Chapter 216

The shadow of war descended rapidly upon the Eighth Route Army’s garrison area. Under the orders of Japanese Army Brigade Commander Takeshita Kongu, a Japanese Army regiment launched a large-scale military operation, advancing menacingly toward the Eighth Route Army’s positions in three separate columns. They were equipped not only with powerful artillery, but also with tanks that seemed impenetrable—heavy treads crushing the earth and leaving deep gouges—as well as highly mobile armored vehicles following closely behind. The Japanese Army's massive column approached the Eighth Route Army’s defense zone rapidly by truck. To ensure the safety of their advance and to assess the Eighth Route Army’s defensive situation in advance, they continuously dispatched scout squads on sidecar motorcycles ahead of the main force for reconnaissance by fire. The members of these scout squads kicked up clouds of dust as they drove their motorcycles, the roar of the engines shattering the surrounding silence. Whenever they spotted anything suspicious or detected a potential threat, they would immediately halt and use the mounted machine guns to probe the area with fire, spraying bullets wildly to kick up dirt and debris, only allowing the main force to advance once they confirmed the area was secure.