Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 373 All-Out Attack
"report!"

"Breaking news: Two regiments of the First Division have departed from Pingyang one after the other!"

Inside the command post, everyone immediately went to the map.

"The First Division's head has finally surfaced. As long as we grab its head, we won't have to worry about its body not showing itself," Chen Chengxing said.

“That’s right, our chance has come.” Chen Sijin nodded.

Although it wasn't the entire First Division that was expected to be mobilized, two regiments were enough.

"I order the 15th Brigade to advance to the east side of Pingyang and harass the enemy's supply lines."

"The three detachments of the Second Independent Detachment split into three groups and attacked Wangzhuang, Guanzili and Shangling Village respectively, thus dividing the enemy's two regiments."

"The 13th Brigade will continue its feint attack to contain the enemy in Xiaoyi."

"The 14th Brigade is in reserve; await my orders."

The two regiments of the First Division were ten miles apart, one in front of the other. This separation made it easier to defeat them one by one.

The 14th Brigade will join whichever side has the advantage on the battlefield.

"yes!".
Three hours later, as darkness fell, each brigade arrived at its designated location.

But an unexpected incident occurred: neither the 21st nor the 23rd squad encountered the enemy.

The enemy's two regiments had actually concentrated entirely in the pass and had even built defensive fortifications.

"This First Division is truly deserving of its reputation; it's got real skills," Chen Chengxing said.

"Two regiments with over six thousand men, and equipped with American weapons, the 22nd detachment probably won't be able to handle them," Chu Yunfei said with some concern.

Although the Second Independent Detachment feasted after the Japanese surrendered, there were still differences between Japanese and American weapons.

The density of submachine guns in the US-equipped troops is frighteningly high.

Even with the support of a heavy mortar battalion, it would probably be difficult for the 22nd detachment to take it down.

"If the 22nd detachment can't take it down, then send in two more brigades!"

Chen Chengxing decisively picked up the phone and called the headquarters.

"Officer, this is Chen Chengxing. Two enemy regiments have assembled in Guanzili and have also built fortifications."

"What are your thoughts?" Chen Sijin knew what was going on as soon as he heard it.

"The missions of the 21st Detachment and the 15th Brigade remain unchanged."

"Li Yunlong's 13th Brigade abandoned the feigned attack and immediately seized the high ground around Xihe to prevent the enemy's 167th and 27th Divisions from encircling our army."

"22nd detachment, 23rd detachment, 14th Brigade, besiege Guanzili!"

Chen Chengxing reported his plans to Chen Sijin.

"Three brigades, is that enough? Should we also transfer the 21st detachment?" Chen Sijin asked.

Although the 15th Brigade is small in number, it can hold out for a day or two if it is brought to Wangzhuang.

"That's enough. The 21st detachment can stay in the Wangzhuang and Shangyang Village area and still ambush the follow-up troops of the First Division."

Chen Chengxing did not call up the 21st detachment, but instead chose to bring up the mountain artillery regiment.

The Taiyuan Arsenal is on track and is studying the imitation of the Type 94 mountain gun.

Production of 75mm grenades has also begun, so ammunition will no longer be in such short supply.

"I'll be waiting for your good news," Chen Sijin said.

"yes!".
While the various units were being mobilized overnight, the 204th Regiment had already launched an attack.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
The commanders of the 1st and 2nd Regiments of the Kuomintang army paid no attention to the flashes of grenades and shells exploding outside.

The reason they concentrated in Guanzi was to prevent being attacked and divided at night.

Who would have thought that the G army would actually come?

"Commander Wang, the G Army only has so little firepower, yet they dare to come looking for trouble?" Zhou Huan, the commander of the 1st Regiment, laughed.

"I think they've lost their minds from fighting guerrilla warfare. They've only ever fought against the Japanese and Yan Xishan's forces before, and they don't know what American-equipped troops are like."

As Wang Yawen, the commander of the 2nd Regiment, spoke, he put down his binoculars.

He had lost interest in watching this trivial matter any longer.

The advanced weaponry equipped by the First Division is probably more powerful than the entire Shanxi army combined.

"Chief of staff, send a telegram to the division commander."

"The 1st and 2nd Regiments have arrived at Guanzili and discovered a small group of G troops harassing them, but our defenses are solid and there is no major problem."

Although the opposing G army had deployed infantry artillery, in Wang Yawen's eyes, it was just a small group of G army soldiers.

The First Division was no ordinary Kuomintang army.

Each of their regiments is equipped with enough weapons to arm one or two other divisions.

Six US-made 107mm mortars;
Six US-made 37mm anti-tank guns;
Six US-made 81mm mortars;
18 US-made 60mm mortars.

This is just artillery; he doesn't need to mention heavy machine guns, light machine guns, or rocket launchers.

With such strong firepower, if the G army dares to launch a strong attack, they'll be taught a lesson in no time.

However, Zhou Huan and Wang Yawen's good mood only lasted for less than four hours.

By midnight, the troops had arrived one after another and completed the encirclement of Guanzili.

Then, a flare was launched into the air, illuminating the area.

Just as the Guo soldiers were wondering what was going on, several shells landed.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
After the test firing, the 18 mountain guns and 24 heavy mortars that arrived on the battlefield opened fire.

Because it was nighttime, the artillery's hit rate was somewhat off, but Chen Chengxing didn't care at all.

As long as the shells can hit the enemy's positions, that's fine.

The moment the test-fired shell landed, Zhou Huan and Wang Yawen jumped out of bed.

The power of mountain gun and heavy mortar shells is far superior to that of infantry guns.

They could tell something was wrong just from the sound of the explosion.

By the time the two of them met at the command post, a barrage of artillery shells had already begun to fall.

Every house and courtyard in Guanzili was within the blast radius.

"Contact the division headquarters! Contact the division headquarters now!" Wang Yawen rushed to the walkie-talkie.

"Commander! Commander!" Wang Yawen shouted as soon as the communication was connected.

"Our unit has been encircled by the main force of the G Army! We have suffered heavy losses and urgently need reinforcements! We urgently need reinforcements!"

The explosions outside continued incessantly, as if trying to smooth things over inside.

"Yawen! Calm down! Are you sure it's the main force of the G army?"

"Where are you now?" Huang Zhencheng was not too flustered.

He could certainly hear the artillery fire from the other side, but those were over six thousand elite troops. As long as he could maintain his position, they couldn't be wiped out so quickly.

"Commander! Zhou Huan and I are both trapped!" "I swear on my life, it's definitely the main force of the G Army! Chen* is right here! The force over in Xiaoyi is probably just a small detachment!"

"Commander! The G Army's firepower is extremely fierce!"

The enemy has deployed dozens of artillery pieces; if they're not the main force, what are they?
"Don't panic! Make sure you bite him!" Huang Zhencheng commanded.

"I should be there by tomorrow morning at the latest!"

What he wanted was Chen*.

The 3rd Regiment of the 1st Division in Pingyang and the division's directly subordinate units, totaling more than 5,000 men, chose to set out overnight to prepare for a counter-encirclement of the main force of the G Army.

Meanwhile, the shelling in Guanzili had ended, and the 22nd detachment launched a strong attack.

Once the two sides officially started fighting, they realized something was wrong.

The enemy's fighting strength exceeded my expectations.

"Damn it, is this the fighting power of the elite American-equipped divisions of the National Revolutionary Army?"

Chen Chengxing lowered his binoculars as he pointed forward.

This is not the same thing as the 31st Division that was wiped out before.

As for the Jin-Sui Army, which was located in the basement of all the warlords' fighting power, it was even less worthy of being called a soldier; it wasn't even worthy of carrying the shoes of the First Division.

"Pass on my order: the 23rd Squad will join the battle from the right flank and coordinate with the 22nd Squad to launch a pincer attack!"

"The 14th Brigade will make a flanking maneuver and launch a surprise attack on the enemy's position."

Chen Chengxing chose to send his entire army forward.

He had already received a call from Chen Sijin, and the rest of the First Division had set off overnight.

The Second Independent Division doesn't have much time; it must quickly eliminate Guanzili and then surround the First Division's reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Wang Yawen and Zhou Huan, who were inside the commotion, also looked completely taken aback.

"How can the G Party be so strong! Aren't they just local guerrillas?"

What do the Eighth Route Army soldiers do in the Kuomintang's newspapers?

All he can do is shoot snipers; he can't do anything else.

Why is my combat strength so low when it comes to myself?

"Brother Wang, this group of G soldiers is not simple." Zhou Huan, who was standing to the side, also looked very grim.

They might have been tricked by those who work in the news.

“Apart from the one south of the village, the firepower of the other two routes is in no way inferior to that of the Guo army’s elite troops,” Zhou Huan said.

The opposing side not only outnumbered them by more than two, but their combat strength was also formidable.

Although the Guo army is currently on the defensive, they dare not say that they can withstand the repeated attacks from the G army.

"The division commander has already led troops out to provide support, ordering us to hold off the main force of the G army. The fiercer the enemy's offensive, the more advantageous it is for us to counter-encircle them," Wang Yawen said.

"Then let's fight with all our might!" Zhou Huan said solemnly.

The G Army's fighting strength is indeed not weak, but don't even think about making the First Division back down.

After Huang Zhencheng led his troops from Pingyang, they marched at full speed all the way.

With the help of thirty GMC ten-wheel trucks and more than two hundred large vehicles belonging to the division, the First Division moved very quickly.

Moreover, the 4st Battalion of the 3rd Regiment, as the vanguard battalion, directly brought four American-made 75mm howitzers to the front.

After Guo Jun arrived at Wangzhuang, the 201st Regiment immediately launched an attack.

The battle at Wangzhuang was intense from the very beginning.

Multiple charges and counter-charges occurred.

The sounds of gunfire never stopped from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.

The sheer volume of bullets and shells consumed caused Zheng Hua to tremble with pain.

Outside Wangzhuang, the battlefield was riddled with shell craters, and corpses from both sides were scattered everywhere.

"Commander! My battalion has suffered heavy casualties, requesting reinforcements!" Li Da, the commander of the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Division, shouted into the radio.

The First Battalion was the vanguard battalion, and they fought from night until morning, charging four or five times already.

The troops have lost more than half their strength, and almost all of the company and platoon leaders are dead.

"Third Regiment Commander, don't worry, the artillery supplies have arrived. Next, the twelve cannons of the artillery battalion will cover the entire Wangzhuang!"

"You order the Second Battalion to launch an attack on Wangzhuang from the flank, and the flamethrower platoon will assist you!"

In addition to its artillery, engineer, and supply battalions, the 1st Division was also equipped with a considerable number of American-made flamethrowers.

Flamethrowers are highly effective against trenches and fortified positions.

"Yes! I'll reorganize the attack right away!" Li Da shouted.

A dozen minutes later, the right flank of the 201st Regiment was engulfed in flames.

To Huang Zhencheng's surprise, the Guo army failed to capture Wangzhuang.

When the Second Battalion charged, G soldiers, their bodies engulfed in flames, would even rush out from the opposite position.

Huang Zhencheng really couldn't understand how a human will could withstand the flames of a flamethrower.
"Pass on my order! Have the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Regiment launch a flanking attack along the small stream outside the village!" Huang Zhencheng commanded.

This was the last mobile force he had left. If that wasn't enough, he would probably have to lead his guard company into battle.

Two hours later, news came back that the Third Battalion's attack had failed.

The Third Battalion encountered fierce resistance from the G Army behind the village. Despite five consecutive assaults, the Third Battalion could not even reach the edge of the G Army's trenches.

"How is this possible? The fighting has escalated to this point, and the G army still has anyone defending the flank?"

Huang Zhencheng, who was observing the battlefield situation through binoculars, frowned deeply.

The resistance from the G army far exceeded his expectations.

Just as Huang Zhencheng was determined to organize a suicide squad of officers, the radio operator ran over carrying a walkie-talkie.

"Commander, Commander Hu is calling!"

Huang Zhencheng quickly took the headset and microphone from the telegraph operator.

"Commander Hu, this is Huang Zhencheng."

"Zhencheng, how is the situation?" Hu Shoushan asked.

"Our unit has encountered fierce resistance from the enemy!"

"But please rest assured, Commander Hu, I am organizing my forces to break through the G Army's blockade as soon as possible and join forces with the troops inside the pass to encircle Chen*!"

"Good! In a battle between two armies, the brave will prevail! I have already sent aircraft to assist! The armored forces will arrive soon!" Hu Shoushan said.

His purpose in coming to southern Shanxi was to eliminate the main force of the G army.

Now that the main force of the G army has appeared, it's time to reveal their trump cards.

(End of this chapter)