The Heroic Age of the Late Qing Dynasty

The Fifth Field Army's advance wasn't limited to this one route; other troops also advanced along the border with North Korea. The army swept directly from south to north, crushing all Tsarist Russian regimes in the region. The Fifth Field Army showed no mercy to any of the Russian invaders who dared to resist, executing them all and making them permanently missing persons.

The Fifth Field Army paid no attention to the Russian unit's designation, its leaders, or whether these individuals were Russian civilians. In the war with Russia, the Fifth Field Army offered no mercy; failure to cooperate meant death. This was the fundamental attitude of the Forward Party. After all, to reclaim these territories, the most important thing was to complete the ethnic transformation of the local population. Only by converting the local population to Chinese could long-term stability be achieved.

Chapter 620:

From a strategic perspective, China's march northward has always been extremely difficult. From ancient times to the present, the only truly successful northern expedition was during the Ming Dynasty. Even with the advent of railways, advancing into the northern regions remains incredibly difficult. Of course, the Russians undoubtedly faced even greater difficulties reaching the Far East. Therefore, despite Russia's status as a long-established industrial power and its immense strength, China still had a fighting chance against advancing northward, even after the Trans-Siberian Railway was completed. Of course, the key to victory in this war against Tsarist Russia also lay in the railways; whoever controlled them would secure ultimate victory. With PLA special forces constantly sabotaging the railways, Zhang Yinghao believed that reaching the Far East was now a pipe dream for the Russians.

This wasn't the era of a century ago, when Russian hooligans, armed with only a gun, could run rampant across the vast expanse of Siberia. Especially in the face of the People's Liberation Army, now embracing the concept of a nation-state, they were no longer comparable to the ignorant and backward Qing Dynasty officials and soldiers. Even if Russia was willing to send millions of elite soldiers to the Far East at all costs to reclaim wasteland or even to fight, Zhang Yinghao would unhesitatingly order the massacre of these millions. Of course, the result would be Russia's inevitable collapse, and the October Revolution would have happened prematurely. Zhang Yinghao naturally didn't believe that Russia's current rulers would do such a desperate thing for the barren lands of the Far East.

Zhang Yinghao estimated that in the Far East, if they could eliminate a few hundred thousand Russians, especially the Russian civilians there, Russia would be forced to retreat. Because the Sino-Russian War was short, it could be seen as a continuation of the Russo-Japanese War, so those eliminated would also include the Russians killed by Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. If a million Russians were eliminated in Asia, Russia would basically be unable to withstand such attrition. The Far East was not Russia's European direction, and Russia simply could not afford to maintain such a large army there. Therefore, Russia had no choice but to admit defeat.

Judging from the composition of the Russians in the Far East, how many of these Russians who were able to come to the Far East did not have innocent victims? Who was wrongly accused? Didn't the land that the Russians seized through bloody means give it to these people who came to the Far East to cultivate? These people actually played the role of aggression and even participated in it personally. As long as all these people were driven away or eliminated, then Russia would have no living force in the Far East.

From a political perspective, since the Fifth Field Army did not recognize the unequal treaties signed by the Qing Dynasty, the territories ceded in treaties such as the Treaty of Changchun and the Treaty of Beijing are naturally still Chinese territory. China did not invite the Russians to come to China, so China naturally has the right to execute those illegal immigrants who took up arms against the Chinese army on Chinese soil. This is just basic work to defend the country.

In reality, Zhang Yinghao believed that no matter how sturdy the Russian bunkers were, they were nothing more than coffins. Zhang Yinghao's biggest concern was that if the enemy were to spread across the mountains and plains and engage in guerrilla warfare against the Fifth Field Army, the Fifth Field Army's manpower would be exponentially increased. Fortunately, the Far East was a harsh environment; as long as they controlled the food supply, they could control everything. Otherwise, if guerrilla warfare had begun, they would have needed to completely defeat Russia and depopulate the population before the Far East would be pacified.

One of the Fifth Field Army's divisions continued eastward, finally reaching the northeastern sea again. Then, the Fifth Field Army soldiers began to march northward along the coastline, simultaneously sweeping away all of Russia's Pacific coastline strongholds.

By this time, the vanguard of the Fifth Field Army had appeared west of Pogranichny. Over thirty to forty thousand Russian troops had gathered around the small town, relying on their fortifications to attempt a steady resistance. This was the lesson these Russian troops had learned during the Battle of Mukden. Unfortunately, this time the Fifth Field Army had even brought some of its fortress artillery. Faced with such heavy artillery, even Zhang Yinghao knew that only during the Battle of Shangganling had the Volunteer Army achieved victory under such difficult circumstances.

Li Yong, the frontline commander, said: "Have the heavy artillery brigade arrive quickly. Now it's time for them to perform."

Li Yong is now a division commander. In the Fifth Field Army, as long as you demonstrate considerable ability, you have the potential to obtain a corresponding position. After all, talent training is currently insufficient, and we can only rely on these people's ability to grow in the field. It's really not a matter of not having a position, but of not having the ability.

During the previous battle, the heavy artillery brigade's heavy artillery had not opened fire in order to conserve precious heavy artillery ammunition. However, the Russian fortifications in Pogranich were significantly stronger than those in the border areas. Therefore, deploying the heavy artillery at this time would undoubtedly inflict a heavier blow on the Russian army.

That evening, the heavy artillery brigade's artillery arrived at Pogranichny. These large-caliber guns were incredibly heavy. Fortunately, they could be transported by rail. If they had been elsewhere, they would have been completely unusable. The Fifth Field Army, spearheading the heavy artillery, launched a fierce bombardment of Pogranichny. The 155mm heavy howitzers, 210mm heavy rapid-fire cannons, 240mm heavy cannons, and 280mm heavy howitzers roared.

Although the heavy artillery brigade didn't actually have many cannons, each of these large-caliber guns unleashed an earth-shaking roar when it fired. The heavy shells whistled towards the Russian positions, emitting a sharp whistling sound that seemed to pierce one's eardrums.

"Heavy artillery! Damn, this is definitely a heavy artillery with a caliber of more than 200 mm. Those damn yellow monkeys. How could they have such a large-caliber heavy artillery?" Lieutenant General Vasily's face was pale.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Shell after shell rained down from the sky, landing on the Russian positions. The shells exploded, their immense force leaving a massive crater in the ground. The shockwaves spread outward, destroying everything. The Russian fortifications, vulnerable to the onslaught of these heavy artillery pieces, were shattered one after another.

"General, the enemy's artillery fire is very fierce. It's no longer safe here. We have to go to the underground bunker." said a staff officer.

Lieutenant General Vasily nodded and, along with the staff officers, retreated to the pre-built underground bunker. Even in the bunker, they could feel the ground shaking. This demonstrated the intensity of the Fifth Field Army's artillery fire. As for the Russian troops defending on the ground, their situation was even more precarious.

"Using these large-caliber heavy artillery to deal with Russian fortifications seems to be a waste of resources! It's such a waste." Li Yong said speechlessly.

"After we capture Pogranichny, the next target will be Shuangchengzi. There is a strong fortress built by the Russians there. When the time comes, these heavy artillery will come in handy." The political commissar said with a smile.

Li Yong nodded. "Shuangchengzi is just an appetizer; Vladivostok is the real thing. The Russians have painstakingly built this fortress for decades. It's not so easy to capture. However, all heavy artillery brigades will be involved in the battle. The number of our large-caliber heavy artillery will increase to hundreds. Even if we only attack one point, we may still be able to break the Russians' shell."

The Fifth Field Army's bombardment lasted less than half an hour before it ended. The Russian fortifications built outside Pogranich were already flattened. The Russian soldiers stationed within those fortifications were reduced to tattered pieces. Even those hiding in the dugouts didn't survive. Even if heavy artillery with a caliber of 150mm or higher didn't directly hit the dugouts, the shockwave from the explosion was enough to kill the soldiers inside. A direct hit would completely destroy the dugouts, killing everyone inside.

The bombardment hadn't yet fully ended when the infantry, already prepared, launched their attack. Under the fierce bombardment, the Russian army suffered heavy losses, and their fighting spirit was on the verge of collapse. Under these circumstances, the Fifth Field Army's offensive encountered no significant resistance. Instead, many Russian troops surrendered to the Fifth Field Army. Most of these Russian soldiers had participated in the Russo-Japanese War. They knew that refusing to surrender would cost them even more...

Chapter 621: Stepping out of the country

At noon that day, the Fifth Field Army had cleared the Russian positions outside Pogranichnoye and began to advance rapidly into the city, and was able to capture the entire Pogranichnoye before dark.

"General, the outer defenses have all fallen, and our army has suffered heavy losses. The Chinese attack is too fierce. If we continue to hold on to Pogranichny, we will be annihilated."

A staff officer said to Lieutenant General Vasily. Vasily looked at the map for a long time without saying a word.

"General, there is no time to hesitate. We must abandon Pogranichny and retreat to Ussuriysk (Shuangchengzi). We have strong fortifications there and can rely on those fortifications to fight against the Chinese. In addition, our Ussuriysk is much larger than Pogranichny, and we have more room to maneuver." The staff officer continued.

Pogranichny was merely a small border town, completely obliterated by the Fifth Field Army with artillery shells and explosive packs. To engage in street fighting there would be tantamount to seeking death. Conversely, Ussuriysk was a relatively large city in the Far East, second only to Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Even if the Fifth Field Army destroyed its outer fortifications, it could still engage in street fighting.

"Okay, order the entire army to retreat. Order the Ussuriysk garrison to prepare to support us!"

Lieutenant General Vasily finally made up his mind and led the remaining Russian troops to abandon Pogranichny and retreat southward. The Russian army's decisive abandonment of their position and rapid retreat surprised the Fifth Field Army. Originally, they had thought the Russians would hold out for a while longer.

The Fifth Field Army had no choice but to send cavalry to harass and intercept the Russians, eliminating as many of their effective forces as possible. The Russians still had too many fortresses and redoubts in the Far East. If these Russians were allowed to escape, it would be difficult for the Fifth Field Army to take them down one by one. The more effective Russian forces they eliminated, the easier it would be to attack them in the future.

Four cavalry battalions, more than 4,000 cavalrymen launched a pursuit of the Russian army. For a time, the sound of horse hooves was like thunder and sabers were like snow. In order to avoid the pursuit of the Fifth Field Army, Vasily

However, these soldiers had no fighting spirit and were often attacked by the cavalry of the Fifth Field Army, surrounded on both sides, and immediately

They would collapse or surrender immediately.

This forced Vasily to constantly leave behind remnants along the way. By the time he led the remaining troops to retreat to Shuangchengzi, the original force of over 20,000 men had been reduced to less than 5,000. Furthermore, most of these 5,000 men were unarmed, dressed in rags and tatters, like beggars. More importantly, their terrified eyes revealed their fear. These soldiers were no longer considered qualified soldiers. Even if sent to the battlefield, they would not be able to fully exert their combat effectiveness.

The Fifth Field Army followed the Russians all the way to Shuangchengzi. A major Sino-Russian battle was about to unfold in Shuangchengzi. This was also the Fifth Field Army's first attack on a heavily garrisoned Russian city. Although Shuangchengzi's defenses were far inferior to those of Vladivostok, its capture would still provide valuable experience for future attacks on Vladivostok.

In Vladivostok, at the Far East Governor-General's Office, Governor-General Ruzynskiy received a telegram from Lieutenant General Vasily and roared angrily, "What the hell is that idiot Vasily doing? Fifty thousand troops were wiped out in just a few days. There are only a few hundred thousand people in the entire Far East. How are we supposed to fight the Chinese?"

Although Governor Ruzynski knew that with their limited numbers and ammunition, it would be extremely difficult to resist the Fifth Field Army's attack, he simply hoped to delay the attack for as long as possible. However, Lieutenant General Vasily's defeat was so swift that it far exceeded his expectations.

In fact, according to the original calculations of the old Russians, even if the Fifth Field Army really attacked the Far East, it would inevitably launch a tentative attack first, and Russia could use these fortresses to slowly attrition the Fifth Field Army. Only after the Fifth Field Army failed would a large-scale attack be launched. This gave the Russian army an opportunity to test the Fifth Field Army. If it was found that there was no way to defeat the Fifth Field Army in the future, then the Russian army would still have time to take other actions.

In reality, this tactic was still used against Japan, and it was completely inappropriate for use against China, which had a long border. Therefore, the current situation completely shattered Ruzynski's plans. However, even so, Governor-General Ruzynski was forced to continue sending reinforcements to Shuangchengzi. Once Shuangchengzi was captured by the Fifth Field Army, the Fifth Field Army could directly move south to threaten Vladivostok.

Beside Mudanjiang, at the Fifth Field Army Headquarters, Commander Zhao Yong had been waiting. However, as the fighting on the front lines intensified, he gradually became restless. Although Binjiang was not far from the front lines, it was still not particularly convenient.

"Damn it! I feel really uneasy without being able to see the battlefield." Zhao Yong sighed.

Rather than staying in the relatively safe place of the headquarters to issue orders, he actually preferred to go to the front line and smell the smoke and hear the sound of gunfire to feel at ease.

"Haha, this shows that we still have a lot of room for improvement and study. We are not yet fully qualified commanders. At the level of division commander, planning becomes increasingly important. We need to be more careful and cautious to grasp the overall situation. Unless it is absolutely necessary, why would a commander like you be sent to the front lines? Think about what the commander-in-chief is doing now? He is in Shenyang, mobilizing supplies for us. You are unsure because you are worried about whether our comrades can complete the task. I believe our comrades can definitely complete the task..."

"I accept your point, Political Commissar. Do you think we should drive those captured Russians to Vladivostok to consume their supplies?"

"I mean, there's no rush now. We've already liberated the Far Eastern section of the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia, and it's much easier for us to deploy troops by rail. We just need to do our utmost to quickly capture Shuangchengzi, and then we can see how the situation develops. Whether we should besiege Vladivostok or fight tooth and nail to capture it depends on the situation."

Zhao Yong nodded and was about to speak when he saw a staff officer running over immediately.

"Commander, a telegram from the front. Our army has captured Pogranichny. The Russians have fled and are in pursuit. In this battle, we have killed over 30,000 enemies, with fewer than 3,000 of our own casualties."

The staff officer excitedly reported to Lieutenant General Shi Deshan that Zhao Yong also knew that death in battle and casualties were not the same thing, but it would be worth it as long as Pogranichny was captured. In the long run, it would be a huge profit. Of course, for the sacrificed soldiers, it no longer had any meaning. This is the reason why a kind person cannot command an army.

"Haha, good! That's great. Recovering our homeland is the beginning of a victory. Send a telegram to the commander-in-chief immediately. This is our first victory in the battle since entering Russia." Zhao Yong laughed.

He was finally able to let go of the worry that had been hanging in his heart.

"Yes, Commander. By the way, the front reports that they are marching towards Shuangchengzi. A fierce battle with the Russian army is expected in Shuangchengzi. In addition, according to the reconnaissance comrades' report, two more infantry divisions have left Vladivostok and are heading towards Shuangchengzi. Our army has destroyed the railway, and it is estimated that it will take several days for the infantry from Vladivostok to reach Shuangchengzi." The staff officer continued.

"Tell the comrades on the front lines that the Russians have run out of logistical supplies. We must proceed steadily and not rush into anything. The Russians have built strong fortifications in Shuangchengzi. In order to reduce unnecessary casualties, we should directly use heavy artillery to bombard the enemy's fortifications. As for those troops that have left Vladivostok, it is best not to let them return to Vladivostok. We should annihilate them all in the field battles outside," Zhao Yong warned.

Zhang Yinghao consistently instilled a single philosophy in all his troops: never use bullets when a problem can be solved with artillery shells, and never let soldiers risk their lives charging into battle with bayonets when bullets can solve the problem. In Zhang Yinghao's view, while artillery shells may be expensive, soldiers' lives are the most precious. This was especially true for the elite veterans, each of whom was a tremendous asset to the Fifth Field Army. Furthermore, the loss of a soldier meant a loss of strength in future national development; the value they could create far surpassed even the value of mass-produced artillery shells.

"Yes, Commander." The staff officer nodded.

After completing these deployments, Zhao Yong immediately ordered the headquarters to be transferred from Mudanjiang to Pogranichny. If the Shuangchengzi Campaign went smoothly, the Eastern Front headquarters would be directly transferred there. This would facilitate faster control of the situation on the front lines.

Zhao Yong believed that with the Fifth Field Army's strength, capturing Shuangchengzi would be a breeze. The northern troops' attack on Khabarovsk should also be decisive. The final priority was the attack on Vladivostok. However, Vladivostok was a formidable challenge, and they needed to be prepared for a protracted battle.

Chapter 622:

As long as you do something, there will be results, no matter whether the result is good or bad, successful or not, and the same is true for reclaiming the homeland. The infantry and heavy artillery units of the Fifth Field Army arrived in Shuangchengzi one after another, preparing to launch an attack on Shuangchengzi.

Shuangchengzi, named after the Ming Dynasty's Shuangchengwei, is one of the earliest cities developed in Northeast China. In the mid-9th century, Shuangchengzi was a major city of the Bohai Kingdom, home to the Yulouwa Jie people. Located in the middle of the Ussuri River, Shuangchengzi served as a strategic hub connecting Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. After Russia's liberation from Mongol rule, it expanded into Siberia by the mid-17th century. At that time, Chinese territory encompassed the Greater Khingan Range and extended eastward to Sakhalin Island.

In the second half of the 17th century, Russian mercenaries, Cossacks, repeatedly plundered and invaded northern China. Between 1650 and 1660, the Qing Dynasty dispatched troops to repel the Russian Cossacks who had invaded Yaksa and those who had intruded into the area around the mouth of the Songhua River. In 1665, Russia again invaded Yaksa, and from 1685 to 1686, Emperor Kangxi ordered the Qing army to attack Yaksa by land and sea, inflicting heavy losses on the Russian forces. Russia demanded peace talks and a border treaty. In 1689, Chinese and Russian delegations met in Nerchinsk, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk. The Russians built a fortress of earth in the eastern part of Shuangchengzi, intending to occupy it and use it as a base for further invasions.

With the signing of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Beijing in 1860, the Qing government ceded the "barren lands" east of the Yangtze River to Russia, its "friendly nation." The border shifted westward, from the seashore to the Ussuri River, and ancient towns were ceded to Russia, a historical event that leaves generations with a deep sense of heartache. Of course, the Qing court declined, or at least stagnated, while Tsarist Russia embarked on a path of industrialization and growing power. The loss of these territories was inevitable.

As with other Chinese cities in the Far East that Tsarist Russia occupied, large numbers of people migrated to Shuangchengzi. Perhaps due to its proximity to the Chinese land border, the composition of the immigrants there differed from that of other cities. Cossacks remained the majority of the population. To strengthen its control, Tsarist Russia accelerated railway construction. The railway between Shuangchengzi and Vladivostok opened in 1893, and between Shuangchengzi and Khabarovsk in 1897. Thus, a protective railway network was established, stretching from Khabarovsk, at the northeastern tip of mainland China, to Vladivostok in the south. Shuangchengzi, with its central position as a Russian hub, was no longer considered Chinese territory.

At this moment, the Russian army concentrated in Shuangchengzi at just over 30,000 men. This included reinforcements from two infantry divisions mobilized from Vladivostok, as well as troops retreating from Pogranichny. Two more infantry divisions were on their way north from Vladivostok. However, with the arrival of an infantry division from the Fifth Field Army south of Shuangchengzi, they severed the railway and completely cut off the connection between Shuangchengzi and Vladivostok, rendering any further reinforcement impossible for the Russian forces in Shuangchengzi. Furthermore, troops advancing northward along the coast had cut off the Russian infantry divisions' routes back to Vladivostok, leaving their fate hanging in the balance.

"General, this is the order from the Governor. The Governor requires us to hold Shuangchengzi and use the defensive fortifications of Shuangchengzi to deal a heavy blow to the Fifth Field Army and weaken its strength as much as possible. He will assemble the army and launch a counterattack at the right opportunity." said a staff officer.

Lieutenant General Vasily nodded. He knew Governor Ruzynski's plan. He hoped to use Shuangchengzi to deplete the Fifth Field Army's manpower, inflicting heavy losses. Once the Fifth Field Army was severely weakened, he would then rally his forces for a counterattack... Only then would they have a chance of defeating the Fifth Field Army. Otherwise, the Russian army would have no chance of victory.

However, the Russians oversimplified this. Facing the Chinese people, who had organized themselves and taken up arms, what chance did Russia have? How could the Fifth Field Army give them this opportunity? As the headquarters began to move eastward, the infantry divisions that had been in reserve were also deployed one after another. This increased the Fifth Field Army's forces besieging Shuangchengzi to seven infantry divisions and two heavy artillery brigades, totaling over 7 troops.

"The Russians are really willing to work hard in these cities in the Far East. The entire outer defense line of Shuangchengzi is filled with fortresses made of steel and concrete. If human lives were to be used to fill it, I don't know how many people would have to be sacrificed to conquer it." Zhao Yong sighed.

"Yes! Fortunately, we were well prepared and formed a heavy artillery unit. Otherwise, we really don't have many good ways to take such a well-defended city, and we can only use human lives." Political Commissar Yang Deshui also nodded repeatedly.

"Come here, order the artillery to fire at full speed. Don't be stingy with the shells. Blow up all those damn Russians!" ordered Division Commander Zhao Yong.

With the railway line in the hands of the Fifth Field Army, all kinds of war supplies could be transported to the front lines continuously via rail. A large portion of this war supplies consisted of ammunition and artillery shells. This meant that the Fifth Field Army no longer had to worry about running out of ammunition during combat. Without rail transportation, the logistics alone would have been enough to cripple the Fifth Field Army.

"Yes, Commander." A communications officer immediately went to relay the order. That afternoon, the Fifth Field Army assembled its artillery and launched a fierce bombardment on the western part of Shuangchengzi. The Fifth Field Army had learned enough from experience to understand that for these fortresses, they needed to blast through a line first. Since many of the fortresses faced outward, once a line was blasted through, it would be much easier for the troops to rush in and attack the fortresses from the side or rear.

This time, the Fifth Field Army deployed its heavy artillery brigade and all the artillery pieces under its seven infantry divisions into the attack on Shuangchengzi, including fortress guns removed from the Port Arthur Fortress, heavy howitzers, heavy cannons, and thunder guns, as well as 75mm field guns from its subordinate regiments. All these artillery pieces, excluding mortars, totaled more than 7 pieces. This was a replica of the Battle of Mukden during the Russo-Japanese War.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The 280mm heavy howitzers opened fire first. Orange-red flames shone from their muzzles, accompanied by a deafening roar. Shells weighing nearly 200 kilograms whistled toward the Russian positions. Other artillery pieces of various calibers followed closely behind. For a moment, the rumbling of artillery was like the collapse of the heavens and the end of the world.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Intensive explosions echoed across the Russian positions, sending balls of fire blazing. The Russian artillery also began its counterattack. Many of the cannons stationed within the fortresses were heavy artillery. However, with Port Arthur and Vladivostok in the Russian Empire's sights, these heavy artillery pieces were few in number, making it difficult to impact the Fifth Field Army's artillery positions. The sight of hundreds of cannons firing simultaneously was truly breathtaking. The cannon, truly worthy of being called the god of war, had become a dominant force on the battlefield ever since Napoleon began intensively employing it.

"What a fierce bombardment! Those Russians will surely be killed. Then, our attack will definitely not encounter any decent resistance." A soldier whispered at the forward position.

It's no wonder these comrades are so optimistic. After all, the current army has not experienced the baptism of World War I. Many strategies and tactics are completely outdated. They are even still using the line-up shooting tactic. How can they predict this kind of concentrated firepower attack?

"Yes! With such fierce bombardment, even mice would be shocked to death, let alone humans." Other comrades also echoed.

However, the squad leader did not participate in it. Compared with these new recruits who had just joined the army not long ago, the squad leader who had experienced the Russo-Japanese War and fought against the Japanese army could be regarded as a veteran. Those who had attacked the Port Arthur Fortress knew how difficult those fortresses were to capture. He learned from the platoon leader that the Russians had built strong fortifications in Shuangchengzi. He knew that this battle would definitely not be so easy to fight. Fierce artillery bombardment may not be able to destroy the Russian fortress, let alone completely destroy all the fortresses and positions. Once the artillery fails to clear all obstacles, the infantry will pay a heavy price when attacking, and casualties are inevitable. After a round of artillery bombardment, the observers ambushed on the front line began to report the results of the battle.

However, surprisingly, despite the intense bombardment, the Russian forts, though in ruins, were not seriously damaged. Only a few were destroyed, while the rest remained intact. This undoubtedly proved that the Russian forts were very strong and would not be easily destroyed.

"Many of the Russian fortresses are very strong. The 75mm field guns and 105mm light howitzers have little effect on them. We can stop firing at these two types of artillery. Concentrate on using heavy artillery of 155mm and above for bombardment..." The front-line observer quickly submitted a report.

When the report was handed to Zhao Yong, the expression on his face became solemn.

"Order all 75mm field guns and 105mm light howitzers to stop firing and save ammunition. The heavy artillery brigade should continue firing! Focus on attacking the Russians' strong fortresses." Zhao Yong was not a stubborn person, so he immediately gave the order.

Soon, the artillery opened fire again. However, the 75mm field guns and 105mm light howitzers, the most numerous, had ceased their bombardment. The 75mm field guns and 105mm light howitzers were too weak to pose any threat to the Russian fortifications. Only the 155mm heavy howitzers could barely threaten those fortifications. And only the large-caliber guns of the heavy artillery brigade could guarantee the destruction of those fortifications.

Inside Shuangchengzi, at the Russian underground headquarters, Lieutenant General Vasily received information on the losses in the frontline forts. He breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that despite the Fifth Field Army's intense artillery fire, many forts remained intact. The Fifth Field Army's reinforcements, bringing the total number of troops arriving in Shuangchengzi to over 100,000, put him under immense pressure. After all, the entire Shuangchengzi region currently only had a little over 30,000 men.

"Damn you yellow monkeys, I want to see how many shells you have left to consume! When your shells run out, you'll have to use human lives to fill the gap, right?"

Lieutenant General Vasily's face was grim. The humiliating retreat from Pogranichny was a complete disgrace to him. This time, he would wash away this shame with the blood of the Chinese.

However, Lieutenant General Vasily was destined to be disappointed. The Fifth Field Army was not stingy with its artillery shells. When they ran out, they could always manufacture more. Industrial assembly line production simply took time. But they had all taken Zhang Yinghao's lessons and knew that people, or rather, qualified soldiers, were the resource with the longest production cycle, taking more than ten or twenty years to develop. Naturally, the bombardment would not cease until they reached a certain level.

Although the 75mm and 105mm field guns stopped firing, the heavy artillery of 155mm and above continued to fire and launched targeted attacks on the Russian fortresses. They concentrated their forces on attacking a certain section of the Russian fortress until the target was destroyed, and then attacked the next section.

Although this approach took longer and required more ammunition, it effectively reduced unnecessary losses and was the most efficient method. The Fifth Field Army's arsenal had acquired heavy artillery shell production technology from foreigners and was now capable of independently producing large-caliber shells. Although production was extremely limited, it was only sufficient to meet the needs of the heavy artillery brigade. Furthermore, large-caliber heavy artillery shells caused severe wear and tear on the rifling, and a single barrel would often become scrapped after only a short period of use.

However, the Fifth Field Army's arsenals were capable of mass production of heavy artillery shells. This meant the Fifth Field Army's heavy artillery units didn't have to worry too much about replenishing their ammunition. At least the heavy artillery was no longer useless without ammunition. This gave the troops the confidence to directly use their heavy artillery to smash into the Russian fortresses, gradually destroying them.

To destroy the Russian forts at Shuangchengzi, the Fifth Field Army's artillery bombardment lasted a full three hours. The intermittent bombardment during the Fifth Field Army's exploratory attack on Shuangchengzi lasted for three full days. During these three days, thousands of rounds of 155mm or larger artillery shells were fired. These shells directly plowed through the outer forts of Shuangchengzi. There was also an artillery belt extending deep into the city, from which the troops could easily attack.

Every fortress and bunker within sight of Shuangchengzi was destroyed, with only a handful of fortresses and strongholds located in blind spots surviving. However, these fortresses and strongholds were no longer a threat and could not prevent the Fifth Field Army from liberating Shuangchengzi.

Chapter 623:

The Eastern Front Command, led by Zhao Yong, was eventually moved directly to Pogranichny. This city, this land, finally returned to the embrace of the motherland!

After the Fifth Field Army's heavy artillery destroyed a large number of Russian fortresses in Shuangchengzi, he arrived at the front line in person.

"The battle for Shuangchengzi alone cost us thousands of heavy artillery rounds! This was an infantry attack, which cost a lot. If we were to attack Vladivostok, this number would increase exponentially. The defense strength of Vladivostok is at least ten times that of Shuangchengzi." Zhao Yong said with a frown.

"There's nothing we can do about it! If we don't consume a large number of artillery shells, we'll have to sacrifice human lives. Didn't the Chairman say that if a problem can be solved with artillery shells, we shouldn't let the soldiers fight for their lives?" said the chief of staff.

"Yes! The Chairman is considerate of our comrades, but many places still require our comrades to sacrifice their lives to capture them." Political Commissar Yang Deshui also sighed.

"We still have to attack. After delaying for such a long time, it's time to take Shuangchengzi." Zhao Yong said.

"Don't worry, our morale is high now, the soldiers have done their work and are ready. The most efficient way is to take Shuangchengzi in one go. The more you fear casualties, the more afraid you will be, and the more afraid you are, the more likely it is that people will die. Relentless pursuit is the safest for the attacker. The artillery will move forward and support the infantry with shelling, and we will definitely be able to take Shuangchengzi." The political commissar assured.

The order to attack was given, and the Fifth Field Army launched its most intense assault on Shuangchengzi. The previous intense artillery bombardment had practically cleared a safe path for attack, allowing the soldiers to completely penetrate Shuangchengzi at relatively low cost. The battle unfolded as predicted. Attacking from the sides and rear, the enemy had no way to defend effectively, and Russian defensive points were captured one by one!

The intense bombardment was a living hell for the Russian commander, Lieutenant General Vasily, and the Russian defenders of Shuangchengzi. Initially, Lieutenant General Vasily thought the Fifth Field Army's fierce bombardment would be short-lived and would soon cease due to a shortage of ammunition. However, he could only watch helplessly as Russian forts, blockhouses, and other defensive structures were destroyed by the fierce bombardment, while the Fifth Field Army's shells continued to rain down from the sky as if they were free...

This also made Lieutenant General Vasily realize that it was almost impossible to inflict a bloody defeat on the Fifth Field Army at Shuangchengzi. The Fifth Field Army had no intention of stopping due to a lack of artillery shells, nor did they intend to use human lives to compensate!

"General, the enemy has launched a general attack. Our front-line positions have been lost, and the troops are retreating into the city." A staff officer reported to Lieutenant General Vasily.

"Order the troops in the city to prepare for street fighting! No matter what, we must resist the Chinese attack." Lieutenant General Vasily ordered with a cold face.

Vasily was now somewhat regretful, for he had no place to retreat; the connection between Shuangchengzi and Vladivostok had been severed by the Fifth Field Army. The two infantry divisions advancing north from Vladivostok were blocked by the Fifth Field Army, preventing Shuangchengzi from receiving any reinforcements.

Under the Fifth Field Army's continuous bombardment, the Russian troops stationed in Shuangchengzi had suffered heavy losses. Although the Russian army was prepared for street fighting, Lieutenant General Vasily had no confidence in whether they could withstand the Fifth Field Army's attack.

The Fifth Field Army soon easily broke through the Russian outer defenses and entered Shuangchengzi. However, even within the city, the Fifth Field Army encountered stiff Russian resistance. The Russians used the city's buildings and even the ruins to resist the Fifth Field Army. Every advance was met with fierce battles. The urban street fighting was undoubtedly fierce, marking the Fifth Field Army's first large-scale urban street fighting. Although the Fifth Field Army's training included specialized urban combat training, the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Field Army, lacking combat experience, still paid a heavy price.

Fortunately, the Fifth Field Army possessed a significant advantage in firepower and numbers, while the Russians were isolated and helpless, making them generally much stronger. In urban fighting, the Fifth Field Army was able to suppress the Russians with mortars and light and heavy machine guns. Explosive packs could penetrate walls, and snipers could eliminate hidden enemies with precise marksmanship. These explosive packs and snipers proved invaluable in these urban battles, significantly accelerating the Fifth Field Army's efforts to eliminate the Russians.

After entering the city, the Fifth Field Army immediately launched an offensive towards the west. They were astonished by the Russians' strong fighting spirit. No matter how many felled or how high the piles of corpses grew, the Russians would fight to the death until they were completely incapacitated.