Bright Sword: Iron Will 39

Chapter 39: Convergence

Uixian County.

Fifth Division Headquarters.

Bànguán Zhēngsìláng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

“Where is the Ninth Brigade’s reinforcement? Why are they still lingering around Yì Mǎ Lǐng?”

“Baka!” (Japanese exclamation of frustration or anger)

“Why?!”

A series of angry shouts echoed through the office.

Chief of Staff Xīcūn Lìwēn lowered his head, remaining silent.

They were on the verge of conquering the Tuánchéngkǒu position and pushing towards Fánzhì and Xīnkǒu, cutting off the entire Shanxi Defense Army’s rear.

Unexpectedly, in just one day, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

The 21st Brigade faced the risk of complete annihilation.

This was a laughingstock for Tōjō Hideki’s Chahar Army Group.

Bànguán Zhēngsìláng was restless: “Send a telegram to all units of the 21st Brigade, ordering them to hold Tuánchéngkǒu at all costs and wait for reinforcements!”

The main force of the Ninth Brigade was supposed to be transferred to the Baoding area under the orders of the North China Army.

But the current situation was unlike anything before. The situation was critical. If this battle was mishandled, it could very well be the first major defeat suffered by the Japanese army since the start of the invasion of China.

If news of this reached the home country, there would certainly be widespread condemnation.

Bànguán Zhēngsìláng couldn’t bear the responsibility, and neither could the entire Fifth Division.

This battle could have a minor defeat, but it absolutely must achieve results equal to, or even greater than, a defeat!

For example, annihilating the 115th Division.

Therefore, despite repeated requests from Commander Terauchi Junsaburo, he insisted on recalling the already-departed Ninth Brigade to Shanxi.

Xīcūn Lìwēn’s voice was low: “Hai!” (Japanese affirmation)

Temporary First Brigade.

Japanese fighter planes circled overhead, and the bombs slung under their wings rapidly dived downwards.

They accurately wiped out the machine gun emplacements.

The Japanese regiment that had previously been routed regrouped and attempted to force a breakthrough through the front lines using air support.

The battle became increasingly difficult.

Not only the Temporary First Brigade, but the entire Shanxi Defense Army generally lacked effective anti-aircraft capabilities.

When facing Japanese bombing raids, they could only resort to three methods – either withstand it, or hide.

Or, they could charge forward and engage in close-quarters combat with the Japanese.

Wang Feng chose the last option.

This time, the Second Regiment was on the front line, while the First Regiment was deployed in the surrounding forests.

Because the Second Regiment was weaker, the Japanese quickly broke into their trenches.

Close-quarters combat erupted in several areas.

At a critical moment, Zhang Hu, wielding a large saber, stood in front of his soldiers and quickly ordered a charge.

“Brothers! Charge for me!”

“The faster you charge, the less likely the planes will hit you!”

“Those who don’t want to die, run faster!”

“We are the First Regiment, the elite soldiers of the sharp-knife regiment!”

“All those good weapons and equipment aren’t for nothing. At critical moments, we must shoulder the burden!”

Rough words, but sound reasoning.

For soldiers with low literacy levels, the more straightforward and simple the language, the better the effect.

“Kill the devils!”

“Damn the little devils!”

The First Regiment, shouting slogans, rushed down from the hillsides on both flanks, amidst gunfire and the roar of bombs, splitting the Japanese forces into several segments.

A bloody and brutal close-quarters battle ensued.

In terms of weaponry, because the Temporary First Brigade was equipped with a large number of captured Type 38 Arisaka rifles, they were not at a disadvantage.

Their physical fitness was slightly inferior to the Japanese, but considerably better than the 115th Division.

The newly recruited soldiers hadn’t had a good meal for a few days, so their physical condition was understandably not ideal. However, the seasoned veterans, strong and sturdy, were more than a match for the Japanese army in one-on-one bayonet fights.

But such scenarios were rare on the real battlefield.

Due to inferior weaponry, close-quarters combat had always been a key focus for Wang Feng.

He had gradually developed a set of tactics.

“Kill!”

“Charge and stab them!”

On the battlefield, the First Regiment soldiers who had charged into the enemy ranks quickly changed their formations.

They formed combat teams of two or three soldiers.

The core of each team was a veteran armed with a Type 38 Arisaka rifle or a saber.

The recruits flanked them, holding off the Japanese and creating opportunities for attack.

The soldiers from both sides were entangled, while Japanese aircraft continued to circle overhead. Unable to find targets, they withdrew from the battlefield after a while.

The Japanese ground forces withdrew along with the aircraft.

After the battle.

Zhao Fangyuan, covered in blood, his uniform crumpled: “Commander, a telegram from the Eighth Route Army’s 115th Division of the Sixth Group Army.”

“Read it.”

“This telegram informs your unit that our unit has completely annihilated the Japanese supply convoy at Xiaozhai and Guangu areas at 3 pm today. The enemy’s supply line has been completely cut off. Currently, our vanguard units, the 685th and 686th Regiments, are rushing to provide support and will cooperate with your unit!”

Wang Feng nodded silently, a look of joy in his eyes.

With the 115th Division freed up, this battle was already half won.

Wang Feng wasn’t entirely clear about the situation at the Tuánchéngkǒu front.

The telegram from the Sixth Group Army kept repeating four words – “the situation is tense!”

The description was vague and provided little useful information. Instead, it repeatedly ordered the Temporary First Brigade to hold their ground at all costs.

“Order all units to quickly clear the battlefield and maintain combat readiness. No one can relax!”

Zhao Fangyuan snapped to attention: “Understood!”

After a day and night of fighting, the Temporary First Brigade had lost nearly 1,200 soldiers, and almost every combat soldier in the entire brigade was wounded.

But no one complained. As soon as the battle ended, the soldiers who could still move immediately gritted their teeth and began to clear the battlefield.

This battle eliminated over 600 Japanese soldiers, effectively crippling a Japanese regiment.

On the current Chinese battlefield, this was a great victory worthy of celebration.

Four hours later.

Temporary First Brigade Headquarters. Wang Feng tugged at the hem of his uniform, trying to make his wrinkled clothes look neater.

Several people in gray and camouflage uniforms entered.

“Commander Wang, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you!”

The newcomers stood to one side, while Commander Lin, smiling, quickly approached and greeted him without any pretense.

Wang Feng smiled and greeted him: “Not at all, not at all.”

After entering the room, Commander Lin looked around the Temporary First Brigade headquarters.

It was just an ordinary house.

An operational map was spread out on an eight-immortal table in the center of the room, along with pencils, rulers, and other tools.

There was also a large kang (heated brick bed), where Wang Feng rested.

Commander Lin said with a smile: “Commander Wang’s headquarters is much more efficient than ours in the 115th Division.”

Wang Feng replied: “Senior, you jest. My brigade’s affairs can’t compare to a division. It’s a small temple, so there are fewer matters to attend to.”

The use of “Senior” immediately eased the atmosphere between the two.

“Oh, everyone in the Second War Zone knows about you, Commander Wang.”

“I heard that you are known as ‘Little Fengxian’ among the grassroots troops of the Shanxi Defense Army. You’re known for being a skilled commander and caring for your troops.”

Commander Lin waved his hand, his eyes full of admiration for Wang Feng.

Only after Zhao Fangyuan came in and replaced the operational map on the table with a map of the Tuánchéngkǒu area,

did both sides stop the mutual praise and begin discussing operational matters.

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter