A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

At this moment, scouts from the rear reported that they had spotted three red signal flares launched from the "relay point"—meaning that the Red Army was locked in a stalemate and bitter battle at the front lines of the Blue Army's base.

Since radios were not equipped at the infantry company level, and also for concealment, Song Hongfei used a relay system of signal flares to transmit information, setting up two relay points from the Blue Army's outpost platoon to the assault unit. In this way, even if the Red Army base could see the signal flares several kilometers away, they would not pay any attention.

"It's our turn to move!" Song Hongfei's eyes lit up, and then he gave the order: "Each platoon, immediately proceed along the planned route to covertly approach the enemy and prepare for attack!"

The entire assault team immediately moved upon receiving the order, concealing themselves and approaching the enemy at their designated positions. Meanwhile, the Red Army remained completely unaware, oblivious to the fact that an invisible and dangerous iron net had already enveloped them.

Only then did one of the directors, who had been observing both sides through binoculars, sigh and say with a wry smile, "The Red Army hasn't noticed yet! But even if they do, it will be too late. The Red Army's forces and firepower, which are mainly deployed at the front and on both flanks, have not had time to be adjusted. In less than two hours, I don't think they can even withstand the Blue Army's first wave of attack."

He paused for a moment, then looked directly at Song Hongfei and said, "Song, I have to admit, your operation this time was very successful."

All the instructors and directors couldn't help but secretly agree that it was indeed a brilliant flanking maneuver, and a mobile attack by an "armored force".

Song Hongfei smiled and said, "Thank you, Sir! I have to go and command the company's attack." He saluted and turned to direct the attack.

As the West Point instructors watched Song Hongfei's agile figure disappear, a thought arose in their minds: This man is indeed an excellent commander!

The Blue Army assault team quickly prepared for the attack.

"Tum! Tum! Tum!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The 81mm mortars and 37mm infantry guns mounted on trucks and tractors roared continuously, firing at the various firing points and fortifications on the Red Army base that had been marked in advance.

The recoil cushioning from the soil and sandbags was good, and the artillery mounted on motor vehicles could immediately move forward after firing a round, without the need for the artillerymen to spend time and effort digging positions, and could directly carry out another round of close-range artillery strikes.

"Bang bang bang bang bang!" The 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine gun on the vehicle roared and spat out fire incessantly.

The three platoons of attack formations immediately and rapidly advanced toward the assault launch line, with the company's 60mm mortars and 7.62mm Browning M1917 heavy machine guns, which had already moved into position, providing continuous accompanying fire cover.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Take cover! Counterattack!"

Suddenly attacked, the officers on the Red Army's position were shouting at the top of their lungs. They were still confused about where the Blue Army had come from.

The Red Army's position was in complete chaos, and their troop strength and heavy firepower were mainly deployed in front of and to the flanks of the position, with very few troops deployed to the rear and flanks. At this time, under the Blue Army's dense fire suppression, they were even less able to organize effective firepower to block and counterattack.

The three platoons of the Blue Army, like three giant arrows, launched a fierce attack on the Red Army base from the attack line under the command of Song Hongfei. Two other small arrows slanted and thrust directly at the junction of the Red Army's main position and the outpost, dividing, encircling, and blocking the Red Army's forward positions with firepower.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Zhang Yi's elite assault squad had already secretly infiltrated the front line of the Red Army's position and then launched a fierce attack.

The vanguard leader, Bala, threw a smoke canister into the Red Army's trenches. This was to simulate a hand grenade (for safety reasons, the only allowed projectiles were manually thrown smoke canisters; other heavy firepower was simulated by blank rounds, and the directing group would then evaluate and determine the effectiveness of the firepower).

The billowing smoke immediately enveloped the Red Army's position. According to the rules, this part of the Red Army force would be considered casualties and incapacitated.

The thick smoke was both pungent and blinding. Caught off guard, the Red Army's gunfire was sporadic and ineffective, unable to mount a proper counterattack. The superior Blue Army stormed into the trenches, and the two sides clashed in close combat. The Red Army quickly crumbled, retreating steadily towards the hillside and summit. The Blue Army's morale soared, and their fierce attacks continued relentlessly.

At this point, the Red Army had only two choices: either flee in panic or surrender. A few brave soldiers who dared to resist were knocked unconscious by the Blue Army's rifle butts! Everyone learned their lesson; no one dared to fight back anymore. Although they were all wearing helmets, the taste of a rifle butt was unpleasant.

The third-year students won't be polite to you. They've been holding back their anger for making you fourth-year students act so arrogantly and domineeringly when you're officers and sergeants!

The Red Army's remaining Company C was quickly pushed down from the top of the "base" by the Blue Army, with the remnants fleeing to the outpost. The Blue Army successfully captured the main position of the Red Army's "base," planting their flag at the highest point of the mountain. Amidst the Blue Army's jubilant cheers, the victory flag flew high in the sky.

The Red Army finally caught its breath and organized a defense using two low, gentle slopes at the outpost. The situation was very unfavorable for them. One 81mm mortar, one 60mm mortar, and two 7.62mm heavy machine guns on the main position had become spoils of war for the Blue Army. Now their heavy firepower consisted of only one 60mm mortar and one heavy machine gun, which was insufficient for a counterattack.

The Blue Army, positioned on higher ground, had virtually no cover on the Red Army's positions. Their intense firepower would keep the Red Army pinned down, and mortars could pick them off one by one.

The Red Army cadets looked at each other, their faces pale. They could see fear and frustration in each other's eyes. The shame of defeat had overwhelmed them. The situation they were about to face was clear: total annihilation under the precise strikes of the Blue Army's superior artillery fire.

The Blues were still celebrating their victory and didn't seem to be in a hurry to attack.

The directing team observed the entire battle and concluded that the Red Army suffered a surprise attack, with most of its soldiers killed, wounded, or captured. The main positions and outposts were all occupied by the Blue Army. The Red Army had only two squads, one mortar team, and one heavy machine gun team remaining. The remaining Red Army troops moved towards the main force of the Red Army that had captured the Blue Army base.

After a brief reorganization, the Blue Army, under the watchful eyes of the Red Army's casualties and prisoners, triumphantly and loudly loaded the captured mortars and heavy machine guns onto motor vehicles. Next, they would launch a similar attack on the Red Army, following the same route of their advance.

At this moment, everyone could clearly see that the Red Army soldiers' eyes seemed to be burning with anger, which was burning more and more fiercely as if it was about to burst out. How could these young and hot-blooded military academy students stand up to this? If it weren't for the directing group and the instructors in charge keeping a close eye on them, they would have rushed up and engaged in a fistfight with the Blue Army.

But no one ever pities the losers. The directing team then announced to the Red Army's instructors and officers: "You have two choices: either follow us to the Blue Army's base to observe the exercise, or stay here, cook your own meals, and stay until the exercise ends."

The Red Army soldiers thought for a moment: Staying here for a meal would be saying we're useless gluttons, only good for eating. Fine, let's go with them. According to the exercise plan, after the shift from offense to defense, all the Red Army soldiers were supposed to move to the Blue Army base for a defensive operation. It's a bit humiliating now, but it's better to go and see.

The Blue Army assault team was ready for another mobile assault. Their morale was high, and they excitedly pumped their fists and shouted Song Hongfei's Chinese slogan: "Smash those sons of bitches! Kill! Kill! Kill!"