The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Begins in Songhu

Chapter 638 Snowflakes Fall Without a Trace (Bonus Chapter for Friends Afar)
Time: February 11, 1942, 00:03, less than 27 hours before General Zhao's accident.

Location: Not far from Jiamusi, where the city's outline and lights can be faintly seen.

"Hold on tight! The wheel has been blown out, be careful not to overturn."

When she felt the car suddenly shake violently, the already unruly steering wheel became abnormally taut, and the front of the car kept veering to one side, Annie suddenly shouted out this sentence.

After shouting, the girl became extremely focused.

I dared not slam on the brakes, much less jerk the steering wheel in the other direction.

Instead, while gripping the steering wheel tightly to keep the truck traveling in a straight line, he gradually released the accelerator; after the speed decreased, he continuously downshifted and lightly applied the brakes until the truck came to a complete stop.

At this point, Hu Biao dared not speak at all throughout the entire process, lest he put more pressure on Annie and cause the car to overturn.

Only then did he dare to brandish his submachine gun, resting the sturdy butt against the steel plate behind the driver's cab.

The sound of 'ding, ding, ding ding ding' – two short and three long claps – signaled for everyone to immediately abandon the truck.

After receiving the above signal twice, Hu Biao kicked open the car door, jumped to the ground, and rolled on the spot.

After hastily getting up covered in snowflakes, he began firing wildly with his submachine gun, completely disregarding the consumption of ammunition.

While speaking, he shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Everyone take turns providing cover and retreat towards the woods on the left. Once we're inside the woods, these four-legged creatures won't be able to charge."

The reason for the above situation is quite simple:
An hour earlier, the number of Japanese soldiers blocking their path had increased significantly, posing a growing threat.

Although they relied on their formidable fighting prowess to continuously fight their way through the Japanese soldiers' blockades, the engine of the truck Van Gogh was driving was unfortunately damaged during this process.

It tried to start several times, but couldn't get it to start again.

Fortunately, the personnel on board, along with their weapons and equipment, were transferred to two other trucks.

The truck bed immediately became quite crowded. Given the poor loading capacity of the Japanese trucks, it was already overloaded, but they were still able to make do and continue on their way.

Unfortunately, twenty minutes earlier, a large Japanese cavalry unit, numbering three hundred and forty or fifty men, appeared.

Even if Hu Biao and the others didn't want to admit it, the reality was just that cruel: under the current road conditions, the Japanese warhorses, once they started galloping, were actually faster than their trucks.

We could only watch as they caught up little by little, and constantly engage in a fierce battle with them.

The Japanese soldiers were firing from horseback at full speed, so their marksmanship was definitely affected considerably.

However, after a while, someone still managed to shoot out one of the front left tires of the truck that Annie was driving.

If it weren't for Annie's excellent driving skills and quick reflexes, the truck might have overturned.

Even so, the Japanese Isuzu Type 94 truck, which could only be considered a light truck, was clearly unable to carry the 42 people and their equipment to continue their escape.

After all, not everyone is like Brother San, whose motorcycle can transport at least a squad of soldiers.

If you give them a truck, even a light truck, they could easily transport a company full of people.

After Hu Biao and his men stopped their car and jumped out, the Japanese cavalrymen who had been following them knew that these men were about to abandon their vehicle and flee into the woods not far from the roadside.

Although the forest wasn't very large, once they hid inside, their prized warhorses were completely unable to run.

They might even be able to shake off their pursuit completely.

Thinking of the stern orders issued by their own brigade commander, Teizo Kuwata, via radio, a major in the unit immediately roared out:
"Charge! Charge in and kill them!"

Immediately, the Japanese cavalry, who still numbered around 280 or 290, drew their gleaming sabers and spurred their horses forward with all their might.

The two sides were only a hundred meters apart, and under the full speed of these warhorses' charge.

If we can't stop them with concentrated firepower, they'll probably rush up in just eight or nine seconds and kill them one by one on the spot...

******
Fortunately! Although Hu Biao's group was small in number, their firepower was beyond doubt.

In particular, Xu Feng, Lao San, and Lao Ma, three veterans who were armed with MG34 general-purpose machine guns, had long anticipated the current predicament.

So, back in the car, they assigned the three newbies, Awei, Dongzi, and Tony, to be their respective assistant shooters.

Furthermore, they underwent emergency training on everything from changing barrels and ammunition belts to auxiliary firing techniques. This last-minute arrangement and training proved to be extremely effective at this moment.

And look! Ah Wei, this complete novice, is now not only wrapped in two 1.1-meter-long metal ammunition chains, each containing 250 rounds, but also...

He was also carrying a 250-round ammunition belt for Xu Feng, who was firing.

As long as the barrel isn't deformed from the heat, and with enough ammunition, the firepower and power of the MG34 general-purpose machine gun are beyond doubt.

Amidst the sweeping fire of the whirlwind, a dense line of bullets was created within a range of at least twenty or thirty meters.

No matter how brave and fearless the Japanese cavalry were, or how recklessly they charged without regard for casualties.

Without any suspense, everyone, men and horses alike, were knocked to the ground.

With the others firing various weapons, the battle was short, but as many as sixty or seventy Japanese cavalrymen were taken down.

They and their horses collapsed to the ground in a huge heap, somewhat hindering the charge of the Japanese cavalry behind them.

Ah Wei had no idea that even a minute had passed in his battle with Xu Feng while they were lying there, before a 250-round ammunition belt was completely emptied.

He was just about to remove the new ammunition belt wrapped around his body when he quickly helped him put it on so they could continue firing.

Xu Feng had already picked up an MG34 general-purpose machine gun and shouted, "Retreat! Retreat to the back before changing the ammo belt."

Oh, and remember to bring empty ammunition belts.

Upon hearing this, Awei quickly picked up the ammunition belt he had just knocked away, turned around and followed Xufeng, stepping through the thick snow, as they retreated into the forest.

It was only at this point that the novice saw some things that pleased him.

Old Ma and his group of more than a dozen people had retreated to the edge of the forest and successfully set up an MG34 general-purpose machine gun.

His second-in-command, Tony, who was also an apprentice at the barbershop, was wearing slippers when he first transmigrated. He was supposedly a guy from Haifeng, Guangdong Province.

Now, holding a wire in his hand, he is replacing it with a new 250-round ammunition belt, representing sustained firepower.

With Lao Ma and the others providing such powerful, alternating cover fire, they should be able to successfully escape into the forest...

It's a pity! We've been fighting continuously for so long.

The combat losses suffered by the time travelers during this journey have finally materialized.

Although after a burst of fire, Lao Ma discovered that the MG34 general-purpose machine gun he had set up still had thirty or forty rounds left in its 250-round ammunition belt.

However, Xu Feng and Lao San and the others had already been in the woods behind them for about twenty seconds, and were probably already dozens of meters away, ready to take cover again.

The threat of being pursued by these Japanese cavalry has essentially been resolved.

They don't force it, nor do they insist on using up all the remaining bullets in the belt.

With a rather good mood, Tony, the assistant gunner beside him, shouted, "Kid, let's go! Let's get into the woods and shake off these Japanese devils first!"

Then, carrying an MG34 general-purpose machine gun, he ran into the woods.

Unfortunately, after running only five or six steps, a warm spray splashed onto his left cheek.

Instinctively turning his head, he saw that his assistant gunner, Tony, had been shot in the back of the head and his legs gave way, causing him to collapse to the ground and fall into the thick snow.

With just one glance at the wound, Lao Ma knew that the newcomer was already dead and there was no need to consider saving him.

Thinking back to this morning when we were resting in Kaoshantun, the kid was still clamoring that he would take care of all the haircuts for the older brothers and sisters in the team from now on, and Lao Ma felt inexplicably worried.

Even so, he simply freed one hand, bent down to pick up a new ammunition belt from Tony's body, and continued running forward.

After running another seven or eight steps, the one-eyed man couldn't help but look back.

A strange thought arose in his mind: "They say heavy snow leaves no trace! Tonight it's snowing heavily, and soon Tony's body will be completely covered by the snow."

By the time they were discovered again, it would be next spring when the flowers were in bloom.

After those thoughts flashed through his mind, he yelled out, "Taro, from now on, you're my new second marksman..."

(End of this chapter)