Chapter 104: The Little Devils' Reckless Charge!

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Then, Jiang Bai reminded Chen Shan to pay close attention to the defense of the flanks, anticipating the enemy’s likely flanking maneuvers—a common tactic employed by the opposing forces. Historically, these adversaries often used such strategies to inflict severe damage. Even when aware of these tactics, it was difficult to withstand the pressure created by their superior weaponry and technology. However, the situation had changed dramatically. After a year of rigorous training, Jiang Bai’s troops had improved significantly in both quality and firepower, rivaling the enemy forces and even holding clear advantages in certain aspects. As long as no major strategic errors were made, repelling the enemy’s assault would be almost effortless.

Upon hearing Jiang Bai’s warning, Chen Shan responded confidently: “Rest assured, Corps Commander. I have fully considered the importance of flank defense. We have established numerous machine-gun nests along the flanks. Should the enemy attempt any flanking, I will make them understand despair!”

Thus, Chen Shan prepared with unwavering confidence for the impending battle. Suddenly, a scout rushed over and urgently reported to Jiang Bai: “Corps Commander, three kilometers ahead, our reconnaissance team has spotted thousands of enemy soldiers rapidly advancing northward. They are expected to arrive here within the hour!”

Wang Muzhi rubbed his hands eagerly, a look of anticipation on his face. “These enemies are delivering themselves to us right on time, just as I hoped!” he exclaimed. “Looks like they’ve decided to send a few thousand men as our appetizer!”

Chen Shan, however, appeared somewhat worried. “They are clearly underestimating us, thinking just a few thousand soldiers can capture our positions!”

Faced with the situation, Jiang Bai remained calm and resolute. “Since the enemy is overconfident, this is our perfect opportunity to prove our strength.” He added firmly, “Let them suffer a crushing defeat along our defensive line!”

Then Jiang Bai instructed the cavalry regiment to prepare for battle. “If we can annihilate this enemy force completely, it will be a devastating blow to their entire landing operation. Destroying them will surely cause anguish among their commanders!”

Jiang Bai’s expression revealed his determination. He had hoped for a chance to strike a significant blow against the enemy, and unexpectedly, they had delivered themselves right into his hands. Although the pressure from the enemy weighed heavily on the Seventh Army’s commanders, it was also a chance to train and grow stronger.

As time passed, the enemy infantry and reconnaissance units drew closer to the 63rd Division’s positions, and the battle was about to erupt.

At this critical moment, Colonel Yamaguchi of the 54th Infantry Regiment and Lieutenant Colonel Inoue of the 17th Reconnaissance Regiment briefly conferred and agreed to give their soldiers a thirty-minute rest and necessary reorganization. During this time, their artillery units built solid defensive positions in preparation for future offensives.

After forty minutes of regrouping, their artillery units unleashed a fierce bombardment on the 63rd Division’s encampment using four 75mm mountain guns. The thunderous explosions echoed through the air, each shell whistling sharply as it targeted the 211th Brigade’s frontline positions.

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Hearing the grim sounds of explosions overhead, the officers and soldiers of the 211th Brigade huddled tightly in their trenches. Each man had carefully dug shelter of varying sizes to withstand the bombardment. As long as the shells did not strike these shelters directly, the damage caused by shells falling into the trenches remained minimal.

Furthermore, during fortification, Brigade Commander Wang Muzhi had anticipated that the enemy would open fire with artillery first. He therefore ordered the use of giant trees from the mountains to reinforce the defensive works. While these trees could not fully withstand 150mm heavy artillery, they easily stopped shells fired from 75mm mountain guns.

“Commander, shall we begin our counterattack with our artillery?” In the 62nd Infantry Headquarters, Colonel Liang Chun of the 25th Regiment anxiously asked Wang Muzhi.

“The enemy’s artillery fire is too wild!” Liang’s face was filled with anger. “Several comrades have already been wounded in the recent shelling!”

At that moment, Wang Muzhi was intently observing enemy movements through his binoculars. Hearing his subordinate’s complaints, he turned sharply and responded sternly, “Coward! Are you so frightened by just a few rounds of enemy artillery?”

Liang looked aggrieved but replied, “Commander, the enemy’s artillery positions are now within our firing range!”

“Although both sides use 75mm mountain guns, our range exceeds theirs by a full two kilometers. Destroying them is definitely within reach!”

Liang’s eagerness and fighting spirit were palpable as he clenched his fists, ready to act. However, when he presented this suggestion to Brigade Commander Wang Muzhi, the latter shook his head in refusal, explaining, “This is just the warm-up phase. If we reveal our artillery firepower too early, it might backfire.”

In fact, when the enemy’s four 75mm field guns opened fire, the 63rd Division’s artillery did not take it seriously. To these elite gunners, the firepower of the enemy’s few guns seemed negligible, not worth responding to. They saw no need to engage.

If it had been the enemy’s artillery regiment, the situation might have been different. Eliminating the enemy artillery regiment in one strike would be a tremendous achievement, severely damaging the enemy’s morale and depriving them of critical fire support. This would enable us to impose unilateral fire superiority in the ensuing battle.

While the 63rd Division awaited the right moment, in the 15th Division’s operations command, Lieutenant Colonel Inoue of the 17th Reconnaissance Regiment spoke with a smile: “Our artillery performance has been excellent. Under such fierce bombardment, the enemy must be greatly shaken.”

“By my estimate, this wave of attack has already cost the enemy thousands of men!”

Nearby, Colonel Yamaguchi of the 54th Infantry Regiment nodded approvingly and proudly declared, “You’re right. The Imperial Army has reached world-class standards!”

“Looking globally, perhaps only a few Western powers can rival us.”

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“As for these weaker enemy forces, they simply cannot face us head-on. They aren’t even worthy of becoming our prey!”

Having fought formidable foes before, despite suffering heavy losses, our troops’ confidence grew tremendously. From start to finish, we never truly regarded the enemy as a real threat.

After carefully assessing the enemy positions, Colonel Yamaguchi turned to Lieutenant Colonel Inoue and proposed, “Inoue, let my troops lead this attack!”

His tone was resolute as he drew his command saber from his waist, ready to join the fight. Seeing Yamaguchi’s determined spirit, Inoue agreed: “Very well, Colonel. With the strength of your troops, the enemy likely won’t withstand even our first assault.”

Inoue’s praise brought a broad smile to Yamaguchi’s face. Brandishing his saber, he ordered, “Notify the 1st and 2nd Battalions to launch a frontal attack. The 3rd Battalion remains in reserve!”

“If the frontal assault encounters resistance, be prepared to execute a flanking maneuver!”

The two battalion commanders saluted Colonel Yamaguchi and swiftly mobilized their troops, preparing for battle.

Soon, the two battalions’ soldiers charged aggressively at the 211th Brigade’s defensive line with a “banzai charge.” This so-called “headlong attack” consisted of continuous, phased assaults designed to overwhelm the enemy through superior firepower and relentless pressure.

The main advantage of this tactic lies in leveraging the concentration of forces—if the initial assault fails, fresh waves follow like relentless tides. Although its drawback is clear: if faced with superior enemy firepower, our losses can be severe.

Yet, in most cases, conventional forces struggle to withstand such ferocious offensives. With disadvantages in both technology and morale, enemies rarely resist successfully and often suffer defeat after defeat.

As one battalion commander drew his saber and waved it high, shouting, “For the Empire, charge!” the battle cry “For the Empire!” echoed, rallying the troops.

The soldiers advanced through complex terrain, displaying remarkable tactical skill as they rapidly closed in on the 62nd Infantry Division’s defenses. Their momentum was fueled in part by seeing their commanders personally lead the charge, greatly boosting morale. Even officers of lieutenant colonel rank did not hesitate to fight.

However, this battalion commander was unaware that he had become the target of an enemy sniper.

On the 211th Brigade’s positions, Wang Muzhi asked a calm-faced young soldier holding a GEW98 rifle, “Xiao Sun, do you have the confidence to take down that shouting enemy?”

“If you manage to kill him, I will personally commend you before the Corps Commander!”

Those words stirred a rare flicker of excitement in the usually composed Xiao Sun.

“Commander, watch closely!” he said.

With swift precision, Xiao Sun raised his rifle, took aim, and squeezed the trigger—firing a deadly shot aimed squarely at the battalion commander’s head!