Chapter 341

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Ma Liwu heard Chu Yunfei say it directly like that, so he chose to go and block the Japanese reinforcements together with the Ninety-Fifth Division.

"Good! My 166th Division will advance east right now, and will definitely block the Japanese reinforcements! Wishing Division Commander Chu a victorious start!"

"Take care!" Chu Yunfei returned the salute.

Watching Ma Liwu lead the main force of the 166th Division galloping eastward, Chu Yunfei immediately turned his attention back to Jiyuan City.

His directly subordinate youth division, fully equipped and at full strength, though unable to bring tanks and heavy artillery due to the Yellow River barrier, had its mountain artillery and rocket artillery units successively transported to the north bank by boats.

Chu Yunfei issued combat orders facing the map: "Order! First Regiment, responsible for the main attack on the south side!

Second Regiment First Battalion and Second Battalion, move respectively to the east and west sides of Jiyuan City, carry out feint attacks, create momentum, and pin down Japanese troops! Third Battalion is responsible for outer perimeter security.

Third Regiment serves as the reserve!

Each regiment will move its attached artillery company forward to the preset artillery position in the direction of the main attack on the south side!

The divisional rocket artillery battalion will deploy on the spot and await orders!"

The troops moved into action quickly.

The forces of two battalions moved like two pincers toward the east and west wings of Jiyuan City. To the south, several thousand officers and men of the First Regiment entered their attack positions.

Further back, mountain guns and infantry guns were pushed into firing positions, their muzzles slowly raised, aimed at the Japanese outer positions south of Jiyuan City.

Most awe-inspiring was that one battalion of nine-tube 107mm portable rocket launchers.

Although the portable rocket launchers of the rocket artillery battalion were pulled by mules and horses and looked shabby compared to the truck-drawn high-end ones, they won in flexibility, maneuverability, and ease of transport.

At nine in the morning, Chu Yunfei looked at his field telephone in the forward observation post and said in a deep voice: "Begin."

"Artillery position, target Japanese outer positions south of the city, five rounds rapid fire, open fire!"

"Rocket artillery battalion, Areas One through Three, one salvo, fire!"

Orders were transmitted simultaneously via telephone lines and radio.

In an instant, the southern suburbs of Jiyuan City were shrouded in thunderous artillery fire.

Dozens of rocket shells dragged orange-red tail flames and long white smoke, covering the designated strike area at extremely high density.

The firing of 75mm infantry guns and mountain guns was crisp and continuous, groups of shells tore through the air and smashed into the Japanese hastily reinforced outer trenches, barbed wire, and scattered dugouts.

Explosive firelight rose one after another, dirt, wooden stakes, and shattered sandbags were thrown into the air.

Chu Yunfei held up his binoculars, carefully observing the artillery effect.

The firepower effect was good; the Japanese outer positions south of the city visibly became dilapidated, with many sections losing their coherent defensive form.

The artillery bombardment lasted half an hour, the gunfire gradually subsided, and the smell of gunpowder in the air lingered for a long time without dispersing.

Chu Yunfei put down his binoculars and issued the order: "The Japanese outer positions have been seriously weakened.

Order the First Regiment First Battalion to immediately launch the first wave of assault, occupy the outer positions! Prepare to attack the city wall!"

"Yes!" A staff officer received the order and left.

Chu Yunfei raised his binoculars again and said with a smile: "Even without tanks to lead the way, we have plenty of artillery and courage!

We must take Jiyuan, and cannot betray Commander Lu's trust!"

A signalman rushed into the observation post and handed a telegram to the Chief of Staff.

The Chief of Staff glanced at it quickly, joy immediately appeared on his face, and he turned to report: "Division Commander! Good news! Zhengzhou called, air support will arrive soon! Commander Lu personally ordered fighter planes to be sent to support our attack on the city!"

Hearing this, Chu Yunfei was invigorated: "Good! Tell the regimental commander to intensify the attack, we must make good use of the air support!"

At the same time, Zhengzhou Airport.

Lv Muzhi stood inside the command tower, having just ordered a fighter battalion to cross the Yellow River to support Chu Yunfei.

Aviation Commander Gao Zhihang said: "The 21st Division in the Lanfeng region directly facing us is itching to move, sending troops to constantly probe Kaifeng City; it seems they want to pressure us. Should we send planes to intimidate them?"

Lv Muzhi shook his head: "Not in a hurry for now; the 21st Division can't stir up big waves. Wait for Chu Yunfei's news first."

"Although tanks can't cross the river for the time being, my fighter planes can fly directly over the Yellow River. Our aviation must make sure Chu Yunfei stands firm there, and make Chu Yunfei a fish bone in the throat of the Japanese in North China!"

Gao Zhihang nodded: "Yes! I have all pilots enter standby status, ready to take off and reinforce at any time!"

Soon, the roar of airplane engines came from afar and drew near over the skies of Jiyuan City.

The Japanese, organizing defense and trying to repair the outer positions, looked up in terror, only to see over twenty fighter planes swooping down like hawks, their nose machine guns and cannons spitting tongues of fire, first carrying out a fierce strafing run on the exposed machine gun positions, lookout posts, and assembled Japanese soldiers on the city wall.

Bullets striking bricks and stones sparked dense sparks and debris; the Japanese were beaten down unable to raise their heads, with screams rising everywhere.

Immediately afterward, some fighter planes carrying bombs began dive-bombing.

The city wall of Jiyuan City was of earth and stone structure; the main body was a wall piled up with earth, while near the city gate it was built with bricks and stones.

Shells and aerial bombs hitting the city wall made one pit per hit.

Jiyuan City, which had experienced several battles, had city walls already unable to bear the burden.

Boom! Boom—!

Violent explosions rang out one after another on the city wall.

Bricks and stones mixed with earth were blasted flying everywhere, smoke and dust filled the air.

After several rounds of bombing, several conspicuous large openings were suddenly blasted open in the south city wall; the largest gap was enough for several people to pass side by side! The defensive value of the city wall instantly plummeted.

In the ground observation post, Chu Yunfei saw everything in the air clearly.

He suddenly stood up, grabbed the telephone: "Attention First Regiment Commander! The aviation has created an opportunity for us!

Now I order the entire regiment to sortie! Charge in for me! The first to scale the city wall, whether officer or soldier, will be promoted two ranks! Kill for me!"

"Kill——!!!"

Deafening battle cries rose from the Youth Army Position.

The Wai Guo Zhen Di beneath the city wall, just occupied by the First Regiment, received Chu Yunfei's order and immediately advanced without pause to launch a continuous attack toward the city wall.

The First Regiment soldiers, long poised for action, leapt from the trenches and cover and launched a total attack toward the smoke-filled, breached southern face of Jiyuan City.

The soldiers carried bayonet-fixed rifles and submachine guns, while heavy machine guns and machine cannons remained in the position to cover the attack; under the leadership of officers and non-commissioned officers, they formed multiple assault forces and swiftly pounced on the breach in the city wall.

In the air, the Youth Corps fighter planes continued to circle, periodically descending in altitude to suppress the remaining Japanese Army firepower on the city head, providing final cover for the brother troops on the ground.

Colonel Nagata Fumio, commander of the 139th Regiment garrisoning Jiyuan City, was stunned; even without tanks, Chu Yunfei's combined infantry-artillery-air maneuver was nearly enough to swallow Jiyuan City whole.

"Report to the Division Commander, the southern city wall has been breached!"

"Report to the Division Commander, the defenders have retreated into Cheng Nei, and street fighting is unfolding!"

"Report to the Division Commander, the 166th Division reports they have already deployed on the eastern side and are awaiting the arrival of enemy reinforcements!"

Chu Yunfei was very satisfied; the Youth Corps' first voluntary sortie had been a success.

The officers and men of the Youth Second Division, fully armed, entered Jiyuan City and searched everywhere for Colonel Nagata Fumio's regiment, which was holding out stubbornly within Cheng Nei.

Jiyuan City welcomed its liberation!