Not enough Japanese devils to kill? 1.4 billion people volunteer for the Battle of Shanghai.

The plumes of smoke from the mortar squad's scorched earth had not yet completely dissipated.

But the commotion in the ruins on the north bank of Luodian grew louder and louder.

Just as the anvil had envisioned.

The north bank of Luodian is a strategic location.

The Japanese 3rd Division will be taken down at all costs.

From the perspective of the Chinese defenders at this moment.

That earthen-yellow figure kept appearing.

It's not just one or two heads.

It forms sheets, lines, and surfaces.

Like locusts swarming across autumn fields, they emerged from every crack in the horizon, converging into a yellow, writhing tide.

34th Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division of the Japanese Army.

This unit landed at Wusongkou three days ago and participated in the battles to attack Baoshan, Yuepu, and Luodian.

The regiment, originally composed of 3,800 troops, was reduced to approximately 2,400 after experiencing fierce resistance from the Chinese defenders.

Now, the remaining 2,400 have all come out.

Regimental Commander Colonel Moriichi Kato stood on the half-collapsed church bell tower behind them.

That was one of the few buildings in Luodian that could still be considered a "high point". The stained glass windows of the church had all been shattered, and the cross leaned crookedly towards the blood-red sky.

Kato was short and stocky, with a standard Jintan mustache. He had participated in the Russo-Japanese War and fought in both Northeast and North China. He boasted that he knew the Chinese army inside and out.

At that moment, he held up a German-made Zeiss telescope, his eyes behind the lens fixed on the three black, strangely shaped tanks in the distance.

That is the "mysterious Chinese tank" mentioned in the emergency report from the General Staff.

The intelligence was vague, only stating that "the armor was unusually thick, the firepower was fierce, and the model was unknown."

Some retreating soldiers said, "One shot could pierce through our tanks," while others said, "Machine gun bullets hit it like a tickle."

Kato scoffed at this:

Even the thickest armor is still just a lump of iron.

He put down his binoculars and drew his Type 94 military knife from his waist.

The blade was in excellent condition, gleaming with a cold, sharp light in the setting sun. Chrysanthemum patterns were engraved on the guard.

That was a symbol bestowed by the Emperor.

"Gentlemen—"

His voice, amplified by a makeshift loudspeaker powered by a car battery, reverberated throughout the entire regimental assembly area:

"Do you see those three tanks?"

Iron Anvil watched the charging Japanese troops and made a rough estimate:

"More than 1,200 enemy troops on the front, with about 800 in reserves. The total exceeds 2,000. The 34th Regiment has likely come out in full force."

A brief silence.

Then, the embroiderer asked, "How do we sew it?"

The anvil frowned in thought.

Traditional tank defense tactics typically involve forming triangular or diamond formations to protect each other's flanks.

However, that is based on the premise that "the enemy also has armored units and needs to conduct mobile operations".

The current situation is—

The enemy only has infantry.

We have three heavy tanks.

The terrain consists of urban ruins, limiting mobility.

The enemy's tactics are clear: a massive human wave attack followed by close-range bombing.

Well... that's the only way.

The anvil opened its mouth, speaking rapidly but clearly:

"Cross-shaped defensive formation."

"101, stay put, responsible for the northeast quadrant, radiation range 0-90 degrees."

"102, shift 15 meters to the left, occupy the northwest quadrant, and the firing range is 270-360 degrees."

"103, shift 20 meters to the right, occupy the southwest quadrant, and the firing range is 180-270 degrees."

He paused:

"The overlapping areas of the three quadrants form a crossfire network."

"The rules are simple:"

"I'll take care of your blind spots."

"You will protect me from behind."

"Everyone, did you understand?"

"Understood. Car 102."

"Understood. Car 103."

"Okay." The anvil took a deep breath. "Begin moving. In position within ten seconds."

"Five, four, three, two, one—"

"move!"