Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 368: Still Not Showing Up? I'll Still Fight the Jin-Sui Army
"Chen Chengxing, I heard you captured the radio team of the 31st Division?"

Upon hearing this news, Chen Sijin immediately called the Duer Detachment.

"Officer, this is true."

“The radio operators, the radio operators, and even their station manager were all captured.”

The elite troops of the Guo army were brave and daring, but the non-combatants had no intention of fighting to the death.

Seeing that the situation was not good, they threw their weapons faster than anyone else.

When the soldiers of the Second Independent Detachment captured them, the 31st Division's classified documents were not even burned.

"Very good! Send it to the Column Commander's headquarters immediately." Chen Sijin was very excited.

In Chen Sijin's view, these things were even more effective than two cannons.

Having Guo Jun's radio station was like having eyes that could see a thousand miles and ears that could hear the wind.

The understanding of the enemy situation will be much clearer.

Warfare is all about intelligence; the more you know about the enemy, the easier it is to win.

"No problem, I'll have someone send it over right away."

The communications section of the D Column Command can be described as full of talented people, unlike the Second Independent Detachment which only had a few big shots and small dogs.

Entrusting things to them can create greater value.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Chengxing handed the task over to Sun Desheng, while the rest of the troops continued their march north.

After successfully annihilating the 31st Division in Dali Town, the soldiers were in high spirits, feeling that even the Kuomintang's direct forces were nothing special.

They all wanted to find another opportunity to fight, at least to annihilate one or two more of his divisions.

However, this precise strike truly surprised the Central Army.

Under Hu Shoushan's orders, the Central Army changed its previous arrogant approach and instead reduced its troop strength.

They marched side by side during the day, and camped together at night.

When they were encamped, they would also build fortifications and strengthen security.

The main thing is stability.

During this period, no matter how they tried to lure the enemy, not a single Guo army unit underestimated the enemy or advanced recklessly.

Unable to defeat them one by one, and with the Central Army all stuck in several county towns along the Tongpu Railway, they couldn't move an inch.

Chen Sijin decided to continue fighting the battles that had not been finished before.

However, this time his appetite was a bit big.

Besides Xintian, he also planned to cross Pingyang and attack several counties to the north.

However, these counties were not under the jurisdiction of the D Column, but were all handed over to the Second Independent Detachment.

The D column was responsible for attacking Xintian and waging guerrilla warfare north of Tongcheng to tie down the Central Army.

The Second Independent Detachment's covert northward march was intended to launch a surprise attack on Shuitong County and Xincheng.

After four days and nights of continuous covert marching, the Second Independent Detachment traversed more than 300 li to the north.

However, in order to ensure speed, Chen Chengxing only brought a small number of heavy mortars and mountain guns.

However, even when carrying small quantities, the brigade headquarters was the slowest.

In the same amount of time, the 21st detachment, which did not carry heavy mortars, covered an extra 100 li (approximately 50 kilometers).

As soon as the detachment headquarters was settled, Chen Chengxing asked, "Where are the various units?"

"The 201st Regiment has advanced to Yong'an, and the 203rd Regiment has also arrived in the southern part of Shuncheng."

"The rest of the troops have also taken up their designated positions," Xu Wu immediately reported.

Fifty li north of Pingyang, a major town in southern Shanxi, along the Tongpu Road, lies Shuitong County.

Twenty-five li further north of Shuitong is Xincheng.

Forty li further north is Yong'an.

Seventy li further north is Shuncheng.

However, Chen Chengxing did not intend to take over Yong'an and Shuncheng this time.

Sending 21 detachments was only to prevent the enemy from sending reinforcements.

"Let the troops rest a bit more, and launch the attack tomorrow!" Chen Chengxing ordered.

According to intelligence, Shuitong County only had one regiment of the Jin-Sui Army, a force of over a thousand men.

Xincheng has a relatively large number of troops due to its strategic location, including a division of over 3,000 men.

According to Chen Chengxing's plan, the attack would be on Shuitong first, followed by Xincheng.

Qin Sheng led the 23rd detachment and the 204th Regiment to besiege Shuitong.

Sun Xun led the 22nd Detachment and the 206th Regiment to attack Xincheng.

Before the end of the Shuitong Campaign, Sun Xun only besieged Xincheng without attacking it.

Although Chen Chengxing told the troops to rest more, the troops' rest did not mean that the brigade headquarters would rest.

After catching his breath, Chen Chengxing led a few men on horseback to scout the terrain.

Several miles away from Shuitong, Chen Chengxing carefully observed through binoculars.

"In Shuitong County, the wall is ten meters high."

"The south and north sides of the city are open areas, which are not conducive to our army getting close; the west side of the city is the Fen River, which we cannot cross."

Xu Wu reported the intelligence he knew.

"Over there, in the northeast of the city, there's a hill. What's it called?" Chen Chengxing pointed to a small hill not far away.

“It doesn’t have a name on the map; the locals call it Yufeng Mountain,” Chu Yunfei suddenly said from the side.

"Oh? Brother Yunfei, could you please introduce this Jade Peak Mountain?" Chen Chengxing was surprised that Chu Yunfei was willing to speak.

Despite becoming a member of the Eighth Route Army, Chu Yunfei was only truly dedicated when fighting the Japanese; he would also offer suggestions when fighting the Central Army.

When facing the Jin-Sui Army, he still couldn't shake off his inner turmoil.

This was the first time she had spoken up on her own initiative.

"Yufeng Mountain is about 500 meters away from the Shuitong city wall. Although it is not very high, you can overlook the entire Shuitong County from the top."

"If we can mount cannons and heavy machine guns on them, we will have a huge advantage," Chu Yunfei explained.

In the early stages of the War of Resistance against Japan, the 358th Regiment was severely damaged by the Sakata Brigade in Luye. When it retreated and reorganized, it stopped in Shuitong County.

"That's great! We can go up and take a look at the Jin-Sui Army's deployment," Xu Wu said.

"Impossible." Chu Yunfei shook his head.

“There is a church on the mountain, which is very sturdy. It is impossible for the enemy not to have stationed troops on it.”

Anyone who isn't an idiot knows the importance of Yufeng Mountain, especially the troops guarding the county.

"Xu Wu, write down what happened at Yufeng Mountain first. We'll make a quick trip there, then send someone to scout it out," Chen Chengxing said. "Yes, sir!"

In the middle of the night, Zhou Weiguo, disguised in tattered fishing nets, returned to the brigade headquarters.

"Commander, the investigation into the Yufeng Mountain incident has been completed."

"Based on observation, there is a company of Jin-Sui Army soldiers on the mountain."

"The enemy used churches, barbed wire, and trenches to construct a tight fortification."

"However, Yufeng Mountain is not steep. As long as the main force moves in, it can be easily taken down."

"However, there is no cover between Yufeng Mountain and the city wall. If we launch a direct assault, the casualties will likely be considerable."

Listening to the intelligence gathered by Zhou Weiguo, everyone in the detachment headquarters pondered how to break the deadlock.

"The Second Independent Detachment has plenty of ammunition now. Once we take Yufeng Mountain, the rest will be easy," Chen Chengxing said.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Second Independent Detachment didn't bring many heavy mortars and mountain guns this time, nor did they have many shells.

But once Yufeng Mountain is captured, even 82mm mortars can suppress the Jin-Sui Army.

Upon reflection, everyone agreed that this was indeed the case.

Moreover, apart from this direction, other directions would expose one to open areas for a longer period of time.

Now that the decision had been made, everyone began preparations around Yufeng Mountain.

The next morning, before dawn.

The two Type 94 mountain guns brought by Chen Chengxing have already been set up, with their muzzles pointing diagonally at Yufeng Mountain.

As the first rays of sunlight rose from behind the eastern mountains, shells landed on the church on Yufeng Mountain.

During his reconnaissance, Zhou Weiguo had already taken the opportunity to calculate the artillery fire data.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
Shells hit the target one after another.

Although the church is made of stone, the thickness is only about 30 centimeters in the areas where the load-bearing pillars are located.

Faced with the bombardment of mountain guns, these walls were no match at all; each shot left a large hole.

After a rapid-fire salvo, the shelling ceased.

Soldiers from the 2nd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 209th Regiment launched an attack.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
As two explosive charges blew open the barbed wire, the soldiers rushed in.

Although the Jin-Sui Army inside the church was somewhat stunned by the attack, they had pre-planted landmines.

As soon as they entered the minefield, a series of landmines exploded, instantly killing more than a dozen soldiers.

"Grenades to clear the way! Flank left and right! Outflank the enemy position!"

"Light machine gun suppression!"

"Rescue the wounded!" the Second Company Commander shouted.

They were on a raid and had no time to clear the mines, so bombing the area with grenades was the only option.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
"Da da da".
Although they were first bombarded and then suppressed, the Jin-Sui Army, after regaining their senses, still put up a very fierce resistance.

However, compared to the Second Company, which had already completed its equipment change, the opponent was overestimating itself.

As soon as the light machine guns of the Jin-Sui Army fired, a rocket would soon fly over.

A company in the Jin-Sui Army only had four light machine guns in total, and even with submachine guns, there were only a few.

Once the Jin-Sui Army's machine gun emplacements were destroyed, the Second Company's light machine guns and submachine guns immediately provided extremely strong firepower suppression.

From the first shell fired to the capture of the Yufeng Mountain position, it took less than half an hour.

Upon reaching the summit of Yufeng Mountain, Qin Sheng, the squad leader of the 23rd detachment, immediately gave the following order:

"Set up artillery and heavy machine gun positions, and prepare to bombard the Shuitong city wall with firepower! Cover the 209th Regiment's general offensive!"

The 209th Regiment was responsible for launching the general offensive.

Half an hour later, after several probing attacks, the general offensive officially began.

In addition to the east of the city, Chen Chengxing also deployed troops to launch feint attacks in the other directions.

The soldiers of the 209th Regiment carried ladders and began to run.

Upon seeing the G army launch its attack, Guo Zhihao, the commander of the 235th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army on the city wall, immediately shouted:

"Shoot! Shoot quickly!"

When Yufeng Mountain was shelled before, Guo Zhihao realized that something was wrong.

If Yufeng Mountain is lost, the eastern part of the city will be the first to be affected.

Therefore, he has transferred his main force battalion and most of the heavy machine guns over.

He himself was stationed on the east side of the city, while the chief of staff was in charge of the other three sides of the city wall.

"Da da da" "Da da da".
Nearly ten light and heavy machine guns began to fire bullets at full power, forming a steel barrage in front of the soldiers of the 209th Regiment.

Moreover, as the soldiers drew closer, the density of the bullets fired by the Jin-Sui Army increased.

"Suppress the Jin-Sui Army's firing positions according to the previous markings," Luo Cheng ordered.

This 500-meter-long open space is not so easy to cross.

Before the soldiers reached the city walls, mortars and heavy machine guns had to maintain pressure on the enemy.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
"Da da da".
The cannonballs exploded on the city wall, creating bursts of flames.

No Jin-Sui Army soldier could withstand the barrage of fire from more than a dozen mortars.

Especially when the comments gradually shift over.

The Jin-Sui Army's machine gun positions inevitably had to be moved frequently.

With the cover of fire from Yufeng Mountain, the 1st Company of the 209th Regiment advanced to within 200 meters of the city wall in just over ten minutes.

Further along, the accuracy of the Jin-Sui Army's rifles will begin to increase.

"First row, second row, third row!"

"Execute according to the previous plan!" the company commander shouted.

In this operation, the first company was assigned as the assault company.

After figuring out the situation, the company commander had already held several meetings with the entire company.

They even practiced using houses in the village.

Although the height of residential houses and city walls cannot be compared.

However, it ensures that everyone understands their task, preventing mistakes during the operation.

"start to act!"

(End of this chapter)