Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 634 Ambush at Pumiao, Nanning: 800 Japanese Soldiers Beheaded
Fang Wen heavily tapped the south bank of the Yong River on the sand table with the wooden stick in his hand, his fingertips stopping at the southern part of Pumiao Town:
"This Japanese army force, numbering about 800 men, is located in Xinjiangwei, 15 kilometers from Pumiao Town. They are carrying light machine guns and mortars and are resting here after a long march."

"what?"

The officers were thrilled.

Commander Wei couldn't sit still any longer.

Nanning's terrain features the Yong River as its last line of defense.

The area south of the Yong River is mountainous on the west side, which is advantageous for defense, and there are also mountainous areas on the east side that can be defended. However, there is a gap in the middle, where the terrain is flat and Pumiao Town is located.

Therefore, once the Japanese army occupied Pumiao Town, it was equivalent to tearing a gap in the National Army's defense line.

Moreover, this gap is the most suitable area for the Japanese mechanized forces to attack, posing a deadly threat to the National Army.

"The Japanese devils are almost here? Damn it, I didn't even know."

Commander Wei suddenly stood up and was about to order his men to transfer troops to Pumiao Town to strengthen its defenses.

But he didn't do that, because Fang Wen must have a plan for saying it at this critical juncture, so it was better to let him finish speaking.

"Commander Fang, you can continue."

Fang Wen nodded and continued.

"Their target is Pumiao—if we take Pumiao, we can split our defense line south of the Yongjiang River in two, and we can also concentrate our forces to force a crossing of the river, posing a huge threat. Moreover, the Japanese army can send 800 troops deep into our territory alone, so they must be elite and not to be underestimated. My idea is that we must go all out to fight this tiger. We should use our superior forces to form an ambush, and when they attack Pumiao, we should surround them and annihilate them all."

"It would be no easy task to annihilate an elite Japanese unit," said one of the officers present, who had participated in the Battle of Taierzhuang and the Battle of Wuhan and knew the fighting strength of the elite Japanese forces.

“Commander Fang, we need at least 5000 troops to deal with these Japanese troops. But the defensive lines are scattered now, and our 31st Army does not have that many troops to deploy.”

"Yes, an 800-man detachment that dares to venture so deep into Pumiao's territory must be a force to be reckoned with. But we only have one battalion of troops in Pumiao right now, and at most we can draw 1600 men from other defense lines. That's only a little over 2000 in total, I'm afraid we can't take them down."

Fang Wen looked at Commander Wei.

Commander Wei sighed: "The Japanese army is divided into three routes. Our army is responsible for defending Nanning, so we can only garrison in multiple places. If too many troops are transferred from other places, it will give the Japanese army on other routes an opportunity to take advantage. What I can deploy is the army's directly subordinate garrison regiment, plus the police and security regiments in the city, plus a battalion in the town, which is really only a little over 2000 men."

Having fought since 37, the generals of the National Revolutionary Army have gained a correct understanding of their own strength and are no longer as arrogant as before.

But the battle Fang Wen was going to fight was completely different from what they had imagined.

Therefore, Fang Wen replied, "2000 people are enough."

As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was shocked.

People didn't believe Fang Wen could do it.

However, Commander Wei had his own information channels and knew about some of the military miracles that Fang Wen had created during his operations in the north.

In the current situation, we might as well try anything, even if it seems hopeless, and perhaps we can find a way to turn things around.

Therefore, Commander Wei made the decision and gave his approval.

"Then it's settled. You'll be in command of this operation. Tell me how you want it to proceed."

Fang Wen was entrusted with this critical mission. He remained calm and composed, and explained his plan.

"It was precisely because they were isolated and had no reinforcements or heavy weapons that we had the opportunity to wipe them out."

He picked up the small blue flag representing the Guangxi Army and planted three around Pumiao Town. "We must first do three things: First, we must force the defenders of Pumiao to retreat into the town, deliberately exposing a gap in the western defenses to lure the Japanese into thinking they have an opportunity to attack. Second, we will ambush 800 men in Gongcao Village on the west side and 800 men in Liantangling on the east side, remaining inactive for the time being and waiting for the encirclement. Third, once the Japanese are trapped, I will notify the troops on both sides to take action and lead the air force to cooperate in the operation, striving to resolve the battle within half a day."

Is this possible?

The officers couldn't believe it.

Commander Wei slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "That's settled then. I'll be in charge of ground command, and you'll be in charge of air command. But you need to give me an explanation on how to maintain timely communication."

"I'm going out to get something."

Fang Wen got up, walked to the conference room door, opened the door, and took the box containing the walkie-talkie from Gong Xiuneng outside.

He carried the heavy wooden box back, placed it on the long table next to the sand table, opened it, and took out six all-black walkie-talkies, neatly arranged. The silver characters "Taishan Military Industry" were printed on the body of the phones, the antennas were folded and attached to the side of the body, and several bundles of black communication cables were placed next to them.

"This is the latest portable walkie-talkie produced by Taishan Military Industry. It has an effective communication range of 6 kilometers and comes with a hand-cranked power generation function, so it can continue to be used even if the power is out."

Fang Wen picked up a walkie-talkie, skillfully unfolded the antenna, and gently turned the knob to adjust the frequency. "I have already preset three channels: Channel 1 is for the garrison in Pumiao Town, Channel 2 is for the ambush troops in Gongcao Village and Liantangling, and Channel 3 is for the air force and command post. Each channel is confidential, so there is no need to worry about the Japanese army intercepting it through similar equipment."

Commander Wei stepped forward, reached out and touched the hard, cold casing of the walkie-talkie: "Can this thing really be used on the battlefield? Before, our communications soldiers were running themselves ragged, and messages were often transmitted incorrectly. If this thing is reliable, it will save command a lot of trouble."

"Don't worry, this has been proven in actual combat." Fang Wen handed Commander Wei an open walkie-talkie, then pressed the call button on the one in front of him and said into the microphone, "This is the air force, please reply."

"How do I operate it?" Commander Wei asked.

"Turn on this switch to receive signals; it's currently on. To adjust the frequency, there are only three frequencies. To speak to the other party, press this button and point it at the microphone."

Under Fang Wen's guidance, Commander Wei did as instructed, speaking into the microphone: "This is the ground command post."

Fang Wen's voice came through the walkie-talkie in front of him.

The officers present all looked surprised by the demonstration.

If the communication range is indeed 6 kilometers, then it would be extremely valuable.

Fang Wen turned off the call button and continued, "I've equipped each ambush point with two walkie-talkies. One will be carried by the commander, and the other will be left as a backup for the communications soldier. Once the Japanese troops enter the ambush point south of Pumiao Town, the town's garrison will first use Channel One to send a message and engage in firefights to lure the enemy into the town. After receiving the message, the ambush troops in Gongcao Village and Liantang Ridge will immediately flank them from both sides."

He picked up a piece of chalk and drew a simple communication procedure on the blackboard: "After the ground troops are deployed, our air force will also set off. After I and the gunboat squadron arrive, we will provide continuous air fire suppression against the enemy forces on the ground. After the ground troops hear the bombing, they will launch an attack."

His meaning is easy to understand: the three frontline troops, the air force, and the command post in the city can communicate in real time via walkie-talkies, keeping battlefield information readily available.

This ensures accurate coordination between units.

Commander Wei looked at the walkie-talkie on the table, and a smile finally appeared on his face: "With this, our command can keep up! In the past, when we fought tough battles, the Japanese always took advantage of the gaps because the information was not transmitted in time. Now that we have walkie-talkies, let's see how they can run away!"

He said sternly, "Those who participated in this operation, stay here. The rest of you, disperse. Remember, keep your mouths shut and do not divulge a single word of what you hear here."

Immediately afterwards, most of the officers left the conference room.

The remaining officers gathered around the table, some picking up walkie-talkies and fiddling with them, others asking Fang Wen for help with troubleshooting. The originally somber meeting room suddenly became lively.

Fang Wen patiently taught them how to switch channels and how to generate electricity by hand-cranking the radio. He also specifically instructed them: "Use the walkie-talkie battery sparingly. Don't leave it on all the time unless it's an emergency. If you are captured by the Japanese army, smash the walkie-talkie immediately. You must not let the Japanese get it."

Half an hour later, having taught everything he needed to, Fang Wen said goodbye and left, returning to the seaplane airport.

At the seaplane base, he distributed the remaining walkie-talkies to the pilots and explained how to operate them again.

Placing the Taishan walkie-talkie inside the aircraft would also solve the problem of these gunboats lacking radio communication equipment, allowing Fang Wen's commands to be better and more timely transmitted to the pilots.

The ambush plan in Pumiao Town shall be carried out immediately.

The directly subordinate guard regiment and the city's garrison troops split into two groups and headed to Gongcao Village and Liantangling.

By stationing troops on both sides, they could prepare for an ambush and prevent the Japanese army from suddenly changing its direction of attack, thus playing a blocking role.

That night, the Japanese army did not launch a forced march or attack, and nothing happened.

The next day, early in the morning.

In the defensive fortifications on the west side of Pumiao Town, the Guangxi Army soldiers deliberately leaned their rifles against the trenches, and some even sat on the edge of the trenches smoking, creating a false impression of laxity.

The garrison commander in the town observed the distance from a high vantage point, his hand tightly gripping a walkie-talkie.

Just then, a sentry came running over.

"coming!"

On the distant highway, the vanguard of the Japanese 5th Division's reconnaissance detachment appeared—a dozen or so Japanese soldiers, rifles in hand, cautiously advanced, followed by a force of 800 Japanese troops. These Japanese soldiers were equipped with submachine guns, which were quite rare, as well as a considerable number of light machine guns, grenade launchers, and small-caliber mortars.

They acted swiftly and launched an attack on Pumiao Town.

Faced with the 'sudden' attack, the defending troops on the southern outskirts of Pumiao Town hastily responded and quickly abandoned their positions, retreating into the town.

The battalion commander also turned on his walkie-talkie to report to the command post: "Sparrows have entered their nests, sparrows have entered their nests."

Fang Wen and Commander Wei both received this frequency.

Fang Wen and Commander Wei exchanged ideas.

"Commander Fang, I will now order the troops on both sides to launch an encirclement. Your air force will take off immediately."

"Ok."

After the exchange, both sides went their separate ways.

The Nationalist Army troops from Gongcao Village and Liantangling set out from both flanks and encircled the Japanese army from the rear.

Fang Wenze piloted the Qinyuan into the air, and after the four gunboats took off, they flew together to Pumiao Town.

A few minutes later, the plane had already reached the airspace above Pumiao Town.

At this time, the vanguard of the Japanese army had already entered the edge of Pumiao Town.

Seeing that they encountered no resistance, the Japanese commander waved his hand and ordered the main force to speed up their advance. Mortars and machine guns were also carried to the open space at the entrance of the town, ready to be set up.

Just then, gunfire suddenly erupted in the town—Guangxi Army soldiers launched an attack from their concealed fortifications within the town, firing rifles and machine guns simultaneously, instantly killing several members of the Japanese vanguard.

The Japanese army also launched an attack at the same time.

Gunfire erupted continuously at the town entrance.

Meanwhile, Fang Wen's air force also launched an attack on the Japanese troops on the ground.

Four Guangxi-style gunboats circled around the Japanese troops at the town entrance, their side firing ports open, and bullets continuously rained down on the ground.

The fierce air strikes dampened the Japanese troops' morale, and the charge they had just organized ended instantly.

These hundreds of Japanese soldiers were suddenly discovered.

They faced fierce resistance from the Nationalist army in front, and were also supported by gunboats and aircraft with fierce firepower in the air.

Something seems wrong.

The Japanese commander, clinging to a sliver of hope, actually divided his forces, attempting to cross this defensive zone and continue his attack into the town.

But by this time, the Nationalist troops on both sides had arrived.

This created a combined attack from both the front and rear.

Only then did the Japanese commander realize that he had fallen into a trap.

He immediately gathered his troops and turned to the rear, attempting to break out of the encirclement.

A rear encirclement force of only 1600 men clashed with nearly 800 elite Japanese troops in an open area outside the town.

Although the Japanese troops were few in number, their ground firepower was extremely strong, which actually forced two Nationalist army units to retreat.

However, the most important source of firepower in this encirclement came from the air.

Fang Wen piloted the Qinyuan aircraft, swooping down from high altitude with its nose pointing downwards.

At an altitude of 1000 meters, the rocket launchers under the wings on both sides fired 10 air-to-ground rockets.

This was precisely the time when the Japanese army was assembling.

The rocket struck a densely packed area of ​​Japanese troops below.

A violent explosion occurred among the Japanese soldiers.

"Boom! Boom!" The continuous explosions shook the ground slightly, and smoke and dust rose dozens of meters high in an instant.

Dismembered limbs and body parts were scattered in the air.

Before the dust had settled, Fang Wen's Qinyuan was already swooping down.

A burst of machine gun fire swept across, carving out a bloody path.

After completing a fierce aerial attack, Fang Wen pulled up the fuselage.

He picked up the microphone: "Commander Wei, order the garrison in the town to launch an attack as well. The three sides should encircle them without holding back. The Japanese can't hold on any longer."

Commander Wei had a clear understanding of the battlefield through the walkie-talkie and wished he could personally participate in the battle.

He immediately ordered the three parties to launch an attack.

Under his orders, the National Army's offensive intensified.

Meanwhile, on the Japanese positions, the originally densely packed troops were constantly strafed by gunboats and aircraft, and the central area was blasted into pieces by Fang Wen's rocket barrage - several light machine guns were overturned by shrapnel, mortar barrels were crookedly pointing to the sky, and corpses and wounded were scattered everywhere.

This intensity of air strikes had a significant deterrent effect on the Japanese army, making it impossible for them to maintain a concentrated force and forcing them to disperse in all directions.

The enraged Japanese commander brandished his sword, attempting to rally his soldiers.

Under duress from the supervising officer, the Japanese soldiers finally managed to regroup.

This won't do," Fang Wen swooped down again.

The remaining rockets were unleashed.

Another 10 rockets were fired into the densely populated area of ​​Japanese troops, in addition to strafing by dive guns.

And even more intense gunboat and aircraft firepower.

This time, even when the supervising officer's sword struck them, the Japanese soldiers were no longer willing to be live targets for the enemy aircraft.

Their formation was scattered, and they could no longer exert their superior firepower or concentrate their forces for combat.

This greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the three-way encirclement.

"Brothers, the Japanese devils have scattered! Let's charge together and wipe them out!"

With shouts rising and falling, the three Nationalist armies launched a charge attack on the Japanese troops.

Suppressed by air fire, the Japanese troops were unable to effectively resist the Nationalist army's charge.

As the distance gets closer.

A close-quarters battle broke out.

The Guangxi wolf soldiers displayed their fighting spirit, becoming increasingly ferocious in battle.

When they ran out of bullets, they simply attached bayonets and continued charging.

The battlefield was divided into sections, and the Japanese troops were being continuously annihilated.

At this point, it was no longer appropriate to continue providing air support.

Fang Wen picked up the microphone: "Air force, cease attack, maintain air defense."

(End of this chapter)