Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 630 Increase the stakes
"Where did the enemy come from?"

After capturing the two high ground positions, Márquez finally had time to consider the problem.

"How did these people get through when the area was completely blocked by artillery fire?"

From the very first day of the war, every time the US military captured a position, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army would launch a counterattack at night.

If the artillery bombardment and blockade in the first two days were not comprehensive enough, allowing some troops to infiltrate, the General Staff had already formulated a comprehensive method for intermittent artillery bombardment yesterday.

All of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's passageways were within the range of artillery fire.

Although there were intervals between artillery shelling sessions, these intervals were not long enough for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to break through the shelling zone.

On the contrary, once the Chinese People's Volunteer Army entered the shelling zone, destruction awaited them.

The chief of staff standing nearby said, "Sir, in addition to artillery fire, we have also set up firing positions at key locations, so it is unlikely that the enemy can infiltrate in large numbers."

"Based on my analysis, the enemy is very likely hiding right under our feet."

"Underfoot? You mean the tunnel?" Marquez realized.

The US military was well aware that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was digging deep tunnels in various positions, but they did not have a deep understanding of the purpose of the tunnels.

“Since tunnels can protect against artillery fire, they can naturally be used to hide troops,” the chief of staff said. “Back in Okinawa, I fought against the Japanese army, and they fought from inside tunnels.”

The staff officer still feels lingering fear when he talks about Okinawa.

Upon hearing "Okinawa," Márquez exclaimed angrily, "A bunch of groundhogs!"

"First Japan, then China, are they born knowing how to dig tunnels?"

Unlike his public pronouncements, Márquez was well aware of the situation during the Battle of Okinawa.

Despite possessing overwhelming superiority, the US military was still terrified by the Japanese soldiers, suffering a loss of over 7 men.

If the United States hadn't used its interests in Outer Mongolia and Northeast China to persuade the Soviet Union to sweep away 70 Kwantung Army soldiers, and if the Soviet Union hadn't then made a show of landing in Hokkaido, the Japanese would never have surrendered to the United States.

After all, the Soviet Union said it would eliminate all war criminals, while the United States agreed to harbor them.

Recalling the losses of the Battle of Okinawa, Márquez hesitated for a moment, but ultimately affirmed:

"The fact that the US military was able to annihilate the Japanese army on Okinawa shows that the tunnels could not stop our offensive at all!"

"Order all troops to conduct a large-scale search of the enemy's tunnel entrances, burn them with Molotov cocktails and flamethrowers, and blow up the exits with bombs!"

"Attention! Do not launch a rash attack! Focus on containment!" Marquez was still somewhat afraid of casualties and couldn't control them.

"Yes, sir!"
Taking advantage of daylight, the U.S. military began a large-scale search of the tunnels.

Inside tunnel number 0, Liu Junqing heard the noise and immediately turned around and whispered, "Don't move! The enemy is approaching."

After shouting, Liu Junqing immediately set up the machine gun and pointed it at the cave entrance.

Although the entrance was camouflaged, the US military quickly discovered the tunnel entrance and, after shouting a few times, threw in several grenades.

Then several American soldiers cautiously crept over.

With just a single long burst of fire, the few remaining enemies scattered and ran away.

The US military then used Molotov cocktails and bombs, but these were completely ineffective against the well-constructed tunnels.

After losing several lives, the U.S. military, left with no other option, chose to blow it up.

With a huge explosion, the tunnel entrance collapsed.

The soldiers did not panic. The tunnels they dug had at least two exits. Even if one was blown up, there was still another way to get in and out.

Of course, they didn't let the tunnel collapse, but instead began to excavate it again in an orderly manner.

After searching for an afternoon, the US military discovered several tunnel entrances, but they were helpless against the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's tunnels.

Compared to the tunnels used by the Japanese during the Pacific War, the tunnels of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had been upgraded several times, so even though the intensity of the US military's firepower was far greater than that during World War II, they were still helpless.

Therefore, the US military had no choice but to build bunkers near the tunnel entrances and use firepower to blockade the tunnels, hoping to trap the Chinese People's Volunteer Army inside.

They just didn't expect that at night, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army would emerge from other tunnel entrances and appear directly behind the American positions.

However, this time, the soldiers noticed something was wrong as soon as the night raid began.

"Damn it! Why did those American devils leave so many men behind?!"

Because of the tunnel entrance, the 9th Company wanted to launch a surprise attack on Position 5 first, but there were more than 200 American troops on Position 5.

This was simply not something the soldiers of the 9th Company could retake at this point.

After a fierce battle that lasted until midnight, the 9th Company abandoned its attack and retreated back into the tunnels.

Inside tunnel number 1, Huang Hao huddled together with the 1st and 2nd platoon leaders.

The platoon leader said, "Damn, the US military is going all out with such a high density of defense!"

Platoon leader Luo Zhenyun said, "In the battle just now, although it wasn't very clear, more than two-thirds of the enemy's positions were occupied by Southern troops."

"Company commander, I think the American devils are planning to trade their lives for each other."

Trading the lives of the South Korean army for the lives of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was an extremely worthwhile deal for the US military.

"Damn it! The Americans pulled a ruthless tactic." The 2nd platoon leader said, "If we don't have a few positions available before dawn, both the tunnels and Shengwu Mountain will be doomed."

The US military can't really do anything about the tunnels, but if they were given a day, the bunkers might be able to completely seal off several tunnels.

If this continues, it's not impossible that all the tunnels could be sealed off.

"We can't just sit here and wait to die!" Luo Zhenyun said. "Company Commander, let me lead the comrades in one more charge!"

"We can't act rashly." Huang Hao shook his head: "We don't have many troops at our disposal right now. We need to protect the tunnels first."

That evening, they contacted the command center. Qin Sheng's order was for them to preserve their strength and await a counterattack.

"Company commander, to protect the tunnels, we must launch a counterattack! Only by recapturing a few positions can we draw the attention of the American forces."

Luo Zhenyun affirmed, "One squad! I'll lead a squad into battle! First, take position 6, then position 5!"

Huang Hao shook his head: "No, that's just suicide."

"But we can't just sit here and wait to die!"

“Who said we should just sit here and wait to die?” Huang Hao said. “Position No. 5 has a reinforced company of soldiers, and the other positions will certainly be the same.”

“这么算下来，美7师的3个团已经全都露头了；537高地方向，我估计南2师的3个团和加强的一个团应该也全都露头了。”

"Based on this, it can be inferred that the enemy's rear must be vulnerable."

"What would happen if we went and assaulted his asshole at this moment?"

Upon hearing Huang Hao's analysis, the two men's eyes lit up.

"If the US command is threatened, they will definitely redeploy troops to defend it. If we attack Hill 597 simultaneously, we might be able to take back the position!"

If the US military were to urgently deploy troops, it would inevitably fall into a short period of chaos, which would be a golden opportunity for the 9th Company.

Luo Zhenyun volunteered, "Company Commander, I'll take men!" "Good!" Huang Hao nodded, "I'll give you a full squad of soldiers. You'll all be equipped with submachine guns or automatic rifles, and I'll also provide you with two general-purpose machine guns."

"No problem!" Luo Zhenyun nodded.

A squad of 13 men, plus two general-purpose machine guns, already possesses extremely strong firepower.

Once preparations were complete, Luo Zhenyun immediately led his team to set off.

At 3:30 a.m., Luo Zhenyun and his group made their way to the Tiehua North area.

Luo Zhenyun did not know where the US 7th Division's command post was, but they came here to intimidate the US military command, so after encountering the US military, Luo Zhenyun immediately chose to open fire.

The once quiet ironworks instantly erupted into chaos.

Inside the command post, Márquez jumped out of bed.

"What's going on?! How come the gunshots are so close?!"

"Sir, the situation is bad!" The chief of staff rushed in from outside: "Enemy troops have suddenly appeared two kilometers away from the command post!"

"The central army?! How many men are there?!"

"According to the report, it must have been at least a battalion. A platoon from the 17th Regiment was wiped out in less than 5 minutes after encountering the enemy."

"Sir, it looks like the enemy is heading for the command post. You need to evacuate immediately!"

Marquez's face turned ashen: "Fuck! A single battalion from the central army has made me panic like a stray dog?!"

"How could our entire division not be able to stop an enemy battalion?!"

"I'm staying right here, I'm not going anywhere!"

The chief of staff pleaded, "Sir! We have fewer than 1000 men in the Tiehua area, and most of them are not combat soldiers. If you insist on continuing, you will be in danger!"

"Stop talking!" Marquez waved his hand. "Immediately send troops back from the front to encircle and block them. I want to wipe out this entire enemy battalion!"

Seeing the tough stance of Marquez, the chief of staff had no choice but to call the front lines for an emergency troop redeployment.

At this moment, utilizing the powerful firepower of automatic weapons, Luo Zhenyun and his group rampaged through the US military's defense zone, darting left and right like a whirlwind.

The US military, tasked with delaying the attack, was completely outmaneuvered.

The US military received information that a battalion of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers had broken in, so they dared not easily divide their forces.

Luo Zhenyun and his men took advantage of the gaps between the US military forces to launch attacks everywhere.

They turned the entire Tiehua North area into a complete mess.

The orders from the US 7th Division to urge the deployment of troops grew increasingly urgent.

The US troops on Hill 597 inevitably fell into chaos.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the main force of the 9th Company launched a general offensive and recaptured Hill 597 in just half an hour.

However, at this point, the US military was clearly no longer concerned about Hill 597, and a large number of trucks and armored vehicles rushed back like madmen.

However, when a large number of American troops rushed back, they searched for a long time but couldn't find a single person.

By this time, Luo Zhenyun and his group had already broken through the encirclement and returned to their position.

The next day, enraged, Márquez disregarded Clark's orders and sent all available troops from the US 7th Division and the 2nd Southern Division to the front lines.

The shelling continued 24 hours a day.

When the infantry doesn't charge, the artillery shells explode on Wufangling; when the infantry attacks, the artillery shells explode behind Wufangling.

Inside the headquarters, watching the American forces' actions, Chen Chengxing slammed his fist on the table: "The commotion is getting bigger and bigger. The enemy is planning a decisive battle at Wufangling!"

"In that case, let's play along and force the US military back to the negotiating table!"

"Order: Squadrons 21 and 22 are to switch to supporting roles and be responsible for containing the enemy in front of them!"

"The artillery detachment and the 231st Regiment shall immediately move to Shengwushan."

"All the troops and firepower of the Second General Corps should be concentrated in the Shengwushan and Wufangling area. The artillery of the General Corps and the Detachment will be under joint command, with Wang Chengzhu in charge of the artillery group to support the infantry battle."

"Immediately establish a rear supply organization and strengthen logistical support. In addition to stockpiling ammunition according to the quota, each company on the front line of the 24th Detachment will be equipped with an additional 8,000 hand grenades."

"The engineering regiment quickly constructed forward tunnels, and the supply troops went to the Wufangling tunnels to replenish food and water."

If the US military is to be able to fight head-on at Wufangling, logistical support is of paramount importance.

The roads at Wufangling are very poor. Beyond 25 kilometers, you can use a car for transportation; beyond 20 kilometers, you can only use a horse-drawn cart; and within 20 kilometers, no matter what you are transporting, you can only rely on your own two feet.

The area covered by US artillery fire was within 15 kilometers.

Whether or not goods can be transported in, and how much can be transported in, depends entirely on positioning and luck.

In Chen Chengxing's view, this was absolutely unacceptable.

The battle at Wufangling is no longer a small skirmish involving just a few companies; it could very well become the site of a full-scale clash between the Second General Staff and the U.S. military.

According to the battle reports from the past two days, the US military's artillery bombardment has shown a certain pattern.

By constructing tunnels in suitable locations, supply convoys can be provided with shelter from artillery fire.

Transporting goods in segments can effectively prevent the transport convoy from being attacked.

Luo Ping was somewhat surprised to hear Chen Chengxing's series of orders.

"Such a big move?"

“This is nothing,” Chen Chengxing said. “If the US military sends more troops, the Fourth Army Corps will have to move as well.”

"Let's put up a good fight with the American troops right here at Wufangling, this meat grinder!"

Since the start of the war on the 14th, Qin Sheng has slept for less than three hours in total.

Moreover, on the 15th, he led the command post of the 24th Detachment to Deokcheonhyeon, which is less than ten kilometers away from the front line.

From that moment on, Qin Sheng never left the command post tunnel.

By the dim candlelight, Qin Sheng and his staff studied the troop deployment, defense plan, communication network, position transportation, logistics configuration, and air defense again and again.
The entire command post hadn't had a proper rest for days, and everyone was relying on cigarettes to keep their spirits up.

Everyone was so tired that their faces were deathly pale, and their dark circles looked like they had been drawn on with ink.

In the past few days, Qin Sheng has deployed 15 companies of troops to the front lines.

Especially in the first two days, because the difference in artillery firepower between the two sides was so great, a single company would be wiped out if it went up.

The 9th Company, which is holding the 597 Hill, has suffered a casualty rate of 180%, and the soldiers have been replaced almost twice.

Just as Qin Sheng felt the pressure increasing, Chen Chengxing's support arrived.

On the evening of the 17th, artillery, a large amount of supplies, and two thousand new recruits arrived at Shengwu Mountain.

At the same time, Chen Chengxing also called the 24th Detachment headquarters.

(End of this chapter)