Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 103 Whose Cage Is It?

Two o'clock in the morning.

Rear command post.

Under the dim light, Wang Feng paced back and forth with a frown on his face.

He looked down at his watch.

The operation had been underway for an hour and a half.

Due to supply constraints, military radio stations were only equipped to the brigade (battalion level), and operations were based on detachments (company level) as the basic unit.

It takes time to report the news.

Sergei came over and said, "Sir, the Japanese command has discovered our army's tracks. At present, the enemy forces along the Chihe River are shrinking."

Wang Feng nodded, not surprised.

A roundabout move of this scale cannot be concealed for long, and it is only a matter of time before it is discovered.

"Has the Third Brigade arrived at the designated location?"

Sergei responded: "I received a telegram fifteen minutes ago. We are setting up a blocking position."

Wang Feng asked, "How is the first team doing?"

Sergei: "We are still fighting the Japanese army. The battle should last until dawn."

Wang Feng picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

The tea was brewed on the west bank of the Chi River. After several hours, it had already gone cold.

It’s not that he likes drinking tea, it’s mainly for refreshing the mind.

Using three-dimensional combat maps, staying up late to command operations, etc., consumes too much energy.

The smoke from the battlefield kept me on edge and I couldn't fall asleep in the second half of the night.

But I can clearly feel that my thinking has become much slower.

"The fighting is intense on the front lines, it's time for us to move to another location!"

Wang Feng pointed to a point on the map and said, "Pass the order down. The headquarters will move forward 800 meters to this place!"

Sergei glanced and said, "Yes!"

The reason for frequently moving the command center is to adjust the map detection range.

At present, no Japanese military headquarters has been found within a radius of ten kilometers centered on him.

But he estimated that he was getting close to his goal.

It is common to see large numbers of messengers active at the borders of the map.

What Wang Feng was looking for was not the front-line battalion headquarters, but the regiment or even the brigade headquarters in the rear.

This battle is not about killing as many devils as possible.

This doesn't make sense.

The number of Japanese troops on the Beijing-Shanghai line was approaching 100,000, and they were impossible to kill.

The purpose of seizing supplies is to ensure that our side continues to fight. If we want to temporarily eliminate the Japanese threat to Chihe and Bengbu, we must get rid of a few high-ranking Japanese officials.

Take down the command center.

Just like the battle of Nanhuaihua Village, which destroyed the 9th Brigade Command.

Although they lost their commander, the remaining two squadrons fought bravely and finally broke out of the encirclement.
But this does not mean that this move is meaningless.

The fighting along the Chi River temporarily paused.

The Japanese troops who were crossing the river received the order to turn their guns back to the rear for support.

Wu Guangsheng was shot in the shoulder, but fortunately his bones were not injured. After being bandaged by a field doctor, he continued to command the front line in person.

"Chief of Staff, the Japs are retreating!"

Zhao Fangyuan was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately ran to the observation hole and raised the telescope.

Inside the telescope, the Japanese army's formation was in good order. They fought and retreated at the same time, and it was obvious that they were not in a rout.

"It looks like the commander has started to take action!"

As the deputy corps commander, Wu Guangsheng knew the plan for tonight and stepped forward to make a suggestion: "Chief of Staff, should we do something to support the commander?"

Although he was the deputy corps commander, he was better than Zhang Hu in combat command and tactical vision.

The two have different strengths.

Zhang Hu was good at inspiring military spirit, boosting morale, and organizing military training.

He is a spiritual role model for the troops.

His abilities in other aspects are acceptable, not particularly outstanding, but also within the excellent range.

Wu Guangsheng was more like a staff officer, giving advice and strategies during combat.

Zhao Fangyuan frowned.

He was also aware of this problem.

The flanking force had only 3,000 people, barely on par with the Japanese army, relying on the elite level of the First "Red Flag" Mountain Tactical Corps.

It's not a disadvantage, but it's not an advantage either.

Under such circumstances, it would be easy to get into a stalemate with the Japanese army.

If the battle continued until dawn and Japanese reinforcements arrived, the situation would become difficult to handle.

The flanking troops are likely to get stuck in a quagmire and be surrounded, unable to withdraw even if they want to.

As the two were thinking, the phone on the table rang.

Zhao Fangyuan took the microphone.

"Hey!"

There was silence on the other end of the phone: "Ahem. Is this Commander Wang?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "I am the Chief of Staff of the North China Battle Group. Please speak!"

Hearing this, the person on the other end of the phone paused and said, "I am Liu Shiyi, commander of the 31st Army. Forty-five minutes ago, the Japanese invaders who attacked our unit at night took the initiative to retreat. Five minutes ago, we received accurate intelligence that the Japanese army is likely to turn to the direction of Chihe Town!"

"I hope your department will take precautions early!"

"The Japanese army suddenly moved in. Are you guys planning something big?"

Zhao Fangyuan didn't have time to respond. He just said thank you and quickly hung up the phone.

Then he hurriedly looked at the battle map on the table.

From Magang and Sanheji areas to Chihe Town, it is only more than 20 kilometers.

The terrain along the way is flat and open, and it can be reached in two hours by rapid march.

According to information provided by the 31st Army, the Japanese army had begun marching as early as forty-five minutes ago.

Take into account the time consumed in assembling the troops.

At best, another hour and a half.

The call was leaked, and Wu Guangsheng heard it clearly: "Chief of Staff, we can't just sit back and watch the fire!"

"We have to think of a way to reduce the pressure on the superiors."

Zhao Fangyuan took a long breath, rubbed his forehead, and made up his mind: "Send a telegram to the commander first and report the situation truthfully. My unit requests to take the opportunity to cross the river and establish a bridgehead on the east bank of the Chi River to attract Japanese firepower."

"Send another message to the 31st Army, asking our friendly forces to help us tie down some of the Japanese forces."

Wu Guangsheng frowned: "Chief of Staff, the battle situation is fleeting. If we wait for a call back, we may miss the opportunity!"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

Crossing the river is not an easy task.

Establishing a bridgehead in time while the Japanese troops have not yet completely withdrawn can attract the Japanese troops to the greatest extent.

It takes time to receive a telegram and time to translate it. After the superior makes a decision, it will be sent out and translated again.

Even if it's faster, it will still take about half an hour.

By the time we crossed the river again, I'm afraid some of the Japanese troops had already boarded the transport trucks and headed to the rear.

Zhao Fangyuan rubbed his temples and a few strands of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The palms of my hands were also extremely moist.

This was the first time he commanded so many people alone, even for just a few hours.

As the saying goes, the commander of a battle bears the greatest psychological pressure, and Zhao Fangyuan has felt it.

Often, one order can determine the life and death of countless people, and every move must be made in the right place.

These are real human lives, not cold words on a roster.

In the past, he was just chief of staff, mainly responsible for providing advice and handling intelligence.

The specific decision-making power always lies in Wang Feng's hands.

I can't feel this kind of pressure at all.

The atmosphere in the command center was tense.

Half a minute later.

Zhao Fangyuan's eyes flashed with determination: "Immediately arrange for the troops to cross the river and report to the commander in the telegram!"

The signalman on the side quickly wrote down the order and then immediately sent the telegram, "Old Wu, how is your shoulder?"

"How about this battle be handed over to Chu Yunfei to command?"

"Chief of Staff!" Wu Guangsheng wanted to move his shoulders to prove that he was in good health.

But I didn't expect that I would grimace in pain as soon as I moved.

Zhao Fangyuan looked at Wu Guangsheng's appearance and knew that he could not let him continue to command.

"Old Wu, go to the rear hospital for recuperation first. Don't worry about the things on the front line."

"Signalman! Tell Chu Yunfei."

Eastern hills.

Wang Feng had just stepped into the new command post, and before he had time to change his perspective, Sergei walked towards him quickly.

"Sir, urgent call from Chihe Town!"

"."

Sergei read slowly.

Before Wang Feng could even sit down, he stood up immediately and said, "Approve the crossing of the river, establish a bridgehead, and do our best to contain the Japanese army!"

Then he looked at the map hanging on the wall.

It was not as clear as the three-dimensional combat map in my mind, and it was drawn very roughly. Some hidden mountain trails were not marked at all.

It looks like an airtight cage that is meant to trap people.

Wang Feng lowered his head and glanced at his watch.

Half past two in the morning.

There are still four or five hours before dawn.

Such a short period of time may not be significant in a large-scale military operation, but in a small battlefield with a radius of 30 kilometers, it is enough for a lot of things to happen.

If the Japanese army came back in time, the eastern hills would be his prison.

This flanking force of 3,000 soldiers will be surrounded here.

The Japanese troops heading north along the Beijing-Shanghai line adopted the method of marching in brigades, with new troops arriving at the front line almost every day.

The consequences of being surrounded can be imagined.

And if he could intercept the Japanese reinforcements, he was confident that he could destroy the Japanese headquarters before dawn.

By then, the Japanese troops on the east bank of the Chi River were leaderless and were being attacked from both sides.

It will surely collapse on its own.

The competition is about who acts faster and executes the plan more resolutely.

Sergei quickly ran out to send the telegram.

Wang Feng immersed his consciousness in the three-dimensional combat map.

At the northernmost boundary of the bird's-eye view, the Japanese headquarters appeared before our eyes.

Signal soldiers and messengers came in and out.

Wang Feng adjusted his perspective and "entered" the command center.

Based on his military rank, he recognized the Japanese officer at a glance.

Numata Norishige had no idea that at this moment, there was a pair of eyes silently watching him.

"Where is the Matsui Battalion?"

Staff officer: "The vanguard is being transported by a motor vehicle squadron, and there are still ten kilometers to go."

Numata Tokushige was proud of himself.

"well!"

"Chinese soldiers are so cunning!"

"But in the face of true strength, all conspiracies and tricks will be exposed!"

The staff officer flattered him: "Your Excellency has a good idea!"

"We saw through the Chinese army's plot at a glance. If the battle goes well tonight, we will be able to cross the river smoothly tomorrow morning!"

Wang Feng looked at the two of them coldly, feeling disdainful.

Although I couldn't hear what they were saying specifically, I could tell from their expressions that they were definitely plotting something.

Numata Tokushige couldn't hide his smile and stroked his mustache: "Don't jump to conclusions yet. The tactical penetration of this Chinese army is indeed worthy of attention."

"The commander is quite courageous. No wonder Kunisaki Noboru was defeated by this army."

"If I have the chance, I must meet him in person!"

Numata Tokushige was already beaming with joy.

Kunisaki was defeated by the so-called North China Battle Group. If his plan succeeded, he would definitely be able to completely surround this force.

Round it up.

Doesn't it mean that his command ability is far stronger than Kunisaki Noboru's?

Precisely because we are classmates, we are more competitive.

Excited, Numata Tokushige glanced at the map and said, "Move the headquarters two kilometers north."

Anyone who can become a major general is not a fool.

The Chinese army infiltrated into the hinterland, which was equivalent to putting a gun directly to the head.

Numata Norishige is not so arrogant as to say this.

Looking at the movement in the Japanese headquarters, Wang Feng frowned.

What is this going to do?
Migrate as soon as you lock on to your target
In the past, Wang Feng would have transmitted the coordinates to the heavy artillery position and carried out a long-range decapitation bombardment.

But the current situation is not very realistic.

According to the distance calculated on the three-dimensional combat map, the distance between the Japanese headquarters and the heavy artillery battalion was about 20 kilometers.

It's just too far away and out of reach.

Wang Feng consciously exited the bird's-eye view and passed on the specific coordinates.

"All troops temporarily abandon their original objectives and quickly advance towards the Japanese headquarters!"

Then he sat on the chair, looking calm and composed.

There's no point in running.
He was able to roughly determine the transfer route of the Japanese command. He only needed to order the soldiers to search in a specific direction, and he was sure to gain something.

From a bird's-eye view.

Orders were issued step by step, and all the troops advanced quickly, like a spike, breaking through the Japanese army's numerous defenses.

The entire eastern hills were in flames and war.

Faced with the sudden intrusion and penetration, the Japanese army found it difficult to put up an effective resistance due to the lack of heavy weapons.

You can only keep retreating, again and again!

When they heard that they were going to attack the Japanese headquarters, the soldiers' speed of the long-distance raid increased a lot.

Wang Fengneng could visibly feel that the 'little green dot' in front of him seemed to have been accelerated.

It’s not easy for the command center to relocate.

Communication radio stations, later supplies, tables and chairs, maps, ornaments, etc. all need to be processed.

The hilly roads are rugged and the depressions are flooded, so it is not an easy task to transport these large goods.

In terms of speed, they are definitely not as fast as the professional mountain combat soldiers who are on the attack.

The distance between the two sides is getting closer.

Wang Feng breathed a sigh of relief and turned his attention to the east bank of Chi River.

Since the war broke out, Chu Yunfei has been silent for a long time and has been stationed on the northern battlefield.

Stay away from the front-line headquarters.

Now that I finally have the opportunity to show my talents, I must definitely perform well.

This was also the first battle he had experienced since joining Wang Feng.

Most of the core officers of his corps came from the 358th Regiment, and he couldn't let his brother troops make a fool of themselves.

I feel like recruiting a useless troop.

Adjutant Sun Ming: "Sir, the vanguard has crossed the river!"

"The devils on the other side have reacted and are currently engaging in a small-scale battle!"

Chu Yunfei nodded: "Okay! Tell the brothers to quickly establish a bridgehead and strike hard at the Japanese army!"

"We have to fight this battle well!"

"Tied down as many Japanese troops as possible to create time for the commander's actions!"

Sun Ming patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, sir. Even if I die, I will never bring shame to our army!"

　G!!!

　　I have the flu.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)