167: We're going to bomb your Japanese headquarters!

The gunpowder smoke gradually dissipated.

Twenty type 80 tanks stood proudly like invincible steel behemoths.

The muzzles still radiated residual heat, but the tracks had already begun to slowly turn, crushing the corpses of the Japs as they continued to advance.

"Satisfying! This is so damn satisfying! This is what you call a real war!

Motherfucker! After this battle, my life is worth it!"

Li Zhenshan shouted excitedly over the radio, his voice spreading through the entire convoy via the airwaves.

At this moment, the emotions of all the Security Team Members were explosive.

They thought the boss could lead them to victory, but they didn't expect the boss to lead them through such a beautiful battle of annihilation.

For a time, the team members started chatting in the channel.

Before long, their opinions were extremely unified: charge into the Japs headquarters and shell those japanese!

Right when everyone was impassioned, Brigade Commander Huang Meixin picked up the microphone and said in a heavy voice, "Boss Lu, this is Huang Meixing.

Please listen to me; shelling the Japs' Naval Headquarters is unwise."

Deng Guang took over the conversation, stating seriously, "Boss Lu, according to the intelligence we have gathered,

The thickness of the key parts of this building's walls is staggering—said to be over a meter—and the reinforced concrete structure is exceptionally sturdy."

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin added, "Ordinary divisional artillery, even 150mm howitzers,

Would find it difficult to cause structural damage in a short time. A frontal assault would yield half the result with twice the effort, and casualties would be high."

Deng Guang followed up, "The optimal solution derived from our simulations is to use a small elite unit to infiltrate the building light and fast.

Launch a decapitation strike, take down the enemy chief Hasegawa Kiyoshi, and completely paralyze the Japs' command center!"

The two of them worked in tandem, laying out the best tactical analysis based on their past experiences.

Lu Fan replied indifferently, "Thanks for the reminder. All units, accelerate forward and maintain vigilance."

Just then, the unsettling roar of engines came from the sky once again.

That's right, the enemy planes were here. Since the tanks were vulnerable, the Japs had dispatched their air power.

"Attention all units! Break into small groups, two tanks per group. Disperse immediately and use the alleys and large buildings for cover as you advance."

Lu Fan ordered decisively, knowing full well that when air superiority was not on their side, concentrated armored units were just sitting ducks.

The twenty tanks immediately sprang into action, engines roaring, as they split into pairs and quickly left the wide main road.

Some slipped into the crisscrossing narrow lanes, while others directly smashed through the doors of dilapidated factories to hide inside.

They perfectly utilized the urban terrain to evade the air raid.

The Japs' bomber fleet screeched onto the scene, arriving with aggressive momentum.

But once they reached the airspace, they couldn't see a single trace of their opponents.

They could only carry out a frantic carpet bombing of areas where the tanks might be hiding.

The bombing was loud and lively, but looking at the results—zero for five—it was a complete waste of effort.

After the air raid, the tank squads converged once more.

The Security Team skillfully seized the window of opportunity, going full throttle toward their final objective.

By evening, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a blood-red color.

Lu Fan's tank assault team broke through forcefully and arrived at their destination.

The Japs' Naval Headquarters was like a giant steel ship anchored on the ground.

Facing their arrival, the building's firing ports began to flash frantically as a rain of bullets poured down.

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin and Deng Guang held their breath, ears pricked, waiting for Lu Fan to issue the order for an infantry assault.

However, Lu Fan's command was: "All units! Target: Headquarters building. Saturated bombardment with armor-piercing shells! Fire!"

?????"

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin and Deng Guang almost thought they had misheard.

They had spent so much breath trying to explain, why wasn't he listening?

Don't fire, don't fire... Against a meter-thick fortification, firing is a complete waste of shells.

But in the next second, the main guns of the twenty type 80 main battle tanks roared simultaneously with a deafening fury!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom—!

Twenty 105mm armor-piercing shells, like hammers of vengeance, slammed hard against the fortress that was deemed indestructible.

The solid walls were not directly penetrated,

But they were blasted into large areas of cracking and peeling, with countless massive craters and fissures appearing.

As the saying goes, there's nothing a round of armor-piercing shells can't break; if there is, then just fire a few more rounds.

Once the armor-piercing shells equipped on the tanks were spent, the Japs' naval building naturally became a honeycombed wreck full of holes.

Then Lu Fan's order came again: "All units, switch to high-explosive shells for saturated bombardment! Fire!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom—!

Twenty 105mm high-explosive shells, trailing deathly exhaust flames, flew into the Japs' headquarters.

Earth-shattering explosions rang out in succession!

The interior of the building was filled with violent explosions, and soon, soaring flames completely covered the headquarters.

This wasn't just scratching an itch; this was a devastating blow.

Brigade Commander Huang Meixin and Deng Guang stared dumbfounded at the cataclysmic scene of the bombardment, their brains almost stopping from thinking.

The "half the result with twice the effort" they had predicted didn't happen at all.

This unimaginable, fierce firepower was dismantling that "sturdy" fortress in the most violent and direct way, causing horrific casualties to the personnel and equipment inside.

Only then did they realize that the "experience" they brought,

In the face of the absolute firepower of Lu Fan's team, was so outdated and laughable.

The two looked at each other, their faces filled with nothing but utter shock.

On the other side, inside the underground command room of the Japs' Naval Headquarters.

The lights flickered, and dust fell in showers.

Hasegawa Kiyoshi was knocked off his chair by the violent explosions, and the items on his desk shattered all over the floor.

He could clearly feel the entire building trembling, as if it would collapse at any moment.

The sounds of explosions, screams, and the cracking of the building coming from outside made his heart and gall split with fear.

"Hold on! Hold on!"

He screamed hysterically, but his voice shook uncontrollably, and his face was devoid of color.

Suddenly, he realized something and grabbed the communications officer's collar, spraying saliva all over the man's face.

"Quick! Send a telegram! Have the Fifth Tank Battalion fall back! Order them to return and reinforce us at all costs! Immediately!"

Then he roared frantically at another signalman: "Quick! Send a telegram to the 'Izumo'.

Request naval gunfire support! Fire all the shells here! Hurry!"

"Also! Send a telegram to the Air Force, have them provide air support.

Quickly send a telegram to Imperial General Headquarters: The headquarters is under siege by the main heavy artillery force of the Chinese Army and is in imminent danger! Requesting emergency tactical guidance!

Quickly~~~"

His ugly state was fully revealed; he had completely lost the composure of a Commander, leaving only the most primitive fear and will to survive.

The bombardment lasted for over ten minutes, leaving the front of the headquarters building in a state of total ruin.

At this time, Ah Fu sent a message: "Boss, reinforcements from the Japs' tank battalion are coming from the rear flank!"

Hearing this, Lu Fan calmly ordered: "Stop the bombardment of the building. All units turn around! One last volley for their tanks!"

The tank turrets rotated rapidly, aiming toward the incoming direction.

When the Japs' tanks appeared at the street corner, they were greeted by another wave of precise and fierce 105mm shell volleys!

Rumble!

The tanks leading the charge were instantly blown into scrap metal.

The following vehicles were so terrified they hastily reversed to find cover, not daring to advance another inch.

"Withdraw!" Lu Fan ordered decisively.

The tank squad did not linger for battle; with engines roaring, they quickly retreated along the predetermined route.