The top of Lijiapo Mountain.

Yamazaki Jihei, Kobayashi Jiro, Hikawa Okasaka and other Japanese officers all witnessed the entire process of the Independence Battalion's capture of the unknown hilltop and the elimination of the 4th Squadron.

At this time, everyone's faces became extremely ugly.

Because they were all shocked by the combat effectiveness displayed by the independent battalion, they thought that the Wuming Mountain would be captured, and they also thought that the 4th Squadron would be completely shattered.

But they never expected that the 4th Squadron only lasted for less than 40 minutes before being destroyed, nor did they expect that the independent battalion would suffer such small casualties.

Although they were not sure of the specific casualties of the Independent Battalion, through the battle process, it was not difficult to infer that the Independent Battalion did not cause many casualties.

Kobayashi Jiro looked ashen and said: "Captain, the Eighth Route Army Independent Battalion's combat effectiveness is so strong, and their battle formation, I wonder if you have noticed it."

"Their offensive formation seems to be scattered, but they are integrated into each other. The loose skirmish line greatly limits the use of the imperial army's firepower!"

"Also, their infantry and artillery coordination capabilities seem to have almost reached the level of the imperial army.

In the battle just now, as soon as the machine gun firepower point of the Imperial Army was exposed, it was immediately bombarded by the artillery of the Independent Battalion, so that the Imperial Army of the 4th Squadron was unable to form effective counterattack firepower, and the Independent Battalion completely breached the defense line."

"As expected, the Independent Battalion of the Eighth Route Army will soon launch an attack on Lijiapo where we are located.

By then, given our current situation, we may not be able to withstand the attack of the independent battalion, and we must persist until the commander of the regiment and the commander of the brigade provide us with tactical guidance..."

Before Jiro Kobayashi finished speaking, there were bursts of shrieking sounds from the sky as shells pierced through the air.

"Hurry, Hurry, Hurry..."

"No! It's a cannonball, hide it, hide it quickly!"

When all the Japanese officers heard the screams, their expressions changed and they hurriedly found cover to hide.

"Boom!"

"Boom, boom, boom! -"

The next moment, artillery shells landed fiercely on the Japanese frontline and exploded.

Some Japanese soldiers who were digging trenches had no time to escape, and even their men and shovels were blown away.

Some Japs were killed on the spot, some had their limbs cut off, and some were covered in shrapnel from grenades. They were like bloody hedgehogs, their whole bodies stained red by the leached blood.

For a time, screams could be heard from the Japs' forward positions.

"Uh-huh! My hand, my hand is broken, medical soldier, save me, save me..."

"My feet, my feet! Ah, it hurts me to death..."

"Uh, my eyes, my eyes..."

…

"Boom!"

“Boom, boom, boom!——”

Soon, the second wave of salvos from the independent battalion suddenly arrived, and the violent explosions immediately covered up the screams of the Japanese...

Behind the position.

Yamazaki Haruhei looked at this scene with a sinking look. They had never bombed the Eighth Route Army like this before. When had they ever been bombed like this by the Eighth Route Army?

At this time, the old devil gritted his steel teeth and felt as aggrieved as he wanted.

Kobayashi Jiro was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he trembled and said to Yamazaki Jihei: "Captain, these Chinese people are so abominable, please quickly give the order for the artillery squadron to conduct counter-fire and destroy their artillery positions!

"

Although Yamazaki Jihei was angry, he did not lose his mind. He said: "No! This China army is very cunning. They deployed their artillery positions behind shelters, making it impossible for us to determine their specific coordinates.

In addition, our artillery power is far inferior to that of the opponent. If we fire rashly, our gun positions will be exposed, and we will definitely be attacked by the Chinese Army.

Our artillery must be used to resist the attack of the Chinese army and must not be exposed and destroyed at this time.

Otherwise, it may be difficult to resist the next attack of the Chinese Army!"

Kobayashi Jiro added: "Captain, the combat effectiveness of this Eighth Route Army is really terrifying. How about we break out quickly, otherwise it will be too late for them to launch a full-scale attack."

Yamazaki Jihei flatly refused: "No! If we break out now, how will we explain to the commander and brigade commander afterwards?"

"The fighting power of this Chinese Eighth Route Army is quite strong, but the more it is like this, the greater the threat it poses to our Imperial Japanese Army. Therefore, it is even more important for us to destroy it!"

After a pause, Yamazaki Jihei's face darkened, and he continued: "From the moment the Ministry of War summoned me with a postcard, I was ready to be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire of Japan, and as a soldier

, you should be proud to be on the battlefield! How can you be cowardly just because the enemy is a little stronger!"

"No one is allowed to talk about breaking out and disturbing the morale of the army. Otherwise, don't blame me for being unkind!"

"Hey Yi! I will follow the captain to the death!"

Hikawa Okasaka and other Japanese squadron leaders paused one after another, and their low morale was rekindled by Yamazaki Jihei's words.

"Yo Xi! Don't worry, we will definitely be able to persist until the commander and brigade commander provide us with tactical guidance. Even if we can't, the commander and brigade commander will destroy these Chinese Tubal Roads to avenge us!"

"Everyone, get ready for battle!"

"In addition, the signal corps, please immediately send a signal to the commander and brigade commander, asking them to speed up their march!"

"Hiyi!"

The Japanese officers paused again...

On the official road from Luliang towards Hexi Township.

Miyamoto Hideyoshi was leading the 6th Infantry Brigade and the Royal Association Army of the Luliang Security Regiment, a total of about 2,000 people, and rushed towards Hexi Township.

At this moment, a Japanese communications soldier carrying a radio on his back suddenly ran quickly and caught up with him: "Captain!"

"stop!"

Upon hearing the call, Miyamoto Hideyoshi, who was sitting in the side of a tricycle, raised his hand and signaled the driver to stop.

The Japanese communications corps continued: "Captain Yamazaki Jihei just received a call from Lijiapo, saying that the China Eighth Route Army has launched an attack on Lijiapo.

The China Army has dispatched thousands of people, and there is also a large artillery firepower. The situation of the 5th Brigade is not optimistic, but they will hold on to their position to the death, and I kindly ask you to rush to reinforce as soon as possible!"

"Baga, when did the Eighth Route Army have artillery? It seems that it is definitely its main force!"

Miyamoto Hideyoshi cursed secretly, then grinned again, revealing a sinister smile like a fox. As long as he eliminated the main force of the Eighth Route Army, he would be able to accomplish a great feat, which might even further his military rank and career.

.

You know, there seems to be only one step between a colonel and a major general, but without a strong background and military merit, it would be almost harder for an ordinary colonel to take this step than to reach the sky.

Therefore, in Japan's military history, there are countless captain officers who have never been able to take this step and be promoted to major generals throughout their lives.

"Immediately call back Yamazaki Jihei and tell him that I am leading my troops to rush over as quickly as possible and ask him to hold on until we arrive!"

"Hiyi!"

The Japanese communications soldier agreed and immediately began tinkering with the radio station to call back to the Yamazaki Brigade.

Miyamoto Hideyoshi's face sank and he ordered: "Everyone, speed up the march immediately!"

"Quick, quick, quick!"
Chapter completed!