Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 487 Arrival, Night Attack! (Subscription Request)

Mindang.

The temporary command post of the newly formed 29th Division was in chaos.

The vanguard regiment of the Japanese 18th Division launched an offensive like a tide, with artillery shells exploding nearby from time to time, shaking the simple command post to the point of collapse.

The division commander Ma Weiji looked pale, and even paler than his face was his white hair.

In less than three days, the hair that was once jet black has now turned extremely white.

He didn't have much practical experience during these three days.

Not only did he have to receive battle reports from the front line, but he also had to respond to Chu Yunfei's direct orders to him.

The four words "exhausted" may not be enough to describe Ma Weiji's current condition.

His ability was indeed not enough to command a division, at least it was completely insufficient when facing the Japanese Type A Division.

"Commander! We can't hold on any longer! The Japanese's firepower is too strong, and our men can't even raise their heads!" Hua Zhipeng, covered in gunpowder, rushed in, his military cap tilted to one side, his face full of despair: "If we don't retreat, all of us brothers will be finished!"

"Commander, we have fought to this point, and we have done our duty!"

Ma Weiji was at a loss and was about to nod subconsciously.

The tattered cloth curtain of the command post was suddenly pulled open.

"Let's see who dares to back down!"

The sudden shout was like thunder out of nowhere, shocking everyone in the tent.

A burly officer in the uniform of a major general of the Central Army strode in, followed by several guards with sharp eyes.

The brim of his hat was pulled down low, his face was resolute, his eyes were sharp like an eagle, and when he walked, he had an intimidating aura that made him look powerful without even being angry.

This person was Zhang Lingfu, who rushed to take over the newly formed 29th Division under the orders of Chu Yunfei.

He was still covered in dust, but his military uniform was still straight. The murderous spirit honed in the mountains of corpses and seas of blood instantly filled the entire command post.

Ma Weiji was stunned: "Lingfu?"

Zhang Lingfu ignored his senior and stared at Hua Zhipeng: "Are you Captain Hua Zhipeng?"

"The battle isn't over yet, and you're already thinking of running away? Where are your troops?"

Hua Zhipeng was intimidated by Zhang Lingfu's momentum, but thinking of the miserable plight of his brothers, he still stiffened his neck and said, "Sir, please understand! It's not that I want to run away, it's just that the Japanese attack is too fierce. More than half of our regiment has been killed or wounded. If we continue to fight, we will be wiped out! As long as there is life, there is hope!"

"Bullshit!" Zhang Lingfu shouted, taking a step forward and speaking in a loud voice: "A soldier's first duty is to defend his country and die on the battlefield! If the position is not lost and the troops are not destroyed, and the commander is the first to retreat, he should be executed according to the law!"

He pulled out a letter of appointment with the joint seal of the Command and Chu Yunfei, and held it high: "In compliance with the order of the Chairman and General Chu, the newly formed 29th Division will be under the full command of Zhang Lingfu from now on! Ma Weiji is dismissed for his poor command and will report to the Joint Command!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Ma Weiji looked ashen and slumped in his chair.

Hua Zhipeng was still unwilling to give up. He took a step forward and said anxiously: "Commander Zhang! I am definitely not a coward! The enemy is too much stronger than us, and we cannot defeat them!"

"You are a newcomer and don't understand the situation. Forcing us to hold on will only cost our brothers their lives in vain!"

"I beg Commander Zhang to think twice and lead your troops to move first. It will not be too late to regroup and fight again!"

"You bastard!" Zhang Lingfu was furious, with murderous intent in his eyes. "You have shaken the morale of the troops and deceived the commander, and you still dare to flatter them!"

He suddenly pulled out the pistol from his waist and pointed the gun at Hua Zhipeng.

"Commander Zhang, you..." Hua Zhipeng was shocked. He didn't expect the other party to be so ruthless.

"Military law is as heavy as a mountain!" Zhang Lingfu said coldly, "The first order I, Zhang Lingfu, received was to enforce military discipline! Today, I will sacrifice you!"

"boom!"

The sound of gunfire was deafening in the small command post.

A pool of blood burst out from Hua Zhipeng's forehead. He fell backwards in disbelief with his eyes wide open.

Blood and brain matter splattered all over the officers nearby. They were so frightened that they were silent.

Zhang Lingfu's eyes swept across all the officers in the command post like lightning, and he said word by word: "Anyone who wants to retreat can stand up now!"

No one dares to speak.

Zhang Lingfu's thundering methods shocked everyone instantly.

"Very good!" Zhang Lingfu nodded with satisfaction, "Now, listen to my orders!"

He walked quickly to the map, on which the simple map marked the enemy and friendly situations.

Although the newly formed 29th Division seemed to have been forced into a desperate situation, there was no panic in Zhang Lingfu's eyes. Instead, he showed a sense of confidence.

He quickly issued a series of orders: "Inform all units to shrink the defense line, rely on existing fortifications, and organize defense on the spot!"

"Tell the brothers that reinforcements are on the way! Commander Chu's artillery support will arrive at any time!"

"Artillery support?" a staff officer asked cautiously, "Commander, do we still have artillery support?"

In previous battles, their two mountain guns had already been destroyed by the Japanese air force.

They are now fighting the Japanese army, which is armed to the teeth, entirely with light weapons.

Zhang Lingfu snorted coldly: "General Advisor Chu has a plan that is perfect. How could he let us fight the Japanese invaders with bare hands?"

"Just follow orders, and the shells will naturally fall on the devils!"

Zhang Lingfu did not say it explicitly, but he guessed that since Chu Yunfei sent him, he would definitely have a backup plan.

Ma Weiji left with the military police not long ago.

A phone call was made directly to the headquarters of the newly formed 29th Division.

"Hello, 29th Division Headquarters."

[Is this Master Zhang? I am Chu Yunfei. ]

Hearing the strange yet familiar voice coming from the other end of the phone, Zhang Lingfu immediately stood up straight and said, "Yes, Commander Chu, Zhang Lingfu has just taken over the command of the newly formed 29th Army."

"I will deploy Huang Baitao's artillery regiment directly behind you to provide you with direct artillery support."

"The 200th Division and the newly formed 28th Division have already launched an offensive this morning. Your defensive pressure will naturally be much less at this moment."

When Zhang Lingfu heard what Chu Yunfei said, he immediately said, "Please rest assured, Commander Chu, we will firmly hold the Mindang Line and curb the breakthrough momentum of the Japanese 18th Division."

"No, Commander Zhang, your mission is not to counterattack, but to do everything you can to take the initiative and launch a diversionary attack. Use methods including but not limited to night raids and strong attacks to attract the main force of the 18th Division to the Mindang front line."

Fight back?
If we look at what the regiment commander who was just executed said.

At this time, the newly formed 29th Division had no strength left to fight back.

Whether or not we can hold the defense line is another matter.

"Yes, Commander Chu, Lingfu is determined to carry out the mission."

"Very good, I have confidence in you. The reinforcements have been deployed, and Huang Baitao's troops will join the battle when the general offensive is launched!"

Dark as ink.

The mountains and forests around Mindang were shrouded in a dead silence, with only the occasional chirping of insects and sporadic gunshots faintly heard in the distance, reminding people that this was still a battlefield.

After experiencing the defeat during the day and the bloody "purge" in the evening, the officers and soldiers of the newly formed 29th Division were now huddled in makeshift fortifications, their nerves tense, fatigue and fear mixed together.

however.

Unlike the despair that permeated the entire division a few hours ago,

At this moment, a kind of forced hope and awe of the new division commander Zhang Lingfu made them barely maintain their military posture.

Under Zhang Lingfu's strong suppression and reorganization, the remnants of the newly formed 29th Division were quickly united.

Although the troops were still insufficient and the equipment was still simple, the morale of the army was miraculously stabilized and even rekindled under Zhang Lingfu's iron-fisted approach and the promises of "reinforcements will arrive" and "Commander Chu's artillery support is available at any time."

Many veteran soldiers privately discussed that the new commander Zhang was a bit murderous, but looking at his calmness and ruthlessness, he really looked like a capable fighter.

Moreover, Zhang Lingfu's heroic performance in the Battle of Songhu, Wuhan, and Shanggao had indeed won the respect of the veterans.

This is a truly powerful general who has a lot of experience in fighting against Japan.

The most crucial point is that the person standing behind him is Chu Yunfei!

It was this commander who let him take over the newly formed 29th Division. This was enough to show how much Chu Yunfei valued them, and it also indirectly showed how much the joint command valued this battle.

Zhang Lingfu did not rest after traveling all the way.

He carried a dim lantern and personally inspected every key defense point.

He walked with steady steps and sharp eyes. He stopped from time to time to talk with grassroots officers and soldiers, asking about their difficulties and boosting their morale.

He knew very well that in order for a crippled army to regain vitality, in addition to strict military discipline, it also required the commander to set an example and show practical care.

He told the pale-faced soldiers: "Brothers, I know you are hungry. I am hungry too."

"But we are Chinese soldiers. Even if we starve to death, we will die with our backs held high!"

"Commander Chu has already transferred military rations from Shanxi and shipped them to the front line. We will be able to have hot meals tomorrow at the latest!"

"Before that, if anyone dares to show that ugly face again, don't blame me for not recognizing anyone with my gun!"

After the inspection, we returned to the division headquarters.

Zhang Lingfu fell into deep thought while looking at the worn-out map.

His finger moved slowly on the map, carefully analyzing the possible movements of the Japanese army and his own strengths and weaknesses.

Zhang Lingfu judged that after the Japanese army succeeded in continuous pursuit, they would inevitably be arrogant and underestimate the enemy, and their attack formation would certainly be relatively scattered. They were eager to capture Mindang as a springboard for subsequent attacks, and this mentality of quick success and quick profit often made them ignore the defense of the flanks and the details of reconnaissance.

As far as he knew the current situation of the newly formed 29th Division.

There is no chance of winning if you just defend and fight hard.

The only chance of survival, as Chu Yunfei said, is to take the enemy by surprise and use offense as defense.

Disrupt the rhythm of the Japanese army and buy time for the offensive deployment of the 200th Division and the newly formed 28th Division.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lingfu quickly made up his mind.

He decided not to wait for the Japanese army to complete the encirclement, but to take the initiative to attack and catch the Japs off guard!
As soon as this thought came to his mind, even he himself felt his blood boiling.

This is a risky move. If it fails, there will be no recovery.

But Zhang Lingfu had the courage to take risks and face death in his blood.

He slammed the table and called over several regiment commanders and trusted staff officers who had just been promoted on the front line.

Under the dim light, his eyes were firm and sharp, leaving no room for doubt.

"Everyone," Zhang Lingfu's voice was not loud, but it was full of convincing power, "I have made up my mind. I will take the initiative to attack the Japanese army tonight! Instead of sitting and waiting to die, it is better to give it a try!"

Several team leaders were shocked when they heard this.

It would be crazy to launch a night attack on the Japanese invaders who were at the peak of their strength with a broken army.

An older regimental commander, Han Huaijin, hesitated and said, "Commander, our army has just been defeated, morale has not yet fully recovered, and ammunition is insufficient. We are fighting at night, and visibility is poor, so I am afraid we have little chance of winning."

Zhang Lingfu snorted coldly: "It's hard to win? Do you think we can win by hiding here and waiting to die?"

"After the Japanese follow-up support troops arrive and complete the artillery preparation, they will launch a general attack on us. With our current manpower and firepower, how long can we hold out?"

"Instead of passively taking a beating, it is better to proactively seek opportunities for battle!"

"Besides..." Zhang Lingfu changed the subject, a sly look flashing in his eyes, "I don't want to fight the main force of the Japanese army head-on. Their follow-up troops have not yet caught up, and the vanguard is arrogant. This is the opportunity we can take advantage of!"

He walked over to the map and quickly sketched out several attack routes with red and blue pencils.

"Order! First and second regiments, launch a feint attack from the front. At midnight, launch a harassing attack on the Japanese troops in front of you. You don't have to force a breakthrough, but you must create the illusion that our main force is trying to break through to attract the attention of the Japanese army!"

"The Third Regiment, you take over," he pointed to a young regiment commander who had performed well during the day. His name was Li Jiwu. He was originally a battalion commander of the Third Regiment. He was brave in combat and quite resourceful. Zhang Lingfu promoted him to regiment commander as an exception. "Lead this unit as a reserve force, stay on standby, and be ready to support or intercept any possible Japanese reinforcements at any time!"

"The special forces company and engineering company directly under the division headquarters, as well as the elite veterans selected from each regiment, will form a commando team. Follow me through the mountain forest path on the west side and attack the temporary command post of the Japanese army located in the valley about five miles away!"

Zhang Lingfu's plan was bold and risky, and he wanted to attack with attack!
The goal was clear: to paralyze the Japanese front-line command and create chaos through a precise "decapitation operation", thereby winning a breathing space for the entire division and even creating an opportunity for a local counterattack.

As for the location of the command center, it had already been marked on the map. Before this, Ma Weiji had never made up his mind about the direction of the attack.

Li Jiwu's eyes flashed with excitement, and he stepped forward and said, "Yes! Master! I will definitely fulfill your mission!"

Before, they were poorly trained and had poor combat effectiveness.

After today's battle, it would naturally not be a problem to draw out some capable "veterans" to fight.

Seeing that Zhang Lingfu had made up his mind and was going to lead the attack himself, the other regiment commanders stopped talking and took orders and left, making their own preparations.

the other side.

The Japanese Army's 18th Division's vanguard headquarters.

Just as Zhang Lingfu expected.

Captain Zhengcun was indeed feeling a little proud at the moment.

He was standing in a makeshift observation post overlooking the direction of Mindang, holding a cup of freshly warmed sake in his hand, with an undisguised hint of pride on his lips.

Several days of pursuit and fierce attacks made him full of contempt for this so-called "new division".

In his view, the so-called "Central Army" was nothing more than a group of rabble with slightly better equipment. Once they encountered the thundering attack of the Imperial Army, they would immediately collapse and be vulnerable.

They were attacked by artillery fire last night, so they cleared all the surrounding hills during the day to ensure that there were no Kuomintang reconnaissance troops in the surrounding area.

In the afternoon, they launched another counterattack, occupied several villages, and almost broke through the Kuomintang defense line in Mindang.

Thinking of this, Colonel Masamura turned to his adjutant and said in a contemptuous tone, "Humph, the Chinese army's resistance is like the chirping of cicadas in summer, noisy but powerless."

As he spoke, he took a sip of sake. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a brief warmth.

The adjutant immediately bowed and echoed: "Your Excellency the Colonel is wise and brave. Wherever the locust army points its spearhead, the Chinese guinea pigs can only flee!"

Once this place is captured, it can serve as an important fulcrum for the main force of the division to move south, and it will be the first achievement for the division commander, General Mutaguchi Lianye, to completely cut off the Yunnan-Burma Highway!"

Mindang is already in the bag, and it is only a matter of time to defeat the enemy in front of him.

He was ordering his troops to adjust their formation and prepare to launch the final general offensive against Mindang, in order to completely eliminate the remaining resistance with a resounding victory and present a great gift to the division commander, General Mutaguchi Ren'ya.

He had even begun to think about how to describe his "glorious military exploits" in the battle report.

Under the cover of night, the lighting control in the Japanese camp was not strict. It was obvious that they did not take the Chinese army's night counterattack capability seriously.

Piles of bonfires flickered in the valleys, illuminating the tired yet slightly excited faces of the soldiers.

Some soldiers were cleaning their weapons, their gun barrels glowing with a cold metallic luster under the firelight; some were chewing on cold rice balls, complaining about the slow logistical supply, but looking forward to the upcoming battle with a numb expectation;
Others gathered in twos and threes, their conversations filled with lighthearted discussions about the upcoming "victory".

"Hey, have you heard? After we capture Mindang, we can have a good rest for a few days." A sergeant with a Rendan beard said to his companions while chewing a dry and hard rice ball hard.

"It's more than just a rest," another soldier lowered his voice with a lewd smile on his face, "Although Mindang is small, it is still a market town. There must be many beautiful girls and good things in the city! When the time comes, we must treat ourselves well!"

"Hahaha, that's right! The local indigenous women are the most docile!"

Obscene language spread around the campfire, mixed with the soldiers' rough laughter.

They were even discussing how to "enjoy" the supplies in Mindang after capturing the city, as if the small city still in the hands of the Chinese army had become fish on their chopping board, ready to be slaughtered at their will.

They have long stopped caring about the Chinese military's counterattack capabilities.

In their view, those scattered Chinese soldiers were probably hiding in some corner, shivering, waiting for the locust army's "merciful" treatment.

Colonel Masamura frowned slightly when he heard the noise coming from the camp in the distance, but did not interfere too much.

In his view, after the soldiers experienced a series of "victories", moderate relaxation would help maintain morale.

Moreover, he was full of confidence in the upcoming general offensive.

He had ordered the artillery squad to move the few Type 92 infantry guns and regiment rapid-fire guns forward.

Prepare to use a fierce artillery fire at dawn to completely destroy the Chinese army's last will to resist.

"Pass the order down," Masamura said to his adjutant, "each squadron must complete attack preparations before 4 a.m.

At 5 o'clock, after the artillery fire preparation, we will launch a general attack on all fronts! I will plant the flag of my brother country on the enemy's position before the sun rises."

"Hayi!" The adjutant lowered his head and accepted the order.

As the night wind blew, the forests regained their temporary tranquility, with only sporadic bonfires in the Japanese camp and the soldiers' suppressed excited chatter.

However, these Japanese officers and soldiers who were immersed in the eve of "victory" could never have dreamed that just beneath the seemingly peaceful land beneath their feet, in the dark mountains and forests beyond their sight, a Chinese army that had just experienced the baptism of blood and fire was quietly showing its fangs under the leadership of the new division commander Zhang Lingfu.

They would never have thought about the army that they regarded as "the remnants of the defeated army" and "vulnerable".

He actually dared to counterattack!
The feint attack troops of the 1st and 2nd Regiments, led by their respective commanders, approached the Japanese frontline quietly and silently like long-dormant cheetahs.

Most of these soldiers were veterans who had just been forcibly pulled back from the shadow of defeat by Zhang Lingfu. Their faces were still stained with blood and gunpowder, but their eyes no longer contained the previous numbness and despair. Instead, they were filled with a kind of bravery after being forced into a desperate situation and an almost blind trust in the new division commander.

They crouched down, trying to walk as lightly as possible, their weapons held tightly in their sweaty hands; the touch of the cold steel made them feel inexplicably at ease.

When they were less than a hundred meters away from the Japanese guard post, a company commander who led the team waved his hand violently and roared in a low voice: "Brothers, hit them hard! Attract the attention of the Japanese!"

With a few dull gunshots, the battle suddenly broke out, as if a huge rock was dropped into a calm lake.

The attacking troops of the first and second regiments suddenly leaped up from behind the earthen embankments and bushes where they were hiding.

The soldiers shouted, their voices hoarse but filled with long-suppressed anger.

They threw the few grenades they had, each one emitting smoke and dragging a simple fuse, drawing crooked arcs in the air and smashing into the Japanese positions.

Then, they used the Hanyang and Zhongzheng rifles in their hands to fire fiercely at the Japanese guard posts and firing points.

Bang~! Bang~!

Dadada! Dadada!

The flames occasionally cut through the night sky, illuminating the ferocious and nervous faces of the soldiers on both sides.

The Japanese army was caught off guard by this sudden attack, and there was an immediate burst of exclamations and chaotic shouting in the camp.

Many Japanese soldiers who were sleeping or dozing around the campfire were awakened by the gunfire and explosions, and hurriedly grabbed their weapons and looked for cover.

Some outer guard posts were silenced in the first round of attacks, and several Japanese sentries were knocked to the ground by whistling bullets before they even had time to sound the alarm.

But soon, the well-trained Japanese army reacted and organized effective resistance.

The sergeants and corporals at various strongholds shouted at the top of their lungs, directing their soldiers to take up their positions.

The beams of searchlights also began to sweep rhythmically across the battlefield, trying to capture the direction of the Chinese army's attack.

Boom boom boom~!

The roar of machine guns and the explosion of grenade launchers were intertwined.

The battle became intense from the very beginning.

When the frontal feint attack was launched, Zhang Lingfu immediately led the temporarily organized elite commando team to charge towards the Japanese temporary command post.

At this time, the artillery regiment also received Chu Yunfei's order to carry out a new round of fire coverage on the designated preset artillery locations, and the full-line counterattack officially began!

(End of this chapter)