Wrapped in the chaos of the army, they retreated south together, and at this time, Masao Iwabe, who was still in a trance, experienced for the first time what it means to be defeated. Not to mention that he is not adaptable, I am afraid that any Japanese officer will not adapt to this situation.

Since the Meiji Restoration and the formation of a new type of army, the Japanese army has won several foreign wars, but it has never suffered a heavy defeat. Moreover, for the Japanese soldiers, who have always been stoic and proud of their decisive spirit of dying on the battlefield, the defeat on the battlefield is the greatest shame.

But today, the watch of the Seventy Wing broke this record. The 70th Wing, which had been running wildly, threw down all the heavy machine guns and infantry guns that could have been dragged down by the rocket artillery fire that could be dragged to the point of escaping for their lives, and ran all the way south. Until they ran to the mountain pass, they were blocked by a reorganized regiment of Du Kaishan, which was catching up, with light and heavy machine guns and submachine guns.

Hearing the dense machine-gun fire in front of him, Masao Iwabe, who was dazed and was dragged out, came to his senses and exercised his authority as a wing commander. Masao Iwabe, who came to his senses, did not react badly, and when he found that he was being attacked from front and back, he immediately commanded his troops to desperately block the swarming opponents on the one hand, and on the other hand, they wanted to quickly seize a relatively high mountain peak on the right, trying to stay high and wait for help.

It's just that Masao Iwabe thinks well, but it's hard to say whether the opponent will give him this opportunity or not. Just as the 70th Wing desperately climbed up the mountain and almost saw the top of the mountain, a dense rain of bullets mixed with overwhelming grenades swept from the top of the mountain, and the 70th Wing, which could touch the top of the mountain with its hand outstretched, hit it again.

It is not for nothing that the Seventy Wing can be looked at differently in the Fourth Division. After the first attack was defeated, he immediately concentrated most of his forces and launched repeated charges against this small hill with an altitude of only more than 200 meters and a radius of only a few hundred square meters under the cover of a limited number of crooked guns, trying to take the highest commanding height within a radius of several miles.

Under the command of Liu Baishun, deputy battalion commander, under the cover of two reinforced heavy machine guns, and with the fire support of friendly and neighboring troops, a reinforced company of the 7th Regiment and 1st Battalion of the 3rd Brigade on the top of the hill repeatedly fought with the Japanese army, firmly holding this small hill and containing the only way for the Japanese army to survive.

When this reinforced company was about to set out, nearly one-third of the 1,000 Soviet-made high-power F grenades allocated to the Third Brigade by General Du Kaishan were transferred to them. This kind of grenade with an explosion of 30 meters is a little too powerful in an attack, but it is indeed extremely powerful in a defensive battle. It has played a huge role in this scramble.

After several battles in this battle, although the accurate marksmanship of the Japanese army also brought a lot of casualties to this reinforced company. But under the fire of grenades and light and heavy machine guns, it also suffered heavy casualties. This is not a short height, but the area of the mountain is not large, and the corpses of Japanese soldiers are everywhere.

A few fruitless attacks almost exhausted the last of the Seventy's courage and blood. Under the front and rear attacks of Liu Changshun and Du Kaishan, the 70th Wing, which lost fire support and lost the commanding heights, gradually could no longer resist the attacks of the two. The defensive surface is compressed smaller and smaller.

By 21 p.m., the 70th Wing had lost all room for maneuver and was reduced to a narrow, bare river beach no more than 200 meters long from north to south and 40 meters wide from east to west. It relied on temporary fortifications that could only be built from the corpses of fallen officers and soldiers.

On the small position, because of the lack of medicine, even the military doctor who accompanied the team had already died in battle, and the wounded who could only wrap their legs hastily bandaged groaned. There was no food, except for the lack of water because they were trapped in the river flats, and there was a lack of necessary supplies, and the morale of the remaining troops of the Seventy Wing was rapidly declining.

And in a small depression in the center of the position, Iwabe Masao Daisa, who was helpless in the face of the current situation, and Liu Xiguo, the only remaining captain of the second brigade among the three captains, were staring wide-eyed, and no one could come up with a way out of the predicament.

Breakthrough? Although it is a mountainous area, almost all the commanding heights are in the hands of others. Even though it's nighttime, but? The two of them raised their heads, looked at the bright flares that their opponents shot across the sky from time to time, illuminating their positions, and shook their heads resolutely. Without firepower cover, under the opponent's superior strength and firepower, breaking through is tantamount to looking for death.

It's just that they want to fight, but the two of them smile bitterly. Rifle ammunition is quite adequate. The guys didn't throw away their rifles when they retreated. But after the battle to seize the commanding heights, the remaining light machine guns added up to only three. As for infantry guns, mountain artillery, and other weapons of the level of heavy machine guns and above, they have long been lost.

Again, there is no fire cover, how to fight? Although both of them were arrogant before, they were not stupid. No one would think that with the opponent's light and heavy machine guns and all kinds of artillery, he could really rely on the 38 rifle and bayonet to repel the opponent's attack.

The power of the large number of automatic firearms equipped in the hands of the opponent just now, the two of them had already seen it. The officers and men of the 70th Wing, who wanted to use the means of close combat and carve out a way for themselves, were beaten into honeycomb coal by a large number of portable automatic firearms in their hands before they could get close to their homes. For the current Seventy Wing, fighting bayonets has become synonymous with death.

It is true that the Imperial Army attaches great importance to the tactics of white-knuckle warfare, but it is a last resort in the face of the lack of heavy weapons, even the necessary number of light and heavy machine guns, and most of the time it can only be replenished by personnel, and can only use close combat as the main means of combat.

If this tactic can play a decisive role at any time, why does the Imperial Army spend huge sums of money to buy and equip a large number of aircraft, heavy artillery, and tanks? Why do you still train most of the soldiers to be similar to sharpshooters? Simply get a bayonet on everyone.

The inability to fight, and the fact that it is almost impossible to break through, made the two of them obviously in a predicament. Both of them knew that the opponent would not have too much time left for them, and I was afraid that the final total attack might be in the next moment. But the two of them, who really couldn't think of any way, could only sit here and stare at each other.

Neither man put their hopes in reinforcements. All means of communication were launched together with the communications squadron as early as the first wave of artillery fire. Several radio stations, along with the communications corps, were blown up to the point that there was not even a slag left. And the plane that had been hovering over his head was withdrawn due to time long before he was shot.

Now don't say that the latest reinforcements are still on the front line of the Haoliang River, that is, near themselves. Except for the distance where he could hear the gunfire, he had no way to call for help until the plane re-arrived tomorrow morning. And whether they can survive until dawn tomorrow, both of them know that it is difficult.

Just as the two men stared at each other, unable to find a way out, a soldier of the Seventy Wing, who had been captured because he had been left behind in the rout, was brought to the two men. Looking at the guy in front of him who had been stripped of all his military insignia, such as military rank and armed belt, and still holding a white flag in his hand, Masao Iwabe was not as ruthless as other Japanese officers when facing their captured subordinates.

Iwabe Masao looked at the dejected front subordinates in front of him, and just said lightly: "You're here to persuade you to surrender, right?" If yes, then you go back and sue them, the Imperial Japanese Army only had officers killed in battle, and there were no captured officers. The Seventy Wing will fight to the last soldier and will never surrender. ”

Hearing Iwabe Masao's answer, the soldier hesitated for a long time, but still bravely raised his head and said to the two supreme commanders of the Seventy Wing in front of him: "Sir, we have done our best for the emperor, look at the miserable appearance of the Seventy Wing now, can we still fight?" ”

"You are the wing leader of the Seventy Wing, and you should think about the lives of the remaining officers and soldiers of the Seventy Wing. The commander of the Anti-Japanese Federation said that as long as we lay down our arms, they will protect our lives. When the war between China and Japan is over, we will be repatriated to China in accordance with the necessary agreements. ”

"Your Excellency, Wing Commander, the Seventy Wing is now at its end and can no longer fight. I beg you to think about the lives of the remaining officers and men of the Seventy Wing, and not to fight any further. The commander of the Anti-Japanese Federation said that if we were afraid of their retaliation in the future if the Imperial Army was defeated, they could send us to the Soviet Union after we surrendered. ”

For this captive, Iwabe Masao didn't say anything, but Liu Xiguo's second young man on the side didn't do it. As if he had been kicked hard in the ass, he suddenly jumped up and said angrily: "Baga, you traitor." Isn't it a shameful captive to come back and encourage others to join you in becoming traitors to the Japanese Empire? ”

Maybe after being a prisoner of war, the fear of his own commander was gone, and in the face of the angry Liu Xi Shaozuo, the prisoner said stiffly: "Your Excellency Shaozuo, I am not a traitor. I was captured after I was exhausted, and I did my best for the emperor. I've done what I need to do, and it's time for myself now. ”

"I'm just an Osaka contractor who served the emperor as a soldier for my master. The Emperor didn't do me any good. With the emperor, I work as a bodyworker, and without the emperor, I still work as a bodyworker. For me, it doesn't matter if the emperor is there, and it's normal if he doesn't. ”

"As for this war, I have no benefit in winning it. It wouldn't hurt me to lose. Why should I fight so hard for the plutocracy to make war money? Your Excellency Shao Zuo, you can go and see, how many of the Seventy Wing are willing to fight with you to the end? ”

This prisoner's words that can be described as extremely rebellious in the Japanese army made Liu Xiguo's second young man even more furious. Drawing his saber is about to slaughter this guy who dares to be disrespectful to the emperor. It's just that his saber was only half pulled out, and he was stopped by Masao Iwabe, who was unusually calm and had not spoken before.

After stopping Yoo Hee Shaoza's impulsive move, Masao Iwabe said to the captive, "You go, I won't kill you today." I don't think I heard what you said. As for those who are willing to go with you, you can take them with you after leaving their weapons. The weapon was given by the Emperor, and you have no right to take it away. ”

For Iwabe Masao Osa actually let this guy go, Liu Xi Kuniji couldn't help but be dumbfounded. He couldn't imagine why His Excellency Dazuo didn't say anything about this damned, brainwashed traitor and let him take away the guy who wanted to rebel together.

Looking at the puzzled expression on Liu Xi Shaozuo's face, Masao Iwabe smiled bitterly: "He crossed the forward position, he was not executed by the officers in front, and he came to us without anything, do you think there is nothing boring in this?" I'm sure there are at least a significant number of people in the army who think the same way as him. ”

"There is even a good chance that some of the officers were involved, otherwise he would have come to us and say these things? It doesn't matter if we kill him now, it's a matter of a knife or a shot. But the already unstable military spirit is not something that he can control. ”

"The Seventy Wing came from the Fourth Division, although compared with the other wings of the Fourth Division, it is not as thoroughly rotten. But after all, having been in the 4th Division for such a long time, it is simply impossible not to be influenced by them. To be honest, it is rare for the Seventy Wing to hold out for such a long time. If you change to a unit like the Eighth Wing, I'm afraid it will collapse long ago. ”

"Liu Xijun, I poached you from the position of operational staff officer of the regimental headquarters of the 25th Division, just to figure out the change of blood at the level of the captain of the 70th Wing and change the style of the 70th Wing. Use your tough style to thoroughly purge the influence of the Fourth Division. It's just a pity that we probably don't have this opportunity. I'm sorry that you've been implicated. ”

On the surface, Masao Iwabe's words were to implicate himself in the relatively safe position of the chief combat staff officer of the 25th Division, and he was sorry for being recruited by himself to the 70th Wing. In fact, he gave Liu Xiguo Er a trick, and used these apologetic words to arouse the gratitude in the young Liu Xishaozuo's heart, and let this guy bring it up to cover his breakthrough.

Seeing that Iwabe Masao apologized for getting himself to the Seventy Wing, young and inexperienced in society, there was Liu Xi Kuniji, who was the opponent of the old and cunning Iwabe Masao, and hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, Wing Commander, don't say that. I am very grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to lead the troops on the front line. ”

"I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for your trust. It's not something you could have predicted when the battle turned out like this. Your Excellency, please rest assured that I will do my best to cover your breakthrough and express my gratitude to you one last time. Your Excellency, time is running out, please be ready to break through immediately. ”

Looking at Liu Xi Shaozuo's young face, Iwabe Masaki sighed in his heart, and apologized for some of the little tricks he played. It's just that what I think in my heart and what I say are two different things: "Liu Xi Shaozuo, don't mention the matter of letting me break through alone." If the Seventy Wing is wiped out, I, as the captain of the Wing, can only be worthy of the emperor's love with all my subordinates. ”

"In this way, Liu Xi Shaozuo, you and I will each bring one and stick to the north and south directions of the position. I'll lead a squadron to hold the north, and I'll do my best to protect your rear. You are young and have a great future. If you have the chance, you break through from the front. As long as you rush to Yubara County, you will be safe. ”。