Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 177 Chen Ming: Bring Back My Heavy Artillery
After daybreak, when a small reconnaissance unit of the Japanese arrived at the mining area to conduct reconnaissance.

The independent detachment had long since disappeared without a trace.

The Japanese scouts dared not venture too far, for further investigation would mean reaching the Fourth Military Sub-district's base.

If they entered the Eighth Route Army's base area, their small force wouldn't make a ripple; they would be swallowed up.

Huai Ren.

Chen Ming continued to organize the relocation of miners in Huai Ren, and the whole process proceeded in an orderly manner.

With the assistance of disciplined Eighth Route Army soldiers, the miners were transferred from the mining area to Huai'ren region in about two hours.

This area is now under the control of the independent squadron, meaning the miners are safe.

The reason why Chen Ming was able to organize the transfer of more than 20,000 miners in just two hours was because he had a lot of troops at his disposal.

The number of troops dispatched by the independent detachment this time, plus the fraternal units that cooperated, exceeded the number of miners.

Even if each soldier takes one miner with them to relocate, it's feasible.

In addition, Chen Ming mobilized a large number of people to help transport supplies.

This time, Chen Ming learned from the lessons of previous battles where insufficient manpower meant that not all captured supplies could be transported away, leaving him with no choice but to blow them up or bury them.

In preparation for the attack, a large number of people were organized from the base area to transport the captured grain, weapons and ammunition to the troops using wheelbarrows, carrying poles and their own shoulders.

Food for 20,000 people for three months is no small amount, but with the joint efforts of the masses, this quantity is nothing; even if the amount were doubled, it could still be transported.

The people's desire for food during that period can be compared to their desire for gold today.

Carrying 100 pounds of bricks might be difficult, but carrying 100 pounds of gold would make it incredibly easy.

The local people who came to help were carrying supplies; what they carried on their shoulders and pushed in their hands was not only food, but also their hope for survival.

"Have all the miners been evacuated?" Chen Ming asked from inside the temporary command post.

"The last batch was also carried out, and all the food, weapons and ammunition in the mining area were transported away. It's just a pity that due to limited manpower, so much coal was not transported away and will fall into the hands of the Japanese," Chief of Staff Wang Dafei said.

"It's good that they've all been moved out. As long as the people are still alive, we'll get those things back sooner or later."

"Don't regret those coals. Even if the Japanese transport them all to Datong, we'll get them back soon enough," Chen Ming said.

"By the way, has Duan Peng returned?"

"No, Duan Peng sent back a message through his comrades in Datong. He is still investigating the Japanese defense map of Datong and it will take some time," Wang Dafei replied.

"Alright, tell him to be careful and not to break his back while building bunkers for the Japanese. Otherwise, I'll be missing a tiger general," Chen Ming joked.

"Hahaha."

Everyone in the command post laughed.

When Duan Peng, an underground Communist Party member in Datong, was captured by the puppet army to build a bunker, several commanders who were on good terms with Duan Peng did not believe it.

How could Duan Peng, the dignified captain of the special operations brigade, be captured by the puppet army? This is truly a strange story!
Chen Ming knew in his heart that Duan Peng had not escaped his fate.

Originally, Duan Peng was supposed to be arrested along with Wei Heshang to build the pillbox, but now Wei Heshang is alive and well, and only Duan Peng has been arrested.

However, neither Chen Ming nor the senior officers and staff of the Independent Detachment were worried about Duan Peng's situation.

Duan Peng is the captain of the special operations brigade. To rise to this position among a group of fierce and elite soldiers, he must have some real skills.

Of the many elite members in the independent detachment, only about 150 could be selected for the special operations brigade. Duan Peng's ability to stand out from these 150-plus people demonstrates his capabilities.

Not long after Duan Peng was captured and forced to build bunkers for the Japanese, he also recruited other special forces soldiers who had infiltrated Datong to investigate the Japanese's outer defenses around Datong.

It's just that he can't be the only one being ridiculed; if he drags everyone down with him, he won't be embarrassed.

"By the way, Duan Peng also sent back a message: he found a route that can be used for tunnel operations."

"He said we could dig tunnels under the walls of Datong and blow them up to help the main force enter the city," Wang Dafei said.

"Is the plan feasible?" Chen Ming asked.

Speaking of tunnels, he actually had some recollection of them. During the Liberation War, when our army fought the Battle of Linfen, it used large-scale tunnel blasting technology.

Using two main tunnels, more than 10,000 kilograms of explosives were buried under the city walls, creating two 34-meter-wide gaps that allowed the attacking troops to storm into the city.

Tunnel blasting is definitely a very good tactic that can make up for the Eighth Route Army's lack of heavy weapons.

However, it's only been 42 years, and Chen Ming doesn't know if this technology is mature or suitable for use.

“I think it’s a good idea. We can use Guoxian County as a tactical rehearsal first and apply this technology there,” Wang Dafei said, pointing to the location of Guoxian County on the map.

Chen Ming looked over and pondered the strategic importance of Guoxian County.

The Japanese had deployed a 150mm howitzer company in Guoxian and a 105mm howitzer company in Shuiquan, which was a thorn in the side of the Independent Detachment.

If Guoxian is captured, then the Japanese troops in Ningwu, Shenchi, and Shuoxian will be completely surrounded by the Independent Detachment.

At the same time, the railway between Datong and Taiyuan can be completely cut off, isolating Datong and Taiyuan.

Chen Ming was also very envious of the Japanese heavy artillery, and Guoxian County was a good testing ground.

By taking advantage of the surprise of tunnel warfare, the Japanese heavy artillery had no room to be used.

In addition, a portion of the elite special operations brigade could be infiltrated to control the Japanese heavy artillery company during the main force's attack on the city, preventing them from destroying the heavy artillery.

“Okay, let’s attack Guoxian first and bring back my heavy artillery,” Chen Ming said, pointing to the map.

“I agree, and I have another talented person I’d like to recommend to you,” Wang Dafei continued.

"What kind of talent?" Chen Ming asked, puzzled.

"Bring Wu Youdao in," Wang Dafei said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming smiled and said, "Alright, you've been waiting for me here."

Not long after, an officer called in a young comrade who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

"Reporting to the commander, Wu Youdao is here on orders. Please give instructions!" Wu Youdao entered the command post and immediately saluted with a tense posture.

"Okay, don't be nervous," Chen Ming said kindly.

"Yes."

"This is a tunnel-digging talent I discovered. He was recommended by the local troops. During the tunnel warfare, he used the tunnels he dug to eliminate two Japanese soldiers and six puppet troops," Wang Dafei said.

Then, Wang Dafei described to Chen Ming some of the tunnels that Wu Youdao had dug.

When Wu Youdao heard Chief of Staff Wang Dafei recounting his deeds in front of so many leaders, he scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"That's really a talent; he's really good at fighting the Japanese," Chen Ming said after listening.

Upon receiving Chen Ming's praise, Wu Youdao's cheeks flushed with excitement, and his hands trembled.

This was someone he deeply admired and respected, a renowned anti-Japanese war hero.

If there were celebrities now, Chen Ming would be a household name and a superstar, while Wu Youdao would be a fanatical fan.

"Reporting to the commander, this is just a small-scale operation, nothing serious," Wu Youdao said, his voice trembling slightly.

“How can this be considered a small-scale operation? Any technique that can defeat the Japanese is a good technique. I think it can be promoted throughout the entire base area,” Chen Ming said.

"By the way, could you tell me about the process of inventing those tunnel digging methods?" Chen Ming asked curiously.

Hearing Chen Ming ask this, Wu Youdao said somewhat embarrassedly:

"Reporting to the commander, my family has been tomb raiders for three generations. We are poor and have no land. We can only dig up gold and silver from wealthy families to exchange for money."

"When it was passed down to my generation, I hadn't finished learning the skills when the Japanese invaded. My father was also killed by the Japanese, so I joined the guerrillas."

"Tufuzi" is a colloquial term; in reality, it refers to tomb raiders.

This identity made Wu Youdao feel somewhat inferior. Everyone else was a glorious working class, while his family had been tomb raiders for generations.

If he hadn't been so young and hadn't yet learned the skills, hadn't never robbed a tomb, and hadn't been an orphan whose father had been killed by the Japanese and who had a blood feud with the Japanese, he would have been a different person.

Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to join the team, and they wouldn't be able to pass the political vetting process.

Because our anti-Japanese forces must never do anything that harms the interests of the nation, and tomb raiding is regarded as "feudal remnants" that conflict with our army's principle of "serving the people".

"It's alright, those things are all in the past. As long as you fight the Japanese well, the organization won't treat you differently because of your ancestors' background. You'll be rewarded for your merits," Chen Ming said. The other person was also a tragic figure; his family had been killed by the Japanese, leaving him an orphan. He himself was still a child and had never participated in tomb raiding.

"Yes." Wu Youdao saluted again.

"If we were to dig a tunnel down to Guoxian County, what would you say?" Chen Ming asked again.

Upon hearing Chen Ming's question, Wu Youdao immediately replied, "Reporting to the commander, I cannot say for sure. We will have to go to the location to see what is going on before we can find a solution."

“Good, he’s a pragmatic comrade. Dafei, when we get back to the base, send someone with Comrade Wu Youdao to Guoxian County to investigate and find a plan to dig a tunnel.”

Chen Ming is a pragmatic person. When he heard that the other party did not give a direct guarantee, Chen Ming looked at Wu Youdao with new respect.

"Yes!"

Over the next few days, Political Commissar Zhang Zhengze and the personnel sent by headquarters worked together to arrange for the rescued miners, while Chen Ming went to headquarters.

"Da Biao, have all the photos been developed and organized?"

Before setting off, Chen Ming asked.

"Everything's packed," Wang Dabiao said, patting his bag.

“Yes, the atrocities committed by the Japanese in Datong must be made known to the people of the whole country and even the whole world. The shamelessness, barbarity and crimes against humanity of the fascists.” Chen Ming nodded.

Although the Independent Detachment rescued more than 20,000 miners in the Datong mining area, a large number of miners had already been killed by the Japanese.

When Chen Ming and the officers and soldiers of the Independent Detachment saw the piles of white bones where the Japanese had thrown away their bodies, they cursed the Japanese ancestors to the eighteenth generation in their hearts and mouths.

Chen Ming also instructed Wang Dabiao to use a camera to record all the crimes committed by the Japanese, develop the photos, and spread them through propaganda so that more people could see the true face of the Japanese.

Due to technical limitations, our army had almost no photographs of the Japanese army's brutal atrocities during this period.

The photos taken by the Independent Detachment of miners who died in the mine are the best evidence to expose the atrocities committed by the Japanese.

After the photos were sent to headquarters, they were taken very seriously and were forwarded to the rear.

A few days later, several articles appeared on the front pages of major newspapers.

A Heartbreaking Account: A Mass Grave Discovered in Datong Mining Area – Japanese Invaders Used Humans to Trade Coal, Abusing and Murdering Miners!

"A surprise attack behind enemy lines liberates the Datong mine, finally escaping 'hell on earth' for tens of thousands of laborers."

"Ironclad Evidence! Our Army's Rescue of Datong Miners Exposes the Heinous Crimes of the Japanese Army's 'Mass Grave'"

These newspapers contained shocking photographs taken by the Independent Detachment, vividly depicting the atrocities committed by the Japanese army.

Images are always more intuitive than words, presenting the stark reality to you.

Once the newspaper was published, it ignited the nationwide anger against Japan, strengthened the will to resist to an unprecedented degree, and increased the support in terms of troops and supplies.

The Japanese army's lie about recruiting laborers was exposed, exacerbating their labor shortage, causing a surge in management costs within the mining area, and reducing the efficiency of resource plundering.

These reports also caused a great stir in the international community.

The Japanese military's international facade was dismantled, shattering the lie of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" propaganda.

This prompted allies to escalate sanctions against Japan.

These photos are far more significant than the annihilation of more than a thousand Japanese soldiers and three thousand puppet troops in Datong!

The headquarters and rear gave high praise to the Independent Detachment's operation to rescue the Datong miners.

In this operation, He Jianxin demonstrated his outstanding command skills.

Chen Ming was also considering separating He Jianxin's reinforced brigade from the independent detachment and establishing the First Detachment of the Fourth Division after the battle of Datong.

Headquarters.

Chen Ming reported to headquarters his operational plan to attack Datong after the spring planting season.

There were many important factories in Datong City, such as the Datong Sugar Factory established by the Japanese army; the steel rolling mill and machine tool factory left by Commander Iwa; and military production material factories such as the Datong Graphite Factory and cement plant.

There are also power supply plants such as Datong No. 1 Thermal Power Plant.

It can be said that as long as Datong is captured, the Eighth Route Army will be able to achieve great development.

So many good things in Datong are in the hands of the Japanese. It's such a waste of such good things.

Of course, there are even more factories in Taiyuan, but we don't have the strength to compete right now. Otherwise, if we could take over Taiyuan, that would be a real takeoff!
Taiyuan was the core location of the First Army, and the First Army headquarters was located in Taiyuan.

The Japanese First Army was a field army consisting of three divisions and three independent mixed brigades, with a strength of 80,000 to 90,000 men.

The garrison in Mongolia was a defensive force, consisting of only one division, one independent mixed brigade, and one cavalry group, with a strength of about 20,000 men.

The two are not even in the same league in terms of combat strength.

One must eat one bite at a time, and pick the softest persimmons to crush. The Mongolian garrison is the softest persimmon, so Chen Ming should naturally deal with the Mongolian garrison first to develop his strength.

Once we have enough strength, we can then challenge the Japanese in Taiyuan.

Headquarters was shocked by Chen Ming's battle plan.

"No, I thought you were just operating around Datong to sabotage the Ping-Sui Railway and cut off the Japanese's lifeline. I didn't expect you were actually going to attack Datong." The brigade commander said in surprise.

"Isn't it because I'm envious of the factories the Japanese have? There's so much stuff there; it would be a waste if we didn't take it," Chen Ming said with a smile.

“Datong is a military stronghold and a resource center, it’s not easy to attack. Is the Fourth Military Sub-district strong enough?” another commander asked.

"That should be enough. After fighting with the troops stationed in Mongolia for some time, I have a basic understanding of their combat capabilities. In addition, I have also roughly figured out the general deployment in Datong. I am very confident," Chen Ming said.

"Alright, if we're going to fight, then let's fight. Headquarters will definitely provide support whatever we need," the boss decided.

"To ensure the surprise of the attack, I don't plan to mobilize troops from other places this time. Otherwise, if the Japanese get the news, Datong will be difficult to capture."

"Even if we manage to capture Datong, the Japanese will definitely blow up the factories in the city beforehand, leaving us with an empty city."

“However, there is still a need. I hope that headquarters can coordinate some soldiers who are proficient in tunnel warfare from the central Hebei region to assist the troops in taking Datong,” Chen Ming said.

"Are you planning to use tunnels and explosives to destroy Datong?"

Everyone present was a seasoned general, and when Chen Ming mentioned tunnel warfare, they immediately thought of his plans.

“That’s right. Datong City has high walls and thick walls. We don’t have heavy firepower, so a direct assault would be very disadvantageous. If we could dig tunnels to blow up the walls of Datong City, it would be much easier to fight the Japanese soldiers inside the city,” Chen Ming nodded and said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, our unit has already identified the weak points in the defenses of Datong and found the weaknesses of the Japanese. We are quite confident."

"In order to gather intelligence, the captain of my special operations brigade was even conscripted by the puppet army to build bunkers for the Japanese for more than half a month," Chen Ming said with a smile.

"Haha."

Hearing Chen Ming say this, everyone laughed and felt reassured.

They all knew Chen Ming's fighting style: he fought bravely and steadily, and was a commander who could stand alone!

Since Chen Ming said he was quite confident, then he must be very confident.

However, it was quite a strange story that Duan Peng, the captain of the special operations brigade, was conscripted by the puppet army.

It's as strange as a boxing champion kicking a primary school student and then getting knocked down by the student.

At this time, Duan Peng was unaware that his superiors had taken the news of his being conscripted by the puppet army to headquarters as a joke.

After the battle plan was approved by headquarters, Chen Ming prepared to return to the base area to prepare the battle plan and organize the farming in the base area.

Before long, it will be time for spring plowing, which is the most important event in the base area; even the attack on Datong will take a backseat.

Chen Ming understood better than anyone just how brutal the Great Famine of 42 was.

To prevent such tragedies from happening again in the base area, Chen Ming personally took charge of spring plowing and locust control work.

In any case, we must ensure the smooth progress of spring plowing.

This is also why Chen Ming limited Ding Wei and Xu Desheng to one month of combat time, requiring them to return within a specified period, which had a significant impact on spring plowing.

Of course, dealing with the Japanese army's "May 1st Great Sweep" was also one of the influencing factors.

(End of this chapter)