Blood-Red Front

When Shengjun looked at the battle report with a worried expression, the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division had already launched a full-scale offensive against Moling.

Without artillery support, the Chu Sheng Army was unable to withstand the Xia Army's offensive, and the two sides quickly descended into brutal street fighting.

Lin Zhiyuan had previously taught the 14th Brigade a lesson in street fighting in Lujia Town, and the newly promoted army naturally learned some street fighting techniques as well. At the very least, they knew that they should block all the doors and windows in front of them.

However, the newly promoted soldiers did not learn the most crucial transfer technique, or rather, the newly promoted soldiers could not learn this technique because Bushido did not allow them to do so.

All the newly promoted soldiers chose to fight to the death. They bricked up all the doors and windows and then fired outwards through the pre-reserved firing holes.

The actions of the newly promoted soldier left him with no way out, but they did cause some trouble for the Xia army.

The attacking troops must eliminate the houses occupied by the rising army one by one, and battles will take place in every room.

Inside the forward command post of the assault combat group, Lin Zhiyuan kept shaking his head as he looked at the battle reports from each regiment.

"Too slow, the progress is too slow. At this rate, it will probably take several days to wipe out the 14th Brigade."

Qiu Yu'an, who was petting a dog nearby, walked over and said, "Brother Zhiyuan, our progress is going very smoothly."

"According to Commander-in-Chief Chang's telegram, our main force's front line remains solid, and it is impossible for the newly promoted army to break through the defense line within a few days."

Even after the incident with the 7th Regiment, Qiu Yu'an couldn't have foreseen that Lin Zhiyuan could destroy all the breech-loading artillery pieces, which gave the Xia army an unparalleled advantage.

Pointing to the map, Lin Zhiyuan said, "Commander-in-Chief Chang's requirement is indeed to complete the breakthrough within a few days, but we are facing more than just the 14th Brigade. The newly promoted 9th Division and the 18th Division may join the battlefield at any time."

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war. If we waste too much time here, the newly formed army may be able to re-complete the blockade."

The Chu Sheng Army could not possibly have failed to notice Xia Jun's breakout attempt, and they would naturally make corresponding adjustments.

The faster the assault group moves, the safer the hundreds of thousands of Xia troops in Kyoto will be.

Qiu Yu'an took a puff of his cigar. "Street fighting can't be rushed. We can only fight house by house and street by street. However, the initial army's tenacious defense has given us an opportunity. As long as we push the mountain guns and anti-tank guns to the front line, the speed should be much faster."

That's how urban warfare works: once the defenders choose to hold their ground, the attackers can only slowly eliminate them.

At this point, heavy artillery fire coverage would be ineffective, because once Moling was completely reduced to ruins, countless places would suddenly appear where people could hide and snipe.

The attack positions of the newly promoted army will become more unpredictable, which will lead to more uncertainty.

"We only have 24 mountain guns in total. Even if we push them all into the city, they won't be very effective. We must change our tactics!" Lin Zhiyuan said.

"Chief of staff, send an order to the engineer battalion to prepare explosive charges of various sizes and form demolition teams of several men each, to reinforce the front-line infantry platoons."

"Next, the troops will not take any roads, but will instead go through the walls," Lin Zhiyuan said. "First, we will advance inward, then encircle the area, and finally bombard the ground with heavy artillery."

Heavy artillery cannot directly provide fire coverage because the ruins created after the shelling are undefended, allowing the enemy to use them for a three-dimensional defense.

However, as long as the ruins are cut into pieces one by one and then bombarded, the newly risen army will be unable to replenish its troops in the ruins.

Rookie soldiers can hide in the nooks and crannies of ruins, but that doesn't mean they can become ruins along with the buildings.

"I'll go to the engineering battalion to make the arrangements right away," Guan Jianchu said.

While in Lujia Town, Lin Zhiyuan commanded his engineers to conduct defensive operations using explosives. Although the switch to offense was somewhat sudden, the soldiers quickly understood Lin Zhiyuan's intentions.

Lin Zhiyuan's explosive fighting style left the newly promoted army struggling to cope.

After securing advantageous positions in advance, a single light machine gun from the newly promoted troops could block off a street for hundreds of meters.

But when the streets were deserted and Xia Jun took unconventional routes, the newly promoted troops who had taken their positions in advance were caught off guard.

No one could predict where a squad of Xia soldiers would appear from in the next second.

Once the Xia army soldiers occupy the key positions behind the Chusheng army and complete the encirclement, artillery shells will immediately fall, and they will all be heavy artillery shells.

Instead of using the limited shells available for the Bofors mountain guns, Lin Zhiyuan opted to directly demolish the base using 150mm howitzers and 100mm mortars.

Xia Jun pushed his way in, peeling back the layers like an onion.

In the basement, Okazaki's previously relaxed heart began to race again.

"Brigade Commander, the enemy has suddenly changed their tactics. Our strategy of sticking to defense has become their weak point." The chief of staff was also somewhat at a loss.

The newly promoted soldiers are now basically trapped and unable to maneuver, which makes it much easier for the Xia army to outflank the enemy through demolition.

"Where is the enemy now?" Okazaki asked.

"Central Primary School," the chief of staff pointed on the map. "This is the headquarters of the 1st Battalion of the 11th Regiment."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another violent explosion was heard outside.

"It's heavy artillery. The enemy has already started shelling the central primary school. The 1st Battalion is probably going to be wiped out too." Okazaki sighed.

The chief of staff did not speak.

The classrooms at the central primary school were very sturdy, but that was not enough to withstand the bombardment of a 150mm cannon.

Soon, a staff officer drew a red cross on the location of the central primary school.

Looking at the map covered with red crosses, Okazaki pondered for a moment, "Now I'm afraid we can only rely on the air force."

"Request air support. If we can hold out until nightfall, we'll have a chance to counterattack."

By nightfall, after recapturing some of the positions, the ruins of the city will become a natural cover for the 14th Brigade.

Even if the position, which is already in ruins, is bombarded by heavy artillery, it will not cause much damage. This is the 14th Brigade's only chance.

"I'll send the message right away!"

……

The support from the newly formed air force was swift; many fighter jets and bombers changed positions and flew over Moling.

The Xia army, which was on the offensive, was bombed by bombers and strafed by fighters.

In the forward command post, Lin Zhiyuan patted the dirt off his body from the explosion, not paying much attention to the bombing outside.

"This is probably the last resort of the newly promoted army," Lin Zhiyuan said casually.

"Tell the frontline troops not to be afraid. The city of Moling is a mix of enemy and friendly forces, and it is impossible for the first-launch aircraft to carry out large-scale bombing. Let them continue their operations according to the original plan."

"The shelling may be delayed, but this will not prevent the various units from dividing and encircling the enemy."

"During the period when enemy aircraft were circling, the 8th Artillery Battalion ceased shelling, and the 100mm mortar companies of each regiment carried out shelling while ensuring concealment."

"Also, call the priesthood and tell them to open fire. We can't let the first helicopter go wherever it wants so easily."

"yes!"

……