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

Colonel Iseki's thinking was still stuck on fighting other Nationalist army forces, or even fighting in the Manchurian region. He attempted to force the 646th Regiment to deploy its full firepower with just two companies, displaying the inherent arrogance of the Kwantung Army.

The 646th Regiment had extensive experience in positional warfare. The Japanese heavy firepower was on full display, and they wouldn't be foolish enough to expose all their firepower at the beginning.

Each battalion concealed most of its firepower, and the artillery was not used at all. They only revealed 40% of their light and heavy machine guns and a small number of 60mm mortars, which was enough to suppress two companies of Japanese soldiers on the hillside.

As usual, the Japanese used Type 92 heavy machine guns to suppress the enemy and infantry artillery to provide fire support, attempting to destroy the defenders' machine gun positions. However, this provoked retaliatory mortar fire, resulting in the loss of two Type 92 heavy machine guns.

Not only did they suffer losses in firepower, but their infantry also suffered heavy casualties. Their previously effective tactics were completely countered by the defending forces.

Colonel Iseki was somewhat embarrassed, but he still stubbornly insisted:

"Well, it seems I underestimated the Chinese. Let the cannons do the talking!"

This was merely a probing attack, and Colonel Yamamoto didn't say anything. They weren't so arrogant as to repel the defenders with just two infantry companies.

Due to heavy casualties, the probing attack ended hastily. The infantry group had just retreated when artillery shells rained down on them. The artillery fire from the two infantry regiments was still very intense.

The Kwantung Army certainly had reason to be arrogant. Their artillery fire was highly accurate. Thanks to the large number of factories, resources, and readily available equipment stockpiles abandoned by Zhang Xiaoliu, the Kwantung Army was rolling in money and could fire shells like they were free. Although the defending forces suffered a significant loss of strength, they still suffered considerable casualties.

The Japanese artillery shells practically plowed through the mountains on both flanks, and they were still not satisfied. If they weren't worried about the Japanese soldiers inside the encirclement being annihilated, they would have bombed a few more times.

Sui Youlan, commander of the 646th Regiment, had witnessed firsthand the formidable firepower of the Kwantung Army and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Damn it, they're using shells like they're free. No wonder the division commander wouldn't let us fight the Japanese head-on."

The chief of staff leaned over and said:

"Commander, the main force has ceased its attack. Should we retreat as well?"

Sui Youlan shook his head and said:

"If we retreat now, the Japanese will chase us and attack us relentlessly, resulting in heavy casualties, and we might even be routed."

"First, repel this offensive. Signal both battalions to stop holding back and give it their all to drive the Japanese back!"

On the left flank, at the position of the Third Battalion, Battalion Commander Lü Zeng shook off the loose dirt from his body and stared intently at the slowly advancing Japanese troops through his binoculars.

Deputy Battalion Commander Lin Feng ran over to report:

"Orders came from regimental headquarters: fight to the death!"

As Lü Zeng was considering whether to expose all his firepower, the order came from the regimental headquarters, and he immediately gave the command:

"Signal the artillery company to fire, fire six rounds, and don't let the Japanese artillery get caught up in their gunfire!"

As soon as the cannons fired, all the light and heavy machine guns opened fire. "If we don't show our power, those bastards will really think we're pushovers."

Lin Feng excitedly accepted the order and went to meet them. He had long been fed up with the arrogance of the Japanese. The Third Battalion had suffered dozens of casualties in the previous shelling, and it was time to make the Japanese pay the price.

On the left flank hillside, hundreds of Japanese soldiers, rifles in hand, came charging menacingly. In their minds, such intense firepower should not have killed many people; they were just going through the motions to collect the bodies of the Chinese.

Before they knew it, they had advanced to the halfway point of the mountain. The battalion commander, sword in hand, charged at the forefront. Seeing that the time was right, he shouted the order:

"Warriors, charge!"

The Japanese soldiers straightened up and began their final charge. Suddenly, a thunderous roar of artillery fire came from the mountaintop, and shells rained down in volleys, each round of bombardment taking down many Japanese soldiers.

The well-organized military formation was scattered by the bombs, and the greatest threat came from the machine guns, which numbered in the dozens.

In particular, each company had as many as six M1919 medium machine guns, and the three infantry companies had a total of 18 of them, firing thousands of bullets every minute. Such dense firepower caused the Japanese soldiers to fall and be routed.

Colonel Iseki was utterly dumbfounded and stammered:

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! This can't be real. Why do the Chinese have such intense firepower? Can't they be killed by bombs?"

Under the strafing fire of two battalions of the 646th Regiment, nearly half of the two battalions that had launched the attack were killed or wounded. Hundreds of men lay on the ground. Not to mention Colonel Iseki, even Colonel Yamamoto felt the pain for him.

Due to organizational limitations, the Kwantung Army consisted of veterans with more than five years of service; anyone could be chosen to serve as a squad leader when the army was expanded.

The 3rd Mixed Brigade may sound like a garrison unit, but in reality, it was the main brigade of the 2nd Division, a genuine elite force. They had been fighting against the Anti-Japanese United Army for a long time outside the Great Wall and had rich combat experience. It would be unbearable for anyone to be so easily worn down.

"Iseki-kun, quickly get the warriors to retreat! It's not that the Chinese are unkillable, but that they are too cunning. They had been hiding a lot of strength before, and only now have they revealed it."

"Use artillery shells! I refuse to believe we can't kill them!"

Colonel Yamamoto's words reminded Colonel Iseki that the reason they suffered such a heavy loss was because the defending forces had concealed a large amount of firepower, which made the artillery fire ineffective.

"Quickly, get the warriors back!"

"Fire! Kill the Chinese!"

Upon receiving the order from headquarters, the Japanese soldiers felt as if they had been granted a pardon and retreated hastily, prioritizing their own survival over the dignity of the Kwantung Army.

Sui Youlan gave a big thumbs up:

"Well done, brothers! Chief of Staff, quickly signal the Second and Third Battalions to abandon their positions and retreat!"

The Japanese were retreating, and the 646th Regiment was also retreating. The remaining Japanese soldiers inside the encirclement had long been badly beaten and were huddled obediently in the valley, trembling with fear.

The two battalions of the 646th Regiment, which were covering the rear, abandoned their positions before the Japanese launched a new round of artillery bombardment and retreated in large strides along the mountain ridges on both sides.

The main force of the 323rd Brigade, which had previously besieged the 30th Regiment, did not forcibly eliminate the hundreds of remaining soldiers who were now trapped. Instead, it pretended to be frightened by the Japanese reinforcements and retreated several miles, blocking the Japanese passage northward to attack Lanfeng and Yangguji, thus leaving the choice to the Japanese.

It remains to be seen whether the 3rd Mixed Brigade can swallow this insult; they have suffered considerable losses in their battle against the 107th Division.

The 2nd Cavalry Battalion was almost completely annihilated, the 30th Infantry Regiment suffered more than 70% casualties among its three infantry battalions, and the 16th Infantry Regiment also suffered several hundred casualties.

The Japanese launched a new round of artillery bombardment as scheduled, which was much more intense than before. Shells rained down, covering almost the entire 646th Regiment's position.

The bombing was more targeted, with repeated attacks. If the 646th Regiment had not evacuated, the casualties would have been considerable.

Colonel Iseki's expression softened slightly; he couldn't believe that the Chinese could survive under such intense artillery fire.

The shelling lasted for more than an hour, and after using up 60% of the shells, Colonel Iseki finally ordered a general attack. More than 2,000 infantrymen swarmed towards the mountains on both flanks like locusts.

All the Type 92 heavy machine guns and infantry guns were providing long-range fire suppression, and the 646th Regiment's position was deathly quiet.

Colonel Iseki finally broke into a smile and said smugly:

"Wow, the Imperial Army's firepower is truly fierce! This is the true strength of my Second Division!"

Colonel Yamamoto wasn't as optimistic as he seemed. The sounds of gunfire had ceased in the valley, and he was now worried about the safety of the main force within the encirclement. Three infantry battalions were inside; if anything happened to them…

Colonel Yamamoto dared not think any further and could only place his hopes on the 16th Infantry Regiment.

In the rear of the 323rd Brigade, Qiu Fengzi had already met up with Zhao Yunwen, and the two were watching the show through binoculars.

Still wanting more, Qiu the Madman asked:

"Having suffered such a heavy loss and rescued the remnants, will the Japanese still head north?"

Zhao Yunwen knew the Japanese soldiers' character best; they wouldn't back down easily. He smiled and said:

"If the Japanese retreat, send someone over to provoke them; you won't have to worry about the fish getting away."

This is the strategy of "pursuing the enemy when they retreat," and Zhao Yunwen had plenty of ways to provoke the Japanese.

Having finally reached the summit, Iseki, Yamamoto, and the others excitedly pumped their fists. Colonel Iseki, in particular, exclaimed with high spirits:

"Yamamoto-kun, the Chinese have escaped. Go check on the besieged warriors."