Volume 1 Deserter's Bloodbath Chapter 7: Tension
The sound of gunfire in Luodian became increasingly sparse, and the firepower from the defenders had obviously weakened. The machine guns that had been roaring just now were nowhere to be seen, and the occasional shooting sounds came from rifles.
"The Chinese ran away?"
In the field, the Japanese officers were a little confused. How long has the battle lasted? Why did the defenders stop fighting when they hadn't even started the charge?
"Sir, should we attack?" A Japanese sergeant lying on the ground asked his squadron leader.
"It's almost dawn. Wait until daybreak for the infantry artillery squadron to come up and attack. In the previous exchange of fire, there was no artillery bombardment, and even the machine gun fire suppression was not enough. The Chinese have bunkers, it is impossible for them to collapse like this. They must be trapped!"
"Yes, it's a trap; everyone stop shooting and retreat, quickly!"
The Japanese officer gave the order in a smart way. He was a little scared of the dark Luodian. If the Chinese made defensive adjustments after breaking through the Chuansha defense line, their reaction would be too fast.
"Sir, our order is to raid and occupy Luodian Town, let the brave Japanese Imperial Army rush in and destroy the Chinese defenders in street fighting!" The sergeant was still eager to try.
"Did you judge that the Chinese defensive forces were insufficient because of their insufficient firepower? But don't forget, we only have one squadron. Do you think there are not even a battalion of Chinese soldiers here?" The squadron leader looked at the sergeant as if he were a fool.
With a battalion of defensive forces, no artillery bombardment, and civilian facilities basically intact, this kind of street fighting is not something that a single squadron of them can handle.
"Send a message, Chinese defenders have been discovered in Luodian Town, the number is unknown, requesting tactical guidance!" The squadron leader finally made up his mind not to attack but to wait for support.
The Japanese squadron that rushed over from the Chuansha defense line was not fully staffed, with less than two hundred people. They had no heavy machine guns or mortars, and only a few grenade launchers. The squadron leader believed that such an important hub could not be captured by his squadron alone. In fact, there was only one company opposite him, and they did not even have enough bullets.
At the headquarters of the 33rd Brigade in Dachang, Ye Peigao has already received the intelligence from Luodian. As for the fighting in Chuansha, he has also heard about it, but he is not clear about the current situation of the battle.
"Luodian has no defensive forces. Now there is only Han Yingbin's company building fortifications there. If the Japanese raid Luodian, the consequences will be disastrous!" Ye Peigao stared at the map with his brows furrowed.
"Brigade Commander, our mission does not include Luodian! There is a division in Chuansha. Even if they cannot defend it, we can get information. We are less than ten kilometers away from Luodian. We still have time to reinforce after receiving the order from the division headquarters."
The staff officer reminded,
"I'm afraid it's too late! No, we can't wait any longer. Order Han Yingbin's Death Battalion to reinforce Luodian immediately. Also, let the brigade's baggage battalion provide them with emergency ammunition. Tell Han Yingbin that as long as he has one person, he must defend Luodian for us. If he dares to retreat without orders, he will be treated as a deserter!" Ye Peigao gave the order viciously.
When the signalman set off, the sky finally slowly began to show its due light. It was already daybreak. At this time, Luodian Town was eerily quiet. There was no one on the two small streets, and the streets were littered with debris blocking them. Last night, time was too tight, and Chen Sheng did not have time to ask his brothers to build barricades. Fortunately, there were many houses in Luodian Town, but few of his brothers, so he could slowly fight the Japanese here, engage in street fighting, and wait for support!
"Major, the first battalion has already set out and will arrive in about an hour."
The Japanese hiding in the cotton fields in the north of Luodian also received the news. They relied on radio stations, and their means of communication were completely incomparable to those of the National Army.
"Yoshi! Order the second squad to send a detachment to check out the Chinese's firing points and prepare for the attack!"
Support is about to arrive and daybreak has arrived, so it's time to get to work.
"Da da da……"
The Japanese's Type 99 light machine guns started firing. They were still more than 600 meters away from Luodian when they suddenly started firing. The purpose of the Japanese was not to cause casualties, but to entice the defending machine guns to counterattack! In the cotton field, more than a dozen Japanese soldiers bent over, letting the cotton stems and leaves sweep across their uniforms, and slowly approached Luodian Town.
"The Japanese are testing the town with firepower. Do not shoot. Keep an eye on the entrance to the town and keep your eyes on moving targets."
Chen Sheng climbed to the window on the second floor and gave orders loudly; his position was good, it should be the best house in Luodian Town, even the second floor had blue brick walls, which was enough to withstand the enemy's machine gun fire.
"Devils! The devils are coming!"
More than a dozen Japanese soldiers broke away from the cover and appeared in the north of the town. Some brothers shouted loudly. In fact, everyone saw it, but no one opened fire. The distance was still too far, more than 400 meters away. The Japanese soldiers bent over and ran back and forth in a zigzag line. Except for machine guns, it was too difficult for ordinary infantrymen to hit them with their guns.
"When the Japs are within 200 meters, don't fire with your machine guns, use your rifles to kill these bastards!"
Chen Sheng yelled,
"Ding Dong, Ding Dong..."
The muzzle of Feng E's rifle was sticking out of the window. Using the scope on the rifle, Feng E could clearly see the hideous face of the Japs. It was Feng E's first time on the battlefield and he was very nervous. He was so nervous that he could hear his own heartbeat, and beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead behind the scope.
"call!"
Feng E let out a long sigh and tried to calm himself down, but it didn't work.
"How is it? Are you sure?"
The platoon leader with bared yellow teeth had gone up to the second floor at some point and stood behind Feng E and asked.
There was a scope installed on a rifle, but in the eyes of ordinary soldiers it was completely useless. The platoon leader asked out of habit when he saw Feng E taking aim seriously.
"He has no confidence at all. He's a new soldier who has never been to the battlefield. He's so nervous that he doesn't know what to do!"
Li Chenglin sat on the ground and laughed. Now was the last quiet time before the fierce battle. He was taking advantage of the time to have a good rest. He would not waste bullets for 400 meters.
"Shut up, I'm not asking you!" the platoon leader yelled angrily.
"Hitting the head definitely won't work, but hitting the chest or abdomen has a 50% chance of success!" Feng E's low voice sounded, and as if to relieve his nervousness, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"Fire a shot and try it!" The platoon leader nodded and encouraged Feng E with a firm look in his eyes.
"Hu!" Feng E exhaled slowly, and according to the methods learned in military academy training, the muzzle of his gun moved slowly as the Japanese ran.
"Bang!" At the moment when the Japanese habitually paused and prepared to turn, Feng E's gun fired. The crisp sound of rifle shooting echoed in Feng E's ears, but he did not move, his eyes fixed on the sight. He did not have confidence in himself now, he wanted to confirm the effect, what's more, he had not calibrated the rifle in his hand, and he didn't know if there would be any deviation.
“Puff!”
The bullet hit a Japanese soldier's chest accurately. With a thud, the Japanese soldier who tried to turn fell on the dusty ground, splashing more dust.
