Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 631 7th Company

Before Qin Sheng spoke with Chen Chengxing, the head of the operations section of the 24th detachment had already reported the casualties to Chen Chengxing.

When the head of the operations section spoke of the tragic events, his voice choked with emotion.

After Qin Sheng took the phone, Chen Chengxing said in a deep voice, "You must tell the comrades in the organization that we, the G Party, shed blood but not tears. No one is allowed to cry!"

"We've been raising an army for a thousand days, but we're only using it for one. For the sake of the overall situation, even if the casualties are heavy, we must continue fighting this battle!"

"Yes!" Qin Sheng's voice was slightly hoarse at this moment.

After exchanging a few words with Qin Sheng, Chen Chengxing added, "I've already spoken with the Commander-in-Chief; the next focus will be on Wufangling."

"I am currently mobilizing troops, and I will be going to Shengwu Mountain in a few days."

After a pause, Chen Chengxing said seriously, "If we lose Wufangling in just a few days, you won't be able to face me in the future."

Qin Sheng straightened up instinctively: "Please rest assured, Captain!"

After hanging up the phone, Qin Sheng stood there stunned for a long time.

The fighting at Wufangling has been so fierce, and it seems that it is far from over.

A moment later, the political commissar of the 24th Detachment came over: "Old Qin, I just spoke with Political Commissar Luo on the phone."

"Political Commissar Luo said that as long as we can cripple the US 7th Division and the South 2nd Division, even if we lose all 24 detachments, we can still win the entire campaign."

"Let's fight!" Qin Sheng crushed his cigarette on the table. "If only a regiment is left, I'll be the regimental commander; if only a company is left, I'll be the company commander!"

As he spoke, Qin Sheng raised his head and said firmly, "The 24th Detachment still has enough resources to give those American devils a run for their money!"

Qin Sheng immediately convened a war council.

After relaying Chen Chengxing and Luo Ping's instructions to everyone, Qin Sheng said, "According to the commander-in-chief's instructions, the artillery detachment will be in place soon, and the 23rd detachment and the headquarters will be in place in two days."

"These two days are extremely critical."

"If we lose Hill 597 and Hill 537, the Second General Staff will inevitably be in a passive position, so holding these two positions is of paramount importance."

"What I mean is to use offense as a form of defense. Do you have any objections?"

Upon hearing Qin Sheng's words, everyone immediately began to discuss them.

The chief of staff, who was standing nearby, said first: "The U.S. military has now occupied the surface positions of Wufangling. If we allow them to occupy the positions, their positions will become more and more secure, and the tunnels will be gradually cleared out."

"Offense is the only option right now."

"Moreover, we must act quickly. Before the 23rd detachment arrives, we must at least sweep the position once."

After the U.S. military occupied the high ground, they did not only build fortifications on the positions, but they also built bunkers to the north.

In addition to being shelled, the supply convoy was also strafed by US anti-aircraft guns.

If the US military were given two or three days to prepare, they would have to suffer heavy casualties if they tried to seize Wufangling.

Qin Sheng was very familiar with the situation the chief of staff described. After nodding, Qin Sheng asked, "How many companies are still operational?"

"If we add the 7th Company of the 243rd Regiment, we can use up to 6 more companies."

The 24th Detachment was not only responsible for defending Wufangling; their main task was to ensure the integrity of the front line.

The 241st and 242nd Regiments were also responsible for defending the east and west flanks of Wufangling to prevent the US military from penetrating into the Pingkang area.

In the battles of the previous few days, Qin Sheng had already committed 15 companies.

Now, if another six companies are transferred, the 241st and 242nd Regiments will essentially only have one battalion left to be responsible for the defense of the position.

"Attack!" Qin Sheng declared firmly. "No matter what, we must give the commander-in-chief an advantage!"

"Chief of staff, immediately dispatch troops."

"No counterattack tonight. Use the day to prepare. All troops should secretly move into the tunnels."

"On the night of the 19th, all six companies were committed to the battle, with the goal of completely recapturing the Wufangling position!"

"yes!".
After the meeting, Qin Sheng called the 243rd Regiment and said with a serious expression, "Luo Cheng? I've decided to bring the 7th Company up!"

"But you need to understand the situation. The 7th Company is only responsible for the offensive. After the counterattack, you should immediately send them down to rest!"

The 7th Company of the 243rd Regiment was the base of the 24th Detachment at Wufangling.

The 7th Company was entirely composed of soldiers from Shandong, a unique situation among the 24 detachments.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the soldiers of the 7th Company usually seem harmless and are very polite.

But as soon as the gunfire starts, the entire company will fight to the death, especially after their side has drawn blood. They will not retreat until they win.

Since the reorganization in central Shandong, the 7th Company has never suffered a defeat or lost a position, and can be said to have completed its mission 100%.

In the past, whenever a battle reached a stalemate, Qin Sheng's first thought was always the 7th Company.

Looking at the assembled troops, Li Weigang, the company commander of the 7th Company, said, "We have received orders from our superiors that the 7th Company must go up Hill 597."

Upon hearing that they were finally arriving at the 7th Company, the soldiers immediately perked up, all staring at Li Weigang, waiting for what he would say next.

After scanning the area, Li Weigang said with a serious expression, "You all know the situation on Hill 597, it's very dire."

"But what I want to say is that our 7th Company has always been dedicated to fighting tough and difficult battles. We are an indestructible and indomitable steel company!"

"If anyone is afraid of dying, they can step forward. I guarantee no one will laugh at you, and I'll find you another company to join!"

The entire company of nearly two hundred people was completely silent.

After scanning the room, Li Weigang affirmed, "Very good! They're all excellent!"

"The operation will take place at night. After the operation is over, everyone should prepare accordingly."

"Take as many supplies as possible without affecting the operation, as the troops on the high ground are in dire need of various supplies."

Looking at the resolute faces of the soldiers, Li Weigang gave the order to disband: "Squad 1, stay. The rest of you, disband!"

The political instructor was in charge of coordinating supplies and preparing for transportation for the 7th Company, so Li Weigang didn't have to worry about that. What he was concerned about was how the 7th Company would get into Hill 597.

Providing support for Hill 597 was not as simple as it seemed. The 7th Company first had to find a way to cross a one-kilometer-long mountain pass.

This ravine was a key artillery target area for the US military, with four battalions of artillery taking turns shelling it.

Shells bombarded this only road 24 hours a day, turning it into a man-made death zone.

And this is just one of the challenges that the 7th Company will face.

Looking at the squad leader, Li Weigang said, "Ma Fei, before the main force moves out, I need you to clear a path for the 7th Company."

"The regimental headquarters has already ascertained the frequency of artillery fire in the US artillery zone, but you still need to confirm it again to see if there are any changes. If there are any problems, report them immediately."

"In addition, I need you to take out the US military's forward bunkers and observation posts."

In response to the blockade, the US military did not just rely on artillery fire; they also deployed a significant number of reconnaissance units to the north of the highlands.

Many of the reinforcements and supply teams previously dispatched by the 243rd Regiment were severely damaged by artillery fire guided by US reconnaissance units.

Meanwhile, the American bunkers sealed off the various mountain ridges of Wufangling Heights.

Heavy machine guns, or even anti-aircraft guns, would be used to straf troops crossing mountains and valleys.

Before the 7th Company could set off, the American forces had to take out these eyes.

Ma Fei nodded: "Don't worry, Company Commander, I know what to do." Soon, as it gradually got dark, Platoon 1 set off ahead of schedule.

Normally, a squad has one light machine gun and one rocket launcher. This time, in order to strengthen firepower, Ma Fei brought two light machine guns and two rocket launchers, and the infantry also carried a lot more bullets and rockets.

The 1st Platoon advanced along the pre-planned route of the 7th Company, destroying seven bunkers in succession. After confirming that it was safe, the entire company set off, braving the gates of hell.

Before crossing the death zone, the soldiers of the 7th Company had spent a great deal of time memorizing the firing patterns of American artillery and flares.

To avoid any accidents, the 7th Company chose to conduct the test in squads.

Inside the blockade zone, the soldiers of the 7th Company strictly followed the action plan, sometimes running and sometimes lying down.

In the lulls between artillery fire, the soldiers continued their advance along the hillside toward Hill 597.

However, to Li Weigang's surprise, the 7th Company passed through the shelling death zone smoothly, but an accident occurred when they reached the high ground.

The tunnel has disappeared!
"Damn it, this is Hill 597! Where are the tunnels?!"

Li Weigang raised his head and looked around at the surrounding terrain once again.

Although the position was completely unrecognizable due to the shelling, he was certain that he had not gone to the wrong place.

But even though he had arrived at the destination, he still couldn't find the entrance to Tunnel No. 1.

After thinking for a moment, Li Weigang whispered an order: "Everyone, stay hidden! Don't attract the enemy's attention."

"8th Platoon, spread out and search for Tunnel No. 1. Once you find it, lure the soldiers into the tunnel!"

"yes!".
The soldiers of the 7th Company dispersed and took cover, while the 8th Platoon began frantically searching the ground for tunnel entrances.

However, no matter how hard they searched, they could not find the entrance to the tunnel.

It wasn't until a soldier, moving forward in the dark, couldn't see clearly and suddenly fell into a pit, only to be held down by someone, that everyone realized the entrance to Tunnel No. 1 was actually inside the pit.

The US artillery fire was so fierce that it blasted the ground into a layer of loose soil.

The No. 1 tunnel, which was originally parallel to the ground, was buried underneath, and the entrance became a well opening facing the sky.

Regardless, the tunnel had been found, and the soldiers of the 8th Platoon immediately led the people into the tunnel according to plan.

However, after leading everyone away, Li Weigang noticed something was wrong: "Where are the firepower platoon members?"

The squad leader of Class 8 looked around, a little confused: "I don't know, it seems like no one came up."

"What's going on?!" Li Weigang exclaimed urgently, "We could be exposed at any moment outside!"

"I'll go find them right now." With that, the squad leader hurriedly left the tunnel.

After crawling a full 200 meters outside the tunnel, the squad leader of the 8th squad finally spotted the fire support platoon.

They were right behind them, maintaining their formation, but they remained lying down and motionless.

The squad leader of Squad 8 immediately asked, "Why aren't you moving?"

The machine gun platoon leader whispered, "They haven't moved at all, how can we move?"

Front?

The squad leader of Class 8 turned around, puzzled. Who was there?

Just then, the US military launched its routine illumination flares into the sky.

With the help of the flare, the two men were able to see the 'person' lying in front of the firing platoon.

Right in front of the firing platoon, dozens of corpses lay scattered about, including those of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers, American soldiers, and South Korean soldiers.

After several days of brutal fighting, neither side had the resources to collect the bodies.

As the flares slowly descended, the corpses turned into dark shadows again, and the battlefield returned to silence.

With heavy hearts, the soldiers followed their squad leader, scrambling into tunnel number 1.
At the same time, Li Weigang had already communicated the situation with Huang Hao and relayed the latest orders to him.

In this counterattack, the 7th Company will be the main force, while the other two companies will provide support.

As for the subsequent defensive issues, we'll have to see how effective the counter-attacks are.

Looking at his watch, Huang Hao said, "It's already four in the morning. According to orders, we won't be taking any action tonight. The 7th Company can rest first, and the tunnel defense can be left to the 9th Company."

Li Weigang did not refuse and nodded, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

The 7th Company still needs to conserve its energy for the fierce battle that night.

The daytime of the 19th was unusually quiet.

The quietness on Wufang Ridge made Márquez feel that something was amiss.

What are the enemy up to?

"There was no counterattack last night, and there has been no movement during the day today."

The chief of staff standing nearby said, "Sir, could it be that the enemy has been completely annihilated?"

After careful consideration, Márquez decisively shook his head.

"Not too possible."

"Even if most of the enemy is wiped out, there will definitely be small groups of troops remaining in the tunnels."

“Yesterday, we had a fierce battle with the enemy on the front lines.”

"Moreover, after the enemy retreated into the tunnels, the soldiers even exchanged fire with them at the tunnel entrances."

"The enemy was definitely not completely annihilated."

Silence fell over the headquarters of the US 7th Division. Everyone was considering the reasons, but they still couldn't understand the thoughts of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

After discussing for a while, Márquez, still unable to find a suitable reason, decided to proceed with the established plan.

"Regardless of what the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was thinking, their plan to clear the tunnels should be correct."

"Once we destroy the enemy's tunnels, we'll end this damned battle!"

The US military did not intend to take all three lines of positions at Wufangling, which consisted of one horizontal and two vertical lines.

As long as we can capture the two high points at 597 and 537, which run north-south, it will be enough to satisfy our superiors. The negotiation team can use this to gain a certain advantage.

As for that horizontal position, Márquez didn't want to touch it at all.

If we really fight, we might end up getting hurt badly.

The little bit of influence we've managed to gain will be lost in the end.

Under Marquez's orders, UN forces resumed their search of the tunnels.

This time, however, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army seemed to have vanished; there were no troops to counterattack, and no one to protect the tunnel entrances.

Even if there are tunnel entrances discovered by the enemy, there will be no defensive measures as long as the UN forces do not enter the tunnels.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers inside the tunnels allowed the UN forces to sabotage the tunnel entrances.

This situation left the UN forces on the front lines somewhat bewildered.

(End of this chapter)