As Leitao and the Li Brothers infiltrated the rear of the Japanese Army like shadows in the night, the Japanese artillery positions roared to life once more. Shell after shell rained down upon the positions held by the Sichuan Army in Teng County. In an instant, the defenses were swallowed by fire and smoke, the immense power of the impacts throwing earth and stone into the air before slamming them back down.
Simultaneously, Colonel Akashiba Yaezo, commander of the Japanese Army’s 10th Infantry Regiment, wore a terrifying, ferocious expression as he ordered his well-trained elite infantry companies to split into three prongs, launching a savage assault on the county seat like a pack of starving wolves. With bayonets fixed to their Type 38 rifles, they screamed fanatical, militaristic slogans, lunging toward Teng County with murderous intent.
On the walls of Teng County, the Sichuan Army soldiers stood firm. Despite being subjected to the cruel baptism of mustard gas and the fierce artillery fire of the Japanese Army, they gritted their teeth and stayed at their posts, refusing to retreat an inch. Enduring extreme physical distress, they huddled behind the meager cover of the city wall, staring with bloodshot eyes at the encroaching Japanese forces. The moment the enemy entered effective range, the commander gave the order. Rifles and machine guns roared in unison, pouring a torrential downpour of bullets upon the Japanese. Yet, relying on their significant numerical superio…
Chapter 89