Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Gunfire erupted on Hill 883, and news of victories came from all the companies.

However, inside the 53rd Regiment headquarters, Regiment Commander Xie Cheng kept staring at the direction of the main peak of the battlefield, his expression somewhat solemn.

"what time is it?"

"Reporting to the commander, it's 10:30!"

"Still no news from the 8th Company?"

"No."

"Why is there still no news?" Xie Cheng felt slightly uneasy.

According to the operational plan, the 8th Company should have sent back the message from the main peak long ago.

But now he only hears the intense gunfire, but there is no response.

After thinking for a moment, Xie Cheng ordered, "Send two men, each with a walkie-talkie, to the front lines to take a look!"

"Yes!"

The operations section chief, who was standing nearby, personally led a communications officer and set off.

At this point, both sides were firing fiercely, and their artillery had blocked each other's rear support routes.

The operations section chief and communications officer were hit by artillery fire while passing through the blockade zone and were seriously wounded, so they were unable to break through.

Meanwhile, the 8th Company was fighting a fierce battle.

They have successfully penetrated the enemy's core position, but suffered extremely heavy casualties.

Including the company commander, the 8th Company had suffered more than half casualties, and their walkie-talkies had long been destroyed.

Even if they wanted to seek support, the 8th Company had no way to contact the rear regimental headquarters.

Meanwhile, the enemy was launching a continuous counterattack against them.

Hill 883 has extremely high strategic value, and the Southern Army could not give it up even if it was reluctant to do so.

Inside the 53rd Regiment headquarters, Xie Cheng noticed that the operations section chief had gone out and then disappeared, and the communications platoon couldn't reach him no matter how they tried to call him. He immediately concluded that something had happened.

"Can't wait any longer!"

Xie Cheng decisively issued the order.

"Immediately call the reserve position and order the deputy regimental commander to lead the 6th Company of the second echelon into the battlefield to reinforce the 8th Company's direction!"

"Be fast!"

Upon receiving the order, Deputy Regiment Commander Li Huaixin led the 6th Company to set off immediately.

In just 10 minutes, the 6th Company forced its way through the artillery blockade and reached the vicinity of the main peak of Hill 883.

"Deputy Regiment Commander, we've found the 8th Company!" The scout ran over.

"They are currently fighting the enemy on the cliff east of position No. 1. Enemy reinforcements are constantly arriving, and the 8th Company is having a very difficult time."

Upon hearing that the No. 1 position was on the cliff, Li Huaixin immediately understood the current situation of the 8th Company.

"Fighting on that cliff, the enemy has an absolute advantage in terrain. Even if the 6th Company goes to provide support, it will be difficult to break through the situation in a short time."

After thinking for a moment, Li Huaixin ordered, "The 6th Company will shift its attack direction and break through the enemy's position from the right flank!"

"The company's artillery platoon immediately adjusted the direction of the gun barrels and provided rapid-fire cover for the operation."

6连携带了3门60毫米迫击炮、2挺12.7毫米重机枪、还有6挺通用机枪。

The Confederate bunkers, constructed of earth and wood, could withstand mortar shells, but not the continuous fire of 12.7mm heavy machine guns.

In addition, the Southern Army's main firepower was focused on the 8th Company, so the 6th Company made rapid progress with the support of firepower.

However, when they advanced to within 100 meters of the South Korean army's main position, the 6th Company encountered trouble.

This area was not previously a primary target for heavy artillery fire, so it was still cordoned off with barbed wire.

For the 6th Company to break through, the first thing they needed to do was to open up the barbed wire fence.

However, the demolition team attempted to blow up the site twice, but both attempts failed. This also attracted the attention of the Southern Army, and two M2 heavy machine guns began to fire incessantly at them.

The 12.7mm bullet is terrifyingly powerful; it can easily penetrate earthen bunkers, and even the airflow it generates will leave streaks of blood on anyone who gets close.

It looked as if he had been severely whipped.

Li Huaixin knew very well that the 6th Company had to break through the current obstacles as soon as possible and eliminate the enemy's firing points.

If the enemy's heavy machine guns suppress the enemy with firepower, the enemy will be unable to move even after six rounds.

Before Li Huaixin could reorganize the demolition team, Cai Yunfeng, the lead rocket launcher operator, fired a rocket at the enemy's firing point and then collapsed onto the barbed wire.

Turning his head, Cai Yunfeng shouted to the soldiers behind him, "Go! Go quickly! Attack the enemy's firing point directly!"

The situation was urgent, and the soldiers didn't have time to think. They quickly stepped over Cai Yunfeng's body and rushed straight towards the Southern Army's firing point.

After everyone had passed through, Cai Yunfeng, covered in blood, pulled himself out of the barbed wire fence.

Each barb on the barbed wire will tear off a piece of flesh.

After getting away from the barbed wire, Cai Yunfeng, without even treating his wounds, caught up with the 6th Company's assault team.

Beset by attacks from both sides by the 6th and 8th companies, the already struggling Southern Army could no longer hold out.

The 6th Company broke through the enemy's defenses and entered the Southern Army's ranks in just 18 minutes, following the mountain ridge.

"Commander, all assault teams of the 53rd Regiment have completed their mission within the scheduled time. They have joined forces with the 52nd Regiment on the left flank."

"The red flag has already been planted on the mountain ridge!"

"Great!" Kong Jie was overjoyed.

"Tell the comrades not to relax. The 53rd Regiment will immediately organize artillery fire to support the infantry's westward advance."

"The 52nd Regiment dispatched a company to penetrate the southwest mountain ridge, advance 200 meters, establish an outer blocking position, and send out a commando team to continue expanding the gains towards Hill 973."

By 3 a.m., Army B had completely controlled Hill 883 and Hill 973 to the southwest.

The flank of the South 5th Division was opened, and the entire South 5th Division was surrounded in a dead end on the east bank of the North Han River.

If Army B were to charge down the ridge of Hill 973, the 5th Division of the South would have no way out but to fight with its back to the river.

Inside the temporary command post, Li Zhengyuan howled until his voice was almost hoarse.

He was well aware that, given the Volunteer Army's fighting style, they would likely launch an attack overnight until they completely occupied the east bank of the North Han River.

Just as Li Zhengyuan was anxiously searching for a way out for the 5th Division of the South, the chief of staff rushed over.

"Sir! Good news! Good news!"

"The central army has ceased its offensive and switched to a defensive posture!"

"Switch from offense to defense?!" Li Zhengyuan thought he had misheard; he was completely baffled by this maneuver.

The 5th Southern Division is preparing for a full retreat, so why is the Central Army still halting?
At this point, should the 5th Division of the South leave or stay? Li Zhengyuan hesitated again.

Seeing Li Zhengyuan's hesitation, the chief of staff analyzed, "Sir, I think I understand why the Volunteer Army is staying."

"Tell me," Li Zhengyuan immediately instructed the chief of staff to explain in detail.

The chief of staff did not explain directly, but instead took a document from the table next to him and handed it to Li Zhengyuan.

"This is intelligence from the General Staff regarding the enemy."

"We have determined that the enemy on the other side is the B Army of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. They had previously fought a major battle with the US military and suffered heavy casualties. They had been replenishing and training in the rear for a long time. This is their first large-scale deployment."

“Based on the intelligence we’ve gathered, over 50% of this B Army are new recruits, and over 30% are illiterate. Therefore, I judge that their combat effectiveness is weak.” Li Zhengyuan’s eyes lit up: “That’s right! That’s right! That’s why the enemy hasn’t continued their attack!”

After pacing back and forth in the command post a few times, Li Zhengyuan decided to seize this golden opportunity.

"Pass on my order: the 36th Regiment must resolutely defend Hill 949."

"Send out a reconnaissance company to intercept the retreating 38th Regiment in the area of ​​Fukuji-dong and Kwangseok Bridge."

"The 37th Reserve Regiment shall advance rapidly and prepare to launch a counterattack on the lost territory!"

Seeing everyone bustling about in the command center again, Li Zhengyuan's confidence returned.

However, he quickly realized that the 37th Regiment was a bit far from the front line. If the Volunteer Army launched an attack before the 37th Regiment arrived, the 5th Division of the South might not be able to withstand it.

Moreover, looking at the continuous mountains to the north, Li Zaiyuan felt that even if the 37th Regiment arrived, it was very likely that they would be unable to break through some of the Volunteer Army's positions.

The 5th Division in the South needs reinforcements.

After considering it for a long time, Li Zhengyuan sent another request to his superiors.

Clark took the request from the 5th Southern Division very seriously.

Although he was furious at Li Chenglong's foolishness, Washington had given orders that the South Korean army and territory could not be left to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to take action against.

Clark immediately ordered the 3rd Division of the South to assign the 33rd General Reserve Regiment to the 5th Division of the South.

To avoid a repeat of the previous incident involving the 35th Regiment, Clark specifically requested that command be transferred simultaneously this time.

With the support he received, Li Zhengyuan was full of confidence.

The next day at noon, looking at the still motionless Volunteer Army positions, Li Zhengyuan sneered.

"Hmph, the biggest mistake they made was that the Volunteer Army didn't launch an attack!"

"Now it's our turn!"

"Order the 37th Regiment to retake Hill 973, and the 33rd Regiment to attack Hill 883."

"In addition, have the engineering battalion build several pontoon bridges across the North Han River, just in case."

"Yes, sir!"

The South 5th Division, having completed its deployment and resupply, launched its offensive.

The regimental commander of the 33rd Regiment planned that the 2nd Battalion would launch a strong attack on Hill 883 from the left, while the 3rd Battalion would make a flanking maneuver to the north. Once the 3rd Battalion was in position, the entire regiment would then forcefully break into Hill 883.

The Southern Army's idea was good, and the 3rd Battalion made a very quick outflanking maneuver. After arriving at the flank positions of Hill 883, they launched an attack immediately.

However, after firing a few shots and throwing a few grenades, they heard fierce gunfire coming from their left flank.

This caught the Southern Army off guard for a moment.

They came to launch a surprise attack on the flank of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, so how did they end up having their flank attacked by the Volunteer Army?

However, the battalion commander of the South 3rd Battalion immediately noticed that it was not moving.

"Where's the 2nd Battalion? Why is there no movement?!"

If the 2nd Battalion had put enough pressure on the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, the Volunteer Army would never have been able to launch such a surprise attack on its flank so easily.

By this time, the 2nd Battalion of the Southern Army, which they had been longing for, had already collapsed under the combined attack of the two forces on Hill 973 and Hill 883.

After the 5th Division occupied Hill 973 and Hill 883, it established firing positions on multiple hills.

The attack route chosen by the 2nd Battalion of the Southern Army was exactly within the range of the crossfire from the two firing points.

When the Confederate troops appeared within firing range, two 12.7mm heavy machine guns suppressed them, rendering them unable to move.

When the Confederate army was pinned down by crossfire and unable to move, 82mm mortars and 120mm heavy mortars were also set up.

Machine gun suppression, mortar fire – this is a common battlefield tactic, and anyone who's ever been hit by it knows how effective it is.

In less than 20 minutes, the 2nd Battalion of the Southern Army collapsed.

However, during the collapse and retreat, whether they forgot or what, the 2nd Battalion of the Southern Army did not notify the 3rd Battalion or report to their superiors, but instead turned around and ran away.

This led to the Southern Army's 3rd Battalion being encircled.

The surrounded 3rd Battalion of the Southern Army performed far better than the 2nd Battalion, holding out for a full half hour.

The soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the Southern Army only began to use their unique skills when they could no longer hold out.

From Fukuno-dong and Kwangseok Bridge, the mountains and fields were filled with deserters.

On the other side, the 37th Regiment in the south, like the 33rd Regiment, also dispatched two battalions, namely the 2nd and 3rd Battalions.

It's unclear whether the number 3 clashed with the Southern Army, but the 2nd Battalion of the 37th Regiment of the Southern Army turned back halfway. As soon as the two sides clashed, the 2nd Battalion took off running. The 3rd Battalion also plunged headlong into the encirclement.

However, the 3rd Battalion of the 37th Regiment was better off than the 3rd Battalion of the 33rd Regiment. They broke through the encirclement before it was completed and escaped.

Unlike the 3rd Battalion of the 33rd Regiment, which suffered more than half its casualties, the 3rd Battalion of the 37th Regiment withdrew after losing only about a hundred men.

Upon learning that Li Zhengyuan had been defeated in just one lunch break, Clark couldn't hold back any longer and immediately flew to the front lines.

Inside the command center, Clark looked at the attendees and asked directly, "What are your thoughts? To fight or to retreat?"

The deputy division commander immediately said, "The best option now is to switch to defense. We can launch a counterattack once reinforcements arrive."

The deputy division commander's opinion was met with agreement from everyone, including the chief of staff. They felt that waiting for reinforcements to arrive before engaging in battle was the safest course of action.

However, Li Zhengyuan stood up at this moment.

"Lord Chancellor, colleagues, I have something to say."

"Although the combat strength of the Volunteer Army B Corps is not strong, it still poses a significant threat to us. If we simply defend like this, we may fall into the Volunteer Army's rhythm."

"On the contrary, if we continue the offensive, we can keep putting pressure on the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, which will give us more time to prepare."

"Sir, but we can't defeat the enemy right now." The chief of staff looked somewhat helpless.

Everyone knows that offense is the best defense, but if you can't beat someone, you just can't beat them.

Li Zhengyuan shook his head and said with certainty, "With our current strength, if we don't fall into an ambush, we should be able to hold our own against the enemy."

"Our only problem now is firepower. The enemy has shown a very high level of firepower, and our artillery is no match for them."

Li Zhengyuan looked intently at Clark: "But as long as you can give us enough firepower support, we can definitely reclaim the lost territory!"

He was confident that as long as the U.S. military was willing to support him, the 5th Southern Division would definitely be able to achieve victory.

Looking at Li Zhengyuan's confident face, Clark agreed after only a moment's thought.

“你现在手里有两个榴弹炮营，我再给你加1个105毫米榴弹炮营、1个155毫米榴弹炮营、1个重迫击炮营。”

"Five artillery battalions, plus your regimental artillery, that's over a hundred cannons, enough firepower."

Artillery fires shells, and the number of shells is more important than the number of cannon barrels in determining the intensity of firepower.

Clark was confident that the U.S. military was absolutely ahead of the world in terms of logistical support.

"Thank you, sir!" Li Zhengyuan could already see victory beckoning to him.

"Fight well!"

Clark patted Li Zhengyuan on the shoulder and then left the command post.

He had a clear understanding of the situation of the 5th Division in the South and could return to headquarters with peace of mind.

(End of this chapter)