Chapter 17: Retreat? Chu Yunfei’s Discontent
Idealism is often full and rich, but reality frequently runs counter to it.
This time, the unit ordered to support the city of Fanshi and accomplish the mission of annihilating the enemy was the 33rd Army under Sun Chu.
According to the plan, Chu Yunfei’s troops still needed to hold their position for about two more days before the first batch of reinforcements could arrive. To complete the so-called encirclement, it would take at least ten days.
At this moment, both the Suzuki Brigade and even the Shibuya Regiment coincidentally halted their offensive.
Although they had taken the easily-defended yet difficult-to-attack Ruyue Pass, their own casualties had already reached a level that they could no longer sustain continued attacks.
Furthermore, judging from the current battlefield situation, it was not only the 5th Division at risk of being encircled and destroyed. The Suzuki Brigade itself, if it continued to advance deeper, could very well be trapped by the Jin-Sui Army in northwest Shanxi.
Upon sensing the danger, Suzuki Shigeyasu, that old devil, merely reported the situation but did not withdraw his troops. He was unwilling to relinquish the hard-won positions and was not afraid of the so-called main force of the Jin-Sui Army.
The elite 358th Regiment of the Second War Zone had already been “broken” by them. The famed Jin-Sui general Chu Yunfei had been “defeated” by them.
What fighting strength did the remaining units have?
At least after breaking through the Ruyue Pass defensive line, the arrogant spirits of the Suzuki Brigade commander and the Shibuya Regiment commander were restored.
The Jin-Sui Army was nothing but mere crickets!
Under the iron heels of the Imperial Japanese Army, they would ultimately be reduced to powder!
...
To annihilate the little devils in an organized manner was never a simple matter.
To demonstrate his determination to live and die with the Jiaochang Village position, Battalion Commander Qian Bojun stationed his entire battalion headquarters within Jiaochang Village.
The telephone line was connected directly from the first battalion headquarters to Fanshi city.
At this time, the forward command post had moved back from Jiaochang Village to within Fanshi city.
Chu Yunfei was originally not in favor of holding Jiaochang Village. Although the village was named after an ancient training ground, its terrain was flat and lacked any commanding heights.
With just two or three defensive positions, once the Japanese unleashed heavy bombardment, the fighting would inevitably devolve into street and alley warfare.
Though the little devils could not afford such attrition, they could force the puppet troops to dismount and fight in the village.
The situation was extremely tricky.
Fortunately, the Japanese had no plans to continue their assault at the moment and remained stationary.
The two armies had resumed their previous standoff.
Chu Yunfei guessed that the Japanese must have suffered considerable losses and needed reinforcements and rest.
...
Fang Ligong stood quietly nearby. When Chu Yunfei remained silent, he said nothing either.
Just as Chu Yunfei pondered a strategy to break the enemy, Sun Ming hurried over.
“Regimental Commander, urgent telegram from Commander Yan!”
“Regimental Commander, Commander Yan orders us to hand over the defense of Fanshi city to the 33rd Army of the Sixth Group Army...”
Chu Yunfei was puzzled. “Weren’t we supposed to cooperate with the 358th Regiment to annihilate the enemy? Why is there a new order all of a sudden?”
“Well...” Sun Ming was momentarily at a loss for words.
How could he know what was on Commander Yan’s mind?
Yang Chengyuan, too, was Commander Yan’s direct subordinate, but barely on the same side as their regimental commander Chu Yunfei.
Even though Ruyue Pass was primarily the defense responsibility of the 33rd Army, to suddenly intervene at this moment...
Chu Yunfei was naturally quite displeased. Now he could already imagine the resentment brewing among the soldiers and officers below.
They had fought desperately for so long against the little devils, only to be pulled back at the crucial moment.
What kind of nonsense was this?
Even bullies had their limits.
Could it be that Chu Yunfei was deemed unworthy? Or was Commander Yan afraid he would monopolize the glory?
Chu Yunfei furrowed his brows slightly. Fang Ligong spoke up in time, “Did Commander Yan order the 358th Regiment to withdraw anywhere?”
“To Xing County for rest.”
“Apparently, the Eighth Route Army is supposed to cross the river there to provide support. We are tasked with securing the crossing and verifying their identities...”
Chu Yunfei suddenly understood.
Withdrawal to Xing County...
Before they seized Taiyuan along the Zhengtai-Tongpu railway line, the Japanese had not considered the barren northwest Shanxi region.
Northwest Shanxi was not a primary offensive direction at all.
“It seems Commander Yan fears the 358th Regiment will be completely worn out!”
“In that case, issue orders: hold the final post firmly! If the Japanese launch an attack, resist fiercely!”
“Yes!”
Chu Yunfei made a call. “Qian Bojun!”
“Regimental Commander, Qian Bojun standing by!”
“No special orders. Prepare yourselves. The main force of the 33rd Army will soon relieve your defensive positions.”
“Regimental Commander, what is going on?”
“Commander Yan’s order: withdraw to Xing County for rest...”
“What? Regimental Commander, the command headquarters just issued a military order to entrap and annihilate the Japanese... How can they pull us back now? I just don’t understand...”
“If you don’t understand, think it over slowly when you return. Obey orders!”
...
Qian Bojun sighed heavily. “Sigh!”
The 33rd Army was originally the main force defending the Ruyue Pass line.
But the previous battles had been fought mainly by the 358th Regiment and the 203rd Brigade.
Their main force had suffered relatively little damage.
From a strategic perspective, Commander Yan’s decision was naturally beyond reproach.
But to withdraw them at such a critical moment made Chu Yunfei somewhat uncomfortable.
Fortunately, he did not hesitate.
Taking advantage of the Japanese not attacking, he ordered a tally of losses and captured equipment.
In the blink of an eye, half a day had passed.
The statistics from each battalion were all gathered by Fang Ligong.
Holding the reports, Fang Ligong’s expression seemed somewhat worried.
Chu Yunfei nodded and signaled, “Brother Ligong.”
“Regimental Commander, our casualties exceeded 2,400, including 1,200 killed and 37 missing.”
“Three company commanders and eighteen platoon leaders were killed in action, and as many as thirty-seven squad leaders...”
“The 4th Battalion’s organization is no longer intact... The 2nd and 3rd Battalions also suffered more than half casualties.”
“We lost 700 rifles, 18 Czech light machine guns, and 4 60mm mortars...”
“We expended 1.3 million rounds of 6.5mm ammunition, 7,000 hand grenades, and 570 land mines.”
“We fired 780 rounds of 60mm mortar shells, 340 rounds of 82mm mortar shells, and 430 rounds of 75mm mountain gun shells...”
“Captured equipment totaled as follows.”
After a brief pause, Fang Ligong cleared his throat and continued, “680 Type 38 rifles, 13 Taisho Model 11 machine guns, 3 Type 96 light machine guns.”
“38 various pistols, 17 50mm grenade launchers, 138 specialized grenades.”
“300 bayonets, 536 various hand grenades.”
“570 helmets, 180,000 rounds of ammunition, 137 horses, and other supplies not yet fully counted.”
From the battlefield spoils, Chu Yunfei roughly deduced the extent of Japanese casualties.
“How many confirmed Japanese dead have we accounted for?”
Fang Ligong glanced at the numbers on the report. “Currently, the count is 1,863, including one lieutenant colonel and three majors...”
“Sixty-eight other officers of various ranks.”
“There was even an officer’s sword, which was given to Staff Officer Xie as per your instructions...”
Chu Yunfei clasped his hands behind his back and sighed softly. “It doesn’t matter.”