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

The battalion commander shouted excitedly:

"Blow these sons of bitches to death!"

The support from the regimental artillery company was like a timely rain, silencing the Japanese artillery fire and stabilizing the defensive line.

The bunkers and the thirty or forty light and heavy machine guns on both flanks opened fire at full force, slaughtering the Japanese soldiers and annihilating as many as they came.

Machine gunner Ye Qiang had his fill of killing Japanese soldiers; he even took off his uniform and worked shirtless.

He used a captured Type 92 heavy machine gun, also known as the "chicken neck," which was highly stable, and countless Japanese soldiers died under its gun.

The spotter continuously reported targets to Ye Qiang through the firing port, and the latter only needed to fire, which was incredibly satisfying.

"That was fucking awesome! Go to hell!"

"Damn you Japanese devils, I'll kill you all!"

"Boom boom boom!"

A volley of shells slammed into the bunker, making Ye Qiang's head buzz and his eyes glaze over, but his hands continued to fire mechanically.

"boom!"

An infantry shell pierced the bunker's defenses, leaving Ye Qiang and the others hiding inside lying in pools of blood, some dead and some wounded.

One of the five bunkers was destroyed, significantly reducing their firepower, but no one cared; everyone was prepared to die for their country.

The Japanese soldiers were very excited and continued to use infantry artillery to break through the defenses. Waves of infantry charged, drawing enemy fire.

The battalion commander saw through the Japanese intentions. They were using infantry cannon fodder to draw the defenders' fire, and then launching a surprise attack with Type 92 infantry guns. This tactic was insidious, but very effective.

"Damn it, I'm done living! Fire!"

"fire!"

The battalion commander's eyes were bloodshot as he kept issuing orders to fire artillery. Shells kept firing into the enemy ranks, and the battle scene was breathtaking.

The central line drew most of the Japanese firepower, allowing the flanks to unleash their full power, relentlessly bombarding the Japanese and rubbing them to the ground, thus stabilizing the battle line once again.

Time passed slowly, and before they knew it, the sun was setting. The 11th Infantry Regiment still hadn't captured Gangtou, and instead suffered heavy casualties.

"You bunch of useless trash, get back down!"

After giving the order, Colonel Nagano's face turned ashen, and his chest heaved as if he had a bellyful of anger that needed to be vented.

Battalion Commander Bai Qingsong was equally eager for more. Although the casualties among his soldiers were heavy, they had fought against the Itagaki Division, and the enemies were especially hostile to each other.

Both sides were fired up, and it was just a matter of whether the Japanese would fight a night battle. The First Battalion would definitely fight to the bitter end.

The senior staff officer of the 11th Infantry Regiment field command reported to Colonel Nagano:

"Commander, the casualties have been tallied: 263 dead, 115 seriously wounded, and 4 artillery pieces lost."

The Japanese army committed a total of one infantry battalion and one artillery battalion to the attack, suffering 378 casualties. The infantry battalion suffered more than 30% casualties. The Itagaki Division could not afford such a war of attrition.

Colonel Nagano had calmed down and turned his gaze to the southern front, asking:

"How long until the warriors of the 16th Division, who are heading north to encircle Lanfeng, arrive?"

"Reporting to the team leader, he should arrive tomorrow morning."

"Alright, the warriors are tired too. We'll only send out a feint attack tonight, and the main force will camp here and fight again tomorrow."

Colonel Nagano originally intended to take Lanfeng in one fell swoop, but he did not expect the 107th Division, which was covering the rear, to be so stubborn. So he was no longer willing to fight the defenders alone, but waited for the 16th Division to arrive and then attack from both sides to reduce losses.

At the 644th Regiment headquarters, Chief of Staff Liang Zhou reported the Japanese soldiers' unusual behavior. Luo Wen snorted coldly and said:

"The Japanese aren't stupid; they'll behave themselves after being hurt. No matter what bad things they're up to, we'll remain steadfast and adaptable."

"Commander, we've received the latest battle report from brigade headquarters. Several thousand Japanese troops are heading straight for Lanfeng City on the southern front. It should be our old adversary, the 16th Division!"

Rowan was already prepared, and said in a deep voice:

"It's nothing serious. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. The Japanese on the eastern front are probably waiting for us."

The 322nd Brigade was tasked with holding out for two days; the longer they could hold out, the better.

Nothing happened overnight. The next morning, the 11th Infantry Regiment hesitated for quite a while before launching its attack. It was still a battalion-sized force, but this time it was the 2nd Battalion.

The routine is still the same: first the artillery bombards, then the infantry charges.

The position was bombed repeatedly, and the infantry attacked wave after wave, as meticulously as if it had been programmed in advance.

Don't underestimate this almost formulaic attack procedure; every step requires skill and extensive training to master.

Offense is an art, while defense is relatively simpler. The Nationalist Army is good at defense but not offense. Those who can maintain their formation during an attack are the elite.

The Itagaki Division was able to operate as a unified whole, exerting continuous and powerful pressure on the defending forces.

If it were any other unit, they would have been scattered long ago. Unfortunately, this time they encountered the 644th Regiment of the 107th Division.

Their defenses were tightly linked and impenetrable, with a good combination of long, medium and short-range weapons, and the left, center and right positions cooperated with each other. Their combat skills and will were no less than those of the Japanese.

It's like a duel between two masters. You punch me, I kick you. Both have top-notch attack power and resilience. Neither of them can take the other down in a short time.

The two sides fought fiercely all morning, suffering casualties on both sides, but the battle line remained as solid as a rock.

During halftime, Colonel Nagano habitually showed off a bit:

"Yoshi, the 107th Division is worthy of being the opponent of the Itagaki Division, and the commander of Ganggai deserves the respect of the Imperial Army."

The senior staff officer continued, "..."

"War is fought as a whole, and the 107th Division was surrounded by a bunch of incompetent teammates, while their commander was even ridiculed as only being fit to command a regiment."

The Chinese are about to lose the Central Plains. Whoever controls the Central Plains controls the world. The situation is already decided. No matter how capable Zhao Yunwen and the 107th Division are, it will be of no use.

Your Excellency Regiment Commander, we have received a report from the front that the 16th Infantry Division has arrived at the flank of Lanfeng and is about to launch an attack on Luowang Station and the south of Lanfeng City.

"His Excellency the General is leading the main force of the brigade on his way, and the 10th Division will also be flanking from the north. Lanfeng will face a three-pronged attack, and they won't be able to hold out for long."

Colonel Nagano was in a great mood. He already knew this, otherwise he wouldn't have been in the mood to show off.

"Alright, it's time to end this battle! Let the warriors eat their fill, give each of them an extra can of beef to replenish their energy, and launch the final assault at 14 PM sharp. Make sure His Excellency the General spends the night in the city!"

Luo Wen also received news of the arrival of Japanese reinforcements. Zhang Yi's telegram was concise: the Japanese 643rd Regiment at Luo Wang Station would hold them off, and the 644th Regiment would hold out until nightfall before abandoning Gangtou and retreating to Dongcheng.

Before nightfall, they still faced the 11th Infantry Regiment, and the balance remained intact.

Luo Wen, knowing the Japanese would commit their entire regiment, said to the Second Battalion Commander:

"Take the brothers of the Second Battalion and quickly reinforce Gangtou Chebu as the reserve force of the First Battalion. As long as the Japanese send reinforcements, you will hold them off. Under no circumstances should the Japanese be allowed to enter the station before dark."

The battle had been going on for a day, and the Second Battalion had been watching from the sidelines. The Second Battalion Commander could no longer contain himself and excitedly accepted the order to leave.

At 14 PM sharp, the Japanese offensive began as scheduled. Colonel Nagano concentrated all the artillery and bombarded the Gangtou position fiercely, with bombardment everywhere.

The artillery group of the 644th Regiment was not to be outdone and engaged in a fierce artillery battle with the Japanese. Colonel Nagano was horrified to discover that the defending forces' firepower was even stronger than theirs.

The artillery company of the 644th Regiment still had 11 artillery pieces left, while the Japanese only had 7. Even if they combined the artillery of a battalion, they would not have the advantage in numbers.

Colonel Nagano, his face grim from the bombing, gritted his teeth and gave the order:

"The Imperial Army's Bushido is their true trump card! For the glory of the Itagaki Division, thrust forward!"

"Itaiya!"

The old Japanese devils in Nagano finally acted generously, with more than two thousand Japanese soldiers attacking Gangtou from the left, center, and right. The gambling-addicted Japanese soldiers finally couldn't resist going all in.

The battalion commander roared fearlessly:

"Brothers, fight the Japanese devils to the death! We'll hold the position as long as we live!"