It was only then that the Japanese reacted and launched a counterattack against the tanks.
The Japanese counterattack was carried out in two aspects: one was the 92 infantry artillery, and the other was the infantry demolition team.
Needless to say, the 92 Infantry Cannon. Each Japanese brigade is usually equipped with two 92 Infantry Cannon.
At this time, the two 92 infantry guns had already entered the shooting position and aimed at the tanks under the command of Kenji Ikegami.
It should be said that the 92 Infantry Artillery can still play some role in such a battle.
The reason is that the 92 Infantry Cannon can be used as a mortar, a howitzer, and a cannon... As mentioned before, it is a universal gun.
If the Japanese have anti-tank experience, they should use the 92 Infantry Cannon as a mortar or howitzer.
The correct tactic is to use the 92 Infantry Cannon to suppress the infantry behind the tank so that it cannot provide fire cover for the tank, and then the Japanese infantry demolition teams will swarm up again.
If you operate this way, it won't be a problem for the Japanese to blow up a few tanks. After all, the space in Longfengping is limited and the Eighth Route Army can only go up to one tank company. However, the Japanese can more easily deploy their troops in a relatively open area, so they will attack more with fewer ants and more bites.
A dead elephant situation.
Unfortunately, the Japanese had no anti-tank experience. To be precise, it was a problem with Kenkichi Ikegami's command. He ordered the artillerymen hysterically on the phone: "Blow up those tanks and don't let them move forward!"
Therefore, the two 92 infantry guns were without exception used as cannons to shoot directly at the front armor of the tank.
A burst of "boom" smoke passed... The quality of the Japanese artillery was quite good. Two shells hit two tanks respectively. However, although the tanks were hit by the shells, they were unharmed.
Although the T26 is a light tank that will be eliminated by the Mao Xiong, its armor has been strengthened after the war between the Mao Xiong and the Kingdom of Thousand Lakes. The front armor is already 50mm thick.
This armor is already the same as the Japanese's most advanced tank, the "Type One Combat Vehicle," while the 92 Infantry Cannon is used to deal with infantry, and its shells are obviously unable to penetrate its armor.
In fact, if the shells of the 92 Infantry Cannon are properly exploded outside the tank armor to fully utilize the power of the explosives, the armor-breaking effect can be quite considerable. After all, an anti-tank grenade can penetrate 20mm thick armor.
The problem is that artillery shells are not the same as anti-tank grenades.
The anti-tank grenade has a collision fuse. It has no power when it hits the tank. The grenade is intact and relies entirely on the explosion of the grenade to penetrate the tank armor.
The shell flew towards the tank at high speed and directly collided with the armor, causing a steel-to-steel collision.
Therefore, before the cannonball explodes, the cannonball has been smashed by the huge impact force, and its body is broken like an egg hitting a stone. Then the gunpowder is ignited by the fuse... The energy that can be generated is extremely limited.
Its fragments can still cause damage to infantry, but cannot penetrate tanks.
Tanks 101 and 103 that were hit.
Tanks in the frontmost position are vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Although the armor of the tank was not penetrated by the blast, the crew inside the cabin was so shaken that they could not react for a long time.
This made the Japanese think that this attack was effective, so they turned the muzzle to another tank.
However, not long after, the turret of the No. 101 tank started to move, and then there was only a "boom" sound, and where the shell passed, a Japanese infantry gun and the gun crew members were blown into the sky.
This is another shortcoming of the Japanese using the 92 Infantry Cannon as a cannon... The 92 Infantry Cannon shoots flatly, which means that it can hit tanks, and tanks can also hit them.
If the Japanese use it as a mortar and hide behind a bunker or in a bunker to fire artillery shells, the tanks will be unable to take them out for the time being.
When Tank No. 101 was adjusting the turret to turn towards another Japanese infantry gun, there was a "boom" and the infantry gun was also blown into the sky... In fact, three tanks fired at the infantry gun at the same time, but there was only one round.
Cannonball hit.
Another advantage of the front triangle formation is that the tanks in the front never need to worry about having no friendly troops covering their flanks.
Compared with the 92 Infantry Artillery, what is more worrying is the infantry demolition team that the Japanese are rushing towards.
Although the Japs have no anti-tank experience, there is a saying that "I have never eaten pork and I have seen pigs walking." The Japs are equipped with tanks themselves and know the weaknesses of tanks. They have also seen the Chinese army anti-tank. In addition, the Japs have good military qualities.
, so its infantry attack was quite impressive.
The Japs first fired a few rounds of smoke bombs... The Japs called these "smoke bombs", but the terminology was different, but the meaning was the same.
As soon as the smoke grenades were fired, the tanks, which had poor visibility, immediately fell into a passive position. Even if the tanks were arranged in a "front triangle formation" that could cover each other's flanks, it would not help.
Then the Japanese used the grenade to suppress the infantry following the tank... The grenade's trajectory was curved, so it could pass over the tank and attack the infantry hiding behind the tank.
Finally, the demolition team used the smoke to make various tactical moves and rush forward.
The battle became tense at this moment, with gunfire and explosions amidst the smoke, and the tank was in danger of being blown up by the enemy at any time.
Wang Xuexin made a prompt decision and ordered: "Advance, the infantry pay attention to cover the tanks!"
"Yes!" the staff officer responded and immediately issued the order to advance through the radio.
If it is an army of furry bears, orders may be difficult to execute accurately.
Most of Mao Xiong's tanks don't have radios. A company only has a radio equipped with the company headquarters vehicle. Occasionally, the platoon leader also has one, but there are only a few.
Wang Xuexin couldn't find so many radio stations.
There were only ten radio stations available from Mao Xiong. Wang Xuexin equipped the T34 company with three of these ten radio stations, ensuring one radio station for each platoon. The battalion headquarters retained two radio stations, and the remaining T26 companies strengthened one radio station for each company.
A radio station reinforced by T26 Company is usually assigned to the vehicle crew with the last number "01", because it is usually at the forefront in battle.
So the company headquarters can contact the tanks at the front to issue orders.
After receiving the order, the tank at the front transmits the order to the cooperating infantry outside the vehicle via telephone, and the infantry then uses a signal flag to convey the order.
Although the process was somewhat tortuous, this communication method was strengthened during daily training, so Wang Xuexin's order was immediately implemented.
The tank made a "boom" sound and drove towards the enemy. The infantrymen followed the tank one by one with their guns raised...
This is truly "offensive in place of defense."
If the tanks stay in place, they will not only be ineffective but also become a liability, and their position will be controlled by the enemy. Once they push forward and break out of the smoke area, they can turn from passive to active, and the on-board machine guns and artillery on the tanks can once again exert their power.
In addition, the advancement of tanks will also disrupt the rhythm of the Japanese demolition team.
If you are following the infantry and are unsure whether there are enemy soldiers ahead who are ready to blow up the tank, you only need to throw a grenade to "confirm".