On the morning of September 5, 4621 A.D., on the west bank of the Chikugo River, on the position of the 1st Army of the Imperial Army. On a position twenty kilometers long, the artillery of the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, the 1st Infantry Division, the 16th Infantry Division, the 1st Armored Brigade and the 1st Cavalry Brigade of the Imperial Army had already entered the positions. At this stage, if the 1st Army of the Imperial Army stormed Houchuan, it would undoubtedly suffer heavy losses. Therefore, after considering it, Admiral Shi Qingshan decided to carry out artillery bombardment first, and wait until the main force arrived before launching a river-crossing operation.

As the Kurume that the Japanese army hoarded heavily, the Japanese army undoubtedly had great confidence in this battle. Therefore, Admiral Shi Qingshan also hoped that he could make sufficient artillery preparations before the official attack, so that the Japanese army would pay heavy losses in the artillery battle. In this way, the losses incurred by the Imperial Army in the next offensive will be much smaller.

After the order for the artillery operation was issued, the artillery battalions of the 1st and 16th Infantry Divisions of the Imperial Army, the artillery batteries of the subordinate regiments, the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, the 1st Armored Brigade and the artillery battalions of the 1st Cavalry Brigade all entered the battlefield. During this shelling, the Imperial Army assembled a total of 144 155-mm heavy howitzers, 90 105-mm light howitzers, 72 75-mm field guns, a total of more than 300 cannons. If the next three infantry divisions and other units directly under the army group could arrive, the Imperial Army would be able to add more than 200 artillery pieces.

At 7 o'clock in the morning, the cooks were ready for the morning, steaming large steamed buns or white flour steamed buns, plus milk washed with powdered milk, so that the soldiers of the Imperial Army could enjoy themselves before the fierce battle began. In this way, they can also work harder in the war. Because of today's battle. The artillery is the protagonist, therefore, the artillery eats first. After that, it was the turn of the other classes.

"Are the ministries ready?" Admiral Shi Qingshan asked.

"General, all the ministries are ready to launch an artillery attack at any time." Major General Chen Wenkai, commander of the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, reported.

"Very well, the shelling will begin in ten minutes. This time, I'm going to turn Kurume into a sea of fire. Let little Japan pay a heavy price. Admiral Shi Qingshan said. Little Japan had vicious intentions and wanted to make the Imperial Army pay a heavy price in Kurume. Then, naturally, the Imperial Army will have to return blood for blood and tooth for tooth. The Imperial Army gathered so many artillery pieces this time just to inflict a heavy blow on the Japanese army.

"Yes, General." Major General Chen Wenkai nodded. The 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade had a full 144 155mm heavy howitzers. This kind of firepower is already very strong. In comparison, the Japanese Army simply did not have the firepower of the Imperial Army.

At 7:40 a.m., the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade of the Imperial Army was the first to begin shelling. On the position of an artillery battery. Six 155-mm heavy howitzers lined up. The hideous muzzle of the gun was aimed at the Japanese position on the east bank of the Chikugo River.

"Company commander, the brigade commander ordered us to have a meeting." A communications soldier reported to the commander of the artillery company.

"Okay, all artillery crews are ready, fire!" The company commander gave the order.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! "Six 155-mm heavy howitzers, fired sequentially.

Other artillery members of the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade of the Imperial Army also opened fire immediately, 144 155mm heavy howitzers. There was an earth-shattering roar. After the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade opened fire, the other artillery battalions, artillery batteries of the Imperial Army. They also began shelling one after another. More than 300 cannons began to pour shells on the east bank of the Chikugo River.

"Boom! Rumble! "Shells rained down, and fireballs rose from the Japanese positions. Although, the Japanese expected that the Chinese Army would soon attack. However, the attack of the Chinese army was so fierce. It still shocked Japan.

"Boom!" A 155-mm shell exploded on the Japanese position, with great power, and directly blew out a large crater in the position.

A 105-mm shell landed in a Japanese trench and blew up the trench.

Dense artillery shells continued to destroy the Japanese positions. A large number of fortifications were blown up in the shelling. Especially those machine-gun fire points that inflict a lot of damage on the enemy. One after another, they were pierced into the sky.

"Your Excellency, the Commander, the people of China have opened fire. They rallied hundreds of artillery pieces and bombarded us fiercely. Our fortifications, under their shelling, suffered heavy losses. A staff officer reported to Senior General Kojiro Uchiyama.

"Yaga! Ordered our artillery, immediately return fire and suppress the artillery of the China. Once our fortifications are destroyed, it will be even more difficult to withstand their attacks. Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama ordered.

In order to make the Chinese army pay a heavy price, they carefully built those fortifications. However, despite the severe lack of materials, these fortifications were extremely fragile and could easily be destroyed. Once these fortifications are destroyed, their combat power will be greatly affected. At that time, it will undoubtedly be even more difficult to block the offensive of the Chinese army.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander." The staff officer nodded.

More than ten minutes after the massive artillery bombardment of the Chinese army began, the Japanese artillery counterattacked. 108 155-mm heavy howitzers of the Japanese Army's independent heavy artillery brigade, 18 105-mm light howitzers of the field heavy artillery brigade of the 9th Division, 54 75-mm field guns of the field artillery wing, and a total of 32 75-mm field guns in the four subordinate wings. 18 105-mm light howitzers of the field heavy artillery brigade of the 12th Division, 54 75-mm field guns of the field artillery wing, and a total of 32 75-mm field guns of the four subordinate companies. Eighteen 105-mm light howitzers of the field heavy artillery brigade of the 18th Division, 54 75-mm field guns of the field artillery wing, and a total of 16 75-mm field guns of the two subordinate wings. All combined, there are 108 155-mm heavy howitzers, 54 105-mm light howitzers, and 242 75-mm field guns.

The Japanese Army had 98 more artillery pieces than the Imperial Army. In particular, the number of 75-mm field guns was more than three times the number of 75-mm field guns of the Imperial Army.

Previously, the Japanese Army was absolutely not equipped with so many artillery. Before the outbreak of the war, Britain, France, the United States and other countries provided Japan with a large number of artillery. Although, most of these cannons were produced during the First World War. However, its performance is still very good, which makes the firepower of the Japanese Army much stronger.

However, in terms of the number of 155-mm heavy howitzers, the Imperial Army outnumbered the Japanese army by 36, and on the 105-mm light howitzers, the Imperial Army also had 36 more guns. This made the Imperial Army obviously have an advantage in the number of large-caliber heavy artillery. However, in terms of field artillery, the Imperial Army was at a great disadvantage. Of course, the 75-mm field gun is definitely not comparable to the howitzer in terms of power.

The artillery counterattack of the Japanese army suddenly made the artillery battle between the two sides more intense.

"Order all units of the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade to suppress the artillery positions of the Japanese Army in a company unit!" Major General Chen Wenkai, commander of the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade, gave the order. If the artillery of the Japanese Army can be suppressed, then the artillery of the Imperial Army will have a better chance of winning in the artillery battle.

The companies under the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade immediately adjusted the targets of the shelling and began to place the main targets of the shelling on the artillery positions of the Japanese Army. The Japanese Army, on the other hand, was not to be outdone. The artillery battle between the two sides suddenly became more tragic.

"Boom! Rumble! "Two 155-mm shells fell on a Japanese 75-mm field gun position. After the explosion of the shells, the enormous force swept almost the entire position. Eight 75-mm field guns were destroyed a lot, and two huge craters appeared on the positions of the Japanese artillery. Of course, the casualties of the Japanese artillery were even more severe.

The Japanese also launched a counterattack, and a 75-mm field artillery battery of the Imperial Army was also shelled and suffered heavy losses.

In addition, the Imperial Army had an absolute advantage in heavy artillery. However, in terms of light artillery, it was at a disadvantage. The Japanese Army was equipped with a large number of French-made 75mm field guns, and their performance was almost the same as that of the Imperial Army's 75mm field guns, making the Imperial Army's field artillery positions almost suppressed.

"Lao Chen, the situation doesn't seem to be good!" Admiral Shi Qingshan said. His brows were furrowed together. The Imperial Army had already shelled several positions by the Japanese, and the losses were not small.

"Commander, our heavy artillery is striking at the artillery positions of the Japanese army. However, we need time. Major General Chen Wenkai said.

In terms of range, the Imperial Army's 155mm heavy guns were deployed in the rear, 105mm light howitzers in the middle, and 75mm field guns in the front. But now, the field artillery units of the Imperial Army, facing enemy artillery three times the size of the Japanese army, were under great pressure.

"Commander, let's put our heavy mortars into battle as well. The Japanese 75-mm field gun positions were not too far away. Our 120mm heavy mortars are fully capable of reaching each other. Major General Li Zhenwu proposed.

Major General Chen Wenkai's eyes suddenly lit up: "General Li's proposal is good, our 120mm heavy mortars, but there are quite a few. The 120-mm heavy mortar, with a firing range of 4,500 meters, was fully capable of covering most of the Japanese field artillery positions. ”

Admiral Shi Qingshan also nodded: "Since it is feasible, then give an order." The Japanese artillery must be crippled. ”

"Yes, Commander." Major General Chen Wenkai nodded.

Soon, the order was given, and the 120-mm heavy mortars of the battalions of the Imperial Army were ordered to participate in the battle. (To be continued.) )

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