Bright Sword: Iron Will 14

Chapter 14: Trapping the Dogs

The First Battalion fought and retreated, slowly advancing towards the predetermined location along the route planned by Wang Feng. A company of Japanese soldiers doggedly pursued them from behind. The other three companies, like wildcats smelling blood, quickly changed direction, attempting to take a shortcut to intercept the First Battalion ahead.

Meanwhile, at the 414th Regiment’s main force location, within a mere half-hour, Wang Feng sent Zhang Hu twelve telegrams. Without exception, each telegram contained operational commands.

Zhao Fangyuan jogged over, came to attention, and reported, “Regimental Commander, the Second Battalion has reached the designated ambush site.”

“Please issue your operational instructions!”

Wang Feng withdrew his attention from the three-dimensional operational map. With a sweep of his hand, he commanded, “Plant all the anti-personnel mines at the bottom of the valley. Remember, don’t place them at the exit. We want to let the little devils all come in.”

“Quickly construct machine gun positions, controlling all corners within the valley to ensure a powerful network of fire.”

“Act quickly!”

The First Battalion was currently less than 1.5 kilometers away, leading the Japanese soldiers in circles through the mountains.

“Yes!”

Zhao Fangyuan responded decisively and immediately set about implementing the orders.

After the full-strength First Battalion departed, the 414th Regiment had only around 500 men left. Constructing solid fortifications with so few men in such a short time was obviously challenging. In the end, when manpower became critically short, even Zhao Fangyuan rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a crowbar, and jumped into a pit.

The Japanese soldiers’ three companies had now linked up. They were hot on the heels of the First Battalion. Another company was also gradually closing in on their flank. Along the way, the First Battalion discarded many old rifles, deliberately convincing the Japanese commanders that this Shanxi Defense Army unit was routed and completely disorganized.

Wang Feng watched the approaching Japanese forces on the three-dimensional operational map and couldn’t help but sweat. Based on the current situation, it would take at least an hour to construct the ambush positions.

“Send a message to Zhang Hu; he must hold them off for at least an hour and a half, no matter what!”

An hour and a half later, hundreds of soldiers from the First Battalion entered the narrow path one after another. The pursuing Japanese soldiers stopped about 500 to 600 meters behind them.

“Regimental Commander, I… I’ve completed my mission,” Zhang Hu gasped, collapsing on the ground, out of breath after seeing Wang Feng.

“Take cover quickly!” Zhao Fangyuan shouted to the soldiers of the First Battalion who had not yet reached their designated positions.

The encirclement was now complete, a highly effective system. Even the First Battalion’s movements after entering the valley had been anticipated. The Japanese troops would not detect any flaws. The Third Battalion was positioned outside the valley. Once the ambush in the valley began, they would immediately seize the valley exit, effectively trapping the dogs and leaving the Japanese no escape route.

Wang Feng stood in the temporary command post, observing the movements of the Japanese troops outside the valley through the three-dimensional operational map in his mind. Analyzing the actions and lip movements of the Japanese squadron commander, he deduced that the commander was hesitant. After all, even those with a basic military understanding would recognize this valley as an ideal ambush site. The Japanese were circling at the entrance, clearly weighing the pros and cons. But Wang Feng wasn’t worried. The earlier order to the First Battalion to drop weapons while running had been convincingly executed.

In the early stages of the war, the Japanese troops possessed a strong sense of arrogance and simply didn’t take the Chinese army seriously. From the Japanese perspective, the entire war of aggression had, up to this point, been a string of victories.

Sure enough, ten minutes later, the Japanese troops outside the valley made a move. At this crucial moment, Squadron Commander Kawai Akihiro displayed unusual caution. He only sent one company slowly into the valley, while the remaining three companies waited outside.

In the command room, Wang Feng remained calm, his knuckles rapping rhythmically on the table.

Zhao Fangyuan entered, “Regimental Commander, the Japanese are entering the valley.”

“I know. Order all units to remain still for now. Set up all the heavy machine gun positions near the valley entrance.”

“Get the mortar units ready.”

Wang Feng withdrew his attention from the three-dimensional map and made some adjustments to the current troop deployment. Situations on the battlefield change rapidly. The most important military qualities of a skilled commander are on-the-spot adaptability and a keen grasp of battlefield information.

Zhao Fangyuan saluted, “Yes!”

Having witnessed his regimental commander’s adept maneuvering, he had no doubts and resolutely carried out the orders.

His attention returned to the three-dimensional operational map.

The Japanese company acting as the vanguard, after entering the valley, carefully surveyed their surroundings. They also carried out test shots in different directions. After finding no abnormalities, the main Japanese force slowly entered the valley. Upon discovering the footprints left behind by the First Battalion’s ‘rout,’ they immediately pursued. But ahead lay the minefield.

The minefield was cleverly laid out. To prevent the Japanese troops from stopping after triggering the first mine and thus wasting the remaining mines, Wang Feng had specifically instructed his soldiers to plant the mines sparsely. There were fewer mines in the valley itself and more mines on the slopes on either side.

Bang!

The Japanese were also cunning. To minimize casualties in a possible ambush, they entered the valley in a highly dispersed formation. When the first soldier triggered a mine, those at the front were already in the center of the minefield.

A deafening explosion echoed. Intense gunfire erupted from both sides of the valley.

Da-da-da!

The mortar platoon also launched a barrage. For a moment, the Japanese troops in the valley were thrown into chaos.

Kawai Akihiro quickly reacted: “Attack! The first and second companies counterattack, the third company provides cover, and the fourth company secures the valley exit!”

The organizational ability of the Japanese soldiers was remarkable. In an instant, the troops restored order. Without any need for commands, they moved in small, alternating groups to provide cover and began attacking both slopes.

Now Wang Feng’s minefield plan took effect. The 414th Regiment units on the slopes deliberately let the Japanese advance. But the higher they went on the slope, the denser the mines became.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Mines exploded one after another, forcing the Japanese troops at the bottom of the valley to slow their advance. The fourth company at the rear quickly retreated, aiming to seize the sole valley exit.

The heavy machine gun positions repositioned by Wang Feng at the last moment proved their value. Intense gunfire created a huge web of fire along the path to the exit.

As the two sides were locked in a stalemate, the Third Battalion charged in from outside the valley. Faced with encirclement from three directions, even the elite Japanese troops gradually showed signs of faltering.

The gunfire in the valley lasted for over two hours before gradually ceasing. The smell of gunpowder was heavy in the air, with black scorch marks everywhere on the ground.

Wang Feng walked slowly into the valley bottom, his boots stepping on the corpse of a Japanese soldier. The battle’s results were substantial. Over 600 enemies were killed, with over 400 friendly casualties. Such a well-planned annihilation battle yet with such losses, the early military prowess of the Japanese soldiers was evident.

More than 500 rifles, ammunition, and numerous grenades were captured. Most importantly, two Type 92 infantry cannons were found among the Japanese remains.

They were found in the remains because this type of infantry cannon could be disassembled into multiple parts for easier transport during mountain warfare.

The three-dimensional combat map showed that despite heavy casualties across all units, the overall organization rate remained above 50% after the fierce annihilation battle. Through observation, this coefficient was closely related to morale, soldier fatigue, and logistical support. Once the organization rate dropped below 30%, desertions began to increase. Below 20%, local collapses started to occur. Below 10%, it signaled a complete and utter rout.

(End of Chapter)

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