Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 601 Opening the Gap
Having determined the strategic direction, Shiji quickly formulated a counterattack plan.

However, the preparations for this counter-offensive are not progressing very well.

Looking at the reports from various units, the commander of the Volunteer Army headquarters was at his wits' end.

"What's going on?!"

"There's only one week left until the final offensive, why are they still dawdling and not in place?!"

According to Shiji's initial plan, the attack should have been launched in mid-April.

As the time for the start of the battle approached, the troops had not yet arrived at their designated assembly positions, and the necessary pre-battle preparations had not been carried out.

"Sir, we really can't blame the soldiers for this," the chief of staff explained.

"American planes are flying all over North Korea, so we can only hide during the day and go out at night."

"This has a huge impact on the speed of marching."

"This time, apart from the newly arrived 19th Army Corps, even Chen Chengxing failed to reach his designated position."

Upon hearing that the Second General was still on his way, the leader was helpless.

The Second General Corps' marching speed was a benchmark for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army; even they couldn't keep up, let alone other units.

The newly arrived 19th Army Corps did reach its designated position, but they brought with them a large number of new recruits.

These new recruits will need at least 20 days to complete the necessary combat training.

"Postpone the general offensive and order all units to advance at full speed!" The commander decided to postpone the attack.

Just as all departments were speeding up their preparations for battle, logistical problems arose again.

With the full support of the Chinese people, the supply capacity of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had improved at this time.

However, due to the issue of air superiority and insufficient transport capacity, the navy could not meet all the needs of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in a short period of time.

At the most critical moment, the Samden supply depot was bombed by the US military.

San Deng Railway Station was a hidden little railway station, but it was an important transit point on the logistics supply line of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

After the U.S. military discovered the location, they dispatched a large number of bombers and bombed it continuously for eight hours.

The logistics soldiers risked their lives to salvage some supplies amidst the raging fire, but more than eighty railcars of supplies were burned to ashes.

This made matters worse for the already impoverished volunteer army.

"Dereliction of duty! This is a serious dereliction of duty!" The commander roared in the headquarters.

"Why weren't we taken cover? Why wasn't we evacuated in time?"

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated! All those responsible must be found!"

Listening to the commander cursing, no one in the headquarters uttered a sound.

Everyone had actually anticipated this.

The railway tracks couldn't be hidden once they were laid on the ground, and American planes were circling overhead every day.

It was only a matter of time before the supply depot was discovered, and the more supplies it received, the easier it would be to be found.

Not to mention the supply depots, even the hidden headquarters of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army has been bombed twice by American bombers.

It was only because the evacuation was timely that no major casualties occurred.

The leader stopped after scolding for a few minutes.

Although he had just cursed, he was also well aware of the core reason for the problem.

Now, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army has virtually no way to deal with American aircraft.

Although the Chinese People's Volunteer Army already had an anti-aircraft artillery division, this one division was woefully inadequate in Korea.

Such an important place as Samden Railway Station couldn't even get a single anti-aircraft gun.

Once they are bombed, they really have no choice but to endure it.

Seeing that the commander's anger had subsided, the chief of staff came over: "Commander, the 4th Army Corps has sent a telegram."

"The Second General Headquarters is facing a severe food shortage, and the troops are eating only thin porridge."

"The veterans of Army C have not yet arrived, and the new recruits will take another 5 days to arrive."

"The A Army is short of food and ammunition. According to the headquarters' regulations, they are still short half."

"Should we postpone the attack? If we can push it to early May, these problems should be solved."

Upon hearing the chief of staff's report, the commander was completely bewildered.

This was not the first telegram the headquarters had received.

The other units also reported problems, mainly concerning food and ammunition.

Looking at the situation on the map and considering the movements of the US military in recent days, the commander said firmly, "We can't drag this out until early May."

According to intelligence, the commander felt that the US military was making progress too quickly.

The US military could land behind the Chinese People's Volunteer Army at any time and attack them from both sides.

"You immediately send a telegram to each corps to confirm their specific situation."

"The most crucial thing is to confirm whether each unit can launch an attack on the 20th!"

The chief of staff nodded: "I'll go right away!"

The next day, after repeated confirmations, the leader received positive replies from all departments.

"Sir, all units are ready to launch their attacks at the appointed time!"

"Good!" With the support of all departments, the leader finally made up his mind.

"Strike first, and attack before the American troops land!"

After thinking for a moment, the commander affirmed, "I plan to launch a full-scale offensive on the 22nd!"

"After the battle began, the Second Division annihilated the enemy forces in front of them as quickly as possible, opened a gap in the center of the enemy's defense line, and cut off the enemy's east-west communication."

"Order the 4th Army Corps to launch a frontal attack, while the 3rd and 19th Army Corps will maneuver around the flanks to strategically encircle the main force of the US forces on the western front."

"The 1st, 3rd, and 5th Army Corps of the Northern Dynasty launched a forced attack on the enemy."

"Z Army and Y Army, deploy defenses along the rear coastline to thwart any possible enemy landing plans."

For the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, this battle can be described as a decisive campaign.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army will use the massive force of two army corps to carry out the largest infiltration operation against the US forces.

The goal was to encircle and severely damage the main force of the UN forces on the western front in one fell swoop.

If the U.S. First Army on the western front can be severely damaged, the UN forces will be unable to launch an effective offensive in a short period of time.

Inside the Second General Headquarters, after receiving orders from the Volunteer Army Headquarters, Chen Chengxing convened an operations meeting.

"The command has issued the battle order. On the night of the 22nd, the Second Division will open a gap in the enemy's defenses to create a good opportunity for the main force to penetrate and encircle them."

Looking at the situation map, everyone immediately understood their mission.

Xu Wu asked, "Commander, breaking through the enemy's defenses shouldn't be a problem. What's our next mission? Continue the infiltration and encirclement?"

As an ace, the second-in-command excels at attacking and flanking maneuvers.

Chen Chengxing shook his head: "We shouldn't be involved in the infiltration mission."

"After breaking through the defenses, the Second General Staff immediately switched to defense, with the main task being to block the enemy's support from the eastern front."

Once the UN forces on the western front are surrounded, the enemy on the eastern front will inevitably rush to their aid.

Upon hearing that the Second Commander-in-Chief was to block all American troops on the Eastern Front, everyone's expressions turned serious.

Although the two North Korean corps on the eastern front were there to contain the attack, everyone knew that they would likely only be able to fight the South Korean 1st and 3rd corps.

As for the remaining US 10th and 9th Corps, they will most likely have to be handled by the Second General Staff.

This task is by no means simple.

"Old Chen, what are your plans? Where do you want to break through?" Chen Chengxing stood up and went to the map: "We are facing the positions of the US 9th Army's 1st Marine Division and the 6th Southern Division."

"Let's pick the softest persimmon and take the 6th Division of the South as our target."

“Besides making it easier to open a breach, attacking the 6th Division in the south has another advantage,” Chen Chengxing explained.

"To the east of the South 6th Division is the 1st Marine Division, and to the west is the U.S. 24th Division."

"By breaking through the South 6th Division, we can split the US 9th Corps in two. The US 24th Division can be dealt with by the infiltration forces, and we only need to deal with the 1st Marine Division."

Everyone agreed with Chen Chengxing's plan.

Soon, the Second Commander's operational plan was freshly drawn up.

In order to quickly break through the defenses of the 6th Division of the South, Chen Chengxing brought out his trump card.

The armored battalion, which had been training for several months, was reinforced into the 21st detachment.

Even the air defense company of the armored battalion, which had been stationed in the logistics area, was transferred back to the armored battalion by Chen Chengxing.

This time, Chen Chengxing went all out to test the combat effectiveness of the armored battalion.

However, by this time the number of tanks in the armored battalion had been reduced by a quarter, and neither of the two tank companies was at full strength.

It wasn't destroyed by US military aircraft, but rather it was scrapped during training and could only be dismantled for use as maintenance and training equipment and spare parts.

On the evening of the 22nd, deafening artillery fire rang out across all positions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

The Second General Staff's howitzer regiment, along with an artillery regiment reinforced by the Volunteer Army Headquarters, conducted a four-hour artillery barrage against the South 6th Division's positions.

The Second Rocket Artillery Regiment also conducted several salvos.

The entire position of the 6th Division in the south suffered a major blow.

"Sir! Sir! Our unit is under heavy artillery fire! The enemy may launch an attack!"

"Asking for support! Requesting support!"

Commander Kim Jun-ho of the 6th Division of the South China Sea repeatedly pleaded for help over the phone.

The commander of the 9th Army, Kurt, shouted into the phone, "Commander Kim! Don't panic!"

"The UN forces are now under artillery fire across the entire front, including the 1st Marine Division and the 24th Infantry Division!"

"The enemy's attack intentions have not yet become clear; you only need to hold your ground!"

When he heard Kurt tell him to hold the line, Kim Jun-ho almost cried.

Holding the line—it sounds simple.

The 6th Division of the South is not like the 1st Marine Division or the 24th Infantry Division. Not only are they fewer in number, but their firepower is also on a completely different level.

The US military might be able to hold out, but the Southern 6th Division might not be able to.

However, Kim Jun-ho also knew that the US military would not make any rash moves before the enemy's combat intentions were exposed.

Therefore, Kim Jun-ho chose to settle for second best.

"Sir! The enemy's firepower is too intense! Our unit only has one battalion of howitzers, which is no match for them! Could you please request reinforcements from the British 27th Brigade here?!"

Although the British 27th Brigade had previously lost a Canadian battalion, it still had three infantry battalions and a large number of support units.

The 6th Division in the south was previously reinforced by the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifle Regiment of the British 27th Brigade.

But Kim Jun-ho felt it wasn't enough; he wanted more.

Faced with Kim Jun-ho's request, Kurt thought for a moment and did not refuse: "You organize the counterattack, and I will issue the support order."

"Thank you, sir! I will hold out until reinforcements arrive!"

After hanging up the phone, Kim Jun-ho thought about it and decided not to leave for the time being.

The 6th Division of the South was one of only two capable units in the South Army; the 1st Division of the South couldn't have all the limelight.

However, Kim Jun-ho clearly underestimated the Second Boss, who had sufficient supplies.

After the artillery preparation was completed, the 21st Detachment, with its armored battalion as the spearhead, launched a strong attack on the South 6th Division's positions in front.

The 6th Division of the South was indeed one of only two reliable units in the South Army, but it was still somewhat inadequate against the Second General Headquarters' attack.

The entire battle was uneventful; the 21st Detachment cut through the 6th Division's positions like a hot knife through butter.

Within just one hour of the start of the battle, Kim Jun-ho's defensive lines had completely collapsed, and the 6th Division of the South retreated en masse.

Seeing this, Li Chishui immediately ordered, "The enemy has collapsed. Immediately proceed with the infiltration according to plan!"

The 211th Regiment began to advance rapidly southward into the rear of the 6th Division, in battalion-sized units.

Its speed of advancement far exceeded the expectations of the 6th Division of the South.

Many of the Southern Army troops that were caught off guard were completely bewildered.

They hadn't received any news of the frontline defeat, yet the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had already jumped into their faces.

The artillery position 5 kilometers behind the 6th Division was captured in a single charge by the infiltrating troops.

More than a dozen brand-new 105mm howitzers fell into the hands of the Second General Staff without firing a single shot.

At 10 p.m., the 3rd Battalion of the 211th Regiment, which was at the forefront of the Second Company, ran head-on into the British 27th Brigade, which was on its way to the front line, because it was charging too fast.

Upon seeing the British 27th Brigade, Ren Wuliu, who was advancing with the 3rd Battalion, made a decision to intercept the enemy on the spot.

"We absolutely cannot allow the enemy to reinforce the front lines, or it will have a major impact on the battle situation!"

"Pass on my order! Seize the high ground on the flank and hold off the enemy!"

Seeing the sudden burst of firepower from the high ground on the side, the commander of the British 27th Brigade, Brody, was somewhat surprised.

"Why would the Central Army be here?"

At this time, he had not yet received news of the collapse of the 6th Southern Division.

A British officer standing nearby said, "Sir, this could be Chinese troops who have infiltrated, their purpose being to block reinforcements and create an opportunity to defeat the Southern 6th Division."

Brody nodded in agreement: "Very likely!"

"The central army is now intensifying its attack, and we cannot sit idly by and watch the 6th Division in the south be completely annihilated in the north."

"Pass on my order! The 16th New Zealand Field Artillery Company shall immediately construct artillery positions."

"The 8th Cavalry Company of the Royal Irish Light Horse Regiment and the 3rd Infantry Battalion of Australia, advance and prepare for assault!"

"Yes, sir!"

Brody's plan was sound. With the fighting strength of the British 27th Brigade, defeating these few hundred men in front of them shouldn't be difficult, since there were no heavy weapons on the opposite side.

However, when the fight actually started, Brody realized something was wrong.

Using the illumination of flares and under the cover of Centurion tanks, the Australian 3rd Infantry Battalion launched several assaults, but failed to even reach the edge of the 3rd Battalion's position.

The Australian infantry, who were traditionally used as assault vanguards and were extremely skilled in close combat, were no different from chicks when they engaged in close combat with the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion. They were scattered in a very short time.

If Brody hadn't decisively ordered the Middlesex Battalion to provide support with overwhelming firepower, the Australian infantry battalion would likely have been wiped out and forced to retreat back to Seoul.

Seeing that he could not break through the central army's defenses in a short time, Brody changed his tactics and decided to win by overwhelming firepower.

Sixteen 25-pound field guns began to bombard the 3rd Battalion's positions.

The 3rd Battalion, which only carried a few mortars and recoilless rifles, was unable to retaliate this time.

The soldiers had no choice but to use foxholes to hold out while simultaneously digging more defensive fortifications.

While the British 27th Brigade was being held back from the battlefield by the 3rd Battalion of the 211th Regiment, the Second General Staff had already broken through the UN forces' defenses.

Although the 6th Division of the South was not completely annihilated, its organization was broken up, and more than 7,000 of its more than 10,000 troops were killed.

The 22nd and 24th detachments completed their deployment to the east, effectively blocking the 1st Marine Division.

The UN forces' defensive line was split open from the very center, and the main force of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army began to penetrate and encircle the enemy.

The 21st and 23rd detachments also began to mop up the remaining enemy forces, while simultaneously encircling the British 27th Brigade.

(End of this chapter)