The Japanese bombers dropped heavy bombs one after another on Ruichang, a small town in northern Jiangxi, and artillery of various calibers also bombarded the city indiscriminately.
The ground was trembling, and a mushroom cloud tens of meters high rose up in the city of Ruichang. Black smoke and flames rolled and swept across it. Under such a high-intensity blow, not to mention the living people, even the solid buildings were turned into powder.
Already.
Groups of Japanese soldiers stayed outside the city and looked at the city with constant bangs and explosions. There was only beast-like excitement in their eyes, without the slightest pity.
Whether it was the commander of the 111th Brigade or the commander of the 145th Regiment, they felt extremely happy when they saw Ruichang County being plunged into a sea of smoke and flames.
Aren't the Chinese troops used to hiding in the ruins of the city and fighting with them in the streets? Then I will cover it with artillery fire and completely blow you up and see where you go to hide.
They could imagine that under such an intensity of shelling, the Chinese officers and soldiers hiding in the city would definitely suffer heavy losses. They would only need to clean up the mess when they entered the city.
Just as they were looking at the city that was shaken and destroyed by artillery fire, suddenly a fierce sound of firefights was faintly heard from the west of the city, making the Ichikawa Yozo Alliance frown involuntarily.
"Send someone to ask what's going on?" Captain Yozo Ichikawa had a vague premonition.
The two Japanese cavalrymen got on their horses, clamped their legs under the horses' belly, and quickly galloped towards the west of the city.
Soon news came that a group of Chinese troops broke out from the west of the city, broke through the blockade of a squadron, and fled towards the East Guling Mountains.
"How many people are there?" Ichikawa Yozo asked.
The returning cavalry replied: "About five to six hundred people."
"Baga!" I thought that all the Chinese officers and soldiers were blown into ashes in the artillery fire, but I didn't expect that they actually ran away. The commander of the regiment, Yozo Ichikawa, suddenly turned pale.
"The cavalry squadron attacks quickly and must wipe out this group of Chinese people!" Wing Commander Yozo Ichikawa hurriedly ordered the cavalry squadron leader beside him.
"Hai!"
Soon, the sound of horse hooves rumbled, and more than a hundred Japanese cavalry rolled up large clouds of smoke and chased after Yang Ling and the others.
After Yang Ling and the others broke out from the west of the city, they hurriedly evacuated towards Dongguling, where the main force was turning. However, not long after they ran out, they heard the rumble of horse hooves behind them.
"Tuanzuo, Tuanzuo, the Japs, the Japs cavalry are catching up!"
A squad leader who was running behind the team was out of breath and caught up from behind, reporting to the team leader Zhang Handuo.
The evacuation team was sparse, and the brothers who fought continuously were so exhausted that their legs could no longer run.
"Do you want to hit someone and repel them first?" Zhang Handuo, the regiment leader, pulled out his pistol and was ready to fight.
Yang Ling shook his head: "We can't fight. If we are entangled by the Japs cavalry and the Japs brigade behind us catch up, none of us will be able to leave."
Lin Xiufeng, the commander of the 302nd regiment, also ran over panting and asked: "The Japanese cavalry are catching up, what should I do?"
"Let's spread out and take small roads. Whether we can get away from the Japanese depends on our luck." Zhang Handuo thought for a while and made a decision.
Lin Xiufeng and the others also realized that fighting would definitely not work, so they immediately nodded and agreed: "Then we'll see you later."
"Take care of yourself!"
Lin Xiufeng and the others left the road and ran along a large paddy field. The team ran in an awkward manner and was very embarrassed.
"Let's go too." Seeing Lin Xiufeng and the others running away, Zhang Handuo withdrew his gaze, turned around and ran towards the wilderness on the other side.
Yang Ling and his team that broke out from Ruichang City split into two, left the road, and plunged into the uninhabited wilderness. They couldn't control that much now, so they could only get rid of the Japanese cavalry first.
The Japanese cavalry troops rolled up large clouds of smoke and chased after them. Looking at the Chinese officers and soldiers fleeing in two directions, the Japanese squadron leader thought for a moment, and the cavalry troops also split into two, and began to pursue Yang Ling and the others again.
However, after leaving the main road, the field was not flat, and the Japs cavalry couldn't help but slow down. Yang Ling and the others took the opportunity to distance themselves from the Japs cavalry.
There were only fifty or sixty Japanese cavalry chasing Yang Ling and the others, but they were like dogs smelling something fishy, biting Yang Ling and the others and not letting go.
They have been following Yang Ling and the others several times. If not for the terrain, Yang Ling and the others would have been overtaken.
"It's not possible to run like this. Sooner or later, we will be overtaken." Although dusk was approaching, the Japanese cavalry was closer to them.
The brothers can no longer run. It can be said that they are exhausted to the extreme. The continuous fighting has exhausted their physical strength. Now their feet are weak and they are shaking when walking.
"Tuanzuo, we stay behind to stop the Japanese. You can run for your lives."
Those brothers who were injured in the battle in Ruichang County also knew that they were now a burden and would drag the entire team to death sooner or later, so they all spoke out and wanted to stay to stop the Japanese.
These brothers were very brave when fighting the Japanese. After being injured, although they lacked medical treatment, they did not frown. Faced with the moment of life and death, they would rather sacrifice themselves than drag down other brothers.
Looking at the wounded and sick who asked to stay, regiment leader Zhang Handuo hesitated. If they could stay and block the pursuit of a Japanese cavalry, they would have a great chance of getting rid of the Japanese.
But these were all brothers who had fought side by side. If they were left to the Japanese, they would all be sacrificed. He couldn't bear it and couldn't make a decision for a while.
"Commander, please leave quickly." Seeing the hesitant Zhang Handuo, these brothers also urged anxiously, because the Japanese cavalry appeared in sight again.
For the sick and wounded on the battlefield, it is both lucky and unfortunate. Fortunately, they can be transported to the field hospital in the rear to enjoy the blessings and rest for a long time.
Unfortunately, once the troops lose the battle and evacuate in a hurry, their limited mobility sometimes becomes a burden and affects the evacuation.
Therefore, every sick and wounded patient has a consciousness, that is, when in danger, they will unanimously ask to stay behind to stop the Japanese to cover the evacuation of their living brothers. This has become a common rule.
"Tuanzu, don't hesitate any longer, otherwise our brothers won't be able to escape."
The sound of the Japanese cavalry's hooves was getting closer and closer, and the wounded struggled, as anxious as ants on a hot pot.
Yang Ling looked at these brothers fighting side by side, stood up and said: "Team leader, we can't leave them behind."
"I can't control other troops, but if I were asked to abandon my brothers and run for my life, I can't do it." Yang Ling said firmly.
In fact, no one wants to stay and die, but many times it is out of helplessness. Yang Ling also understands the mood of these injured brothers. They choose to stay. That is the best interpretation of the word brother.
There are many brothers in the Chinese army. They fight side by side on the battlefield and even take bullets for each other. People who can be called brothers are people who share life and death, rather than so-called loyalty.
"Carry them away!" Yang Ling pulled the bolt of the gun and turned to Qin Shou and shouted: "Come back with me to stop the Japanese!"