The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

A reinforced squadron of approximately 112 men from the Japanese 250th Regiment, backed by eight tanks, aggressively advanced on the front lines of the 600th Regiment. These Japanese soldiers displayed a look of arrogance and disdain, believing the Chinese were incapable of withstanding their attack. The Japanese tank unit's tactics were bizarre and puzzling. Four Type 97 tanks breached the front trench and continued their advance. Four Type 4 tanks remained outside the trench, supporting the four Type 95 tanks in front with their 37mm cannons and coaxial machine guns.

The reinforced Japanese squadron was split into two groups. One group, about a squadron in size, continued to advance with the tanks, attempting to break through the 600th Regiment's defenses. The other group entered the trenches or, using the Type 95 tanks as cover outside the trenches, continued to fire at the 600th Regiment's second-line positions.

Huang Wei, realizing the opportunity was right, immediately signaled the 3rd Company. As they activated their pre-buried explosives, a continuous rumble of explosions echoed throughout the trenches and surrounding areas. Eight Japanese tanks and 3 soldiers were engulfed in the blast, while dust and smoke enveloped the surrounding area.

At a wave of the hand from 1st Battalion Commander Zhou Xuhui, over soldiers rushed out of the second-line positions like tigers descending from a mountain. Under cover of smoke, they advanced rapidly upon the enemy. Among them, the organized anti-tank teams quickly approached the enemy tanks and hurled incendiary bombs made from bottles and gasoline at them.

Three of the four Type 4 tanks were unable to move because their tracks were cut off and were quickly set on fire. The remaining tank, probably because the crew members inside the tank were stunned by the explosion, drove sideways in a disorderly manner and ran in front of an anti-tank team. The team members bravely climbed up, opened the tank's cover, and threw Molotov cocktails directly into the tank.

Supported by the battalion's limited Sten and MP18 submachine guns, the remaining soldiers, following the newly devised tactics by the combat team and Huang Wei, quickly charged into the enemy positions, continuously picking off the stunned Japanese soldiers. Outside the trenches, two Type 95 tanks were also destroyed. The remaining two, protected by the over one hundred surviving Japanese soldiers, quickly retreated.

After the 3rd company commander Gudong rushed into the trench, he immediately ordered the following machine gunners to seize advantageous positions and shoot at the fleeing enemy. The Japanese tanks that were set on fire also exploded.

After about ten minutes, the smoke gradually cleared, and the gunfire in and around the trenches ceased. The 1st Battalion Commander ordered a count of the casualties and urged his men to focus on artillery defense. Meanwhile, the 3st Platoon of the 1rd Company had already moved to within to meters of the front line and began inspecting and deploying new anti-tank explosive devices.

Dai Anlan stared in amazement at the smooth, flowing movements, unable to believe they were his own troops. How had the 600th Regiment become so agile in just one day?

Soon, Captain Liu Xiao, the staff officer who had been following the 1st Battalion's operations, rushed back. Seeing the division commander there, he immediately saluted and reported: "Division Commander, Regiment Commander, the 3rd Battalion has repelled the Japanese attack, destroyed six tanks, and killed 113 Japanese soldiers!"

"Good! Good fight!" Dai Anlan shouted happily, completely disregarding his status. This was the most efficient battle he had fought since the war began in 1937!

"What are the casualties in the 1st Battalion?" Huang Wei was not as excited as the division commander, but asked calmly and with concern.

Liu Xiao's voice immediately dropped to a low note, and with a hint of regret and helplessness he said, "Another twenty-seven brothers have passed away, and sixteen are seriously injured!"

Huang Wei calculated that the Japanese had six tanks and 30 men, so the pre-emptive attack killed a total of 143 Japanese soldiers. "43 to 143, they've already fulfilled their mission," Huang Wei said with a mixture of grief and resentment.

Division Commander Dai also calmed down from his excitement, his eyes deep and reserved. He instructed Staff Officer Liu, "Tell everyone to do their best to collect and transport the bodies of the fallen soldiers, and to send the seriously injured to the rear as quickly as possible."

The staff captain took his orders and left. Division Commander Dai approached Huang Wei and patted him on the shoulder. "It seems we were right to appoint you as the commander of the 600th Regiment. If the other two regiments can follow your example, the Japanese won't be able to get through here!"

Huang Wei quickly regained his composure and said to Commander Dai, "Commander, the Japanese army will not attack the 600th Regiment's position for the time being. The 598th Regiment may face more attacks. Their position is not as good as the 600th Regiment's. You should hurry over there."

Division Commander Dai nodded, shook hands with Huang Wei, and was about to turn and leave when he suddenly thought of something. "Commander Huang, if the enemy doesn't continue to attack you, cover the flank of the 598th Regiment if necessary." Huang Wei nodded in agreement, then smiled and said to Division Commander Dai, "Commander, I will teach the Japanese a special lesson tonight!"

After Commander Dai left, Huang Wei called Kuang Zhengqi and Qin Shi over to discuss the plans for the night's attack on the Japanese. Lieutenant Colonel Wu Bairen, the regimental chief of staff, also came over and, seeing the three men mumbling something, said with a smile, "What bad ideas are you three coming up with again?"

Seeing that it was the Chief of Staff, Kuang Zhengqi waved to him and said, "Commander Wu, come on, let's discuss this idea and see if it works." Kuang Zhengqi then recounted his plan to Chief of Staff Wu. Commander Wu was a little surprised and asked, "Is the conscienceless cannon you're talking about really that powerful?"

Just then, Captain Pu Zhengsong entered and nodded to Huang Wei and the others. The usually quiet Pu Zhengsong was signaling his control over the "unscrupulous cannon." Huang Wei quickly called a few others to the rear of the 600th Regiment's repair shop. Six massive cannons, repurposed from oil barrels, were laid out before them. Huang Wei surveyed them with a satisfied nod. Kuang Zhengqi then briefly explained to Chief of Staff Wu how to use them.

Chief of Staff Wu was greatly surprised upon hearing this and quickly said, "Why not make more? We can ask the divisional machinery repair department to assist us, and it would be best if each regiment could equip them."

"No! We can't make more! And don't tell the division commander yet." Huang Wei interrupted Chief of Staff Wu. "This thing is rather bulky and has poor accuracy. The explosive packs and propellant are difficult to store. It won't be very useful for defense. It's mainly used for attacking strongholds and surprise attacks. Our situation is not good now. If the Japanese capture it and learn how to use it, it will be a big problem for us!"

Huang Wei's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Chief of Staff Wu's head, his excitement instantly cooling. He looked at the "heartless cannon" before him, pondered it, and immediately understood its advantages and disadvantages. He nodded and said, "Is the regimental commander planning to use it for a surprise attack tonight?"

The brothers laughed immediately. It seemed that they were all experts!

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