The Iron-Blooded Army of Beacon Fire

Chapter 223 Beheading 2

boom

boom

Six Shanghai-made 75mm mountain guns from the 58th Division Artillery Battalion opened fire one after another, launching the first shot of the harassment attack.

Immediately afterwards, two Type 41 75mm mountain guns from the 51st Division Artillery Battalion also opened fire. The eight 75mm mountain guns, which could not be called a powerful artillery group, fired at the 36th Japanese Infantry Regiment. The team's position projected rounds of bullets.

The quiet night suddenly became chaotic and noisy. Because the observation equipment and artillery equipment were relatively backward, the artillery of the 58th Division and the 51st Division that participated in the bombardment of the Japanese positions did not achieve any decent results in the bombardment.

Its shelling can only be said to be aimed at hitting the main defense line of the Japanese army as much as possible. There is no accuracy. Many shells even deviated from the Japanese position.

After all, this decapitation operation was too hasty. If it had been finalized during the day, the artillery officers of the two divisions could have observed the target in advance. But in the face of this sudden combat mission, without observing the target in advance, At this time, the artillerymen of the two divisions were almost blind at night, and they could only fire based on feeling and probability.

"Ready, open!"

boom

"Tow the gun, load it."

"Platoon commander, I can't see anything."

"Hit even if you can't see it. Let me go and hit."

Following the commands, the gunners of the 58th Division constantly adjusted the aiming stick behind the Shanghai Orogenic Cannon, passing through the T-shaped ruler and the gun body at the rear of the Shanghai Orogenic Cannon in the most primitive three-point-one-line manner. The front sight on the support base adjusts the shooting direction and aims to shoot.

But in the dark night with no end in sight, the gunners could not see any clear target with their eyes. The artillery bombardment evolved from a targeted shot at the beginning to a rough shot without careful aim.

The method to clearly observe the Japanese bunkers on the front line is also very simple. You only need to send people to shoot illumination bombs at the Japanese positions, and then use an artillery mirror and a telescope to have a clear view.

Unfortunately, the range of the Japanese army's powerful artillery artillery is more than twice that of the old artillery of the 58th Division and the 51st Division. Once the illumination bomb is fired, the artillery position will be immediately exposed.

Soon, the gunners who found that aiming at night was ineffective simply gave up careful aiming, accelerated their firing speed, simply closed their eyes, and fired continuously in the general direction of the Japanese position.

Whether it is the 75mm old Huangniu mountain cannon made in Shanghai of the 58th Division, or the two newly acquired Type 41 75mm mountain cannons of the 51st Division, they have all been changed to a blind-eyed rough artillery attack. To describe it in too civilized terms, it’s just a slap in the face.

This harassment attack to cover the beheading operation kicked off with a confused shelling.

After the bombardment began, the infantry regiments of the 51st Division that had lurked in front of the Japanese positions also opened fire one after another and launched an attack on the Japanese. The 301st and 302nd regiments of the 151st Brigade of the 51st Division, The 305th Regiment and the 306th Regiment of the 153rd Brigade launched a full-line attack on the two Japanese regiments facing them. The attacking infantry sent by each regiment all attacked in squads and platoons.

The dense sound of Czech light machine gunfire, Zhongzheng rifles, and Hanyang-made rifles exploded in front of the Japanese position. Dozens of red or green tracer ballistics intertwined like tongues of fire. Smashed into the Japanese position.

Accompanying the intensive gunfire were thunderous shouts of killing. However, although the gunfire and shouts of killing were intensive, the officers and soldiers of the 51st Division did not rashly launch a frontal attack on the Japanese position, and only sent out a few scattered soldiers. They leapt towards the Japanese army. The noise could be said to be very loud, but there was no large-scale infantry attack at all.

When He Wei and Wang Yaowu were planning this harassment and cover attack, they had already pointed out that only a small force was needed, and Wang Yaowu would not mess with his precious infantry, so the cover attack was thunderous from the beginning. The raindrops were light. In order to make a big noise, Wang Yaowu ordered each regiment to attack the troops not to bring 82 mortars or heavy machine guns.

The attacking troops only carry rifles and light machine guns, especially the light machine guns. The troops staying behind in the position will lend all their light machine guns to the attacking troops.

Therefore, each infantry squad sent by the 51st Division to carry out harassment attacks was equipped with at least two light machine guns, and most of the ammunition they carried were tracer bullets, which created a huge momentum after the attack started.

For a time, in front of the positions of the two infantry regiments of the 18th Brigade of the 9th Division of the Japanese Army, light machine guns, rifles, shell guns, and Qiwushan artillery played a chaotic symphony, and the continuous firing of light machine guns produced fire dragons. Flying forward, the riflemen used tracer bullets to fire, and the ballistics produced were densely dotted.

The grenades fired by the Qiwu Mountain Artillery used unstructured single-gun firing tactics to randomly bombard the Japanese positions that could not be seen clearly. If we look at the general combat principles, this is an unqualified attack from beginning to end, but if From the perspective of a harassment battle that does not pursue results, this is quite qualified.

The positions of the two infantry regiments of the 18th Brigade were like a boiling pot. Since the Japanese attack on Nanjing was a surprise operation, the 36th Infantry Regiment and the 19th Infantry Regiment under the 18th Brigade There were no large-area barbed wire fences, deer villages, mines or other obstacles laid out in front of the position. The front of the position was all boundless open space and ravines, which also provided sufficient convenience for the 51st Division's harassment attack.

The sudden attack woke up the sleeping Japanese troops. The 36th Infantry Regiment and the 19th Infantry Regiment quickly took action. The Japanese infantry on the front line quickly entered the position. The officers of the two regiments Also started to observe the situation.

When they saw the intensive tracer ballistic attack firepower of the Chinese army in front of the position, the officers of the 36th Infantry Regiment and the 19th Infantry Regiment quickly realized that the situation was not going to happen for a second. The 75mm mountain artillery shells made the Japanese officers extremely vigilant.

The firepower of the Chinese army has always been weak, but it dispatched so many artillery bombardments at night. Based on the intensity of firepower in the night attack on the Chinese army, the Japanese officers immediately deduced that the Chinese army was likely to use the night attack to launch a counterattack.

This is not the first time that the Ninth Division, which has experienced the Battle of Songhu, has encountered this kind of thing. On the battlefield of Songhu, during the day, it was dominated by Japanese heavy artillery and aircraft, and at night, it was the stage of the Chinese army. In Songhu, In Shanghai, as soon as it gets dark, the Chinese army will concentrate all kinds of artillery that dare not fire during the day to bombard the Japanese army, followed by infantry counterattacks and counterattacks like waves.

This kind of night attack operation where you sing and I come on stage once made the Japanese troops on the Songhu battlefield feel unbearable and even had scalp numbness. The 51st Division was even more of a master. In the Luodian battle in Songhu, the Five The 11th Division has adopted counter-attack tactics many times and fought back and forth with the Japanese army. Today, it was no surprise to the veterans of the 51st Division who participated in this operation that it was a real attack with heavy thunder and small rain. .

The two infantry regiments of the 18th Brigade quickly launched a counterattack. The infantry on the front line began to fire, using various rifle machine guns to fire at the officers and soldiers of the 51st Division in front of the position. The two infantry regiments The artillery squadron of the wing directly under the team and the artillery squads of the infantry brigades under it also fired illumination bombs in front of the position with the Type 41 75mm mountain cannon and the Type 92 70mm infantry cannon in a timely manner.

A dozen 75mm and 70mm illumination bombs exploded hundreds of meters in the air. The flying illumination bomb body immediately opened a small white parachute under the influence of the explosion, and the illumination inside the body was The material soon emitted a light that made the surrounding area look like daylight. A dozen flares slowly fell in the air, and the position below was illuminated as if it were daytime.

The two infantry regiments of the 51st Division and the 18th Brigade were completely engaged in a melee. The sound of gunshots, explosions of artillery shells, shouts of killing, and passwords were all mixed together. In terms of the density of firepower projection, it was no less impressive. The battle between the two sides during the day.

This was especially true for the 36th Infantry Regiment, which attacked the position of the 301st Regiment of the 51st Division during the day. During the daytime battle, the 36th Infantry Regiment was already attacked by the spy battalion and tanks. The troops made a surprise attack and suffered heavy losses. Therefore, the mental state of the entire regiment was in a high state of tension. Unexpectedly, the Chinese army launched another night attack at night.

The entire wing soon opened fire and fired fiercely in front of the position. Not only the wing artillery and brigade artillery in the wing opened fire, but also the Type 94 37mm rapid-fire cannon of the rapid-fire artillery squadron directly under the wing. The front-line positions are ready to fire on Chinese military tanks at any time.

Suddenly, guns and artillery were flying in front of the two infantry regiments of the 18th Brigade, and the shouts of killing shook the sky.

Near the headquarters of the 18th Brigade of the 9th Division, five kilometers away from the Japanese front-line position, Major General Nobutoki Ibo, commander of the 18th Infantry Brigade of the 9th Division of the Japanese Army, was struck by the sudden sound of gunfire. He woke up with a start, rolled off the camp bed, rushed out of his tent, and quickly ran to the brigade headquarters.

In the headquarters of the 18th Brigade, the staff, officers, and messengers of the brigade were busy together. The phones were ringing one after another. As soon as Jing Shuxuan entered the brigade command post, a captain and staff officer hurriedly ran Walking to his side, he saluted and immediately said with a solemn expression: "Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, the 36th Infantry Regiment reported that the Chinese army launched a night attack."

"How many enemy troops are there and what is their firepower?"

Jing Shuxuan calmed his mind and asked.

"The number of people is unknown. It seems that the Chinese army has not yet started a large-scale attack, but the firepower is very fierce. The 36th Regiment reported that the enemy's machine gun firepower was very fierce, and there was also artillery fire cover. According to reports from front-line officers, the enemy's artillery fire was at least They are 75mm level mountain field guns, and there are quite a few of them. Judging from the falling bombs, the sound of enemy artillery and the frequency of firing, there are more than one artillery squadron, and it is extremely possible that the artillery of an artillery brigade is firing."

"what?"

Hearing that there were 75mm-level artillery providing cover for the Chinese army, Jing Shuxuan immediately realized the seriousness of the matter. After fighting with the Chinese army for several months, he already had a sufficient understanding of the Chinese army's firepower configuration. .

The largest caliber artillery of the infantry division, the basic tactical unit of the Chinese army, is only the 82 mortar. However, the opponent in today's night attack actually dispatched such a large number of artillery to act as cover for the night attack.

This probably means that the Chinese army that attacked at night was making a big move and launching a counterattack that was determined to win. Thinking of the defeat suffered by the 36th Infantry Regiment during the day, Jing Shuxuan suddenly shuddered. , the remaining sleepiness was gone.

"Reporting to the brigade commander, the 19th Infantry Regiment reported that there was an attack by Chinese troops at the front of the position. The enemy's firepower was quite fierce, and enemy machine gun bullet tracers were everywhere."

Another staff officer anxiously reported to Jingshu Xuanshi. Jing Shuxuan was a little confused now. Although the attack during the day was extremely unsuccessful, the losses of the Chinese defenders on the opposite side were far greater than those of the Japanese army. Even the 36th Infantry Regiment, which was suddenly attacked from the flank by the Chinese army, was actually Shangli was just a breath away from capturing the Chinese army's position.

If it weren't for the sudden appearance of a Chinese reinforcement force mixed with tanks and fierce firepower when they were about to invade the Chinese army's position, the 36th Infantry Regiment might have already captured the opposite position.

The Chinese army has obviously suffered heavy losses in the daytime battle. How could it use so many troops, such fierce firepower and precious mountain and field artillery firepower to counterattack at night?

Jing Shuxuan only thought of one possibility, that is, the Chinese army on the opposite side increased its strength overnight in an attempt to launch a counterattack.

The Chinese reinforcements have dispatched tanks during the day and added artillery at night. When Jing Shu announced it, he even vaguely felt that the Chinese army might have added an infantry division, because even the Chinese army with better equipment was equipped with mountains and fields. The number of guns is only equivalent to the size of an artillery brigade of the Japanese army.

The 36th Regiment reports that the size of the Chinese army's artillery is likely to be close to an artillery brigade. Doesn't that mean the enemy is likely to add an infantry division as reinforcements?

Thinking of this, Jing Shuxuan's back felt a little cold.

"Go and ask the two regiments, especially the 36th regiment, if there are any Chinese military tanks in front of them?"

Jing Shuxuan said to the staff.

"Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, the Thirty-sixth Regiment reported that no enemy tanks have been found yet, but the regiment's rapid-fire artillery squadron has been pulled to the front line position and is ready. The captain of the Thirty-sixth Regiment reported to the brigade The regiment headquarters issued a request, hoping to allow the division's artillery to carry out cover artillery fire in front of the position."

Jing Shuxuan nodded, then snorted in displeasure.

"Tell him to be careful of the Chinese army's tanks, but the Chinese army's infantry has not launched a large-scale attack yet. Wouldn't launching such a reckless artillery attack cause chaos? Tell them not to panic and keep an eye on the front line positions. Don't launch an artillery attack at the slightest sign of movement. With the firepower of the Chinese infantry, the regiment artillery and the group artillery can withstand ordinary attacks. It depends on how the division's artillery support looks like."

"Yes!"

The staff officer went to convey the order of the brigade commander Jing Shuxuanshi to the 36th Regiment by phone. Jing Shuxuanshi walked out of the tent amidst the muffled sound of artillery and gunfire and called to the front line. Position lookout.

Standing in the cold wind, looking through the telescope, what Jing Shuxuan saw was the looming fish belly white from the flares, as well as the tracer ballistics flying in the sky on the horizon and the intermittent shouts of killing.

"What the hell does the Chinese army want to do?"

Jing Shuxuan cursed in a low voice.

Not far away, there was a noise. A few hundred meters away from the headquarters of the 18th Brigade, dozens of fully armed Japanese soldiers emerged from a dozen extra-large tents. The tents formed a circle, with a large tent in the middle. Sandbags were set up around the tents, and machine gun positions were set up. In addition, there were more than a dozen Japanese sentries carrying rifles. On patrol and alert.

There is also a large wooden sign hanging on a sentry position piled with sandbags. On this wooden sign, there are five characters written - Chaoxiang Surveillance Post.

Not long after, a handsome Japanese officer walked out of the tent. Under the protection of several guards, he quietly walked up to Jing Shuxuanshi. However, Jingshu Xuanshi, whose attention had been completely attracted by the frontline battle, It wasn't until he put down the telescope worriedly that he noticed the person next to him.

Seeing the officer beside him, Jing Shuxuan immediately stepped forward to salute.

"Exit the palace."

The officer known as A Gongxia was very handsome, with a Rendan beard, wearing a military uniform with wheat ears, and a saber with royal emblems on his waist. In the exquisite leather holster on the right side of his body was A very finely crafted ivory carved pistol.

His young face is completely inconsistent with his actual age of over fifty, and on that delicate face, there is a pair of eyes that are calm on the surface, but actually hide murderous intent and sinister eyes.

This person is the uncle of the current Japanese Emperor Hirohito, and is also the current commander-in-chief of the Songhu Expeditionary Force, King Hatohiko of Asaka Palace.

At the same time, he was also He Wei's target and the instigator of the inhumane Jinling Massacre.

"No need to be polite, Ide-kun, what's going on ahead?"

King Jiuyan of Asaka Palace asked expressionlessly.

"The Chinese army suddenly launched a night attack on our two infantry regiments at the same time. There was a lot of noise. According to the report of the 36th Infantry Regiment, the enemy dispatched at least one brigade of mountain artillery to bombard the regiment's position. Machine guns The firepower was also intense.”

King Jiuyan of Chaoxiang Palace nodded, and raised his telescope to observe the front line position in the distance.

At this moment, a staff officer emerged from the tent at the headquarters of the 18th Brigade and anxiously ran to Jing Shuxuanshi. After saluting King Jiuyan of Asaka Palace, he said eagerly: "Thirty-sixth The regiment reported that the enemy's shelling became more and more fierce, and a shell just hit the brigade headquarters of the 1st Battalion of the 36th Regiment. The brigade captain was injured, and the 36th Regiment once again requested artillery support from the division."

Jing Shuxuan's expression changed and he asked anxiously: "Has the Chinese infantry started to charge?"

"The Chinese troops in front of the 36th Regiment and the 19th Regiment did not charge, but maintained fierce rifle and machine gun fire."

A suspicious look suddenly appeared on Jing Shuxuanshi's face. He did not expect that the Chinese army's artillery attack on the 36th Regiment was so sharp, violent and accurate, and actually hit the 36th Regiment's gun in the dark night. Brigade command post.

But what surprised him even more was that the Chinese army had spent so much effort in covering up, but the assault troops had not yet started to attack. The actions of the Chinese army were really puzzling.

The suspicious Jing Shuxuan here probably never imagined that the six outdated Shanghai orogenic guns from the 58th Division Artillery Battalion and the two 41-type 3-guns from the 51st Division Artillery Battalion could be used in the dark night. What about precision bombardment?

It was just a blind cannonball that happened to hit the unlucky brigade command post. The eight mountain cannons that were firing now would not be an exaggeration to say that they were fired indiscriminately.

After thinking for a while, Jingshu Xuanshi seemed to have made up his mind and whispered to King Jiuyan of Asaka Palace next to him: "Your Majesty, the Chinese army's actions tonight are very strange. I am worried that something will go wrong, so I want to Let’s go and have a look at the 36th Regiment. I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you for the time being. Please forgive me.”

After saying that, Jing Shuxuanshi bowed to King Jiuyan of Asaka Palace, who also kindly pulled Jingshu Xuanshi up, showed a warm smile, and pointed to the truck parked in the distance. He said: "Ide-kun, you don't have to be harsh on yourself. As His Majesty's ministers, you and I should do our best to serve His Majesty the Emperor. How can I affect the army's operations just because of myself? If you want to go to the front line, set off as soon as possible. Don't ride on horseback. Just sit with me." If you go with the escort truck, I will take out another infantry team to go with you, which can not only protect Ide-kun's safety, but also directly enter the battle if necessary."

Immediately, King Asaka Palace Hatohiko said to his attendants: "Tell Captain Amano to mobilize an infantry team and four trucks and go to the front line with Ide-kun."

"Yes."

Seeing that King Asaka Palace Kituhiko cared so much about him, Isho Nobuhi was deeply moved and extremely grateful. The Japanese infantry brigade headquarters was very small, only equivalent to a dispatched command organization at the division headquarters, and had no direct troops. , there are no cars to sit in, only about twenty military horses.

As King Jiuyan of Chaoxiang Palace, as the royal family and the commander of the Songhu Expeditionary Army, naturally the equipment and treatment around him would not be so simple. Not only did he have several personal followers and more than a dozen staff officers sent from the Songhu Expeditionary Army Headquarters, he was in Jurong When inspecting the 16th Division on the front line with Tangshan, a complete infantry squadron of the 16th Division was also taken away as a guard.

Transportation was even more careless. The Songhu Expeditionary Army specially allocated a batch of American trucks and luxury cars looted from Chinese private companies for the daily travel of Prince Jiuyan of the Chaoxiang Palace.

After repeatedly expressing his gratitude to King Asaka Palace Kyuhiko, the 18th Brigade Commander Isho Nobuhiko, who was almost moved to tears, quickly got on the truck and took an infantry squadron from the escort squadron of Asaka Palace Kyuhiko. Set off quickly and rush along the road towards the 36th Infantry Regiment at the forefront.

After watching the announcement of the book in the well, the warm smile on the face of King Jiuyan of Chaoxiang Palace disappeared instantly, and he turned to look at the battlefield in the distance. Looking in the direction of Nanjing City, his face showed an unconcealable violence and fierceness. .

In the cold and dark night, King Jiuyan of Asaka Palace watched Jing Shuxuan's retreating motorcade disappear into the whirlpool of the night. For some reason, there was a trace of inexplicable anxiety and uneasiness in his heart.

(End of this chapter)