Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 198 Retreat
Just as the news of Ushijima Minoru's capture caused a huge uproar in the rear, and even the Military Commission in Wuhan was tense because of it, Su Yaoyang and his Shanxi militia on the front line did not have much time to savor the joy of victory.

The cruelty of war lies in the fact that it never stops just because one side has achieved a partial victory.

The capture of Ushijima Sanetsune and Kinemura Hisazo was indeed a commendable and brilliant victory, which greatly damaged the morale of the Japanese 20th Division and paralyzed its command system.

However, the 20th Division was, after all, a veteran elite Class A division of the Japanese army. After losing command, some of the remaining troops continued to resist stubbornly, while others, led by officers at all levels, desperately tried to break through to the designated assembly point or the direction of friendly forces.

After making a breakthrough, the Shanxi militia under Su Yaoyang's command, including John's tank battalion and the militia's first and second main regiments, launched a fierce pursuit along the route of the retreating Japanese army towards Taiyuan.

There was only one objective: to annihilate as many Japanese troops as possible and expand the gains of the war.

On the dusty, rough dirt road, a line of Dodge 10-wheel trucks loaded with supplies were struggling to move forward. It wasn't that the drivers didn't want to go faster, but this kind of broken road only allowed them to go this fast.

On both sides of the road, there were many soldiers carrying weapons on foot.

Old Cao carried his M1919 Browning machine gun and marched forward. The August sun was particularly scorching, and Old Cao and many soldiers were sunburned and their skin peeled off in several layers. They all cursed as they marched.

"Old Cao, do you think we should attack Taiyuan?" a private first class carrying a Garand rifle asked Old Cao.

"Don't ask me, I don't know either," Old Cao replied irritably. The machine gun on his shoulder weighed 28 kilograms, and just carrying this iron thing while marching was already very strenuous. Where would he find the extra energy to answer such a question?

"Old Cao, you're a sergeant, how come you don't even know?" the private continued to ask.

Old Cao felt his patience was about to be exhausted by this kid, and rolled his eyes: "Sergeant is nothing, you can ask me that question when I'm promoted to lieutenant colonel."

And don't ask any more questions. Let me have some peace and quiet.

Just as the two were talking, something unexpected happened!

Suddenly, a burst of gunfire erupted from a dense hilly area on the right side of the road!
The soldiers, already very familiar with warfare, immediately recognized that it was not the firepower that the remnants of the 20th Division could unleash, but rather an organized, fierce, and torrential barrage!
"Bang bang bang!"

"Clap clap clap!"

"Da da da da da!"

The crisp bursts of the Type 38 rifle, the rapid bursts of the Type 92 light machine gun, and the muffled yet rhythmic roar of the Type 92 heavy machine gun instantly intertwined into a deadly net of fire, sweeping across the flanks of the pursuing militia force!

"Ambush! Enemy attack! Take cover!" The soldiers at the front immediately felt the sudden attack.

Experienced veterans almost reflexively dropped to the ground, seeking cover. Some inexperienced recruits, after their initial shock, cried out in panic, and some were even shot and fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

"Boom!" A grenade fired from a grenade launcher landed precisely in the middle of a group of soldiers charging forward. The blast wave knocked two soldiers to the ground, their severed limbs mixed with dirt and blood splattering everywhere. A piercing scream shattered the original clamor of the battlefield.

"It's the Japanese reinforcements! Damn it! Where did these bastards come from?!" Wang Shouxin lay on a embankment, observing the enemy situation through binoculars while cursing loudly.

Through his binoculars, he could clearly see a large number of Japanese soldiers in khaki uniforms emerging from the hilly area. They quickly deployed into battle formations and, taking advantage of the terrain, built a series of intersecting defensive lines of fire.

These men were highly skilled marksmen and worked in perfect unison, clearly a well-trained elite force.

The Japanese army that suddenly appeared was the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade of the Japanese Army, which was ordered to come to the aid of the 20th Division. This brigade had a total of four infantry battalions.

The commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade was Toshito Imagawa, a man with a gloomy personality. After learning of the 20th Division's defeat, he did not blindly rush to reinforce it. Instead, he ordered his troops to hide, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows. At the most critical moment, he revealed his deadly fangs to the Shanxi militia.

The tank battalion reacted the fastest after being hit by the sudden attack.

Upon discovering the attack on his flank, John immediately ordered all Sherman tanks to turn around and face the enemy with their thick frontal armor, while simultaneously unleashing a fierce barrage of machine gun fire on the Japanese strongpoints.

"All tanks! Fire at three o'clock! Suppress enemy fire! Infantry! Find cover and hold your ground!" John's voice was hoarse from the continuous shouting, but it was still clear and decisive.

However, it is clear that the Japanese 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade also knew that the Shanxi militia had armored units and had even prepared a lot of weapons specifically designed to deal with tanks.

Instead of foolishly engaging the tanks in a direct confrontation with rifles, they quickly organized anti-tank teams.

Some Japanese soldiers crouched low, using the terrain for cover, and stealthily approached the Sherman tank on the road. They carried cluster grenades or magnetic anti-tank grenades, their eyes filled with madness and determination.

"Whoosh!"

An armor-piercing round fired from a Type 97 anti-tank rifle grazed the turret of a Sherman tank, emitting a piercing whistle. Although it failed to penetrate the armor, it still gave the crew inside the tank a fright.

Immediately afterwards, several Japanese soldiers suddenly rushed out from a hidden ditch and charged at a Sherman tank that was firing fiercely.

One of the Japanese soldiers was riddled with bullets by the Browning 12.7mm M2 machine gun on the tank when he was still more than ten meters away from it. His body was sent flying backward like a rag doll.

However, another Japanese soldier successfully rushed to the side of the tank, forcefully attached the magnetic anti-tank mine in his hand to the tank's track guard, and then quickly rolled backward to avoid it.

With a deafening roar, the left track of the Sherman tank was blown off, billowing thick smoke. The massive vehicle came to a stop, tilted and unable to move.

Although the crew inside the tank may not have suffered fatal injuries, the tank has been temporarily rendered combat ineffective.

"Damn it! They have anti-tank weapons! Infantry! Protect the tanks! Take out those Japanese demolition experts!" Major John roared angrily as he saw his tanks being damaged.

Fortunately, after the initial panic, the soldiers quickly organized a counterattack under the command of officers at all levels.

Using tanks or the terrain, they engaged in fierce firefights with the suddenly appearing Japanese troops. Bullets whistled between the two sides' positions, and soldiers fell frequently, struck by bullets. On the battlefield, gunfire, artillery fire, explosions, shouts of battle, and screams mingled together, creating a brutal and bloody scene.
"Damn it, which Japanese unit is this? How did they suddenly appear?"

Less than three minutes after the attack, Su Yaoyang received a report from the front-line troops, and he was surprised and cursed.

Although the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade was not as elite as the 20th Division, they were well-rested and had an exceptionally strong fighting spirit.

Having secured advantageous terrain, they constructed a temporary defensive line and unleashed a fierce barrage of fire from precise rifle fire, grenade launchers, and Type 92 heavy machine guns at the pursuing Shanxi militia.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Da da da!"

A hail of bullets rained down on the road, many striking the tank armor with a clanging sound and sending sparks flying.

Some militia soldiers surrounding the tank had no time to dodge and were shot and fell to the ground.

"Take cover! Take cover now! The Japanese reinforcements are here!"

The officers shouted themselves hoarse, directing the soldiers to find cover on the spot and organize a counterattack.

In this unexpected encounter, the tank battalion was caught somewhat off guard.

Although the Sherman tank was extremely powerful, in this kind of encounter, facing well-prepared Japanese infantry anti-tank teams (who carried a considerable number of magnetic anti-tank mines and cluster grenades), the tank crews dared not be too reckless.

The tanks were forced to slow down, and the gunners searched anxiously for Japanese firing positions while suppressing the enemy with their 75mm main guns and machine guns.

The originally unstoppable offensive suddenly slowed down due to the tenacious resistance of these four Japanese battalions.

The two sides engaged in a fierce tug-of-war across the hills and ravines. Gunfire, explosions, and shouts of battle filled the air, and smoke once again blanketed the entire battlefield.

Although the militia soldiers remained in high spirits, casualties began to rise rapidly in the face of the Japanese army's accurate firepower and tenacious defense. Soldiers were constantly being shot and fell, carried to the rear on stretchers, revealing the brutality of the battlefield.

The battlefield became a giant meat grinder, mercilessly devouring the lives of soldiers on both sides. Blood stained the yellow earth, and smoke obscured the sky. The intensity of the battle exceeded many people's expectations.

"Commander-in-Chief! Commander-in-Chief! Requesting reinforcements... The Japanese firepower is too fierce! Our troops have suffered heavy losses!" Wu Qingyun, Chief of Staff of the First Regiment, anxiously reported to Su Yaoyang via radio.

"Tank battalion report! Multiple Japanese anti-tank positions spotted ahead! Requesting infantry support to clear them!" John, the tank battalion commander, also sent a request.

Su Yaoyang, who had just arrived, stood on a shoal, holding binoculars and watching the stalemate with a furrowed brow. He knew that if he could not quickly break through the Japanese army's blockade, not only would he be unable to annihilate the remnants of the 20th Division, but his own troops might also be bogged down in a bitter battle and worn down by the enemy.

Just then, a communications officer rushed over in a panic, handing over a newly received intelligence report: "Commander! Urgent intelligence!"
Reconnaissance troops discovered signs of a large-scale Japanese troop buildup east of Wutai County! Their vanguard appears to be moving towards our flank!
According to reconnaissance, the opposing force belonged to the 108th Division.

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Su Yaoyang's heart sank.

The 108th Division was another major Japanese division in Shanxi Province, near the Zhongtiao Mountains. If they were to advance from the east, our troops would face the danger of being attacked from both sides! On one side was the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, which was putting up a fierce resistance, and on the other side was the even more powerful 108th Division. Once surrounded, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Cold sweat beaded on Su Yaoyang's forehead. He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Although the temptation to annihilate the remnants of the 20th Division was great, preserving his own strength and preventing his troops from being driven into a desperate situation was more important.

This operation has already achieved a brilliant result, such as capturing Ushijima Sanetsugu, and the strategic objective has been basically achieved. There is no need to risk the annihilation of the entire army and fight the Japanese head-on.

"Damn it! Those Japanese devils reacted fast enough!" Su Yaoyang cursed under his breath, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by decisiveness.

He abruptly lowered his binoculars and decisively ordered: "Pass on my orders! All units immediately cease pursuit! Provide alternating cover and gradually disengage from the enemy in front of us! The tank battalion will cover the rear and escort the main force's retreat! The entire army will retreat and consolidate its defenses towards Wutai County!"

"Commander! Wouldn't it be a shame to let the 20th Division go like this?" a young staff officer couldn't help but say.

Su Yaoyang glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "Now is not the time to regret! Preserving our strength is the only way to win more battles! Execute orders!"

"Yes, Commander!"

With Su Yaoyang's order, the various units of the Shanxi militia, which were still engaged in fierce fighting with the Japanese Second Independent Mixed Brigade, began to retreat in shifts.

John led his tank battalion, using the Sherman tanks' thick armor and powerful firepower to continuously fire from the rear, suppressing the Japanese pursuit and covering the infantry's safe withdrawal.

Although the Japanese 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade temporarily halted the militia's offensive, they also paid a considerable price. Moreover, their main objective was to support the remnants of the 20th Division, not to engage in a decisive battle with the militia.

After the militia withdrew, they did not pursue them too deeply. Instead, they quickly gathered the defeated troops of the 20th Division and began to build a new defensive line.

A pursuit that could have escalated into a larger-scale annihilation battle ended with the Shanxi militia's voluntary withdrawal due to the emergence of new enemy information and the commander's decisive decision.

The situation on the battlefield is constantly changing, full of unknowns and dangers.

Although Su Yaoyang was somewhat disappointed that he could not achieve his goal in one battle, he was also glad that he was able to prevent his troops from falling into greater danger in time. After all, war is never just a series of triumphant advances.

Throughout the vast history of humankind, there are countless examples of battles where one moment a triumphant advance turns into utter annihilation the next.

Zhuge Liang was cautious throughout his life... This is also a phrase that Su Yaoyang often reminds himself of.

Never act rashly or you'll be the next one to fail.

(End of this chapter)