Bright Sword: Iron Will 44

Chapter 44: The Suicide Squad

After a brief rest, the troops continued their advance, pushing deep into Japanese territory.

Inside the command post, Li Tianyou, the regimental commander of the 686th Regiment, and Wang Feng huddled together, discussing subsequent combat operations.

The situation had changed. Lin, the division commander, had altered the original battle plan. Two hours ago, he personally led the 685th Regiment in a rapid flanking maneuver toward the Japanese side.

The revised battle plan had been sent to the Provisional First Brigade command post.

A twenty-li (approximately 10 kilometers) raid in three hours!

One hour remained before reaching the front lines.

Wang Feng gestured on the map.

“This area, about one kilometer deep, is the main Japanese defensive position.”

“It’s held by approximately two battalions of enemy troops.”

“The terrain is very uneven, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.”

“To the west of the Japanese positions is the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi Defense Army.”

“The Japanese bombing zone is also concentrated in this area.”

Li Tianyou nodded. “Then we need to speed up our actions. If the 358th Regiment can’t hold out, and the Japanese on the front line turn their guns on us, things will be very bad!”

Wang Feng remained silent, silently recalling Chu Yunfei.

The situation of the 358th Regiment was equally grim.

Even worse than the Provisional First Brigade’s current predicament.

The Japanese bombardment wasn’t just talk.

With the incident involving Baguan Zhengsiro (a Japanese general), Terauchi Juichi (another Japanese general) truly provided assistance.

Under the continuous bombardment, the 358th Regiment had nowhere to hide. Facing the Japanese counterattack, they couldn’t even mount a basic defense.

The remaining four thousand plus Japanese troops were frantically attacking the 358th Regiment’s positions.

The two independent brigades on the Pingxing Pass side wouldn’t reach the Tuanchengkou battlefield until at least noon.

Wang Feng slammed his fist on the table. “No time to waste, launch the attack immediately!”

Li Tianyou responded and quickly returned to the 686th Regiment.

After the ambush, the 115th Division captured a large number of Japanese weapons and equipment, which were immediately distributed to various units.

The 686th Regiment was now at the peak of its combat effectiveness.

Its combat power was comparable to the Provisional First Brigade.

Both units prepared themselves. Taking advantage of a lull in the Japanese air bombardment, they launched an attack on the Japanese positions on the high ground.

The 358th Regiment held the Japanese in place at the front, while the Provisional First Brigade and the 686th Regiment attacked from the rear flank.

The war had reached a fever pitch.

Both sides were determined to win; the outcome of the battle hung in the balance.

Zhao Fangyuan held binoculars, constantly monitoring the front-line battle.

As chief of staff, his main task was to assist the military commander in making the correct tactical decisions.

He had to observe and think carefully.

His observation of the battlefield situation had to be meticulous.

In contrast, Wang Feng sat in his chair with a nonchalant air.

But his mental perspective shifted to an overhead view.

The 686th Regiment fought fiercely.

Their fighting spirit was incredibly strong.

The Japanese had deployed defenses on the east and west flanks. As soon as the 686th Regiment appeared, they were met with fierce attacks.

A 105mm howitzer shell landed on the 686th Regiment’s position.

A flash of explosion erupted. Under the bombardment of large-caliber heavy artillery, ordinary soldiers didn’t even have a chance to react.

The yellow dust settled, and the fallen soldiers were covered in sand, only a few pieces of light gray uniforms visible.

The hastily constructed field fortifications could barely withstand the bombardment of 75mm mountain guns.

But against large-caliber heavy artillery, they were no better than tofu dregs.

“Comrades!”

“Attack!”

A clear charge horn sounded, and the soldiers of the 686th Regiment raised their rifles and quickly pressed toward the Japanese high ground.

*Da da da!*

On the position, Japanese heavy machine guns sprayed bullets, sweeping down like a storm.

Wang Feng shook his head and sighed, “Alas.”

The Eighth Route Army of this period, though thin and weak, still possessed considerable combat capability and experience.

After all, only seasoned veterans could survive the Long March (25,000-li march of the Chinese Communist Red Army).

Their defeat stemmed from the disparity in weaponry.

The perspective shifted to the Provisional First Brigade.

The Japanese were truly adept at choosing their targets.

The Eighth Route Army only suffered a few sporadic bombardments from heavy artillery.

The Provisional First Brigade, however, was the main target of the Japanese artillery units.

The organizational strength of the First Regiment had reached a critical level.

Morale was beginning to waver.

Judging by the density of the artillery fire, the Japanese had deployed at least four 105mm howitzers.

Wang Feng cursed under his breath, “Damn Japanese devils!”

Unfortunately, the range of the three-dimensional combat map was limited; the range of large-caliber heavy artillery was mostly over ten kilometers.

Their exact coordinates could not be detected.

Zhao Fangyuan lowered his binoculars, his face filled with worry. “Commander, I’ll take some men to search for the Japanese artillery positions!”

Wang Feng remained calm. “Dividing our forces now would be detrimental to our attack.”

Unlike when their supply lines were cut and the Japanese were forced into a hasty attack,

The 21st Brigade had been entrenched in this area for a long time, with strong fortifications.

It also possessed large-caliber heavy artillery positions. Based on their knowledge of Japanese artillery tactics, at least five or six hundred Japanese troops were deployed around the position.

Moreover, the 358th Regiment was about to collapse. This battle required concentrated strength to secure a swift victory.

Let alone the time required to traverse several kilometers of mountainous terrain.

Even if they found the position, facing such a large garrison, they would need at least three times the number of troops to take it down.

But the Provisional First Brigade could no longer spare 1,500 men.

The weakness of the 358th Regiment allowed the Japanese to free up troops to deal with the enemy on their flank.

According to scout reports,

A full battalion was flanking from the right, only five kilometers from the Provisional First Brigade’s position.

“Spread the front line to reduce the effectiveness of Japanese artillery fire.”

“Tell Zhang Hu to launch an attack immediately!”

“In three hours, I want to see the Provisional First Brigade’s flag planted on the Japanese positions!”

“Go to the reserve and tell Kong Zhiyong to prepare for battle!”

Zhao Fangyuan immediately responded and quickly left the command post.

On the First Regiment’s position,

Deafening explosions echoed, with Japanese troops on the high ground firing down.

Gunfire and artillery fire mixed together.

The three companies just sent up hadn’t advanced 200 meters before they were pushed back by the fierce firepower.

This was the First Regiment’s fourth attack.

“Damn it, the little devils are really fierce!”

The deputy regimental commander approached with a telegram. “Old Zhang, the commander gave a direct order: Capture the Japanese positions in three hours.”

Zhang Hu lowered his binoculars, took the telegram, and scanned it.

The situation was critical and urgent!

“Form a suicide squad! Launch a fierce attack on the Japanese positions!”

“Yes!”

After instructing the deputy regimental commander, Zhang Hu turned and stared at the Japanese positions on the high ground.

He had to take the high ground, and as quickly as possible!

At the front,

The suicide squad assembled.

A total of over 300 soldiers stood in neat rows, their eyes sharp, their fearless spirit evident.

Zhang Hu, carrying a large sword, stood before them.

The soldiers willing to join the suicide squad were all elite soldiers from their respective companies.

“Brothers, have you seen the Eighth Route Army?”

“They’re fighting fiercely, constantly charging toward the Japanese positions.”

“Our First Regiment is the face of the Provisional First Brigade, of the commander! We absolutely cannot lose face!”

“We can’t let other units laugh at us!”

The suicide squad soldiers below shouted in unison:

“Kill!”

“Kill the Japanese!”

“Seize the positions!”

The shouts reached the sky, powerful and imposing.

Zhang Hu placed his hands on his hips and continued, “Brothers, let’s kill the Japanese with all our might.”

“After the battle is over, I will use my authority as a Colonel of the Shanxi Defense Army to personally find you each a beautiful wife!”

As he spoke, he pulled off the two insignia on his collar and waved them in front of everyone.

Yellow background, three red bars.

Three shiny triangular pyramids were embedded on top.

Symbolizing the rank of Colonel in the Shanxi Defense Army.

Hearing this, the soldiers below couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Zhang Hu certainly had a way with boosting morale.

After his speech, Zhang Hu turned around and opened the deputy regimental commander’s palm.

He placed his two insignia in the other man’s hand.

“While I’m gone, you command the battle. If I die, you’re the regimental commander!”

The deputy regimental commander was stunned. “This…”

Zhang Hu patted his shoulder:

“Everyone, suicide squad prepare to attack, other units provide covering fire!”

(End of Chapter)

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