Chapter 780
Iron-fisted Suppression of Roaring Soldiers! The 3rd Division's "Withdrawal&qu
North of Xuyi, on the main road leading to the rear.
The mud was already above ankle level, and the tire tracks were filled with murky yellow water.
An autumn rain added a touch of despair to this battlefield.
"Run! The Japanese are coming!"
"I can't hold on any longer!"
"Those officials have all run away, brothers, run quickly!"
As the battle continued, morale plummeted, and more and more units broke up and disintegrated.
The mountains and fields were filled with gray figures, their armor and weapons discarded.
They were like an anthill washed away by a flood, pushing, trampling, and wailing in the mud.
Some soldiers were still carrying their old Hanyang rifles, while others had simply thrown away their guns, clutching half a bag of rice or a few silver dollars they had stolen, and were running wildly northwards, stumbling along the muddy ground.
In the opposite direction of this murky, gray torrent.
A dark green steel defense line, like a rock, is firmly nailed to the muddy wilderness.
That was the vanguard of the 88th Group Army.
A Dodge 10-wheeler truck was blocking the road.
The front of the vehicle was fitted with a dark M2 heavy machine gun.
They were facing none other than this group of routed soldiers who were trying to charge the front lines.
Beside the car.
Wearing a black raincoat and an M1 helmet, Yang Yaohui stood in the rain like a sculpture.
His military boots were already soaked with mud and water, but his spine remained straight.
Having also graduated from the Whampoa Military Academy, he fought countless battles under Sun Xinpu's command, cultivating genuine sharpness and confidence.
Rainwater slid down the edge of his helmet, leaving streaks on his young and stern face.
Looking at the scene before me, it was like fleeing from the apocalypse.
Yang Yaohui's brows furrowed into a deep frown, and deep in his eyes was an undisguised disappointment and disdain.
"Is this what they call 'Guangxi Wolf Soldiers'?"
Yang Yaohui snorted coldly, his voice not loud, but it was clearly heard by his adjutant beside him amidst the sound of rain: "If it were the Iron Army of the Northern Expedition back then, or the Gui Army during the bloody battle of Xuzhou, they would not have collapsed at the slightest touch and been defeated to this extent."
"If the morale of the team is low, it cannot be led effectively."
The regimental chief of staff beside him wiped the rain off his face and said in a somber tone, "You're right, Commander. The core of this unit is rotten. That Li Pinxian treated this unit as his private property and as a bargaining chip. The officers below him only wanted to make money. It's no wonder that such a unit will collapse when it encounters a tough battle."
"collapse?"
A cold glint flashed in Yang Yaohui's eyes as he placed his hand on the Browning pistol at his waist: "I don't care where they go, but they want to disrupt my defenses and lure the Japanese devils to our main force!"
"Who knows if these Guangxi troops are the ones that have been identified as having colluded with the enemy?"
"Pass on my orders!"
Yang Yaohui suddenly waved his hand, his voice instantly rising eight octaves: "Supervisory team, advance!"
"No fleeing soldiers are allowed to attack our positions!"
"Regardless of rank or department affiliation, anyone who dares to cross the warning line will be killed without mercy!"
"Yes!"
"Snap—"
The synchronized sound of bolts being pulled instantly drowned out the sound of wind and rain.
The Flying Tigers officers and soldiers, who had been waiting in the trenches on both sides of the road, raised their weapons.
A uniform array of M1 Garand rifles, a dense mass of PPS43 submachine guns, and M1919A4 heavy machine guns set up behind sandbag fortifications, half-hidden by tarpaulins.
This line of fire, composed of American-equipped soldiers and unwavering resolve, was coldly pointed at the fleeing routs.
The defeated soldiers weren't stupid; in this situation, who wouldn't be afraid of the supervisory team?
There are identification marks on their arms, how could they not recognize them?
"Get out of the way!"
"Get the hell out of my way!"
Just then, a burst of arrogant shouts and curses came from the crowd.
Dozens of Guangxi soldiers surrounded several officers, shoving and pushing the wounded soldiers and refugees in front of them. Some even swung their rifle butts at their comrades who were blocking their way.
The leader, a colonel with a menacing face and an open collar, brandished a Mauser pistol and shouted as he ran, "Which unit are you from up ahead?"
"Didn't you see that the main force of the Japanese army is about to bite their butts?"
Ignoring everything else, the group charged straight towards Yang Yaohui's defensive line.
"boom!"
A crisp gunshot suddenly rang out amidst the rain.
The colonel who had been shouting the loudest suddenly fell silent.
A bloody hole appeared between his eyebrows, and he fell straight backward, crashing heavily into the muddy water, splashing up a dark red spray.
The Browning in Yang Yaohui's hand was emitting blue smoke, and his eyes were as indifferent as if he were looking at a dead dog.
"what--!"
The fleeing soldiers around them were terrified by the shot and screamed as they retreated, instantly clearing a large open space in the previously crowded area.
"I am Yang Yaohui, commander of the Vanguard Regiment of the 88th Group Army of the National Revolutionary Army."
Yang Yaohui stepped forward and stood on the hood of the truck, looking down at the group of frightened birds.
His voice echoed in the rain, each word like a nail driven into the ground:
"By order of the joint command, we are to intercept the Japanese invaders here!"
"From this moment on, this line is the line between life and death!"
"If you want to live, pick up your guns and get into the trenches on either side to help with the defense!"
"He is a role model for those who want to desert or charge the lines!"
Yang Yaohui pointed to the corpse on the ground, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a blade: "Let's see who dares to take another step forward!"
The dozens of guards who had originally followed the colonel in trying to force their way through turned pale as they looked at the dark muzzle of the heavy machine gun and then at their officer, who was still convulsing on the ground. Their guns clattered to the ground.
"Sir, spare us! We'll go to either side! We'll go to either side!"
Under the threat of death and the iron-fisted suppression, the chaotic order was forcibly contained in a short period of time.
The routed soldiers were like a flock of sheep being herded by sheepdogs.
Although still trembling, they obediently surged toward the reserve positions or ditches on both sides of the road.
The wide firing lane in the middle has been completely cleared.
"coming."
Yang Yaohui jumped out of the vehicle, lay down on the edge of the muddy trench, and raised his binoculars.
In the rain and mist at the edge of the horizon, a large number of earthen-yellow figures appeared.
The vanguard battalion of the 65th Infantry Regiment, 13th Division of the Japanese Army.
They chased after them very quickly and aggressively.
These Japanese soldiers, recruited from Sendai, were all physically strong, and even in such muddy terrain, their advance was still astonishing.
They didn't even send out scouts or deploy into battle formation; they just swaggered along the road in pursuit.
In their view, the Chinese troops in front had completely collapsed, like ducks being driven away, only able to turn their backs to the enemy's bayonets.
"Yoshi, the Chinese can't run anymore!"
"Squad leader, there are some vehicles ahead that appear to be abandoned..."
Under the cover of rain, the condition of the vehicles was not visible.
The Japanese advance company commander lowered his binoculars with considerable confusion.
Despite some reservations, he still brandished his command sword, a ferocious grin on his face: "Warriors!"
"Charge! Kill them all!"
"Onboard!"
Hundreds of Japanese soldiers, bayonets fixed, charged through the mud with wild howls, charging with bayonets fixed.
They soon spotted the trucks parked in the middle of the road ahead, assuming they were abandoned supplies by fleeing soldiers, and their greed intensified.
500 meters.
Four hundred meters.
Three hundred meters.
Yang Yaohui's lips curled up slightly as he gently spat out a blade of grass he was chewing.
He glanced at the machine gunner beside him.
The young shooter stared intently ahead, his finger already on the trigger, his knuckles white from the pressure. "Don't be nervous."
Yang Yaohui said in a low voice, "Let them get closer and fight."
"Let these little devils see what firepower is!"
One hundred meters.
At fifty meters, the faces of the Japanese soldiers, contorted with excitement, were clearly visible, and even the yellow five-pointed stars on their helmets were discernible.
"beat!!!"
Yang Yaohui roared and fired his Browning first.
This shot was like igniting the fuse of a powder keg.
As soon as the gunfire rang out, the entire position opened fire.
"Da da da da~!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"boom!"
The Japanese company commander on horseback had a cloud of blood burst from his chest and fell into a mud pit like a tattered sack.
"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat—!!!"
"Da da da—!!!"
Twelve M1919A4 heavy machine guns, more than thirty Browning light machine guns, plus hundreds of PPS43 submachine guns and Garand semi-automatic rifles.
Countless tongues of fire intertwined in the rain, forming an impenetrable net of death.
The Japanese vanguard, which was charging forward and completely exposed, was instantly met with a devastating blow.
It was less a carefully prepared ambush and more a full-blown massacre.
The Japanese soldiers at the front fell in droves like wheat being harvested; many didn't even have time to scream before their bodies were torn apart by heavy machine gun fire.
Those behind tried to lie down, but the dense hail of bullets sent mud and water flying everywhere, making it impossible for them to lift their heads.
"Baka! The enemy has dug makeshift trenches in advance; it's an ambush!"
"Heavy machine guns, their firepower is very strong, take cover!"
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Before the Japanese troops could react, twenty-four 60mm mortars and twelve 81mm mortars, whose firing parameters had already been marked, opened fire simultaneously from behind the trenches.
The shells, with a sharp whistling sound, struck the Japanese charging formation precisely.
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!!!"
A black and red fireball burst forth from the crowd, and severed limbs and debris flew into the sky along with the dirt.
This once-arrogant "Sendai elite" suffered more than half its casualties within the first minute of contact, with the remaining soldiers lying trembling among the corpses, without even a chance to retaliate.
"Which unit is this? Could it be the Flying Tigers under the command of the War General?"
The routed Guangxi soldiers lying in the ditches on both sides were dumbfounded.
Having served in the military for so many years, I have never seen such a combat mode.
"It's likely that only the direct subordinates of the War Marshal or the Central Army possess such combat capabilities."
"The machine gun bullets were sprayed out like they were free, and the mortars fired as fast as machine guns."
"Yes, we don't have that kind of wealth, it's terrifying."
……
Japanese 13th Division Command.
"What?!"
"The vanguard was annihilated?"
"Encountered extremely intense automatic fire and heavy machine gun fire?"
"Weren't the other side defeated troops from the Guangxi clique?"
"Where did such powerful firepower come from?"
Akashi walked quickly to the map, frowning as he studied the current battlefield situation.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander."
Chief of Staff Colonel Kofun, pale-faced, handed over a telegram that had just been intercepted and deciphered, along with the latest battle report from the front lines.
"It wasn't just the 65th Regiment that was hampered."
"Our left flank, the 116th Regiment, also encountered fierce resistance."
"The enemy used a large number of American-made weapons, including semi-automatic rifles and submachine guns, and their firepower density was more than three times that of ordinary Chinese troops."
"and"
Xiao Teng swallowed hard and pointed to the blue arrow that had just been marked on the map: "According to observations from the front lines, the enemy soldiers are wearing M1 steel helmets and dark green raincoats, and their tactical movements are extremely skillful."
"This should be one of the few elite troops in North China."
One way the Japanese military judged the elite status of enemy troops in rainy conditions was by whether they wore a large amount of rain gear.
"Flying Tiger!"
Akashi Risa's pupils contracted sharply, and he looked slightly flustered: "The main force commanded by Fang Ligong?"
Fang Ligong, one of Chu Yunfei's right-hand men, is known for his resourcefulness and wisdom.
These division and regimental commanders were naturally very familiar with the research materials on Fang Ligong.
How did they get here?
"They should be resting in Xuzhou!"
A feeling called "fear" instantly enveloped the arrogant division headquarters.
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
Zhan Shuai and his Flying Tigers were the Japanese army's nightmare in North China.
Even the elite 12th Army was completely wiped out, and even General Okamura Yasuji had to avoid its sharp edge.
His mere 13th Division, even a Class A division, without adequate fortifications and supplies, and in a situation of being isolated deep in enemy territory with its flanks exposed, ran into this impenetrable fortress.
The consequences would be unimaginable.
It is even highly likely that, in the ensuing entanglement, they will be outmaneuvered and surrounded.
"Commander, the 60th Division sent an urgent telegram inquiring about our position and requesting that we continue our southward advance. They have already captured Xuyi County, and prisoners have confirmed that the Fifth War Zone Command was indeed located there, having withdrawn less than a day ago. Commander Kobayashi judges that they are probably only a few dozen kilometers away, and it is entirely possible to annihilate them."
The communications officer reported cautiously.
Akashi glanced at the map, his eyes flashing intensely.
The 60th Division, that Class B division, is currently relentlessly attacking the Guangxi Army like a mad dog, completely unaware that reinforcements from the 88th Group Army have arrived.
If the 13th Division continues its offensive, it will inevitably clash head-on with Fang Ligong's main force, and once a major battle breaks out, its chances of winning are slim.
What good would it do to actually capture Li Pinxian, the commander of the Fifth War Zone?
After the weather clears, they will most likely be subjected to high-frequency air raids by the Chinese Air Force and will have no chance to retreat.
However, if they retreat now, the flank of the 60th Division will be completely exposed to this fierce and powerful force.
The 60th Division
Akashiri muttered to himself, the image of Division Commander Kobayashi flashing through his mind.
Then he considered the chaotic situation at headquarters and Okamura Neiji's meaningful implication of "preserving strength".
Not long after, he made a decision.
"We can ignore the 60th Division."
Akashi turned around, her voice cold and resolute: "They have no hope of escaping."
"Pass on the order!"
"The entire division, cease attack immediately!"
"Alternate cover, then retreat!"
"We must immediately disengage from the 88th Group Army and retreat north of the Huai River to construct a defensive line!"
"But what about Kobayashi's division?"
"Shut up!"
Akashi glared at the chief of staff: "Immediately send a telegram to the dispatched army headquarters. We were ambushed by the main force of the Chinese army in Xuyi and surrounded by at least three American-equipped troops. We suffered heavy casualties and had to retreat!"
As for the 60th Division
Akashi glanced at the increasingly heavy rain outside the window: "Let them do their last act of loyalty for His Majesty the Heavenly Locust."
"Hai!"
As waves of radio waves were sent out, the battlefield situation instantly reversed.
The originally aggressive 13th Division, upon confirming that its opponent was the Flying Tigers, did not hesitate to betray its comrades.
Meanwhile, the ignorant 60th Division remained immersed in the fantasy of breaking through Xuyi and annihilating the 5th Division's command post. They were completely unaware that they were slowly walking into the encirclement prepared for them by Fang Ligong. (End of Chapter)