You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you brought out a Tiger tank?

Soon, the entire Japanese logistics camp was wiped out.

The second lieutenant leading the team jumped off the armored vehicle, holding a submachine gun and warily scanning the surroundings.

His gaze fell on the several large pots still steaming in the center of the camp.

He walked over and used his bayonet to pry open the pot lid.

Inside the pot, there was fragrant cooked rice.

There were also several jars of pickled vegetables and pickled plums on the side.

Clearly, the Japanese soldiers here were just cooking when they were suddenly attacked and wiped out.

The second lieutenant platoon leader casually drew his bayonet from his waist, picked up a little pickled plum with the tip of the blade, and put it in his mouth to taste it.

then.

"Pooh!"

He spat it out with a look of disgust:

"What is this stuff? It's so sour, not even as good as pickled cabbage."

Although pickled plums are unremarkable, they were the most popular and common ration for Japanese army soldiers during World War II, consisting of pickled plums (dried plums) and rice.

The dish, named "Hinomaru Bento," features a red plum placed in the center of white rice, resembling the Japanese flag.

Of course, for a country like Great Xia with a long history of food culture, it's quite a strange idea for the Japanese to pair a dried plum with rice.

The surrounding soldiers also burst into laughter.

"Platoon leader, is this what the Japanese eat?"

"Can it even taste good?!"

"Alright, stop joking around."

The second lieutenant platoon leader waved his hand:

"Find something that can hold rice and put the rice in it."

Eat when you get hungry on the way.

"Hurry up, get in the car, keep going!"

The soldiers hurriedly found the Japanese soldiers' mess boxes and helmets, packed up the steaming rice and pickled vegetables, and took them away.

Then, everyone jumped into the car, and the engine roared to life again.

The steel torrent continues its charge forward.

-----

Soon, they ran into a tough nut to crack.

A Japanese infantry battalion of about 800 men, which was resting in the rear, was stationed in a village by the dirt road.

This battalion was intended to be used as a reserve force, originally planned to be deployed to the battlefield to expand the gains after a frontal breakthrough.

At this moment, they had just received chaotic news of an attack from the rear and were urgently assembling to prepare for reinforcements.

Then they saw the billowing smoke and dust coming.

And in the smoke and dust, there were steel structures painted in a field gray that they had never seen before.

"Baka! What's that?!"

Major Battalion Commander's pupils suddenly contracted.

He immediately realized that the situation was not good.

"Defend! Defend immediately! Rely on the village and establish a defensive line. Hurry!"

He roared and brandished his command sword.

The Japanese soldiers hastily built a makeshift defensive line using the village's houses, walls, trees, and ditches.

Several Type 92 heavy machine guns were set up, and the grenade launcher operators found their firing positions.

There were also four Type 92 infantry guns, which were pushed out by the artillerymen and placed in concealed positions, with their muzzles pointed at the attacking enemy.

The vanguard, led by the second lieutenant platoon leader of the reconnaissance company, stopped outside the village.

He raised his binoculars and observed carefully.

"The village is not small, and there are quite a few Japanese soldiers."

There were machine guns, grenade launchers, and presumably hidden infantry artillery as well.

He lowered his binoculars and gave the order over the radio:

"Same as always, let's test the waters."

Two Sdkfz.222 armored reconnaissance vehicles immediately moved forward and then began to slowly move laterally about 800 meters from the village.

At the same time, the turrets of the two armored vehicles slowly rotated, and the muzzles of their 20mm autocannons were aimed at the village.

"Knock knock knock knock—"

The machine guns opened fire.

High-explosive bombs struck the earthen walls of the village, blasting holes the size of washbasins.

The Japanese machine gunner hiding behind was blown away along with his gun.

"Fight back! Fight back!"

The Japanese battalion commander roared.

The Japanese soldiers began to return fire with their machine guns and rifles.

The bullets struck the steel plates of the armored vehicle with a clanging sound, sending up a series of sparks.

But it's impossible to penetrate it.

The grenade launcher was too far away to even have a chance to be fired.

And those four Type 92 infantry guns...

The trajectory of this type of gun is curved, making it suitable for striking targets behind cover.

However, the hit rate is pitifully low against high-speed armored vehicles.

After firing several shots, most of them landed around the armored vehicle, without even touching its edge.

Aside from stirring up some dust, it had no effect whatsoever.

"It seems there are no anti-tank guns."

The second lieutenant platoon leader lowered his binoculars and a smile appeared on his face:

"Then what's there to be afraid of?"

He picked up the radio:

"Calling the regimental headquarters, calling the regimental headquarters."

They discovered a Japanese battalion-level unit, which was defending the village.

coordinate……

Requesting rocket artillery coverage.

"receive."

A calm reply came through the radio:

"The rocket artillery group is in position."

Forward units are requested to retreat to a safe distance.

"clear."

The second lieutenant platoon leader waved his hand:

"Withdraw, retreat another 800 meters."

We've taken over the Japanese mess hall, we feel really bad about it, so let's treat them to a meal of "iron-clad fried meat" as compensation...

The armored vehicles and motorcycles immediately turned around and retreated.

Meanwhile, on a flat area about three kilometers away from the village.

The twelve tractor-trailers came to a screeching halt, kicking up clouds of dust.

The carriage side panels were quickly lowered, and the artillerymen, dressed in gray field uniforms, jumped off the train like dumplings.

They nimbly ran to the back of the vehicle, pulled out the pin, and detached the Type 41 150mm 6-tube rocket launcher from the back of the truck.

"Load and prepare to fire!"

The artillery company commander held up a small flag and loudly issued orders.

A total of twelve six-tube rocket launchers were quickly pushed to their designated positions and lined up.

The gunners cranked the elevation mechanism, raising the six launch tubes arranged in a ring, their dark nozzles pointing towards the sky.

The ammunition handlers pried open the wooden ammunition boxes.

This 150mm rocket weighs over 30 kilograms, making it very difficult for one person to carry.

Two artillerymen worked together to lift a heavy rocket and carefully pushed it in from the back of the barrel until the locking mechanism made a crisp "click".

After loading was complete, the gunner quickly walked to the breech.

He pulled out the wires from the tail of each rocket, skillfully stripped the ends, gathered them together, and connected them to a specially made junction box.

Finally, a long wire was pulled out more than ten meters and connected to an electric firing device with a crank.

"Ready to fire!"

"The Second Artillery Corps is ready!"

Reports from the various cannons rose and fell in succession.

The company commander glanced at his watch, then abruptly swung his arm down:

"Ready, fire!"

The firing hand cranked the generator handle forcefully, and the current was instantly switched on.

"Swoosh—Boom!"

With a deafening roar and an extremely piercing shriek, the rocket engine ignited instantly.

A huge orange-red tail flame erupted from behind the cannon barrel, kicking up clouds of dust.

Seventy-two 150mm rockets, trailing long white plumes of smoke, soared into the sky like dragons breaking free of their chains.

They traced graceful parabolas in the air as they hurtled towards the village where the Japanese soldiers were stationed.

-----

in the village.

The Japanese battalion commander, a major, frowned as he watched the armored vehicles slowly retreating into the distance.

"The enemy has retreated?"

He muttered to himself, but the unease in his heart grew stronger.

Such an elite force with a large number of armored vehicles would never simply come to probe and then leave.

He immediately summoned a communications soldier:

"You, immediately ride to the brigade headquarters."

Reporting to the brigade commander, a large number of enemy armored units have appeared behind our lines, with fierce firepower.

Requesting reinforcements; requesting tactical guidance.

"Hai!"

The communications soldier mounted his horse and galloped away.

The major turned around, drew his sword, and loudly commanded the troops:

"Don't let your guard down!"

The machine gunner conserves ammunition, and the infantry gunner adjusts its firing angle.

The enemy is likely preparing an infantry charge; wait until they get close before engaging!

The Japanese soldiers gripped their rifles tightly, crouched behind low walls and sandbags, and stared intently at the open field ahead.

Just then, a strange sound came from the distant horizon.