sbdcsierra Chapter 254 Begin the Attack
Chapter 254 Begin the Attack
In the temporary command post of the independent brigade participating in the exercise, Tang Xiaohu was studying the intelligence that had been gathered.
"Deputy Regiment Commander Shen, according to the intelligence we gathered last night, the Eighth Route Army's defensive forces on our front lines don't exceed one battalion," Tang Xiaohu said, looking at the intelligence report in his hand.
"Yes, Commander. Based on the intelligence reconnaissance last night, we all made the same judgment."
"The Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment is also an old friend of ours. They are better at offense than defense, and only defending without attacking is not their style," Tang Xiaohu analyzed.
"The regimental commander is right. I suspect that another unit of the Eighth Route Army must be hiding on both sides of the position. Once we launch an attack, they will definitely attack our attacking troops from both sides."
“This way they can split our attacking forces in the middle and then defeat them one by one. If they succeed, our situation will become very dangerous,” Shen Lei continued.
"It seems we need to adjust our operational plans."
"The mission of this operation is to capture Position 501. I believe that the enemy's command post must also be located on Position 501. If we launch a feigned attack on Position 501 from the front, we can draw all the Eighth Route Army's forces over there."
"Then send a company of elite troops to flank around and infiltrate from behind to carry out a decapitation strike."
"Once we take down their command post, we can say that we have won this exercise."
"Commander, the Eighth Route Army's defenses are tight. It won't be easy to infiltrate them," Shen Lei said.
"Didn't I tell you to prepare the Eighth Route Army uniforms in advance? Are they all ready?" Tang Xiaohu asked.
"Everything is ready. I was wondering what the battalion commander was preparing these uniforms for. Now I know."
"Haha, all's fair in war, we have to give them a little surprise from the Independent Brigade." Tang Xiaohu grinned mischievously.
"This mission is not suitable for a large number of people, so we sent the reconnaissance platoon of the first battalion to carry it out. They are composed of elites selected from the new recruits, and I even sent them to the reconnaissance regiment for a month of training."
"Commander, I'm starting to worry about the Eighth Route Army on the other side."
"Don't worry, our Battalion Commander Zhou on the other side is no pushover either."
"It's a little past eight o'clock now. We'll set off promptly at nine o'clock. The attack will proceed according to plan."
"Yes."
On the other side, Zhou Zhengbiao was also discussing tactics.
"We also witnessed last night's battle. We suffered a significant loss in reconnaissance as well. We only managed to ascertain the general location of the Independent Brigade, but we failed to detect the enemy's attacking force and firepower configuration."
"Company Commander Zheng, after this exercise, your reconnaissance company must learn from the Independent Brigade. There is still a considerable gap between us and them."
"Yes," Zheng Sanqiang shouted loudly, his eyes red.
"Company Commander, have the guerrilla units responsible for harassment been dispatched yet?"
"Reporting to Battalion Commander Zhou, they've all been dispatched."
"Okay, tell them to fight flexibly and delay the Independent Brigade's attack as much as possible while preserving their own strength."
"Yes."
"Second Battalion Commander, the defense mission is now in your hands. I will lead the rest of the men to lie in ambush on the flank."
"Yes, Battalion Commander Zhou."
At 9:00 a.m., the main force of the Independent Brigade officially began its operation, advancing towards Hill 501 according to its combat formation.
"Attention, take cover!" The company commander of the 2nd Battalion, who was at the front of the column, shouted as he saw the smoking grenades thrown from both sides of the road.
The vanguard troops reacted immediately, lying down and rolling to fire warning shots toward both sides of the road.
The observation team standing by the roadside immediately determined that the people closest to the grenade had been killed and that the exercise could be terminated.
Several soldiers from the Independent Brigade who were deemed dead had no choice but to withdraw from the exercise.
"The first platoon quickly scouts the area."
"Yes."
More than 50 people ran out of the ranks and split into two groups to scout off to either side of the road. Soon after, the platoon leader ran back.
"Reporting to the company commander, the enemy has already escaped."
"Damn it, those bastards run really fast."
"The communications company immediately reported the situation to the regimental headquarters, and the rest of the personnel continued to advance."
"Yes.
The troops, which had been halted, continued their advance, but were soon attacked again by the Independent Regiment. After marching for two hours, they had only covered a mere kilometer.
"Commander, the Eighth Route Army's harassment tactics are really annoying. If this continues, I don't think we'll make it to Hill 501 tonight."
"They keep harassing us, one minute with a swarm of attacks, the next with a landmine. It's incredibly annoying."
"According to Plan No. 2, the 2nd Company is ordered to be responsible for guarding the flanks of the main force, while the main force advances rapidly along both sides of the road."
"Yes."
With Tang Xiaohu adjusting the marching method, the Eighth Route Army's harassment tactics were rendered ineffective for a time.
"Battalion Commander, Battalion Commander, the Independent Brigade has changed its marching method. They have sent troops to guard the flanks of the main force. Our guerrillas have already fought with them many times, but it has not affected the main force's movement."
"They are currently advancing rapidly towards our position and are expected to arrive within two hours."
"I knew guerrilla warfare wouldn't be very effective against them, but I didn't expect them to crack it so quickly," Zhou Zheng-biao remarked.
"In that case, notify the third company commander to withdraw all units."
"Yes."
In less than two hours, Tang Xiaohu led the main force to the vicinity of Hill 501 and began to set up camp.
"Second Battalion Commander, you lead your troops to probe the enemy's positions and try to expose the Eighth Route Army's firing points."
"Yes."
"First Company, Second Company, follow me!" The Second Battalion Commander immediately organized his troops and launched an attack on Hill 501 according to the "three-three system" attack formation.
For a moment, it seemed as if the entire 501 position was filled with people.
"Order all units that heavy firepower is not allowed to fire, while other personnel are free to fire."
Zhou Zheng-biao observed the situation on the position through binoculars and found that the enemy was only probing and attacking. Zhou Zheng-biao would not reveal his full strength either.
After dozens of soldiers of the Independent Brigade were "killed in action," the Second Battalion Commander led his troops to withdraw from the position in an orderly manner.
"Commander, the enemy hasn't fallen for it. Not a single heavy weapon point has been exposed."
"However, we did gain something; at least we figured out the enemy's defensive positions."
"Commander, how are we going to fight?"
"Yes, adopt a pincer movement, suppressing the sides and advancing into the middle."
"Place the strongest company of the first battalion in the middle position."
"In addition, order each company's grenade launcher platoon to cooperate with the attacking troops to clear the Eighth Route Army's firing positions."
"Since they want to take the initiative to attack us, we will not let them succeed and will find a way to force them all back to their positions."
"Yes."
After an hour of preparation, Shen Lei personally commanded his troops to launch another attack on position 501.
"Go ahead."
The sound of bullets, "rat-a-tat-tat-tat," echoed once again over Hill 501.