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

Wang Guohua noticed that the Japanese soldiers had become noticeably smarter this time. They had made special wooden ladders to set up on the anti-tank trenches, spread out their skirmish lines more widely, and their coordination had improved significantly.

After receiving reinforcements from four companies in the rear, the Second Regiment's strength recovered to more than 2500 men. With complete fortifications and ample ammunition, they had plenty of patience to play along with the Japanese.

These four companies, three on the front and one on the south, held the Second Battalion at the front, while the First Battalion continued to serve as a reserve force.

Their key defensive strategy is to deploy "light troops and heavy firepower" at the front lines and "heavy troops and light firepower" at the main positions, which can greatly reduce casualties.

Although the Japanese soldiers used wooden ladders to rush through the anti-tank ditch, they were unable to break through the first line of defense. The battle entered into a prolonged and inefficient war of attrition, with the exchange ratio between the enemy and our forces exceeding 3 to 1.

In this low-intensity stalemate, the guerrilla detachment's sniping tactics proved highly effective. Not only were snipers reaping the Japanese soldiers, but 60mm mortar teams also joined in.

They maneuvered along the trench lines, firing one shot and then moving to a new location. Equipped with optical sights, they were highly accurate, hitting almost every shot within a range of 400 to 1200 meters.

The No. 2 gun crew has already destroyed three firing positions. Gunner Liu Zheng deserves great credit, the crew leader Zhang Guangrong also serves as the observer, and the assistant gunner provides ammunition and acts as the safety officer. The three work together seamlessly, with the other two serving as substitutes.

Zhang Guangrong discovered another heavy machine gun firing position:

"1747 meters away, at two o'clock. Are you sure?"

The Japanese heavy machine guns were very cunning. Although the M2's maximum range was 1850 meters, shells were affected by wind speed and tended to drift beyond 1200 meters, making it difficult to hit targets 1700 meters away.

After taking a quick look through the gun scope, Liu Zheng said firmly:

"No problem, it's within maximum range!"

After saying that, he started operating the machine. His movements were skillful and smooth, and he quickly adjusted the firing parameters. The assistant gunner handed him a shell in perfect harmony.

At this moment, the Japanese machine guns were still raging, completely unaware that death was about to befall them. The Type 92 heavy machine gun was extremely stable, enough to suppress half a platoon.

Before firing, Liu Zheng checked the firing angle again before stuffing the shell into the breech. The shell slid down the inner wall, and the primer ignited after colliding with the firing pin, converting it into enormous kinetic energy that propelled the shell out, accurately hitting the target.

Zhang Guangrong confirmed the victory through his binoculars and exclaimed in praise:

"Well done, move immediately!"

Liu Zheng quickly packed up the gun mount, grabbed the special handle, and retreated into the trench along with the gun. The whole process took no more than fifteen seconds, and the Japanese infantry guns couldn't react at all.

After succeeding, the three quickly moved away. Half a minute later, the Japanese artillery shells finally arrived, but they were too late and did nothing.

The Japanese mortars were not yet equipped on the troops, and grenade launchers could not get within range. At the battalion level, there were only two Type 92 infantry guns, which were too much for the troops to handle.

The Japanese army's greatest advantage was its artillery fire. Now, with its medium and long-range firepower suppressed, the 2nd Battalion, relying on its well-constructed fortifications and the support of the regimental artillery company, managed to hold off the attack of the 33rd Infantry Regiment.

Colonel Noda's face was so gloomy it could drip water. He had tried everything he could, but he still couldn't break through the defenders' lines. Casualties were rising rapidly, and unknowingly, they were following in the footsteps of the 9th and 20th Regiments.

Major Matsushita said in a hoarse voice:

"Fighting like this is not a solution. The warriors have suffered nearly half casualties, and there is a shortage of medicine. We have already rescued more than two hundred seriously wounded soldiers."

Noda got a headache just hearing that number. It was alright if they died in battle, but he was worried about the seriously wounded. Not only would it consume a lot of supplies, but it would also affect morale.

"Matsushita-kun, how's the progress on both flanks?"

Matsushita quickly replied:

"Under His Excellency's strict orders, the offensive of the Ninth and Twentieth Regiments has been greatly intensified, especially on the left flank (south), where the first line of defense has been captured."

The 9th Regiment on the right flank was completely out of sorts, not only failing to mount an effective attack but also suffering a counterattack from the Chinese. Had it not been for reinforcements from the 38th Infantry Regiment, they would have been routed. The 38th Regiment has now taken over the right flank's offensive.

Noda nodded and said:

"Alright, it's inevitable that the Ninth Regiment's combat strength will decline after suffering heavy losses. It would be best if the Thirty-Eighth Regiment took over."

The right flank has the highest terrain, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack; it is estimated that they will find it difficult to make a major breakthrough.

It's getting dark, let's call it a day. I'll go find the general and request tactical guidance immediately!

After Noda finished speaking, he went straight to the brigade headquarters. When he arrived, he found that the others were also there. Sasaki arrived just as the debriefing meeting was being held.

The first to jump out and complain was Katagiri Goro, the captain of the Ninth Regiment:

"The Chinese have hidden a large force in the mountains to the north, at least five thousand men, with strong firepower. They have twenty or thirty artillery pieces on Guangshan Mountain. This configuration is at least equivalent to a division. The intelligence is seriously flawed. The guerrilla detachment is not a brigade at all. I suspect they are organized into an army."

Nobuaki Ohno, commander of the 20th Infantry Regiment, also expressed his agreement:

"The guerrilla detachment's firepower is too intense; the Imperial Army's Type 92 heavy machine guns are being completely suppressed. We must call in air support to destroy the Chinese artillery!"

Sasaki made no comment, but instead turned his gaze to Colonel Noda. The 33rd Regiment was the main force, and the two useless members of the 19th Brigade had been terrified.

"Noda-kun, what do you think?"

Colonel Noda didn't dare look at Sasaki Toichi, but instead said in a low voice:

"The 33rd Regiment suffered heavy casualties, with more than 200 seriously wounded. To maintain the offensive, at least 1,000 more soldiers will be needed."

After hearing this, others also offered to add their own points, saying that the Ninth and Twentieth Regiments had long been struggling to make ends meet.

Sasaki looked towards Major General Tatsumi Kusaba:

"Grassyard-kun, all units have suffered heavy casualties and urgently need reinforcements. What do you think?"

"Sasaki-kun, the Imperial Army has suffered heavy casualties, and the Chinese will not be few either. As long as we replenish our personnel and equipment, we can launch a full-scale attack and defeat the guerrilla detachment."

Sasaki nodded when he saw that everyone agreed:

"Alright, then let's halt the attack and request tactical guidance from the division commander."

During the period of reinforcements' arrival, a one-day ceasefire could be proposed to collect the corpses, thus lulling the Chinese into a false sense of security.

As the sun set, the Japanese troops retreated like a tide. The soldiers of the second platoon conscientiously repaired the fortifications. Lin Yongwang took out his notebook and said:

"Each class, please report the number of students!"

Since becoming a platoon leader, Lin Yongwang has also learned statistics. If he wants to fight his way back to his hometown in Northeast China, he has to work hard to survive and hopefully become a higher-ranking official.

"There are nine people left in Class Two, two dead and two seriously injured."

The second squad leader was the first to report the battle losses, excluding the lightly wounded, which was assumed not to count as casualties.

"There are ten people left in the third squad, one dead and two injured."

"There are eight people left in Class One, three dead and two injured."

"There are twelve people left in Class Four, one of whom is seriously injured."

The fourth squad was the fire support squad and suffered the fewest casualties. The entire platoon, including the platoon leader, deputy platoon leader, and communications officer, had a total of 42 men still capable of fighting. These were the casualties after reinforcements.

After Lin Yongwang finished writing, he put the notebook back in his pocket and then said to Deputy Platoon Leader Luo Zeping:

"I'm about to die, so you're in charge of keeping this notebook. After dark, take some men and evacuate the seriously wounded brothers. Be quick!"

Lin Yongwang's words were not to be questioned, and Luo Zeping swallowed back the words he was about to say; he now only had the authority to execute them.

Luo Zeping, this greenhorn, survived the first day and even killed or wounded three Japanese soldiers. Everyone recognized his status as deputy platoon leader; otherwise, Lin Yongwang would not have assigned him any work.

After the fierce battle, each platoon was busy tallying losses, rescuing the wounded, and rebuilding fortifications; meals had to be postponed.

At the guerrilla detachment headquarters, Xie Polu came to report:

"The Japanese sent someone to request the collection of the bodies and a one-day ceasefire."

Zhao Yunwen snorted coldly:

"The Japanese devils are playing tricks again. Too many corpses could easily lead to infectious diseases. We agree to their demands."

We were just burying the remains of our fallen brothers, evacuating the wounded, and rebuilding our fortifications.

Xie Polu accepted the order and left. Zhao Yunwen turned his gaze to the depths of the Japanese territory, and he roughly guessed the Japanese intentions.