his extensive experience as an artillery commander that Takaaki Sangmu was shocked and even incredulous.

To deal with five sniper teams and a mere ten soldiers, the Eighth Route Army actually used a heavy howitzer with the same caliber as the Type 10 240mm howitzer!
Sang Mu Chongming really wanted to curse the Eighth Route Army as beasts, saying it was a complete waste of resources!

Why should such strategic-level heavy artillery and shells be used against snipers?
Sniper? You think you're worthy?
"Hi." The communications officer bowed his head. "The Eighth Route Army used 150mm and 200mm heavy artillery and fired nearly 100 high-explosive shells. All five sniper teams were wiped out. In addition, the 108th Brigade headquarters requested that more sniper teams be sent to the Niangziguan battlefield."

"What?!" Before the words were even finished, Chief of Staff Colonel Nakamura exclaimed in shock and anger, "Isn't Major General Lin Fang sending the Eighth Route Army's sniper team to their deaths?" "Although our 110th Division has many sharpshooters, they can't withstand the Eighth Route Army's artillery barrage."

"Without these sharpshooters, the combat effectiveness of our 110th Division will be significantly reduced..."

Sang Mu Chongming said decisively, "Send more snipers to the 108th Brigade!"

"Your Excellency, Division Commander..."

Colonel Nakamura's eyes widened. He didn't understand. Wasn't it obvious that sending sharpshooters and snipers was just sending them to their deaths?

"Nakamura-kun, you're the chief of staff, how come you can't do accounting?"

"Division Commander, what does this have to do with settling accounts?"

Colonel Nakamura still didn't understand.

"The Eighth Route Army used about 100 heavy artillery shells to eliminate five sniper teams. Wouldn't it take 1000 heavy artillery shells to eliminate 50 sniper teams?"

Sang Mu Chongming looked somewhat displeased.

"Division Commander, I understand," Colonel Nakamura said, suddenly realizing. "You mean, use sniper teams to wear down the Eighth Route Army's artillery shells?"

“That’s right.” Sang Mu Chongming nodded.

"Your Excellency the Division Commander is wise, I admire you," Colonel Nakamura said. "I suggest that not all sniper teams need to be composed of sharpshooters. We can mix in some ordinary soldiers to form sniper teams, equipped with ordinary Type 38 rifles."

“Okay.” Sang Mu Chongming nodded with pleasure. “Make the arrangements as soon as possible. The 108th Brigade may not be able to hold out at Niangziguan for long.”

Colonel Nakamura: "Hi."

……

The next morning.

The main force of the new regiment advanced to Yangqu, while Ding Wei's troops on the left flank also advanced to a position more than 30 kilometers away from Taiyuan.

The Japanese forces in Yangqu were few in number. The 39th Brigade, which had fled to Yangqu County, also fled to Taiyuan last night. The New First Regiment quickly recaptured Yangqu County.

At the headquarters of the New First Regiment, Zhang Dabiao reported the situation at the front to Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang:

"Reporting to the regimental commander and political commissar. The troops' advance to the south has been stalled. The Japanese have built a large number of fortifications on Qinglong Mountain and Qizi Mountain."

Li Yunlong then asked, "What kind of fortifications are these?"

Zhang Dabiao replied, "Tunnel fortifications, concrete and brick bunkers and pillboxes. Concrete and brick bunkers and pillboxes are not difficult to deal with, but the Japanese tunnel fortifications are more troublesome."

Before advancing to the outskirts of Taiyuan, the New First Regiment still had several hills to conquer, namely Qinglong Mountain, Wohu Mountain, and Qizi Mountain.

Qinglong Mountain is located south of Yangqu County, while Qizi Mountain is located west of the county.

Wohushan is located northeast of Taiyuan. It was on Wohushan that the artillery unit of the New First Regiment used 120mm heavy mortars to bombard Taiyuan New City Airport.

However, the Japanese are now carrying out large-scale construction on these hilltops, turning them into fortified strongholds.

If the Eighth Route Army in another timeline had the same level of equipment and strength, it would have been almost impossible for them to recapture Taiyuan.

In addition to the Japanese army's concrete fortifications, the Japanese also learned from the Eighth Route Army's tunnel fortifications.

"Let the troops test the waters first," Zhao Gang said. "If we really can't take it, we'll think of other tactics. If all else fails, we'll go around to the south of Taiyuan and attack from the south city wall into the city. As long as we destroy the headquarters of the Japanese First Army, we'll have won most of the battle."

Just then, Zhang, the communications company commander, strode in with a telegram in his hand: "Reporting, Commander, Boss Lin just sent a telegram asking if we need to exchange for flamethrower tanks immediately."

Zhao Gang's eyes lit up immediately: "Boss Lin is a real lifesaver."

"A flamethrower tank?" Li Yunlong's expression brightened, and he quickly asked, "How much?"

(End of this chapter)