Devil's Army

Chapter 1854 Counter-encirclement of the Japanese Army in Xinzhou

Although the company of soldiers was currently at a disadvantage, their morale remained high because they believed that their reinforcements would arrive soon.

The Japanese troops quickly approached the positions of the first and second platoons.

This attack went too smoothly; it encountered almost no decent resistance from the first or second platoon.

Just as the Japanese army was celebrating, countless grenades suddenly flew in from all directions.

The sound of grenade explosions had not yet stopped, and fierce bullets were being fired from all directions—inside the positions, behind the trees, and on the hillsides.

This fierce attack by the Japanese army was once again repelled by the soldiers of the company.

This Japanese offensive was the closest they came to the Devil's Unit's position among several attacks.

The Japanese commander decided to launch another sweeping bombardment of the Devil Unit's positions and then capture them in one fell swoop.

At that moment, bugles sounded from their rear and artillery positions, signaling the charge.

It turned out that reinforcements from the Fifth Division of the New Fourth Army had arrived.

The 37th Regiment of the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division of the New Fourth Army constructed fortifications on the front line, preparing to intercept the Japanese and puppet troops in Huanggang County.

The 38th Regiment split into two groups and launched a fierce attack on the Japanese rear guard's command post and artillery positions.

On the one hand, the Japanese commander arranged for troops to return to reinforce the area, and on the other hand, he urged his troops to intensify their attacks on the "Devil Force," attempting to wipe out this force and then join forces with the Japanese and puppet troops in Huanggang County to encircle the Fifth Division of the New Fourth Army.

However, while the Japanese army's plan was perfect, reality was cruel.

The second regimental commander personally led the main force of a regiment to launch a fierce attack on the Japanese army from the rear.

Fierce mortar shells and rockets rained down on the Japanese troops.

"Rat-a-tat-tat..." The incessant machine gun fire swarmed towards the Japanese soldiers like locusts.

In less than half an hour, the Japanese positions behind were breached.

The second regimental commander and his men successfully reunited with the first regimental commander. The Japanese army's long-cherished wish to annihilate the first regimental commander became impossible.

The second regimental commander ordered the first and second battalions to pursue the fleeing Japanese troops from both flanks.

The Third and Fourth Battalions assisted the First Regiment Commander in blocking the Japanese troops in front.

The sudden increase in firepower made it impossible for the Japanese troops on the front to resist, and they retreated step by step.

Upon seeing this, Commander Feng of the 38th Regiment of the 5th Division of the New Fourth Army immediately adjusted his strategy and surrounded the group of Japanese soldiers.

The Japanese troops who were preparing to encircle the 38th Regiment of the New Fourth Army have now become the New Fourth Army and the First Brigade of the Independent Division.

Upon receiving a telegram requesting reinforcements, the Japanese and puppet troops in Huanggang County launched a fierce attack on the 37th Regiment's positions, attempting to support the Japanese troops encircled within the perimeter.

Under the leadership of Regiment Commander Xia, the soldiers of the 37th Regiment of the New Fourth Army tenaciously resisted wave after wave of Japanese attacks, creating conditions for the complete annihilation of the Japanese troops within the encirclement.

After nearly an hour of fierce fighting, the Japanese troops in the encirclement began to break out towards the 38th Regiment of the New Fourth Army, which had weaker firepower.

Commander Feng led his soldiers to tenaciously resist the Japanese army's frenzied attack.

He knew that as long as they could withstand the Japanese attack, their allies—the First Anti-Japanese Army—would soon be able to attack from the rear and annihilate the Japanese troops.

Seeing that their breakout attempt was thwarted, the Japanese commander immediately changed tactics and concentrated his forces to launch a fierce attack on the weak points of the New Fourth Army's 38th Regiment on the left flank.

Upon seeing this, Regiment Commander Feng immediately ordered the 38th Regiment's guard platoon to rush to their aid. At the same time, a company was transferred from the right flank to provide support.

The Japanese troops trapped in the encirclement made a desperate struggle and launched several attacks, but failed to break through the defenses of the 38th Regiment of the New Fourth Army.

At this time, the 2nd Regiment of the Southern Independent Division of the First Army had launched a general offensive against the Japanese army from the rear.