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

The Japanese called in the regimental artillery and launched a fierce bombardment of Hill 227, focusing on the area where Bunker No. 1 was located. Everyone instinctively wanted to run out of the bunker, but Chen Jiali quickly stopped them:

"Brothers, don't panic. Stay put and don't worry. The reinforced concrete roof on the top of the main fort is a meter thick, and it's also covered with a meter of soil. It can withstand a 150mm heavy artillery piece. The steel bars used are as thick as a finger."

This information was relayed to the troops by Zhao Yunwen. Before crossing the border, he had the opportunity to visit the Zijin Mountain position. The three main forts had been preserved, meaning that the Japanese had never destroyed the main forts.

The city was captured because of the use of incendiary bombs, and the defenders in the trenches on both flanks were almost wiped out. The weak fighting spirit of the new recruits was also a contributing factor. There were many reasons for this.

Although the guerrilla detachment was reinforced with 1 new recruits, most of them were veterans. With five men mentoring one, they would only turn the new recruits into veterans.

The new recruits assigned to the third platoon were given the role of ammunition handler and odd jobs to Ding Hao, which reassured everyone. The rest of the platoon also took refuge in the foxholes near the mountainside, where the Japanese artillery fire caused almost no casualties.

The artillery bombardment lasted for half an hour, thoroughly pounding Hill 227. Only then did Major Nomura say with satisfaction:

"Good heavens, the Imperial Army's artillery fire is really fierce. There are probably only a few men left on the mountain. Let Takahashi Company continue the attack, with the infantry artillery platoon providing support!"

Lieutenant Captain Sakai wasn't so optimistic, but he didn't dampen Major Nomura's spirits and carried out the order without question. Even if the shelling wasn't effective, they had to attack; Nanjing was right before them, too tempting to resist.

After receiving orders, the Takahashi Company advanced in skirmish lines, but more cautiously than before.

Captain Takahashi had extensive combat experience and his artillery fire was extremely fierce, but he did not believe he could annihilate the entire garrison, so he was very cautious. He always felt like he was being watched by a pair of eyes, like thorns in his back.

From the observation post, Chen Jiali was watching the Japanese soldiers through the captured binoculars, like an old hunter eyeing his prey. More than a hundred Japanese soldiers would be enough for a hearty meal.

The position, still shrouded in smoke from the recent artillery bombardment, saw all the men in the platoon return to their posts, their guns unanimously aimed at the Japanese, waiting for the machine guns inside the bunker to fire.

Platoon leader Su Xilin gave the third squad the authority to open fire independently, with Chen Jiali making the decisions. All battles revolved around the bunker.

As the skirmish line of the Takahashi Company drew closer, the bunkers disguised as mountains suddenly spewed flames, instantly igniting the position.

Bullets rained down on the Japanese soldiers, and Captain Takahashi instinctively rolled behind a protruding rock, where bullets struck and scattered pebbles.

Other Japanese soldiers weren't so lucky; those who were slow became victims of gunfire, and those who survived were pinned to the ground, unable to move.

The four machine guns inside the bunker became the Japanese soldiers' nightmare. The dense bullets made the hillside dust fly, and unlucky ones were hit from time to time, either dead or wounded.

The bunker's firepower was too conspicuous and quickly attracted the attention of infantry artillery, with two 70mm high-explosive shells hitting the columnar outer wall in succession.

Chen Jiali's heart jumped into his throat, and he felt a tremor inside, but that was all.

Although he knew that the 80-centimeter-thick reinforced concrete wall was not something that the Type 92 infantry gun could penetrate, he was still a little apprehensive, since it had never been tested in actual combat.

Now he was completely at ease. The more than one-meter-high layer of soil above his head provided excellent shock absorption, unless he was directly hit by a shell of 150mm or more. Although this thing couldn't penetrate the top protection, the shockwave could still kill anyone inside the bunker.

The 9th Division was only equipped with 105mm heavy artillery, so it was not afraid at all. The machine gunners fired at the Japanese soldiers with peace of mind, suppressing them completely.

Captain Takahashi was furious and cursed, saying that even the infantry guns were useless and they could only use explosives.

They then dispatched a suicide squad, strapped with explosives, who fearlessly charged towards the bunker under machine gun cover.

Platoon leader Su Xilin naturally wouldn't allow the suicide squad to get close, and loudly ordered the snipers to focus their fire on them, while the others also opened fire, eliminating wave after wave of suicide squad members.

Li Weidong was a battalion-level sniper with the right to operate independently. He hid in the second trench, aimed his gun at the bomb on the suicide squad member, and then pulled the trigger. The explosives detonated, turning the suicide squad member into mincemeat and also wiping out several nearby Japanese soldiers.

The three M2 mortars of the firepower platoon also joined the battle, hiding in the trenches to specifically target the Japanese machine guns.

Under the cover of heavy firepower, the riflemen fired with ease, lying prone in the trenches reinforced with cement and stones, easily shooting down the Japanese soldiers.

The casualties of the Takahashi squadron were soaring, soon exceeding half. The worst part was that they were being ground to the ground and there was no hope of victory in sight.

Captain Sakai advised:

"Nomura-kun, one company is too weak. The Chinese bunkers are too much of a threat; we have to take them down."

Major Nomura said in a deep voice:

"Of course, how can we take it down? Infantry guns are completely useless!"

"Nomura-kun, if we can't break through from the front, we'll attack from the flanks. Send a company to each of the left and right flanks to outflank us and attack from the north and south, while maintaining sufficient pressure on the front."

Major Nomura adopted Captain Sakai's suggestion and dispatched two squadrons to attack the north and south flanks, but they were still met with heavy fire.

The isolated battalion's defensive line was crescent-shaped, with trenches covering the northeast and northwest directions. There was a secondary bunker in the northeast and due south, with an infantry platoon stationed in each direction. Even the three Browning medium machine guns of the fire support platoon were deployed in these two directions. The Japanese flanking tactics did not work.

The isolated battalion's firepower far exceeded that of the training brigade at the same time, and it also had 100 more men, which was enough to defend Tiger Cave.

The Japanese offensive was halted, and the battle entered a war of attrition, which was exactly what the isolated battalion liked best. With their strong fortifications and powerful firepower, they could easily achieve an exchange ratio of more than five to one, which was incredibly satisfying.

At the Second Peak Command Post, Zhao Yunwen and several key personnel were closely monitoring the battle situation at Tiger Cave. He planned to have the isolated battalion hold out for three days, and then defend the main position of the Second Peak to the death.

Deputy Commander Lu Ping came to report:

"Commander, a call from the First Regiment. They have successfully infiltrated the area. The main Japanese force has not entered the mountains and is heading straight for Nanjing along the main road."

The area near Tangshan became their rear, with a large amount of supplies passing through. Zhang Yi asked if it was possible to cut off the Japanese supply lines.

Zhao Yunwen's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly dismissed the idea and said in a deep voice:

"No! Their mission is to rest, take care of the wounded, gather the scattered routs on the outer defense line, and leave the task of mopping up small groups of Japanese soldiers to the reconnaissance battalion. The whereabouts of the First Regiment must not be exposed."

This was Zhao Yunwen's life-saving move; the more carefully it was hidden, the better. Lu Ping understood his meaning and said in a relaxed tone:

"The outer defense line of 100,000 troops has been defeated. Although the main force has been withdrawn, there are still many defeated soldiers scattered in the mountains. They are all veterans of many battles. Zhang Yi is going to make a fortune this time."

Zhao Yunwen said confidently:

"That's right, that's another reason why I kept them here. We have food and guns, and we've captured several thousand Japanese weapons. What we lack are veterans."

He telegraphed Zhang Yi, instructing them to act freely and forcibly incorporate both the Central Army and local armies into their ranks!

As the seriously wounded gradually recover, the strength of the regiment will be greatly enhanced. Don't worry about the organizational structure; fill in as many as you can, even forming temporary battalions. If he has the ability, I'd accept seven or eight of them.

Lu Ping felt a chill. He really had a bit of a knack for Commander Zhao's unconventional thinking. Only he would dare to think of a regiment with seven or eight provisional battalions.

Xie Polu hurried over and reported loudly:

"The main force of the 9th Division has arrived one after another, numbering in the tens of thousands!"

Zhao Yunwen waved his hand and said:

"Come on, I'll take it. I'm going to have my hands on that damn Ninth Division!"

Xie Polu and Lu Ping's gazes were equally firm. The Ninth Division was an old adversary; they had fought it before.

When enemies meet, their eyes are filled with intense hatred!