Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 583 Allied Forces Are Just for Selling Out
After retreating several kilometers in a sorry state and regaining control of the front line, Albert's face was ashen.

Thanks to the cover provided by tanks and armored vehicles, the British 29th Brigade did not suffer heavy casualties this time, but the sudden appearance of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army gave him a bad feeling.

At that moment, the chief of staff walked over.

The reconnaissance unit had just sent him a telegram.

"Sir, the situation is not optimistic."

"The enemy must have received reinforcements; there are at least two thousand of them now."

Albert's face turned even paler.

More than two thousand enemies—that's a regiment—enough to construct a complete, large-scale defensive position.

Keep in mind that the entire British 29th Brigade only had 4,500 men.

Even with the addition of an engineer battalion reinforced by the US military, it would only amount to about five thousand people.

Albert was confident he could defeat a regiment of the central army, but to crush them in a short time was virtually impossible.

After thinking for a long time, Albert gritted his teeth and gave the order:

"Reorganize the formation, abandon the idea of ​​total occupation, and instead focus on local breakthroughs."

If the most crucial road positions can be breached, the British army can also break out from here.

Of course, this would expose them to fire from both flanks, but they would still be able to escape.

The chief of staff turned around to relay the order.

To break through, they had to speed up and escape under heavy fire, but visibility was poor at night.

But then Albert suddenly called out to him, "Wait."

“Let the Gloucester Battalion go this time!” Albert added through gritted teeth.

The Gloucester Regiment is the 29th Brigade of the British Army, or rather, the most elite regiment in the entire United Kingdom.

Unlike all other units, the Gloucester Regiment's hats had badges on both the front and back, signifying that they were attacked from both sides and would fight to the death.

Albert didn't care how many casualties the Belgian battalion or even the Royal Ulster Rifle Regiment suffered.

But if the Gloucester Battalion suffers heavy casualties, he can forget about being the brigadier general.

However, now that the British 29th Brigade is in its most dangerous moment, Albert can no longer worry about anything else.

After regrouping, the British 29th Brigade once again approached Hill 195.3.

Just as Albert was preparing to fight desperately, a piece of news brought him great joy.

"Sir, the U.S. 27th Combat Regiment has arrived!"

"Great! These Americans have finally arrived!" Albert was extremely excited.

Don't underestimate the 27th Regiment just because it's only a regiment. In addition to its own 3,000-plus men and 22 tanks, it also has many other assets.

还有6门师属155毫米榴弹炮、18门师属105毫米榴弹炮、以及师属防空营的1个连、工兵、医疗等单位加强。

Its total strength exceeds five thousand men.

"Quickly, go and fetch the commander of the 27th Regiment immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

Robert soon met Albert.

Robert was very angry because the British 29th Brigade had failed to provide cover for the American 27th Regiment.

However, Albert was nominally of a higher rank than him, so Robert couldn't go too far and had to maintain appearances.

"Colonel Robert, you've come at the perfect time!"

Albert ignored Robert's unpleasant expression and pulled him directly to the observation post.

"Look, Hill 195.3 in front and several other nearby hills have already been occupied by the Chinese army."

"If we want to return to Seoul, we must break through the enemy's defenses."
Albert quickly explained the details to Robert.

Holding up his binoculars, Robert looked at the situation before him with a headache.

If he could, he would never want to fight the Central Army.

However, he and Albert are now backed into a corner, and they have no choice but to fight with all their might.

If they can't break through the central army's positions, the 27th Combat Regiment and the British 29th Brigade will both die here.

After thinking it over, Robert decided to cooperate with the British army first: "The 27th Regiment is responsible for attacking the enemy's left flank position."

“Okay!” Albert nodded.

Of course, before the attack, Robert and Albert jointly requested air support.

Upon learning that the 27th Regiment was also trapped, the US military went all out this time, with hundreds of aircraft of various types rushing towards Hill 195.3.

In order to break through successfully, the US-British coalition forces used all available firepower.

Incendiary bombs, artillery shells, and bombs bombarded the area in turn, and thick smoke enveloped Hill 195.3 and several nearby hilltops.

Even so, the 221st Regiment withstood wave after wave of attacks from the British and American forces.

During this period, the two sides even engaged in close combat on several occasions.

The Gloucester Regiment that was replaced was different from the previous British and American troops; their bayonet charges were extremely fierce, reminiscent of the British Army's tradition of yesteryear.

However, even the Gloucester Battalion's traditions weren't very effective against bayonet masters.

Although they charged forward fiercely each time, they were always pushed back down.

The fierce battle lasted from day to night.

In order to escape, neither the British 29th Brigade nor the US 27th Combat Regiment had any intention of stopping.

They chose to launch a night battle.

Although the number of aircraft has been greatly reduced, the shelling by the US 27th Regiment has not stopped, and in fact, it seems to be getting faster and faster.

Seeing the intense firepower of the American troops, the morale of the British troops was boosted, and the Gloucester Regiment launched several night assaults.

Inside the 27th Regiment headquarters, the chief of staff approached him: "Sir, the artillery positions report that they are running low on ammunition."

Robert raised his hand and glanced at his watch: "It's about eleven o'clock at night, that's about it."

"Are the troops ready?" Robert asked.

"Everything is ready."

“Okay.” Robert nodded. “Proceed with the plan!”

"Yes, sir!"
On Hill 195.3, watching the enemy troops launch successive attacks, He Qifeng asked, "Where are the detachment commander and the others?"

"According to previous information, the 222nd and 223rd Regiments are flanking maneuvers."

"In addition, the main force of the brigade is also moving in here."

Hearing that the 222nd and 223rd Regiments had begun to maneuver to the flanks, He Qifeng breathed a sigh of relief.

Facing two opponents alone, and without artillery support from the detachment or brigade, the 221st Regiment was under immense pressure.

However, the 222nd and 223rd Regiments are almost here. Once they arrive, the pressure on the 221st Regiment will be reduced.

Just then, He Qifeng suddenly felt a light in his eyes.

Looking up, He Qifeng was momentarily stunned.

A long string of flares appeared on the front line of the British 29th Brigade.

The British positions were brightly lit.

The chief of staff scratched his head: "What is the enemy doing?"

Using flares like this would leave the British 29th Brigade in the dark, while the 221st Regiment could accurately strike its targets.

"Never mind what they're doing, this is our good opportunity."

He Qifeng realized that this was something that would benefit him, and he had to seize the opportunity to make a move.

"Order all units to give the British army a severe beating!"

"yes!".
The British army was really unlucky.

The heavy weapons that were originally advancing under the cover of night were basically exposed to the 221st Regiment's attack range.

The infantry and artillery company of the 221st Regiment happily called out roll call one by one.

On the other side, Robert nodded in satisfaction as he watched this scene.

"Very good, the central army has been tricked! The firepower has been shifted to the British army."

"Pass on my order to break out immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"
At that moment, Albert was cursing in the command post.

Such a long string of flares couldn't have been fired by the 29th Brigade alone, so it must have been the 27th Regiment of the US Army. However, Albert didn't know it was Robert's doing; he thought they had missed.

However, as the engines on the US 27th Regiment's position began to roar, the British soldiers on the outer perimeter quickly realized something was wrong.

Albert received the report soon after.

Upon receiving the report, Albert disregarded the danger and rushed out of the underground command post, raising his binoculars to look in the direction of the US 27th Regiment.

"Damn it! What is Robert trying to do?"

A trail of taillights could be seen, hurtling towards the mountainous area on the side at an extremely high speed.

The chief of staff standing to the side said with a grim face, "Sir, it's obvious that these damned Americans used us as bait and ran away to save their own lives."

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army had only a little over two thousand men, making it impossible for them to divide their forces to block the two combat units.

If the British 29th Brigade attracts the attention of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army here, then the US 27th Regiment will have a great chance to leave.

"What about their heavy artillery? What about their supplies? Did they just escape?!"

Escape through the mountains; people can do it, and tanks and armored vehicles might be able to too, but how do trucks and heavy artillery get through?
The chief of staff deduced, "The U.S. military has probably given up entirely."

"Sir, we need to make a decision as soon as possible."

Without the help of the American troops, it would have been even more difficult for the British forces to break out.

Albert was well aware of this situation and therefore made a decision immediately.

"We absolutely cannot be used as shields by these Americans! We'll break through from the flanks!"

Albert knew that breaking out through the mountains was extremely dangerous.

However, if the British troops remain stationary, they will still be in danger, and the only ones who will benefit will likely be the Americans.

For Albert, letting the U.S. military benefit was worse than being killed.

The 221st Regiment was completely bewildered to see the Allied forces, who had been launching continuous offensives, suddenly split up and fled for their lives.

"What kind of schemes and tricks are these foreign devils up to?"

He Qifeng put down the binoculars, his brows furrowed. He really didn't understand this move.

"Commander, is it possible that the enemy is fighting amongst themselves?" the chief of staff reminded him.

"Didn't the commander-in-chief say that all the UN forces have their own ulterior motives?"

He Qifeng realized, "You know what, it really does seem plausible!"

The British army's reaction was exactly like that of someone who had been tricked; they didn't even flee with the American troops.

"Report to the brigade headquarters immediately and explain the situation."

"yes!".
Zheng Hua's telegram was sent back very quickly.

"Commander, the 222nd and 223rd Regiments have changed course and are preparing to intercept the fleeing British and American troops."

"The 21st and 24th detachments have also come separately."

"What about us? What are we going to do?" He Qifeng asked anxiously.

"The 221st Regiment has no combat missions," the chief of staff reported. "The detachment commander has ordered us to clean up the battlefield and await further orders."

"Oh dear! The squad leader is so confused!" He Qifeng exclaimed anxiously, slapping his thigh.

The British and American troops who fled from the mountains were like flesh with its bones removed; He Qifeng longed to take a bite.

"Commander, the detachment commander is doing this for our own good. Besides, there must be a lot of supplies left behind by the British and American troops."

“Their camp is showing signs of fire now, we need to hurry and clean it up.”

"Well, that's all we can do." He Qifeng nodded helplessly.

"The second and third battalions will go to the two camps respectively. They need to be fast and pay attention to safety."

"Yes!"

On the other hand, Albert breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that the 221st Regiment had not pursued them but instead had gone to seize the supplies they had left behind.

By this time, the British troops had already marched seven or eight kilometers and were taking a temporary rest.

"Heh. They're just peasants after all. A little bit of supplies can shut them up."

"Sir, this is good news for us!" the chief of staff said happily.

It was just a small amount of supplies. The UN forces, backed by Japan, had nothing else but plenty of supplies.

“Hmm.” Albert nodded. “Have the rearguard ambush troops return to their posts immediately.”

"Let's seize this opportunity and evacuate to Seoul as soon as possible."

Although they managed to break away while the Chinese army was seizing supplies, the British 29th Brigade is not safe now.

The most famous tactic of the Chinese army is rapid infiltration.

After resting for a few minutes, the British troops, despite their exhaustion, began to speed up their march again.

However, just half an hour later, just when the British troops thought they were about to escape, the 222nd Regiment surrounded them from three sides.

The 222nd Regiment knew very well that it could not take down the British 29th Brigade on its own.

Therefore, while utilizing the favorable terrain to build defensive positions, they also began to widely employ guerrilla tactics used during the War of Resistance against Japan.

The first to be hit were the British 29th Brigade's perimeter reconnaissance units.

Albert, who had been hit hard, immediately understood what had happened.

"The enemy is deliberately harassing us in an attempt to slow down our retreat."

The chief of staff was very troubled: "Sir, even so, we cannot ignore the enemy's harassment."

Even if they could see through this constant harassment guerrilla tactic at a glance, they had no good way to deal with it.

The British troops could neither engage in skirmishes with the enemy nor halt their retreat.

Just when Albert was struggling with the constant guerrilla raids, someone solved the problem for him.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
A series of mortar shells suddenly landed on the retreating British troops.

The 21st Detachment arrived at the battlefield, and the guerrilla harassment by the 222nd Regiment ceased.

"Damn it! It's a heavy mortar!"

"Sir! The enemy's main force has arrived!"

Now Albert no longer has to worry about the harassment.

"Gather your forces! Gather your forces immediately!"

"Use tanks as fixed firing points to build temporary fortifications!"

Inside the Second General Headquarters, Xu Wu ran up to Chen Chengxing with a telegram in his hand.

"Commander, we've blocked it! We've blocked it!"

“The British 29th Brigade is here, and the US 27th Regiment is here.” Xu Wu drew two circles on the map.

"Good! Good!" Chen Chengxing laughed loudly, "At least we haven't disappointed the Commander-in-Chief!"

Although the Chinese People's Volunteer Army made rapid advances in this campaign, the number of enemy troops killed was not ideal.

The Southern army that has been wiped out so far, in total, numbered only 15,000.

However, if we can eliminate both the US and UK combat groups, then we can consider it a barely achieved operational objective.

"Tell the 21st and 24th detachments to trap the enemy."

"Don't rush to eat them. Shiji means to use them as bait."

"Army A, Army B, and Army C are making a detour towards Gaoyang. The 21st and 24th Detachments are just waiting for the mountain artillery units."

"yes!".
At this moment, Robert and Albert were both pacing around the command post, desperately needing to relieve themselves.

They were each surrounded by four infantry regiments.

"Sir, the Gloucester Battalion has withdrawn."

“I understand.” Albert put down his binoculars.

He had already seen the situation at Gloucester Camp.

Even with tank support, the Gloucester Battalion showed no signs of success.

"Withdraw the Gloucester battalion and replace it with the Belgian battalion. Keep the attack going."

"Immediately send a telegram to the group command headquarters requesting assistance."

Albert was unaware of the situation of the US 27th Regiment, but the British 29th Brigade was now in a more difficult situation than before.

Without reinforcements, the British 29th Brigade would likely not be able to break through the encirclement.

(End of this chapter)