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

The Second Regiment launched a fierce attack on the Zhenbei position, going all out from the start, making the first battle the decisive one.

Regiment Commander Luo Wen of the 344th Regiment was prepared. Seeing that the Japanese were using human wave tactics, he immediately ordered the artillery company to open fire to block them.

Rows of shells crashed into the enemy ranks, sending Japanese soldiers flying and disrupting their disciplined formations.

Due to the threat of Japanese heavy artillery on the southern front, they only fired six rounds, leaving the rest to the Second Battalion.

Seventy-two shells were fired, and the Japanese suffered heavy losses, with nearly two hundred casualties, and their morale also dropped significantly.

This was just an appetizer; what awaited them next was a relentless barrage of machine gun fire. Every step the Japanese took forward resulted in heavy casualties.

The Japanese artillery was also firing relentlessly at the town, destroying numerous houses and fortifications. The heavy artillery fire from the southwest was particularly devastating, causing a rapid increase in casualties among the defenders, and putting immense pressure on the two infantry battalions of the 344th Regiment.

Fortunately, they were not fighting alone. The 648th Regiment of Shuangtaji launched a timely attack on the eastern flank of the 2nd Regiment.

At the same time, the 647th Regiment of Lanfeng City also dispatched two battalions to flank the western front, threatening the safety of the 2nd Regiment headquarters.

These were all pre-arranged by the two brigades: if one brigade was attacked by the Japanese, the other brigade would send troops to help.

Colonel Yokoyama could only divide his forces to block the attack, greatly reducing the number of troops available for a frontal assault, and the Second Battalion's defensive line was stabilized.

The First Battalion in Zhennan also blocked the offensive of the 59th Regiment, and the two sides quickly reached a stalemate, and the Japanese attempt to win a quick victory failed.

On the contrary, the 323rd Brigade, the strongest force on the eastern flank of the southern front, behaved itself like a good boy, only advancing a few hundred meters westward, putting considerable pressure on the 59th Regiment that was on guard against them.

The two sides formed a complex web, mutually restraining each other, and neither could gain the upper hand.

The fighting continued until nightfall, finally ceasing with casualties on both sides. The 59th Infantry Regiment was the first to cease hostilities; they only had two infantry battalions and could not withstand further attrition.

Brigade Commander Toyoshima Pantaro summoned Nasu Yumio to the brigade headquarters for a meeting. He first listened to Colonel Nasu's battle report and then asked in a deep voice:

"With our current forces, are we confident we can break through Yangguji in a short time?"

Colonel Nasu dared not make any more promises, as the safety of the brigade's main force was at stake, and cautiously said:

"General, the Chinese are well prepared around Yangguji, especially with a considerable number of flanking forces that prevent the 59th Regiment from launching a full-scale attack on Yangguji."

Nasu's words were ambiguous, but Major General Toyoshima understood and continued to ask:

"How many of you have men left who can fight?"

"Approximately 1500 people, with over 200 more injured."

1500 men sounded like a lot, and with 16 150mm heavy cannons providing support, plus the 2nd Infantry Regiment attacking from the north, neither of them had confidence.

A brief silence fell over the command post, which was finally broken by Major General Toyoshima:

"After midnight, continue the offensive until dawn. If we still cannot achieve a breakthrough, we should abandon the attack and move westward to Lanfeng to find a new breakthrough. We must rendezvous with the 2nd Regiment."

Major General Toyoshima had clearly realized the crisis. Without the 2nd Infantry Regiment, the right column was top-heavy and isolated, deep south of the Longhai Railway, and was at risk of being encircled and annihilated.

Colonel Nasu acknowledged the order with a "heh" and left, then returned to the regimental headquarters to prepare for a new attack. This time it was a night operation, the Japanese's forte.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment also received orders from Major General Toyoshima to launch an offensive simultaneously at midnight and break through Yangguji.

The Japanese were making frantic preparations for a desperate gamble, and the main force of the 107th Division was also deploying troops. At 11:45 p.m., Xie Polu came to report:

"Commander, all units participating in the counterattack have been mobilized and are in position. The Japanese seem to be preparing for a major operation as well."

Zhao Yunwen grinned. The Japanese soldiers' every move was being monitored on the minimap, and with the reconnaissance battalion keeping a close eye on them, Zhao Yunwen had a clear understanding of the battlefield situation.

"It's time to close the net!"

Zhao Yunwen's smile faded, and he said seriously:

"Telegram to all units: The time for the general offensive is set after the Japanese launch their offensive, with the artillery regiment's attack serving as a signal. Proceed according to plan and resolve the battle before dawn."

The advance of the general offensive is understandable, as it depends on the enemy situation. There are no fixed rules in warfare; the enemy changes, and so do we.

At midnight, the Toyoshima Brigade launched its attack, with heavy artillery roaring and the earth shaking.

The Japanese soldiers were determined and unleashed their full firepower, wishing they could blast Yangguji to smithereens.

Colonel Nasu, watching the spectacle with great interest, said smugly:

"The Imperial Army's artillery fire is truly fierce. This is the power of steel. Under the repeated bombardment of heavy cannons, the Chinese who survive are incredibly lucky."

Major Imai also said jokingly:

"It must be admitted that the Chinese fought very tenaciously, but it was all in vain in the face of overwhelming firepower. It would be difficult for humans to survive under such intense firepower."

"Alright, the artillery fire has spread. Send our brave warriors up to collect the corpses of the Chinese!"

Colonel Nasu eagerly gave the order to charge, and seven or eight hundred Japanese infantrymen, taking advantage of the cover of the wild grass, surged toward the defending army's position in a massive wave.

"Knock knock knock knock!"

A row of flares shot into the air, illuminating the night and exposing the Japanese soldiers' movements to the guns of the guards.

The battlefield was instantly ignited. The battalion opened fire at full capacity, with thousands upon thousands of bullets raining down on the Japanese soldiers, leaving rivers of blood in their wake.

Colonel Nasu felt as if he had been struck hard in the chest with a hammer. It was a slap in the face; the higher he had soared, the more painful the fall would be.

The defenders' firepower remained as fierce as ever, as if the artillery barrage was merely a tickle to them, and their troop and firepower losses were not significant.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"How did they do that?"

Colonel Nasu's resolve crumbled, and he began to have second thoughts. His once straight back instantly hunched over, and his hair turned white overnight.

He could no longer see any hope of victory.

At the 27th Brigade headquarters, Major General Toyoshima, who had been waiting to see a good show, was dumbfounded. The defending troops had not collapsed, and their firepower was even stronger than during the day. He had an ominous premonition and a strange sense of unease.

"Boom boom boom..."

A volley of bullets ripped through the sky and slammed into the Toyoshima Brigade's position. The old Japanese soldier screamed in terror:

"Baka yarou, enemy attack!"

"It's a heavy artillery barrage!!!"

Major General Toyoshima finally realized where the unease that had been weighing on his mind came from; a Damocles' sword was hanging over his head and was now about to fall heavily.

The timing was perfect; the Toyoshima Brigade had already exhausted their strength after throwing out their punches and had no power left to retaliate.

Shells rained down, shattering the brigade headquarters' position, and the soldiers scattered like headless flies.

"It's over, completely over!"

The brigade commander of Toyoshima was a veteran of the army. Such fierce firepower would not be limited to just a few shots. It was accompanied by a massive infantry attack. What could Toyoshima Brigade use to stop it?

"Rumble rumble rumble..."

The ground was shaking. Major General Toyoshima initially thought it was an earthquake, but then he realized what was happening and cried out in despair:

"It's cavalry!"

"So many cavalry!!"

Above the Japanese artillery positions, a dozen flares illuminated the night as if it were daytime, and hundreds of cavalrymen surged forward, unstoppable.

There was only one infantry company guarding the artillery position, reinforced with two Type 92 heavy machine guns. This level of protection was like a chicken or a dog in front of more than 1500 cavalrymen.

The machine gun was destroyed after only a few bursts of fire, and the cavalry surged forward like a tidal wave, instantly overwhelming them.

The infantry of the Independent Regiment and the 323rd Brigade launched an attack from the southeast and southwest. The two infantry companies that had previously blocked the 323rd Brigade were quickly scattered by the artillery fire.

Gunfire and shouts filled the air. Major General Toyoshima, his face ashen, pulled out his Nambu pistol, ready to commit suicide.

The chief of staff, quick as a flash, snatched his gun, and, with a few staff officers, carried him away.

Major General Toyoshima struggled desperately and let out a mournful cry:

"You are trying to frame me!"