Devil's Army

Zhunian is located in Guanyun County, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province. It is a necessary passage from Yishan to Tanggou and has an important geographical location.

The village contained bunkers, pillboxes, and other defensive fortifications, which enabled the Japanese army to construct a three-sided defensive line from the east, south, and west.

In addition, there was a ditch to the east of Zhuangdong, and the Tangzhuang bunker complex to the southwest of Zhunian. These terrain features and fortifications created certain obstacles for the First Army's attack on Zhunian.

On their way to Zhunian, the 1st Regiment of the 15th Brigade encountered a New Fourth Army self-defense force from Nantangzhuang.

They continued to operate around Zhunian. When the Japanese army retreated to Xinpu Town, they intensified their mopping-up operations and defenses in and around Zhunian Village. The Nantangzhuang Self-Defense Force was forced to withdraw from Zhunian Village.

The regiment learned about the general deployment of the Japanese army in Zhunian Village from intelligence from the Self-Defense Forces.

When they reached the east side of Zhunian Village, they proceeded cautiously. Suddenly, they were met with fierce resistance from Japanese fortifications consisting of bunkers and dikes.

The soldiers, who were already prepared, immediately found cover on the spot, lay down, and returned fire.

However, due to the great distance, the rocket troops of the regiment were unable to destroy the Japanese bunkers and dike fortifications.

Zhunian has a number of rivers, ditches and other waterways.

The Japanese army used these waterways to damage the roads, making them muddy and difficult to traverse.

The artillery regiment was unable to reach its designated position in time.

The regimental commander had no choice but to order a temporary halt to the attack and wait for air support.

At this time, Captain Wu of the Self-Defense Force came to find the regimental commander. When the Japanese army heavily occupied Zhunian Village, they withdrew from the dense forest to the east.

Although the roads there were difficult to traverse and heavy weapons could not pass through, soldiers had no problem passing through.

The regimental commander was overjoyed upon hearing this.

If a company of soldiers were to be secretly sent into Zhunian Village, and then attack the Japanese army from both inside and outside, the Japanese defense line would surely be breached.

He immediately ordered the battalion commander to arrange for the company commander and squad leader to infiltrate Zhunian Village together.

Led by Captain Wu, the soldiers of the company quickly arrived at the woods east of Zhunian Village.

To Captain Wu's disappointment, the Japanese army had also set up checkpoints on the path leading into the woods to the east. Infiltrating Zhunian Village silently was impossible.

When the regimental commander heard the intelligence from the company commander, he was somewhat disappointed, but he still ordered them to set up camp on the spot and wait until 4 p.m. to launch an attack on Zhunian Village together with the main force.

At this time, three bombers arranged by the First Army arrived over Zhunian Village and carried out a fierce bombing of the Japanese army's bunkers and dikes.

Around 4 p.m., the air force of the First Army ceased bombing.

The bunker complex in Zhunian Village had already been destroyed by the First Army Air Force. However, when the main force of the First Regiment launched an attack on Zhunian Village, the Japanese troops fiercely resisted the First Regiment's attack from the collapsed bunkers and ditches.

To the surprise of the Japanese commander, intense gunfire also erupted from the woods east of Zhunian Village.

The soldiers and squad leader launched a surprise attack on the Japanese defense line outside the woods to the east.

Since the main force of the Japanese army was focused on defending against the attack of the First Regiment on the front, the number of Japanese and puppet troops in the woods to the east was not large, and they were attacked suddenly.

The Japanese army's defensive line in the woods to the east was quickly breached.

After breaking through the Japanese army's defenses, under Captain Wu's leadership, they advanced rapidly and headed straight for the Japanese army's command post in Dongnian Village.

The command post was in grave danger, and the Japanese commander hurriedly called for reinforcements. However, seeing signs of Japanese retreat, the regimental commander immediately intensified the attack.