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

The Japanese troops finally couldn't withstand the huge casualties and retreated. Of the previous ten squads, only seven remained, a significant reduction in numbers. Together, they were less than half full, and everyone was wounded.

The 36th Regiment committed 2,000 soldiers, but less than 1,000 returned, suffering heavy losses.

Although the front line of the isolated battalion consisted of only one company, the bunkers and heavy firepower of the second and third lines were also involved in the battle. The bunkers on the left and right front also played a huge role. The Tiger Cave defense line was a whole.

When Xie Polu asked whether to abandon the front line, Zhao Yunwen shook his head and refused:

"The brothers on the front line have suffered heavy casualties, and the trenches have been severely damaged, but we cannot withdraw."

The Tiger Cave position was designed with the need for overall coordinated defense in mind. Bunker No. 1 and the trenches on both sides were responsible for close-range frontal and flank interception, Bunker No. 2 was responsible for medium- and long-range overhead fire suppression and blind spot coverage, and Bunker No. 3 had overall control. The firepower of the three bunkers completely overlapped and covered the core area of ​​the attack, making it difficult for the Japanese to find blind spots to advance.

After dark, replace the heavily wounded First Company with the Third Company, while the Second Company remains unchanged, with the artillery company providing support.

Seeing that Zhao Yunwen had made up his mind, Xie Polu did not insist any further. Zhao Yunwen was determined to guard the Tiger Cave for three days, which was a result of careful consideration, but it was inconvenient to say it outright.

At the First Peak Command Post, Chief of Staff Qiu Fengzi couldn't help but sigh:

"Zhao Xuechang's brothers are really tough. The Japanese launched a fierce attack with a regiment, but the guerrilla detachment repelled an enemy several times their size with just one battalion. It seems the story of crippling the 16th Division is no exaggeration. I'm impressed!"

Although Gui Yongqing felt a little jealous, he still spoke objectively and fairly:

"Brother Yunwen truly deserves the title of outstanding member of the first cohort. The guerrilla detachment's fighting prowess is a good thing for us. Once the brothers who went to learn from the guerrillas return, we must promote the lessons learned throughout the entire brigade!"

At the 9th Division headquarters, Yoshizumi Ryosuke and a group of veteran Japanese soldiers were reviewing the battle. Wakisaka Jiro, the commander of the 36th Infantry Regiment, was also called back to report on the battle situation.

"The Chinese fortifications were very cleverly constructed, especially the first line of defense, which had a two-meter-high, four-meter-diameter cylindrical bunker in the center, equipped with at least four light and heavy machine guns, blocking the frontal attack route."

The left-hand trench's firing range extends 45° forward and diagonally, covering the open area on the left and the flanking paths, forming a crossfire with the right-hand trench. The right-hand trench's firing range extends 45° forward and diagonally, covering the gentle slope and shrubland on the right. There are auxiliary bunkers on both the left and right fronts, blocking any flanking maneuvers by the Imperial Army.

The Chinese had a defensive line centered around a bunker on both the second and third lines, and deployed a large number of mortars and heavy machine guns, covering an area of ​​300 to 500 meters, providing long-range fire support to the first line of defense.

The defending troops were equipped with a large number of Imperial-made mountain guns and infantry guns, and their machine guns were not the Maxim or Czech ZB26 commonly used by German-equipped divisions, but rather Eagle-made Browning series. Their rifles were all Springfields. It was very strange; it was not the configuration of a German-equipped division at all.

Colonel Fujii, commander of the 35th Infantry Regiment, his triangular eyes gleaming with a sharp light, was all too familiar with this firepower configuration and fighting style. He quickly interjected, saying:

"This is not the Training Corps at all. Only one unit is very similar to it: the Jiangsu Provincial Security Regiment guarding Dachang!"

Yoshizumi Ryosuke also had a deep memory of the Security Corps, the man who had used artillery to raid the division headquarters, severely damaged the mountain artillery regiment, and brought him endless humiliation. He could not forgive him even if he turned to ashes.

"Fujii-kun, are you sure it's them?"

Mount Fuji said firmly:

"There's no mistake! This firepower configuration and combat style—if they were identical, it would be a coincidence. But now it all matches up—it's the Security Corps and Zhao Yunwen!"

"Oh my god, so it's the Chinese wolves! They just rendered the 16th Division ineffective along the Jurong-Tangshan line, and the remnants retreating to Zijin Mountain is perfectly justified."

The Japanese soldiers unanimously agreed, pointing out the logical loop. They noted that even the 7th Regiment had suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Security Regiment, especially the 7th Regiment, whose commander had died at the hands of Zhao Yunwen, and whose regimental flag had been forcibly destroyed, thus nailing them to the pillar of shame.

The newly appointed regimental commander, Kengo Suzuki, stepped forward and volunteered for the battle:

"Commander, the shame of soldiers can only be washed away with the blood of the Chinese. Please allow me to lead the Jinze Regiment to replace the 36th Regiment. We will not withdraw until Zhao Yunwen is destroyed!"

Although Colonel Fujii was somewhat apprehensive, he still stepped forward and volunteered:

"The 35th Regiment also requested to join the battle and break through Zijin Mountain."

Seeing that the morale was good, Yoshizumi Ryosuke praised them highly:

"Yosh, that's the spirit of the Martial Arts Corps! Considering that only one regiment can be deployed on the front line of Tiger Cave, I've decided: the 7th Regiment will be responsible for the frontal attack, while the 35th Infantry Regiment will flank to the south, attacking Xiaomaoshan on Hill 368, and finally converge on Toutuo Ridge on Hill 448!"

The Ninth Division could have bypassed Tiger Cave and the Second Peak to attack the First Peak from the flank, but the risk was too great. If the battle dragged on, they would be attacked from the side by the guerrilla detachment and their retreat might be cut off. Therefore, the Japanese could only proceed step by step, which was the safest option.

The second peak is located due east and south of Tiger Cave. All Yoshizumi Ryosuke chose to attack from the south to tie down the guerrilla forces. Their main attack direction was still Tiger Cave.

After the meeting, the 7th Infantry Regiment launched the first attack on the Tiger Cave defense line, while the 35th Infantry Regiment maneuvered to the south. Colonel Fujii never intended to play a supporting role; they and the 7th Regiment belonged to the 6th Infantry Brigade, and competition between them was inevitable.

The 19th Infantry Regiment had not yet fought against the guerrilla detachment. Hitoshi Hidezo was very ambitious. He only had one opponent, and that was the Training Corps!

The Ninth Division's tactical change did not escape the notice of Zhao Yunwen and the guerrilla detachment's informants. The 35th Infantry Regiment even swaggered in to attack, prompting Zhao Yunwen to order the 2nd Regiment to engage in battle.

Second Regiment Commander Wang Guohua couldn't wait any longer. He had been watching the isolated battalion feast, and the commanders of the First and Second Battalions had been nagging him to join the battle. His ears were practically calloused from hearing it all.

Zhao Yunwen instructed him:

"The Japanese are coming in strong. Your mission is to hold the line and ensure the safety of Xiaomaoshan's flank. Understand?"

Wang Guohua answered loudly:

"Mission accomplished!"

After finishing his speech, Wang Guohua left the command post and went down to the front line to take command.

By the time he arrived at the First Battalion Command Post, the Japanese had already launched their attack. Battalion Commander Qin Haitao, seeing Wang Guohua running towards him, said with great displeasure:

"Commander, what brings you here? It's dangerous!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a volley of shells flew over, exploding a hundred meters away, the dust they kicked up covering Wang Guohua.

Wang Guohua didn't seem to care, and instead said:

"I just came to take a look. Fight as you see fit; no one's taking over your command!"

Despite saying that, Qin Haitao still reported the battle situation to Wang Guohua. This was the awareness of a subordinate, and the polite words of a superior should not be taken seriously.

"Commander, the Japanese are at least a regiment. They come up like mad dogs and bite people right away. In the first round of attack, they committed hundreds of men to attack my mountainside defense line."

The first and second companies are putting up a full-scale counterattack, with the running company coordinating the operation; the front line is currently relatively stable.

Wang Guohua nodded and said:

"The mountainside defense line is very important, especially the bunkers on the left and right flanks, which can form crossfire and help defend the central route."

"The Japanese are using Cheng Yaojin's three-pronged attack. As long as you hold them off, things will be easier. The Second Battalion still needs to defend the main position; I don't have any reserves to support you."

Qin Haitao said loudly:

"We are confident that we can hold the position. Please return to the command post to take charge of the overall situation, so that the brothers can fight the Japanese with all their might."

Seeing that Qin Haitao was starting to drive people away, Wang Guohua, not wanting to cause any more trouble for the First Battalion, smiled and said:

"Fine, this is your territory, you call the shots. I won't get in your way."

After Wang Guohua finished speaking, he returned to the command post, and Qin Haitao was finally able to fight the Japanese soldiers with full force.

"Communications officer, relay the order to the artillery company: target the Japanese in the center, six rapid fire rounds, blast them to smithereens!"