Chapter 106: Overwhelming Firepower!

Under Jiang Bai's meticulous planning and reorganization, the firepower configuration of the 63rd Division was formidable.

A single infantry battalion of the 63rd Division was equipped with two 90mm heavy mortars, six 60mm medium mortars, and nearly fifty grenade launchers, creating overwhelming firepower.

As the first wave of concentrated fire rained down upon the enemy, a satisfied smile unconsciously curved Jiang Bai’s lips.

With the dull explosions echoing across the battlefield, the dense hail of shells swept through the ranks of the enemy like a reaper harvesting crops. Jiang Bai’s gaze was sharp and unwavering as he fixed his eyes on the front lines.

Countless grenades shot forth from the mortar barrels like raindrops,

falling densely upon the advancing enemy troops.

In an instant, explosions erupted continuously, flames soaring skyward!

Amidst the rolling smoke and haze,

endless screams of agony filled the air, as large numbers of enemy soldiers suffered severe losses under the relentless assault.

Within the field of vision lay scattered severed limbs stained with blood, as if the very gates of hell had opened.

One explosion after another blasted enemy forces into the air,

tearing gaping holes through their tightly packed assault formations.

Many enemy soldiers fell lifeless before even reaching our defensive lines, their vacant eyes fixed blankly on the fortifications, seemingly bewildered by the devastation around them.

They never understood, even unto death, how the opposing force possessed such overwhelming firepower support.

Meanwhile, at the command center of the 54th Infantry Regiment,

in stark contrast to the fierce fighting at the front, the atmosphere here was unusually calm.

“Colonel, we deployed two infantry battalions for this initial assault.”

“That’s excessively cautious.”

“With the combat strength under your command, one infantry battalion alone would easily breach the enemy’s defenses!”

“Then it would be a one-sided slaughter!”

Colonel Yamaguchi smiled upon hearing Lieutenant Colonel Iguchi’s report, yet his eyes betrayed not only confidence but a hidden trace of anxiety.

“Iguchi, I guarantee you, within an hour we will seize the enemy’s defensive line.”

His voice was resolute, but the clenched fists revealed the pressure weighing on his heart.

Last year’s complete annihilation of the Japanese infantry brigade was considered a profound disgrace, still closely guarded in secrecy, known only to a handful of senior officers.

This made Colonel Yamaguchi take the forthcoming battle with utmost seriousness.

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by the sudden barrage of explosions from the front lines, his face instantly shifting from surprise to anger in a flash.

“What is going on?!”

He demanded, incredulous and enraged.

“How did these New Dynasty soldiers come equipped with so many light artillery pieces?”

His brows furrowed tightly, his gaze piercing through smoke and fire as if trying to discern the enemy’s true strength.

“Judging from the sound alone, their firepower density rivals the entire artillery complement of a first-class division!”

Colonel Yamaguchi’s voice brimmed with disbelief and a reluctant sense of defeat.

Beside him, Lieutenant Colonel Iguchi looked troubled, shocked yet somewhat relieved not to have led the attack personally. He hesitated before speaking to Yamaguchi.

“Colonel, the enemy’s bombardment is overwhelming!”

His voice trembled slightly, revealing his inner fear.

“Should we consider retreating first and then plan for the long term? What do you think of this strategy?”

He tried to express his thoughts gently, hoping to gain Yamaguchi’s agreement.

Yet, blinded by anger, Colonel Yamaguchi’s face darkened further, his eyes burning with unwavering resolve.

“Damn it! So what if the enemy has deployed so many light artillery pieces?”

His voice rose defiantly, filled with challenge and indomitability.

“As long as we close in, our soldiers’ endurance alone will make it impossible to stop the New Dynasty army’s advance!”

His words revealed a near-fanatical determination.

“Order the entire army to launch a fierce assault!”

His command became a cathartic outburst.

At the very moment Colonel Yamaguchi issued the charge order, the enemy was already rallying spontaneously, fiercely launching successive attacks against the 63rd Division’s lines.

Although the 63rd Division’s heavy artillery inflicted severe damage on the Japanese forces, the intense scene stirred fear among some less resolute soldiers.

Witnessing comrades nearby struck and blasted apart by shells, the fear within these fresh recruits was profoundly heightened.

However, for many battle-hardened veterans, such bombardment did not deter them; instead, their faces displayed a wild resolve, eyes gleaming with the light of combat, lips curled into a smile of defiance as they roared:

“For His Majesty Tianhuang—charge!”

This cry was not only a reckless disregard for death but also a fervent longing for victory.

Amid these stirring shouts, the expressions of platoon and squad leaders became fanatical; wielding their command knives wildly, they seemed to envision already breaking through the enemy’s lines, their eyes ablaze with relentless fighting spirit, as if they could shatter all obstacles in the next moment.

Yet this extreme advance drew the attention of the 63rd Division’s sharpshooters.

Hidden in the shadows, the snipers calmly took aim at these frontline commanders brandishing their knives, their eyes cold and focused, fingers steady and precise as they began their deadly marksmanship.

At the same time, seeing the Japanese forces closing in, Wang Mu Zhi’s face flashed with resolute determination, and without hesitation he ordered:

“All machine gunners open fire immediately!”

His voice was calm yet powerful, each word seemingly carved with care.

As the roar of machine guns erupted, a dozen heavy machine guns unleashed devastating power.

Within this nearly impenetrable storm of steel and lead, over a hundred enemy soldiers charging first were mercilessly cut down.

Amid the fierce combat, Wang Mu Zhi stood within the trench, watching wave after wave of enemy soldiers fall under their firepower. A complex emotion flickered across his eyes—joy in victory.

Yet he quickly suppressed this feeling, becoming even more composed and decisive.

He shouted orders that echoed across the battlefield, both encouraging his troops and intimidating the enemy:

“See now, these Japanese are not as strong as we thought!”

Occasionally, a faint smile crossed his face, especially when he heard his soldiers’ shouts, which bolstered his confidence in victory:

“I told you, these enemies are just like us—two shoulders bearing one head. Why should they win against us? How could we not defeat them!”