Chapter 3: The Morning Star (Seven Upper)

"Hmm.." Shirokawa Shirakawa's mouth moved. But he did not say anything more to dissuade him. It is indeed possible that the Chinese have laid traps ahead. But the words of the captain Kawada Kuniaaki are not wrong. In the face of absolute strength. Any intrigue is hard to work with. According to the information provided by the Kwantung Army Headquarters. Two Chinese armed forces are currently operating around Heishi Village. All of them are only about 500 people. And Kawada Kuniaki commanded. But it's two-thirds of the standard brigade.

According to the record of the Great Japan Emperor ** team in Kannai last year and the year before that. Normally. One brigade could have driven two regiments of the National Revolutionary Army into scattered and desperate flights. The Kawada Brigade was temporarily drawn from an infantry squadron to support Doron. The rest of the power as long as it does not play out of order. It is more than enough to completely annihilate one of the main regiments of the National Revolutionary Army.

"Do you remember before you left. When the chief told us about the specific situation of Heishi Village. What were you saying? Shirakawa-kun." Seeing that his combat staff officer was still frowning. Captain Kuniaki Kawada added in a low voice. At present, the total number of the Imperial Army and the Imperial Association Army in the Black Stone Village is combined. Still far more than Redbeard and Blackbeard. But. Since February of this year. They barely made it out of the Blackstone Gate."

"The subordinates understand. The captain thinks far more than his subordinates." Shirakawa Shiro was stunned at first. He nodded in admiration. In the end, it is a commander with many years of actual combat experience. The gaze of Captain Kuniaki Kawada. It's a lot longer than his guy who only knows how to talk on paper. The Imperial Japanese Army in the Black Rock Village did not have the courage to take a step out of the city gate. It's not because of lack of strength. It's that morale is already on the verge of collapse. And if Kuniaki Kawada had allowed the Chinese cavalry to march away after repeated provocations today. The morale of the entire newly formed Dongmeng dispatch detachment. It is bound to suffer a heavy blow. In the future, he will fight the Chinese cavalry on the battlefield. Didn't wait for the shot. The Imperial soldier was three points shorter than the other party.

Thinking of this section. Shirakawa Shiro did not dare to interfere with Kawada Kuniaki's command anymore. Instead, he began to pull himself together to check and fill in the gaps for the other party." The main forces were too far away from the car detachments. Need to increase speed. Shorten the distance. In order to discover the enemy's situation. Able to provide timely support to Squadron Leader Suzuki. Other than that. The contact between the brigade headquarters and the Suzuki squadron leader should also be strengthened. Otherwise, in case he stepped into the encirclement of the enemy army. It's hard to make tactical adjustments right away."

"You're right." For advice that does not contradict one's main direction. Kuniaki Kawada is still very willing to adopt. Nodding. Respond loudly." The Chinese commander has been making a fuss about our marching habits today. Even if it is to frustrate his judgment. We're going to have to make some local adjustments as well."

Say it. He quickly turned around. A loud command: "Speed up the march. Don't let the car out of sight. Ita. You ride a horse to chase the Suzuki squadron leader. Let him slow it down a bit. Wait, guys."

"Hi Yi." The devil officer and the herald Ken Ita agreed in unison. Horses for riding. Split up to execute the command.

Kuniaki Kawada groaned slightly. Continue to command: "Watanabe-kun. You also go to Squadron Leader Suzuki. If an enemy situation is detected. Be sure to come back and report back to me as soon as possible."

"Hi Yi." The herald Miji Watanabe also agreed loudly. Shake the reins. Chase the smoke and dust left behind by the car and run away.

"Machine gun squadron. Artillery squads, please speed up a bit, too. Baggage squadron. Get me off all of them. The man followed the car and pushed the carriage away." In order to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Kuniaki Kawada simply put machine gunners, artillerymen and baggage troops. It has also been adjusted to the state of imminent battle. Be ready to step forward at any time to provide effective support to other squadrons.

"Hi Yi. Subordinates understand." The officers in charge of leading the heavy machine gunners, artillerymen, and baggage troops agreed in unison. The sound is not very loud. In particular, the head of the baggage squadron, Sadaiji Ono. Think of the soldiers under your command who are about to be called as cattle. I can't lift my mind at all.

"Louder. Have you forgotten His Majesty's expectations?" Disgruntled with the reaction of the officers. Kuniaki Kawada glanced at Sadaiji Ono, the head of the baggage unit behind him. He asked with a frown.

"Hi Yi. Subordinates understand." Ono Sadaji blushed and straightened his chest. Respond with all your strength.

"Let the soldiers hold on a little longer. Combat units are bleeding at the front. Their supply of ammunition must be guaranteed. After crushing the conspiracy of the Chinese . I'll give credit to everyone.." Kuniaki Kawada glanced at Sadaiji Ono again. Said in a relatively relaxed tone.

"Hi Yi. The subordinates are going to supervise the team. The subordinates promise to do their best." Sajino knew that his boss was giving him a vaccination. Hurriedly saluted again. Hop on the mount. Turned around and ran to the baggage team that was far behind.

I promised it happily. In practice. But it's a different story. Because it is necessary to provide vehicles for Saburo Suzuki and others. Ammunition supplies that were originally loaded on a car. All were assigned to transport wagons. And the carriage is heavy. It's already on the verge of limits. After a sudden increase of several hundred kilograms of cargo. Not only was the horse pulling the cart tired and sweating. Even axles made of steel. There were also constant squeaky protests. It's as if in the next moment. It may suddenly break into two generals.

Dirt road in the grassland in a hilly area. There are a lot of stones. For cars and walkers. Half of these stones are trapped in the dirt. Basically, there are no obstacles. But for overloaded carriages with loads. Each stone is raised slightly higher than the ground. It's not a big hassle. Once it was stoned just in front of the wheel. The whole wheel will spin in place. The harder the horse pulls the cart, the harder it gets. The deeper the wheels sink in the dirt.

"Put the gun in the car. with a trolley." The head of the baggage squadron, Sadaiji Ono, was helpless. I had to jump off my mount. Take the lead and push the trapped carriage with both hands. Although the devil soldiers under his command are not happy. Seeing that the commander has taken the lead. I also had to roll up my arms and sleeves. Took the initiative to take on the work of the brute. Rao is so. The entire baggage team still distanced itself from the combat troops. And over time. There is a tendency for the distance to get farther and farther away.

"Yamaguchi-kun. You go and rush Ono-kun. If you really can't do it. Let him send two truckloads of supplies first. The rest of the vehicle supplies. Slowly catch up with the big army." It was found that the baggage squadron had a tendency to drag the whole brigade back. Kuniaki Kawada frowned. Forced to make adjustments again.

"Hi Yi." The herald surnamed Yamaguchi answered loudly. Riding his horse ran towards the baggage squadron that was dragging behind. Soon. and three and a half wagons. Quickly chased up.

"Huh. This way.." Kuniaki Kawada glanced roughly at the carriage. It is understood that Ono Sadaji relied on the means to reduce the burden on the carriage. Barely fulfilled his orders. This also means . Several other wagons had more to carry. Of course, it's getting faster and harder.

I was thinking about whether I should call Captain Ono Sadaji to my side and scold him. Force him to come up with a more reasonable solution. Suddenly there was a frenzied sound of machine guns ahead. Immediately after. The explosion of shells was also heard. The ground shook back and forth beneath his feet.

"What's the situation.." Kuniaki Kawada was stunned. I can no longer take care of the lessons, and the heavy squadron leader Ono Sadaji, who doesn't work hard. Keep your eyes straight ahead. He asked with a frown.

"It should be Suzuki-kun and they exchanged fire with the Chinese ambush soldiers. The machine gun sound came from our 92 style. The sound of the shells was the Type 97 infantry curved artillery." Shirakawa Shiro listened sideways. Respond loudly.

The Type 92 heavy machine gun is equipped with special sighting equipment. It is used against enemy infantry. The advantages are very obvious. Although the Type 97 infantry curved gun has many advantages such as lightness and shortness. The firing range is not as good as the Type 92 heavy machine gun. I wanted to suppress the four Type 92 heavy machine guns and two light machine guns in the hands of Shiro Suzuki with one cannon. It's just a dream.

Come to think of it. Kuniaki Kawada did not hesitate to point the command knife forward. Loud combat orders."" Mountain pass. Go to deliver orders to the second squadron. Let them go full speed ahead. Be sure to stick to the Chinese. Don't give them a chance to escape.."

Don't wait for the herald to go far. He quickly issued a second combat order." Machine gun squadron. Artillery squad. and other combatants. All accelerated. The Suzuki squadron is waiting for us on the field.."

The machine gunners, artillerymen, and the brigade members who followed him jumped for a while. Get on the horse. Trekking on foot. Kill the gunfire as fast as you can. Although the view is blocked by the hills. But with the experience of previous operations . Big and small devils can - tell. The battlefield is not far from itself. At most, it's a kilometer or two away. Within twenty minutes. They're sure they'll be able to take on the cunning Chinese resistors.

The facts also prove the judgment of the devils. It took less than two hundred meters. The herald Ken Ita, who had been ordered to follow the convoy, had already galloped back on horseback. Far away. I panted and reported to Kuniaki Kawada." Enemy. Squadron Leader Suzuki spotted an enemy ambush two thousand three hundred meters in front of the left. The scale is up and down in a squadron. There was a Maxim, a mortar, and a handful of Czech light machine guns."

"The losses of our army are not large. What about the second squadron. You've already leaned in?" Kuniaki Kawada rode his horse and urged the team to move forward as soon as possible. While asking loudly about the situation.

"It's not too big. There was a car that was blown over by the Chinese with a mortar. There were slight casualties among the people in the car. But the squadron leader Suzuki has already constructed positions out of car wreckage . Hold out until the second squadron arrives. There are no problems." Herald Ken Ita gasped for excitement. Debrief with the loudest voice.

Finally got started with the Chinese. You don't have to worry about it all day long. lest the cavalry that will not die. Then suddenly came out from behind the bushes on both sides of the road. And against the infantry of the Chinese . The emperor has a dual advantage in psychology and firepower. Even if you let the other party arrange an ambush in advance. It can also be crushed to pieces.

"Hmm." Kuniaki Kawada was completely relieved. Frowning. began to ponder how to annihilate the blind Chinese resistance in one fell swoop. If the opponent only has a squadron size. Saburo Suzuki and the others in front of the sudden are basically foolproof. Just wait for the second squadron to arrive. You will be able to rely on superior forces and firepower. Defeat them quickly.

And yet to defeat such a rabble. It does not show the ability of the new Mongolian detachment. It also does not reflect the command level of Kuniaki Kawada himself. It's best to be able to counter-surround the resisters. Settle it out once and for all. Especially the big black man who rode the tall yellow horse and came repeatedly to find trouble. Kuniaki Kawada can't wait to catch this person right away. Chop to death with a knife with your own hands.

"Or. I led a part of the baggage army. See if you can go around behind the enemy position." Shirakawa Shiro's thoughts coincided with Kawada Kuniaki. Come forward. Whisper for instructions.

"Baggage troops. They.." Kuniaki Kawada looked back at the baggage troops that had been thrown five or six hundred meters away. The expression on his face was very hesitant. Although the same is the Kwantung Army. The firepower of the baggage squadron was very different from that of several other squadrons. The soldiers inside were also picked by several other squadrons. Either they are relatively short in stature.. Either the qualifications are reckless. It's hard to take on a big role.

"It is enough to drag the Chinese for about five minutes." Shirakawa nodded. Very patient to explain." Five minutes. Enough first. The second two squadrons caught up from behind the Chinese."

"Hmm." Kuniaki Kawada thought about it again. Solemnly agreed." Good. Then I'll hand over the baggage squadron to you. Let Sadaiji Ono stay. Lead the rest of the men to guard the supplies in place. If an anomaly is found. Send someone to report to me right away."

"Thank you, sir.." Shirakawa shouted excitedly. Turn the horse's head. Quickly dispatch the troops. Soon. Half of the squadron's baggage was pulled out. First ran along the grassland dirt road for more than 1,000 meters. Then he took a turn in the grass. Directly towards the rear of the ** team in the middle of the flank.

From the sound of artillery to the present . It's just seven or eight minutes. The battle between the offensive and defensive sides has heated up. The squadron ambushed on the hills took advantage of the terrain. Condescendingly, he threw rows of bullets at the devil soldiers. And quickly arrived the second squadron of devils. Heavy machine guns, light machine guns, and grenadiers were all laid out. Alternate shooting. Smoke billowed on the hills. You come and go on both sides. No one is willing to throw in the towel easily. One by one, the soldiers fell. Stain the Chinese land under your feet with blood.

"It's kind of interesting." Kuniaki Kawada, who led the brigade headquarters to arrive, looked at the position of the squadron with a telescope. The corners of his mouth showed a slight sneer. It's dirt eight roads. Flag on the hill. Their identity has been proven. However, the combat effectiveness of this Tubalu is more than a little bit stronger than those "three guns and eight roads" in other places. And even to some extent surpass the regular army on the Chinese side . And to fight without hurry. Quite disciplined.(Note 1)

Annihilate such opponents. It's really enjoyable. Hand the binoculars to the devil officer next to you. Kuniaki Kawada quickly made adjustments. Yamaguchi-kun. Go tell the artillerymen . Do not rush to carry out fire coverage . Make the Chinese happy for a while first . Wait for the roundabout troops led by Staff Officer Shirakawa to rush to the back of the Tsuchihachi Road. Let's swallow him in one go."

Note 1: Three guns and eight ways. The nickname given by the Japanese to the local units of the Eighth Route Army. to distinguish it from the main force of the Eighth Route Army. This means that the latter only has three bullets per fight. After the light is gone, either rush out of the trench and fight hard. Or turn around and withdraw.