161: Fire at Gongda Cotton Mill

August 14, 1937, 10:00 AM, Yangpu District, Shanghai.

The summer swelter enveloped the broken streets, and the air was thick with gunpowder smoke and tension.

The 600-man Security Team led by Lu Fan was resting in a relatively intact factory building.

Team members checked their equipment, replenished ammunition, and spoke in low voices.

"Boss, something's up!" A-Fu suddenly lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with blue light behind his sunglasses.

Intelligence was then shared via their headsets: "One o'clock direction, approximately 500 meters, two blocks away, Japanese Army advance scout team detected."

"About a squad in size, advancing cautiously along the main street."

Lu Fan did not hesitate for a moment and immediately issued orders: "Everyone attention, prepare for combat."

"Old Li, take your First Company and flank them through the alley on the left."

"Jin Biao, Second Company will occupy that three-story brick building on the right and set up machine gun nests."

"The rest of you, use the windows and broken walls of this factory to build a frontal fire net. Let them in, then fire on my command!"

An excited look flashed across Li Zhenshan's face as he growled, "Understood! First Company, follow me!"

Over a hundred members vanished silently into the narrow alleyway on the left.

Bai Jinbiao waved his hand calmly, leading the members of the Second Company to quickly and quietly occupy the brick building on the right.

The muzzles of the qjy-201 general purpose machine guns were soon positioned at various windows.

Soon, this group of devils entered the Security Team's field of vision.

They maintained a standard search formation, advancing carefully with their muzzles pointed toward potential hiding spots.

Lu Fan saw that this squad had extremely high quality in both equipment and individual skill.

They really weren't comparable to the infantry in North China.

But no matter how formidable, devils were still devils.

Anyone who dares to invade my China shall be destroyed!

When the Japanese squad was fully centered in the ambush zone,

Lu Fan's cold voice reached every member's ears: "Fire!"

Instantly, a storm of firepower poured down from three directions.

Dense short bursts from type 85 submachine guns;

The continuous and fierce roar of qjy-201 general purpose machine guns;

The precise and lethal single shots of S7.62mm sniper rifles instantly engulfed the Japanese squad.

The fire density of modern automatic weapons was far beyond their imagination.

They didn't even have time to organize effective resistance before being crushed by this absolute fire superiority.

The narrow street became their final resting place.

The battle was without suspense; within minutes, the Japanese advance scout squad was annihilated.

"Quickly clear the battlefield. Old Li, set booby traps, and prepare to move!" Lu Fan ordered.

Minutes later, A-Fu warned again: "A large number of devils are coming from the northwest, equipped with heavy machine guns and grenade launchers."

"Withdraw!" Lu Fan ordered decisively. "According to the plan, attack and advance toward the Gongda Cotton Mill."

Led by Bai Jinbiao and A-Fu, the team moved through the intricate alleys like fish in water.

Rapidly putting distance between themselves and the Japanese.

Among the men under Li Zhenshan guarding the rear were three mine-laying experts: Er Maozi, San Zhuzi, and Li Dayanjing.

Their technique of laying mines while on the move amazed everyone and left the pursuing Japanese in agony.

When the pursuing Japanese stepped into the minefield, there were loud explosions, soaring flames, and flying shrapnel.

The Japanese were blown off their feet, crying out in pain.

The performance of these three mine-laying experts not only successfully delayed the enemy's pursuit,

But also bought the team precious time and space.

Leaving the main Japanese reinforcements far behind.

Soon, the team pushed forward to the Japanese Army's important logistics base, the Gongda Cotton Mill.

The perimeter of the factory had sandbag fortifications and barbed wire, with light armored vehicles patrolling the entrance.

Bai Jinbiao observed the situation and said deeply, "Boss, a frontal assault might cost too much."

Li Zhenshan said dismissively, "Hehe! Old Bai, you still know too little about the Boss~"

"You talk too much. Quickly pick thirty men and follow me." Lu Fan smiled faintly and slipped into a building.

Reaching the second floor, with a thought, he took thirty-two Type 69 40mm rocket launchers and a large amount of rockets from his space.

When Li Zhenshan brought the men upstairs, he distributed the rocket launchers and gave a quick demonstration.

They were all veterans, so they picked up the operation of the rocket launchers immediately.

After simple aiming, Lu Fan was the first to pull the trigger.

Fiery dragons roared as they lunged toward the Japanese fortifications and the factory gate.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Violent explosions rang out in succession.

The Japanese sandbag bunkers, barbed wire, and even that light armored vehicle were instantly destroyed by this sudden heavy firepower.

A massive breach was blown into the factory gate.

"Charge!" Bai Jinbiao, clutching a submachine gun, was the first to dart out of the alley, roaring as he charged into the cotton mill.

The members followed him like tigers descending a mountain.

Inside the factory, the battle immediately shifted into a more brutal and intense urban warfare mode.

The Japanese resisted stubbornly, using workshops, warehouses, and even office buildings.

Bullets flew between narrow passages and machinery; the sound of grenades exploding was constant.

After a short stalemate, a new round of rockets cleared the way, tearing a hole in the Japanese defensive line.

The Security Team used three-three rush tactics, fully utilizing their automatic fire advantage.

The suppression from submachine guns and machine guns kept the Japanese from raising their heads.

Snipers precisely eliminated anyone trying to operate heavy weapons or launch counter-attacks.

With Level 3 helmets and Level 3 armor for protection, and rockets backing them up, it was impossible not to crush the Japanese!

"Don't get bogged down! Target the warehouse area!" Lu Fan's voice came clearly through the gunfire and explosions.

Guided precisely by A-Fu, the main assault team pushed rapidly toward the warehouse area at the rear of the factory.

Large quantities of Japanese military rations, uniforms, ammunition, and other supplies were piled there.

After crushing sporadic resistance along the way, the massive warehouses appeared before them.

"Jin Biao, establish a defensive line; Old Li, switch to incendiary rounds and attack the supply warehouses indiscriminately; Er Mao, San Zhuzi, blow open the rear wall."

Lu Fan's instructions were clearly transmitted through the headsets.

Bai Jinbiao quickly controlled several key points, using the terrain to fully suppress the enemy.

Li Zhenshan nimbly switched to incendiary rounds and fired wildly at the warehouse windows.

The incendiary rounds entered the warehouses, and within a few breaths, a raging fire broke out.

Before long, flames were dancing and thick smoke was billowing inside the warehouses.

Thump... Thump... Thump...

Several dull explosions rang out, and the perimeter wall of the Gongda Cotton Mill was blown open with a ten-meter gap.

"Everyone—withdraw!"

Having achieved his goal, Lu Fan did not linger and ordered a full retreat.

Under the rear-guard cover of Li Zhenshan and Bai Jinbiao,

The Security Team withdrew from the Gongda Cotton Mill quickly and orderly, vanishing once more into Shanghai's complex network of streets and alleys.

Leaving behind only the soaring flames and the impotent rage of the Japanese.