The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Seeing that the time was almost up, Charlie Liu immediately instructed the engineering platoon to prepare to detonate the enemy artillery, and the tanks, armored vehicles, etc. to evacuate to a safe distance in alternating defensive formations!

The sound of "boom boom" continued to rise and fall, and the Japanese artillery positions and more than 10 heavy artillery pieces were completely destroyed!

"Baka! Baka! Baka!" Okazaki Seizaburo was furious when he heard the news that the heavy artillery battalion had been attacked and destroyed. He cursed non-stop. At this time, Chief of Staff Suzuki brought another shocking news.

"Sir, our flanks have spotted the movement of units from the enemy's 38th and 28th Divisions. The frontal attacking forces have spotted US and British tanks. Our tanks are no match for them. The troops attacking Idgan simply can't get close to their positions!"

"What? The US and British tank troops have arrived? Where's our air force? What is the flying regiment doing?!"

"Your Excellency, the enemy's intentions are clear. They want to encircle our troops attacking Idegang! The most important thing right now is to capture Songmu. We can't let the enemy cut off our supply lines!"

Okazaki knew Suzuki's proposal was sound, but the 2nd Division, already caught in the crossfire, clearly lacked the manpower to spare to counterattack Matsumu's 112th Regiment. He mentally cursed the 31st Brigade and called Sakamoto a fool! He waved at Suzuki, making his point clear. Okazaki needed to think about his next move...

Cai Yong clearly wasn't going to give up just because he'd successfully attacked the Japanese heavy artillery. He knew his primary responsibility was to defend Songmu and cut off the Japanese army's supply and retreat routes! He was clearly adopting a strategy of defending the west and attacking the east. Cai Yong had no intention of giving the 31st Brigade, a vulnerable target, an easy target.

Cai Yong hurriedly called the commander of the 3rd Battalion, Ma Chuanchuan, as well as Charlie and Joseph who had just returned and had no time to rest. Cai Yong wanted to take advantage of the situation and launch a surprise attack to cripple the two battalions of the 31st Brigade, which had not yet established a firm foothold, forcing the 31st Brigade to not dare to come forward with all their strength!

Joseph, always rebellious, was filled with admiration when he heard Boss Cai's plan. He thought, "This is the kind of commander we need in a war. The Japanese are in for a treat!"

The action was swift, with the 3rd Battalion and all the units directly under the regiment mobilized. Cai Yong could not get past the Chief of Staff, US Army Lieutenant Colonel Ronald White, so he had no choice but to hand over the command of the 31st Brigade, which was attacking the Japanese from the east.

With a powerful wave of his hand, the regimental artillery company opened fire on the Japanese. Joseph, impatiently leading his entire company of 14 tanks, rushed to the forefront. Four 4mm rapid-fire cannons, originally intended for anti-aircraft use, were directed by White to fire horizontally, continuously attacking the Japanese's main fire points. Most terrifying of all were the four flamethrowers. Supported by their own firepower, the flamers rushed to the forefront of the Japanese positions, unleashing a volley of flames that sent the Japanese fleeing in a blaze of flame. However, the flames, burning close to their bodies, quickly engulfed them...

The machine guns on the armored vehicles and jeeps continued to clear out the remaining resistance of the Japanese army. When the 1st Battalion caught up, it was obvious that it could only play the role of the occupiers who were mopping up the rear!

Bai Lang watched all this unfold, his heart shifting from shock to horror. He wondered: What on earth were Yang Hong and the others thinking? The same equipment, under their tactical guidance, produced vastly different results!

Bai Lang had already reported some of the 38th Division's combat training and tactics to higher-level US military brass. This time, he strongly requested to be transferred to the 38th Regiment of the 112th Division and condescend to serve as the regimental chief of staff. This was to witness the effect of this so-called "coordinated combat" in the front-line combat of the 38th Division's main regiment!

Sakamoto Shintaro watched all this in amazement. Two battalions + tank squadrons, artillery squadrons and other auxiliary forces, with nearly 3000 troops, were originally the attacking force, but they were defeated by the attack of the enemy's hundreds of people.

In particular, the ten Type 10/97 tanks, considered their prized land warfare treasures, were destroyed almost instantly. Their supposed 95mm tank guns barely left craters on the enemy tanks. The Type 37 97mm automatic cannon and the Type 20 47mm anti-tank gun had no chance to deploy as the enemy's powerful 20mm rapid-fire guns rained down their shells. Only a handful of Type 89 grenade launchers achieved some success, damaging the tracks of two enemy tanks and one armored vehicle. These were completely unable to halt the 112th Regiment's powerful offensive. The Japanese were routed before they even had time to organize their own offensive. The artillery squadron's twelve 12mm mountain guns couldn't even fire a single round before the enemy's armored assault vehicles, especially the jeeps equipped with high-speed machine guns, became a nightmare for the 75st Brigade's artillery squadron.

In this battle, the 112th Regiment demonstrated its formidable combat capability and superb fighting skills. Their tanks and armored vehicles worked closely together, with infantry and tanks supporting each other and coordinating with each other. They broke through the Japanese defenses with astonishing speed and force. Their suppressive firepower rendered the Japanese defenses unable to retaliate.

Fortunately, the 112th Regiment's attack was primarily aimed at crushing the Japanese, and they quickly retreated. However, Sakamoto knew he could not reverse the situation. Even if he could not secure the capture of Matsumu, he was lucky to avoid being annihilated.

He knew he was to blame for the defeat! As a diehard militarist, Sakamoto didn't hesitate and immediately called over Fujita Shigeru, who was supervising the battle, and Chief of Staff Kaga Shikata. At this moment, Fujita no longer had the arrogance he had before.

Sakumoto didn't bother to pay attention to him, but instead ordered Kaga, "You will take over the command of the troops immediately. Leave a small number of troops on the front to guard and contain the enemy. The rest of the troops will all be transferred to the line from Songmu to Cox's Bazar to establish and strengthen fortifications!"

Sakumoto then said to Fujita, who was still stunned, "Fujita-kun, I need your help. Your cavalry regiment should take action immediately and maneuver along the deployment area I just made to ensure that they are not attacked by the enemy."

Sakamoto continued, "I think Lord Okazaki will make a decision soon. The line you hold is crucial to whether the 2nd Division can escape unscathed. Please!"

Sakemoto bowed deeply to the two men, then waved them off. They clearly understood what Sakemoto was going to do, and sighed inwardly. They also bowed deeply to Major General Sakemoto. Then, they slowly exited Sakemoto's command post...

Okazaki soon received news of the 31st Brigade's defeat and Sakamoto Shintaro's seppuku. Fujita Shigeru informed Okazaki of Sakamoto's final plans. Okazaki had already discerned the Allied Forces' intentions from the map.

Okazaki sighed deeply and ordered his Chief of Staff, Colonel Yuo Suzuki, to evacuate Ideoka in shifts. They were to follow the route maintained by the remnants of Sakamoto Shintaro's 31st Brigade! Okazaki knew that he could use Sakamoto Shintaro as a scapegoat to conceal his own defeat.

The Japanese army never sympathized with the losers, just as they naturally put the blame on Sakemoto without any guilt. But in their heart, Okazaki Seizaburo was lamenting: Can the empire defeat the armed Chinese, American and British coalition forces!