Chapter 15: The 358th Regiment Comes Under Artillery Fire, and Chu Yunfei Nearly Ends Up Like Sakata

“Cui Ya, the 358th Regiment is the pride of our Second War Zone. We absolutely cannot let anything happen to it!”

Sensing Commander Yan’s resolute attitude, Sun Cuiya’s gaze swept over to the telegram resting beside the old Yan.

“The situation at Ruyuekou has become so critical...”

...

Chu Yunfei was unsure when the reinforcements would arrive.

But early the next morning, after a brief respite, the Japanese puppet forces launched another assault.

This time, the little devils had learned to behave.

Each attack was carried out in squads.

They no longer charged straight in but exchanged fire with the Jin-Sui soldiers from about two hundred meters away.

The scheming was obvious, but the soldiers of the Second Battalion were no fools either.

They tucked themselves safely in the trenches, not showing a head.

Meanwhile, the Japanese altered their usual tactics, crawling on the ground inching closer to the defenses.

In the distant sky above,

a hot air balloon slowly ascended.

This massive target captured everyone’s attention on the battlefield.

“Damn it, it’s a Japanese artillery observation balloon!”

Wu Ziqiang didn’t hesitate and immediately called the regimental headquarters.

From his vantage point, Chu Yunfei was well aware of the situation.

Though the artillery observation balloon was an outdated tactic,

it proved quite effective on Chinese battlefields.

“Regimental Commander, I’ve spotted a Japanese observation balloon rising near the battlefield. I fear they will target our fire positions precisely!”

“Our Second Battalion requests permission to launch an offensive...”

Taking the initiative to attack might very well eliminate those devils.

But it could also fall into a trap laid by the enemy.

Chu Yunfei couldn’t afford the risk.

“No! No one is allowed to show themselves. Beware of Japanese artillery fire. Our fortifications and bomb shelters weren’t dug in vain!”

“Understood, Commander. We promise to hold the line!”

Wu Ziqiang then shifted his tone: “Commander, perhaps we could request support from the higher command...”

“I will send a telegram to Commander Yan to request aerial support. You don’t need to worry about that!”

“Yes!”

True to his word, Chu Yunfei immediately ordered the confidential secretary to send a telegram to the Second War Zone Command.

But when or if air support would arrive was uncertain.

Currently, the entire air force over Shanxi came from units stationed around Xi’an.

Counting them all, there were only three air squadrons deployed—

the 7th, the 27th, and the 28th (which was understrength by a third).

Their main aircraft were relatively outdated Hawk 2 and Hawk 3 models.

Still, intercepting Japanese observation balloons was no problem.

Confronting the Japanese air force’s main units, however, would be perilous.

Upon receiving the telegram, the Second War Zone immediately dispatched the 28th Air Squadron under Commander Yan’s orders.

Though not the air force’s main force, the 28th was the only unit Yan could mobilize at the moment.

The battle at Ruyuekou raged on relentlessly, the Japanese attacks almost unceasing.

Whenever soldiers dared to expose themselves for counterattacks,

Japanese artillery would shell their machine gun positions within three minutes.

Most daunting were the veteran Japanese soldiers wielding grenade launchers.

The artillery barrage three minutes later posed little threat to the soldiers—at worst, their fortifications were destroyed, forcing a retreat.

But the grenade launchers fired rapidly.

In the hands of the elite Japanese veterans, their accuracy could reach a staggering eighty-five percent.

Some soldiers were blown down before they could even relocate their machine guns, suffering injuries or death.

As such losses mounted, the Second Battalion’s machine gunners quickly adjusted their tactics.

From fixed fire positions, they switched to guerrilla-style hit-and-run tactics.

They would fire a burst and immediately withdraw, sometimes even firing on the move.

After hours of fighting,

Chu Yunfei sensed something amiss.

The engagements had not resulted in heavy casualties on either side.

It seemed the Japanese had shifted strategy to exhaust the 358th Regiment’s ammunition and artillery shells.

Though the Japanese logistics were poor,

they still far outmatched those of the Jin-Sui Army.

Ruyuekou had been held almost a week now.

Unless they had received no resupply at all,

the situation was hardly dire.

The Second Battalion’s casualties were mounting.

Sometimes the Japanese even managed to breach the defenses and engage in brutal close-quarters combat.

Once these elite Japanese soldiers shed their arrogance, they became incredibly formidable foes.

Chu Yunfei found himself without other options.

He ordered a continued fallback of the defensive line and dispatched the Third Battalion, held in reserve, to relieve the Second Battalion.

Wu Ziqiang, commander of the Second Battalion, strode up to the command post.

Chu Yunfei approached and straightened his uniform: “Second Battalion fought well. I’ve seen everything. I’ll make sure to report your merits to our superiors.”

“Commander, our Second Battalion only needs some ammunition resupply...”

Chu Yunfei waved him off: “No. You will withdraw to Fanshi County and await further orders.”

Wu Ziqiang was taken aback, confused: “Withdraw? Commander... we still have over four hundred men!”

The Japanese renewed their assault, and the 427th Regiment’s lines were on the verge of collapse.

On the battle map,

numerous small red dots representing the Japanese were infiltrating behind the front lines.

The flank of the 358th Regiment was in grave danger of being lost.

Chu Yunfei had no time to explain further.

He turned and raised his binoculars.

Fang Ligong quickly stepped forward, whispering sharply: “Captain Wu, obey the order!”

“Yes, sir!”

Fang Ligong stood beside Chu Yunfei, quietly reminding him: “Commander, no word yet from the Second War Zone Command... is that right?”

Chu Yunfei furrowed his brow and nodded: “Ligong, follow the plan and evacuate the civilians from the vicinity of Fanshi County.”

“Yes, sir!”

After receiving Chu Yunfei’s orders, Fang Ligong turned and left.

At the command post, only Chu Yunfei and Sun Ming remained, aside from the confidential secretary and aides.

The phone rang; Sun Ming hurried over and answered.

Moments later, he hung up: “Commander, the 427th Regiment’s line has been broken by the Japanese. Regiment Commander Li Dashan was killed... Brigade Commander Liang is seriously wounded and was rescued by the guard squad. Situation looks grim.”

“Send a telegram to Commander Yan. It seems Ruyuekou...”

A thunderous explosion shook the command post.

“Commander, watch out!”

Sun Ming lunged forward, pressing Chu Yunfei down.

When the shelling ceased, Sun Ming shook off the dust: “Commander, are you alright?”

“Looks like our position has been exposed. Our antenna is too conspicuous. Order the Third Battalion to fight a fighting retreat...”