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

At the 2nd Battalion Command Post of the 648th Regiment, Battalion Commander Wang Minghui was using binoculars to observe the battle on the left flank. Although it looked somewhat dangerous, he had no intention of sending reinforcements, nor did he request artillery support from the regimental headquarters.

The Sixth Company had more than two hundred men. If they couldn't even hold off three or four hundred Japanese soldiers, then the battles that followed would be even more difficult.

As the defending side with numerous strong fortifications, it must be able to withstand an attack from an enemy force five times its size. Even if all five bunkers are destroyed, the city's position must be held.

The 648th Regiment was originally the 2nd Regiment of the Guerrilla Detachment, Zhao Yunwen's direct subordinate. Like the 644th Regiment, it had the most mature tactical system and the strongest combat power among the six infantry regiments. They had the confidence to fight against more than five times the number of Japanese troops.

The 5th Company's position on the right flank was also attacked by the Japanese, but the intensity was less than that on the left flank. Only one company was attacked, and the soldiers of the 5th Company easily held them off. Their mortar detachment also provided support to the left flank. The left and right flanks were less than 400 meters apart, and the M1919 heavy machine guns could form a crossfire to block the center.

Sixth Company Commander Fang Zhizhou, his face covered in gunpowder, personally led the charge and killed two Japanese soldiers. The deputy company commander came to report:

"Company commander, after the Japanese bombed out No. 5, its firepower was weakened, and it has now become an important direction for the Japanese attack. Let me take a platoon of brothers to reinforce it and stabilize the right flank."

The first rank was the entire company's reserve force, who hadn't participated in combat before. After thinking for a moment, Fang Zhizhou said:

"Just send two more squads over. You go and keep watch; we absolutely cannot let the Japanese break through from the flank first!"

The deputy company commander shouted:

"Don't worry, Company Commander, we'll definitely complete the mission!"

After the deputy company commander finished speaking, he led two infantry squads to reinforce the right flank of the Chenzhuang position along the trenches. At this time, the brothers of the second platoon were fighting desperately against the Japanese, and the battle was fierce.

The Japanese soldiers attacking the right flank numbered at least a hundred, and they were very aggressive. The second platoon, without a strong support firepower, had some difficulty firing, but the defensive line was not yet weakened.

The addition of two squads quickly reversed the situation, and the Japanese were once again pinned to the ground and thoroughly humiliated.

When the deputy company commander arrived, the second platoon leader came over and said:

"Deputy Company Commander, what brings you here? We can still hold out."

Deputy Company Commander Yu Zhenxing said in a loud voice:

"The company commander was worried about you, so he sent me with two squads to provide support. More people mean more strength!"

The 107th Division had a clear rule that officers of higher rank or position should command on the battlefield. Therefore, after Yu Zhenxing arrived, Yang Zhicheng, the second platoon leader, very consciously took on the role of the second-in-command.

When Yu Zhenxing came this time, he not only brought two squads, but also brought a captured Type 92 heavy machine gun, which he set up inside the destroyed bunker to suppress the Japanese.

The Japanese soldiers were still attacking the second platoon's defensive line, wave after wave, fearless and trying to take advantage of the momentum to rush onto the position.

The gunner of the Type 92 heavy machine gun looked at the densely packed Japanese soldiers with a cold smile, and then fired a series of precise short bursts, each burst yielding a result.

The second platoon's M1919s were destroyed by the explosion, leaving only two automatic rifles, greatly reducing their firepower.

With the support of the Type 92 heavy machine gun, the Japanese were quickly overwhelmed. In addition, there was the firepower of two more squads, and the Japanese mass assaults only increased casualties.

Seeing that the right flank position had been stabilized, Sixth Company Commander Fang Zhizhou breathed a sigh of relief and continued to direct the central operations.

The main bunker in the middle route withstood the most intense firepower from the Japanese. After learning from the lesson of the destruction of Bunker No. 5, they strengthened their surveillance of the Japanese suicide squads, with not only snipers but also a large number of riflemen, determined not to let the Japanese get close.

Soon the Japanese changed their attack, turning their artillery fire to the trenches on both sides of the bunker, attempting to clear out the infantry first, and then send a suicide squad to blow up the bunker.

The infantry groups in the trenches fought under artillery fire and heavy machine gun fire, resulting in a surge in wounded.

The 2nd Battalion Commander immediately ordered several 20mm mortars from the artillery company to provide support, specifically targeting the Japanese heavy machine guns and infantry guns. This quickly tied down the Japanese heavy firepower, greatly reducing the pressure on the infantry group.

The Japanese casualties have increased significantly, and they are struggling to keep up. Major Inoue's hand, which is holding the binoculars, is trembling. He has never fought such a fierce battle before.

The adjutant advised him:

"Inoue-kun, the Imperial Army's morale has been extinguished. Continuing to fight will only increase casualties. It's getting late; let the warriors retreat!"

Major Inoue stubbornly insisted:

"The Imperial Army is fighting a tough battle, and the Chinese are not having an easy time either. Now it's time to test their fighting will. The Chinese are all cowards. As long as we persevere, they definitely won't be able to hold on."

The adjutant didn't give him face, but instead argued logically:

"Mr. Inoue, the garrison in Yixian is not comparable to those ragtag troops in western Shandong. They are the elite of the Central Army of China, with not only fierce firepower but also a fighting spirit no less than that of the Imperial Army."

The two companies on the west and central flanks have suffered heavy losses and are unlikely to break through the defensive line. We should request tactical guidance from the regimental commander. It will take at least two battalions to breach the Chinese lines.

Major Inoue also felt sorry for his soldiers; if the fighting continued, he would become a battalion commander without any troops. Since his adjutant had been urging him to stop, he went along with it and said:

"Then I'll do as you say. Let the warriors retreat. I'll go ask the regimental commander for reinforcements."

The adjutant breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that Major Inoue would act rashly and that the entire force would be wiped out.

Face is important, but strength is even more important. Although soldiers can be replaced when they are all killed, those reservists can't compare to the elite veterans in active duty.

The bugle call to retreat sounded, and the Japanese troops retreated like a tide, taking many seriously wounded soldiers with them as they left, clearly indicating that their fighting strength remained intact.

The defenders did not pursue; they focused on rescuing the wounded and arranged for the seriously wounded to be evacuated, while the others took refuge in the artillery shelters.

Major Inoue returned to regimental headquarters to request reinforcements, and naturally received a severe scolding. Fortunately, Colonel Nagano also realized the problem and agreed to Major Inoue's request, saying in a deep voice:

"Inoue-kun, you only need to focus your attack on the western flank. Leave the eastern flank to the Nishihara Battalion. Whoever enters the castle first will be the first to attack!"

This agreement is clearly unfair to the Inoue Battalion, which is at full strength and has a large number of troops.

On the other hand, they themselves had already suffered more than half casualties, and even with the wounded included, they could not muster 600 men capable of fighting.

Of course, they also have advantages. Many of the defensive positions and fortifications of the western front have been destroyed, and the defenders have suffered heavy casualties. It is still uncertain who will win and who will lose.

Seeing the smug look on Major Nishihara's face, Major Inoue's competitive spirit was also ignited, and he loudly proclaimed:

"Captain Inoue will not let you down!"

Major Nishihara chimed in, saying:

"Commander, the Nishihara Battalion will definitely be the first to breach the city!"

Colonel Nagano wanted this effect; competition was what would unleash the fighting power. No matter which battalion entered the city first, it would be the 40th Infantry Regiment's achievement. The brigade commander was losing patience and was trying to provoke him with words.

The brigade commander gave him two days. If he still couldn't break through the city, the 39th Infantry Regiment would be sent in, and they would be left to watch. This was something Colonel Nagano could not accept.

At the headquarters of the 10th Division, Lieutenant General Rensuke Isogai frowned deeply. He had been under immense pressure since the disastrous defeat at Taierzhuang.

If he fails to achieve outstanding results in the offensive against Pengcheng, his tenure as division commander will be over, and he may be demoted to a lower position and sent back to China to retire.

After the Setani Detachment was decimated, the temporary formation of the detachment was cancelled, but the 33rd Infantry Brigade remained. Setani Kei was not dismissed on the spot. In order to save face, the Japanese only admitted to a minor setback and attributed the cause to the dispersion of troops and the slow support of friendly forces. They did not put the blame on Setani Kei and Itagaki Jun.

He was transferred to the reserve force only after the Pengcheng Campaign ended, and soon returned to service. However, until his official retirement, his position never rose above that of a brigade commander.

This was a tradition in the Japanese army: once a battle was lost, there was no future. Isogai Rensuke was no exception. He didn't want to be relegated to the second line after the war, so he had to produce results.

After pondering for a long time, Vice Admiral Isogai finally spoke:

"Di Bujun, Zhao Yunwen excels at defense, making it difficult for Yixian to break through in a short time. Do you have any other backup plans?"