Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

North China Joint Command, Operations Room.

Everyone frequently looked down at their wristwatches.

Outside the window, the sky was still a hazy, pale dawn, but inside the room, the lights were already on and people were moving about.

The air was thick with the smell of tobacco, the steam of boiling tea, and the tense atmosphere of a major battle.

Chu Yunfei stood quietly in front of the huge sand table, his hands behind his back, as always.

His gaze, however, was not focused on the Zhangbei offensive in front of him, but rather on the three-dimensional combat map.

More than Zhang Bei's victory, he was concerned about how Okamura Yasuji would respond and whether Japan would make further adjustments to its plans.

"report!"

A communications officer strode up behind him and snapped to attention: "Telegram from the Northeast Advance Army Headquarters: All artillery units have entered their designated positions, and all attacking units completed their final attack preparations five minutes ago!"

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly without turning around, and calmly asked, "How's the weather at the front?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the weather is clear with a light breeze and good visibility, suitable for artillery observation."

"very good."

Chu Yunfei raised his wrist and glanced at the time on his watch.

The second hand is ticking away, step by step, toward that predetermined number.

At that moment, the air in the entire operations room seemed to freeze.

All eyes were drawn to him, awaiting the command that would decide the fate of thousands of soldiers.

The moment when the hour, minute, and second hands overlap on the dial.

Chu Yunfei's voice rang out: "Pass on my order: begin the general offensive according to the original plan."

"Yes!"

The order, transmitted via telephone line, crossed hundreds of kilometers of mountains and rivers in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Beicheng, Japanese Army Regimental Command.

Regimental Commander Colonel Kenji Watanabe was wiping his face with a hot towel; the snowstorm of the previous night had kept him almost awake all night.

He glanced at the gray sky outside the window and said disdainfully to his adjutant beside him, "The so-called elite troops of the Chinese are nothing more than this."

"They besieged the city for three days and attacked for three days, but they didn't even manage a decent assault. It seems they were terrified by the extremely high number of casualties."

The adjutant beside him smiled obsequiously, "Of course, with the Colonel here, they wouldn't dare to make a move even if they had ten times the courage."

"I received another telegram in the early morning that the Mongol cavalry division outside the city was also in position. If the Chinese army dared to attack the city, General Batu's iron hooves would crush them into mincemeat from behind!"

Kenji Watanabe nodded in satisfaction and was about to enjoy his breakfast.

Just then, a sharp, ear-piercing whistling sound suddenly streaked across the sky!
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!"

Before he could react, the earth shook violently!
The deafening roar of cannons instantly shattered the tranquility of dawn!

One after another, cannonballs, trailing piercing whistles, crashed down on the seemingly impregnable city like a meteor shower!

Kenji Watanabe was thrown to the ground by the huge shockwave, and scalding miso soup was splashed all over him.

Ignoring his disheveled state, he scrambled to the window, the sight before him sending shivers down his spine!

The earth was trembling violently!
Zhangbei City's proud rammed earth city wall, which had been reinforced several times, crumbled instantly under the onslaught of this storm of steel, like a cookie being slapped by an invisible giant hand!

On the west gate of the city wall, Japanese Private Nobuo Tanaka leaned against the crenellation, shivering, trying to light a cigarette that had frozen solid.

The moment the shelling began, he felt his feet sink into the ground, and the whole world seemed to spin and collapse.

He witnessed the veteran sergeant next to him being hit directly by a shell, his upper body instantly turning into a cloud of blood mist, without even having time to scream.

Bricks, stones, earth, and even the severed limbs of comrades were thrown into the sky by the huge blast wave, and then fell like blood-red hailstones!
Tanaka Nobuo was buried in the rubble, with only a buzzing roar and dying screams in his ears. Fear, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly seized his heart.

The power of a 105mm howitzer is terrifying!
Inside the Northeast Advance Army Command.

Reports from the front lines were almost constant.

"Report! Our artillery preparations are complete! Three breaches have been successfully created in the west city wall!"

"Report! The attacking force has launched its assault!"

Wang Shihe put down his binoculars with considerable satisfaction: "Fu Cheng, your troops truly live up to their reputation as elite. Every single one of your soldiers is outstanding."

Bian Fuli stood beside him and gestured to the communications staff to report to the joint command.

Wang Shihe then added, "No wonder you were so highly regarded by Commander Chu before. If I were Commander Chu, I would also like to let you lead the troops."

"I'm afraid it won't be that easy. In the year after our army captured Zhangjiakou, there were reports that the Japanese army reinforced its fortifications several times. Zhangbei is one of the few strategic locations for the puppet Mongolian army and the Japanese, so it probably won't be easy to take it."

"Yes, that makes sense. With ample ammunition and some new weapons arriving at the front, the number of casualties should be reduced considerably."

Wang Shihe was filled with emotion: "Your soldiers are all good soldiers. They could be squad leaders in other units. I would be heartbroken if even one of them died."

The battle was indeed not going smoothly.

Soon, news of the offensive stalling reached the command post.

"Report! Our advance has been thwarted by fierce resistance from enemy bunkers in the west gate direction, resulting in heavy casualties!"

Bian Fucheng made a phone call immediately, and after briefly understanding the situation, he looked at Wang Shihe and said, "We're in a little trouble."

"The Japanese army constructed at least three bunker complexes on the streets of the city, including not only sturdy main bunkers, but also underground passages and hidden bunkers."

"Our artillery fire has little effect. Even heavy artillery shells can only kill people and cannot destroy strong fortifications."

Wang Shihe frowned and said, "I'm afraid we'll have to use the old method."

"Close-range detonation?" Bian Fucheng said to himself, "With the cover of smoke grenades, our casualties shouldn't be too high."

In situations like this, he doesn't even need to remind people how to give instructions.

The lower-level commanders naturally have their own set of tactics and countermeasures.

Using smoke grenades to obscure the Japanese firing line of sight and limit their firing range is just the most basic tactic.

However, the Japanese have a history of forgetting past mistakes.

Captain Kenji Watanabe, who had crawled out of the rubble, had already appeared at the command post.

Soon, more news came from the front lines.

"Commander, the Chinese offensive has been contained, and we have inflicted considerable casualties on the attacking forces."

Kenji Watanabe's face was full of a crazed grin. He strode to the phone, grabbed it, and roared into the receiver, "Ikeda-kun, don't be stingy with your ammunition! Give them a good beating! Let's show those Chinese the greatness of our country's fortifications!"

He meticulously planned three reinforced concrete bunker complexes.

At this moment, they were like three venomous fangs, firmly biting into the Nationalist army's offensive line.

Nobuo Tanaka was also dug out of the rubble and shoved into a machine gun firing position in a bunker by a sergeant kicking him in the butt.

Through the narrow firing port, he saw a tide of Chinese soldiers surging in, dressed in thick winter clothes, carrying submachine guns, silently launching their charge.

Tanaka Nobuo's hand was trembling, but he mechanically pulled the trigger. Hot cartridge cases kept ejecting, burning his cheeks, but he felt nothing. He just numbly fired, watching one vibrant life after another fall before his eyes.

……

West Gate, Yu Yufei's Regiment Command Post.

"Order," Yu Yufei said in a deep voice to the messenger, "Order the frontline reconnaissance troops to ascertain, at all costs, the exact location and number of enemy firing positions, as well as the specific details of their firepower configuration."

"Yes!"

The atmosphere in the command post was quite tense. The offensive was thwarted, and the main attacking company's two close-range demolition attempts both failed.

When it comes to a tough battle, it's a head-on confrontation; there's no room for shortcuts.

If a bunker remains intact, even with its narrow firing ports, attacking soldiers would find it difficult to throw grenades through. Bunker complexes, being semi-permanent or permanent defensive structures, theoretically have no blind spots, making them very difficult to deal with.

A short while later, the adjutant quickly stepped forward to report the situation: "Report!"
It has now been confirmed!

The enemy has constructed three semi-permanent reinforced concrete bunkers inside the west gate, forming a crossfire network!

The Type 31 rocket launchers equipped by our army had limited destructive effect on them, and previous artillery fire had been ineffective. Battalion Commander Zhang judged that a direct assault was the only option.

Yu Yufei frowned: "Order the heavy mortar company to fire smoke grenades at the enemy positions again to cover our assault team members."

"Yes!"

After giving the order, Yu Yufei couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, these Japanese devils are like they're out of their minds. The outer fortifications are basically brick, stone and wood structures, but the fortresses inside the city are all steel and cement. What kind of new fighting method is this?"

the other side.

Joint Command Center.

"Sir, a telegram from the advance troops."

Chu Yunfei took the telegram, unfolded it, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

The telegram contained very simple information, just one short sentence.

"After the strong attack failed, the enemy built a large number of bunkers and fortifications in the city, and prepared to send reserves to the north gate to complete the encirclement and look for an opportunity to break into the city."

Zhang Dayun leaned closer, glanced at him, and was stunned. He opened his mouth, and after a long while, he managed to stammer out, "This Wang Shihe, he knows how to fight?"

Chu Yunfei frowned slightly. The straight-line distance between Zhangbei and Changzhi is more than 570 kilometers.

This has exceeded the limits of the three-dimensional combat map.

He needed to get to the front lines to understand the situation.

Given his current status, it's impossible for him to personally command a small-scale urban offensive.

The North China Joint Command has a very wide operational area. If it were a three-front war, wouldn't Chu Yunfei have to take a plane to perform micro-operations?
"After preparing for so long, the final offensive was thwarted right from the start. How do I feel about this?"

Zhang Dayun naturally trusted Bian Fucheng's abilities, and they already had a good relationship.

The two had previously worked together as "partners" for a period of time.

"No rush. The detailed battle report will be sent by tonight, and then we will know why the attack failed."

Chu Yunfei smiled, meeting Lin Wei's curious gaze, and then added, "Even if Director Wang has been away from the front lines for a long time and doesn't understand the Japanese army's tactics, don't you trust Bian Fucheng's soldiers?"

……

On a high slope more than ten miles southeast of Zhangbei City.

Batu, the commander of the puppet Mongolian cavalry division, was looking through binoculars with trepidation at the distant county town shrouded in artillery fire.

The deafening explosion, even from this distance, still made his warhorse restless.

"Master's seat."

A trusted regimental commander approached, his face pale: "The Nationalist army's artillery fire is too intense. Should we continue?"

Batu put down his binoculars and spat angrily: "Go? Go my ass! Watanabe Kenji is making empty promises, talking about an easy encirclement and annihilation battle, but this is just sending us to our deaths!"

"Look at that formation. Do you think our small cavalry force could withstand a single artillery barrage?"

He glanced at the puppet Mongolian soldiers around him who also looked fearful, and had already made up his mind.

He cracked his whip and shouted to the messenger, "Pass on my order: the entire division shall remain in place and await further instructions! If there is a telegram from the North China Area Army Headquarters urging us to proceed, say that the enemy situation is unclear and our troops need to observe the situation clearly before attacking!"

If Watanabe sends the signal, tell him to hold on, reinforcements will arrive soon!

Done.

He then turned his horse around and, with his guards, retreated two miles without leaving a trace.

The outcome of the battle was actually not much different from what Batu, this intelligent man, had predicted.

The attacking forces, under the command of Byun Phu Trong, successfully completed the necessary adjustments.

Gu Zhuoran, who was waiting to intercept the Japanese breakout force from the north of Zhangbei, also joined the battle.

Gu Zhuoran played a clever trick and did not request artillery support.

They only allowed the regimental heavy mortar company to fire one round before launching their attack.

The Japanese forces on the northern defense line were relatively sparse, but they were still at a disadvantage compared to the attacking forces.

With every line of defense on the verge of collapse.

Commander Watanabe could only "judge" that the attack from the north of the city was a feint, so he did not send any troops to support it.

In fact.

Kenji Watanabe had already sensed that something was wrong. His feigned attack was not based on a judgment of fact, but rather on his prayer.

It's simply because he has already transferred troops there to provide support.

"Report! The feint attack force at the North Gate has suddenly switched to a full-scale assault! They have successfully scaled the city walls!"

When Kenji Watanabe heard the news that the north city wall had been breached, he was struck dumb!

He sent another telegram requesting support from the puppet Mongol cavalry division.

The reply they received was, "We are observing the enemy situation."

"Baga! Batu, you coward!"

Enraged, Watanabe Kenji smashed the table with a knife: "Immediately send a telegram to Commander Okamura of the North China Area Army Headquarters, detailing the crimes of these people, these damned scoundrels, these opportunists!"

After uttering a few angry curses, Kenji Watanabe quickly composed himself and then ordered, "Immediately further consolidate our forces and make a final stand against the enemy!"

"Hai!"

The Japanese army, already in dire straits, still has no intention of surrendering, remaining as stubborn as before.

The bunker where Tanaka Nobuo's small-headed Japanese soldier was located also received the order to retreat.

When he stumbled out of the bunker, he saw chaos in the streets. Chinese soldiers had already stormed in from the north, their shouts of battle deafening.

A private spotted him, raised his gun and fired. Tanaka Nobuo instinctively fell to the ground, and the bullet grazed his scalp.

He scrambled and stumbled as he fled eastward, noticing that the Nationalist soldiers behind him did not pursue him.

Tanaka Nobuo silently prayed to Amaterasu for protection. Only one thought remained in his mind: to survive!
the other side.

Northeast Advance Army, Frontline Command.

"report!"

"Our follow-up troops have been continuously pouring into the city from the north gate, causing chaos among the city's defenders, who seem to be further tightening their defenses."

Furthermore, the Mongol cavalry unit roaming outside the city has retreated another three kilometers, bringing them at least fifteen kilometers away from us. They probably dare not engage in battle anymore…

Wang Shihe and Bian Fucheng exchanged knowing smiles.

The battle lasted all day, with the attacking troops only rotating shifts, giving the Japanese army not a single second of rest.

Under such circumstances, the casualties suffered by the Japanese army could not possibly be small.

As night falls, night fighting becomes more advantageous for the defending side in this battle.

The offensive ceased due to the cover of night.

That evening, a detailed battle report was sent to the joint command and presented to Chu Yunfei and the others.

"...There are a large number of bunkers. The Japanese army's fighting spirit is quite strong. Zhangbei has now been basically recovered, and the remaining enemy forces in the city are still being cleared out."

The current casualty statistics are as follows: The number of confirmed officers and soldiers who died is 1,367, including 2 battalion-level officers, 27 company and platoon-level officers, and 68 squad leaders.
Preliminary counts indicate that approximately 1,300 rounds of 105mm high-explosive shells and 2,300 rounds of 107mm mortar shells were consumed in this battle. Northeast Advance Army: Wang Shihe, Bian Fucheng. (End of Chapter)