Chapter 484: The Manic 106th Division

"It seems the intelligence we received is incorrect!" Xue Yue put down his Telescope. "Based on this artillery bombardment from the Japanese Army alone, I estimate the little devils' artillery force is at least two regiments strong."

Yu Hua nodded from the side: "I agree with Commander-in-Chief Xue's view, based on the scale of the 106th Division's encampment and the volume of the opponent's artillery fire."

"The Japanese 106th Division has definitely reinforced its troops; otherwise, the little devils wouldn't have just deployed two regiments of artillery to launch a bombardment against us."

Since the estimate of the Japanese 106th Division's strength was wrong, the commanders on the scene began to ponder whether the baiting plan for tonight should still be carried out.

After a while, Sun Zhen spoke first: "Let's harass the Japanese Army tonight first. After all, with the Japanese troop numbers increased, we don't have the advantage in artillery volume."

Xue Yue nodded: "I agree!"

Immediately, everyone's gaze turned to Chen Cheng. Chen Cixiu held his Telescope and said softly: "Why are you all looking at me?"

"Fine!" Chen Cheng nodded. Since two divisions of the 88th Army were arriving, there was no need to rush.

"Yes!" Numerous Sichuan Army soldiers began to assemble their Mortars.

Huge explosions rang out in the Japanese camp. Soon, several other small detachments also succeeded, and countless Mortars fired toward the 106th Division.

Intelligence Staff Officer Sakurai Ryozo said: "Your Excellency Division Commander, I propose that the troops strengthen their guard, and that soldiers sleep with their rifles on their persons and without removing their uniforms."

The Japanese 106th Division Commander, Matsuura Junrokuro, had been waiting for the Sichuan Army's artillery counterattack, but time ticked by second by second.

At the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army headquarters, Chen Cheng looked at everyone with a beaming smile.

"The 91st Division and the 187th Division, as well as the Reserve 6th Division, have all arrived. We can now launch a major battle!"

In an instant, the little devils' camp was in chaos.

On the Sichuan Army side: Chuan-Kang Pacification Office Independent Brigade, Brigade Commander Liu Zhangqing; 122nd Division; 124th Division; 127th Division; 123rd Division; 125th Division;

New Independent Regiment, Regimental Commander Bai Zhangsheng. New 144th Division, Division Commander Guo Xunqi; New 145th Division, Division Commander Rao Guohua.

"Company Commander, we're ready!" The assembly of the Mortars was quick, and the artillerymen signaled one after another that they were ready.

The Sichuan Army's large-scale artillery fire did not land on the Japanese artillery positions, which caused the old devil Matsuura Junrokuro to furrow his brows: "Baka?!"

Following the issuance of orders, the commanders of each unit indicated they would certainly complete their combat missions.

Both the east and west sides formed an arc to surround the 106th Division, while the remaining two divisions, the Independent Brigade, and the Independent Regiment temporarily acted as reserve forces, ready to be committed to the battlefield at any time.

"Gentlemen, our reinforcements have arrived. The two artillery regiments directly under the War Zone have arrived, and the Heavy Artillery units have also arrived."

Company Commander Liu and his men ran away as soon as they struck, but the little devils were prepared, and their counterattack with Mortars and Type 92 Infantry Guns resulted in some Sichuan Army soldiers dying in the bombardment.

However, fortunately, the Japanese side had been prepared and counterattacked immediately, also killing about a hundred Sichuan Army soldiers, which made Matsuura Junrokuro feel slightly better.

"The Sichuan Army will definitely come again tonight. They usually like to engage in these low-class tactics and never dare to fight the Imperial Army head-on."

There were 15 division commanders participating in the meeting, plus one Independent Brigade and one Independent Regiment, with a total infantry strength of 160,000 men.

After receiving this news, the several division and brigade commanders of the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army, although somewhat dissatisfied in their hearts, resolutely executed the combat plan.

1st Company Commander Liu Dazhi said softly: "Brothers, hurry up and set up the Mortars for me!"

Matsuura Junrokuro also sent a telegram to 11th Army Commander Okamura Yasuji.

"I've heard that although Old Fan's 88th Army has the designation of an army, its troop strength is damn well over that of an army."

"Move quickly. It's our Sichuan Army's old rule: fire five shells, see the effect, and then run."

With these words from Chen Cixiu, Yu Hua immediately ordered the cancellation of the plan to surround and annihilate one regiment of the Japanese 106th Division. Each division was to dispatch small detachments, take Mortars, and shell the Japanese camp.

Starting tonight, a harassment campaign would be launched specifically to disturb the devils so they could not sleep peacefully.

The campaign to surround and annihilate the 106th Division was finally about to begin!

Request that the Navy and Army Aviation provide reconnaissance to determine the exact location of the 106th Division.

Ten minutes later, the commanders of the 91st Division, 187th Division, Reserve 6th Division, the 59th, 90th, and 102nd Divisions under the 4th Army, and the 51st and 58th Divisions under the 74th Army also arrived at the combat conference room.

Upon learning that the Sichuan Army had dispatched small detachments to attack and that several hundred Imperial Warriors had Jade Shattered, Division Commander Matsuura Junrokuro cursed angrily: "Baka yaro!"

"Fine!" Company Commander Liu nodded: "Listen to my command, five rounds of rapid fire, prepare!"

"Division Commander!"

"What is going on with this Sichuan Army? This doesn't look like their combat style at all!"

Sun Zhen picked up his water cup and took a sip: "In the last telegram, Old Fan said the two divisions of the vanguard would arrive at Wanjialing in at most three days. I reckon it'll be within these two days."

After continuous fighting, neither the Sichuan Army, the Central Army, nor the Guangdong Army had time to replenish their troops.

Each division had sent out its Special Operations Battalion. The Special Operations Battalions were the elite of the elite within the Sichuan Army units, capable of penetrating deep behind enemy lines to execute arduous tasks.

"Just follow your decision. I've already said I'm here to watch the battle. You are responsible for all command on the battlefield; I am only responsible for watching."

"Boom—"

Countless little devils grabbed their Type 38 Rifles and ran toward the positions where the Sichuan Army detachments were hiding. At the same time, the Japanese Mortars and Type 92 Infantry Guns also began firing at the Sichuan Army detachments.

In an instant, "bang, bang, bang" sounds erupted in the sky, and the shells fired by the Mortars emitted a sharp whistling sound.

The 74th Army and the 4th Army, as well as the 187th Division and the 122nd and 124th Divisions, surrounded the east side of the Japanese 106th Division.

Inside the headquarters, the various Sichuan Army division commanders also smiled. They hadn't fought before because the 106th Division had many troops and strong artillery; now, the 9th War Zone had increased troop numbers and artillery.

Three consecutive days of harassment also made the old devil Matsuura Junrokuro's dark circles increasingly severe.

At the same time, the soldiers in the unit became increasingly manic. They had been wandering in the mountains for these days and had lost their way;

The 106th Division's supplies were cut off and dwindling. Moreover, they were harassed by the Sichuan Army at night and could not sleep peacefully. There were no "flower girls" in the mountains, and many soldiers' manic emotions could not be vented.

Chen Cheng asked Sun Zhen: "Old Sun, hurry up and send a telegram to Fan Ha'er, asking where his 88th Army is. For this encirclement and annihilation of the 106th Division, the 88th Army will act as the reserve force."

The 127th Division, 123rd Division, 125th Division, 91st Division, and Reserve 6th Division surrounded the west side of the Japanese 106th Division.

Now the 106th Division needed to leave the mountainous area as soon as possible; otherwise, Matsuura Junrokuro was worried that the soldiers of the entire division would explode in rage!

In the entire division, there had already been several incidents of fighting between soldiers.

Night!

Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade, 1st Company of the Special Operations Battalion, successfully crept outside the camp of a Japanese battalion. The Special Operations Battalion soldiers carried Mortars on their shoulders and hauled ammunition crates.

"Yosh!" Matsuura Junrokuro nodded: "Just do as Staff Officer Sakurai Ryozo said."

"Fire!! —"

At this moment, the Division Commander of the 106th Division, Matsuura Junrokuro, was gazing at the starry sky; tonight, he felt a vague sense of unease in his heart.

The Japanese Army 106th Division had already penetrated deep into the Wanjialing area, with a force of over one hundred thousand men surrounding the three lines of Wanjialing.

Night descended once again, like a great black net, shrouding the sky.

Subsequently, the Adjutant of the 22nd Group Army announced the operational plan.

For the next several days, Yu Hua also arranged for small squads to conduct sneak attacks, ever since he learned that the Japanese Army was prepared.

The small squads Yu Hua sent out were even fewer, and they did not actively penetrate deep into the Japanese Army camps; each time they shelled, they fired only one shot, not seeking results, but only to ensure the little devils could not sleep soundly.

"Tonight, we will deal with the 106th Division first!"

Intelligence Staff Officer Sakurai Ryozo came to the side of Matsuura Junrokuro and handed Matsuura Junrokuro a telegram.

"Baka!" the old devil Matsuura roared in anger, then threw the telegram onto the ground and stomped on it fiercely several times.

(End of this chapter)