Bright Sword: Iron Will 102

Chapter 101: Operation Commences

January 23rd, night.

The gunfire along the banks of the Chi River gradually subsided, the flames of war swallowed by the night.

Ten o’clock at night.

Wang Feng tightened the collar of his thick coat and slowly walked out of the command post.

Snow had fallen all day, ceasing only at dusk.

A gentle night breeze swept across the Chi River, brushing against Wang Feng’s face, carrying a pungent smell of blood.

A veteran of many battles, he was long immune to it.

Zhang Hu strode over: “The first, second, and third battalions are ready, awaiting the Commander’s orders!”

Wang Feng took off his coat and handed it to a nearby guard: “All units enter a state of alert.”

Zhao Fangyuan nodded from the side.

He had witnessed the Japanese army’s prowess in night attacks countless times. A seasoned commander would never fall twice in the same place.

Wang Feng: “Once any Japanese activity is detected, immediately retaliate and lure the main Japanese forces to the east bank of the Chi River.”

Zhao Fangyuan: “Understood!”

He then suddenly realized: “Commander, you intend to…?”

Wang Feng nodded: “I will personally command at the front lines in this battle.”

Zhang Hu was startled: “Commander… this…?”

He then looked at Zhao Fangyuan, hoping he would speak up to dissuade him.

A flanking maneuver is not a positional warfare; it requires penetration behind enemy lines, doubling the danger.

No one could guarantee that no accidents would occur.

Wang Feng waved his hand, cutting them off decisively: “The fate of the entire Jinpu South Line hinges on this battle. I must be personally present!”

“Let’s go!”

The roar of an engine sounded, and Wang Feng boarded the vehicle, Zhang Hu following closely behind, leaving Zhao Fangyuan alone to hold down the command post.

On the bumpy jeep ride, Wang Feng focused his attention on the system panel.

Ignoring the viewing range of the 3D combat map, the Japanese forces on the opposite bank were not easy to deal with, based solely on the strength of both sides.

Passive defense, while leveraging the advantage of the Chi River, would allow for tenacious resistance.

An active strike, directly penetrating into the heart of the Japanese forces, would exponentially increase the difficulty of the operation.

At dusk, Sergey reported that the Japanese army had sent another infantry battalion to reinforce the front lines.

A conservative estimate placed the enemy strength along the Chi River at least three to four thousand.

This battle involved three mountain tactical battalions, nearly half of his forces; failure was not an option.

He had to personally oversee it.

He opened the troop data on the system panel.

【First ‘Red Flag’ Mountain Tactical Corps】

【Level: Well-Trained (Combat Modifier +25%)】

【Composition: 4129/5000】

【Infantry Kill Rate: 109】

【Armor Kill Rate: 15】

【Air Kill Rate: 0】

【Organization: 177】

【Breakthrough: 25】

【Mountain Specialization: Movement Speed +10%, Attack +10%】

【More General Mountain Infantry: Planned Speed +10%; Coordination +15%; Breakthrough +10】

A brand-new data panel appeared before Wang Feng’s eyes.

After a day of fighting, the First ‘Red Flag’ Mountain Tactical Corps had finally reached the level of 【Well-Trained】.

A 25% combat modifier was granted.

Combat effectiveness experienced a quantum leap.

Formally entering the ranks of elite troops, recognized as elite by the system panel.

With the military quality of these soldiers, they could serve as the main force in a European battlefield.

Chuzhou is located in eastern Anhui, different from the northeast and northwest regions.

The snow covering the ground gradually melted, and the jeep slowly moved through the mud.

After driving about seven or eight kilometers, the vehicle stopped, and Wang Feng jumped out.

The three mountain battalions were ready for action, fully armed and standing on the open ground, their formations neatly arranged in a square shape.

At night, there was no need to worry about Japanese air strikes.

A red flag stood tall before them, symbolizing the unit’s honorary designation.

The evening breeze blew gently, and the flag fluttered in the wind.

Wang Feng quickly walked to the soldiers.

“Commander!”

The soldiers’ voices were low and resonant, like muffled bells.

Although they were still over ten kilometers away from the Japanese positions, they had to remain vigilant against scattered Japanese scouts.

Wang Feng nodded and quickly passed before them.

“We will win!”

The soldiers responded in unison:

“We will win!”

Their voices were low, but a spirit of fearless death was palpable.

Elite indeed.

【Commander Aura Effect: Organization +10】

A line of numbers appeared on the system panel.

Wang Feng was surprised.

Zhang Hu adjusted his uniform, walked over carrying a rifle, stood at attention, saluted, his expression solemn: “First ‘Red Flag’ Mountain Tactical Corps, first, second, and third battalions assembled, awaiting the Commander’s instructions!”

As he spoke, the red flag above fluttered in the wind.

The night was dark, but the crimson of the flag stood out.

Wang Feng nodded slightly: “Let’s go, cross the Chi River at night!”

“The first battalion will lead the way. After crossing the river, establish a bridgehead quickly. The second and third battalions will follow in succession!”

“Move out!”

26th Infantry Regiment.

A faint electric light illuminated the command post.

Numata Tokushige leaned over the desk, meticulously studying the terrain on both sides of the Chi River.

A staff officer strode in: “General, the troops are ready. Should we launch an attack immediately?”

Numata Tokushige frowned, straightening up and pacing back and forth: “How many troops will participate in the night attack?”

Staff officer: “Two infantry battalions in total.”

Numata Tokushige was displeased: “Two battalions?”

“The Chinese army on the opposite side is highly alert. Two battalions may not be enough to break through.”

The staff officer looked troubled.

The casualties from the day’s battle had just been tallied. On the east bank of Chihe Town alone, nearly one thousand soldiers were lost, with countless injured.

That’s essentially the loss of an entire infantry battalion.

Not to mention the casualties at Sanheji and Magang.

The two battalions tasked with the night attack were barely formed after supplementing them with reserves.

Staff officer: “The last reconnaissance flight before sunset didn’t detect any replenishment of troops or supplies from the Chinese army. Presumably, they must be running out of ammunition and supplies by now!”

Numata Tokushige was also weighing his options.

As the regiment commander, he couldn’t jump to conclusions as easily as his staff officer.

The battle had dragged on until dusk, yet he still didn’t see the expected weakening in the Chinese army.

It was completely unexpected!

Numata Tokushige hesitated, unsure of the enemy’s strength.

“A feint attack!”

“One unit will launch a feint attack, firing flares on the river to draw the attention of the main Chinese forces.”

“The other battalion will attack from the south! They will maneuver to the rear flank!”

Numata Tokushige pointed at the map, drawing a large circle.

“Furthermore, order the Mingguang unit to launch a night attack on Magang and Sanheji to support the Chihe Town battlefield!”

Staff officer bowed: “Hai!” (Yes!)

West bank of the Chi River.

Wang Feng constantly monitored the 3D combat map in his mind.

As soon as darkness fell, the soldiers began constructing a pontoon bridge.

The Chi River had a unique shape, wide in the middle and narrow at both ends.

The crossing point chosen tonight was only about forty meters wide.

On both sides were lush reed marshes; the evening breeze rustled through them.

A flanking maneuver requires the element of surprise.

Soldiers, shouldering their rifles, moved swiftly, bending low and jogging quickly to the opposite bank.

The first battalion, having just crossed the river, immediately set up a bridgehead to protect the subsequent troops crossing.

Wang Feng and Sergey were at the rear.

“Commander, a telegram from Chihe Town. The 31st Army suffered a night attack and suffered heavy losses,” Sergey said, presenting a telegram after crossing the river.

Wang Feng sensed something was wrong.

There was still no movement on the 3D combat map. Within a radius of ten li centered on him, he could not see any signs of a Japanese night attack.

“Continue advancing to the northeast!”

“Inform Zhao Fangyuan to strengthen the defense of the positions!”

Sergey nodded: “Yes!”

Looking at the swaying reeds, Wang Feng had a bad feeling.

The Japanese suffered a setback in the daytime attack and were highly likely to retaliate at night.

It seems everyone thought alike.

The Japanese were aiming for a quick victory, to open up the Jinpu Railway as quickly as possible.

He also needed to quickly inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army, otherwise, the increasing number of Japanese reinforcements from Beijing and Shanghai would leave him with no chance later.

The crossing force quickly dispersed and moved rapidly towards their target.

Chihe Town.

The battle was pressing; soldiers ate and slept in the trenches, holding their rifles and leaning on each other.

With Wang Feng away, Zhao Fangyuan didn’t dare to be negligent and patrolled the front-line positions.

“Chief of Staff, the sentinels are alert. It’s too dangerous here. Why don’t you go back?” Wu Guangsheng suggested, frowning beside him.

Zhao Fangyuan waved his hand: “The Commander’s telegram indicates a high likelihood of a Japanese night attack tonight. We can’t relax for a moment.”

“Let’s go check the right side of the position.”

Wu Guangsheng remembered something: “Chief of Staff, when we left Xuzhou, the Fifth War Zone gave us a batch of shells, including a few illumination rounds. Why not try one?”

Zhao Fangyuan hesitated: “Illumination rounds?”

Then he remembered that this was indeed the case.

Illumination rounds were rare in the Chinese army. The Fifth War Zone only had a few, and they were all given out before departure.

Zhao Fangyuan: “Let’s try it. Inform the mortar unit to test-fire a round of illumination rounds!”

The only downside of using illumination rounds was the exposure of one’s position, but their positions were firmly on the west bank of the Chi River. They had been fighting the Japanese all day, so revealing the coordinates was not an issue.

The communications soldier responded.

“Yes!”

Ten minutes later.

“Whoosh—”

Several illumination rounds rapidly rose from the rear positions, their fiery trails streaking across the night sky. The blinding white light dispersed the darkness.

The front lines were as bright as day.

Zhao Fangyuan instinctively squinted, shielding his eyes from the light.

Suddenly, he saw figures on the opposite bank of the river, their khaki uniforms conspicuous, advancing in a dispersed formation towards their positions.

Zhao Fangyuan shouted: “Prepare for battle!”

“Enemy attack!!! Prepare for battle!!”

Under the harsh light, he was not the only one who noticed the Japanese soldiers on the opposite bank.

The Japanese were already very close!

Soldiers in the trenches woke up, took up their positions, and fired immediately.

Fierce gunfire erupted from the positions. The Japanese soldiers on the east bank were stunned by the sudden illumination rounds.

“Nani?” (What?)

“They fired illumination rounds so quickly?”

“Baka! (Idiot!) Wake up! It’s the Chinese army’s illumination rounds. We’ve been spotted!”

“Fire!”

In the chaos, the Japanese soldiers returned fire hastily.

Zhao Fangyuan dodged the bullets, calling to a nearby communications soldier: “Quickly! Send a telegram to the Commander, Chi River position under night attack!”

The communications soldier remained remarkably calm, placing the radio on the ground in the trench and sending the telegram.

“Beep beep beep beep—”

Zhao Fangyuan breathed a sigh of relief, sweat dripping from his forehead.

Fortunately, they had spotted them early. Had the Japanese been allowed to set up a pontoon bridge under the cover of darkness, or reach the west bank by small boats, the situation would have been disastrous.

“Damn it, those little devils live up to their name!”

Zhao Fangyuan quickly returned to the command post.

A commander was not a frontline soldier; once the guns started firing, they should return to their rightful place.

Southeast of the Chi River.

“Commander, the vanguard unit has advanced four li. Scouts spotted Japanese troops to the northeast!!” Sergey said, frowning.

Two soldiers unfurled a map, and Wang Feng began to deploy troops: “First battalion, continue advancing from here to block the incoming Japanese troops!”

“Second and third battalions, move in concealment and head into the eastern hills!”

Wang Feng could see what the scouts saw from his bird’s-eye view.

Even more detail.

Approximately one battalion of Japanese troops was approaching their forces.

The operation was seamless; there were no traitors within the force, and they hadn’t encountered any Japanese troops along the way.

Considering the available information, only one possibility remained.

—Just as previously speculated, the Japanese intended to launch a surprise attack tonight as well.

A flanking maneuver had turned into a chance encounter.

But it also created an opportunity.

Wang Feng: “Our army will take the initiative on the battlefield before the Japanese. After the first battalion holds the Japanese troops, the second and third battalions must advance quickly!”

“Let’s give these devils a taste of their own medicine!”

From a bird’s-eye view, Wang Feng had already figured out the situation of this Japanese unit.

They were lightly equipped, without heavy weapons.

With the strength of the first battalion, holding them off until dawn was no problem. Like a cloth over their eyes, the subsequent troops could then secretly infiltrate behind the Japanese lines.

Sergey understood Wang Feng’s intention: “Yes!”

Orders were relayed down the chain of command, and the troops quickly divided into two groups.

Rustling!

Soldiers moved quickly through the grass, communicating silently; each one fixed their gaze on the hilltops looming dimly in the moonlight.

Zhang Hu issued a strict order.

“One hour, seven kilometers!”

Military orders were absolute, they had to be obeyed!

Half an hour later.

Northeast sector.

The first battalion engaged the Japanese forces in combat.

“Night attacks are the Japanese army’s forte.” This was not mere rhetoric.

During infantry training, the Japanese army treated night attacks as a separate training subject, organizing soldiers to practice uniformly.

It was even explicitly stipulated in their “Infantry Manual”.

When still three or four kilometers away from the first battalion, the Japanese were already battle-ready.

The Japanese battalion commander quickly reported the news.

26th Infantry Regiment.

Numata Tokushige sat firmly in his chair, swinging his sword scabbard.

The staff officer ran in quickly: “Sir, the night attack failed…”

Numata Tokushige raised an eyebrow, surprised by the result: “Hm?”

“What’s the situation!”

Staff officer lowered his head: “The infantry battalion responsible for the flanking maneuver encountered a Chinese army unit also executing a night attack. They are currently engaged in battle!”

Numata Tokushige stood up and went to the map.

“Roughly how large was the Chinese force that crossed the river?”

PS: I have a fever, damn it! I owe a chapter, will make it up tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter