Chapter 9: The Big Knife Squad Strikes Again!

  Seeing Zhang Xinghan rush out, Hou Wanshan immediately picked up the rifle in his hand and shouted: "Fire cover!" The officers and soldiers of the 217th Regiment were filled with righteous indignation, opening fire fiercely to provide firepower support for Zhang Xinghan.

  Zhang Xinghan jumped out of the trench, crouched down, and quickly moved along the zigzag line towards the enemy's armored vehicle. The enemy machine gunner was in a high position with an open view, and soon discovered him.

  He hastily turned the muzzle and opened fire, sweeping away, he didn't want to follow in the footsteps of his companions just now.

  A string of heavy machine gun bullets poured down like a rainstorm, Zhang Xinghan hastily dodged to one side, rolled over several times, and immediately got up and ran forward quickly.

  The devil's heavy machine gun hastily turned its muzzle, and the bullets almost chased after Zhang Xinghan's back, stirring up a dust curtain.

  Ran to a raised earth mound, Zhang Xinghan hastily rolled over and narrowly dodged the hail of bullets that came crashing down.

  After getting up, Zhang Xinghan used all his strength to continue running forward, because he saw a shell hole not far in front of him. As long as he entered that shell hole, the devil's heavy machine gun couldn't hit him again due to the angle problem.

  Zhang Xinghan was running forward crazily, and the Japanese machine gunner also roared with a ferocious howl, attempting to shoot Zhang Xinghan dead in one shot.

  Just two or three steps away from the crater, Zhang Xinghan suddenly jumped up, and at this moment, a dense hail of bullets almost brushed past him. From both the perspective of the devils' machine gunner and from the high ground looking down, it seemed that Zhang Xinghan had been hit.

  Because it had been almost a minute, Zhang Xinghan never got up again. At this time, the crossfire between the two sides was still continuing, and the intense gunfire was still deafening.

  Zhao Hei Ta and Hou Wan Shan saw Zhang Xing Han couldn't get up, and they shouted in unison: "Zhang Wa Zi! Xing Han!"

  "You little devil, I'll curse your ancestors for eighteen generations!" Hou Wanshan was overcome with grief and indignation, shouting loudly as he repeatedly pulled the trigger, firing fiercely at the enemy.

  Zhao Hei Ta also pulled the bolt repeatedly, firing bullet after bullet.

  At this time, the devils' armored vehicle came rumbling up and was about to cross over that shell crater when suddenly a loud explosion occurred, followed by a blinding fireball that shot up and enveloped the armored vehicle.

  The driver of the car was directly shaken to death by the explosion, while the machine gunner was wrapped in fierce flames all over his body and burned freely.

  Seeing the two armored vehicles of the devils were all destroyed, Regimental Commander Wang Changhai picked up his own iron sword and shouted loudly: "Brothers! Get your gear ready! Follow me!"

  "Charge!" Hou Wanshan and Zhao Heita simultaneously drew out the big knives on their backs, loudly shouting. They were the first to leap out of the trenches.

  "Kill!" The officers and men of the 217th Regiment all picked up their big knives, roaring like thunder as they leapt out of the trenches, like a mighty flood that had burst its banks, surging forward in a vast wave to charge at the devils.

  The Twenty-Ninth Army's weapons, ammunition, and marksmanship are no match for the enemy. In a shootout with the enemy, we would be at a disadvantage. The only way is to engage in close combat, launch a bayonet charge against the enemy, and display the spirit of the Big Knife Squad. This way, we can avoid the enemy's artillery and machine gun fire while bringing into play the power of the Big Knife Squad.

  The officers and men, each with a big knife in hand, charged down like fierce tigers, the Japanese infantry had already lost their armored vehicle cover, their morale was damaged, and when they saw the Chinese officers and men rushing down with big knives, they were even more frightened, but under the pressure of their commanders, one by one could only stiffen their scalps to welcome them.

  Zhao Hei Ta and Hou Wan Shan both thought Zhang Xing Han had fallen, the two men let out a thunderous roar, their voices shaking the air as they charged forward with large knives.

  However, just as they rushed to the armored vehicle that was blown up by the devils earlier, Zhang Xinghan was seen fighting alone with a big knife against the onrushing devils in close combat.

  The two of them couldn't help but feel a pang in their noses, let out a loud roar, and charged forward with their big knives: "Zhang Wa Zi, Xing Han!"

  Zhang Xinghan exerted himself and felled a devil with one blow, just as he was about to turn around, a devil soldier charged up from the side with a bayonet.

  The big knife in his hand suddenly swept out, heavily hitting the devil's rifle, opening up the devil's bayonet. All that could be heard was a "pu" sound, as a sharp large knife directly stabbed into the devil's abdomen.

  Hou Wanshan excitedly said to Zhang Xinghan: "Xinghan, I knew it! You're not that easy to kill!"

  "Good job!" Zhang Xinghan revealed a hint of a smile.

  "Shut up and let's finish off these Japanese bastards first!" Zhao Hei Ta also swung his big knife to kill a Japanese soldier, urging them on.

  "Kill! Kill!" Zhang Xinghan and Hou Wanshan simultaneously let out a thunderous roar, wielding their large blades as they charged into the enemy ranks.

  ……

  At the foot of a mountain not far from No. 1 Heights, the forward command post of the Japanese Fourth Division.

  Chief of Staff Ho Yizhen hastily rushed into the command center, without even saluting, and reported to General Suzuki: "General, the attack by the 5th Infantry Regiment has failed. They were counterattacked by the Chinese army, two tanks were destroyed, and the main assault force was defeated in close combat with the Chinese army. The brave Imperial Japanese Army suffered heavy casualties, with over 200 heroes sacrificing their lives for the Empire."

  "What? Counterattack?" Suzuki Mitsuo was somewhat incredulous. Although the Imperial Warriors had lost last night's battle, Suzuki Mitsuo still believed it was because they were not good at nighttime battles and had been ambushed by the Chinese army, which was why they had lost.

  But if last night was a surprise attack with a night battle, what about today? Today the Imperial Army not only used unimaginable artillery for bombardment but also deployed armored vehicles to cover their assault, yet they were still defeated head-on by the Chinese army. Moreover, they lost two precious armored vehicles.

  Before Ho Yizhen San could respond, Suzuki Mitsuo suddenly became furious and roared: "This is a humiliation! A humiliation to the Imperial Army! The Great Japanese Empire's Imperial Army, undefeated in battle, unbeatable in attack! Can't we even take down a small Ji Fengkou? Send an telegram to the division headquarters, requesting air support from the aviation troops! Bomb No. 1 and No. 2 high grounds! Order the artillery to fire at full force! I want to flatten the entire No. 1 high ground!" Suzuki Mitsuo was almost driven mad with rage, and he didn't care about the Empire's scarce resources, how precious steel shells were.

  "Ah!" Huo Yizhen hastily bowed his head and immediately turned around, taking large strides as he left.

  In the subsequent battles, the enemy aircraft launched a fierce and continuous bombing campaign against Xifengkou and positions 1 and 2, but the greatest threat still came from the enemy artillery. Due to limitations in payload and range, aircraft could not conduct prolonged bombardments, whereas the enemy artillery, with sufficient ammunition, could provide almost uninterrupted fire support for infantry operations.

  The devils, under the cover of artillery fire, launched another attack on No. 1 and No. 2 heights, once even rushing up to the heights. The National Army officers and men, after a fierce bayonet fight, drove away the devils' attacking troops. In one day, the devils launched a crazy attack, and the entire outer circle of Xifengkou was filled with blood and corpses piled up like mountains, both sides suffering heavy casualties.

  In the late afternoon, the enemy's attack finally stopped, and the intense gunfire disappeared, replaced by a rare tranquility.

  …….

  Xifengkou Pass Fortress, Headquarters of the 109th Brigade.

  General Zhao Dengyu's wounded left leg had been bandaged, and those present included the commander of the 217th Regiment Wang Changhai, the commander of the 218th Regiment Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 110th Brigade Wang Zhibang, and several regimental commanders of the 110th Brigade.

  Inside the compartment, there was only one kerosene lamp, so it seemed a bit dim. On the table, a large military tactical map was spread out.

  "Comrades, today we are ordered to fight against the Japanese invaders here. Thanks to your bravery and sacrifice, we have ensured that the Xifengkou Pass will not fall into enemy hands! I've gathered you all here today to hear your opinions on this battle, so that we can formulate a more detailed plan of action, firmly defend the Xifengkou Pass, and block the enemy's advance."

  "Attention! I have a few opinions!" said Wang Changhai, commander of the 217th Regiment.

  "Commander Wang, please speak!" General Zhao Dengyu nodded and gestured.

  "I think that although we have stopped the enemy's attack this time, we have also paid a heavy price. As everyone knows, the enemy is well-equipped and well-trained, they not only have powerful artillery but also aircraft and tanks to assist in battle. It can be said that they have planes in the sky and cannons on the ground, what do we have? We only have rifles and hand grenades. Today's battle, being able to withstand the enemy's attack, is all thanks to our brothers fighting with their lives! In close combat, we are not afraid of them, but when it comes to firearms, we can only sigh in admiration!" Wang Changhai said somewhat dejectedly, expressing his own views.

  "Right! Battalion Commander Wang is right! In terms of close combat, we Chinese are the ancestors of those little devils! However, the devils have airplanes, cannons, tanks, especially their artillery, which poses too great a threat to us! Today, at least two-thirds of our casualties were caused by the devils' artillery!" Colonel Ji Xingwen, commander of the 218th Regiment, stood up and continued.

  "Hmm! Captain Ji is right! Our troops also suffered heavy casualties under the enemy's fierce bombardment! In my opinion, if we want to hold on to Xifengkou, we must first take out the enemy's artillery!" Wang Changhai nodded in agreement.

  General Zhao Dengyu nodded and turned his head to the 110th Division Commander Wang Zhibang beside him, "Brother Wang, what do you think?"

  "I think both of them are right! The Japanese devils have the advantage of firepower, like today's fierce battle, which is very unfavorable to us. Rather than being beaten passively, it's better to launch a surprise attack and take out the enemy's artillery position, killing the prestige of the little Japanese!" General Wang Zhibang replied with a slight thought.

  "Hmm! Brother Wang's words make sense! In the daytime, we fight against the devils with cannons and tanks on the ground and planes in the sky. It's unfavorable for us. But once night falls, it's our best chance to launch a close-quarters battle at night. So, I intend to select a batch of skilled brothers who are good at using big knives, reorganize them into a Big Knife Squad, and launch a surprise attack on the devils' artillery positions at night! What do you think?" General Zhao Dongyu nodded and asked.

  "I agree!" General Wang Zhibang spoke first.

  "We also have no opinion!" The leaders of each group also expressed their views.

  "Good!" General Zhao Dengyu nodded in satisfaction, and immediately said to General Wang Zhibang: "Brother Wang, the selection of the Big Knife Team will be drawn from our two brigades, with 300 brave and skilled warriors each. I'll lead them personally to attack the enemy's artillery positions! You stay behind to command the battle."

  "Brother Zhao! I agree with mobilizing troops! However, you're injured and the enemy's artillery is heavily guarded. This will be a fierce battle! So, I think it's better for you to stay behind and command, while I lead the Big Blade Squad instead!" General Wang Zhibang said sincerely.

  "Brother Wang! We both know that this journey is a matter of life and death! As a soldier, I have dedicated my body to the country since I enlisted. Now that the country is in crisis, I am fortunate to be leading troops against the enemy. I have long put aside concerns about life and death. Even if I die on the battlefield, it will be a worthy death! If I don't return, you, Brother Wang, will take command of the 109th Brigade and continue to fight together against the enemy! We must ensure that Xifengkou is not lost. My mind is made up, I hope you will support me!" Zhao Dengyu said with emotion.

  "Hmm!" General Wang Zhongbang's face also changed color and said: "Brother Shun, don't worry, as long as there is a gun, there are people, as long as there are people, there is an array. As long as my 37th Division has one person alive, the little devils will not be able to move forward from here!"

  Zhao Dengyu heard the words and saluted with a crisp "crack", then immediately turned around to face Wang Changhai and Ji Xingwen, saying: "You two quickly withdraw troops from each camp, one hour later, gather at the division headquarters!"

  "Yes!" Wang and Ji responded in unison, then turned around and left together.

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