Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 507 Battle of Beijiang: Both Armies Win Together

At the mouth of Sixianjiao River on the Beijiang River, with the sinking of the Anzai, the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, led by the Taishan Independent Regiment, launched another attack on the opposite bank of the Beijiang River.

This time, without the obstruction of Japanese warships, the Japanese defense forces on the opposite bank could only passively endure the attack from the three warships.

Not to mention the suppression from the air.

With the defenses on the opposite bank proving ineffective, more than 300 Allied soldiers boarded two 60-ton river gunboats and forcibly landed. The Japanese army suffered repeated defeats in the fierce battle and had no choice but to abandon their riverbank positions.

Fang Wen picked up the microphone and called out to each department.

"We won. This is the first time in two months that the anti-Japanese army has landed on the other side of the Beijiang River. This shows that the Japanese are not invincible."

These words were then spread.

On the Japanese positions across the Beijiang River, at the Sixianjiao Fort, and on the National Army's naval warships, gunboats, and aircraft, the soldiers were all excited and thrilled.

After a short while, Fang Wen spoke again to contact the various departments of the army, navy, and air force.

"Three naval ships, you will transport troops across the river and garrison here to cooperate with the troops crossing the river in defense."

"William, set up anti-aircraft positions immediately."

"The gunboat squadron is returning to base to replenish ammunition and fuel."

After the order was issued, all departments began to get busy.

The Allied soldiers who had not yet crossed the river boarded warships to cross, while the 10 military vehicles and the 20mm dual-purpose machine guns towed by the vehicles were hoisted onto the warships by a specially made gantry crane and transported over.

Subsequently, William led the soldiers of the 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion of the Independent Regiment to set up anti-aircraft positions on the Japanese positions.

Other troops were stationed at the Japanese positions on the riverbank and sent out outposts to scout out the Japanese situation.

The gunboat squadron immediately returned to port.

The joint forces organized by the Independent Regiment successfully occupied Sixianjiao, allowing National Army warships to pass through Sixianjiao into the Beijiang River and even reach the opposite bank of the Beijiang River, which was undoubtedly a major piece of good news.

This message was transmitted to the 12th Group Army via military radio.

Meanwhile, what was the situation of the 62nd Army of the 12th Group Army, which launched an attack on the same day?

They set out from Qingyuan and launched an attack towards Huaxian (now Huadu District) in Guangzhou.

"Report to the commander! The Datang stronghold is ahead!" the marching staff officer reported, his eyes revealing tension and excitement.

The commander of the 62nd Army was also incredulous.

The Japanese army, which was originally swift and flexible in its attacks, suddenly changed its tune.

It seems the news that the Taishan Independent Regiment's surprise attack disrupted the Japanese command structure is true.

Only in this way can we explain the current appearance of the Japanese army's slow response and deliberate retreat.

He gave the order: "Proceed according to plan, advance south along the Beijiang River."

On the riverside road from Qingyuan to Huaxian, the vanguard of the 62nd Army is advancing.

The soldiers marched briskly along the muddy road, carrying rifles and bundles slung across their shoulders.

The scout at the front suddenly crouched down—three hundred meters ahead, in the bamboo forest, one could vaguely see a ring of fortifications built by the Japanese army using sandbags.

"Take cover!" Company Commander Zhang, leading the team, lowered his voice, and the soldiers behind him immediately dispersed into the sugarcane field beside the road. Several veterans deftly set up Czech-made light machine guns, their dark muzzles aimed at the bamboo forest.

The Japanese soldiers in the bamboo forest had obviously spotted them as well.

A Type 92 heavy machine gun suddenly opened fire, and a 7.7mm bullet snapped a sugarcane stalk in half, splattering juice onto the soldiers' sweaty faces.

"Damn it, it's a heavy firepower point, we can't take it down!" Company Commander Zhang spat and turned to the communications soldier, yelling, "Quickly notify the artillery company!"

The communications soldier crawled away backwards on the ground, then turned and ran to the rear.

Twenty minutes later, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, six 82mm mortar shells accurately struck the Japanese position. Before the dust kicked up by the explosions had even settled, three companies of soldiers had already charged forward in skirmish lines.

Platoon Leader Wang, charging at the forefront, suddenly stumbled—his leggings were ripped open by bamboo shavings, and blood instantly soaked through his straw sandals. But this did not affect his charging speed in the slightest, and the machine gun in his hand spat out blazing flames.

When the smoke cleared, more than ten Japanese soldiers' corpses lay scattered in the bamboo forest.

The last Japanese sergeant whose leg had been blown off was firing wildly with his Nambu pistol when a Guangdong soldier rushed up and stabbed him in the throat with a bayonet.

The 62nd Army achieved a resounding victory, using four times the number of troops to capture the stronghold.

"Keep moving forward!" Company Commander Zhang kicked aside the fallen sergeant's body and ran forward.

Behind him, the main force of the 62nd Army was pouring into the newly captured position.

Subsequently, this unit advanced downwards and reached Chini Town in Huaxian County.

This place is less than 20 kilometers from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Once we break through here, we can form a pincer movement with the Taishan Independent Regiment from the north and south.

However, intelligence indicated that a part of the Japanese 104th Division was stationed there. Although the high command system was paralyzed, these veteran Japanese soldiers who had participated in the Battle of Shanghai were still not to be underestimated.

"Reporting, Commander!" The communications officer rushed in. "An urgent telegram from Commander Fang of the Taishan Independent Regiment!"

Commander Yu took the telegram, his eyebrows gradually relaxing. The telegram said that the Independent Regiment had dispatched 10 gunboats to provide support, and they were expected to arrive over the battlefield in an hour.

"Pass down the order!" Commander Yu slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly. "The general offensive will begin in one hour. All units must advance to within one kilometer of the town's outskirts before air support arrives!"

The order was quickly relayed to all divisions via field telephone. The artillery positions of the 12th Army, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly roared, and all the remaining small-caliber mortars and 75mm mountain guns brought by mules and horses fired in unison, blasting the outskirts of Chini Town into flames.

Southeast corner of Chini Town, the headquarters of the Japanese 23rd Regiment.

Regimental Commander Major Kameda stared at the approaching blue flag on the sand table, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Ever since the attack on the South China Command, they had been like decapitated vipers, forced to fight back only on instinct.

"Report! The main force of the 62nd Army of the Chinese Army is advancing towards our forward positions under artillery cover!"

Kameda gripped his sword tightly and shouted, "Order the Third Battalion to hold the eastern part of the town at all costs! Concentrate all the grenade launchers there!"

He suddenly remembered something, turned around and grabbed the communications soldier by the collar: "Where's our air support? The airport is only 20 kilometers away, didn't they receive my airstrike request?"

"They suffered heavy losses when they attacked by the Taishan Independent Regiment's air force this morning, and the air force is temporarily unable to send aircraft to support them..." the communications soldier stammered.

"It's that Independent Regiment again." Kameda slumped down, letting go of the weapon. Outside the window, the 62nd Army's artillery roared, and the shockwaves from the explosions caused dust to fall from the roof of the command post.

Currently, the Japanese forces in the Guangzhou area are in a state of chaos, with most of their high-ranking officers dead. Only the Japanese forces in the Foshan area remain relatively intact, while other areas have lost their command structure.

Therefore, he is not yet qualified to call for support from naval air force on the sea.

The independent regiment's air force returned to Yangjiang.

As soon as the gunboats landed, the mechanics, ground crew, and aircrew members began to get busy.

The battle is not over yet; they must continue.

Fang Wen piloted the Qinyuan, which then returned to port.

In the air, he constantly monitored the radar feedback from the aircraft on the sea surface.

The Japanese naval air force has finally made a move.

They were not flying towards the Beijiang area, but rather southeast along the coastline.

Fang Wen's hair stood on end.

The Japanese naval air force actually wanted to launch a surprise attack on Yangjiang.

He quickly picked up the microphone, switched the frequency, and called out to the ground: "Wu Yingzong, respond immediately if you hear me."

The communication was quickly established: "Commander, this is Wu Yingzong."

Fang Wen shouted loudly, "Air defense forces, be on high alert! Japanese aircraft will be attacking!" "Yes, sir!"

An alarm suddenly sounded at the Yangjiang garrison.

That was an air raid siren.

The stationed soldiers immediately responded according to the training procedures and dispersed.

The soldiers in charge of the anti-aircraft guns immediately took their positions.

The current anti-aircraft guns are deployed in the southeast, northwest, and southwest of the base, forming a four-way crossfire network.

This arrangement is intended to ensure the best possible defense of the airspace around the base when Fang Wen is not present.

But now, Fang Wen is back.

Under Fang Wen's command, the anti-aircraft guns were all aimed in the same direction.

Sure enough, a squadron of Japanese planes appeared in that direction in the sky shortly afterward.

More than a dozen anti-aircraft guns fired simultaneously in an instant.

That airspace was enveloped by a barrage of anti-aircraft artillery shells.

The shattered fragments pierced the aluminum alloy skin of the Japanese warplanes, creating numerous holes in the fuselage.

The Japanese air force was stunned by the fierce and accurate anti-aircraft gun barrage.

They couldn't even cross this death zone.

After three aircraft were shot down, the Japanese air force abandoned the air raid and turned to fly over the sea.

The Japanese naval air force's air raid was unsuccessful, and they withdrew.

Fang Wen piloted the Qinyuan and landed at the base airport.

As soon as he landed, he opened the cockpit canopy and slid down the outside of the plane.

Upon landing, Fang Wen immediately shouted, "Where is Wu Yingzong?"

"I'm here, Commander." Wu Yingzong jogged over.

Fang Wen immediately instructed: "We will take off after an hour of rest and cooperate with the 12th Army Group in operations. The Japanese may launch air raids next, and may even send marines to land. You must be careful."

"Yes, Commander. I have made the arrangements as you instructed. Pressure-activated mines have been laid in the landing areas along the coast, and there is a 20-man patrol team patrolling there. They will report immediately if they find anything."

Fang Wen nodded and said no more. Wu Yingzong's performance over the past year was enough to prove that he could stand on his own.

He then went to the seaplane base and used his supernatural abilities to check the condition of each of the 10 gunboats.

The main problem with these 10 gunships was the bulletproof shields. Even the best special steel cannot withstand continuous bullet fire from a single point, resulting in some craters.

If a bullet enters a crater at the same angle, it is possible to penetrate the bulletproof shield.

But that probability is extremely low.

He then used the military radio of the Tiger 4 gunboat to contact the 62nd Army.

After an hour of rest and resupply, the gunboat squadron took off again.

Fang Wen also piloted the Qinyuan and joined the attack.

The flight formation quickly arrived at the Beijiang area.

Fang Wen observed the situation below through mechanical perception.

William's air defense positions have been deployed.

Anti-aircraft guns are placed in higher positions around the position, so that they can be used to fire at aerial targets as well as at ground troops.

However, it will not be of any use for the time being.

The retreating Japanese troops have gathered in the direction of Shishan Town, seemingly preparing to hold Shishan.

In that case, William and his men stationed at the riverbank position will not engage in any fighting.

Fang Wen did not inform his troops of what he had seen, and instead led his gunboat squadron to the northeast.

30 kilometers northeast of here lies Chini Town.

That was an important stronghold of the Japanese army in Huaxian County. If it were captured, the Japanese army's Baiyun military airfield would lose its shield.

At noon, the roar of engines echoed over Chini Town.

Ten gunship aircraft flew over the battlefield in a goose-shaped formation, and then launched an air barrage to suppress the Japanese positions.

The circling gunboats, with their side-mounted 20mm cannons and 12.7mm aircraft machine guns, spewed deadly flames. The Japanese army's carefully arranged machine gun positions were instantly covered by a hail of bullets, and crimson blood splattered in the sandbag fortifications.

Faced with the continuous firepower of slow-speed aircraft like gunboats, the Japanese earthwork positions were completely defenseless.

This attack caught the Japanese soldiers completely off guard.

They had to give up firing and curl up in the lower part of the sandbag formation to avoid being hit by bullets from the air.

Upon discovering that the Japanese firepower had suddenly weakened, the frontline commander of the 62nd Army immediately ordered his soldiers to launch an attack.

"Charge!" The bugle call of the 62nd Army resounded across the battlefield, and thousands of Guangdong soldiers surged toward Chini Town from three directions like a flood bursting its banks.

Fang Wen kept a close watch on the situation below and, as the charge was about to reach the Japanese positions, ordered the gunboats and aircraft to cease their attack.

At this point, it was too late for the Japanese soldiers on the outer perimeter to continue their defense.

The 62nd Army soldiers, several times their number, stormed into the position and engaged the Japanese in close combat.

Half an hour later, the defenses around Chini Town collapsed, and the 62nd Army stormed into the town.

The Japanese regimental headquarters in the town center quickly descended into chaos. The major led the last thirty-odd soldiers to retreat to the ancestral hall, where they used tables and chairs to form barricades in a desperate struggle.

When the soldiers of the 62nd Army kicked open the door of the ancestral hall, the old Japanese soldier who had participated in the Battle of Nanjing was kneeling under the banner of "May the Military Prosper Forever" and committing seppuku. Blood gushed from between his fingers, but he only received disgusted looks from the soldiers.

The counterattack on December 30th went smoothly.

In the morning, the Japanese army lost the Sixianjiaohekou Fort, the 750-ton inland river gunboat Atake sank, eight aircraft were shot down, and control of the lower reaches of the Beijiang River was lost.

At noon, the air force of the Taishan Independent Regiment, in coordination with the 62nd Army, launched an attack in Huaxian County.

By 6 p.m., Chini Town was completely under the control of the 62nd Army.

Commander Yu stood under the archway at the entrance of the town, looking south towards Guangzhou with deep emotion. Two months ago, the 12th Group Army fled from here in a panic, but he never expected that two months later, he would have the opportunity to fight back.

He took out his pocket watch and looked at it—eight hours ahead of schedule, meaning that nearly half of Huaxian County had been recovered in one day.

These days, Fang Wen's tactical advice, transmitted through the radio, has taught the Guangdong army, which is used to passive defense, how to take the initiative in attack. In particular, the air-ground coordinated combat has greatly inspired him.

It must be said that Fang Wen and his Taishan Independent Regiment opened a new chapter in the war; he was a genius.

"Return the call to Regiment Commander Fang." Commander Yu took a deep breath. "The 62nd Army has completed its operational objectives. Next, should we rendezvous at Quhe, or is there another arrangement?"

The telegram was subsequently seen by Fang Wen, who had already returned to his post in Yangjiang.

What should he do next?

Did the Japanese army just keep passively taking hits like this?

(End of this chapter)