newbobooks Chapter 173: Bridge Defense (7)
Chapter 173: Bridge Defense (7)
"Boom—boom—", "Da da da—", "Bang bang bang—"
The sound of gunfire and explosions was so chaotic that the enemy artillery captain was awakened and rushed over with a group of people. The soldiers kept rushing towards the direction of the gunfire, and there were people firing randomly everywhere. At this time, he found a strange phenomenon. The captain in charge of command was missing, and some soldiers ran towards the direction of the artillery formation intentionally or unintentionally.
He sensed something was wrong, stepped forward, and yelled at a soldier running toward the artillery formation, "Baga! You're going in the wrong direction! Come back immediately and attack the enemy!"
The soldier of the assault company knew that he was exposed. He vaguely saw that this guy was actually a lieutenant colonel, and he must be the captain of the Japanese artillery battalion. Without hesitation, he pulled out his hidden submachine gun and fired a burst of bullets, killing the Japanese artillery captain.
This stirred up a hornet's nest. The enemy suddenly realized that they had infiltrated their ranks! A major immediately took command. He ordered each squad to immediately check the people around them to see if there were any spies. At the same time, he ordered the majority of the Japanese troops to search the artillery array and eliminate the infiltrated enemy to protect the artillery.
The major still felt something was wrong, so he ordered the signalman beside him to immediately send a request to the regiment, asking the nearest troops to come for reinforcement!
The enemy began to charge the artillery array. Neither side dared to use heavy firepower, such as grenades. The assault company's submachine guns held the advantage, and for a moment, the battle reached a stalemate. The demolition team had already placed shells and extended-range charges at each gun position and was installing detonator fuses.
At this time, several nearby Japanese squadrons had already rushed over, and a Japanese lieutenant colonel-level officer also arrived. He asked the major: "Why don't you attack?"
The Major replied, "We dare not use heavy firepower. The artillery array has a large number of shells!"
The lieutenant colonel slapped him across the face and called him a good-for-nothing! He knew full well that these people were here just to fire their artillery. The longer they were given time, the less secure their artillery would be! He quickly ordered an all-out attack; no matter how many people died, he would never give the enemy a chance to fire their artillery!
The enemy rushed forward recklessly, and Bai Lang and others were obviously unable to stop them. He shouted to the bombing team: "Hurry! As soon as possible, blow up as many as you can, blow it up quickly--"
Bai Lang knew very well that he and his men were surrounded by Japanese troops and their chances of survival were slim. As long as the artillery shells exploded, everything would be worth it!
The team responsible for the explosion also knew that they might not be able to leave. They also shouted to Bai Lang and other comrades who were blocking the way: "Go quickly and leave us alone!"
The soldiers decisively detonated the detonators. "Boom boom boom boom—" Explosions echoed one after another, followed by more and more violent explosions. The shells and extended-range explosive charges surrounding the enemy artillery array began to detonate. The entire Japanese artillery position was enveloped in violent explosions and flames...
The explosion startled Liu Xiao and the others in the distance. They knew that Bai Lang's assault company had succeeded, but they also knew that Bai Lang and his men's chances of survival were slim. Liu Xiao said to himself, "The boss (referring to Qin Shi) said that Americans are afraid of death, but I don't think so. Bai Lang is a real man!"
Tang Xuesi also rushed over from the east side of the bridge. He asked anxiously, "Captain Liu, did Bai Lang and the others succeed?"
Liu Xiao nodded and said in a low voice: "Successful, what a man!"
Tang Xuesi knew what Liu Xiao meant. He also knew that few of Bai Lang and the 9th Assault Company would be able to return. Tang Xuesi said harshly, "Now that they're done, it's our turn!"
Liu Xiao smiled at Tang Xuesi and said, "Captain Tang, you should go down and rest more. There's a direct team here. When we can't do it anymore, you can come back!"
"Captain Liu, you're wrong to say that. Although you're a senior and a superior, our First Detachment is no pushover. After a whole day, the Japanese still had no chance to attack the bridge. I know our First Detachment is better than your direct detachment, and we are determined to defend our honor and dignity!"
Liu Xiao walked up to Tang Xuesi and said to him affectionately, "Xiao Tang, I don't mean to look down on the team. It's not easy for you to hold out for a whole day, and you've suffered heavy casualties. You must learn to rest and let everyone rest well. The battle is still going on. The bridge defense battle won't be over soon, and you may have to hold out to the end."
Liu Xiao continued, "As commanders and fighters, we must keep a clear mind and rest when necessary. Only when we are well rested can we persevere in the next battle and achieve greater results!"
Tang Xuesi understood Liu Xiao's meaning. Honestly, if Liu Xiao hadn't stayed in the guerrilla army, with his abilities, he would probably have been at least a brigade commander or deputy division commander. He nodded silently and turned to walk east of the bridge...
When Jiuzuo arrived at the artillery battalion, he was overwhelmed by the sight of the shattered cannons. The lieutenant colonel who had arrived earlier to take command was his chief of staff. He approached Jiuzuo and whispered, "We've captured several surviving attackers. They're members of the Special Assault Company of the Indian Army."
Jiusaku nodded and instructed his adjutant, "There's no point in keeping these people alive. Execute them all." He then asked the chief of staff, "The mountain artillery squadron wasn't attacked, was it?"
The chief of staff replied, "Our mountain artillery is all there, as is the mountain artillery squadron of the 115th Division's regiment."
After a moment's reflection, Sakusaku said to the Chief of Staff, "Arrange an immediate attack. Have both squadrons of mountain artillery fire non-stop at the bridge!"
"Boom boom boom boom——"
Japanese artillery shells were fired relentlessly, and explosions filled the area around the bridge. Liu Xiao angrily said, "Damn it! You're bullying me because I don't have any mountain artillery!"
He ordered the detachment's artillery battalion to concentrate all its rocket launchers to fire against the enemy's mountain artillery. At the same time, he asked members of the US liaison group to send a telegram to the US Air Force, asking them to send bombers as soon as possible to destroy the Japanese mountain artillery!
Like mad dogs, the Japanese army rushed towards the positions of the direct detachment. Most of the backbone of the direct detachment were prisoners of war captured by the Japanese army more than a year ago. They were all from regular army and had become very capable after more than a year of guerrilla warfare. In addition, the direct detachment was stronger than the other detachments and was the absolute main force of the guerrilla army. It had four infantry battalions and one artillery battalion, and the most complete organizational structure, which exceeded that of an ordinary regiment. It only lacked mechanized weapons such as mountain artillery, tanks and armored vehicles. However, it had a large proportion of light and heavy machine guns and automatic weapons.
The Japanese army's frantic attack hadn't gained any advantage, and had cost hundreds of lives in vain. The chief of staff frowned, dissatisfied with the regiment commander's reckless command. He stepped forward and said to the regiment commander, "Sir, I'm afraid this attack won't work."