Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 487 Leading the Charge
After breaking through the central field's F-line defense, Huang Huanran advanced rapidly inwards.

Although Qu Jiemei's army was wiped out, the remnants of the 72nd and 75th Divisions still remained.

Gu Mosan had hinted to him when he relayed the order that after rescuing Qu Jieming's army, he would be officially appointed as the army commander.

However, before he could even feel smug for a few minutes, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

"What did you say? We've spotted a large force of the G Army on both sides?!" Huang Huanran's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets upon hearing the chief of staff's report.

“That’s right, sir!” The chief of staff nodded repeatedly: “According to the reconnaissance unit’s report, they saw the numbers of several columns of the East China Field Army, which are definitely the units that attacked Qu Jiemei before.”

"The G army is too audacious. Instead of retreating, they're attacking us!" Huang Huanran quickly worked on the map.

With just a simple gesture, Huang Huanran realized he was in trouble.

Their own troops were on a forced march and had no time to deploy their lines.

Once the G army engages in an encirclement battle, there will be no possibility for us to break out of our formation.

"Quickly, order the troops to halt their advance immediately, and the third force should advance south to seize Yiyang Town!"

Near Huang Huanran's army corps, apart from Wuwangdian, where the corps headquarters was located, which was a large village, the only other stronghold was Yiyang Town, three kilometers to the south.

However, since they had decided to encircle and annihilate Huang Huanran, the Field Army naturally would not overlook the location of Yiyang Town.

Before the third column could advance even a kilometer, the armored battalion and the T-column tank regiment, specially transferred from the Second Division by the Field Army, attacked from the flank.

The Third Fast Column consisted of only one tank battalion with twelve Stuart tanks.

They were no match for the T-Column Tank Regiment and the Second Armored Combined Battalion's encirclement and suppression.

Huang Huanran was seething with hatred as the Third Swift Column was pushed back by the G Army.

Are your artillery regiment's twenty-four Type 94 mountain guns just for show? Are your twelve tanks just for show? Are your four thousand infantrymen just for show?

Why not carry explosives and blow up the G army's tanks!

Actually, Huang Huanran completely misunderstood the Third Column. The Guo Army infantry had no shortage of courageous soldiers, but they really couldn't catch up.

The armored battalion's dozen or so armored vehicles moved swiftly across the battlefield, avoiding direct confrontation.

The twenty-odd tanks did charge, but Zhou Weiguo specifically dispatched two armored truck infantry companies to assist them.

Although there is no tacit understanding between the two and they cannot achieve coordinated infantry and tank operations, they have no problem ensuring that the tanks cannot crush them while providing fire support for the tanks.

The KMT soldiers tried to blow up the tanks with explosives, but they were riddled with bullets by the infantry and heavy machine guns on the armored trucks.

However, although the tank regiment and armored battalion achieved their objectives, except for the A column, the other columns failed to reach their designated positions on time to launch the attack.

Caught off guard, Huang Huanran failed to seize the last opportunity.

As evening fell, each column gritted its teeth and used its last strength to successfully surround Huang Huanran's army group at Wuwangdian.

As soon as the encirclement was completed, all units launched a full-scale attack.

Upon receiving news that the encirclement had been successfully completed, the commander breathed a sigh of relief.

"Has Chen Chengxing's rocket artillery battalion arrived yet?"

He had previously paid attention to the battle at Tianma Mountain while at Diecui Mountain and knew that Chen Chengxing had rocket launchers.

He also knew that when Chen Chengxing was fighting in western Henan with the CX Corps, he had taken two rocket launchers from his wife.

Of course, the remaining rocket launchers produced by the Taiyuan Arsenal were also distributed to various field armies, with the field headquarters having a battalion of eighteen rocket launchers.

However, according to his understanding, the more rocket launchers there are, the better the effect.

This time, he wanted to test the effectiveness of two battalions of rocket artillery.

"We've arrived and rendezvoused with the field headquarters' independent rocket artillery battalion," the deputy chief of staff reported.

"Good!" The commander nodded, then pointed to the map: "According to the tank regiment's report, Huang Huanran's third rapid column has retreated to Chengang Village."

"Judging from the timeline, the other party should not have dispersed yet."

"Give me the order to the rocket artillery battalion to fire a salvo at Chengang Village!"

"yes!".
A few minutes later, with a series of whooshing sounds, more than 400 rockets flew out like meteors.

The spectacular sight made those who saw it look up.

Huang Huanran from Wuwangdian also heard the shouts and came out.

Once outside, he immediately spotted a long trail of firelight in the dim sky in the distance.

This scene instantly reminded him of Tianma Mountain.

"Fire! Take cover!" Huang Huanran shouted instinctively, and at the same time rushed back to the underground command post.

Upon hearing Huang Huanran's terrified scream, the people around immediately erupted into chaos.

When a series of explosions rang out in the distance, everyone realized that the meteor was not targeting them.

While everyone was whispering among themselves, Huang Huanran in the underground command post received a call from the Third Column.

"Sir! Sir! Our unit has been attacked by heavy artillery! Heavy artillery attack!"

"Heavy casualties! Our troops have suffered heavy casualties! Requesting immediate reinforcements! Immediate reinforcements!"

The people in the Third Column all burst into tears.

The G army's firepower attack was too sudden; it didn't resemble a normal artillery firing procedure at all.

There was no test firing at all; they immediately unleashed a barrage of over four hundred shells.

Caught off guard, the Third Column suffered more than half of its 6,000-strong force as casualties.

They don't even have enough people to carry the stretchers now.

Even so, most of the debris was blocked by the walls of the houses in the village. If it had been in the wild, the casualties would have been unbearable to witness.

Upon hearing the third quick-witted man's tearful complaint, Huang Huanran's face nearly fell to the ground.

The battle has only just begun, and four thousand men have already been lost. The Second Traffic Police Team is mostly armed with light weapons, so the burden now rests entirely on the 25th Division.

After hanging up the phone, Huang Huanran turned his head and ordered, "Chief of staff, arrange for the supply and civilian laborers to go to the Third Column to rescue the people and evacuate them back to Wuwangdian."

"Yes!"

After arranging the affairs of the Third Rapid Column, Huang Huanran rushed to the front line and personally commanded the troops to launch several counter-attacks.

That night, charges and counter-charges continued, and positions changed hands multiple times. By dawn, Huang Huanran's casualties had exceeded those of two regiments, most of whom were from the Second Transportation Team.

Because the Second Transportation Team lacked sufficient firepower, the 25th Division was the main force on each front.

At this point, the soldiers from the Second Transportation Team, who had been assigned there, naturally became cannon fodder blocking the guns.

They are always at the forefront.

After a night of fighting, Huang Huanran returned to the command post covered in gunpowder and pitch black.

As soon as he entered, Huang Huanran immediately asked, "How many tanks are left in the rapid 3rd Column?"

"Six vehicles were brought back, but the other six were damaged and could not be started no matter what. The repair team could not complete the repairs in a short time, so the Third Rapid Detachment was temporarily left there."

"Hmm." Huang Huanran nodded. There was no need to worry about things that couldn't be retrieved at this point.

"Immediately order the tank units to prepare. We will launch a strong attack to the south and open a breach."

"Yes! I'll arrange it right away."

A dozen minutes later, several tanks rumbled over.

At that moment, the chief of staff suddenly saw Huang Huanran walk out and climb onto the tank.

"Sir, the G Army has anti-tank guns, it's too dangerous." The chief of staff grabbed Huang Huanran.

“If my brothers can risk their lives, so can I.”

Huang Huanran pushed the chief of staff aside and turned to climb into the tank.

Seeing their commander personally leading the charge, the soldiers of the 25th Division were greatly encouraged.

Under the cover of aircraft and artillery, Huang Huanran launched a fierce attack on the encirclement, attempting to create a breakthrough.

At that time, we can either break through the encirclement or establish an effective position.

Although the troops of the East China Field Army were exhausted, they still gritted their teeth and held off the day's attacks.

After suffering nearly a regiment's worth of casualties, Huang Huanran only managed to capture two small villages, but was unable to establish an effective position.

During this time, the two rocket artillery battalions also seized the opportunity to fire another salvo.

Although not as effective as the previous surprise attack on the 3rd Column, it still caused hundreds of casualties to Huang Huanran's troops.

Moreover, this volley of fire completely shattered Huang Huanran's courage.

All of Huang Huanran's troops were reduced to a small area centered on Wuwangdian.

At this time, Du Guangting, deputy commander of the Pengcheng Suppression Headquarters, arrived at the battlefield by plane to inspect the situation.

"Brother Huanran, how is the situation in your unit now?"

“Deputy Commander Du, during the training in Lushan in 22, we were bunk beds. My name at that time was Huang Xin.”

“Since the anti-bandit campaign began in 19, I have never complained, but today, I have no choice but to call for help.”

"The G army's offensive is too fierce. I expect tonight to be the last night. If reinforcements do not arrive, I will have no choice but to die to serve the party and the country."

"Brother Huanran, you must not give up," Du Guangting immediately advised.

"The reinforcements from all sides are launching a full-scale attack, and they will surely arrive on the battlefield in time."

Du Guangting was not lying this time. Unlike all the previous battles, the Guo army on the Yudong battlefield was giving full play to its strength.

They were all launching a frenzied, frenzied attack.

"I hope so," Huang Huanran sighed.

After hanging up the phone, Huang Huanran began to prepare for both possibilities. He ordered the burning of documents and the shooting of captured wounded G Army soldiers, preparing to fight to the death.

In front of the Donglinggang position, Qiu Feng observed the G Army's position through binoculars. At this moment, the area in front of the position was littered with corpses.

"Damn it! A division is fighting a small group, and after three days and three nights, there's been absolutely no progress!"

Even if Qiu Feng was unwilling, he knew that he probably couldn't break through the current defenses in a short time.

Even though his Fifth Army and 83rd Division combined had almost twice the strength of Chen Chengxing's forces, and his artillery and aircraft had an absolute advantage, it was still difficult for him to break through in a short period of time.

"Sir, the Chairman has sent another telegram, with very strong words, ordering us to complete the rendezvous with Huang Huanran's army tonight."

After glancing at the telegram, Qiu Feng sighed, "Huang Huanran is probably in grave danger."

"Bring me the map," Qiu Feng ordered.

The chief of staff immediately spread the map on the ammunition box next to him.

After studying it carefully for a while, Qiu Feng drew a line on the map: "Since we can't break through head-on, let's attack from a distance."

"Avoid Chen Chengxing's main positions, penetrate behind enemy lines from the north, and directly support Wu Wangdian."

"Sir, I'm afraid the chances are slim." The chief of staff shook his head.

“We’ll go north from here and then turn towards Wu Wang Dian, which is at least 60 kilometers away. We can’t get there in a short time.”

“I know that.” Qiu Feng nodded. “I didn’t plan to take all the troops with me.”

"Go and gather all available vehicles immediately."

"Armored vehicles, trucks, jeeps, even motorcycles, bicycles, donkey carts—any vehicle that can move quickly, gather them all together."

"I estimate that with the current transport capacity of the Fifth Army and the 83rd Division, they should be able to guarantee the rapid movement of 6,000 people."

"This force is enough to pose a great threat to the flank of the G army besieging Huang Huanran."

Qiu Feng's move was a risky gamble, a desperate gamble, but he couldn't care less about that now.

Although Qu Jieming's army corps still had the 72nd Division feigning death, the corps' defeat had already driven Chang Ruiyuan in Nanjing mad.

If Huang Huanran's army is wiped out again, he, as the commander of the core main force on the eastern Henan battlefield, will bear the greatest responsibility.

At this time, Hu Ziqi on the southern front also made the same decision as Qiu Feng.

Unable to break through the main defenses of the Central Plains Field Army, Hu Ziqi left Zhang Yishan to continue engaging the Central Plains Field Army while he led the main force, the 11th Division and the 33rd Division, to abandon their supplies and make a light flanking maneuver, rushing at full speed across the plains to the main battlefield for rescue.

According to Hu Ziqi's assessment, the main force of the G army must be exhausted after fighting a series of battles in eastern Henan. As long as they can arrive at the battlefield in time, they can annihilate the G army in the Yongxiang area.

(End of this chapter)