You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you ended up with a German-equipped division

Chapter 138: The Main Armored Forces Launch an Attack, the Moment the Japanese Army's Illusions

"This enemy force is indeed different from the Chinese army we have encountered before."

The dense anti-tank artillery fire, the skillful fire control, and the impressive first-round hit rate demonstrate the exceptionally high combat prowess of this Chinese army.

Masaomi Yasuoka gave this assessment.

Although he was arrogant, his arrogance was directed only at those he considered weak.

Li Jianghe's third detachment had already fully experienced the strength of this force during the day's battles.

This strength is not just about weaponry and equipment, nor is it merely about the will to fight; it is also about overall combat competence and comprehensive strength in command.

"These enemies are very strong."

Masaomi Yasuoka gave this assessment.

"It's rare to hear you say something like that."

Saito Akira's triangular eyes were squinted together, as if he were smiling, but there was always a hint of malice in them.

"Only powerful enemies deserve my respect, and the best way to respect them is to crush them."

Yasuoka Masaomi sneered:

"Tonight, we will crush this enemy completely."

He said this as he watched the night descend.

At night, when visibility is limited, the effectiveness of anti-tank guns is greatly reduced.

"Order the tank units to launch another attack at midnight tonight. Without the light of the sun, and only with flares, they will have a hard time stopping the massive armored charge."

After Yasuoka Masaomi finished speaking, a dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

At the foot of Baodugu Mountain, Yang Ruifu looked at the telegram that had been sent, adjusted his glasses, and looked at Wang Dayong and Lin Yongzhi.

"The squad leader has given the order; we can proceed."

More than 10,000 soldiers from the Third Detachment have been hiding here for a week.

Now that they had finally received the order to take the initiative, the group was naturally excited.

Wang Dayong slammed the cigarette in his hand to the ground and stomped it out, saying:

"You worthless bastards, if Grandpa doesn't make you shit your pants this time, it'll be considered a clean shove!!!"

Lin Yongzhi then jumped directly onto a Type 221 light armored reconnaissance vehicle.

Picking up the phone, he said:

"Attention, all companies! Prepare to depart!"

The communications platoons of each company in the Second Motorized Infantry Battalion responded one after another.

This armored reconnaissance vehicle is equipped with a telephone and radio, and can be used as a command vehicle.

Li Jianghe's current troops can basically deploy communication teams down to the company level, thereby ensuring that orders can be transmitted to the front line in a timely manner.

Of course, the cost is the consumption of a large amount of merit points.

There was no other way; the communications team was quite expensive, as were the equipment, whether it was telephones or radios.

A communications squad earns 1,000 merit points, which is equivalent to killing 20 Japanese soldiers.

Li Jianghe's infantry company had a total of over a hundred soldiers, and one communications squad could only support communications for two companies.

Just equipping these radios and telephones cost Li Jianghe fifty to sixty thousand merit points.

Now is the time for these communications teams to start playing their role.

To achieve precise tactical coordination in the dark and deliver every tactical order to the grassroots units, relying solely on signal flares and the legs of the communications soldiers is far from sufficient.

Only with readily available telephones and radios can such coordinated operations be completed with high quality.

The troops were divided into two parts. One part was the main offensive force, consisting of two motorized infantry battalions led by Yang Ruifu and Lin Yongzhi, which launched an attack on the Japanese Independent 1st Mixed Brigade.

Another part was Wang Dayong's Third Motorized Infantry Battalion, which directly attacked Seya Kei's detachment.

Artillery and engineer units followed the main force in the attack, while also providing artillery support for Wang Dayong's Third Motorized Infantry Battalion.

Wang Dayong's troops were only launching a feint attack, mainly to intimidate Seya Kei.

The surprise attack on Teng County left a deep impression on him.

If the darkness obstructs visibility, it will surely interfere with Kei Seya's judgment, making him hesitant to provide support to the attacked First Mixed Brigade.

The armored units began a rapid march, having planned their routes in advance and having reconnaissance teams ascertain the approximate Japanese deployment in the area, thus bypassing the Japanese forces along the route.

While they were marching rapidly, the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade launched its attack on the western district after being bombarded by artillery fire.

Also launching an attack was the 10th Division under the cover of heavy artillery fire, which once again launched a fierce assault on the eastern district.

At this time, only Chi Fengcheng's 31st Division remained guarding the East District, while the main force of Li Jianghe's guard battalion was all transferred to the West District, ready to participate in a frontal assault at any time.

Not only the guard battalion, but even the anti-aircraft vehicles of the anti-aircraft artillery units were incorporated into the combat sequence at this time.

Because the Bofors twin anti-aircraft guns mounted on the carriages could also be used for ground attacks when laid flat.

Furthermore, this machine gun had a very high rate of fire, and if it used armor-piercing rounds, it would be able to penetrate the armor plates of Japanese armored vehicles and tanks.

Wang Chengzhu never imagined that the anti-aircraft firepower he brought would also be used for ground attacks.

At noon, the armored groups of the 1st Mixed Brigade assembled amidst a whooshing sound and launched a simultaneous attack from both flanks and the front.

Large numbers of armored vehicles and tanks, providing cover for Japanese infantry, concealed in the darkness, continued to advance towards the forward positions.

Flares continued to be launched, but the area they could illuminate was limited, leaving many areas of the battlefield shrouded in darkness.

This is exactly the effect that Masaomi Yasuoka wanted to see.

"Am I right, Higashino? Look at them. Those pitiful flares can only illuminate an area the size of a palm."

Higashino Akichi took off his goggles, revealing a cold glint in his sinister triangular eyes.

"The troops on the flanks have already approached the enemy's city walls, and the effect is indeed completely different."

As long as the flanks can break into the city, the enemy's frontal defenses will collapse, and their armored forces will be able to rampage through Taierzhuang with impunity.

Just as he was contemplating all of this, an explosion suddenly came from behind him.

Turning my head, I saw that the camp was under artillery fire.

"Artillery fire? Where is the artillery fire coming from?"

Higashino Akiko was somewhat surprised, as was Yasuoka Masaomi.

"Go and verify what happened next immediately."

He said with an icy gaze.

With Taierzhuang just around the corner, he didn't want all his previous efforts to be wasted due to a sudden change in circumstances.

The artillery fire was so intense that at least forty or fifty cannons would have had to fire simultaneously to achieve that effect.

The area bombarded happened to be the rear of the First Mixed Brigade.

Finally, a communications soldier shouted:

"A large number of enemy armored units have been discovered in the rear positions and are rapidly approaching our rear camp under the cover of artillery fire."

"Damn it, it's Li Jianghe's main force!!!"

Yasuoka Masaomi finally realized something and slapped his forehead.