Chapter 105: Bloody Battle of the Yunnan Army in Shan Province

After Hashimoto Ryuji issued the order to shell.

The Japanese artillery commander stepped forward and grinned, saying: "Observation Soldier!"

"Report the wind speed and wind direction!"

"Hai!" The Observation Soldier nodded and bowed as he stood at attention: "Southwesterly wind, wind speed force four!"

Upon hearing this, this Artillery Lieutenant Colonel immediately shouted: "Below, listen to the command."

"Southwesterly wind, wind speed force four, range scale 517, elevation angle 48 degrees 53 minutes;"

Li Shaojie saluted Battalion Commander Zeng, "Yes!"

Dozens of little Japanese soldiers were hit and fell to the ground; the Japanese soldiers' offensive momentum was suddenly broken.

In the Japanese's first wave of the charge, half were killed or wounded; Battalion Commander Zeng felt very pained inside.

Just at this moment!

A sharp sound of airflow suddenly came from the sky.

"The city defense fortifications aren't lost yet, we can still put up a fight!"

"Everyone, hide yourselves well!"

Battalion Commander Zeng shouted!

"Over here!"

The mortars were the first to commence shelling!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

Battalion Commander Zeng shouted loudly, but his call was still half a beat too slow.

A series of explosions rang out within Shimen Town.

Shells landed on the Yunnan Army's positions.

Battalion Commander Zeng's eyes narrowed, "Li Shaojie, you motherfucker, stop talking about retreating here."

The Japanese artillerymen pulled the ropes of the cannons, a "thud-thud" sound.

After a burst of violent explosions.

Twenty minutes passed!

On the outer perimeter positions of Shimen Town, a battalion of soldiers was now less than a platoon.

"Strive to take Shimen Town in one charge!"

After shouting a few more times, Battalion Commander Zeng only heard a few weak voices responding.

After adjusting the coordinates, dozens of cannons once again launched a bombardment toward Shimen Town.

The Yunnan Army units lacked artillery fire; a regiment only had a few mortars.

"Da-da-da..."

"While the Japanese haven't breached the city, let's hurry and retreat."

"We of the Yunnan Army have no cowards!"

Many Yunnan Army soldiers were swept out by the rolling waves of fire, shrapnel flew, and the Yunnan Army soldiers wailed in pain.

The battalion's artillery was setting up an artillery position.

The Maxim Heavy Machine Gun on the city tower had already emitted black smoke, and the machine gun instantly turned into scrap iron.

The cannon body vibrated!

"The Japanese firepower is too fierce!"

"With this few of us, we simply can't hold off the Japanese."

Battalion Commander Zeng waved his hand: "Now is not the time!"

A platoon of the Yunnan Army, before they could even construct a firepower net, was wiped out in the Japanese battalion's artillery fire.

Li Shaojie saw Battalion Commander Zeng's fiery gaze and had no choice but to say: "Yes!"

"Hold your ground, everyone; once the gunfire in Shimen Town rings out, the Division Commander will certainly send reinforcements."

A Japanese First Gunner took shells out from a shell crate.

He also let out a long, heavy breath.

The remaining wounded soldiers shouted one after another: "Fight to the death... fight to the death..."

8 shells tore through the sky, aimed at the Yunnan Army's light and heavy machine gun Firepower Points.

He brandished the Command Sword in his hand.

"Battalion Commander!"

If the Japanese charge one more time, his few remaining men would likely be gone.

When counting the headcount, Battalion Commander Zeng discovered that of the brothers in the battalion, only about two hundred were still able to fight.

The regiment of the Yunnan Army defending here was now completely stunned.

Several machine gunners also collapsed to the ground, blood flowing.

Behind them was Hashimoto Ryuji!

Such dense shelling indicated that the Japanese forces were not few in number.

Battalion Commander Zeng crawled up from the ground, shook the dirt off his body, and shouted.

A Company Commander stumbled over to Battalion Commander Zeng's side.

A battalion of Japanese soldiers raised their Type 38 Rifles and headed toward Shimen Town.

The light and heavy machine guns continuously spat out flames, and bullets, like flowing water, were sprayed toward the Fujita Battalion.

But, it was already too late.

"Oh no!"

"Battalion Commander!"

The long gun barrels were also raised.

8 Mortars and 4 Type 92 Infantry Guns were lined up in a row, their long muzzles aimed at the Yunnan Army.

"Order the troops, charge for me!"

"These six guns must be used at the critical moment."

The devils' Mortars had already wiped out several of the Yunnan Army's Machine Guns.

Hearing the sound, Zeng hurried over.

A Major Battalion Commander on the city defense fortifications.

On the city defense fortifications, Zeng saw that the devil soldiers had retreated.

A position five hundred meters behind the infantry.

"Battalion Commander... Battalion Commander..."

Under the previous artillery bombardment, two battalions were now reduced to one.

"Boom— boom—... boom— boom—..."

Less than ten minutes!

The Fujita Battalion, commanded by Fujita, easily took the outer positions of Shimen Town.

"The brothers are all good men!"

"Our Regiment is completely gone; now only we few are left."

"Battalion Commander... Battalion Commander..."

The first two shells from the Hashimoto Detachment were test shots!

The devils' Observation Soldier, after observing the impact points of the shells, reported immediately, and the artillerymen adjusted the coordinates at once.

"Carpet bombing, I don't believe it won't work."

This artillery strike!

Caused the battalion defending the high ground on the outskirts of Shimen Town to be nearly wiped out by the shelling.

Seeing the devil soldiers coming up in waves, he ordered the Light and Heavy Machine Gun to open fire.

"Boom, boom, boom... boom— boom—..."

"We of the Yunnan Army, having left Yunnan to resist the war, must absolutely not be cowards."

"Baka!"

Inside Shimen Town!

Hashimoto Ryuji lowered the Telescope in his hands.

Seeing the Yunnan Army on the city tower still continuing to resist, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Now there are only a few of us left; brothers, after the devils come up, we'll fight them to the death!"

But, the little devils' battalion not only had Mortars, but also Type 92 Infantry Guns.

On the Field Position outside the city.

The Fujita Battalion retreated.

Following closely, the little devils' signal flag bearer waved the flag in his hand.

Three or five wounded soldiers leaned their bodies against the wall.

"Brothers..."

"Order the artillery troops!"

The wounded soldiers, seeing Zeng arrive, spoke one after another.

"These Republic of China Army troops still won't retreat."

"Battalion Commander, the devils' firepower is too fierce; doesn't our Regiment have six 82mm Mortars?"

Time passed second by second.

"Machine Gun... Machine Gun..."

"Bomb these Republic of China troops to death for me."

He shouted all around!

Zeng still didn't hear anyone answer him.

Countless shells, like heavenly fire meteors, smashed down toward the Yunnan Army soldiers.

"Before we go, take a few more devils with us to the grave!"

The Second Gunner took the shell, inserted it into the breech, and after confirming it was loaded, closed the gate.

Dozens of shells, like sharp arrows, headed toward Shimen Town.

After the Mortar bombardment, the 4 Type 92 Infantry Guns also began to roar.

"Battalion Commander... Battalion Commander..."

The barrels of the Czech Light Machine Gun were also twisted into twists, and a burst of black smoke spread out.

One battalion of the Yunnan Army, relying on the dangerous terrain of Shimen Town, blocked the attack of the Fujita Battalion.

"The Regimental Commander has fallen in battle, and now you hold the highest rank; let's use these six guns!"

"The devils are shelling!"

When did the little devils arrive at Shimen Town?!

"Brothers, answer me, how many are still breathing?"

As for the Yunnan Army troops on the city defense fortifications.

"Hurry and relocate!"

Artillery shells traced arcs through the air and landed inside Shimen Town!

"Boom, boom, boom... boom, boom, boom..."

As the words of the Japanese Lieutenant Colonel fell, the Japanese artillerymen began to turn the handles of their cannons.

The first wave of the Japanese charge had been blocked.

"Hai!" Fujita bowed and scraped.

"Without my order, no one is allowed to retreat!"

"Direction right, zero-zero-nine, elevation zero, charge number three, two rounds fire together."

This round of shelling was even more intense than before.

"Shimen Town is the flank of Niangziguan; if Shimen Town is not held, Niangziguan will surely fall."

"Is there anyone left?"

Battalion Commander Zeng's gaze swept over the crowd: "Well done..."

"Brothers, we are all well done..."

(End of chapter)