The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Not far from Fernando's headquarters, Charles de Gaulle personally led the troops he could organize to the attack. Simultaneously, under Charles de Gaulle's strict orders, the French Air Force in Phnom Penh mobilized all its aircraft to participate in the attack on Banan. Transport planes also arrived, and a brigade of the Foreign Legion stationed in Phnom Penh (approximately 2000 men) also began airdropping, accompanied by a large amount of supplies.

Charles de Gaulle was making a desperate move. He directly reprimanded Fernando and the 7th Brigade for their poor performance over the phone, a rare act. He also issued a strict order to Fernando: if he failed to capture Banan and open up the passage to Ban Chai before noon, Fernando would face military trial.

After breakfast, the French launched another fierce attack, followed by a round of intensive artillery fire. This time, Fernando sent all four battalions forward, and the 4th Armored Regiment, regardless of losses, rushed forward with tanks and armored vehicles. Suddenly, the 15st Division's position in Banan was engulfed in flames.

Yet, the French underestimated the People's Army's resolve. Regiments, battalions, and companies unleashed their best weapons, including the often reluctantly used American M2 rocket launchers and Soviet MK-41s. Soldiers emerged from various underground tunnels, and demolitionists, reckless, pressed their way past enemy tanks and armored vehicles. The relentless explosions drowned out even the harsh, rasping roar of the American M2 heavy machine guns.

In an unknown trench, a team of French soldiers killed more than a dozen People's Army soldiers in the trench and finally rushed into the trench. Of course, the price they paid was also very heavy. This reinforced platoon of French soldiers lost an assault gun, two armored vehicles, and more than 30 soldiers. The number of French soldiers who entered the trench was less than half of the original number.

But they did not get a chance to catch their breath. A dozen People's Army soldiers appeared from nowhere. They used a dozen format grenades and explosives to clear a path and blew up the French troops who had just entered the trenches. In the close combat, a small number of surviving French soldiers climbed up the trenches and fled to their own side. Few of the People's Army soldiers could stand up, but they did not hesitate. They bent over the position, picked up any weapons they could, and waited for the enemy to come again.

The fleeing French troops were not so lucky; their leader was killed on the spot. They were driven back and became cannon fodder for the next French company. . . .

Fernando frantically scratched at his already tangled hair with his back. His military cap had long since vanished. As noon approached, the 7th Brigade hadn't even captured half of the positions they needed to fulfill de Gaulle's order to completely capture Banan. Furious, he didn't hesitate, personally shooting a battalion commander who had fought ineffectively. He had already assembled all the troops at brigade headquarters and was preparing to lead the attack himself. This was the last offensive he could lead.

The 101st Division was actually not much better off. The 1st Regiment was basically broken up, and the 2nd and 3rd Regiments were struggling to hold on. The division's mortar shells had been exhausted, and the artillerymen took the initiative to pick up their rifles and act as infantry, joining the brutal battle for positions.

Just as Li Zhen was about to lead the guards forward, the chief of staff grabbed him and shouted, "Commander Li, what do you want to do? You are the commander, not an ordinary soldier!" Then, a combat staff officer took over from Commander Li and led the guards forward.

Without waiting for Li Zhen to respond, he handed him an urgent telegram. It came directly from Chief of Staff Li at headquarters. The message read: The 102nd and 103rd advance teams were approaching the enemy's rear flank at Banan, and the 111th Division was also approaching Banan. The 101st Division was ordered to withdraw as much as possible, as long as the highway was protected from the French. At the same time, Chief of Staff Li informed him that a regiment of the 111th Division had been ordered to join the Banan blocking operation and accept Li Zhen's command.

At that moment, another staff officer arrived, accompanied by a dusty, travel-weary People's Army officer. He was the commander of the 111th Regiment of the 18th Division. The 111th Division's arrival was remarkable. This also demonstrated Chief of Staff Li's ability to adapt to battlefield changes. Apparently, upon learning that Wu Yuanjia and his men had prematurely annihilated the 21st Brigade, he (Chief of Staff Li—Liu Molong) immediately realized the importance and severity of the Banan defense and decisively ordered the 111th Division to advance at full speed, arriving at the designated area a day ahead of schedule.

Li Zhen shook the hand of the commander of the 18th Regiment tightly and, without pretense, immediately ordered him, "I don't have time to rest for you. You must immediately follow Chief of Staff Luo Yuanxiao (Chief of Staff of the 101st Division) and deploy immediately along the Baban Highway."

He then instructed his chief of staff and the regimental commander, "You must dig as many fortifications as possible and utilize all available terrain. I will hold out in front for another half an hour, then gradually withdraw to your sides. Remember, we must defend the road to the death. Even if we all die here, we must hold the enemy back!"

After the chief of staff and the 18th Regiment left, Li Zhen immediately joined the members of the division headquarters to bury explosives in the surrounding area. Although they had to evacuate, they had to use everything to set traps for the enemy and delay the enemy's attack. This was a mission that the 101st Division had to accomplish.

Half an hour later, with dozens of violent explosions, the French 7th Brigade captured the Banan position as expected at noon.

Fernando stood in the ruins of his position, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a feeling of immense relief. "That was a close call!" If the People's Army had held out for another ten minutes, Fernando, the Brigadier General, might well have become the finest officer ever executed by the French in Indochina.

Fernando, realizing that Banan had been captured and the 7th Brigade had suffered heavy losses and was extremely exhausted, ordered all units to suspend their attack and rest. The 7th Brigade had barely rested for a few minutes when Charles de Gaulle arrived. Seeing the troops halt, he furiously approached Fernando and slapped him hard in the face!

"Fernando, you are dismissed! Colonel Dohas, we order you to immediately take over as commander of the 7th Brigade and resume the offensive immediately! Be fast, fierce, and ruthless. Don't give the enemy time to breathe!"

Fernando was inexplicably slapped and dismissed for no reason. He was furious and yelled at de Gaulle: "General, why is this happening? I have completed your order as scheduled. Why are you dismissing me?!"

Charles de Gaulle gave him an irritated look and yelled, "Good-for-nothing. Idiot!!!" He was too lazy to explain to him and signaled the gendarmes who had followed to pull him away.

He felt very sorry for French officers like Fernando. Charles de Gaulle knew very well that what the French army and himself needed most at this time was time, time!