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

Chapter 31 Covering the Main Force

Chen Ming shared his thoughts.

"I need you to make two models of the Type 92 infantry gun now. They don't need to be too detailed, just make sure they look like the gun from the air. Is that alright?"

"Reporting to the commander, I guarantee the mission will be completed." Carpenter Li saluted and said resolutely.

"Okay, Dafei."

"arrive."

When Dafei heard Chen Ming call him, he quickly ran over.

“Now you will provide materials for Carpenter Li, and he will be the main provider. Give him whatever he wants, do you understand?” Chen Ming asked.

"I heard you clearly," Dafei said.

Chen Ming had Li the carpenter make a simple model of the Type 92 infantry gun in order to fool the Japanese planes.

During this period, the Japanese army had very strict control over artillery. If even a single cannon was lost, it would affect the brigade commander or division commander.

They may be given a demerit or have their promotion affected due to management negligence.

Those responsible will be forced to apologize profusely.

Especially in the enemy's rear battlefield, if a single cannon is lost, the pillboxes and strongholds within a radius of a hundred miles will become permanent graves.

Countless Japanese strongholds and soldiers would be under the threat of artillery fire.

Therefore, once the artillery was lost, the Japanese army would fight to the death until it was recovered or destroyed, preventing it from falling into enemy hands.

Chen Ming's ambush this time resulted in the capture of two Type 92 infantry guns and the destruction of a mountain howitzer, putting the Japanese troops in Shanxi Province on edge.

They would not rest until the lost artillery was found, let alone the fact that an entire brigade's supply lines had been destroyed, which was an even greater disgrace.

What Chen Ming had to do was to make two cannon models and expose them to the Japanese aircraft's view. Using fake cannons to attract the Japanese's attention would buy time for the main force to retreat safely.

According to Li the carpenter's requirements, Dafei found a lot of materials.

After Li the carpenter directed a dozen soldiers to help with the work, they finished making the models of the two Type 92 infantry guns in just over an hour.

However, due to time constraints, only the cannon barrel and cannon mount were completed, which were still quite rudimentary, but they were not easily noticeable from a distance.

There wasn't even time to make the two wheels for the Type 92 infantry gun.

Left with no other option, Chen Ming ordered his soldiers to remove the wheels from the original Type 92 infantry guns and install them back on.

Even though the cannon is missing wheels, we can make more when we get back to the base. As long as it works, that's fine.

As long as the key components are fine, that's all that matters.

With the crucial model ready, Chen Ming's plan could begin to be implemented. However, when he looked at Li the carpenter's swollen right hand, his heart sank.

"What happened to your hand?" Chen Ming asked.

Carpenter Li endured the pain in his arm and forced a smile, saying, "It's nothing serious. It's just an old injury from when the Japanese devils attacked me. I'll recover after we break through the encirclement."

Seeing the veins bulging from the other person's face due to pain, yet still forcing a smile, Chen Ming felt a pang of heartache.

What a fine soldier! He disregarded his own injuries and carried out his orders so that the main force could retreat smoothly.

As a result, his old injury recurred, and it is very likely that this hand will be useless in the future.

The spirit of sacrificing oneself for the collective is worthy of Chen Ming's admiration.

"Dafei, bring me some painkillers," Chen Ming said to Dafei.

"Commander, I don't need to eat. This injury is old and I'm used to it. It'll be fine in a bit," Carpenter Li said, trying to stop him.

The soldiers of the Eighth Route Army all knew that medicine was precious, and they would avoid using it unless it was life-threatening, saving it for soldiers who needed it more, which could potentially save a life. Carpenter Li thought the same way.

"Stop talking nonsense. Medicine is nothing compared to the soldiers of our Independent Second Regiment!" Chen Ming said decisively.

"Captain."

"Excuting an order!"

"Yes!"

In the Second Independent Regiment, Chen Ming was like a patriarch. As a parent, if he didn't care about his soldiers, who would?
It's just a few pills. If we run out, we can just ask the Japanese for more. What can't this little Japanese transport captain do?

After watching Li the carpenter finish taking his medicine, Chen Ming began to carry out his plan.

"Order: 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion, break out to the northeast with me. 20 minutes after the troops depart, fire on coordinates XX. After firing five rounds, immediately move westward to conceal your whereabouts for eight kilometers, and then retreat to the northwest."

Chen Ming issued the order.

The Third Battalion, Second Company, which is now serving as a reserve force, is still fully organized and possesses complete combat capability.

The northeast direction is precisely where the Japanese encirclement converges, and the defenses are relatively weak. With a night attack and artillery cover, there is a great chance of breaking out.

Eight kilometers to the west is a mountain.

To the northwest, the mountains are dense, and if we advance in that direction, it won't be long before we enter the guerrilla zone where our army is active.

However, this direction was also the area most heavily defended by the Japanese, with the aim of preventing the Independent Second Regiment and guerrilla fighters from escaping into the mountains.

In order for the main force to retreat smoothly, Chen Ming had no choice but to break out from the northeast under the cover of night to attract the attention of the Japanese troops, thus giving the main force a chance to retreat.

Anyway, the Japanese don't know how many troops they have yet. As long as they carry a model of the Type 92 infantry gun, the Japanese reconnaissance planes are very likely to judge that Chen Ming's unit is the main force.

The main force of the Japanese army will quickly encircle Chen Ming's troops, and the same will happen to the Japanese troops in the northwest. They should speed up their pursuit.

To increase speed, one must take roads instead of traversing mountains.

The troops hiding in the mountains to the west can then take the opportunity to retreat.

Dafei was very reluctant when he heard Chen Ming's order: "Commander, let me lead the soldiers to break through to the northeast. You stay and command the main force."

Dafei knew that Chen Ming was doing this to draw the Japanese soldiers' attention and buy time for the main force to retreat.

The unit responsible for drawing the Japanese soldiers' attention was in grave danger, with little chance of survival.

How could a force of about a hundred men possibly escape the encirclement of the main Japanese force and aircraft!
"Shut the hell up! You think you're the commander and I'm the commander? You've gone too far!" Chen Ming cursed.

"Back then, I led the second squad to blow up the Japanese train. Those Japanese devils smelled my farts for almost half a month and still couldn't catch me. Could you have done it?"

"Captain!"

"Captain!"

All the soldiers looked at Chen Ming and shouted.

They were all unwilling for their regimental commander to carry out such a dangerous operation in order to cover the retreat of the main force.

"Execute the order!"

Looking at the soldiers' sincere faces, Chen Ming, as the military commander of the Independent Second Regiment, issued this order.

Military orders are absolute, and even if the soldiers are unwilling, they have no choice but to carry them out.

Finally, Chen Ming led 103 soldiers from the 2nd Company of the 3rd Battalion, carrying machine guns and two mortars, and advanced towards the northeast.

Chen Ming authorized Dafei to temporarily command the remaining troops.

(End of this chapter)