Chapter 19

~20 min read 3,840 words

The machine-gun emplacement built on the high ground dominated the battlefield; the firepower net formed by light and heavy machine guns dealt a heavy blow to those scattered enemy soldiers who had thrown caution to the wind, causing them to clutch their heads and scramble for cover. At the point of concentrated machine-gun fire, dozens of enemy soldiers were shot full of holes and collapsed in heaps.

Possible translation: "The machine-gun emplacement built on the high ground dominated the battlefield; the firepower net formed by light and heavy machine guns dealt a heavy blow to those scattered enemy soldiers who had thrown caution to the wind, causing them to clutch their heads and scurry about looking for cover. At the point of concentrated machine-gun fire, dozens of enemy soldiers were shot full of holes and collapsed in heaps."

The machine-gun emplacement built on the high ground dominated the battlefield the firepower net formed by light and heavy machine guns dealt a heavy blow to those scattered enemy soldiers who had thrown caution to the wind causing them to clutch their heads and scurry about looking for cover. At the point of concentrated machine-gun fire, dozens of enemy soldiers were shot full of holes and collapsed in heaps.

dozens of enemy soldiers shot full of holes and collapsed in heaps

Ok.

The reserve force left behind by Li Yunlong arrived like divine intervention and achieved great merit, completely breaking the enemy's attack.

Translation: "The reserve force left behind by Li Yunlong arrived like divine intervention and achieved great merit, completely breaking the enemy's attack."

The reserve force left behind by Li Yunlong arrived like divine intervention and achieved great merit, completely breaking the enemy's attack.

On each flank, the five hundred enemy soldiers were now completely panicked; dense bullets kicked up dirt beneath their feet, and the enemy fought like headless flies, each for himself, while their junior officers could not organize any effective counterattack.

Translation: "On each flank, the five hundred enemy soldiers were now completely panicked; dense bullets kicked up dirt beneath their feet, and the enemy fought like headless flies, each for themselves, while their junior officers could not organize any effective counterattack."

On each flank, the five hundred enemy soldiers were now completely panicked; dense bullets kicked up dirt beneath their feet; the enemy fought like headless flies, each for themselves, while their junior officers could not organize any effective counterattack.

On the New 1st Regiment's position, the machine-gunner grimly held the trigger, left hand supporting the stock against his shoulder to offset the recoil from the Sha Sha light machine gun's sustained rapid fire.

Translation: "On the New 1st Regiment's position, the machine-gunner grimly held the trigger, left hand supporting the stock against his shoulder to offset the recoil from the Sha Sha light machine gun's sustained rapid fire."

The machine-gunner grimly held the trigger, left hand supporting the stock against his shoulder to offset the recoil from the Sha Sha light machine gun's sustained rapid fire.

Bullets streamed from the barrel; to avoid jams as much as possible, the not-full magazine was quickly emptied. Unlike the Czechoslovakian light machine gun standard in the unit, reloading the Sha Sha is somewhat more complex—even a skilled shooter needs two seconds to swap its sickle-shaped magazine.

Translation: "Bullets streamed from the barrel; to avoid jams as much as possible, the not-full magazine was quickly emptied. Unlike the Czechoslovakian light machine gun standard in the unit, reloading the Sha Sha is somewhat more complex—even a skilled shooter needs two seconds to swap its sickle-shaped magazine."

Bullets streamed from the barrel; to avoid jams as much as possible, the not-full magazine was quickly emptied; unlike the Czechoslovakian light machine gun standard in the unit, reloading the Sha Sha is somewhat more complex—even a skilled shooter needs two seconds to swap its sickle-shaped magazine.

Therefore, when fighting with the Sha Sha light machine gun, the assistant gunner and ammunition bearer have just as much work as the shooter, and most of the time the assistant gunner helps the shooter change magazines.

Translation: "Therefore, when fighting with the Sha Sha light machine gun, the assistant gunner and ammunition bearer have just as much work as the shooter; most of the time the assistant gunner helps the shooter change magazines."

Therefore, when fighting with the Sha Sha light machine gun, the assistant gunner and ammunition bearer have just as much work as the shooter; most of the time the assistant gunner helps the shooter change magazines.

As for the ammunition bearer, he not only has to pick up each empty magazine to reload it, but also, within the limited time, try to gather the spent casings on the ground into his carrying bag.

Translation: "As for the ammunition bearer, he not only has to pick up each empty magazine to reload it, but also, within the limited time, try to gather the spent casings on the ground into his carrying bag."

As for the ammunition bearer, he not only has to pick up each empty magazine to reload it, but also, within the limited time, try to gather the spent casings on the ground into his carrying bag.

Although Section Chief Zhang can now supply some copper each day, and even fresh ammunition starting last month, these fine brass casings could be sent back to the base for direct reloading, but until shooting discipline changes they still have to be carried back.

Translation: "Although Section Chief Zhang can now supply some copper each day, and even fresh ammunition starting last month, these fine brass casings could be sent back to the base for direct reloading, but until shooting discipline changes they still have to be carried back."

After a bombardment-like chaos, the enemy commanders began to steady their troops; after a few slaps, the artillery recovered first. The artillery behind the enemy infantry was relatively safe, as the New 1st Regiment's firepower net had not fully covered them. Under their commanders' leadership, these enemy troops started seeking the machine-gun positions, and, coordinating with the infantry's grenade launchers, began using mortars to suppress the New 1st Regiment's fire.

Translation: "After a bombardment-like chaos, the enemy commanders began to steady their troops; after a few slaps, the artillery recovered first. The artillery behind the enemy infantry was relatively safe, as the New 1st Regiment's firepower net had not fully covered them. Under their commanders' leadership, these enemy troops started seeking the machine-gun positions, and, coordinating with the infantry's grenade launchers, began using mortars to suppress the New 1st Regiment's fire."

After a bombardment-like chaos, the enemy commanders began to steady their troops; after a few slaps, the artillery recovered first; the artillery behind the enemy infantry was relatively safe, as the New 1st Regiment's firepower net had not fully covered them; under their commanders' leadership, these enemy troops started seeking the machine-gun positions, and, coordinating with the infantry's grenade launchers, began using mortars to suppress the New 1st Regiment's fire.

Next to recover were the enemy's strongpoints; after the initial panic, they began firing at our positions, using sustained fire to clear a path for the infantry.

Translation: "Next to recover were the enemy's strongpoints; after the initial panic, they began firing at our positions, using sustained fire to clear a path for the infantry."

Next to recover were the enemy's strongpoints; after the initial panic, they began firing at our positions, using sustained fire to clear a path for the infantry.

Finally came the enemy infantry; hearing the familiar sound of heavy weapons, they felt they had found their backbone, following squad leaders as they bent at the waist to assault the New 1st Regiment's position. It cannot be denied that the enemy's marksmanship was still quite good—many of our carelessly exposed soldiers were hit by a single enemy shot.

Translation: "Finally came the enemy infantry; hearing the familiar sound of heavy weapons, they felt they had found their backbone, following squad leaders as they bent at the waist to assault the New 1st Regiment's position. It cannot be denied that the enemy's marksmanship was still quite good—many of our carelessly exposed soldiers were hit by a single enemy shot."

Finally came the enemy infantry; hearing the familiar sound of heavy weapons, they felt they had found their backbone, following squad leaders as they bent at the waist to assault the New 1st Regiment's position; it cannot be denied that the enemy's marksmanship was still quite good—many of our carelessly exposed soldiers were hit by a single enemy shot.

The organized enemy still exerted great pressure on the New 1st Regiment's flank defense; though they were originally outnumbered, they initially succeeded with surprise and favorable terrain to catch the enemy off guard. Now the enemy began to fight steadily—artillery would barrage, then infantry would advance—and our casualties began to gradually increase.

Translation: "The organized enemy still exerted great pressure on the New 1st Regiment's flank defense; though they were originally outnumbered, they initially succeeded with surprise and favorable terrain to catch the enemy off guard. Now the enemy began to fight steadily—artillery would barrage, then infantry would advance—and our casualties began to gradually increase."

The organized enemy still exerted great pressure on the New 1st Regiment's flank defense; though they were originally outnumbered, they initially succeeded with surprise and favorable terrain to catch the enemy off guard; now the enemy began to fight steadily—artillery would barrage, then infantry would advance—and our casualties began to gradually increase.

The only good news was that the enemy had come within effective range of the Stokes mortar; although this mortar has a caliber larger than sixty millimeters, being a World War I antique designed for trench warfare, its effective range is not that great.

Translation: "The only good news was that the enemy had come within effective range of the Stokes mortar; although this mortar has a caliber larger than sixty millimeters, being a World War I antique designed for trench warfare, its effective range is not that great."

The firing of three mortars again gave the New 1st Regiment's soldiers a brief respite.

Translation: "The firing of three mortars again gave the New 1st Regiment's soldiers a brief respite."

The firing of three mortars again gave the New 1st Regiment's soldiers a brief respite.

But continuing like this, they would ultimately be unable to escape destruction.

Translation: "But continuing like this, they would ultimately be unable to escape destruction."

But continuing like this, they would ultimately be unable to escape destruction.

"Company commander, what should we do now!"

Translation: "\"Platoon Leader, how should we fight now! \""

Check: Keep quotes. Chinese uses 「」. We'll use English quotes.

A soldier from the reserve asked. His face was already blackened with grime, but his eyes were full of determination, as if he would bite a chunk out of the enemy even in death.

Translation: "A soldier from the reserve asked. His face was already blackened with grime, but his eyes were full of determination, as if he would bite a chunk out of the enemy even in death."

A soldier from the reserve asked; his face was already blackened with grime, but his eyes were full of determination, as if he would bite a chunk out of the enemy even in death.

"We still have a new gadget we haven't used; let the enemy come a little closer. Whether we can make it back alive today depends on whether this defensive hand grenade the regiment commander gave us is any good, damn it."

Translation: "\"We still have a new gadget we haven't used; let the enemy come a little closer. Whether we can make it back alive today depends on whether this defensive hand grenade the regiment commander gave us is any good, damn it. \""

"We still have a new gadget we haven't used; let the enemy come a little closer." Whether we can make it back alive today depends on whether this defensive hand grenade the regiment commander gave us is any good, damn it.

When the reserve mustered, the two platoon leaders issued each soldier four hand grenades, but due to the distance they had not yet been used.

Translation: "When the reserve mustered, the two platoon leaders issued each soldier four hand grenades, but due to the distance they had not yet been used."

When the reserve mustered, the two platoon leaders issued each soldier four hand grenades, but due to the distance they had not yet been used.

This platoon leader looked at the soldiers and instructed: "Wait a moment until the enemy draws a bit closer,"

Translation: "This platoon leader looked at the soldiers and instructed: \"Wait a moment until the enemy draws a bit closer, \""

This platoon leader looked at the soldiers and instructed: "Wait a moment until the enemy draws a bit closer,"

"Brothers, follow my command: after pulling the pin, count one second then throw. Remember my words—after throwing, you must definitely take cover and not peek out."

Translation: "\"Brothers, follow my command: after pulling the pin, count one second then throw. Remember my words—after throwing, you must definitely take cover and not peek out. \""

"Brothers, follow my command: after pulling the pin, count one second then throw." Remember my words—after throwing, you must definitely take cover and not peek out.

Zhang Qian imitated the US Mkii to produce an oval-shaped hand grenade, reducing the original weight from 600 grams to 450 grams, making it easier for Eighth Route Army soldiers to throw; furthermore, a small amount of aluminum powder and iron oxide powder (thermite formula) was added inside the body. Upon detonation, besides the cast-iron shell fragmenting into hundreds of small pieces, the iron and aluminum react, forming aluminum oxide and molten iron, thus markedly increasing the grenade's power.

Translation: "Zhang Qian imitated the US Mkii to produce an oval-shaped hand grenade, reducing the original weight from 600 grams to 450 grams, making it easier for Eighth Route Army soldiers to throw; furthermore, a small amount of aluminum powder and iron oxide powder (thermite formula) was added inside the body. Upon detonation, besides the cast-iron shell fragmenting into hundreds of small pieces, the iron and aluminum react, forming aluminum oxide and molten iron, thus markedly increasing the grenade's power."

Zhang Qian imitated the US Mkii to produce an oval-shaped hand grenade; reducing the original weight from 600 grams to 450 grams, making it easier for Eighth Route Army soldiers to throw; furthermore, a small amount of aluminum powder and iron oxide powder (thermite formula) was added inside the body. Upon detonation, besides the cast-iron shell fragmenting into hundreds of small pieces, the iron and aluminum react, forming aluminum oxide and molten iron, thus markedly increasing the grenade's power.

The oval shape makes it roll easily, so when thrown into enemy territory it does not stop readily, making it hard for the enemy to throw back; and it has better corner-killing capability than a stick grenade. When thrown downward it increases the throwing distance.

Translation: "The oval shape makes it roll easily, so when thrown into enemy territory it does not stop readily, making it hard for the enemy to throw back, and it has better corner-killing capability than a stick grenade; when thrown downward it increases the throwing distance."

The oval shape makes it roll easily, so when thrown into enemy territory it does not stop readily, making it hard for the enemy to throw back; and it has better corner-killing capability than a stick grenade; when thrown downward it increases the throwing distance.

Defensive hand grenades scatter a large number of heavy fragments or steel balls that remain lethal at considerable distance from the blast point, making them ideal close-quarters weapons for inflicting casualties on advancing enemy formations. However, this wounding mechanism requires the throwing soldier not only to take cover himself but also to pay special attention to the positions of friendly personnel nearby.

Translation: "Defensive hand grenades scatter a large number of heavy fragments or steel balls that remain lethal at considerable distance from the blast point, making them ideal close-quarters weapons for inflicting casualties on advancing enemy formations. However, this wounding mechanism requires the throwing soldier not only to take cover himself but also to pay special attention to the positions of friendly personnel nearby."

Defensive hand grenades scatter a large number of heavy fragments or steel balls that remain lethal at considerable distance from the blast point, making them ideal close-quarters weapons for inflicting casualties on advancing enemy formations; however, this wounding mechanism requires the throwing soldier not only to take cover himself but also to pay special attention to the positions of friendly personnel nearby.

The pineapple hand grenade (I'm bad at naming, so I'll just use the common nickname) has a lethal radius of 5–10 yards, but its fragments can kill out to 50 yards, and soldiers' average throwing distance is about 35–40 yards.

Translation: "The pineapple hand grenade (I'm bad at naming, so I'll just use the common nickname) has a lethal radius of 5–10 yards, but its fragments can kill out to 50 yards, and soldiers' average throwing distance is about 35–40 yards."

As the enemy infantry drew ever closer to the position, the platoon leader bellowed: "One, throw!"

Translation: "As the enemy infantry drew ever closer to the position, the platoon leader bellowed: \"One, throw! \""

As the enemy infantry drew ever closer to the position, the platoon leader bellowed: "One, throw!"

After pulling the grenade's pin, the soldiers heaved the heavy grenades out with all their strength; this effort was almost like using all their sucking power, and after the grenades flew out their arms felt somewhat weak.

Translation: "After pulling the grenade's pin, the soldiers heaved the heavy grenades out with all their strength; this effort was almost like using all their sucking power, and after the grenades flew out their arms felt somewhat weak."

But the soldiers quickly readjusted and threw a second grenade.

Translation: "But the soldiers quickly readjusted and threw a second grenade."

But the soldiers quickly readjusted and threw a second grenade.

The Japanese still thought of the Eighth Route Army's grenades as the old border-area makeshift kind; many of them, upon seeing a grenade, reacted with contempt.

Translation: "The Japanese still thought of the Eighth Route Army's grenades as the old border-area makeshift kind; many of them, upon seeing a grenade, reacted with contempt."

The Japanese still thought of the Eighth Route Army's grenades as the old border-area makeshift kind; many of them, upon seeing a grenade, reacted with contempt.

Boom boom boom!

Translation: "Boom—boom—boom!"

Check: Use sound words.

With the detonation of dozens of grenades, thousands of fragments flew across the road ahead of the enemy.

Translation: "With the detonation of dozens of grenades, thousands of fragments flew across the road ahead of the enemy."

With the detonation of dozens of grenades, thousands of fragments flew across the road ahead of the enemy.

The enemy immediately let out a scream like pigs being slaughtered.

Translation: "The enemy immediately let out a scream like pigs being slaughtered."

The enemy immediately let out a scream like pigs being slaughtered.

Blood mist sprayed everywhere, flesh and blood flew in all directions.

Translation: "Blood mist sprayed everywhere, flesh and blood flew in all directions."

Blood mist sprayed everywhere, flesh and blood flew in all directions.

After the next two waves of grenades were thrown, as the smoke cleared, the enemy infantry had already lost more than half.

Translation: "After the next two waves of grenades were thrown, as the smoke cleared, the enemy infantry had already lost more than half."

After the next two waves of grenades were thrown, as the smoke cleared, the enemy infantry had already lost more than half.

A young soldier poked his head up to observe the situation; seeing a battlefield like a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, he exclaimed in shock: "My goodness, this grenade's power is too fierce!"

Translation: "A young soldier poked his head up to observe the situation; seeing a battlefield like a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, he exclaimed in shock: \"My goodness, this grenade's power is too fierce! \""

A series of short and long beeps.

Translation: "Beep-beep-beep boop-boop beep-beep-beep boop-boop..."

Check: Use English sound approximations.

A bright charge bugle sounded from behind the enemy, and under the cover of the surging barrage, the support units of the 1st and 2nd Regiments advanced to pincer the enemy.

Translation: "A bright charge bugle sounded from behind the enemy, and under the cover of the surging barrage, the support units of the 1st and 2nd Regiments advanced to pincer the enemy."

A bright charge bugle sounded from behind the enemy; under the cover of the surging barrage, the support units of the 1st and 2nd Regiments advanced to pincer the enemy.

Behind cover, the platoon leader took off his cap, slammed it hard onto the ground, grabbed a Sha Sha light machine gun, and said to the surviving soldiers on the position:

Translation: "Behind cover, the platoon leader took off his cap, slammed it hard onto the ground, grabbed a Sha Sha light machine gun, and said to the surviving soldiers on the position:"

Behind cover, the platoon leader took off his cap, slammed it hard onto the ground, grabbed a Sha Sha light machine gun, and said to the surviving soldiers on the position:

"Comrades, the time for counterattack has come! All units, attack!"

Thus translation: "\"Comrades, the time for counterattack has come! All units, attack! \""

Comrades, the time for counterattack has come! All units, attack!

The soldiers of the New 1st Regiment and the supporting brother units were like two sharp slaughter knives, viciously plunged into the hearts of these beasts!

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End of Chapter

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Ch. 19 / 2673%