Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Soviet Russia did not refuse Vietnam's request for help.

At this time, Vietnam's military, economy, and politics had suffered heavy blows. As a good brother, the Soviet Union could not sit idly by, nor could it let the matter be left unresolved.

However, through this battle, Soviet Russia also realized China's fighting strength and knew that even if a full-scale war broke out, there would be no chance of achieving final victory.

At this point, if we want to reduce the burden, someone has to step forward, and that person has conveniently offered themselves up.

Therefore, in less than a year, Soviet Russia provided Vietnam with $30 billion in aid, as well as a large amount of weaponry, including aircraft and warships.

While replenishing its equipment, Vietnam also began a large-scale military expansion.

In just a few months, Vietnam has established several regular heavy mechanized infantry divisions.

Judging from its organization and equipment alone, Vietnam is much stronger than it was before it was attacked.

With the direct presence of Soviet air force and navy, the Vietnamese army's confidence, which had been shattered by the Chinese army, miraculously returned.

Thanks to Le Duan's subtle writing, the Vietnamese army always felt that the Chinese army had previously bullied them entirely with airplanes, tanks, and artillery, and that their victory was not honorable.

Now the Vietnamese army has brought in tanks and artillery, and the air force has received full support from the Soviet army.

According to the treaty, Soviet/Russian aircraft would directly participate in the war should Chinese aircraft cross the border.

With no worries about the future, Vietnam, feeling confident that it could succeed again, began to furtively cross the border again starting in January 1980.

Vietnam's actions have puzzled even the central government.

They say you forget the pain once the wound heals, but Vietnam's wound hasn't healed yet, and they're already jumping around again.

Of course, the central government is fully aware of why Vietnam jumped into action.

Coincidentally, the Central Committee also wanted to use Vietnam's head to wear down the Soviet Union, making them sink deeper and deeper into Vietnam's mess, so it decided to retaliate again.

This time, the fighting style was completely different from the previous quick attack and retreat tactics.

Since it's a matter of attrition, then it must be dragged out, worn down, weakened, or even killed off Soviet Russia.

At the same time, the scale must be controlled so that the war does not affect China's reform process.

Lo Fa Lin Mountain is a border mountain between China and Vietnam.

In principle, the two countries will use the main peak as the dividing line, with each side occupying half of it.

However, after feeling that it had regained its position as the world's third largest economy, Vietnam once again occupied the entire mountain and, from its high vantage point, repeatedly fired shots and artillery into Chinese territory.

This has caused farmers along China's borders to be afraid to work in the fields, and schools have also suspended classes.

The Chinese army decided to start the war of attrition here, to let Vietnam know its true strength.

At the pre-battle meeting, Su Yonghua, the commander of the 126th Regiment, pointed to the map and said to the three battalion commanders:

"You all know the instructions from above, so I won't waste any more time."

"We must teach these Vietnamese monkeys a lesson they won't forget in this battle. What are your thoughts?"

"Commander, what's there to say? The division's artillery regiment is right behind us. We'll suppress them with artillery fire. I'll lead the first battalion in a frontal attack. We'll take it by storm."

"Commander, I have a different opinion," said Chen Yuanchao, the Second Battalion Commander.
“Lo Fa Lin Mountain has three high points, and the Vietnamese army has built a complete defensive fortification on them. The enemy is composed of experienced veterans. If we attack from the front, our army will suffer heavy losses.”

"I think we can carry forward the glorious tradition of our army and launch a wave of infiltration behind enemy lines."

Before 1979, Chen Yuanchao would not have made this suggestion, as it would have been difficult for a unit mainly composed of new recruits to execute perfect infiltration tactics.

However, after being tempered by a major battle, even if it only lasted for a dozen days, it was enough for the troops to undergo a tremendous transformation.

After the withdrawal, the various units did not simply relax their duties, but instead conducted targeted training to address some of the problems that arose during the war.

Nowadays, almost every military unit has at least two unique skills.

Infiltration behind enemy lines is absolutely no problem.

Su Yonghua said with great interest, "Tell me in detail how you interweave it."

“It’s very simple,” Chen Yuanchao said, gesturing on the map.

"The first step is to send out several infiltration units to take advantage of the cover of night and infiltrate behind enemy lines to ambush them."

"The second step is to bombard them with cannons."

"The third step is to divide the battlefield and defeat them one by one."

"Alright, you've got some skills," Su Yonghua said with a smile.

"Infiltration behind enemy lines is an old tradition of our army. This time, let's see how well you do it. Don't let your predecessors down."

The group stood at attention, shouting, "We guarantee to complete the mission!"

Su Yonghua also straightened up. "I order the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th and 9th companies to split up and infiltrate behind enemy lines on the night of the 14th."

"The shelling will begin at dawn on the 15th. Chen Yuanchao, your second battalion will be divided into three groups to be responsible for the frontal attack."

"yes!".
On the night of October 14, the six companies responsible for the infiltration quietly moved behind enemy lines.

In the previous battle, the Vietnamese army was always overwhelmed from the front and was never penetrated. Therefore, this time they focused all their attention on the main battlefield.

The infiltration by the central army went completely unnoticed by the Vietnamese army, and many sentries were killed in their sleep.

At 6:30 a.m., the artillery group began its bombardment.

The Vietnamese army's forward positions were under heavy fire.

The minefield, barbed wire, and paved areas were blown to pieces.

Taking advantage of the artillery barrage and the Vietnamese troops hiding in their bunkers, the various units of the Second Battalion launched their attacks in sync with the artillery fire.

When the Vietnamese troops on the mountainside discovered that the central army was advancing rapidly into the front lines, they did not choose to confront them head-on, but instead immediately chose to retreat.

These Vietnamese soldiers were all veterans, and they knew very well that the position facing the central artillery could not be held; forcing a defense would only result in the loss of their lives.

The Vietnamese army attempted to hold the summit of the main peak with concentrated firepower and sufficient troops in order to wear down the central army.

However, they did not expect that the central army had already surrounded the three hilltops of the Vietnamese army from all angles.

Faced with a 360-degree pincer attack, the Vietnamese army was in complete chaos, and the soldiers did not know which way to point their guns.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the central army swiftly charged onto the battlefield.

When faced with the Vietnamese army's bunkers, flamethrowers burned them black.

A mournful wail echoed from inside the bunker.

Fifty-five minutes later, the gunfire at Lo Fa Lin Mountain ceased, and the Vietnamese troops were completely annihilated.

Upon learning of Lo Fa Lin Shan's crushing defeat, Le Duan felt a headache coming on.

Wen Jinyong, who was standing nearby, said, "China knows that we have a powerful armored force, so it is now avoiding direct combat with us."

"That's why I have a headache," Li Xun said, rubbing his forehead.

"According to our agreement with the Soviets, they will only help us defend our homeland."

"Once our troops enter Chinese territory, we can only rely on ourselves. At that time, the air threat from the Chinese army will be too great."

In Le Duan's view, China is the most cunning country.

When the Vietnamese army's large-scale operations were ineffective, the Chinese army deliberately launched frontal assaults with coordinated infantry and tank attacks.

Once the Vietnamese armored forces arrived, they could have fought on equal footing, but instead they just started circling around in the mountains again.

This was like the Vietnamese army punching cotton.

"We have no choice now, we can only deal with whatever comes our way."

After a moment's thought, Wen Jinyong said, "The one who tied the knot must untie it. I suggest sending a fierce general who knows himself and his enemy well to fight against the Chinese army."

"What suggestions do you have?" "Huang Dan," Wen Jinyong replied affirmatively.

"He received systematic and formal training in China, and he also fought a head-on battle with the Chinese army in Lang Son."

"Although we lost, we should have the most experience."

After a moment's thought, it seemed that there were no other candidates at the moment.

"Alright, it's settled then. Tell Huang Dan that he will directly command the 337th Division and take back the position at all costs."

"We must demonstrate our fighting strength; only in this way can we secure more aid."

Le Duan knew exactly how to extract more funds from Soviet Russia.

After receiving the order, Huang Dan arrived at the front line ten days later, ready to test his skills against his master.

In order to better formulate operational plans, Huang Dan adopted a multi-dimensional reconnaissance system.

The Vietnamese army conducted a multi-dimensional reconnaissance of Lo Fa Lin Mountain through ground observation posts, intelligence infiltration, and MiG-21 reconnaissance aircraft.

Inside the command post, Huang Dan looked at the intelligence on the map of Mount Lofalin, his expression somewhat grave.

Chen Wenwu, commander of the 337th Division, who was standing nearby, analyzed: "The central army's troop deployment and firepower configuration are very well done. If we attack like this, we will probably suffer a bloody defeat."

Huang Dan nodded. "We must use artillery to destroy the central army's defensive fortifications before we can advance."

"I have already ordered the reinforcement of a heavy mortar regiment. Combined with the heavy mortar companies of each regiment in the 337th Division, the firepower should be sufficient."

Vietnam's infrastructure capabilities are far inferior to China's. Although the Soviet Union provided a large number of heavy howitzers, it was difficult to transport their heavy artillery to the mountainous front lines.

At this point, the only option for the Vietnamese army was the 120mm heavy mortar.

"I will immediately order the engineer battalion to construct artillery positions," Chen Wenwu said.

"Be careful to disperse," Huang Dan instructed. "The central army's artillery reacts too quickly, so our artillery cannot be too concentrated."

"yes!".
A few days later, dozens of heavy mortars from the Vietnamese army began to unleash a hail of ammunition on Lo Fa Lin Mountain.

The Chinese artillery radar quickly detected the trajectory of the Vietnamese howitzers, and the howitzers began to retaliate.

However, the Vietnamese mortars were all hidden in underground artillery fortifications, and the spacing between them was very wide. Therefore, although the Chinese counterattacks caused considerable casualties to the Vietnamese army, their shelling never stopped.

In half a day, the Vietnamese army fired more than 4000 shells toward Luofalin Mountain.

A large portion of the central army's frontline fortifications was destroyed.

Without giving the Chinese army time to repair their positions, the Vietnamese 52nd Regiment charged forward.

The Vietnamese army operated strictly according to the Soviet army's standard procedures of artillery bombardment, human wave assault, and positional defense.

The Vietnamese army demonstrated superb skills in infantry-artillery coordination, with infantrymen stepping on the blast marks of artillery shells and directly charging onto the forward positions of the 2nd Battalion of the 126th Regiment.

Pham Van Chinh, commander of the 52nd Regiment of the Vietnamese Army, was overjoyed.

"The central army has not left any firing positions on the position, this is our opportunity!"

"Charge! Charge!"

In his ecstatic state, Pham Van Chinh failed to realize that the Vietnamese offensive was proceeding far too smoothly.

At this time, the 5th Company of the 2nd Battalion was guarding the front of the Vietnamese army.

Facing an enemy force that outnumbered them by more than ten times, the soldiers of the 5th Company launched a sustained counterattack with firepower, and the battle between the two sides was extremely fierce.

Inside the command post, Chen Yuanchao listened to the sounds of fierce fighting coming from the direction of the 5th Company and looked at the communications team, "Still no contact?"

"Battalion Commander, the telephone line appears to have been severed by an explosion," the communications platoon leader reported. "I've already sent a communications officer to check the line."

"There's no time to wait." Chen Yuanchao decisively ordered, "Have the 6th Company immediately support the 5th Company and request artillery support from the rear."

"Where are you firing?" the communications squad leader asked.
After a moment's thought, Chen Yuanchao pointed to the map and said, "According to the original plan, attack the 5th Company's front line."

Although there was no accurate intelligence, Chen Yuanchao could roughly judge the situation at the front based on the sound of gunfire.

The Vietnamese army should have already advanced.

Moreover, according to Chen Yuanchao's plan, the front-line positions were deliberately left for the Vietnamese army, and it was unlikely that the 5th Company could hold them.

As the 337th Division's artillery began to fire, the advancing Vietnamese forces were immediately suppressed.

"Beware of artillery fire! Beware of artillery fire!" the Vietnamese soldiers shouted as they jumped into the trenches.

The Vietnamese soldiers were stunned by the jump.

The trenches erupted in a cacophony of clanging and banging.

Chen Yuanchao had long anticipated that the Vietnamese army would use artillery fire to destroy the minefields, so he buried all the landmines in the trenches.

This put the Vietnamese army in a dilemma.

Jumping into the trench could mean stepping on a landmine, while not jumping meant getting bombarded by artillery shells.

However, amidst the overwhelming bombing, the Vietnamese army had virtually no choice.

The quick-thinking Vietnamese soldiers rushed to find the bodies that had already been killed by landmines, and then stepped on the bodies to avoid artillery fire.

Those who are slow-witted can only gamble with their lives.

Moreover, Chen Yuanchao deliberately built the trenches in an awkward way.

If the Vietnamese soldiers were standing, their heads would be exposed; if they squatted or knelt, their view would be blocked, making it impossible for them to fire.

The Vietnamese soldiers could only stand in the trenches in a half-squatting position, which they could not maintain for long periods of time.

While the Vietnamese troops were circling in place, the 6th Company had already charged forward.

The exhausted Vietnamese army was easily defeated.

Moreover, the Vietnamese troops were escorted away by mortar fire from the 126th Regiment as they retreated.

Looking at the casualty figures of the 52nd Regiment, Huang Dan was furious.

"In just one battle, the 52nd Regiment suffered over 300 casualties! This is entirely due to poor execution at the grassroots level!"

"Go, remove the commander of the 52nd Regiment from my post!"

"Have the 52nd Regiment readjust and continue the attack."

"Tell them, if they keep fighting like this, don't blame me for sending them to a military court!"

When Huang Dan's words were relayed, the frontline soldiers of the 52nd Regiment were nearly driven mad with anger.

"Those bastards, sitting in their offices, have no idea that we're being ravaged by Chinese artillery fire on the front lines!"

"The ones who should be court-martialed right now are these bureaucrats!"

"China relies on satellite reconnaissance and computer fire control systems for precision strikes, but what about us? We're still here launching human wave attacks."

"We didn't lose to the Chinese army, but to the stupidity of our own people!"

Under Huang Dan's strict orders, the regiments of the 337th Division took turns attacking Luo Falin Mountain, but the casualties and rigid command caused the morale of the Vietnamese army to collapse.

Ultimately, at the end of November, Huang Dan had to call off the offensive.

At this time, the desertion rate of the 337th Division soldiers had soared to 15%, and some companies even collectively disobeyed orders.

The Vietnamese army suffered a major setback at Lo Fa Lin Mountain and behaved itself for a while, but not for long.

Not long after, at the instigation of Soviet Russia, Vietnam began to provoke again.

(End of this chapter)