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

Chapter 288 I Don't Want Casualty Statistics!
Many people are familiar with the 14th Division.

This was one of the seventeen standing divisions of the Japanese army, possessing extremely strong combat capabilities.

With a full complement of around 2.2 men, their combat effectiveness ranked among the top in the Japanese Class A divisions.

During the Battle of Lanfeng, he used 20,000 troops to fight against 150,000 Central Army troops commanded by Tiger Boy, including elite units such as the 74th and 71st Armies. He successfully broke through the encirclement and cut off the Longhai Railway.

In the Battle of Perry Island in 1944, with 5,000 troops relying on fortifications, they resisted 50,000 American troops and held the isolated island for 73 days.

It caused 1.1 American casualties, with almost all of its own troops wiped out, and only 150 seriously wounded were captured.

This battle is considered by the US military to be "one of the most brutal amphibious landing battles of the Pacific War".

It should be noted that the Japanese soldiers in 44 were not comparable to those in the early stages of the War of Resistance.

However, at that time, this division was still able to achieve amazing results, which shows its elite status.

It was now early 43, and some of the elite troops of the 14th Division had already been transferred to the Pacific theater.

Their combat strength is no longer comparable to that of the elite troops during the Battle of Lanfeng in 38.

However, it is still a very powerful opponent.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; no matter how weakened this division's fighting power is, it's not something the Japanese 57th Division can easily mess with.

This time, the 14th Division will be Chen Ming's main opponent.

On Ding Wei's position.

After three days of fighting, the Japanese reinforcements finally arrived.

After a regiment of the 57th Division launched a preemptive attack, the Japanese troops stationed in Datong had no choice but to follow suit.

However, when it comes to division-level units, it's not something that can be deployed immediately just because it's said to be ready.

After two days of preparation, the remaining troops of the 57th Division set off as the vanguard, followed by the troops of the 14th Division.

On the morning of the fourth day after the battle began.

The commander of the Japanese 57th Division arrived at the Japanese front-line command post at Mita Mountain.

Upon arrival, the division commander slapped the Japanese regimental commander across the face.

"Baka! Who gave you permission to attack without authorization!"

The commander of the Japanese 57th Division cursed angrily.

This slap wasn't the typical mindless, non-injuring kind; it was delivered with real force.

The Japanese regimental commander immediately lost his balance and was knocked to the ground, leaving a red mark on his face.

The Japanese regimental commander felt his head buzzing, accompanied by ringing in his ears.

However, he dared not stay on the ground for too long and immediately got up.

"Hi Yi!"

"Snapped!"

"Hi Yi!"

"."

After slapping him more than ten times, the Japanese division commander felt the pain in his palm and stopped.

The Japanese regimental commander's face was now swollen into a pig's head, earning him the nickname "Pig-Headed Regimental Commander."

"What's the situation now?"

After calming down somewhat, the exhausted Japanese division commander finally spoke up and asked.

He was so angry not because the regimental commander had launched an attack without authorization, but because the attack had not been very effective.

If we can win, then everything will be fine, and he won't pursue these matters.

After all, this wasn't the first time the Japanese Kwantung Army had done something like this.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, our troops have captured the outer perimeter of Mount Amitabha and advanced two kilometers."

"Currently, the Eighth Route Army's defense line at Mituo Mountain is reduced to only the main peak of Mituo Mountain in front of them, and a few positions on the left flank."

"Our troops are dispatched to outflank the enemy from the left flank, preparing to cut off the rear of the Eighth Route Army's main position at Mituo Mountain and encircle the enemy."

"However, because the Eighth Route Army's flank resistance was too stubborn and its forces were too numerous, our army has not yet broken through the Eighth Route Army's flank defense line."

The Japanese regimental commander answered honestly.

However, he wasn't entirely honest; he used the art of language.

He did not mention that his troops were already entangled with the Eighth Route Army, unable to break through or withdraw.

It was only mentioned that the Eighth Route Army was putting up a fierce resistance and had a large force, making it impossible to break through for the time being.

Upon hearing the Japanese regimental commander's reply, the Japanese division commander's expression softened somewhat.

He also learned some information about the Independent Detachment from Gangcun. Although he didn't think the other side was that strong, he still believed that they had a certain fighting capacity.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a name for himself in North China.

It is indeed very difficult for a regiment of soldiers to break through the defensive lines prepared by ordinary Eighth Route Army troops.

After all, given the troop strength and weapon configuration, the Eighth Route Army was no pushover.

"Alright, after half a day of rest, the troops will launch a full-scale attack and completely bury this Eighth Route Army here."

The Japanese division commander spoke up.

After a brief rest, the artillery unit directly under the 57th Division of the Japanese army began to launch a fierce bombardment on the Shiergou position.

Eight mountain guns and four field guns rained shells down on Ding Wei's soldiers on the position.

The attacking Japanese troops also used Type 92 infantry guns and mortars to bombard the area.

In an instant, the entire Shiergou position was engulfed in artillery fire.

The Japanese division commander also ordered the infantry to advance under the cover of artillery fire.

This time, he dispatched his most elite troops to attack directly along the extended artillery barrage.

Even though some soldiers were killed by the Japanese's own artillery shells, the attacking Japanese were not greatly affected.

These attacking Japanese soldiers had taken specially made drugs before the attack, and were now in a state of high excitement, showing no fear of death.

Inspired by the spirit of Bushido, they charged towards the Shiergou position in a massive swarm, their heads wrapped in white cloth, amidst the artillery fire.

To prevent the Japanese from attacking the position after the artillery fire ended, the soldiers on the position had no choice but to fight back under the enemy's artillery fire.

In an instant, many soldiers were hit by artillery shells, and casualties began to increase dramatically.

This was, after all, artillery support at the level of a Japanese division, even if the core artillery consisted of twelve mountain guns mixed with field guns.

It was not a position that a battalion-level unit like the Twelve Gully could handle.

During an offensive, the cannons could suppress infantry positions, and a salvo from twelve cannons could cover a 1-2 kilometer-wide front line, destroying fortifications such as bunkers and barbed wire.

It can also construct a fire network with a depth of 5-8 kilometers to block troop assembly.

A battalion of soldiers on the Shiergou position were suffering terribly from the Japanese artillery fire and could only fight back desperately.

Because Chen Ming's artillery detachment was to be reserved for critical moments and could not be easily exposed at this time.

Otherwise, once the Japanese realize they have a large number of artillery pieces, their trump card will be exposed, making it much harder to severely damage their attacking force.

At the same time, prematurely exposing a large number of artillery pieces would alert the Japanese, allowing their air force to pose a significant threat to the artillery positions.

Therefore, the artillery that Ding Wei could use this time, besides the six 120mm mortars, was the largest caliber 82mm mortar.

Ding Wei did not intend to use these six 120mm heavy mortars at the Shiergou position. Firstly, their range was not as far as the Japanese field guns, and they would be easily suppressed by Japanese field guns after a counterattack.

Secondly, premature exposure could also affect his battle plan.

Therefore, the soldiers on the Shiergou position could only use their small-caliber mortars and guns to fight back against the Japanese.

Thanks to the valiant counterattacks of the soldiers on the position, they repelled seven Japanese attacks in one afternoon and held the position for the fourth day.

When the casualty figures were tallied that evening, it was discovered that the original battalion had more than 800 members.

At this point, only a little over four hundred people remained, with more than half of them killed or wounded.

Nearly three hundred of the casualties were caused by Japanese artillery fire.

"Alas, it's infuriating! We had to watch helplessly as the Japanese bombarded us with artillery, and one soldier after another died from their artillery fire."

"Our artillery can't retaliate, it's so frustrating."

On the Shiergou position, the newly formed 5th Battalion, 3rd Battalion, was responsible for guarding the position.

The one who started complaining was the deputy battalion commander of the third battalion.

"Old Zhao, don't say that. The higher-ups have a deeper consideration for doing this."

"Does that mean we couldn't fight wars before we had artillery?"

"After fighting so many wars over the years, haven't we progressed step by step from the very beginning with millet and rifles to where we are today?"

"Now that our equipment is better, can't we fight without artillery support?"

The battalion commander of the third battalion said in a low voice, puffing on his cigarette.

"That's not what I meant. I just felt sad seeing our soldiers being bullied by the Japanese artillery and sacrificing their lives at such a young age."

The deputy battalion commander of the third battalion said with bloodshot eyes.

He wasn't incapable of understanding the command's considerations; he knew the command had a longer-term strategic goal.

However, despite his understanding, he still felt a surge of resentment when he saw his comrades-in-arms die in the crossfire.

The battalion commander of the third battalion looked at the deputy battalion commander, opened his mouth as if to speak, his lips moved, but he could not utter a word.

He also empathized with the deputy battalion commander's feelings, because these fallen soldiers were also his comrades and brothers.

Each sacrifice felt like a knife being plunged into his heart.

Yesterday's comrades were laughing and joking, but today they are cold corpses, some of them not even left with their bodies intact.

Only those who have experienced it can truly understand the feelings involved.

"Alright, enough talk. Let's hurry up and repair our positions to prepare for the Japanese attack tomorrow."

"We are soldiers, and we must protect the millions of people in our base behind us. If we don't sacrifice ourselves, it will be our fellow countrymen and brothers and sisters who are sacrificed."

The battalion political instructor finished his cigarette and began to speak.

After he finished speaking, the entire impromptu meeting fell silent.

After the deputy battalion commander snorted, he turned and left to organize the soldiers to repair the position and transport the wounded.

The battalion commander then reported the battle situation to Ding Wei at headquarters.

Ding Wei looked at the casualty figures and remained silent for a while.

However, he knew that as a commander, he had to love his soldiers like his own children, but also use them like mud.

Some sacrifices are unavoidable; it is their responsibility and duty as soldiers who defend their country.

If we can annihilate these invading Japanese devils, even if it means sacrificing Ding Wei, he will die with a smile on his face.

"Order the troops to strengthen the defenses. The Japanese 14th Division will arrive tomorrow, and the battle will be even more brutal."

"Our mission is to hold out against the attacks of the Japanese 57th and 14th Divisions until the fifth day."

"In the next forty-eight hours, we must not allow the Japanese to break through the Mituoshan defense line and the Fengzhen defense line under any circumstances."

"I don't care about casualty figures, I just want Mount Amitabha!"

Ding Wei stared intently at Mount Amitabha on the sand table, his tone unwavering.

Given the strength of his Second Division, in the minds of the Japanese, the most normal situation would be for him to withstand the attack of two divisions for two days.

If we retreat too early, the Japanese might become suspicious.

The Japanese soldiers had suffered too many losses at the hands of the Independent Detachment and were no longer so easily fooled.

Moreover, the Japanese commander this time was none other than Okamura, that old devil.

His ability to command so many battles on the domestic battlefield, including several large-scale campaigns, speaks volumes about his capabilities.

Even if the Japanese Kwantung Army doesn't completely obey his orders this time, he still has considerable influence.

Meanwhile, Noda, the commander of the Japanese 14th Division, had rich experience in grassroots command, strong execution in attack operations, and strict discipline in managing his troops.

Although he lacked the innovative ability to independently command large-scale battles and was considered of average level among the commanders of the Japanese Class A divisions, far inferior to top generals such as Doihara, he still had some skills.

Under Ding Wei's orders, the troops at the front temporarily put aside their grief and devoted themselves to strengthening their defenses in preparation for the even more brutal battle the following day.

Frontline headquarters.

At this time, Chen Ming was not idle, but commanded his troops to resist the Japanese attack in the Huai Ren area.

While two Japanese divisions were attacking Fengzhen, another division in Datong was also busy.

Instead of joining the two Kwantung Army divisions in attacking Fengzhen, they launched a probing attack on the Huai'ren area.

This division, serving as the flank attack force for the core area of ​​the independent detachment, was intended to probe the situation of the troops left behind by Chen Ming in the core area, thereby analyzing the defensive situation of the troops in the Fengzhen and Jining directions.

Second, attack Huai Ren to tie down the Independent Detachment's forces and weaken the Eighth Route Army's forces in Fengzhen and Jining areas.

The Japanese army has two objectives in assembling such a large force.

First, to rescue the 3rd Tank Division, which was besieged in Baotou.

The second strategy was to use the large force that had been painstakingly assembled to severely damage the independent detachment.

If we cannot severely damage the Independent Detachment in this battle, we will have no chance to threaten them anymore.

The fact that four divisions could be mobilized this time, including two Kwantung Army divisions, was already the result of Okamura's best efforts, and it was only because the tank division was besieged and needed rescue that this was managed.

In the second half of the year, the General Staff will also need to send more troops to the Pacific theater.

By that time, there were no troops available to be transferred.

"This is my only chance." Gangcun sat in Datong, looking at the map and silently repeating to himself.

In the Huai'ren area, there are the newly formed Sixth Brigade of Ding Wei's troops, as well as the troops of Wang Dafei's troops and two independent guerrilla brigades.

It looks like a large force, twice the size of Chu Yunfei's unit. (Specific size cannot be given.)

However, the Huai'ren area is very large and flat, making it an area that is easy to attack but difficult to defend.

This place is usually not used as the main battlefield for battles.

But what could they do when Datong was still in the hands of the Japanese?

Without Datong as the first line of defense, the only option was to use the Huai'ren area as the defensive line, constructing fortifications to rely on offensive defense.

Although defense is difficult in this battle, Chen Ming must hold on. Not only must he hold on, but he must also make a show of force with the strength of one division, one battalion, and two independent guerrilla battalions.

He had to make the Japanese believe that a significant portion of the Independent Detachment's main force was defending the base area in the Huai'ren region.

Only in that way could the food prepared for the Japanese soldiers in Fengzhen and Jining be tasted by two Japanese divisions.

(End of this chapter)