Blood-Red Front

"Brother Yu'an, have you received orders from your superiors?"

"Received it." Qiu Yu'an laughed, "Brother Zhiyuan, it has to be you, you're really tough."

"Now that the mission is confirmed, let's get straight to the point. I've drafted an operation plan and sent someone to deliver it to you. Let me briefly explain it to you."

"Okay, go ahead." Qiu Yu'an's expression turned serious.

"The General Staff reinforced the two reserve infantry regiments and the 1st Battalion of the 8th Artillery Regiment into the assault combat group."

"I plan to use two regiments to monitor the 14th Brigade and three regiments to attack Dingjiacun, Majiapo, and Yangjiaba respectively, and launch a pincer attack on the newly formed 7th Regiment from the west."

"The 1st Battalion of the 8th Artillery Regiment of the 5th Division launched attacks on Kazigang, Erhecun, and Yangjiaba from the front and east, while coordinating with the defense of Yangjiaba to completely sever the connection between the 7th Regiment and the 9th Division."

"If we can cut off the newly formed 7th Regiment, we'll have won half the battle."

With a troop ratio of five to one and an absolute artillery advantage, even if the newly formed 7th Regiment was highly capable, it would be impossible for it to withstand the fierce attack of two divisions.

"No problem, I will absolutely obey orders!" Qiu Yu'an affirmed.

"With a heavy artillery battalion plus my copycat mountain gun battalion, suppressing the enemy head-on is not a problem."

Although the Kremlin mountain gun was not of the best quality, it was still a 75mm caliber mountain gun, which could easily destroy the fortifications of the Rising Army. With the addition of heavy artillery bombardment, the Rising Army would definitely not be able to withstand it.

"The operation is scheduled for tonight. You bring your psychic powers, and we'll keep in touch."

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Guan Jianchu asked from the side, "Are the 6th and 3rd Regiments continuing to hold their positions?"

"That's right," Lin Zhiyuan said. "I led the 502nd Regiment, the mountain artillery battalion, and two reinforced regiments to launch a surprise attack on the flank of the 7th Regiment from General Mountain."

"You will take unified command of the 3rd and 6th Regiments to monitor the newly promoted 14th Brigade. I will leave a psychic at the command post so we can communicate at any time if there are any problems."

Long before he needed three psychics, Lin Zhiyuan had already planned the allocation: one for the command post, one for the cannon company, and one for the mountain artillery battalion.

This way, even if Lin Zhiyuan is on the front line, he can still contact Shang Kebing at any time to command and mobilize artillery support.

Since arriving in this world, this is the first time Lin Zhiyuan has taken the initiative to launch an attack, and it's an encirclement battle. He intends to give the newly promoted army a little shock.

"Then I'll have all departments prepare. Pack what needs to be packed up, and burn what needs to be burned," Guan Jianchu said.

After defeating the 7th Regiment, the next step is to break through. The 404th Detachment is now a large and powerful force, and it's not something they can just leave on a whim.

"Get ready."

……

Everything was normal during the day. The 14th Brigade was still digging, the 9th Division was still shelling, and the 7th Regiment continued to advance into the Yushan area after capturing the Qinhuai River Bridge.

Everything seemed to be progressing in the direction initially set by the newly promoted army. However, at night, the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division, which had been silent until then, took action.

According to the established battle plan, Lin Zhiyuan led three regiments out from Jiangjunshan East and directly attacked the flank of the 7th Regiment; Qiu Yu'an also led the main force of the 5th Division to surround the 7th Regiment from the front and the east.

Knowing that it was an isolated force deep in enemy territory, the 7th Regiment deployed a large number of reconnaissance troops around it. As soon as the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division moved, the 7th Regiment immediately noticed something was amiss.

"Commander, something's not right. Reconnaissance units in all directions are reporting unusual movements by the Xia army. Are they planning to surround us?" the chief of staff reported.

Colonel Heishiro, commander of the 7th Regiment, frowned as he looked at the abnormal locations marked on the map.

"The situation is indeed somewhat unusual. Call the division headquarters to inquire whether we need to temporarily retreat to the bridgehead position."

It's normal for reconnaissance units to fight in only one or two places, but if fighting is happening everywhere, then something is not quite right.

To Heishiro's surprise, Yoshino did not agree to his request to retreat after hearing his report.

"Colonel Heishiro, don't get too worked up over such trivial matters," Yoshino said.

"Xia Jun is currently being overwhelmed by our attacks, and the likelihood of him launching a preemptive strike is very small."

"Moreover, even if the Xia army takes the initiative to attack, I don't believe they have the ability to wipe out a reinforced regiment."

"Division Commander, according to reconnaissance, the 404th Detachment to the west of Xia Army and the 5th Division to the front are both active. They are likely to attack our troops from both sides," Heishiro reported.

"Isn't this a good thing?" Yoshino laughed.

"If Xia Jun takes the initiative to attack, you should keep them occupied. The main force of the 9th Division will cross the Qinhuai River immediately to launch a counter-encirclement."

"If necessary, the 14th Brigade and the 16th Division will also join the battle."

If the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division were to leave their positions and engage in field battles, Yoshino would be overjoyed; field battles were what the newly promoted army loved most.

"Yes, sir! I understand, division commander!"

Because the decision to break out was made by the General Staff, Chu Shengjun was unaware that Xia Jun was preparing to break out.

After hanging up the phone, Heishiro thought about it and still felt that the 7th Regiment's current deployment was somewhat risky, so he ordered: "Have all infantry battalions consolidate their defenses, and have tank companies conduct mobile patrols around the command post."

"If the Xia army launches a major attack, all units must hold their positions. If the Xia army does not make a move, we will resume the attack tomorrow."

"Hi!"

While the newly promoted 7th Regiment was completely unaware, the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division were laying down their trap as planned.

……

At 11 p.m., the 502nd Regiment's position.

After glancing at his watch, Gu Zhizhen ordered, "Time's up. Mortar company, open fire. All battalions, proceed with the plan."

According to the battle plan, the 502nd Regiment fired the first shot of the battle. After they launched their attack on Yangjiaba, the rest of the troops would launch a simultaneous attack.

"Boom!" "Boom!"...

502团的6门100毫米迫击炮和18门82毫米迫击炮速射开火，整个杨家坝火光四起。

At this time, Yangjiaba only had one reinforced company of the newly promoted army. Suddenly, they were hit by a fierce artillery barrage, and they were completely stunned.

Before the newly promoted army could even figure out what was going on, the 1st Battalion of the 502nd Regiment had already launched a fierce attack under the cover of artillery fire.

"Fire! Fire!"

The newly promoted company commander shouted for his troops to intercept the enemy while anxiously pleading for backup over the phone.

"Commander, the Xia army's offensive is extremely fierce! Requesting reinforcements! Requesting reinforcements!"

"Hold on!" Heishiro shouted. "We must defend the bridge! Reinforcements are on their way!"

This bridge over the Qinhuai River served as a support route for the 9th Division and a retreat route for the 7th Regiment, making its importance to the 7th Regiment self-evident.

The consequences of losing the bridge would be unimaginable.

After hanging up the phone, Heishiro immediately told his chief of staff, "Request reinforcements from the division! The Xia army has really launched a general offensive!"

After the artillery barrage at Yangjiaba, all units of the 7th Regiment reported being attacked. Heishiro was unable to spare a single person and could only hope that the division's support would arrive quickly.

However, when the chief of staff picked up the phone to contact the division headquarters, he suddenly found that the call could not be connected.

"Commander, communications have been cut off!"

"What?!" Heishiro realized something was terribly wrong. "Send a telegram! Send a telegram immediately!"

……