Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 379: Me again?
A few days later, Chen Chengxing received a telegram from his superiors.

An operational meeting was then convened.

"Comrades, Chiang Kai-shek has mobilized 195 reorganized brigades, totaling more than 1.5 million troops."

"A surprise attack has been launched on all our liberated areas."

"In accordance with the orders of the central leadership, our army shall launch a full-scale counterattack!"

"The Field Headquarters has already sent instructions regarding the operational mission of the Second Independent Detachment," Chen Chengxing said, getting up and walking to the hanging map.

"Before the Lunar New Year, our army inflicted heavy losses on the Central Army and the Jin-Sui Army in the southern Shanxi region."

"After the ceasefire agreement was signed, Yan Xishan transferred the entire force to Yunzhong City."

"Therefore, on the northern front, our strategic objective is to strike Yan Xishan and Fu Yi's troops in the 12th War Zone of the Guo Army."

Shanxi has only a few plains and basins.

Taiyuan and Changzhi were occupied by the Communist army, while southern Shanxi was occupied by the Central Army.

Yan Xishan had no other choice but the Yunzhong Basin in northern Shanxi.

Chen Chengxing was also well aware of his superiors' intentions.

This is to prepare a sufficient buffer zone in preparation for a full-scale conflict to come.

And it also leaves oneself a way out.

The current situation in Northeast China is one where the enemy is strong and we are weak.

Apart from Chen Chengxing, no one dared to guarantee that the situation in Northeast China could be improved.

If the Northeast falls, the only option for the G Army will be to move west and take over Xinjiang Province.

Only in this way could direct borders with Soviet Russia be guaranteed.

Following instructions from the Central Committee, General Liu formulated a strategy of targeting Fu and attacking Yan.

The southern front was still handed over to the D Column, and Chen Sijin was sent to deal with his old classmate.

The remaining troops of the Field Army attacked Fu'an, Suxian, Subei, and the counties west of Yunzhong City in northern Shanxi.

The Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region was responsible for attacking Ye County, Lucheng, Jincheng, as well as the western counties of Guangning and the eastern counties of Yunzhong.

During this phase, the G army will not attack Yan Xishan's troops in Yunnei County and Yunzhong City, and will also try not to alarm Fu Yi's troops.

They will only attack Yunzhong City after eliminating one or two of Yan Xishan's divisions.

After eliminating Yan Xishan, it was finally Fu Yi's turn to take over the Twelfth War Zone.

"Yan Xishan has about 5 troops in the Yunzhong Basin," Chen Chengxing continued.

"The area around Fu'an, Suxian, Subi, and Jincheng was led by the 43rd Army, with a total strength of about 15,000 men."

"The first task of the Second Independent Detachment is to attack Fu'an and open up a passage for the northward advance."

After speaking, Chen Chengxing looked at everyone.

The squad leaders immediately straightened their backs.

"The task of attacking Fu'an will be handled by the Supplementary Regiment and the 201st Regiment of the 21st Detachment," Chen Chengxing said after thinking for a moment.

"You will cross the Fen River from Xinbao Town, then secretly head north to launch a surprise attack on Fu'an. The rest of the troops will advance along the Tongpu Railway from Luye."

"Yes!" Chu Yunfei and Li Chishui stood up at attention.

(I didn't dare to use my real name, so I used an ancient name or a made-up one. I didn't mark other parts that are unrelated to this.)
Two nights later, the supplementary regiment and the 201st Regiment, one to the west and one to the south, quietly approached Fu'an.

At this time, the garrison in Fu'an was the 208th Regiment of the 70th Division of the 43rd Army, with a total of 1,200 men.

At this moment, the Jin-Sui Army soldiers had no idea that the G Army would take the initiative to attack them.

From the perspective of the Jin-Sui Army, it was the Central Army that attacked the G Army, and it had nothing to do with the Jin-Sui Army.

Outside the city, seeing that the Jin-Sui army was completely unprepared, Chu Yunfei cursed, then turned and gave the order:
"First Battalion Commander, this is the replenishment regiment's first battle! The detachment commander has given us this opportunity, so we must seize it!"

"You will personally lead a battalion in a surprise attack!"

"Don't worry, Commander, we guarantee we'll be the first to storm the city!" the battalion commander assured him.

Although they were a supplementary regiment, they were defined as an auxiliary force.

But every support player has a heart set on dealing damage.

The team leader has set this stage for us; if we don't perform well, we might never have another chance.

Because the Jin-Sui Army had not yet noticed, the battalion commander chose to advance at close range.

He led his men, carrying ladders, and made their way towards the city wall.

After quietly crossing the moat and arriving at the city walls, the battalion commander was overjoyed to find that he had not been discovered.

"Set up ladders! Set up ladders quickly!" the battalion commander shouted in a low voice.

"Assault team, go first! The rest of you follow!"

After the ladders were placed on the city wall, the Jin-Sui Army soldiers on patrol heard a clattering sound.

"Wait a minute, is there any noise?" A soldier from the Jin-Sui Army stopped and pricked up his ears.

The people nearby also looked out.

Before they could even see what was in the distance, several heads suddenly appeared on the city wall.

"G Army! The G Army is here!"

The patrolling Jin-Sui Army soldiers screamed.

They never expected that the G army would suddenly appear in front of them.

Before the men could even cock their rifles, the assault soldier at the front was already pointing his submachine gun at them.

"Da da da".
They were less than a meter apart, and the submachine gun bullets hit their targets every time.

After the first burst of bullets was fired, not a single patrolling Jin-Sui soldier was still standing.

However, as soon as the gunshot rang out, everyone knew they had been exposed.

Therefore, they stopped being careful and started doing things as quickly as possible.

Upon hearing the gunshots, the Jin-Sui Army soldiers on the city wall charged forward, shouting and yelling, ready to drive the G Army down.

If this city wall were in the hands of the G army, Fu'an would have had absolutely no chance of being defended.

Inside the city, at the Jin-Sui Army headquarters, the chief of staff of the 208th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army was also frantically knocking on the door.

"Commander, something terrible has happened! The G army has entered the city!"

"Stop knocking!" Wang Tianyu opened the door and came out.

He was already dressed and ready.

"What's the situation now?" Wang Tianyu asked as he walked towards the operations command center.

"There are battles in both the west and the south."

"The western side is the most dangerous. The G army has silently climbed the city wall. The 3rd Company is now organizing a counterattack."

Upon hearing the chief of staff's words, Wang Tianyu stopped and then gave the order:
"Pass on my order: the deputy company commander of the third company is promoted to company commander, and the former company commander is to be law-abiding!"

He had warned the entire regiment to be on high alert several days earlier, but the G army was only discovered after they climbed the wall.

The 3rd Company Commander cannot escape the charge of dereliction of duty. "Staff Officer Zhang, you handle this matter. Take my guard squad and make sure the G Army is suppressed!" Wang Tianyu gave a firm order.

"Yes!" The operations staff officer beside him led a dozen guards straight to the west wall.

"Chief of staff, order the entire regiment to prepare for urban warfare and immediately establish firing positions in key locations."

"yes!".
Subsequently, Wang Tianyu issued several more orders.

The 208th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army, which was initially in some chaos, gradually began to restore order.

Chu Yunfei, outside the city, could discern the changes in the Jin-Sui Army simply by listening to the gunfire.

Chu Yunfei picked up the phone and called the front lines.

"Second Battalion Commander."

"The enemy has reacted. Attack the city gate immediately."

"The machine gun company and artillery company will provide cover for you," Chu Yunfei ordered.

Regardless of whether they can capture the city gate, the Second Battalion must go.

At the very least, we need to alleviate the pressure on the first battalion.

The battalions of the replenishment regiment did not have heavy weapons.

The regiment's machine gun company had nine heavy machine guns, and the mortar company had six 81mm mortars—that was all Chu Yunfei owned.

In order to break the deadlock, he chose to use all his resources.

"yes!".
"Hang up the phone," the second battalion commander shouted.

"attack!"

"kill!".
"Da da da".
The soldiers of the Second Battalion bent over and pressed forward.

However, the mission of most units is to provide cover and suppress fire.

The first platoon was truly responsible for the core assault.

Under the cover of friendly forces, the first platoon successfully approached to within 100 meters of the city wall.

With a wave of his hand, the platoon leader ordered the troops to disperse immediately and begin exchanging fire with the enemy troops on the city wall, using cover as cover.

"Demolition Team!"

"on!"

Several demolition experts who were already prepared rushed out with explosives in hand.

"Fire cover!" the platoon leader shouted.

Command of the 60mm mortar squad attached to the company has been delegated to the first platoon.

Upon receiving the order, the three 60mm mortars began rapid firing.

At the same time, light machine guns and rocket launchers also opened fire.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
The city walls of Fu'an were engulfed in an explosion.

The only problem with its firepower coverage is the high ammunition consumption.

When faced with such a formidable Second Independent Detachment, the Jin-Sui Army's initial firing at the demolition experts' strongpoints was immediately silenced by indiscriminate barrage.

After sacrificing one person, the demolition team piled two explosive charges at the city gate.

"boom!"

With a huge explosion, the city gate of Fu'an was breached.

"Comrades! Follow me and kill!" Seeing that the progress was going so smoothly, the second battalion commander immediately led the attack.

Chu Yunfei didn't waste any words and immediately launched a full-scale attack.

Li Chishui, from the south of the city, breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that the reinforcements had stormed into Fu'an.

"Now that the reinforcement regiment has finished its act, let the First Battalion launch a full-scale attack," Li Chishui ordered.

His 201st Regiment came to provide support.

If the reinforcement regiment cannot achieve a breakthrough in a short time, the 201st Regiment will have to go up and forcefully take Fu'an.

It seems the replenishment team will only be able to operate in the rear from now on.

However, it now appears that the replenishment regiment has achieved its full combat capability.

If the Second Independent Detachment can be upgraded, the Supplementary Regiment will likely be expanded as well.

Under the command of Wang Tianyu, the 208th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army fought very tenaciously.

However, even the supplementary regiment suffered repeated defeats against the Second Independent Detachment.

In particular, rocket launchers, which can fire directly, are very effective in close-quarters combat in urban warfare.

The Jin-Sui Army set up firing positions on the second or third floor, hoping to use the height to block the surrounding streets.

However, it had little effect against rocket launchers.

One shell would cripple or kill the Jin-Sui Army soldiers.

After using it, the supplementary regiment and the 201st Regiment completely recaptured Fu'an.

The 208th Regiment of the Jin-Sui Army, with more than 1,200 men, was completely annihilated, but fewer than 500 were captured.

This is comparable to the battle against the First Division of the Central Army back then.

At Luye Railway Station, Xu Wu walked into the command carriage with a telegram in his hand.

"Team leader, Fu'an has been captured."

"Tell Chu Yunfei and Li Chishui that after dawn, the troops will split into two groups and advance towards Su County."

"Have Zheng Hua lead the remaining troops of the 21st detachment to set off immediately and wipe out all enemy forces along the Tongpu Railway," Chen Chengxing ordered.

The Second Independent Detachment has a large number of heavy weapons, and the fastest way to move long distances is by rail.

If you dare to let mules and horses pull artillery for hundreds of kilometers, they will die on the spot.

The Second Independent Detachment still has too few trucks.

"Yes!"

Xu Wu did not immediately issue the order, but hesitated before speaking:

"Team leader, there's one more thing."

"Speak," Chen Chengxing said without looking up.

"Commander Chu wants to add all the captured Jin-Sui troops from Fu'an to the replenishment battalion."

Chu Yunfei knew, of course, that it did not comply with the regulations.

However, he still wanted to guide these elite soldiers from Shanxi onto the right path.

Chen Chengxing thought about it and did not refuse.

"Have the political commissar send a few more people to assist the supplementary regiment in conducting ideological education for the prisoners."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)