Chapter 5: The Naked Child (11a)

"Maniac." Kodama scolded unwillingly at the end. Although it was the first contact with the Blackstone guerrillas. But the latter's performance in many ways subverted his previous perception of the Chinese ** people.

According to the popular saying within the Kwantung Army . The so-called Tubalu guerrillas. It's a group of farmers who have been brainwashed by **. Not only the equipment, the training, and the odd difference. The will to fight is not very tenacious. Encounters with the regular forces of the Empire of Japan are usually a one-hit walk. Seldom do long-term entanglement (Note 1)

But today. Kodama's last encounter with the Kuroishi guerrillas was not at all as weak as her companions portrayed. On weapons. Almost every one of them had a Cossack saber and a Sakamoto-style rifle in their hands; On Training. They have the ability to change formations at high speeds. To the admiration of the Imperial cavalry instructors in the garrison brigade; On the will to fight. They're less than one-twentieth of the number here. And the casualties have been far more than half of the case. Still refusing to take the initiative to retreat. Instead, again and again. Again and again entangled. We will not stop until we hold back the Kawada Brigade.

This is still not a partisan after all. They put their lives on the line. What is the figure again. Who the hell built this proud cavalry? An army that writes pride into its bones like this.**How much more do you have in your hands.. One question after another hovered in Kodama's last ears and mind. Lingering no matter what. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. The more I think about it, the more I feel that my soul is empty. Like a dead leaf in the wind, there is no refuge.

"It's crazy indeed." Kuniaki Kawada nodded. I agree with Kodama's last evaluation." So I was just thinking. If the opponent continues to entangle. The goal of this crusade. Isn't it going to make some more adjustments?"

"Kawada-kun is ........" Shirakawa Shirokawa, the combat staff officer, was taken aback. Looking straight at Kuniaki Kawada. His face was full of surprise.

"Just two attacks. It took us an hour and twenty minutes." In his astonished gaze. Kuniaki Kawada's face slowly showed a bit of determination. The terrain here is quirky. If the enemy takes advantage of the familiar terrain and continues to cause us trouble, as they did just now. I'm afraid it will be difficult for the convoy to reach Lamagou before dawn. In other words. From now on. We can already declare this crusade a failure."

"What does Kawada-kun mean by this.!" Kodama was also taken aback by the last time. Frowning and shouting in protest." You are the supreme commander of the entire crusade force. How can you take the lead in saying such frustrating words.. Sensei said that Redbeard might not be able to return to the guerrilla camp before we arrived. Organize the evacuation of people around you. Even if he could get back in time to retreat before dawn. As long as we drive the car and chase after it. The sprint speed of the war horse is fast though. The endurance of long-distance running is far inferior to that of a car wheel.\ Moreover, it is ...... in the dictionary of the emperor."

"It's just an immature idea. That's why I'm asking for your and Shirakawa-kun's opinions." Kuniaki Kawada waved his hand. Impatiently interrupted Kodama's last accusation. If you can't wipe out Redbeard and his cavalry in one fell swoop. I'm thinking. Which end of the matter should we focus on? In the afternoon the commander of that cavalry was a threat to the cause of the Empire. Probably no less than a red beard. And if the organizer of tonight's raid is still him. Then he's far more dangerous than Redbeard."

"This ......." Kodama was stunned for the last time. Time. I don't know if I should approve of Kawada Kuniaki's idea. The afternoon cavalry did make a great impression on him. However, he was ordered by the Kwantung Army headquarters to come to the target of the crusade. But it's a red beard. And not what Izumo Dragon. Zhang Fatzi, these two unknown juniors. If you are chasing down two small characters who are not in the ranks. Let Redbeard take the opportunity to escape. The credit for this operation may be greatly discounted.

"I think it's better to prepare for both." Although I admire Kawada Kuniaki's decisiveness very much. Shirakawa still cautiously chose to ride the wall. This crusade was reported to the headquarters of the Kwantung Army. It has also received full support from the headquarters. If you change the target of the crusade in the middle of the process. I'm afraid it's hard to satisfy the headquarters. Those staff officers who sit in their offices all day. It is not as clear as Kawada Kuniaki himself is about the specifics of the Blackstone guerrillas. I won't pay attention to who is the dragon in the clouds. Who is Zhang Fat again. They don't care if the operation achieves its intended goals. Finally hand in the photo. The corpse is not Redbeard himself. In other words. Even if Kuniaki Kawada killed all the backbone of the Blackstone guerrillas this time. Just run away with the redbeard. From the Kwantung Army headquarters. This operation was a complete failure. All plan makers and executors. Including him as an operational staff officer. They can't escape a reprimand.

"Then how do you say we should prepare for both... Is there any way to be foolproof?" I didn't get the expected answer from Shiro Shirakawa's mouth. Kuniaki Kawada faintly felt a little disappointed. I glanced at my own high staff. He asked with a frown.

"Nope." Shirakawa responded frankly. But. We can get the HQ over there. See our efforts. My thoughts are. Next. Let's divide the action plan into two. First try to get to the old camp of the guerrillas. If within two hours. I haven't gotten rid of the sneak attackers in front of me. Just like Kawada-kun had previously envisioned. Change the target of the crusade decisively. Wipe out all of the sneak attackers first. Chop off one of the arms of the red beard."

This is a practical solution. At least. It takes care of both Kodama Sueji and the Kwantung Army headquarters. He also gave a certain degree of support to Kawada Kuniaki's choice just now. Kuniaki Kawada after hearing this. First frowned and pondered. Then he pressed the upper hand of the officer's knife down hard. He said aloud, "Just do as you say." Anyway, we have to let the sneak attacker take the initiative to expose himself first... SHIRAKAWA-kun. In a moment you replace Major General Shi Lanbin. Go command his garrison brigade. Responsible for clearing the way for the convoy in front of the head. Kodama kun. You bring orders; Lead your squadron. Drive behind the garrison brigade. Responsible for removing all suspicious targets along the way. and supervise the conduct of the garrison brigade. If you notice someone cowering. Just enforce battlefield discipline directly. I took Tian Brigade to follow at the end. I'm here to support you two."

"Hay." Shirakawa Shiro and Kodama straightened up and saluted. Take the command and go. Watch the backs of the two merge into their respective teams. Kuniaki Kawada let out a long breath of turbidity. He also turned around and jumped into his command car.

Three improvised units began to move one after another. The puppet garrison brigade rode a war horse and walked in the front. Kodama squadron armed to the teeth is centered. The Kawada Brigade, which has the largest number of people, is lagging behind. With the help of flares and flashlights. Roundabout to the west.

Only walked less than a hundred meters away. The puppet garrison brigade, whose morale and physical strength were on the verge of collapse, stopped again. Several puppet soldiers at the front of the line tore their throats. Shouted: "Ambush. There is an ambush directly ahead. I see it. There's an ambush right ahead."

"Where." Shiro Shirakawa, who was temporarily in charge of commanding the garrison brigade, heard about it. A decision was made immediately." Oda. Get your people to change flares. Five shots at a time. Three waves of rounds."

"Yes." Keiji Sooda, the devil soldier in charge of protecting Shirakawa Shiro, agreed. Immediately organize the members of the squad under his command to replace them with flares." Brush...""Brush...""Brush...""Brush..."Three salvos. Place the team in a semicircular area within 500 meters in front of them. It shines as brightly as day.

There is indeed an ambush. It is about 30 or 40 meters away from the garrison brigade. Across a very standard infantry trench. Not too long. But digging extremely professionally. Take a look. It's from the hands of a veteran of a hundred battles. A hundred meters to the left of the trench. There is also a pond overgrown with reeds. I don't know how much area there is. The edges are already out of the working range of the flare. It is not possible to estimate accurately at this time. The right side of the trench. That is, the direction on the left side of the convoy. A position of about three or four hundred meters. It's the damn river of flowers. The same green reeds. It is impossible to judge the width and depth by simple battlefield lighting means.

"Damn." Shirakawa Shiro scolded in a low voice. A hint of solemnity appeared on his face. Map of the area around Blackstone Village. He'd seen it over and over again. I think I can draw with my eyes closed. However, on the military map that condenses the countless efforts of spies and traitors. But he didn't tell him. The specific topography of the Liuhua River is so complex. It is unrealistic to send a garrison brigade to outflank from the left side of the enemy army. Doing so would probably make the Imperial Army the same as it had been before. plunged headlong into the river. In a daze, it turned into a group of corpses. and take the right side of the enemy army to make a detour. You need to consider the silt near the pond and the cold guns in the trenches. With the current state of morale of the Imperial Concord army. I'm afraid that it will also be before the specified position is reached. It will completely lose its combat effectiveness.

"What's going on. The dirt road has really reappeared.." I didn't wait for Shirakawa Shiro to come up with a countermeasure. Kodama was already riding a horse that had been snatched from the puppet army. I came up to him.

"Look. Our previous judgment was correct. Sure enough, the attackers set up a new ambush ahead." By the afterglow of the last round of flares. Shirakawa pointed forward. Whispered introduction.

"The trenches are professionally dug. I thought he was going to shoot cold." Kodama glanced forward quickly. There was a bit of arrogance on his face." But it's just such a short trench. I'm afraid it won't work. You let the garrison brigade rush over it. My men rushed behind the garrison brigade in the second wave."

"It's fine." Since it is dangerous to outflank the wings. Simply go straight to the frontal assault. Anyway, the size of the garrison brigade is large enough. Even if it takes human life. You can also fill the trench in the distance. Come to think of this. Shirakawa quickly drew his command knife. Head Yang. You lead a group forward. Within twenty minutes. The obstacles ahead must be cleared completely. Kodama squadron. We will provide you with the necessary support."

"Hah. Hay." The head was wrapped like a mummy, and the pseudo-head Yang Yaozu agreed loudly. At the same time, I scolded Shirakawa Shiro's ancestor for eight generations in my heart." Lack of virtue of the little devil. Lao Tzu prostituted your grandmother in his last life, didn't he pay? is so contemptuous. Blind in the dark to attack the trenches. You have the ability to go first. Also within twenty minutes. Within twenty minutes. Can you clean up all the 'treacherous thunders' in the grass?"

Scolding and scolding. But he did not dare to disobey the order. Bite the bullet and cobble together two battalions from the first regiment of the garrison brigade. About 350 "elites" pressed forward with pistols (Note 2)

The puppet army is tired and afraid. Bitter days. Grinding and moving forward. Only moved a few steps. I heard a loud "boom" in my ears. I don't know which unfortunate ghost's mount pulled the thunder in the grass. He was sent to the west with a horse by a man.

The rest of the puppet army immediately became a mess. Tighten the reins. Refusing to take another half step forward. Yang Yaozu was so angry that he scolded. Personally pick up the light machine gun. Rushing at the heads of the puppet soldiers is a wild sweep." No stopping. No stopping. Continue on the previous walk. How many grenades can you carry with you. One blast is one less."

"Son of a bitch. Why don't you come by yourself.." The puppet soldiers cursed in a low voice. Continue to move forward under pressure from the machine gun. Another five or six meters. The explosion of a grenade rang out again. This. It's three in unison. Blew up a dozen puppet troops. A bunch of other mounts. Turn around and run.

"Waste. You are also worthy to be called soldiers." Didn't wait for Yang Yaozu to get angry. Kodama couldn't bear it anymore for the last time. Scolded and pulled out the command knife. Point to the one who takes the lead and retreats." Call me. This kind of waste. There is no value in living in the world."

"Da-da-da-da. Da da da. Da ....... "The little devil doesn't shoot at the sky like Yang Yaozu. Aiming the muzzle directly at the fleeing person is a series of bursts. Connection. More than 20 puppet soldiers were shot and fell off their horses. Far more than those killed by grenades. The rest is not good. A scream came out of his mouth. Flip the mount again. Rush straight to the trench not far away.

"Retreat is definitely subject to military law. If you move forward, you might be able to break out of your way." With similar thoughts. More than 300 puppet soldiers marched towards the trenches in the distance. Launched a decisive charge. In a flash. The sound of horses' hooves and shouts of killing. The sound of a grenade explosion was heard.

Note 1: According to the memoirs of some of the founding generals. The early days of the Anti-Japanese War. The Eighth Route Army dispersed the main forces to fight guerrillas. Because there are too many recruits. The equipment is also too poor. leads to troops of equal size. Combat effectiveness has dropped dramatically. But over time. The recruits have been sharpened by the war and become veterans. The combat effectiveness of the troops slowly returned to the state before dispersion.

Note 2: Puppet Manchuria**.A regiment of about 600 people. A battalion of two hundred men. Or even less. For details, please refer to the Shi Lanbin Mixed Brigade in the Battle of Normenhan. A regiment of cavalry of the brigade. One regiment of infantry and one regiment of artillery. Correspondence team one. The total strength is hilariously "up to" one thousand three hundred and seventy-six people.