Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Luxi, Liaocheng, Frontline Command Headquarters.

The radios in the command post blared incessantly, creating a tense atmosphere unique to the eve of a major battle.

"Your Excellency."

Fang Ligong strode to the map table, holding a newly translated urgent telegram in his hand, his expression solemn: "A telegram from Yan'an requesting joint operations from the headquarters of the 18th Group Army."

"read."

Chu Yunfei didn't even look up, and with his red and blue pencil, he drew a heavy circle around the location of Yanzhou on the map.

Fang Ligong unfolded the telegram and read aloud: "To Chief Advisor Chu of the North China Joint Command:"

"Given that the war situation in North China has now entered the decisive stage, and in order to support your army's main offensive and completely shatter the Japanese invaders' attempt to stubbornly resist from the outskirts by relying on the Jinpu Railway and the Great Wall defense line, our department, after careful consideration, has formulated the following strategic plan, and hereby requests Your Excellency's approval for its implementation:"

"First, the elite troops of Lin's army will immediately advance from eastern Hebei towards Rehe. Their strategic intention is to take advantage of the fact that the main force of the Kwantung Army has moved south into the pass and the rear is empty, to directly attack the Chengde-Lingyuan line, cut off the Beining Railway, block the last passage for the Japanese army in the pass to retreat to Manchuria, and threaten the heartland of the puppet Manchukuo, forcing the Kwantung Army to return to the aid, so as to relieve the pressure on the Sixth Army Group in the Hebei Plain."

"Secondly, Liu Jun's main force will, as originally planned, cross the Pinghan Railway and carry out a large-scale detour into northern Anhui."

The intention was to fill the vacuum left by the 59th Division's southward retreat, threaten Xuzhou from the west, and establish contact with the Eastern Expeditionary Column and the 31st Army Group, which were engaged in fierce fighting, to build a defensive line and completely cut off any possibility of Japanese reinforcements from Central China advancing north.

"If the above deployment is approved, our troops will immediately launch a full-scale attack. The 18th Group Army respectfully submits."

After listening to the telegram, Chu Yunfei nodded approvingly: "'Double-line interweaving'?"

"They have refined their operational model to suit their own position based on our operational plan, which is indeed remarkable."

Chu Yunfei walked to the map, his eyes following Fang Ligong's description as it moved quickly across the map: "This move can be described as awe-inspiring."

"Lin Jun's departure from Rehe was to attack a place the enemy had to defend, and also to pave the way for his future advance into Northeast China."

"Liu Jun's blockade of northern Anhui not only tightened our defenses but also enabled us to establish direct contact with the New Fourth Army."

"Our allies have a truly sharp strategic vision."

Chu Yunfei immediately gave the order: "Reply immediately: I completely agree! All units of the 18th Group Army are to proceed with full force. The Joint Command will provide all necessary intelligence and air support!"

However, after processing this exciting telegram...

Chu Yunfei's expression did not improve completely; instead, it darkened.

He turned around, his gaze coldly fixed on the map to the south: "Now that the Eighth Route Army has launched a full-scale attack, where is our Commander-in-Chief Li? Has the main force of the Fifth War Zone set out yet?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ligong's face showed an extremely unpleasant expression.

He sighed and reported helplessly, "Your Excellency, there's still no movement."

"Our liaison officer just sent back a message that although Commander Li Pinxian's troops have completed their assembly, they are still stationed in the Xinyang and Luoshan area, and there is no sign of them moving towards southern Jiangsu."

"Bastard!"

Chu Yunfei slammed the pencil in his hand on the table with a sharp "smack": "What did he promise when he made such an outrageous demand for equipment?"
"With supplies in place, we will strike immediately and storm the tiger's den in Nanjing!"
Supplies have already begun to be allocated, what is he waiting for?
"Are you waiting for the Japanese to invite him to dinner?!"

Fang Ligong said with a wry smile, "Your Excellency, you are also aware of the little schemes of the Guangxi Clique."

"Commander Li's reason was that only 30% of the light weapons and ammunition promised by the Mountain City Command had arrived so far."

"The remaining 70% are either still on the way or still on the Ordnance Department's books."

"In the telegram, he complained about being poor, saying, 'The brothers below are either short of weapons, lacking guns or bullets, and dare not risk human lives to fill the gaps.'"

Fang Ligong paused, then lowered his voice, "In my opinion, he doesn't actually trust that person in Shancheng."

He worried that this was a "borrowed knife to kill" tactic by the Central Army, fearing that his supplies would be seized as soon as he left the Dabie Mountains, and that his troops would be wiped out and his territory would be lost.

"At a time like this, you're still making these petty calculations."

Chu Yunfei's eyes sharpened: "With the national war at hand, you're still worrying about factional gains and losses. When did the Dabie Mountains become the territory of his Guangxi faction!"

"Commander Tang Huaiyuan of the Fifth Army Group also came from a ragtag background, so how come he was able to go all out?"

"To miss a crucial opportunity in battle is to be a sinner for all time!"

Chu Yunfei took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart.

He knew that now was not the time to lose his temper; he had to get Li Pinxian, this "stubborn donkey," working as soon as possible.

"Brother Ligong, draft a telegram! Send it to Commander Li!"

Chu Yunfei said in a stern tone, enunciating each word clearly, "Don't be polite with your words."

“Tell him I know his concerns.”

"But I, Chu Yunfei, am making this clear today—"

"As long as he sends troops immediately, I, Chu Yunfei, will make up for every single bullet that Shancheng promised him!"

"In my capacity as Deputy Commander of the North China Joint Command, Chief Advisor of the Military Training Department, and Chief Advisor of the Military Commission, I vouch for the logistics and transportation aspects!"

"If the supplies don't arrive soon, tell him to come directly to me!"

“I will personally oversee this matter.”

"but."

Chu Yunfei changed the subject, his voice filled with murderous intent: "If his main force does not leave the Dabie Mountains within 24 hours, and does not launch a substantial attack on the Japanese army in southern Jiangsu."

"Then don't blame me for being ruthless in military law!"

"I will immediately issue a telegram to the whole country, declaring the Fifth War Zone's crime of disobeying orders and standing by while friendly forces fought bitterly, and recommending that the General Staff remove him from his post."

"Yes!"

Having dealt with this troublesome matter, Chu Yunfei turned his attention back to the sand table in front of him.

All the pieces have been placed; now it's just a matter of how the game will end.

"Don't think about this anymore."

Chu Yunfei waved his hand: "How are Sun Xinpu and the others preparing at the front?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Commander Sun is ready to attack."

Fang Ligong immediately replied, "The second phase of the operation will be led by his main force division with attached armored brigades, targeting the main force of the Japanese 32nd Division in Yanzhou."

"it is good!"

A glint flashed in Chu Yunfei's eyes: "Very well, according to the original battle plan, launch a full-scale attack three days later!"

"Yes!"

Three days later, on the Luxi Plain, north of Yanzhou, the front-line attack launch position was established.

The summer sun relentlessly scorched the earth, and the air above the ground was distorted by the high temperature.

Even hotter than the weather was the palpable, chilling atmosphere on the front lines of the 88th Group Army.

"Brothers, listen up!"

"This is a battle that will make our army famous and renowned!"

Sun Xinpu, the army commander, was standing next to a half-track armored command vehicle, one hand on his hip, his eyes sweeping across the division commanders and regimental commanders who were fully prepared for battle.

As a former military intelligence officer promoted by Chu Yunfei, his current military rank and status have surpassed Dai Yunong's.

Sun Xinpu has long since shed his youthful naiveté, exuding a composure and ruthlessness that comes from crawling out of a pile of corpses.

He slammed his baton down on the map, pointing heavily at Yanzhou City and the densely packed Japanese outposts surrounding it, speaking at breakneck speed:
"According to the operational plan formulated by the command."

"Commander Xue led the main force as a strategic reserve, ready to provide support at any time."

"Commander Guo is holding the Japanese 26th Brigade at Jining, preventing them from sending reinforcements even a single step!"

"Now, the entire Japanese 32nd Division in Yanzhou is like meat on our chopping board, ready to be eaten whenever we want."

Sun Xinpu suddenly clenched his fist, his voice booming:

"Whether it's the 210th, 211th, or 212th Infantry Regiment, if they stand in your way, crush them!"

"With the armored brigade as the vanguard and the divisions following suit, I want to razor-shave the outskirts of Yanzhou clean!"

"have you understood?!"

"clear!!"

The officers roared in unison, their killing intent palpable.

……

9:00 AM sharp.

A muffled rumble came from the sky, followed by dozens of black dots piercing the clouds and rapidly growing larger.

Those were the Air Force's B-25 bomber formation that came to assist in the battle, and the P-40 fighter group responsible for low-altitude strafing.

"They're here!" "Our plane is here!"

In the trenches, the Nationalist soldiers erupted in deafening cheers.

Once upon a time, they could only flee in terror under the relentless bombing of Japanese planes, but now, those silver wings above their heads are their own guardian angels!

"Boom! Boom! Boom—!!!"

Aerial bombs rained down on the front lines of the Japanese 32nd Division.

The Japanese defensive fortifications on the outskirts of Yanzhou were instantly engulfed in flames. The field bunkers built with logs and sandbags were as fragile as paper in the face of heavy bombs.

Immediately afterwards, P-40 fighter planes roared down, their machine guns unleashing wave after wave of "combing" fire on the panicked Japanese troops in the trenches.

"attack!!!"

Taking advantage of the Japanese army's disorientation from the air raids, Sun Xinpu decisively issued the order for a general offensive.

The ground began to tremble.

Dozens of M4A3 Sherman tanks took the lead, smashing through the still-lingering smoke, their tracks crushing the Japanese barbed wire and stags with a teeth-grinding "crunch".

Behind them were countless Nationalist Army infantrymen.

In preparation for the second phase of the operation, our army had previously conducted several reconnaissance and assault operations.

Now, it's time to see the results!

Zhangjiapo Heights, a key stronghold of the Japanese 210th Regiment.

Taking advantage of the terrain, the Japanese troops here constructed several mutually supporting bunkers, and two Type 92 heavy machine guns formed a crossfire, which once suppressed the infantry company attacking from the front.

"The Japanese firepower is too intense!"

"Those two bunkers must be destroyed!"

The platoon leader, lying prone in a shell crater, shouted, "Song Hao, Jiang Wei, take out the Japanese machine gunner! The rest of you, provide covering fire!"

Not far away, two soldiers wearing camouflage nets silently crawled to the side behind some ruins.

One of them set up an American-made M1903A4 sniper rifle equipped with an optical sight, took a deep breath, and held it.

"boom!"

A crisp gunshot rang out, but it was not noticeable amidst the cacophony of the battlefield.

But 300 meters away, the Japanese sergeant who was frantically roaring and directing the machine gun fire suddenly had a burst of blood between his eyebrows and fell backward.

The machine gun fire, now without command, paused for a moment.

This is the moment!

The other side.

Two soldiers carrying Type 31 rocket launchers suddenly leaned out from the nearby area.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two plumes of white smoke shot out like arrows, blasting towards the bunker.

"Boom!!!"

The muffled explosions continued, and no one could see the extent of the damage until the smoke cleared.

But this did not hinder the subsequent operations.

"Full company, machine gun suppression!"

"Mortar, three rapid shots, cover the trenches!"

"Second platoon, flank them from both sides and blow these sons of bitches to bits with grenades."

The platoon leader's orders were carried out in an orderly manner.

The 88th Group Army is undoubtedly an elite force.

Combat units have not only developed squad tactics suitable for themselves based on the traditional three-three system, but also based on their weapons and equipment.

As for the 60mm mortar being assigned to the company-level combat unit, it is a normal organizational structure for every Class A main combat unit.

Faced with this multi-dimensional attack.

The Japanese 32nd Division, still operating at the tactical level of the early stages of World War II and lacking anti-tank weapons and automatic firepower, was completely outmatched.

Japanese machine gunners would be sniped as soon as they showed their faces, fortified positions would be destroyed by rocket launchers, and counter-attacks would be covered by a barrage of mortar fire and semi-automatic rifle fire.

The only advantage they have is their highly mobile, fast-firing, and relatively accurate grenade launchers.

If it weren't for the excellent grenade launchers fired by these veteran reservists, the Japanese defenses would probably have been breached in the first wave of attacks.

The battle continued fiercely, with the Japanese army having the advantage of terrain, while Sun Xinpu's troops held the advantage in every other aspect.

A main force division was outnumbered by a Japanese regiment. The division had a complete advantage in firepower and manpower, and also had heavy weapon support.

The battle will naturally end in victory.

Two hours later.

The combat troops launched a third assault, this time with all their might.

The Japanese, who were already relying on the so-called "loyalty" and "honorable death" ideology, could no longer withstand such a powerful attack.

It wasn't that they were unwilling to sacrifice themselves, but rather that the number of casualties was too high in a short period of time, and the defense was becoming increasingly disorganized.

With flanking firepower unable to be deployed, the defensive line was already on the verge of collapse.

With the third wave of attacks from the attacking forces, the defensive line was torn apart in an instant.

Commander Kenichi Yoshioka of the 210th Regiment of the Japanese Army watched through his binoculars as his defenses crumbled like an avalanche, and despair gripped his heart.

"Baga! This is impossible!"

Why are their marksmen so accurate?

Why is their artillery fire everywhere?

Countless questions troubled him.

But no one could answer his question.

"Your Excellency, the Captain!"

"In less than three hours of fighting, the first battalion suffered more than half its casualties, and the second battalion suffered more than a third of its casualties. They are currently retreating to the rear."

Kenichi Yoshioka had not yet had time to issue the battle orders.

A company commander rushed into the command post. It was Yusuke Nagai, whom Kenichi Yoshioka had previously assigned to guard the villages on the flank: "Regimental Commander, the Chinese tanks have broken through the flank and are maneuvering towards the command post. Please leave the command post immediately."

Without any hesitation or thought, Kenichi Yoshioka immediately ordered: "Withdraw immediately! According to the original battle plan, withdraw to the defense of Yanzhou!"

"Hay."

however.

The attacking forces would not give them a chance to retreat.

In the eyes of the regiments of the newly formed 16th Division, these Japanese soldiers represented battle achievements, honor, and even more so, piles of silver dollars—easy prey.

How could we possibly let those Japanese devils get away?
Looking through his binoculars at the retreating, tan-colored crowd, Commander Xu Ruibo smirked coldly: "This is what they call 'autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves'!"

"Commander, could it be that these Japanese soldiers just ran away?"

Xu Ruibo continued to order: "Coordinate with the armored forces and block their rear in the field!"

"I'll make sure none of those Japanese devils ever leave!"

"Also, our regiment should advance directly to the outskirts of Yanzhou and strive to achieve the greatest merit."

"Yes, leader!"

At the same time, in the direction of Jining.

Guo Yanzheng's troops also launched a fierce attack on the Japanese 26th Mixed Brigade. Although they lacked the powerful assault of armored units, they still managed to keep the Japanese forces firmly within their long-established defensive lines thanks to their ample ammunition and tenacious fighting spirit.

Unable to move for even a moment, they were completely unable to spare troops to support Yanzhou.

The entire southern Shandong battlefield.

Under the combined attack of the Nationalist army in North China, it was instantly shattered.

The so-called "solid defensive line" of the Japanese 32nd Division, faced with overwhelming firepower and advanced infantry tactics, collapsed completely in less than four hours.
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Volume 5 is the final volume. Thank you all for your support! (End of Chapter)