20demayo Chapter 127 Old Rival Kei Seya, This Time He'll Prove Himself
Chapter 127 Old Rival Kei Seya, This Time He'll Prove Himself
Isoya Rensuke naturally disapproved of the arrogant Yasuoka Masaomi.
Moreover, the Setani Detachment was part of his 10th Division's combat order. Even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner. Such mockery of Setani Kei was tantamount to slapping Isogai Rensuke in the face.
Rensuke Isogai said in a calm tone:
"There's no need to rush that. I still hope that my troops can rise again from where they fell before."
Besides, this is a siege operation. Before the city walls are taken, the tanks of the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade will hardly be able to play their due role. It would be better to continue fighting in the field outside the city and wear down the enemy's strength.
How could Yasuoka Masaomi not understand Isogai Rensuke's meaning? He looked at Seya Keido:
"Then I truly hope that Lord Seya Kei can stand up again in front of Li Jianghe's troops. Otherwise, if it were me, I might be so ashamed that I would commit seppuku."
In Taierzhuang, on the western side of the city, Li Jianghe stood on the city wall, watching the approaching Japanese troops through binoculars.
"At least ten thousand men. The artillery didn't observe any more, but it's likely to be even more than before."
Long Wenzhang said this while observing the Japanese army's formation on the other side.
At present, in the northern and western areas of Taierzhuang, many of the Northwest Army's peripheral field units have been defeated by the Isogai Division.
"That's inevitable. There's also a fully mechanized unit, the First Independent Mixed Brigade."
Li Jianghe also held a telescope, observing the Japanese army formation in the distance.
"However, judging from the current situation, the enemy on the other side should still be the 10th Division, and it might even be my old rival, Kei Seya."
As for the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade, I haven't seen it yet, but I have a feeling that our troops will soon be engaged in combat with this Japanese mechanized brigade.
Long Wenzhang clicked his tongue and said:
"Commander, I asked around with the brothers in the Northwest Army yesterday. This Independent Mixed Brigade of the Japanese is a bit tough to deal with. I heard they have over a hundred tanks and armored vehicles."
Li Jianghe said calmly:
"That's true. In short, they're not easy to deal with, and we need to be prepared for a tough battle."
This is not an exaggeration. The Japanese 1st Independent Mixed Brigade had 4750 men and 744 vehicles.
Two tank battalions, including the 3rd Tank Battalion and the 4th Tank Battalion.
The 3rd Tank Battalion consists of two tank companies, each of which includes 13 Type 89 medium tanks and 7 Type 94 light armored vehicles.
The 4th Tank Battalion consists of 3 tank companies, each equipped with 15 Type 89 medium tanks and 7 Type 94 light armored vehicles.
There is also an additional light armored vehicle squadron, equipped with 20 Type 94 light armored vehicles.
Finally, there was a squadron of armored vehicles, consisting of 17 Type 92 armored vehicles.
Even the independent infantry regiments within the brigade would be equipped with a dedicated light armored vehicle company, including 17 Type 94 light armored vehicles, and a dedicated 37mm anti-tank gun company, specifically for anti-tank warfare.
The armored tracked vehicles under Li Jianghe's command, after being modified, had stronger firepower, but their frontal armor thickness was limited.
The Japanese Type 94 37mm anti-tank gun was capable of penetrating its frontal armor.
In short, if you encounter this force head-on, you still need to be a little cautious.
Even the Japanese troops in front of us are equipped with a considerable number of anti-tank guns, which can pose a threat to the armored vehicles of the 4th Detachment.
Just as the two were talking, the roar of cannons rang out.
The Dongcheng District, where the 31st Division is located, has begun to be bombarded by nearly a hundred artillery pieces concentrated by the 10th Division.
"It's started. I think the next area to be bombarded is the West District."
Li Jianghe turned his head and couldn't help but speak.
Sure enough, after the shelling of the East District ended, the West District was soon also engulfed in shells.
Meanwhile, across from him, Seiya Kei, looking at the western district shrouded in artillery fire, gripped the samurai sword bestowed upon him by the Emperor and said with a sharp gaze:
"I'd like to see what kind of trouble Li Jianghe's troops can stir up this time."
Compared to before, Kei Seya is now paying more attention to the camp's defenses, and has even deployed anti-tank guns in multiple directions to deal with sudden attacks from enemy armored forces.
In addition, for the siege operation, Keiji Seya concentrated a large number of troops, including four infantry battalions, to fight in shifts.
There were also two tank squadrons, a cavalry regiment, and so on.
Chief of Staff Kitano Suzuki, whose face was long and thin like a mule, said:
"In any case, we are better prepared this time, and taking Taierzhuang is not a problem."
At this moment, Fukuei Shinpei, the commander of the 63rd Regiment, stepped forward and said:
"The attacking forces are ready to deploy, and the infantry can launch an assault at any time once the artillery fire begins to extend backward."
Kei Seya looked at Shinpei Fukuei and couldn't help but think of Yaezo Akashiba.
He had already died in battle in Teng County, crushed into mincemeat by enemy tanks.
He had already died in battle in Teng County, crushed into mincemeat by enemy tanks.
"You should know how Akashiba Yaezo died."
Keimichi Seya.
"I know, don't worry, I won't repeat the same mistake. I will cut off Li Jianghe's head to avenge Chichai-kun."
Fukuei Shinpei's voice was frank and firm.
With such intense artillery fire, two tank companies, and four tank battalions launching successive attacks, Fu Rongzhenping did not believe that the small town of Taierzhuang could not be taken.
In fact, the same idea came from the commander of the 8th Brigade, who was in charge of attacking the eastern city wall.
"Good, that's good. Be careful when fighting Li Jianghe's troops. Don't be impatient, or you'll easily expose a weakness."
Kei Seya said with considerable experience.
The 63rd Regiment was initially dispatched to the southern part of Teng County to intercept enemy reinforcements. However, before the reinforcements arrived, Fukō Shinpei received orders to retreat, so he had no chance to engage in combat with the 3rd Independent Detachment of Li Jianghe.
Finally, the shelling ended. At Fukuei Shinpei's command, two Japanese battalions launched an attack from both flanks. At the same time, grenade launchers, light and heavy machine guns, and infantry guns from the rear began to suppress and eliminate the exposed firing points on the city wall.
However, the soldiers of the guard battalion were far too familiar with the Japanese army's offensive tactics.
From the start of the battle, they were ordered to conceal themselves as much as possible, especially their firing positions, which should not be easily exposed.
As for the Japanese attacking troops, they were allowed to approach the city walls.
Fukuei Shinpei, holding a telescope, stared at the attacking troops and found the enemy's city walls eerily quiet.
"Not a soul in sight? Did they all run away?"
Fukuei Shinpei had a question in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
"No, we'll wait until our troops get close before opening fire. This will reduce the time our firing positions are exposed and allow us to achieve the best kill effect in the first round of fire coverage."
In his mind, he came to the most likely guess.