sjar Chapter 299 Chu Yunfei's Concerns
Chapter 299 Chu Yunfei's Concerns
The front battlefield of Luzigou was filled with smoke and artillery fire.
Thousands of Japanese troops from the 116th Regiment launched round after round of fierce attacks on the positions of the 358th Regiment like a tide.
Shouts and sounds of gunfire rang out on the battlefield as both sides waged a brutal offensive and defensive battle on this land.
The position changed hands several times during the fierce firefight, and each battle was accompanied by huge sacrifices.
Under the powerful offensive of the Japanese, the defense lines of the 358th Regiment were lost one after another. They were forced to shrink their defense and retreat to the last line of defense to put up a final resistance.
The battle had lasted for nearly three hours. During these short three hours, the 3th Regiment suffered nearly 358 casualties, while the attacking Japanese also suffered heavy losses, with casualties exceeding 800.
Although the number of Japanese troops was greater than that of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, the 358th Regiment still held its position, even though they knew that even if they fought a war of attrition, the Japanese troops might exhaust their last bit of strength.
Regiment commander Chu Yunfei led the way and personally brought his guards to the battlefield to fight with the soldiers, which greatly boosted the soldiers' morale.
"Commander, we have suffered nearly 1700 casualties, and the remaining soldiers are exhausted. If this continues, the 358th Regiment will be finished." Deputy Commander Hu Dahai ran to Chu Yunfei with a dusty face and said anxiously.
Chu Yunfei said: "Old Hu, we have no way to retreat now. The only way we can stand a chance is to hold on and wait for reinforcements.
We now have an advantageous terrain and can barely hold off the enemy's attack. Once we break out and lose the advantage of terrain, the 358th Regiment will immediately be in dire straits."
After hearing what Chu Yunfei said, Deputy Regiment Commander Hu said anxiously: "Commander, given our current situation, we can only hold out for 4 to 5 hours at most. If reinforcements don't arrive, it will be the end."
Chu Yunfei took a deep breath. He knew that time was life for them. "Okay, I got it. I'll contact the reinforcements and ask them to speed up. You go and comfort the soldiers."
"It's the regimental commander."
Deputy Head Hu saluted and turned to leave.
Chu Yunfei quickly returned to the headquarters, and as soon as he entered the room, he eagerly asked Ligong: "Ligong, how is the contact? When will the reinforcements arrive?"
Fang Ligong stood up quickly and said, "Commander, we just received a message from the Eighth Route Army Independent Column. They have sent troops near Luzigou to provide reinforcements."
Chu Yunfei asked, "How many people are here? How long will it take for them to arrive?"
Fang Ligong's answer made Chu Yunfei's mood plummet instantly: "Um, Commander. The independent column only has one battalion of troops. They are expected to arrive in an hour."
"what?"
Chu Yunfei's voice rose several degrees. He could hardly believe his ears.
"It's just one battalion of soldiers. What's the point of having one battalion of soldiers? The Japs have nearly 4,000 to 5,000 men. If they send one battalion of soldiers here, they will just be sending themselves to die."
Fang Ligong walked up to Chu Yunfei and whispered, "Commander, maybe this independent column has no intention of rescuing the 358th Regiment, so they only sent a battalion of soldiers to help."
Chu Yunfei shook his head after hearing this: "No, based on my understanding of the Eighth Route Army, they will not stand by and watch someone die. Maybe there is something special about this battalion."
But his voice became smaller and smaller, and in the end even he didn't believe it anymore.
Chu Yunfei sighed heavily: "It seems that we can no longer count on the Eighth Route Army's rescue. As long as we can hold on until night, there is hope. We will force a breakout at night."
Fang Ligong nodded, he knew this was their only choice.
He turned around quickly and began to make preparations for a breakout, while ordering the soldiers to make a final resistance and buy time.
Chu Yunfei walked out of the command center again and came to the battlefield. He wanted to personally command the battle and boost morale.
He knew that the next few hours would be a life-and-death struggle, and they had to hold every inch of land until nightfall before they could look for an opportunity to break out.
.............
40 minute later.
Battalion commander Wang Shu led the soldiers of the first battalion to march quickly through the rugged mountainous area.
"Comrades, hurry up, Luzigou is just ahead, hurry up."
Wang Shu's voice echoed in the team.
"Run, those behind you should run faster."
He continued to urge, and the soldiers heard the battalion commander's words and quickened their pace, even though they were already exhausted.
When they were 500 meters away from Luzigou, the sound of fierce gunfire could be clearly heard. The intensity of the battle was far beyond their imagination.
The deputy battalion commander ran to Wang Shu breathlessly, his face covered in sweat and dirt: "Battalion commander, listening to the gunshots, the battle in Luzigou is very fierce, and the number of the devils should be quite large."
Wang Shu nodded, a serious look in his eyes.
He quickly gave the order: "Deputy Battalion Commander, lead the soldiers of the first and second companies to attack the east of Luzigou to attract the enemy's troops.
I led the soldiers of the third and fourth companies to go around to the back half of Luzigou to meet the 358th Regiment. Our goal was to rescue the 358th Regiment.
So don't get too entangled with the Japanese to avoid unnecessary casualties."
"Yes, battalion commander."
After receiving the instructions, the deputy battalion commander turned around and shouted to the soldiers behind him without any hesitation,
"First and second companies, follow me."
The soldiers quickly divided into two teams, one team followed the deputy battalion commander and ran eastward, while the other team followed Wang Shu and headed towards the second half of Luzigou.
Wang Shu watched the deputy battalion commander and the soldiers from the first and second companies leave quickly. Their mission was to attract the enemy's attention and create opportunities for the next action.
Wang Shu took a deep breath, turned around, and led the soldiers from the third and fourth companies to continue advancing towards the second half of Luzigou.
As they got closer to the battlefield, the sound of gunfire became more and more intense.
Wang Shu led the soldiers through the last section of the mountain road quickly and carefully. They shuttled among the bushes and rocks, trying to stay hidden as much as possible.
When they reached a small hill, Wang Shu lay on the top of the hill and carefully observed the situation on the battlefield through a telescope.
He saw that the position of the 358th Regiment was surrounded by densely packed Japanese troops, and the enemy's offensive was wave after wave.
After a period of careful observation, Wang Shu had a clear understanding of the situation on the battlefield.
He immediately ordered the artillery platoon leader Liu next to him: "Platoon leader Liu, immediately launch an artillery attack on the encircled Japanese."
"Yes, battalion commander."
Platoon Leader Liu quickly took the order and turned around to arrange the artillery bombardment mission.
Then, Wang Shu turned to the commanders of the third and fourth companies and said, "Two company commanders, immediately launch an attack on the enemy positions after the bombardment ends. We must occupy the positions as quickly as possible and support the retreat of the 358th Regiment."
"Yes, battalion commander."
The third and fourth company commanders responded in unison.