Chapter 530

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Dawn, the sky faintly brightened.

The long-range artillery group deployed by Lv Muzhi in the rear opened fire again, the whistling of shells tearing through the sky becoming the bugle call for the charge.

Ten Sherman Medium Tanks and ten T26 Light Tanks started up slowly, their tracks crushing the scorched earth with heavy clacking sounds.

The tanks formed a neat fan-shaped steel shield, like a moving iron wall, slowly advancing toward the foot of the mountain.

The barrels of the Sherman tanks fired rhythmically, sending 75mm high-explosive shells into the Japanese Army's fortifications at the foot of the mountain.

Members of the Suicide Squad crouched low, marching behind the tanks' armor in the rear.

The Japanese Army's 33rd Division once again demonstrated the tenacity of their defensive line; they used the same old trick, following Araki Shinji's orders, abandoning the mountain-foot trenches that had already been blown to pieces once more.

The devils carried their weapons and equipment, quickly retreating from the foot of the mountain along communication trenches into the deep mountain caves.

When the tank group advanced to within less than three hundred meters of the main cave entrance, the Japanese Army fired flares from the mountaintop, illuminating the tank group and the Suicide Squad members.

A pile of rubble and weeds at the cave entrance was pushed aside, and two Japanese tanks drove out to the entrance.

The Japanese tank commander spotted a Sherman tank beneath the flare; one of the Type 97 Medium Tanks seized the initiative and fired a shot at this big fellow.

The shell, trailing firelight, struck the sloped armor on the front of the lead Sherman tank.

A crisp metallic crash rang out, sparks flying everywhere.

The Sherman tank merely shuddered; its thick sloped armor deflected this harmless shell.

The main gun of the Type 97 Medium Tank, which the Japanese Army prided itself on, left only a pit a few millimeters deep on the Sherman tank's armor.

The Sherman tank did not give the enemy a second chance; its turret slowly turned, and the 75mm long-barrel gun roared with a boom.

The shell hit the Japanese Army's Type 97 Medium Tank, triggering an explosion.

A violent explosion came from the cave entrance; the Type 97 tank's turret was directly flung into the air and heavily smashed onto the pile of rubble.

Seeing this, the other tank hastily reversed back into the interior of the cave, leaving only the Japanese Imperial Infantry at the cave entrance operating machine guns.

Just then, a whistling sound came from the rear—that was a unique weapon of the Youth Army.

A T34 Calliope Tank stopped its advance at a distance of over two hundred meters from the cave entrance.

This T34 Calliope Tank, nicknamed "Calliope," was a multi-barrel rocket artillery system mounted on a Sherman tank.

The dozens of rocket launch tubes strapped to the roof fired in succession; dense rocket shells trailed long tails of fire as they thoroughly carpet-bombed the cave entrance.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh!

The sound of the Calliope firing rocket shells never ceased; the rocks around the cave entrance were blasted into constant collapse.

The Japanese Army's heavy machine gun firepower point deployed at the cave entrance was instantly submerged in a sea of fire.

Dozens of Japanese soldiers didn't even have time to scream before being torn apart directly by the shockwave and fragmentation from the explosions.

The Japanese Army was suppressed by this dense firepower to the point of being unable to raise their heads, let alone organize an effective counterattack.

The surviving Japanese soldiers dared not stay at the cave entrance any longer, dragging their wounded as they retreated into the depths of the cave, attempting to use the cave to evade the firepower coverage.

This cleared a smooth passage for the Suicide Squad's突入 cleanup.

The Suicide Squad members moved swiftly; taking advantage of the fact that the smoke from the rocket shell explosions had not yet dissipated, they had already rushed to the cave entrance.

A squad leader-like member leaned against the rock wall at the cave entrance, cautiously poking his head out to observe inside.

Before his eyes was a wide passage over ten meters long and four meters wide, and further inside was a deep and spacious hall.

The shouts of the devils came from inside; the Suicide Squad members at the cave entrance could hear echoes coming in waves.

Rat-tat-tat-tat!

A muffled machine gun sound came from the depths of the cave; a string of bullets struck the corner of the rock wall, startling this squad leader into hastily shrinking his neck back.

The Japanese Army had set up a second defensive line in the darkness deep within the cave.

This environment was extremely unfavorable to the attackers; the light inside the cave was dim, and there were shooting blind spots everywhere.

"Bring up the flamethrower!" someone shouted.

A combat engineer carrying a fuel tank rushed over, extending the flamethrower's nozzle; he hid behind the rock wall and ruthlessly pulled the trigger, aiming deep into the cave entrance.

A fire dragon roared as it drilled into the depths of the cave.

The flames struck the rock wall, then quickly spread along the course of the tunnel.

Shrieks came from the depths of the cave—the Japanese soldiers set on fire by the flames were struggling.

The soldiers thought the Japanese Army had been dealt with, holding submachine guns and preparing to launch the first wave of the charge.

However, just as they stepped into the cave entrance, another dense rain of bullets came at them head-on.

This firepower was even fiercer than before; bullets struck the cave walls and flew and bounced wildly.

It turned out this cave was dug extremely deep, the interior very spacious, enough to hide tanks, and there were still many Japanese soldiers hiding in the depths.

What surprised the Suicide Squad members even more was the squeaking sound of tank tracks coming from the darkness.

A Type 95 Light Tank had actually been hiding in the shadows all along; at this moment it suddenly opened fire.

The 37mm tank cannon let out a deafening bang in the narrow cave.

The shell struck the cave entrance; fragments from the high-explosive shell's explosion scattered everywhere.

Two Suicide Squad members failed to dodge in time and were injured by the Type 95 Light Tank hiding in the cave, falling to the ground with pained groans.

Comrades immediately dragged the wounded away, and the Suicide Squad members all moved away from the cave entrance.

This terrain, easy to defend but hard to attack, became the greatest obstacle before them.

A commander wearing the rank of lieutenant colonel picked up the communicator:

"Bring up a Flamethrower Sherman Tank! Immediately! We need support!"

The tank unit covering the Suicide Squad members hadn't left yet; they were firing at the entrances of other caves.

After receiving the Suicide Squad's distress call, a Flamethrower Sherman Tank rumbled up to the cave entrance in less than five minutes.

The Suicide Squad members waved at this Flamethrower Sherman Tank, pointing at the cave and shouting: "Fire inside! Spray fire inside!"

"There's a large hall inside the cave, with a tank, and lots of Imperial Infantry!"

The Tank Commander estimated the width of the cave entrance.

This cave entrance was very wide; the Japanese Army's tanks had also driven into the cave interior from here.

After confirming the entrance position, the Commander ordered the tank driver to drive into the cave.

Under the gaze of the Suicide Squad members, this Flamethrower Sherman Tank drove straight into the cave entrance.

The tank's broad hull almost filled the cave entrance; the distance between the tank's sides and the cave rock walls was only about 20 centimeters.

The Sherman Tank's tracks on both sides continuously scraped against the rock walls, emitting bursts of friction sounds.

The soldiers inside the Japanese Army Type 95 Light Tank hiding deep inside were stunned.

The Type 95 Light Tank fired a shot at the Sherman Tank; 0.5 seconds after the Japanese tank fired, the Sherman Tank likewise fired a shot.

Both tanks scored a hit.

About six seconds later, another boom, the Sherman Tank fired again!

But the Type 95 Light Tank had no more movement; it had long since been blasted into a pile of Scrap Iron by the Sherman.

On the right side of the Sherman Tank's Main Gun, there was another slightly thinner tube — that was the Flamethrower Sherman Tank's flamethrower tube.

Whoosh.

The long-accumulated napalm mixture surged out under powerful air pressure.

An orange-red pillar of fire resembled a raging fire dragon.

As the Turret rotated, this fire dragon swept left and right inside the cave.

The Heavy Machine Gun Positions the Japanese Army had deployed there turned to nothing in the firelight.

The devils desperately fired at the Sherman Tank's front Deck; bullets went ding-dang but couldn't stop this flame monster's steps at all.

Just as the flames raged wildly, a Japanese Army soldier suddenly rushed out from the shadows.

He gripped a long Spike Mine tightly in both hands; this was the Japanese Army's final suicide attack method.

However, before he could reach the tank, the flamethrower's aftershock swept his lower body.

Because his body was stained with accelerant, flames raced up along his military trousers.

The stench of charred fabric and the sizzle of burning skin echoed in the cave; that soldier let out a miserable scream, finally turning into a fireball, rolling all over the ground.

The cave interior was a broad and crude Hall, inside lay the Wreckage of a Japanese Army tank, and over twenty Japanese Army soldiers clinging to their last breath.

The Hall connected through several narrow alleys to several unknown destinations.

The Flamethrower Sherman continuously changed angles inside the cave, crazily spewing fire dragons into every branch alley.

The cave interior gradually fell silent.

The Sherman Tank's Commander worried the flames would consume the oxygen inside the cave, and since there were no more devils capable of resistance in the Hall, he stopped the flamethrower, leaving the next stage to the Suicide Squad members.

Good thing the Hall inside the cave was very spacious; the flames hadn't consumed all the oxygen inside.

The Sherman Tank slowly reversed out of the cave amid black smoke.

The moment the tracks withdrew from the entrance, the Suicide Squad members who had waited long pounced into the cave interior like a pack of fierce tigers.

The Suicide Squad members had no time to marvel at the Hall's spaciousness before running head-on into a Japanese Army squad coming to reinforce.

This Japanese force had emerged from a flank alley; before they could fire, they were met with dense Bullet Rain.

In this corner encounter battle, the long spears with Bayonets the Japanese Army held had clearly become a burden.

The M3 Submachine Guns and Sten Submachine Guns the Suicide Squad members were equipped with were the devils' natural nemesis.

The Suicide Squad members didn't need to aim deliberately; at that dark alley corner, they raised their guns and fired.

Just needed to strafe at the yellow-brown uniforms flashing in the darkness, and the Suicide Squad members could suppress the enemy back in swathes.

Finally, throw a few White Phosphorus Grenades around the corner.

Boom boom several times, the devils hiding around the corner refusing to come out screamed and fell to the ground.

"Report to Supreme Command! We have already broken into the mountain interior, currently secured a foothold!"

The Suicide Squad Commander picked up the radio caller, reporting to Dong Lu Army Command.

Du Yuming heard the sound coming from the radio; he turned to look at Lv Muzhi sitting before the map.

Lv Muzhi pointed at the Communication Device, signaling Du Yuming to give the order.

Du Yuming picked up the caller: "Suicide Squad, hold on in there, be like Sun Houzi entering Princess Iron Fan's belly, become a Confidant trouble for the Japanese Army."

"Coordinate with the main force, Inside-Outside Coordination, take down this Nauku Defense Line completely!"

"Received! Guarantee mission completion!"

After Du Yuming's order was passed down, Lv Muzhi said:

"Xie Jinyuan is responsible for Flank Maneuver."

"Du Yuming, I'm assigning you the task of commanding the frontal strong assault."

Du Yuming nodded, his gaze incomparably determined.

"Yes! I will launch a full-line strong assault on the Nauku Defense Line at exactly 6:30!"

"At the same time, I will dispatch the 200th Division's 589th Regiment, advancing along the Suicide Squad's trajectory, as reinforcements for the Suicide Squad to charge into the cave interior and support, expand Battle Results!"

Lv Muzhi didn't comment, only said: "Execute it."

"Also, urge the Sixth Army again, have them arrive at Northern Mandalay by tomorrow dawn, launch a direct strong assault on Mandalay."

"If they dare exceed the deadline, severe punishment without pardon!"

——————

Rat-tat-tat—rat-tat-tat!

The gunfire of the Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun echoed inside the mountain.

The suicide squad members who had penetrated into the mountain advanced inside the mountain body, but their path at the intersection was blocked by a machine gun position.

"Grenade launcher! Load the grenade launcher!" a sergeant of the suicide squad shouted hoarsely.

Two soldiers carrying Garand Rifles quickly half-squatted, skillfully loaded the grenade launchers, and aimed at the bunker spitting firelight.

Two thumps, and the two soldiers successfully fired the grenade launchers.

Boom! Boom!

Two violent explosions occurred on the Japanese Army's heavy machine gun position, and that Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun fell silent instantly.

"Charge!"

The suicide squad members carried submachine guns, using the smoke and dust as cover to rush out, turning the remaining Japanese soldiers on the position into sieves.

Two Japanese soldiers coming to support carried guns and rushed out from an alley.

Bang!

A suicide squad member carried a shotgun; with just one gunshot, the dense shot knocked both Japanese soldiers to the ground, their chests full of bullet holes.

Bang! Bang!

More Japanese soldiers rushed out from the corner.

The shotgun kept firing, one shot one kill, the Japanese soldiers who rushed out all became hornet's nests......

Due to the existence of the suicide squad, the internal of the Japanese Army's 33rd Division fell into chaos.

A large number of troops that should have been sent to defend the frontline had to be diverted to encircle and suppress this suicide squad that moved as if through an empty land.

Araki Shinji Division Commander was at this time hiding in the cover deep inside the mountain body, overlooking the front battlefield through a periscope.

In his sight, everywhere was the Xia Guo Army's tide-like offensive, that was the strong attack launched by Du Yuming.

"Report! The firepower of that group of enemies who sneaked in is too strong, the Ogawa Squadron has been totally annihilated!"

Araki Shinji Division Commander heard the messenger's news, his eyes red, he knew that annihilating this suicide squad was no longer realistic.

"Send more automatic firepower, pin them down in place, absolutely cannot let them continue advancing toward the core area."

"Also, order the frontline units, defend the defensive line to the death, cannot retreat a single step!"

Just at this time, a staff officer ran over in a hurry: "Division Commander! Commander Iida's telephone!"

Araki took the handset, inside came Commander Iida Shojiro's voice.

"Araki, your 33rd Division must hold out at Naukhau, even if fighting to the last man!"

"Watanabe's 56th Division has already set out from Tangji, starting the flank maneuver."

"As long as you hold the front, the 56th Division can insert into Lv Muzhi's Dong Lu Army's flank, this battle we still have a chance of victory!"

Division Commander Araki loudly answered yes: "Hai! I will definitely hold Naukhau!"

——————

However, in the jungle road in the Tangji direction, the situation did not proceed according to the Japanese Army's script.

"Report to Division Commander! We... we have encountered Xia Guo troops!"

The vanguard of the Japanese Army's 56th Division, which was marching at speed to outflank, ran headlong into the Youth Army's 13th Division, which was also outflanking.

Two troops colliding head-on means only a big fight.

When 56th Division Commander Watanabe Masao received the report, he was not very surprised.

Flanking attack is something the Japanese Army must do, otherwise they cannot defeat Lv Muzhi's troops that are superior everywhere.

Even if discovered by the Youth Army, Watanabe Masao had long been mentally prepared for this.

Since already completely exposed, Watanabe Masao also had nothing to worry about.

"Since already discovered, then let's fight openly and aboveboard! All units sortie, forcibly break through Youth 13th Division, this is our last hope!"

However, Watanabe Masao did not know that what he faced was not just a Youth Division.

Xie Jinyuan was at this time fifty kilometers behind Youth 13th Division, he came from the China-Burma Theater Headquarters to command, and also brought a Youth Division with him.

Now the Dong Lu Army has sufficient troops on hand, Du Yuming's Fifth Army and Xie Jinyuan's Sixth Youth Army added together are exactly six main force divisions, plus various heavy firepower and tanks and fighters, facing the Japanese Army's three divisions there is no need to worry too much.

In terms of the flank maneuver, Xie Jinyuan besides committing Youth 13th Division, also put a division of the Sixth Youth Army into the maneuver battlefield.

This maneuver is not a sneak attack done secretly.

This maneuver is open and aboveboard, intending to overwhelm with strength.

Two Youth Divisions with over thirty thousand troops, any Japanese soldiers blocking the road will all be wiped out.

Xie Jinyuan will lead troops of two divisions, under the Japanese Army's very eyes, move the troops to the rear of Mandalay!"