Okawa City is only a dozen kilometers away from Kurume. Senior General Kojiro Uchiyama personally led the 12th Division of the Japanese Army and the 18th Division, which lacked a brigade, from Kurume, to Okawa City. The total strength of this force reached more than 42,000 people. The Imperial Army in Okawa City was only one regiment of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army and the 3rd Marine Division, with a total strength of just over 22,000 men. It was 20,000 fewer than the Japanese army.

However, even so, the Japanese army did not have much confidence in defeating the Chinese* army and taking the city of Okawa. In the past several encounters between the Chinese* army and the Japanese army, the Japanese army has ended in defeat. In particular, the Chinese Army was on the defensive, and when the Japanese Army took the initiative to attack, they were often dazzled by the powerful firepower of the Imperial Army, and their heads were full of bags.

By the time the Japanese reached the outskirts of Okawa City, the Imperial Army's 1st Infantry Division had already formed a simple defensive line. Simple trenches plus some foxholes. Machine gun fire points and mortar positions were staggered. Together with the artillery positions deployed in the rear, the defense line of the 1st Infantry Division was quite strong. In addition, the distance between Okawa City and the Ariake Sea is only seven or eight kilometers. The warships of the Imperial Navy could be anchored in the Ariake Sea to provide them with artillery support. In addition, the Chikugo River, which was in the midst of a high water season, could be used by destroyers of the Imperial Navy to sail to the river near Okawa City. These destroyers could further provide fire support to the Imperial Army.

"Your Excellency, the Chinese Army has already built fortifications on the outskirts of Okawa City, and if we destroy those pontoon bridges, we will have to get closer. However, when the time comes, it will be attacked by the Chinese army. Lieutenant General Isomura, commander of the 12th Division of the Japanese Army, said.

"It seems that the people of China have been on guard for a long time. Unless we break through their defenses, then. We have no way to take the pontoon bridge of the Chinese people. "General Uchiyama Kojiro's face is very ugly.

"Your Excellency, the Commander, the people of China have not occupied Dachuan City for a long time, and they have not had time to build a complete defensive position. We can attack and break through their defenses. Lieutenant General Tsunezaburo Takekami, commander of the 18th Division of the Japanese Army, said.

"Well, now it seems. That's the only way. Takekami, get your troops ready. Then launch an attack, trying to break through the defense line of the Shina people in one go. Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama said.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander." Lieutenant General Tsunesaburo Takegami nodded.

Half an hour later, the Japanese artillery opened fire. Two divisions, which were supposed to have thirty-six 105-mm light grenades and one hundred and seventy-two 75-mm field guns. However, in the previous artillery battles, the Japanese artillery suffered heavy losses. Right now. The artillery of these two divisions combined, with a total of only ten 105-mm light howitzers and forty-two 75-mm light howitzers. This was finally retained after voluntarily giving up shelling with the Chinese * army. On the other hand, the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army, although it also lost some artillery in the artillery battle, but there were still 30 105-mm light howitzers in the division's artillery battalion, and 75-mm field guns from each subordinate regiment. There are also eighteen more doors. The total number of cannons, although it was four fewer than the two divisions of the Japanese army. But. The performance and power of the cannon are far above that of the Japanese Army! Can the power of a 75-mm field gun be compared to a 105-mm light howitzer? That's obviously not going to happen.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! "On the artillery positions of the Japanese army, dozens of cannons began to roar, and shells flew like raindrops towards the front positions of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army. Officers and soldiers can only huddle in trenches, or cats in foxholes. Evading Japanese shelling.

It's just that the defense line was built too hastily, so that the defense was not strong. The Japanese artillery bombardment caused some losses to the Imperial Army.

However, only five minutes later. The artillery of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army opened fire. Thirty 105-mm light howitzers, which began to suppress the Japanese artillery with all their might. As for the dozen or so 75-mm field guns, they were silent. In artillery battles, the 75-mm field guns were not powerful enough. But if it's used against infantry, it's a good choice.

"Boom!" A 105-mm shell, which fell on one of the field artillery positions of the Japanese army. After the shell exploded, shrapnel flew sideways, killing many Japanese artillerymen. The rest of the artillerymen were even hiding in all directions, so that the entire artillery position ceased fire.

"Ordered artillery bombardment, full artillery shelling for ten minutes, focusing on shelling the infantry positions of the Shina people, and then evacuate immediately." Admiral Uchiyama Kojiro ordered. He knew that there was a big gap between the artillery of the Japanese army and the artillery of the Chinese army. If you want to engage in an artillery battle with the Chinese Army, it is almost impossible. Therefore, he asked the artillery to place the target of the artillery bombardment on the infantry positions of the Chinese Army, and strive to inflict a large number of casualties on the infantry of the Chinese Army during the shelling. In this way, it will be easy to win in the next infantry attack.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." The artillery commander of the Japanese army nodded.

It can be said that at the request of General Kojiro Uchiyama, the Japanese artillery opened fire completely against the artillery of the Chinese Army. Everyone is gritting their teeth and holding on. Those artillerymen, while carrying the shells, were even praying that the shells would not fall on their heads.

Ten minutes passed quickly. Within ten minutes, the Japanese threw hundreds of shells on the positions of the Imperial Army, inflicting considerable damage on the Imperial Army. At the same time, the fortifications built by the Imperial Army were also badly damaged. However, the artillery of the Japanese Army also paid a heavy price. Of their 105-mm light howitzers, only five remained. And the 75-mm field guns, there are only more than 20 left, almost half of the artillery lost.

"Attack! Tear through the men's defenses and kill them all! Lieutenant General Tsunesaburo Takegami ordered.

The 55th Wing and the 114th Wing of the 18th Division of the Japanese Army, totaling more than 7,000 men, launched an attack on the positions of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army. You know, after the loss of one brigade, the main infantry of the 18th Division was left with only two wings. The rest of the troops are just some auxiliary units, and their combat effectiveness is far less than that of the main infantry. However, in order to tear apart the defense line of the Chinese Army in one fell swoop, Lieutenant General Tsunezaburo Takegami still sent the last two wings out. If these two losses are exhausted, then the 18th Division of the Japanese Army can almost be canceled. This shows how determined the Japanese army was.

"The Great Japanese Empire is onboard! His Majesty the Emperor onboard! ”

"Kill the Men of Shochina! Come on! ”

A large number of Japanese infantry launched a charge against the lines of the Imperial Army.

At this time, the officers and soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army also began to prepare for battle with a calm expression. Garrisoning the first line of defense was the 11th Regiment of the Imperial Army. In the Japanese shelling, the regiment suffered more than 200 casualties, which made the officers and men of the regiment hold their breath in their hearts. Now, little Japan has launched an attack, which is undoubtedly looking for its own death.

The artillery immediately shifted the target and began to pour shells on the Japanese infantry. The 75-mm field guns, which had been silent, also began to fire. A large number of shells rained down on the ranks of the Japanese troops.

Although, in order to avoid being hit by the superior firepower of the Chinese* army, the Japanese army had deliberately distanced itself when attacking. However, under intensive artillery fire, they still paid heavy losses.

"Boom! Rumble! ”

One shell after another exploded, and the air wave easily rolled up those Japanese soldiers, and the shrapnel everywhere easily harvested the lives of Japanese officers and soldiers.

However, even so, the Japanese army was not frightened, and still opened fire vigorously, intending to rush into the defense line of the Imperial Army and defeat the Imperial Army.

"Mortar fire!"

"Heavy machine gun fire!"

As the Japanese moved closer to the Imperial Army's defensive lines, the Imperial Army's mortars and heavy machine guns began to fire. Dense shells and bullets, as if forming an invisible wall. After the Japanese army hit that wall, they were hit by their heads and bled out, and they couldn't rush through it at all.

"Poof!"

A heavy machine gun bullet hit a Japanese army soldier, a 12.7 mm large-caliber heavy machine gun bullet with great power, easily breaking the human body in two, blood flowing out of the broken limbs, and the ground was soaked red.

Another Japanese soldier was shot in the arm, and his entire arm was taken away by heavy machine gun bullets, blood spurted from the wound, and he fell to the ground howling in pain.

"Division commander, the Navy is calling and asking if they want to provide us with fire support." A staff officer reported to Major General Li Zhenwu.

"Tell the Navy that not for now. The attack of small Japan is too weak, and we will be able to deal with it. If you really can't deal with it, ask them to do it again. Major General Li Zhenwu said.

"Yes, Commander." The staff officer nodded.

"Let the sappers speed up, before dark, the main force of the 31st Infantry Division will cross the river, and tomorrow, we will need to launch an attack on Kurume." Major General Li Zhenwu said.

According to the plan, the 1st Infantry Division and the 31st Infantry Division, together with part of the armored brigade, were to launch an attack on the eastern part of the Chikugo River towards Kurume. The rest of the 1st Army, on the other hand, was to remain in the western part of the Chikugo River to deal with the four divisions of the Japanese army that had been assembled in the Chikuho area.

Major General Li Zhenwu believes that it is not impossible for two infantry divisions, plus a part of the armored forces, to defeat Kurume. After all, the current Japanese army is still heavily damaged, and its strength has long been much worse than before. (To be continued.) )

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