Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

While the Vietnamese army was busy bombing the reservoir, the 488th Regiment had already deployed three battalions side by side.

While the 489th Regiment was holding back the Vietnamese forces in Dong Dang, the 488th Regiment launched an attack on the Vietnamese Independent 112th Regiment on its flank.

The regiment's heavy mortars bombarded the Vietnamese positions for half an hour.

With the support of low-altitude bombing by attack aircraft, the Vietnamese army's first line of defense was completely destroyed.

This time, the engineers and artillerymen carried out a near-perfect coordinated operation.

While the artillery was continuously firing, the bombardment points had to be designed to ensure that the Vietnamese troops would not dare to come out and affect the engineers, while also ensuring that the engineers would not be bombed.

This places extremely high demands on the artillery's skill level.

While the Vietnamese troops were hiding in bunkers to avoid artillery fire, the engineers had already cleared all the remaining mines from the Vietnamese minefield.

The barbed wire fences, stags, and other roadblocks along the way were also completely removed.

The charging troops faced no obstacles.

As the artillery fire extended backward, within just 10 minutes, the defensive line of the Vietnamese 112th Regiment was breached, and the commander of the Vietnamese 1st Battalion, who was stationed at the front line, was killed.

After completing the breakthrough, the commander of the 488th Regiment immediately ordered: "The spearhead platoon shall proceed immediately and report its position in real time! The second and third battalions shall advance to clear the area on both sides!"

In order to ensure the speed of the assault, the 488th Regiment's artillery bombardment never stopped.

According to the real-time reports from the spearhead platoon's walkie-talkies, the heavy mortar company increased the firing distance by 200 meters each time, regardless of whether there were people in front of the spearhead platoon.

A continuously expanding network of firepower appeared in front of the spearhead platoon.

On the way, the 2nd Battalion and engineer company of the 112th Regiment of the Vietnamese army, which were deployed, were first hit by a barrage of artillery fire. After the artillery fire stopped, the Vietnamese troops had just crawled out of their bunkers when they were subjected to continuous fire suppression from 14.5mm twin-barreled anti-aircraft machine guns.

Currently, a Chinese infantry regiment is equipped with nine twin 14.5mm heavy machine guns, and as an assault company, the first battalion carries six of them.

Before the artillery company of the first battalion had even set up its mortars, the Vietnamese fortifications had already been blown up by anti-aircraft machine guns.

The trenches were littered with Vietnamese military parts.

Such a fierce attack completely stunned the Vietnamese army.

The Vietnamese army had anticipated the Chinese army's infantry-artillery coordination and large-scale flanking and infiltration tactics, after all, they had been taught by the Chinese army themselves and knew their capabilities.

But the Vietnamese army never expected that the Chinese army would infiltrate with anti-aircraft guns.

How is this played?
Before the Vietnamese soldier could even raise his head, his bayonet was already pressed against his neck.

After breaking through the enemy's defenses, the 488th Regiment's artillery fire continued to extend backward, with the infantry following closely behind.

The 488th Regiment's rapid infiltration was unexpected not only by the Vietnamese army but also by the headquarters of the 163rd Division.

To maintain communication, the army assigned Luo Qinyang, the communications staff officer of the 163rd Division, to lead a communications squad to set up telephone lines along the route.

When Luo Qinyang and his communications squad arrived at the designated location at the time given by the military command, they found it to be completely empty.

The 488th Regiment has long since disappeared.

Luo Qinyang suddenly felt a headache coming on.

Their task is to set up communication lines between the front and rear, but now the front line is nowhere to be found, so how can they set up the lines?
After thinking for a long time, Luo Qinyang ordered, "The communications squad will immediately set up a line and establish a connection with the division headquarters. I'll go ahead and find the 488th Regiment."

The communications squad leader grabbed Luo Qinyang's arm. "Staff Officer Luo, it's too dangerous."

"The 488th Regiment has already advanced, and there are Vietnamese retreating soldiers and small groups everywhere on the road. If you go alone, you are risking your life."

"We'll contact the division headquarters first, then contact the 488th Regiment via radio. Once we confirm the location, we can continue laying the cable forward."

“Then it will be too late.” Luo Qinyang said seriously, “The 488th Regiment is currently making a fierce attack at the front and may complete its mission ahead of schedule. The military command must adjust its strategic layout according to the position of the 488th Regiment.”

Seeing that the communications squad leader was about to speak, Luo Qinyang reached out and interrupted him, "Don't say anything more, just carry out the orders."

"Alright." The communications squad leader sighed, then waved his hand to the side and took the rifle and several magazines from a soldier.

"You only have a pistol, which is too dangerous to operate on the battlefield. Take an assault rifle for self-defense."

Without saying much, Luo Qinyang took the gun and bullets and set off alone into the treacherous valley and dense forest.

Luo Qinyang knew that it was extremely dangerous for him to act alone, so he walked along the cliff face where no one was active.

After venturing through the dense forest for more than an hour, Luo Qinyang finally found the 488th Regiment.

Meanwhile, the 488th Regiment had already reached the last line of defense of the Vietnamese 112th Regiment, and the two sides were engaged in fierce fighting.

The headquarters of the 112th Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the Vietnamese Army were different from the 1st and 2nd Battalions. Their positions were located east of Dong Dang, on the only road from Dong Dang to Lang Son.

If this place is captured, Dong Dang will not only be threatened on its flank, but its connection with Lang Son will also be severed.

Therefore, the Vietnamese army fought to the death here and refused to retreat, and the 488th Regiment could only fight for each position one by one.

When Luo Qinyang was brought to the front-line command post of the 488th Regiment, everyone in the command post was extremely busy.

After the two sides finished communicating, the commander of the 448th Regiment said, "Staff Officer Luo, you take a rest first. I'll have a few people from the communications platoon go back with you later."

In order to take over the Vietnamese positions as quickly as possible, all units of the 488th Regiment have been deployed, including the communications platoon, to ensure uninterrupted communication.

Even if you want to withdraw a few people now, you have to coordinate.

"No need," Luo Qinyang said. "The soldiers in the communications platoon and the rear command are still waiting for my message. I must go back immediately."

After saying that, Luo Qinyang ignored all advice and didn't even drink a drop of water before hurrying back.

After the communications soldiers set up the lines, they waited and waited, but Luo Qinyang did not return.

"Squad leader, Staff Officer Luo is probably in grave danger."

"Sigh, I should have sent two people with him." The squad leader sighed.

However, he also knew that this was unlikely.

Everyone in the communications team is useful. If two people are sent with Luo Qinyang to find the 488th Regiment, their work of setting up the cables might not be completed.

After a brief discussion, the squad leader said, "The situation is urgent, we can't just wait around, let's report it missing."

Everyone felt heavy-hearted; disappearing at this time basically meant certain death.

Just as they were about to call their superiors, Luo Qinyang appeared.

Seeing the surprised looks on everyone's faces, Luo Qinyang laughed and said, "What, you don't believe me?"

"Don't underestimate me just because I'm a staff officer; my tactical skills are no less than those of a reconnaissance soldier."

After a brief, casual conversation, Luo Qinyang immediately reported the situation of the 448th Regiment without delay.

While the 488th Regiment was launching a fierce attack on the position of the Vietnamese 112th Regiment, the 493rd Regiment of the 165th Division also reached the enemy's rear after several hours of infiltration and took control of another transportation route in Dong Dang.

Looking at the small flag on the sand table, Li Yunlong laughed and said, "Old Ding, the two pincers have closed." Ding Wei nodded, "I didn't expect the progress to be so fast. The Vietnamese army's guerrilla warfare is very good, but they still lack large-scale troop operations."

The Vietnamese army's fighting spirit was not weak, but there were significant problems with coordination between its various units.

Ding Wei could tell at a glance that this was because they had never engaged in large-scale military operations.

“Old Ding, I don’t think this person you’re helping is up to the task,” Li Yunlong said. “Don’t let his position as a military commander fool you. I estimate he can only manage a maximum of 10,000 men. Any more than that and he won’t be able to handle it.”

The more troops there are, the more exponentially the complexity increases.

Even with the help of various staff officers, this is not a job that just anyone can do.

A general who can lead 10 men without making a mistake can already be called a famous general.

Ding Wei glanced at Li Yunlong and said, "Old Li, stop bringing up things that are hard to talk about. Just give the order already."

Li Yunlong chuckled and straightened up: "Pass on my orders!"

"The 487th and 495th Regiments attacked the Vietnamese 423rd and 386th Regiments, squeezing out the Vietnamese forces' space."

"The 495th Regiment is to advance and attack the 12th Regiment. Tell them not to hold back."

"Artillery and air force units will fully cooperate with the operations of all units!"

The 3rd Division of the Vietnamese Army was the elite of the Vietnamese army, and the 12th Regiment of the Vietnamese Army was the elite of the 3rd Division.

The 12th Regiment of Vietnam was established in 1947, codenamed the Tay Son Regiment. It fought in all the wars in Vietnam and received comprehensive training from the Chinese advisory group. It was one of the top regiments in Vietnam.

However, despite being an elite unit, the 12th Regiment was still no match for the combined infantry, artillery, tank, and air force attack of the 489th Regiment.

Although the Vietnamese army placed a large number of 37mm anti-aircraft guns on the front line as artillery positions, preventing attack aircraft from conducting low-altitude ground bombing, the carpet coverage by high-altitude bombers and the long-range firepower coverage by heavy artillery were enough to give the Vietnamese army a hard time.

Only after the Vietnamese army's forward positions had been bombed repeatedly did the soldiers of the 489th Regiment launch an attack on Longtou Village, where the Vietnamese army was located, under the cover of two tank companies.

Because the terrain is relatively wide, the tanks used by the Chinese army this time were not medium tanks like the Type 59A, but heavy tanks with six pairs of road wheels.

With a weight of nearly 40 tons, the tank's frontal armor is ridiculously high.

The Vietnamese soldiers on the high ground of Longtou Village looked at the armored formation of 28 tanks with despair in their eyes.

Even if they laid their 37mm anti-aircraft guns flat and fired, they would only make a noise.

Tanks equipped with fire control systems can engage in pinpoint sniping while on the move.

Whether it was machine gun positions or anti-aircraft artillery positions, even if the Vietnamese troops were hiding in concrete bunkers, they could not withstand 105mm armor-piercing rounds.

When the tanks relentlessly rolled over the Vietnamese army's forward positions, the Vietnamese army was forced to retreat into the village, using the houses as cover for a final stand.

Seeing this, the battalion commander of the 2nd Tank Battalion, who was leading the team, picked up the radio receiver and ordered, "Attention all tanks, halt your advance, concentrate your firepower on the spot, and destroy all buildings in the village that may serve as fire support points."

With the tank stationary, it can fire more accurately as a fixed gun emplacement.

In just a few minutes, not a single building in Longtou Village remained standing, and the Vietnamese soldiers who had been fighting desperately fell silent.

"Battalion Commander, there is no enemy activity ahead. Request permission to continue advancing," reported the leading tanks.

"No way." The battalion commander refused without even thinking. "Have you forgotten the principles of combined arms operations?"

"Everyone, stay put and be on alert!"

After saying that, the tank battalion commander climbed out of the command vehicle and signaled the infantry following behind to enter the village to search.

Seeing the tanks remain stationary, the infantry moved forward to clear them out, infuriating the Vietnamese soldiers in the village.

"Damn it! The central army is such a coward! All the buildings have been destroyed, and they still won't enter the village!"

The Vietnamese army had prepared rocket launchers, explosive charges, and cluster grenades, waiting for the tanks to enter the village so they could launch a surprise attack from the rear of the tanks, taking advantage of the tanks' blind spots. Now, however, only the tanks' gun barrels were pointed at them.

"Damn it, we can't worry about that now!" a Vietnamese soldier shouted. "Kill one, we'll make a profit, attack!"

Gunfire suddenly erupted in Longtou Village, which had been completely silent just moments before.

The soldiers who entered the village to carry out the mopping-up operation immediately lay down and returned fire.

However, no one risked going forward, and they didn't even take a detour.

Because the tank opened fire in the next second, and the 12.7mm heavy machine gun on top also fired simultaneously.

After a series of booming cannon shots, Longtou Village returned to silence.

The few remaining Vietnamese soldiers hid behind the ruins, panting heavily.

Tao Huaqing, from Kien Giang province, enlisted during the nationwide mobilization in 1978. He and 20 other young men from his village wrote a letter in blood and went north to join the army.

After four months of training in Bac Thai province, he joined the elite 12th Regiment of Vietnam.

However, before he could even enjoy his joy for a few days, he suddenly realized that the real battlefield was not what he had imagined.

Whether in terms of logistics or firepower, the Vietnamese army was technologically inferior to the Chinese army, and the willpower that the Vietnamese army was so proud of was in no way inferior to that of the Chinese army.

Three people from his village were assigned to the same company as him, and the luckiest of the three was at least left with a complete body.

The other two were hit head-on by a 105mm high-explosive shell, and now they can't even be swept up with a broom.

Tao Huaqing pressed down hard on his trembling legs, trying to restore their mobility.

At this point, Tao Huaqing had long forgotten the oath on the blood oath; all he wanted was to live.

Hearing footsteps treading on bricks and stones not far away, Tao Huaqing took a few deep breaths, pounded his legs a few times, bent over, and ran desperately backward along the broken wall.

In order to escape, he didn't even retreat to Dong Dang, but instead went straight into the mountains.

Based on his judgment, the central army's primary objective is definitely Dong Dang, and it's unlikely that they will conduct a large-scale search of the mountains. He has a high chance of escaping the battlefield.

The soldiers merely fired a few bursts of fire at the few Vietnamese deserters without giving them a chance to pursue.

Their mission was to advance and surround Dong Dang; they had no time to waste with these routed soldiers.

Once it was confirmed that there were no more enemies in Longtou Village, the tank unit continued to advance.

Only one squad of soldiers remained in Longtou Village to clean up the battlefield, while the rest continued to follow the tanks and advance towards Dong Dang.

Meanwhile, the two regiments attacking the 243rd and 386th Regiments of Vietnam also made rapid progress.

Although the positions held by these two Vietnamese corps units were on steep slopes, making it impossible for tanks to launch a feint attack, the 152mm heavy artillery fire still forced the Vietnamese troops to continuously push towards Dong Dang.

Within just a few hours, multiple Vietnamese outposts on the outskirts of Dong Dang were destroyed, and control of the Dong Dang outer highway fell into the hands of the Chinese army.

(End of this chapter)