Anti-Japanese War: When I get promoted, the system will explode with soldiers

Chapter 1281 Tidal Flats

"Don't worry, Commander. We're the old unit you've been leading. I've been training like this every day without stopping, and I've also told the locals that we have people all over the coast."

Hearing Ma Leizi's anxious tone, Wang Yingqiang tried to reassure him. "Our high-powered radar is also searching the sea, and the militia patrols the surrounding area 24 hours a day. We don't have any ports along this coast. If the Second Fleet comes here, we don't even know where they'll land. We'll probably have to transport them here by small boats. If that happens, it'll be a real mess. Who knows how long it will take to transport them? The tides here are huge."

“Listen carefully now. The Japanese might not be coming from the direction of the sea. They know that the Jiaodong region we are defending is impregnable. I suspect that they have already landed in the northern Jiangsu region. Now, with the help of their naval air force bombing, they could reach your defense zone at any time. Immediately order all defense zones to enter a state of level two combat readiness, especially to conduct a thorough search in the south. My reconnaissance planes will be here soon.”

After listening to Ma Leizi's words, he finally understood what was going on. It turned out they hadn't come from the sea; he hadn't expected these Japanese soldiers to be so clever, actually attacking from the south. This was entirely possible for the Japanese, especially considering the Japanese army in northern Jiangsu. If they were to combine their forces, it would pose a considerable challenge to the Third Regiment.

"Yes, the entire regiment shall immediately enter Level II combat readiness!"

After hearing that Ma Leizi had hung up the phone, Wang Yingqiang didn't dare to delay at all. He immediately rushed into the communications room and gave orders to his battalion commanders. At the same time, he ordered all security regiments, security teams, and militia teams to enter a level-two combat readiness state and to distribute ammunition to everyone immediately.

Their location was on the coast of southern Shandong, at the very edge of the war zone, so everyone was on high alert. After receiving Wang Yingqiang's orders, most of them quickly returned to their posts, while a small number were on their way back.

In less than 40 minutes, a reconnaissance plane had arrived overhead. Wang Yingqiang's communications room also made contact with the plane, and ground troops could also cooperate. Once the reconnaissance plane spotted a suspicious target, our ground troops could go and confirm it. Sometimes it's really not that clear from the air, so with confirmation from the ground troops, the reconnaissance results can be more accurate.

A place in northern Jiangsu

Just as Li Shaoyi had guessed, the Japanese marines had already forced their way ashore, covered in mud. They dared not confront the island city directly, so they could only land in the Japanese army's occupied territory.

This was a very humiliating situation for the Japanese Navy. They would rather fight the enemy head-on than accept a gift from the Army. However, the situation was different. According to the war games conducted by the Naval Operations Room, if they were to engage in a direct confrontation at Shimajo, their chances of success were less than 5%.

On the battlefield, you shouldn't gamble on anything with less than a 40% chance of success, let alone something with less than a 5% chance—that's practically impossible. Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, the Japanese Navy decided that even if it meant losing face this time, they couldn't allow the 72nd Army to become too arrogant. After all, this matter also involved interests in Southeast Asia.

The Japanese Army had already received orders from the Imperial General Headquarters. Although they mocked the Navy, they eventually realized that Li Shaoyi's forces should be eliminated first. We've suffered many losses at the hands of the 72nd Army Group, but with the support of the Japanese naval air force and shore-based artillery, we should be able to achieve a small victory this time.

The Japanese 17th Division was stationed here. They had previously fought against the opposing 3rd Regiment, and within just one day, more than 800 Japanese soldiers were nowhere to be found. If it weren't for the order to retreat the next day, judging from the state of the opposing 3rd Regiment, they might very well have attacked. They were lucky to escape with their lives.

Without the support of the Marines and naval air force, the 17th Division would never have dared to provoke the Fourth Army. But now, besides orders from above, they felt this was also an opportunity; waiting for support from the East China Expeditionary Army Headquarters would be an uncertain wait. Moreover, they speculated that the higher-ups had already accepted this situation of mutual occupation.

Although not explicitly stated, it was stipulated that subordinate troops were forbidden from attacking the 72nd Army. If you start a fire, you are responsible for putting it out yourself. If you don't have the ability, then stay obediently in your own camp and do not give the 72nd Army any opportunity.

They had been living peacefully together, but now the Navy Ministry's order, along with the signature of the Minister of the Army, had arrived, requiring their 17th Division to fully cooperate. In addition, the East China Area Army had also dispatched the 19th and 22nd Divisions to support the operation.

The Marine Corps will deploy 6000 personnel. Of course, their Marine Corps isn't that large; 6000 is their maximum. Their most formidable forces are their naval aviation and warships at sea.

According to the East China Expeditionary Army Command, didn't you think our firepower support was insufficient before? Now the navy's naval guns are sufficient, right? The 380mm guns on the battleships alone can inflict heavy damage on the ground.

In this situation, if you still can't break through the defenses of the enemy's Third Regiment, then you guys should just go and kill yourselves. You had all sorts of excuses before, but now those excuses should all be taken care of. We need to show the higher-ups the fighting power of our 17th Division.

The intention was beautiful, but when the Second Fleet arrived, a bad premonition immediately arose, because the entire sea surface was barren and yellow, with no trace of the ocean's color. The waters near Japan's coast are usually very beautiful, but these mudflats had caused them immense suffering.

The Type 92 infantry gun was chosen by the Japanese army because of its light weight, but it suffered greatly on the mudflats. Which soldier responsible for moving the gun didn't have a mouthful of mud in their mouth?