Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Outside Huaiyin City, the abandoned Yellow River dike resembles a dark mud dragon lying across the wasteland.

On a midsummer afternoon, cumulonimbus clouds hung low, and the air was so thick it was almost viscous enough to wring water out of it.

The pungent smell of gunpowder mixed with the stench of rotting mud, and a faint fishy odor unique to the water vapor of the Subei Canal, swirled and churned in the smoke, making one want to vomit.

On the forward position of the Third Division of the New Fourth Army, Regiment Commander Chen Tiezhu lay like a dead tree in the mud that was above his ankles.

His eyes were bloodshot and he stared intently ahead.

"Damn it, this battle is no different from the piecemeal tactics!"

Chen Tiezhu slammed his fist hard on the muddy embankment, the splashing mud covering half of his face, but he didn't even bother to wipe it off.

Three hundred meters ahead, at the foot of the western city wall of Huaiyin, two Japanese reinforced concrete bunkers standing side by side were frantically spewing long, tongue-like flames.

"Thump thump thump—thump thump thump—!"

That was the distinctive dull sound of the Japanese Type 92 heavy machine gun, each sound like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of every soldier behind the abandoned Yellow River dike.

Just ten minutes ago.

Chen Tiezhu watched as one of his assault companies charged out of their bunkers, covered in wooden planks and wet blankets.

But that thin layer of "earth armor" was as fragile as a piece of paper in the face of the interwoven fire net.

The open space, just two hundred meters wide, was turned into a slaughterhouse where lives were reaped. The soldiers fell like wheat fields swept by a whirlwind, collapsing into the mud without even a scream before being riddled with bullets.

Chen Tiezhu trembled with heartache.

These soldiers were used to appearing and disappearing mysteriously in the "green sorghum fields," and were accustomed to landmine warfare and guerrilla warfare. Each of them was an expert in guerrilla warfare.

But now, they are facing a lifeless, yet impenetrable, permanent fortification.

The Japanese army didn't play hide-and-seek with you at all; they just huddled in their bunkers, ruthlessly wearing down the lives of the attacking troops.

"Commander, the Third Company is almost wiped out!"

The battalion commander stumbled over and said, "These Japanese bunkers are built too solidly. When our 60mm mortars hit them, not a single spark was produced, just a white dot. Let's retreat; we don't have any heavy weapons."

Chen Tiezhu gritted his teeth, his cheeks puffed out.

He looked ahead.

On that barren, exposed land, dozens of surviving soldiers huddled in shallow craters blasted by artillery fire, unable to move forward or backward.

If anyone even slightly looks up, the Japanese snipers on the city wall will snatch their lives with the precision of a cat catching a mouse.

This unprecedented sense of frustration spread like a plague across the battlefield.

Before the battle, the soldiers were overjoyed to receive the new submachine guns and mortars allocated by Chu Yunfei. They felt that they had lost before because of poor equipment, and even complained in private that the Nationalist army had good equipment but did not fight the Japanese.

But after a bloody battle, they finally realized that a few support weapons were simply not enough to break the Japanese army's turtle shell.

The battle of attrition is a collision of steel, ammunition, and the limits of tactics, and is a hundred times more brutal than they imagined.
-
It is located four kilometers southwest of Huaiyin City.

A partially collapsed earth god temple was converted into a temporary command post.

Commander Liu stood with his hands behind his back in front of the simple map table. His deep eyes were bloodshot from not having closed them for a long time.

Outside, the dense sounds of gunfire surged in like waves, and the shock of each explosion caused dust to fall from the roof.

"The situation is not optimistic."

The chief of staff put down the phone, his expression grim: "We've hit a wall at the outer strongholds, and the New Fourth Army's offensive isn't going well either."

"The soldiers were determined to fight, but their methods for overcoming difficulties were too limited."

The chief of staff pointed to several firing positions marked with red circles on the map: "The Japanese have built Huaiyin into an iron fortress. They have used tunnels and bunkers to build a three-dimensional defense line. Our demolition team can't get close at all."

Commander Liu slowly turned around, his gaze passing over the chief of staff and landing on the row of "big guys" neatly parked in the yard.

That was a special unit that Chu Yunfei had recently assigned to them.

A mixed artillery battalion equipped with American-made 75mm mountain guns and Soviet-made 76.2mm field guns, and even several powerful 107mm chemical mortars.

However, no one can guarantee how well they will perform on the battlefield.

Commander Liu tapped the table lightly, his voice deep and powerful, "Yes, we cannot use the blood of our soldiers to fill the Japanese's reinforced concrete pits."

"Isn't Chu Yunfei's greatest strength in fighting battles and settling accounts?"

"Trading lives for a fortress is a losing proposition; trading shells for lives is a worthwhile deal!"

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes revealing a resolute and heroic spirit.

"Pass on my order: have all assault troops withdraw and avoid unnecessary sacrifices."

"Move that artillery battalion up there and push it to a position 500 meters from the city wall!"

Chief of Staff Li exclaimed in surprise, "Five hundred meters? That's right under the noses of the Japanese!"

"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cubs?"

"After fighting for so long, if the Japanese in Huaiyin City really had artillery units, they probably would have opened fire long ago."

Commander Liu straightened his gray cloth uniform and strode out of the courtyard. "Have them push the cannons up there and fire at close range!"

……

Twenty minutes later.

Outside the west gate of Huaiyin, behind several ruins leveled by artillery fire, soldiers worked together to push long-barreled mountain guns into their positions.

The artillery battalion commander was a veteran gunner who had studied at the Shanxi Artillery Academy. At that moment, he was lying behind the observation scope, personally correcting the parameters.

"Target, fortress number three directly ahead, firing port on the left!"

"Add two to the height difference, and correct five meters to the right!"

"Load one round, fire!"

Thump—!

With a piercing whistle, the mountain gun lurched backward, the heat emanating from its muzzle instantly scattering the surrounding dust.

Just one second later.

Suddenly, a muffled thud came from the madly roaring bunker ahead, and flames shot out violently from the firing ports.

The previously arrogant machine gun fire came to an abrupt halt, like a rooster being choked.

"bingo!"

The soldiers on the position erupted in an uncontrollable cheer.

The artillery battalion commander, who was experienced in combat, immediately lowered the binoculars hanging on his chest.

Based on his past combat experience and the knowledge he gained during his training at the artillery school, he immediately judged that the Japanese army's fortifications were definitely inadequate.

Without hesitation, he immediately shouted to boost morale: "The shelling is effective! Those little devils must have cut corners when they built the fortress!"

Come to think of it.

In places like Huaiyin City, the only active forces in the surrounding areas were the New Fourth Army.

The New Fourth Army lacked heavy weapons and had little capability for attacking fortified positions.

The defensive fortifications built in areas bordering the main force of the National Revolutionary Army would naturally be more stringent.

This is also why the defensive fortifications in many parts of Shandong are so fragile that they crumble at the slightest touch.

The Eighth Route Army did not have heavy weapons, and the Japanese army was already short of resources, so of course they could not afford to waste too many resources on it.

Brick and stone watchtowers were the limit; in many places, even rammed earth watchtowers offered little protection against artillery fire.

"do not stop!"

"Cannon position number two, keep an eye on the bunker below the city wall!"

"Number three gun position, take down that clock tower on the outer perimeter!"

Commander Liu stood not far from the artillery position, letting the smoke blacken his face.

As he watched those once invincible fortresses of death crumble like rotten wood under precise direct fire, the feeling of "a skilled craftsman must first have the right tools" grew even stronger in his heart.

"Once the outer firing points are cleared, immediately push in." "Yes, sir!"

……

Lunan, the headquarters of the 19th Group Army.

Zhang Xuezhong was hunched over his desk, holding a newly deciphered coded telegram in his hand, his thick, dark eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Sir, Chief Advisor Chu's telegram is quite interesting."

The chief of staff handed him a cigarette and chuckled softly, "Is our Commander Chu trying to stir up trouble here because he thinks we don't get along with Commander Wang?"

Zhang Xuezhong took the cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and his eyes became profound.

"They've been lingering outside Pengcheng for so many days, exaggerating their casualties. Do you really think Chu Yunfei couldn't see through it?"

"That's a cunning character; he's giving Old Wang an ultimatum."

"If our reinforcements arrive and Brother Jie still can't take Xuzhou, then he'll have completely lost face. Pengcheng is his hometown."

Zhang Xuezhong stood up and walked to the battle map.

The chief of staff asked tentatively, "So you mean... we're really going to go all in?"

"Do not."

Zhang Xuezhong shook his head, a shrewd glint in his eyes: "Although Chu Yunfei has delegated authority, we can't afford to fall into chaos. Brother Jieren's troops are the main force."

He turned his head, his tone becoming incredibly decisive: "Send a telegram to Brother Jieren, saying: 'Hearing that your unit's attack has been hampered, I am deeply concerned. I have already received your orders to dispatch two main regiments to reinforce you overnight, and you will be in command of them all. I hope you will capture Pengcheng as soon as possible and achieve great merit.'"

……

at the same time.

East of Weixian County, the headquarters of the 34th Army Group.

Li Yannian stood with his hands behind his back in front of the large screen, his slender baton pressed firmly against the point on the map that represented the heart of the peninsula—Qingdao.

It was a deep-water port, a fortified city built by the Germans, and the last symbol of the Japanese army in Shandong.

If Qingdao could be recovered from him, his status in the history of the National Revolutionary Army would surpass that of his mediocre colleagues.

"Brother Tiren, where are Guo Yanzheng's troops?"

Li Yannian turned his head and looked at Tang Huaiyuan, the commander-in-chief of the Fifth Army Group, who was sitting to the side drinking tea.

Having shared the experience of the war in western Russia, the two had grown quite close.

But at this moment, Li Yannian's tone carried an undeniable forcefulness.

After all, as the newly appointed front-line commander-in-chief by the General Headquarters, his position was two ranks higher than Tang Huaiyuan's.

Tang Huaiyuan put down his teacup, looking somewhat hesitant: "Commander Guo's main force has just passed Gaomi. Due to the Japanese army destroying the roadbed along the way, the heavy artillery units are moving a bit slower."

He looked at Li Yannian and tentatively suggested, "Now that we've reached the edge of Jiaozhou Bay, shouldn't we ask the headquarters for instructions on the general offensive plan?"

"I think it would be safer for us to join forces, surround Qingdao first, and then make our move when the heavy troops arrive."

"Please give me permission?"

Li Yannian raised an eyebrow, his face darkening.

He strode up to Tang Huaiyuan, tapping his baton on the table with a loud thud.

"Commander-in-Chief Tang, you've been in military affairs for a long time, why are you suddenly hesitant now?"

"What did you say before, Your Excellency? 'When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders!'"

"He gave us the freedom to delegate authority so that we could seize opportunities!"

Li Yannian lowered his voice: "Qingdao is now a ghost town. The remnants of the Japanese army have been terrified and are busy burning down warehouses. Even if there are some defense troops, how many people can there be?"

"If we wait for the heavily armed troops to arrive, wouldn't we miss the opportunity? What chance would we have of winning the battle then?"

"At that time, the newspapers will be full of stories about how impressive Yin Chongyue's tanks are and how dazzling the heavy artillery cluster of the North China Joint Command is. The blood shed by our tens of thousands of soldiers will all be just background noise!"

Tang Huaiyuan was still a little worried. He stood up, walked to the window and looked at the busy camp outside: "I don't want to claim credit, I'm afraid of messing up the overall situation for you, Your Excellency."

"If we launch a strong attack on Qingdao, and the Japanese navy launches naval gun support from the sea, we will suffer heavy casualties because we have no heavy artillery to fight back."

"I suggest that we divide our 38th Army and the 5th Army equally, with one part attacking Qingdao and the other part sweeping through Weihai and Yantai. That way, even if the offensive is thwarted, the initiative will still be in our hands."

"Confused!"

Li Yannian sternly interrupted Tang Huaiyuan, not wanting to continue arguing.

He believed he had already given the veteran plenty of face.

He strode to the map, grabbed a thick red pen, and drew a circle in the direction of Weihai.

"I am the forward commander-in-chief of this operation on the Korean Peninsula, and I have the authority to make on-the-spot deployments!"

"Brother Tiren, your Fifth Army will set off tomorrow and change direction!"

"Forget about Qingdao, the entire army is heading east, with Weihai and Yantai as our targets!"

"Weihai and Yantai have naval bases dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Although their defenses are weak, they are of great significance."

Looking at Li Yannian's face, which was filled with the words "taking all the credit for himself," Tang Huaiyuan felt a complex mix of emotions.

He wanted to argue and insist on reporting to his superiors.

Tang Huaiyuan also knew that if things fell apart at this time, he would not only offend Li Yannian, but also affect the rhythm of the entire counterattack.

Thinking about this, Tang Huaiyuan even regretted coming to this so-called "command center" for a meeting.

This is hardly a war meeting; it's a pure merit-sharing session.

Tang Huaiyuan sighed, his tone carrying both compromise and warning: "Since you have made up your mind, I, Tang, will obey."

"But you must remember, the Japanese navy's artillery fire in Qingdao is no joke."

"If we can't take it down, you'll have to explain things to the Lord yourself."

"rest assured!"

Li Yannian smiled smugly and patted Tang Huaiyuan on the shoulder heavily.

"Give me the order!"

He whirled around and roared at the adjutant outside the door:
"The 57th Army is to advance rapidly towards the outskirts of Qingdao, sparing no effort to wipe out these Japanese."

……

after an hour.

In the Fifth Army's camp, a hurried assembly call sounded.

Tang Huaiyuan stood beside the jeep, watching the army turn around and slowly move northeast.

He glanced back at Li Yannian's brightly lit command post.

"Let's go."

Tang Huaiyuan said to his adjutant, his voice sounding somewhat low in the night.

"He wants to be the one who picks the peaches, and he hopes that his teeth can really bite through the tough nut of Qingdao."

"Commander-in-Chief, why are you complaining to the Chief Advisor? Knowing the Chief Advisor's personality, he will definitely report this to the Chairman and reprimand Commander Li."

Tang Huaiyuan sighed and then explained, "No one wants to be a pawn controlled by others, and no one wants to be a puppet, but in times like these, someone always has to sacrifice."

For the sake of victory in the war and the rejuvenation of the nation, what does it matter if we suffer a little hardship?

Besides, after the battle, would the chief advisor mistreat those of us who sacrificed our lives?

"Of course not, the chief advisor won't let honest people like us suffer."

Tang Huaiyuan laughed heartily: "That's right, that's why I'm willing to take a step back."

In the darkness of night, though the war machine of the North China counter-offensive had shifted slightly, its will to reach the sea remained unstoppable, surging forward like an unstoppable torrent! (End of Chapter)