Chapter 499: Encirclement on the East Line

Regarding the Republic of China's move to dispatch daredevil squads to blow up tanks and armored vehicles, the Japanese Army infantry had long been prepared.

Japanese soldiers lying on top of the tanks set up machine guns and swept the Republic of China Army's daredevil squads with a barrage; meanwhile, the frontline infantry behind the Japanese tanks immediately provided cover for them.

The coordination between infantry and tanks on the part of the little devils was excellent, so Sun Kequan's 187th Division failed to destroy a single tank or armored vehicle, and instead, their daredevil squads died wave after wave.

"Damn it..." Sun Kequan's eyes were red with rage.

At the same time, the Japanese tanks and armored vehicles continued to advance, firing their cannons and wiping out many of the 187th Division's firepower points.

In an instant, the flank position on the high ground held by the 187th Division was taken.

"Division Commander!"

"The Japanese Army is coming up from the flank!"

Sun Kequan's Adjutant ran over to report the news.

"Wanquan, take the Guard Company immediately and block the devils coming up from the flank, hurry..." Sun Kequan was now using every soldier he could mobilize.

After the 187th Division withstood two Japanese charges, many old soldiers were killed in action, and the new recruits began to rout.

The intensity of the Japanese attack grew ever greater; while reorganizing the retreating troops, Sun Kequan was wounded by a 70mm shell, fell on the position, and lapsed into a coma!!

The main position of the 187th Division was eventually captured by the Japanese Army, and Matsuura Junrokuro immediately mobilized troops to consolidate the position and cover the main force as they passed through the area.

At this time, Ou Zhen led a division of the 4th Army and arrived two kilometers outside the 187th Division's main position; halfway there, Ou Zhen encountered many retreating soldiers.

The vanguard troops intercepted the retreating soldiers and inquired about the situation of the battle at the front.

The retreating soldiers told the truth about the state of the position: the main Japanese force had captured it thirty minutes ago and was now holding it firmly.

Afterward, Staff Officer Zhang of the 4th Army came before Ou Zhen and reported the relevant situation.

"Damn it..."

Ou Zhen's eyes narrowed, "Rapid march, spread out into combat formation, order the artillery to bombard the Japanese Army for me!"

After receiving the Army Commander's order, the 4th Army's artillery unit immediately adjusted their muzzles and aimed them at the 187th Division's main position.

The artillery directly under the headquarters of Ou Zhen's 4th Army possessed twelve Type 41 Mountain Guns and six 75mm Field Guns.

After the 18 artillery pieces were ready, they conducted a ten-minute bombardment aimed at the 187th Division's position.

Under the cover of artillery fire, Ou Zhen had his troops begin their charge, preparing to retake the position at the first opportunity.

Inside the headquarters of the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army!

Yu Hua received Ou Zhen's report that the 187th Division's position had been lost and the Japanese Army had broken out from this gap; he was now directing his troops in a bloody battle against the Japanese.

Although the Japanese 106th Division had abandoned many large artillery pieces, they still had plenty of regimental and battalion-level artillery.

In particular, the Japanese were now dispersing and setting up many artillery positions, and these small artillery pieces were very easy to relocate.

The Guangdong Army 4th Army was now under quite a bit of pressure facing so many Japanese troops, and the fighting was very intense.

Although Ou Zhen's 4th Army could fight, the little devils were now bursting with powerful combat strength in order to break through the encirclement.

A rabbit will bite when cornered, and a dog will jump over a wall when desperate, let alone the little devils!!

Especially the remnants of the Japanese Army on the East Line and the artillery regiments they left behind; these things had great power and high lethality.

Previously, Yu Hua had only dispatched one Mountain Artillery Regiment to the East Line, with most of the artillery left on the West Line, so now Ou Zhen's 4th Army was at a disadvantage in terms of artillery fire.

Yu Jishi was also doing his best to intercept the remnants of the Japanese East Line, preventing them from linking up with the devils circling around from the West Line!

Seeing the Japanese Army break through so quickly, Wang Mingzhang's 122nd Division followed Yu Hua's plan and set up many more artillery positions.

Moreover, they continuously shelled the little devils circling around, disrupting the Japanese withdrawal!

At the same time, Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade's Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion moved the fastest; after arriving at the East Line, the Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion immediately called the previously mentioned Daredevil Battalion!

After making contact with the brothers of the Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion, Daredevil Battalion Commander Liu Bin immediately reported the weak points of the Japanese troops left behind on the East Line.

Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade immediately contacted the 22nd Group Army's Artillery Regiment!

The Type 92 105mm Howitzers and Type 96 150mm Howitzers within the 22nd Group Army's Artillery Regiment immediately aimed at the weak points of the Japanese East Line rear guard and bombarded them.

After several rounds of shelling, the Independent Brigade's Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion successfully broke through the Japanese East Line position!

The soldiers of the Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion wore gas masks and killed their way out of the poison zone, which also gave the East Line Japanese a huge fright.

The Japanese on the East Line began to adjust their defensive zone, but immediately after, the artillery battalion and the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion of Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade also killed their way in.

Especially the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion; when these things were leveled, their power was astonishing, directly repelling the Japanese counter-charge.

The Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion and the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion coordinated with each other, with the artillery battalion providing cover fire, and they successfully took root in the Japanese East Line rear area.

After Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade successfully established itself in the Japanese East Line camp, Liu Zhangqing also immediately organized his troops and began to close in on the Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion, the artillery battalion, and the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion.

The Independent Brigade's momentum was like a rainbow, and after paying the price of one regiment's casualties, they finally successfully linked up with the Machine Gun and Artillery Battalion, the artillery battalion, and the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion!

Upon learning that the Sichuan Army had pierced through, the Japanese on the East Line were clearly somewhat panicked, because the combat strength of this group of Sichuan Army troops was astonishing.

Directing the Independent Brigade, Liu Zhangqing utilized Type 92 Infantry Guns, 82mm Mortars, and 60mm Mortars to begin attacking the defensive zone to the northwest of the East Line Japanese!

Upon learning of the situation on the East Line, Matsuura Junrokuro was now screaming in rage, because the East Line Japanese had been cut in two by the Sichuan Army!

Now, if the 106th Division wanted to break out, they could only leave in three separate routes; the old devil Matsuura had originally wanted to combine his forces, but that was now impossible.

With no other choice, Matsuura Junrokuro had to accept this reality, and he now found it difficult to dispatch troops to annihilate Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade.

Because, according to the telegrams from the rearguard units, two Sichuan Army divisions were pursuing the troops circling around from the West Line!

The most urgent priority was to break out from Wanjialing!

Matsuura Junrokuro sent a telegram to the East Line rear guard, telling them to choose a suitable place and withdraw toward De'an.

At this time, Ou Zhen's 4th Army still had not been able to plug the gap of the 187th Division; the Japanese were fighting very stubbornly.

Forced by necessity, Ou Zhen had to contact Yu Hua, requesting heavy artillery support from the Sichuan Army; the Central Army's four heavy artillery pieces had now exhausted their shells and could not form a firepower deterrent against the Japanese.

Yu Hua, in the headquarters, agreed to Ou Zhen's request!

At the same time, Liu Zhangqing also sent a telegram stating that the Japanese rear guard on the East Line had now been cut in two by the Independent Brigade!

Inside the headquarters, after everyone learned this news, they clapped and cheered, and Sun Zhen also waved his fists in joy!

At this moment, everyone was also very happy, as this meant that the annihilation of the Japanese on the East Line was only a matter of time.

Once Yu Jishi's 74th Army and Liu Zhangqing's Independent Brigade completed the encirclement, the Japanese Army remaining on the East Line became like trapped beasts fighting for their lives.

To the side, Chen Cheng sighed, "What a pity... Ou Zhen's 4th Army failed to plug the gap, and the devils who circled around from the West Line have already begun to retreat toward De'an."

(End of chapter)