The Japanese forces unleashed a frenzied artillery barrage, causing some casualties to the 812th Regiment responsible for the defensive mission.
However, all the commanders and soldiers of the 399th Brigade inherited Xiao Yun's philosophy of digging trenches and building bomb shelters, placing particular emphasis on defending against artillery fire and aerial strikes.
Thus, at the very moment the Japanese began their bombardment, most of the soldiers took cover in the bomb shelters.
Only the necessary soldiers responsible for vigilance remained in the trenches.
This was also to prevent the Japanese from coordinating their infantry and artillery, rushing to the front lines before the soldiers could react.
Before the sound of the cannon fire had even ceased, under the command of the Japanese company commander, a company of Japanese soldiers along with a few hundred puppet troops surged toward the Wuyun Ridge position.
In the early days of the war of resistance, the Japanese soldiers underwent strict training according to infantry manuals, making infantry-artillery coordination not particularly difficult for them.
Moreover, under their coercion, it was the puppet troops who were at the forefront.
If things went awry, it would be the puppet troops who would be blown up, not them.
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"Hurry, hurry, hurry! The enemy is closing in, get back to the position!"
From the bomb shelters, the soldiers rushed out, disregarding the falling shells, and quickly returned to their positions, unleashing a hail of bullets at the attacking puppet troops and Japanese soldiers.
"Captain, the attacking forces are already within 50 meters of the Wuyun Ridge position; we should stop the bombardment!"
In the distance, the Japanese artillery squad leader suggested to the company commander.
When the attacking forces approached the enemy position, the artillery was supposed to cease fire or extend their fire, as required by the Japanese artillery manual.
The Japanese company commander shook his head and ordered the bombardment to continue.
"But Captain, this could cause friendly fire!"
"After all, the ones at the front are the Royal Collaborators, aren't they?"
The Japanese company commander shook his head, a dangerous smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Haiyi!"
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"Brothers, these little devils don't see us as human beings, and we're still risking our lives for them; get down!"
The charging puppet troops realized that the Japanese bombardment had not ceased, and many shells were already landing on their heads.
Having been forced to charge by the Japanese while they had been slacking off, they felt a growing dissatisfaction.
This indiscriminate bombardment by the Japanese ignited their discontent completely.
"Grandpa, we surrender! Stop firing!"
Thus, the puppet troops decisively tossed their guns aside and lay down on the ground in front of the defensive line.
Their movements were so practiced, it was as if they had rehearsed it many times before.
As they lay down, the Japanese company following them suddenly found themselves exposed to the soldiers' gunfire.
Responsible for the first line of defense was the 1st Battalion of the 812th Regiment, and at this moment, the battalion commander did not let this golden opportunity slip away.
"Heavy and light machine guns, bypass the puppet troops, aim at the Japanese behind, and fire fiercely!
"Other brothers, follow me, engage the Japanese in close combat, and initiate a melee!"
In fact, although the 399th Brigade, emphasized by Xiao Yun multiple times, focused on melee combat techniques, they would not actively engage in close combat with the Japanese unless absolutely necessary.
At this time, the Japanese were quite capable in bayonet fighting, and although the 399th Brigade was not particularly well-off, they would never resort to bayonets when they could solve the battle with bullets.
But times had changed; to avoid the frenzied bombardment of the Japanese, the soldiers of the 1st Battalion had no choice but to initiate close combat, mixing in with the attacking Japanese to make it difficult for the Japanese artillery to fire indiscriminately.
The soldiers charged down upon the attacking Japanese company like tigers released from their cages.
"Brothers, think about how the Japanese have bullied us; do we still want to be their dogs? Let's go after those devils!"
Many of the puppet troops, still possessing some fighting spirit, saw this and got up from the ground, picking up the guns they had previously discarded, and charged out alongside the soldiers of the 1st Battalion.
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"Captain!"
The Japanese artillery squad leader saw that the defending soldiers had mixed in with the attacking Japanese company, making it impossible to distinguish between friend and foe, and immediately cast a troubled glance at the Japanese company commander.
"Cease fire!"
The Japanese company commander reluctantly issued the order; the Royal Collaborators were one thing, but these were his own troops!
If he dared to give the order for indiscriminate bombardment, he would probably have trouble sleeping at night, fearing that one day he might be shot by friendly fire.
Although the Japanese troops had a strict hierarchy and subordinates were expected to obey their superiors absolutely, ironically, the Japanese were also quite adept at undermining authority!
"Order, the second company to launch an attack and support the first company!"
With no other choice, the Japanese company commander could only continue to reinforce their numbers.
Suddenly, in front of the first line of defense at Wuyun Ridge, the air was filled with the glint of blades and the sounds of battle.