Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

Left flank (north side), unnamed valley, an ambush position.

Araki's battalion maneuvered and penetrated deep into the left flank mountains, breaking through two lines of defense and reaching the guerrilla artillery positions.

On the frontal river valley plain, the 20th Infantry Regiment had been attacking for a day and a night. Major General Kusaba Tatsumi, commander of the 19th Brigade, judged that the main force of the defending army was completely tied down, so he sent a reinforced battalion to flank the guerrilla detachment.

The search squadron reported that they were about to enter an unnamed valley, which stretched for several miles, ending at Hill 3, where the defending artillery was located.

The adjutant, Kenichiro Yamashita, said with concern:

"Araki-kun, the terrain ahead is too complicated, and it's also where the Chinese artillery positions are located. There might be an ambush."

"It would be better to take the right flank of the mountain and go around it."

Major Araki shook his head and said:

"Lord Yamashita, speed is of the essence in war. The right flank is densely forested and the terrain is undulating, requiring us to travel more than ten kilometers of mountain road."

The main force of the Chinese troops was tied down on the front lines by the 20th Regiment. How could they possibly hold off thousands of brave warriors?

Captain Yamashita thought about it and agreed. The garrison only had one brigade; it was impossible for a force to appear out of thin air. He smiled and said:

"I was overthinking it. Taking a detour of more than ten kilometers would have been too time-consuming, so we'll go through the valley. For safety's sake, let the search team go deeper first, and then the main force will follow up in about ten minutes. This is a safer approach."

"Yosh, as you see it."

Major Araki adopted Captain Yamashita's suggestion and ordered everyone to rest for fifteen minutes and replenish their food.

The Japanese soldiers' unusual behavior made Lin Zhengxin, the regimental chief of staff, jump to his throat. He said worriedly:

"Commander, could the Japanese have discovered us?"

Zhang Yi shook his head and said:

"Don't scare yourself. The Japanese are just playing tricks! Let the vanguard of the Japanese go. They won't be able to cause any trouble. Let the Third Battalion handle them."

Upon discovering the Japanese flanking maneuver, Zhao Yunwen immediately ordered his regiment to assemble and quickly proceed to the nameless valley to set up an ambush. This demonstrates the advantage of having sufficient reserves; there was no need to worry about the Japanese flanking maneuver.

After arriving at the unnamed valley, the regiment ambushed the 1st and 2nd battalions on the ridges on both sides, hiding behind the natural forests and trenches. The artillery company was deployed on Hill 326 on the left flank, a few hundred meters from the valley, which was the optimal firing range for the artillery.

The Third Battalion ambushed the right flank of the mountain ridge at the bottom of the valley, guarding the No. 3 Height of the directly subordinate artillery battalion of the detachment, at an altitude of 351 meters.

It was a stretch for a regiment of over 2600 men to ambush more than a thousand Japanese soldiers. The artillery company was key; victory could only be achieved through firepower.

Zhang Yi, like a seasoned hunter, patiently waited for his prey to enter after setting the trap. Ten minutes passed quickly, and Lin Zheng excitedly came to report:

"The Japanese have moved again!"

Zhang Yi quickly picked up his binoculars to look, and sure enough, the Japanese soldiers began to move, marching in a large force into the valley.

A dozen minutes later, the main force of Araki's battalion entered the pocket formation. They marched in three columns, like a long snake, winding its way along the valley path.

Seeing that all the prey was in his pocket, Zhang Yi coldly shouted:

"Fire the signal flare—fire!"

Major Araki rode a tall horse, a pair of binoculars hanging around his neck, his officer's boots polished to a shine.

Three red flares shot straight into the sky, causing Major Araki's expression to change drastically. The appearance of signal flares in the middle of nowhere was enough to make anyone guess that there was an ambush.

Before Major Araki could react, a volley of shells rained down from the sky, severing the "long snake formation" in half. The warhorses neighed, throwing Major Araki to the ground in a sorry state.

The second and third rounds of shells came one after another, and the Japanese soldiers were blown up and scattered in all directions.

The ambushers on both flanks emerged, unleashing a barrage of machine gun and rifle fire at the Japanese soldiers. They attacked from both sides, and the Japanese soldiers fell one after another, their panic as chaotic as a swarm of bees on fire.

Major Araki had recovered from his shock. At this moment, the valley was filled with smoke, and hundreds of bullets whizzed by, killing rows and rows of Japanese soldiers.

The troops were completely out of control, and officers were trying their best to restrain the soldiers, but with little effect.

Company Commander Captain Mochizuki rushed over to ask for instructions:

"Captain, there's an ambush! What should we do?"

"Baka yarou! Assemble the troops and seize the right flank high ground, quickly!"

Major Araki roared at the top of his lungs, unable to deploy his troops forward or backward. He chose to break through to the right flank of the mountains, where there was a mountain pass with relatively flat terrain.

Captain Mochizuki finally managed to gather over a hundred men and launched a desperate charge towards the breach. Other Japanese soldiers seemed to see hope and followed suit, quickly forming a considerable force. This was the last desperate struggle of the Japanese.

The Japanese soldiers swarmed towards the right flank, and Tian Yong, the company commander of the third company of the second battalion, shouted excitedly:

"Brothers, the time to feast has come! Beat them to a pulp!"

Blocking the gap was the Third Company. Facing the menacing Japanese soldiers, they were not flustered at all, but rather excited. They unleashed a barrage of light and heavy fire at the Japanese soldiers, thoroughly enjoying the thrill of killing them.

Captain Mochizuki thought he could easily break through and cover the main force's breakout, but he was blocked and ended up losing more than he gained.

The squad leader shouted with a mournful face:

"The Chinese firepower is too intense! Our warriors can't get through! We're doomed!"

Captain Mochizuki, seeing someone trying to disrupt morale, swung his hand and slapped the man several times, roaring:

"Baka yarou! Charge! Those who retreat will die!"

Seeing that Mochizuki's large hand had already gripped the hilt of his sword, the squad leader was too frightened to say anything more and urged his soldiers to continue their charge.

The soldiers of the Third Company calmly fought back, unleashing a fierce barrage of light and heavy machine gun fire, and using 60mm mortars specifically to target the Japanese machine guns, effectively thwarting the Japanese offensive.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Captain Mochizuki personally led the charge, only to be riddled with machine gun fire and his final counterattack was thwarted.

The sound of gunfire quickly alerted the vanguard company. Fearing the loss of the main force, the company commander led his men back to fight.

They chose to break through the right flank mountain ridge to support the main force, but were blocked by the brothers of the Second Battalion.

The Third Battalion then reinforced the area, completely surrounding the vanguard company. At this point, Araki's battalion was divided and surrounded in two isolated areas, with no chance of escape.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhang Yi decisively gave the order:

"Sound the bugle call! Launch a general offensive! Slaughter all the Japanese devils!"

Major Araki has given up on breaking out and is hiding in the valley, waiting for reinforcements. He has requested tactical guidance from the Ninth Regiment headquarters.

Just then, a loud bugle call sounded, and Major Araki's expression changed drastically. The Chinese had ultimately not given them any time.

The ambushing troops on both flanks rushed out of the trenches, covering the entire mountainside. Shells rained down into the valley, providing cover for the infantry to surge into the valley like a tidal wave, launching a final annihilation of the remaining Japanese troops.

The Japanese soldiers were completely demoralized and could not stop the ferocious guerrillas. They were quickly scattered.

The battle was no longer in doubt; what followed was a one-sided massacre.

Inside the guerrilla detachment's forward command post, Zhao Yunwen wore a victorious smile. Mountain ambush warfare was definitely more satisfying.

Xie Polu excitedly delivered the good news:

"A regiment annihilated the outflanking Japanese troops, achieving a great victory!"

Zhao Yunwen praised:

"Zhang Yi did a great job this time. Now the Japanese will have to focus on a frontal assault, and their flanks will at most be used for feints."

"Withdraw one regiment back to the center and have a proper exchange with the Japanese!"