Chapter 55: Fierce Battle Under the Moonlight!
At the instant the dogs barked, the veteran soldiers quickly removed the grenades hanging from their bodies, unscrewed the moisture-proof caps, and pulled the pins. After a few seconds of simple warming, the grenades were hurled into the courtyard filled with chaotic footsteps.
“Clack!”
The Japanese squad leader glanced at the smoking wooden-handled grenades and shouted loudly, “Grenades! Take cover!”
The well-trained Japanese soldiers immediately dropped to the ground upon hearing the warning.
“Boom—!”
“Boom—!”
The covert operation instantly transformed into a full-scale assault.
As the battle erupted, both sides displayed their prowess.
The Japanese invaders advanced in squads, forming a linear formation.
While remaining vigilant of their surroundings, they searched in the direction of the explosion.
Sun Ming and his comrades quickly moved forward, colliding head-on with the encircling Japanese soldiers.
The soldiers wielded Thompson submachine guns, quickly spewing fire like serpents.
“Rat-a-tat-tat!”
The rhythmic gunfire rang out crisply, like a typewriter.
“Rat-a-tat-tat!”
Amidst the dense gunfire and booming artillery, the cries of battle echoed thunderously.
With each flare ascending into the sky, the entire battlefield was illuminated as bright as day!
Only then did the soldiers realize how swift the enemy’s response was.
Within mere minutes, the vast majority of the Japanese forces were combat-ready.
Though some wore steel helmets and were bare-chested, clad only in loincloths below—looking somewhat ridiculous—these enemy soldiers wielded deadly weapons.
Bian Fucheng’s mind raced swiftly: “What’s there to fear? With so many automatic guns, let’s kill every one of these damn dogs!”
Most of the nearest Japanese soldiers carried no ammunition belts.
How much ammo could one enemy soldier carry?
Not enough to pose a serious threat.
Just as Bian was about to lead the charge, Company Commander Zhou Daxing shouted, “Captain, at nine o’clock, a large Japanese force! Those bastards seem to have ambushed us in advance!”
Sun Ming turned and glanced in that direction, cursing angrily, “Damn it, Old Bian, we’ve walked right into the enemy’s trap!”
The rapidly reinforcing Japanese troops were fully armed, clearly prepared for battle.
According to daytime reconnaissance, the nearest Japanese company was still a kilometer away.
Getting dressed and ready, it would take at least five minutes to arrive.
Yet now, less than three minutes into the fight...
What did this mean?
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It meant these damn enemy soldiers not only anticipated their night assault but had even deployed forces ahead to ambush them.
As Sun Ming suspected, the Japanese Shibuya Regiment stationed in the village was ready.
Captain Fukushi Ichian of the Third Infantry Battalion smiled faintly.
“Order the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Infantry Companies to execute the previously planned operation and annihilate the enemy unit!”
“Yes, sir!”
Chu Yunfei was well aware the night raid risked encirclement by the enemy.
That was why he had Sun Ming bring the elite guard company to support the battle—to wield overwhelming firepower in close combat.
He knew this night assault would likely cost many lives.
But Chu Yunfei had no choice.
The disparity in national strength between the Republic and Imperial Japan was immense, beyond mere words.
Even the elite 358th Regiment had to rely on such desperate gambles to accomplish their mission.
Only by doing so could they buy more time.
Only then could they relieve the tremendous pressure on the First Battalion.
Only thus could they add a glimmer of hope to the Battle of Xinkou.
As the explosions rang out, Chu Yunfei opened his eyes.
His mind immediately immersed in the battle map.
Originally, he had envisioned the covert operation going relatively smoothly.
After eliminating some enemy soldiers, problems would arise.
Once trouble emerged, the troops would retreat swiftly.
Then he could call in the mountain artillery battalion to provide direct fire support for the assault team, blocking enemy pursuit.
But now...
Those two rascals, Sun Ming and Bian Fucheng,
Had entirely ignored his orders.
At the first sign of being discovered, they completely forgot Chu Yunfei’s command to retreat immediately.
Standing beside Chu Yunfei, Zhang Fugui nodded slightly.
“Commander!”
Chu Yunfei took a deep breath and said, “Order the Seventh and Eighth Companies to assemble urgently and prepare to provide support!”
The Seventh and Eighth Companies were the frontline defensive units.
They had rested for two days, replenished ammunition and personnel.
They were the only troops available for deployment from the First Battalion.
“Also, order the Third Mortar Platoon to prepare illumination support!”
Zhang Fugui hurried off to relay the orders: “Yes, sir!”
Looking at the battle map, he saw the markers responding quickly and beginning to move slowly.
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Chu Yunfei admitted to feeling some anxiety.
He immediately picked up the phone: “This is Chu Yunfei, request mountain artillery battalion!”
Elsewhere,
At the artillery command post,
Liang Guoping had been awake all night.
Standing outside the command post, he gazed at the moonlight, lost in thought.
The phone rang.
Liang Guoping stepped inside.
“This is Liang Guoping, commander. Please instruct!”
“Put the entire battalion on combat alert and continue shelling areas 51 and 52. Repeat that!”
“Continue shelling areas 51 and 52!”
“Good!”
Liang Guoping hung up and turned to the bugler beside him.
“What are you standing there for? Sound the assembly call!”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldiers of the mountain artillery battalion immediately roused from their trenches upon hearing the call.
Under Liang Guoping’s loud commands, they quickly entered combat readiness.
Less than three minutes had passed since the battle began.
“Old Liang... areas 51 and 52, Commander—what’s going on?”
Liang Guoping guessed, “The explosion just now was probably caused by our troops... The commander designated those areas for shelling because they’re likely the route the enemy reinforcements will take.”
Now, Liang Guoping stood near the artillery position.
By the light of an oil lamp, he confirmed the location and direction before swiftly calculating the firing data.
He shouted at the top of his lungs, “All units, set the range to 188, direction right one, fire eight rounds simultaneously!”
No wonder they say—
Without a loud voice, you can’t serve as artillery personnel.
The eight-gun artillery position spanned two to three hundred meters in width.
Meanwhile, other messengers repeated the commands.
“All units ready, range 188!”
“Direction right one, fire eight rounds simultaneously!”
“Ready—!”
“First round okay!”
“Second round okay!”
...
“Eighth round okay!”
“Fire!”
With a sudden wave of the signal flag,
One shell after another burst forth from the cannons,
Cutting through the sky with piercing screams...
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