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

After the garrison was replaced, its combat effectiveness improved significantly. The combination of more than a dozen light and heavy machine guns and three 60mm mortars kept the Japanese troops firmly at bay, a hundred meters away.

Shuntaro Yamaguchi committed his rapid-fire artillery company and regimental artillery company to the battle, completely disregarding the possibility of friendly fire.

The rapid-fire artillery squadron's "37mm guns" were used for anti-tank warfare, and were equally effective against bunkers, posing a significant threat to the defending army's machine gun positions.

Fortunately, the M1919 medium machine gun is highly mobile and can be moved by one person, making it difficult to catch.

The Type 92 heavy machine gun was different; it required at least three people to lift it, as it was completely suppressed by the M2 mortar.

The rapid-fire cannons and infantry guns were all within the range of the 82mm mortars, and the Japanese soldiers were very frustrated.

Major Yamaguchi even resorted to indiscriminate artillery fire, but still didn't gain any advantage.

Lieutenant Captain Inoue said through gritted teeth:

"Yamaguchi-kun, ask the regimental commander for tactical guidance. Use 105mm heavy artillery to bombard Luodian and wipe it off the map."

Major Yamaguchi was too embarrassed to ask for divisional artillery support through Adachi Twenty-Three, as that would be tantamount to admitting he was a useless piece of trash.

This decision is not easy to make.

"Yamaguchi-kun, heavy artillery is the Imperial Army's greatest advantage. We can't just leave such a powerful weapon unused and instead engage in a head-on fight with the Chinese."

Although Captain Murakami's words were harsh, they were reasonable. Yamaguchi could not let his soldiers bleed more just to save face.

Major Yamaguchi remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"Murakami-kun, let the warriors retreat!"

"I will immediately request tactical guidance from the regimental commander to use artillery to flatten Luodian."

The brothers of the Third Company, the second line of defense of the security regiment, were fighting hard when a chilling bugle call sounded from behind the Japanese. Not long after, they saw the Japanese retreating under cover of each other.

The company commander quickly understood the Japanese soldiers' intentions and blew the anti-artillery whistle with all his might.

As before, the soldiers of the Third Company swiftly slipped into the anti-artillery bunker, leaving only a few observation posts on the position.

The battlefield fell silent for a short time. Inside the artillery shelter of the 8th Platoon of the 3rd Company, Private First Class Shi Laishun excitedly boasted:

"I just killed four Japanese soldiers with only five bullets. It was easier than target practice."

Jin Youfu, also a private first class, was embarrassed by his failure to make a sale and retorted sarcastically:

"Lai Shun, you're really bragging. Five bullets, four Japanese soldiers eliminated. You really think you're a sniper."

"There are so many people here, have some shame!"

Before Jin Laishun could retort, Sergeant Kong Deming continued, "..."

"I can testify that Brother Lai Shun was not lying. He did kill four Japanese soldiers, more than I eliminated."

Kong Deming was the deputy squad leader and also the sniper of the eighth squad. No one dared to doubt his words, and the squad leader immediately praised him:

"Brother Lai Shun did a good job this time, so I'll remember your military merit. Everyone else should follow Brother Lai Shun's example, especially Jin Youfu."

Shi Laishun was so proud of himself that he almost had his tail wagging in the air. He was the kind of genius who was born with a natural talent and had a knack for holding guns.

Jin Youfu was so envious he was going crazy. He secretly made up his mind that when the Japanese came up again, he would kill a few to show his squad leader.

"boom!"

A heavy artillery shell landed, making the soldiers of the Eighth Platoon's heads buzz. Jin Youfu even experienced temporary hearing loss.

The squad leader screamed in terror:

"It's heavy artillery!"

"They all leaned against the wall, mouths open, hands loosely holding their ears."

The Japanese artillery preparations began, this time deploying a battalion of 105mm mountain guns, a total of 12 guns.

Shells rained down from the sky, covering not only the second line of defense but also many within the town, destroying dozens of houses.

Class 8 is like a small boat in a vast ocean, facing turbulent waves and at risk of capsizing at any moment.

The 105mm mountain gun was indeed incredibly powerful; the security regiment's meticulously constructed fortifications were as fragile as paper in its presence.

The trenches were destroyed in sections, and many people were buried in the loose soil. Then, a handful of soil was picked up, and it was covered with the blood of the martyrs.

Zhao Yunwen's face was extremely grim. The Japanese had used heavy artillery. He witnessed a bunker being hit and instantly turned into a deep crater, with limbs and severed bodies being thrown into the air.

Simply taking the hits without fighting back was definitely not Zhao Yunwen's style. Relying on the 3D mini-map, he quickly located the Japanese artillery positions and roared:

"Lupin, immediately notify the artillery battalion to fire six rapid shots according to the coordinates I provided."

"You absolutely must flatten those Japanese heavy artillery positions for me!"

The 75mm mountain gun battalion was the security regiment's secret weapon, which Zhao Yunwen had kept hidden away and treasured.

The Japanese 105mm mountain artillery group was right within the artillery battalion's firing range. Because their positions were seven kilometers away, they were very arrogant, taking advantage of the fact that the civilian 20mm mortars couldn't reach them.

Artillery battalion commander Liu Meisheng was seething with hatred, but without Zhao Yunwen's orders, he could only stare helplessly.

The security regiment had very strict discipline and absolutely forbade disobedience. Even battalion commanders could not escape military law.

The Japanese artillery fire was still raging, and just as Liu Meisheng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, the communications staff officer came to report:

"Battalion Commander, urgent telegram from Regimental Headquarters!"

Liu Meisheng snatched the telegram in a great hurry, then threw his head back and laughed loudly:

"You sons of bitches, just wait till I kill you all!"

The artillery battalion was highly skilled; after receiving the order, the six dark cannon muzzles locked onto the target in less than three minutes.

Everything is ready, except for the east wind!

Liu Meisheng personally directed the operation, shouting with all his might:

"Six rapid-fire rounds—fire!"

In an instant, the earth trembled, and six shells were fired, tracing several beautiful parabolas in the air before landing precisely in the Japanese artillery positions.

"Boom boom boom..."

A series of explosions rang out, and smoke engulfed the Japanese artillery positions, dismantling at least two heavy guns into parts.

Dozens of Japanese artillerymen were torn to shreds, terrifying the commander who screamed in terror:

"Baka yarou, enemy attack!"

"Move quickly—"

Another round of shells fell, and this time, luck was incredible; they landed in the middle of the shell pile, triggering a terrifying secondary explosion.

Most of the artillery position was razed to the ground, with cannon wreckage and artillerymen's corpses everywhere.

At the 12th Regiment Field Command Post, Anda Twenty-Three was dumbfounded.

Although he didn't know what had happened, one thing was certain: the heavy artillery battalion was finished.

He didn't know how to explain himself to Division Commander Munetake Yamamuro. In the Japanese army, heavy artillery was far more valuable than soldiers, who were considered expendable resources.

"Baka yarou! How come the Chinese have heavy artillery? Is this still a security regiment?"

Major Maeda Katsumi, the regimental senior staff officer, said with a forced smile:

"Commander, it's clear our intelligence was flawed. The garrison at Luodian is definitely not a security regiment. We've been tricked."

"This is a French-made Schneider 75mm mountain gun with a range of up to 9300 meters!"

It is understood that only about 50 of these guns were procured for the entire Huaxia region, with each gun costing 7 silver dollars. The garrison at Luodian must be composed of mysterious German-equipped technicians!

Adachi Nyūzō finally grasped at this lifeline and cursed loudly:

"Baka yarou! It's all those useless bastards' fault from the Special Higher Police!"