Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 75 Colonel Murata's Plot

At the Lion Grove Fort, two or three hundred Japanese soldiers formed a sparse formation and launched an attack on the defenders. They looked aggressive, but they controlled the fighting distance very well. They just fired at the defenders from a distance and consumed their ammunition.

Liao Jianping had seen through the devil's intentions. Since they wanted to play, Liao Jianping played with them.

The troops on the river bank hid more than half of their manpower and firepower, which was just enough to stop the Japanese attack. It seemed a bit difficult, and their firepower became weaker and weaker.

The Japanese fought very patiently. They were not fooled at all and just exchanged fire with the defenders at a distance of seventy or eighty meters. They would occasionally rush forward, but would retreat when faced with strong firepower. Both sides were fighting with wits and courage.

After more than a day of fighting, the first and second companies had suffered nearly half of their casualties, mainly from the daytime casualties on the first day. The Japanese were tricked by Yue Qianli at night, and the second battalion had almost no casualties, as they were chasing after the Japanese.
All the wounded were evacuated, and Yue Qianli selected more than 80 people from the replenished team to supplement the front line. In this way, the organization of the first and second companies was restored.

Yue Qianli also liked the low-intensity attack of the Japanese. The order given to them by their superiors was to hold out for three days, and it would be best if they could hold out for three days.
Thinking of this, Yue Qianli shook his head. The Japanese would not be so kind. He was ready to withstand the Japanese's violent attack.

"At worst, I'll just stop living!"

Yue Qianli muttered something, his eyes full of murderous intent. He asked the baggage team, and they still had more than 860 107 rockets, including those produced later, so the 40 rockets were still sufficient.

Before we knew it, the Second Battalion had repelled three attacks by the Japanese, but not many Japanese were killed and half of the ammunition was consumed. It was already past 5 p.m. and the Japanese had achieved their goal.

Colonel Murata showed a smug smile on his face and said to Major Aoyama:
“Mr. Qingshan, look at what a charming sunset it is. For the Chinese people, this will be their last sunset.
The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it is approaching dusk, just like the aging Chinese empire, its demise is only a matter of time. "

Seeing that the captain was in a very talkative mood, Major Aoyama said:
"I see the demeanor of a famous general from the Warring States Period in you, the captain. He is powerful yet elegant, and he can destroy the enemy's masts and oars in the midst of laughter and chatter."

"Yoshi, I didn't expect Qingshan-kun to be an expert on China. He must have read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and has a deep understanding of poetry. This sentence is well used!
I have to admit that the Chinese people write good poems. I have only memorized a few poems, so there is no need to envy them.

The He people are not good at writing poems, and the Chinese are not good at fighting. After the empire destroys the Chinese, the Chinese will only be able to write lyrics for the He people to amuse themselves. "

After Colonel Murata finished speaking, he laughed triumphantly and stroked his moustache. Major Aoyama flattered him again, which made Murata very happy.

"Colonel, it's getting dark soon. Can we launch the general attack? It's too dark and the warriors can't see."

Murata shook his head and said:
"Qingshan-kun, it's almost dinner time. The Imperial Army should launch another symbolic attack to give the Chinese the illusion that we are going to finish the fight and eat.
Also leave time for the Chinese to eat. I have already consulted the division commander. The navy will bombard on time at 6 o'clock, and then launch a general attack to give the Chinese a big surprise. "

Major Aoyama quickly gave a thumbs up and said:
"Your Excellency, Captain, that's great!
Dinner time is when people are mentally most slack. A general attack at this time will definitely catch the Chinese off guard, and a single charge will be enough to defeat the defenders."

After Major Aoyama finished speaking, he went to prepare happily. A few minutes later, the Japanese launched another sloppy attack, which was weak and powerless. It was obvious that they were absent-minded and exhausted.

Naturally, this attack was easily repelled by the defenders, leaving behind more than a dozen corpses, giving people the illusion that it was just a routine matter and the battle was over.

Sure enough, the Japanese started to eat dinner after they hastily withdrew their troops. They all carried field rations, and each meal had a fixed amount. During the war, a rice ball, a can of beef and two candies were enough to replenish the calories they needed for their bodies.
When the squad leader announced that everyone could have an extra can of beef in the evening, Corporal Kobayashi knew that there would be a big operation after dinner, and his expression became serious.

However, Private First Class Tanimoto Mitsuo did not have such a sense of battlefield. He handed the extra can of beef to Corporal Kobayashi in a flattering manner. Kobayashi had always taken good care of him.

Captain Kobayashi glared at Tanimoto and said:
"Follow me when we launch the attack. Be smart. I have enough food. Eat it quickly."

"Senior Xiao Lin, it's already dark and you still want to attack the Chinese?" Xiao Lin said coldly:
"Tanimoto-kun, do you think this extra can of beef is given to you for free?

If you're not smart, this could be your last dinner!"

He still believed in what Senior Kobayashi said. When he thought that this could be his last dinner, Tanimoto clenched the can of beef tightly in his hand. He was only nineteen years old.

The Japanese Army's military ranks were divided into three classes and eight grades: non-commissioned officers - warrant officers;
Non-commissioned officers: Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major, Corporal Major;
Soldiers - Sergeant, Private First Class, Private First Class, Private Second Class.

The first four ranks are NCOs, while the last four ranks are enlisted soldiers. Sergeants are basically veterans, but they have no official position.
In his first year of military service, he was a private second class, and was automatically promoted to private first class after one year. Tanimoto could only be considered a rookie, and his battlefield experience was naturally not as good as that of Corporal Kobayashi, who was already a veteran.

The Japanese army had a strict hierarchy, and it was common for veterans to bully new recruits. Corporal Kobayashi simply felt that Private First Class Tanimoto was very much like his middle school brother, so he took good care of him.

He hoped that he could fight all the battles and conquer China as soon as possible, so that his younger brother Kobayashi Jiro could complete his studies smoothly and would not have to risk his life in China.

When Tanimoto thought that this might be his last dinner, he instantly lost his appetite and handed the can to Kobayashi again;
Xiaolin patted his shoulder and said:
"Tanimoto-kun, you don't have to be afraid. Just remember to follow me. When I lie down, you lie down. Do you understand?"

In the end, Kobayashi accepted Tanimoto's canned beef because it would make Tanimoto feel at ease. With his care, the rookie Tanimoto might be able to live a little longer.

"Boom boom boom..."

"Boom boom boom..."

At exactly six o'clock, rows of artillery shells streaked across the sky and rained down on the Lion Grove position. Kobayashi was right. Their general attack on the Chinese had begun.

"Kobayashi-kun, if there is heavy artillery fire, can the Chinese survive?"

Tanimoto asked with a trembling voice, he was already a little scared before he even started charging.

"Bakayalu, who told you to talk? You're dead!"

The leader of their group glared at Tanimoto fiercely, which frightened Tanimoto so much that he shrank his neck and hid behind Kobayashi. This made Sergeant Honda very jealous, as he thought the two of them were in that kind of relationship.

With Corporal Kobayashi protecting him, Corporal Honda couldn't go too far. He was already planning how to kill Kobayashi on the battlefield so that he could monopolize the tender and beautiful Tanimoto.

The navy's bombardment lasted for half an hour, and the defenders' positions were almost completely plowed through by the shells, which finally made the cautious Taro Kobayashi feel a little relieved.

As soon as the artillery fire extended, Kobayashi's squadron rushed out first. They, together with the two squadrons on the left and right wings, were the first echelon.

"Kill the chicken and give it to me!"

The Japanese commander roared, and dense groups of Japanese soldiers rushed to the river bank like a tide, and the general attack of the 43rd Regiment began.

(End of this chapter)