After the advent of automatic weapons, the advantage became more and more obvious for the side that was on the defensive. The attacking side needs to brave a dense rain of bullets to attack, and the fragile human body, how can it be compared to steel? Therefore, military strength is no longer the decisive factor in winning a war in war.

The Japanese army drew two divisions and attacked the defensive line of an infantry regiment of the Imperial Army. However, the end result was that the Imperial Army's defensive line was stable, and the Japanese attack, although fierce, had no other effect than to spread corpses on the ground.

"Da Da Da!" On the positions of the Imperial Army, heavy machine guns were constantly strafing, and dense bullets were fired at the Japanese troops like pouring rain, and the attacking Japanese soldiers were like cutting wheat, and they fell to the ground one by one.

The heavy casualties made the expressions on the faces of the Japanese generals who were accustomed to seeing the sea of corpses and blood very ugly.

"Yaga! The firepower of the people of China is still so strong. It's even stronger than it was back then. General Uchiyama Kojiro said with an ugly face. More than a decade ago, he also participated in the war with the Chinese Army. It's just that he was still a major general at that time.

"What about our heavy machine guns and mortars? Pull it up! Provide fire support to the warriors on the front line at close range. Lieutenant General Tsunesaburo Takekami, commander of the 18th Division, gritted his teeth and said. The two divisions that attacked, but the last old foundation of the 18th Division, were constantly damaged in the face of the powerful firepower of the Chinese Army, which seemed to be dripping blood in his heart.

The two wings of the attacking Japanese army did not fail to charge with mortars and heavy machine guns. However, the number of these weapons was far less than that of the Imperial Army. In addition, in terms of experience, it is far from being comparable to the Imperial Army. So much so that in the middle of the battle, it was completely suppressed by the Imperial Army. It also made the Japanese attack. There has been no progress at all.

"Da Da Da!" A heavy machine gun of the Japanese army was firing, the bullets hit the trench, and there was a burst of dust, and the soldiers of the Imperial Army had to bow their heads and did not dare to raise their heads. Some Japanese troops. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he immediately launched a charge, hoping to take this opportunity to break through the defenses of the Imperial Army. However, the next moment, a mortar shell rained down into the sky, blowing the heavy machine gun into parts. Those Japanese soldiers who were charging were immediately knocked to the ground by the powerful fire, and they could not die anymore.

The machine gunners of the Imperial Army knew that in one place, it was not possible to fire continuously for a minute. As a matter of fact. More often than not, thirty seconds after firing, they would shift their positions to avoid being called by enemy mortars. In this way, the damage can be minimized. In defensive operations, machine guns are very important firepower, and without them, it is undoubtedly very difficult to repel the enemy's attack.

The offensive of two wings of the Japanese army. It lasted less than half an hour before it ended. They did not even reach the edge of the line of the 11th Regiment of the Imperial Army, and they were routed because of the heavy losses. It was only discovered after the rout was collected. Their losses are already halfway through.

"Your Excellency, Commander, I am really sorry that I have failed to live up to Your Excellency's expectations." Lieutenant General Tsunesaburo Takegami said with his head down.

General Uchiyama Kojiro shook his head: "It's not your reason, it's not the reason of the Imperial Army warriors, it's that the people of China are too strong." The people who were on the defensive played their firepower advantage to the fullest. It is indeed difficult to break through their defenses. ”

"Your Excellency, Commander, what are we going to do? The pontoon bridge of the people of China is about to be built. At that time, a large number of Shina people will arrive in the eastern part of the Chikugo River via the pontoon bridge. Lieutenant General Isomura, commander of the 12th Division, asked.

Without breaking through the defense line of the Chinese * army, there is no way to destroy the pontoon bridge built by the Chinese * army. If these pontoons are allowed to be erected. A steady stream of Chinese* troops crossed the Chikugo River via pontoon bridges. At that time, the Battle of Kurume, which the Japanese army had planned for a long time, could end in failure. Once the Battle of Kurume was lost, it would be completely impossible for the Japanese army to defeat the Imperial Army on the island of Kyushu.

"Wait! Wait until after dark, launch an attack and break through the defense line of the Shina people in one fell swoop. Then, destroy the pontoon bridge again. Admiral Uchiyama Kojiro gritted his teeth and said. Now for them, there is only one way to attack at night. The Japanese Army was originally good at night attacks, and in addition, in night battles, it was difficult for the Imperial Army's firepower superiority to be brought into play. The Japanese army will be able to gain a relatively large chance of victory through the superiority of troops.

Lieutenant General Isomura and Lieutenant General Tsunesaburo Takegami nodded. However, they were a little worried that the Imperial Army's pontoon bridge would be ready before dark. At that time, the Chinese* army that crossed the river will become more and more powerful, and even if it launches a night attack, I am afraid it will be difficult to succeed. However, what Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama had already decided, they didn't dare to say anything.

Major General Li Zhenwu, commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army, stopped the attack after discovering that the Japanese attack was repulsed, and he was also very puzzled, this is not in line with the usual style of the Japanese army! However, he didn't care. The first pontoon bridge will soon be erected. The second pontoon bridge is also a third of the way through. Only the third pontoon bridge for the passage of tanks and armored vehicles of the armored forces has just begun.

The pontoon bridge for tanks and armored vehicles is already more difficult. After all, the weight of tanks and armored vehicles is not light, even light tanks weigh more than a dozen tons, and they must be specially reinforced. Even so, only one tank could cross the pontoon bridge at a time, and the second tank had to wait until the tank in front of it had to get off the bridge. Otherwise, there is a high risk that the pontoon bridge will break.

In this way, the time to cross the river will be greatly enhanced. Major General Li Zhenwu hoped that before dark, a light tank battalion of the armored brigade would be able to cross the Chikugo River. In this case, it is very likely to come in handy at night. After all, Japanese dogs can't change ****. If they can't achieve their goal in the daytime battle, then they will attack at night, that's absolutely certain.

Without the interference of the Japanese army, the speed of the construction of the pontoon bridge increased a lot. After all, the Chikugo River is just a small river with a width of just over 100 meters. For the Empire's engineering troops, this was nothing at all.

At 4 p.m., the pontoon bridge for tanks and armored vehicles was finally erected. The light tank No. 2 of the 2nd Light Tank Battalion of the Armored Brigade drove onto the pontoon. The 12.8-ton tank shook when it got on the pontoon. The commander walks in front of the tank and provides guidance to the tank. The mechanics, gunners and loaders all got off the tank, so as not to increase the weight of the tank.

Although, the bridge deck is a bit bumpy. However, when driving slowly, it is still possible to drive smoothly across the pontoon. The bridge deck of more than 100 meters takes about three minutes to cross. In this case, in an hour, only twenty tanks can pass. It takes about three hours for a tank battalion of 72 tanks to cross the pontoon. By then, it would be dark. At night, in conditions of poor visibility, it is clear that tanks cannot be allowed to cross the bridge. If one is not good, and the tank falls into the water, then it is bad.

By nightfall, the main force of the 31st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army had crossed the pontoon bridge. This further increased the strength of the Imperial Army in Okawa. At the same time, the tanks of the 2nd Light Tank Battalion of the Armored Brigade were all concentrated. If the Japanese Army were to launch a sneak attack tonight, the Imperial Army would have taught them a lesson they would never forget.

At 11 o'clock in the evening, the Japanese army prepared troops for a night attack. This is an elite division drawn from the 12th Division of the Japanese Army, that is, the 14th Infantry Wing of the Japanese Army.

In order to give the 14th Infantry Wing an atmosphere, General Kojiro Uchiyama personally summoned the Wing Commander of the 14th Wing, Kiyoshi Hijikata Nakasa, Captain Ichigan, and the squadron leader.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are all warriors of the Great Japanese Empire. Tonight's battle is of great importance to the Great Japanese Empire. If we can break through the defense line of the China Army and defeat them in one fell swoop. Then, in the next battle, we will have the advantage. If we lose. Then it's going to be very difficult for us to win this battle. Therefore, I hope that you will be able to fight to the death and win this battle. General Uchiyama Kojiro said solemnly.

The first cadre captain, group leader, and squadron leader of the Japanese army were all red-eyed and very excited.

"Your Excellency, Commander, please rest assured that the 14th Infantry Division will fight to the death and try to defeat the Chinese people. Even if it is liver and brain, we will not hesitate to do it. Kiyosa Hijikata assured.

"Very well, you are all warriors of the Great Japanese Empire, then I will be here, waiting for the news of your victory." Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama said.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander." A cadre of Japanese officers shouted one after another.

"General Isomura, after the 14th Infantry Wing tore through the defense line of the people, the 12th Division of the Army immediately attacked with all its strength and defeated the people of China in one fell swoop." Admiral Uchiyama Kojiro ordered.

If the night attack can be successful, then Admiral Uchiyama's ambition will not only be limited to destroying those pontoon bridges. If the Chinese* army can be defeated in one fell swoop, then the problem can be solved once and for all.

"Your Excellency, Commander, please rest assured, the lowly post will be ready." Isomura patted his chest and reassured.

After 12 o'clock, even at 1 a.m. on September 8, the 14th Infantry Wing of the Japanese Army, starting from the forward position, secretly approached the position of the Imperial Army. (To be continued.) )

PS: The seventeenth update is here, ask for a monthly pass and a reward!