Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 619 Slow and Fast

The US tanks chose to continue their slow advance, which gave Li Lian time to build up his position.

This time, Li Lian was much more careful than before.

Although the US military was cautious before, it was not actually very prepared, so the surprise attack was easy to succeed.

But now, as soon as the artillery fires, the US military's reaction speed will be very fast.

Therefore, the two not only brought tripods, but also built a small bunker so that they could crouch inside and aim.

Li Lian calmly set up the cannon, pointing it once again at the tanks on the road.

This time, Li Lian was not in a hurry; the cannon barrel followed the movement of the tank.

Li Lian only pulled the trigger when the American tank was perpendicular to the muzzle of its gun.

"boom!"

"Hit! Hit!" Wang Hu almost jumped up when he saw the tank destroyed by a single shot.

"Load! Load!" Li Lian shouted.

Wang Hu dared not delay and completed the task in one go at the fastest speed he had ever done in his life.

"boom!"

"Holy crap! I won again!"

This time, Li Lian didn't need to shout; Wang Hu completed the loading of the ammunition while simultaneously calling out to him.

Li Lian pulled the trigger again, and another tank was destroyed.

"Three shots, three hits! Gunner, you're a god of gunnery!!"

"Stop talking nonsense and run!" Li Lian pulled Wang Hu along, and the two of them quickly ran backward.

In desperation, Li Lian even abandoned the recoilless rifle that was mounted there, just to get away from this place as soon as possible.

The two men had barely moved ten meters from their positions when artillery fire had already covered their bunkers.

The US tanks were truly frightened by Li Lian this time.

They had never even heard of a situation involving three cannons and three tanks.

To prevent this from happening again, the US military would love to fire all the shells from their tanks at Lieutenant General Lee.

The intense artillery fire made Li Lian and Wang Hu, who were more than ten meters away, afraid to look up. The two of them were practically crawling backward.

Just as the American tanks were bombarding Li Lian, the remaining anti-tank forces that had been lying in ambush behind him arrived.

They were already rushing over when they heard Li Lian fire the first four shells, but with large and small cannons pulling the strings, their speed was slow.

After the main force arrived, seeing several burning American tanks and fiercely fighting back on the road, they knew exactly what had happened.

Without further ado, everyone set up the cannons and began to fire.

The remaining four Pershing tanks, despite their thicker armor, were still somewhat powerless against the shells coming from all directions.

A few minutes later, the shelling stopped, and all the American tanks were engulfed in flames.

Bradley was devastated when he received another battle report from the front lines.

In this offensive, the US 2nd Division not only achieved no results, but also lost half of its tanks in just three days.

Even if the United States is incredibly wealthy, it cannot withstand such rapid depletion.

Unable to sustain the momentum any longer, Bradley chose to back down.

Of course, large-scale fighting ceased, but the exchange of fire between the two sides did not stop.

However, by this point, the battle had already achieved its symbolic significance.

Each day, there are only about a hundred soldiers on both sides exchanging fire, or artillery fire at each other.

Later on, the US military planes stopped coming altogether.

After two consecutive failed attacks, VanVleet was forced to turn his attention to the western front.

As for the easternmost front, although the Union Army was responsible for its defense, it was not even within Van Fleet's considerations.

Unfortunately, the Southern Army was the one confronting the Northern Army in the mountains, so it was really difficult to ask them to launch an attack.

To launch an attack from the far east, the main force of the US military would have to be mobilized, but that would leave gaps on other fronts.

Therefore, VanVleet could only look for solutions in the Midwest.

Under Van Fleet's command, the US 7th Division, US 24th Division, South 2nd Division, and South 6th Division, supported by hundreds of tanks and a large number of aircraft, launched a fierce attack on the front of Kaesong.

In two days, the US military advanced two kilometers.

This progress is already faster than on all other fronts.

However, VanVleet preferred to forgo this schedule.

These two kilometers of progress were achieved at the cost of lives.

The US and South Korean armies suffered 1.7 casualties. The US 7th Division has withdrawn to the second line for rest and reorganization due to heavy casualties.

If it weren't for Van Fleet's strong pressure, the 2nd Division of the South would probably have had to retreat as well.

Another week later, the US-ROK allied forces suffered another 5,000 casualties and lost 56 tanks before finally capturing the less important positions of Bonghwasan and Gyoyangsan.

However, this was already the limit for the UN forces. After barely capturing two hilltops, the US forces had to halt their offensive.

Just as the US 2nd Division was retreating and Van Fleet was focusing all his attention on the western front, Chen Chengxing was preparing to take action.

"Now that the US military is engaged in a major battle on the Western Front, and its aircraft are mostly supporting the Western battlefield, it is the perfect time for us to take action."

Looking at the map Chen Chengxing had spread out on the table, Luo Ping asked, "What are your thoughts?"

“Look here, Xima Mountain.”

"As long as we can take Ximashan, we can threaten Jinping and Jinhua if we advance, and ensure the safety of Jincheng if we retreat."

"Whoever controls Xima Mountain holds the strategic initiative."

Ximashan is in a very important location, located more than 40 kilometers west of Jincheng, and 20 kilometers southwest of Jinping.

This location blocks the passage between Jinping and Jincheng.

As long as we can control this area, we can ensure the safety of the Second General Staff's flank and prevent the US military from using the salient to outflank and encircle it.

Looking at the map, Luo Ping said, "Xima Mountain is indeed very important, but taking it will probably not be so simple."

"The road from Jinping to Ximashan is a plain; if the US military wanted to provide support, they could arrive in no time."

Chen Chengxing laughed and said, "So we need to be both slow and fast."

"Take ample time to scout the terrain, enemy situation, troop strength, and firepower. Only fight when everything is ready. Don't fight if you're not ready."

"But once the fighting starts, we must attack at the fastest speed possible; the assault must be fast, and the pursuit must be fast as well."

"It is said that speed is the only way to break through all martial arts, so this time we will use speed to defeat speed!"

"I want to see if the US military arrives faster, or if we can act even faster!"

Luo Ping nodded: "If that's the case, then I completely agree to the action."

"If we take Ximashan and then Dongyueling, we can seize the initiative in the central line and maybe even push the American troops back."

"That's not easy," Chen Chengxing shook his head.

"According to special operations reports, the U.S. military, like us, is engaged in large-scale construction projects. The U.S. military is using its equipment advantage to build a three-dimensional, in-depth defense system."

"The US military can't push forward on our lines, and it's also difficult for us to make a big advance."

Of course, if you really want to break through, it's not impossible, but that would be a losing proposition.

The supply lines of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army have always been a major weakness.

The US Air Force is currently waging a fierce war against the logistics of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. Hundreds of bombers are being deployed every day, and this operation has been ongoing for two months.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army has also achieved some success in its counter-strangulation campaign, and as of now, supplies at the front are not scarce.

However, the supplies for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army were running out as they wanted to advance rapidly southward.

If relying solely on individual soldiers to carry the load, the battle can only last for a week.

In that case, we'll go back to the old situation.

Luo Ping said, "Then let's forget about Jinping for now and take Ximashan first!"

Chen Chengxing nodded: "Take Ximashan first!"

Once the next phase of goals was determined, the second phase of operations immediately commenced.

Wei Dayong's entire special operations brigade was mobilized. Following Chen Chengxing's instructions, they had to thoroughly investigate the situation in and around Ximashan.

A week later, Chen Chengxing convened a combat meeting.

"The situation at Xima Mountain has been thoroughly investigated, and I have made up my mind to wipe them out this time!"

As he spoke, Chen Chengxing gestured to Xu Wu, who immediately went to the hanging map and explained:
"According to reconnaissance, the garrison at Westerhill is an reinforced battalion of the British 28th Brigade, designated as the 1st Battalion of the Royal Border Regiment of Scotland."

"They put a lot of effort into building a complete fortification in the western part of the country."

"A ten-meter-wide barbed wire fence was laid in front of the position, and there was a minefield in the middle of the barbed wire fence. There were all kinds of bunkers and pillboxes in the position."

"During their reconnaissance mission alone, the special operations team discovered over a hundred enemy bunkers."

Just as Xu Wu was explaining the situation at Ximashan, a combat staff officer leaned close to Chen Chengxing's ear and reported the latest developments.

Chen Chengxing waved his hand, signaling Xu Wu to stop.

"We just received news from the front lines that the British have started shelling again."

Since the British army completed its fortifications, it has taken advantage of the height of the hills of West Mare to frequently fire on the surrounding villages as a show of force.

Although such a blow had no impact on the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, it brought great misfortune to the surrounding North Korean civilians.

Countless civilians were bombed and their remains were never found.

"Simashan has become the enemy's eye. Only by removing this eye can we ensure the safety of our surrounding positions and the people of North Korea."

Chen Chengxing stood up: "Aren't the British arrogant? Do they think we lack heavy firepower and won't choose to launch a frontal assault?"

"Then let them know that times have changed!"

"This border regiment is said to have a history of over 300 years and is a defensive master in the British army."

"I'll beat them all to a pulp today!"

"Wang Chengzhu!"

"To!"

"The rocket artillery regiment is to be immediately deployed to the front lines and prepared to provide fire support!"

"Yes!"

The three artillery regiments of the artillery detachment were scattered along a front line that stretched for tens of kilometers.

Heavy howitzers cannot be assembled in a short time, but 107mm rocket artillery has no problem.

Soldiers can disassemble the rocket launcher and transport it by manpower, making it easy to traverse mountains and valleys.

54 rocket launchers are enough for Ximashan.

Of course, some of the enemy's bunkers, built according to the terrain, were difficult to destroy indirectly with long-range artillery.

These concealed firing positions require close-range direct fire from cannons.

Therefore, Chen Chengxing looked at Zhou Weiguo.

"Can the armored battalion be deployed?"

"Absolutely no problem!" Zhou Weiguo was so excited he almost jumped for joy; he had been waiting for so long.

"Alright!" Chen Chengxing nodded: "This time, let's have a head-on confrontation with the enemy!"

"I want to see whether their bunkers are tougher or our tanks are tougher!"

In order to deliver a fatal blow, Chen Chengxing personally went to the 24th Detachment.

"Commander, according to the plan, the 241st Regiment will be responsible for the main attack, the 242nd Regiment will make a feint to attract the attention of the American troops, and the 243rd Regiment will be used as a reserve force."

"Okay." Chen Chengxing nodded.

"Zhou Weiguo, the main characters this time are the tank company of the armored battalion."

"We must reconfirm the enemy's positions and the surrounding terrain. The selection of tank firing positions is of utmost importance!"

After the start of the war, attacks on enemy bunkers were mainly carried out by tanks. The greater the role they played, the faster the troops advanced.

"Don't worry, Commander-in-Chief. Deputy Battalion Commander Sun has already gone to the front line with the Chief of Staff of the 241st Regiment. They will conduct another reconnaissance of the enemy's positions."

At this moment, Sun Desheng was lying on a small hilltop, eating compressed rations while observing the enemy situation.

After taking a sip of water, Sun Desheng complained, "This compressed ration is great in every way, except it's fucking hard."

He had a few bits of food stuck between his teeth, and he couldn't get them out no matter how hard he tried.

Turning to the battalion staff officer beside him, Sun Desheng asked, "How well do you remember?"

"It's finished," the battalion staff officer said, handing over the map.

After comparing the hills on the map, Sun Desheng nodded: "It seems that the small hills of Guicun and Mamadong right under our feet are indeed the most suitable."

“Deputy Battalion Commander, these hilltops do indeed have the widest firing range, but getting in is not easy.”

"The road leading to the position was only three meters wide, with a steep rock face on one side and a sheer cliff on the other. The mountain road was also riddled with bullet holes from the British army."

"This is a huge test of the driver's skills."

According to Chen Chengxing's plan for a rapid advance, the tanks must be in position before the attack begins.

To maintain secrecy, the armored battalion could only operate at night. Traveling along this mountain path late at night meant that every meter of progress could be dangerous.

Sun Desheng affirmed, "We've trained for so long, surely we have some skills."

"In North Korea, there aren't many opportunities for tanks to be deployed in combat."

"How can we improve our combat effectiveness if we don't seize opportunities for real combat?"

"However, what we say here doesn't count. We'll have to report to the battalion commander and discuss it when we get back."

Upon returning, Zhou Weiguo largely agreed with Sun Desheng's suggestion.

Although the road was indeed treacherous, it was nothing to the soldiers of the armored battalion.

The following night, the 241st Regiment's infantry guns and mortars launched destructive fire on the minefield and obstacles in front of the Ximashan position.

Upon hearing the cannon fire, the British troops immediately took cover in the pre-dug bunkers.

Based on the British army's past experience, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army always attacked at night, so starting the artillery bombardment at that time would make everything fall into place.

To the British army's surprise, the 241st Regiment did not launch a single charge; instead, artillery fire continued throughout the night.

While the British troops were still clueless, 10 Sherman tanks from the 2nd Tank Company of the Armored Battalion had already stealthily reached the position under the cover of booming explosions.

After entering the position, the engineer platoon dispatched by the combat support company, together with the tank crew, quickly camouflaged the tank bunkers and made fire prevention preparations in advance.

After hiding the tanks, the engineering platoon began digging underground bunkers for themselves.

Chen Chengxing's plan completely caught the British army off guard.

The tanks were right under the British army's noses, yet they made no discovery.

(End of this chapter)