Chapter 30: Annihilating Two Enemy Regiments (Part 1)

  The ten-day intensive training passed quickly, and the independent division is now strong and powerful. With sufficient financial support, the reserve of grain and forage is enough for the entire independent division to use for a month. Liu Hua did not plan to use it immediately, but rather prepared in advance for the upcoming passage through the grassland and snow-capped mountains.

  That morning, all regimental and higher commanders of the Independent Division came to the division headquarters. Everyone could clearly feel that a big battle was waiting for them.

  "Everyone is here, after nearly ten days of rest, our independent regiment should also go out for some exercise."

  When the cadres heard their superiors say that a battle was imminent, they all clenched their fists and rubbed their palms together, perking up their ears.

  "It seems that everyone's enthusiasm is very high, since that's the case, I won't dampen everyone's spirits. Commissar, you announce the combat mission." Liu Hua smiled at the commissar.

  Political Commissar Li Qing suddenly heard the division commander ask him to arrange a combat plan, and he was stunned for a moment. He immediately understood that the division commander wanted to help him establish some prestige in the independent division, and his heart felt a warmth. He quickly stood up and took out the combat order that he and the division commander had discussed and completed over several hours.

  "Comrades, I now declare the order for battle." The conference room fell silent instantly.

  Li Qing nodded slightly.

  "After reporting to the Military Commission for approval, I now order: Colonel Sun Xingbang will lead a regiment and an artillery battalion company to depart at noon, rushing straight to Changsha. We must show off the prestige of the Independent Division, make the enemy tremble with fear, make Commander-in-Chief He Jian of the Hunan Army afraid, and have him withdraw the Hunan troops from the front line to alleviate the pressure on the Central Government."

  "Yes, resolutely complete the task." A team leader stood up and said loudly.

  "All the logistics units directly under the division, except for one squad left behind to transport ammunition, will bring all the supplies stored in the past ten days to the logistics camp of the division headquarters, and all will be commanded by Li Camp. The new recruits' unit will also fight together with the logistics unit, departing at noon, and I will inform you when we arrive at our destination."

  "Second Battalion, Third Battalion, Artillery Regiment, Heavy Machine Gun Regiment, Guard Regiment, Reconnaissance Regiment, Sniper Company, all will be commanded by the Division Commander. Depart from the city at 6 o'clock this afternoon. The destination and objectives of the operation will be informed to you by the Division Commander."

  "Alright, the combat order has been announced. Everyone return immediately to make final preparations before battle. Dismissed." Liu Hua made a final summary.

  On the way to Changsha, the Independent Regiment was advancing with loud shouts. The regiment commander, Sun Xingbang, would occasionally walk to the roadside slope and pick up his binoculars to look ahead. After nearly half a day of marching, the regiment had almost reached the border of Zhuzhou. It was worth noting that the 3rd Division, which had been besieged last time, was still stationed in Zhuzhou. Sun Xingbang had dispatched almost all of his reconnaissance company to gather information about the 3rd Division, fearing that something unexpected might happen and cause losses to the troops.

  Finally, the troops passed through Zhuzhou without incident. After canceling the alert, Colonel Sun ordered the troops to rest and eat, knowing that the division commander's order was to launch an attack early tomorrow morning. Thinking of the division commander's order, Old Sun admired him greatly, it was clear that the division commander wanted to use the 3rd Division as a decoy to force He Jian to recall his Xiang Army from the front line and reduce the pressure on the main force. It had to be said that if it were himself, he would never have thought of such a method, which could both annihilate the enemy and cover the main force's retreat.

  After resting for two hours, the team set off again. Although they were very tired, after ten days of training and with their usual good food, not one of the comrades complained of fatigue, all gritted their teeth and pressed forward.

  When the sky was about to brighten, a team arrived at the outskirts of Changsha City. Looking at the city wall under the moonlight at night, Sun Tuanzhang was a bit dazed. Fortunately, the division commander did not require a strong attack, just making He Jian afraid would do. It is worth knowing that after several days of investigation, it was found that the garrison in Changsha was less than one division now.

  "Order the artillery company and all heavy machine guns to build fortifications, while other troops take a rest first." Sun Xingbang immediately issued combat orders.

  The whole battalion quickly completed its pre-war preparations, all artillery and heavy machine gunners were in position, waiting for the commander's order.

  At this time the sky had a bit of light, and the outline of the city wall could be vaguely seen. It seemed that the enemy had not yet discovered himself, and was still strolling on the city wall chatting with each other.

  "Start"

  20 mortars fired with a dull sound, 20 mortar shells drew beautiful arcs and fell on the city wall. "Boom boom boom boom..." With the explosion, the corpses of enemy soldiers were constantly blown down from the city wall.

  He Jian, who was sleeping, was suddenly awakened by the sound of explosions. "Deputy officer, what's going on? What's happening at the city gate?" The commander-in-chief called out urgently.

  "Report to the commander-in-chief, the city gate reports: approximately a division of communist troops carrying mortars are attacking Changsha." The deputy officer hastily told his superior the news he had just received.

  "What's going on, Commander? Have you made a mistake? Where did the Communist army come from with so many people? Quick, quick, investigate clearly and let the guard troops defend immediately. We can't let the Communist army rush into the city. Hurry up! What are you still stunned for?" Seeing that the deputy officer was still stunned, He Jian couldn't help but kick him in the foot without even putting on his clothes.

  "Chief of Staff, what's the situation now?" He Jian rushed to the combat room in a hurry and asked without resting.

  "Commander, the Communist army with a strength of about one division is attacking, the enemy's artillery fire is very fierce, we have repelled an attack by the Communist army once, but our brothers have suffered heavy casualties, now more than one regiment has been lost."

  "How could they arrive so quickly? Where did the Communist army get so many troops?" He Jian asked disbelievingly.

  "It's been investigated clearly, it was the independent division of the Communist army that was besieged earlier. After they annihilated Zhou Hunyuan's 1st Division last time, they stayed in Chaling and unexpectedly ran to Changsha."

  "Hmm, Independent Division, annihilate the entire 1st Division." As soon as he said this, He Jian's face changed. "Chief of Staff, how many troops do we still have in the city?" After all, survival is always the top priority.

  "Commander, with only two guard regiments, shouldn't we call over the 3rd Division that is resting in Zhuzhou to assist with defense?" The Chief of Staff reminded anxiously.

  "Alright, in my name, order the 3rd Division to send two regiments over immediately. Also, recall Li Jue's troops that are surrounding the Communist Army at the front line. Damn it, after fighting with the Communist Army for so long, our own base is almost being occupied." He thought of Chiang Kai-shek giving him the title of Bandit-Suppression Commander-in-Chief and ordering him to send troops, which ended up not only losing men and generals but also having his own base attacked, and he couldn't help but curse.

  "But, Commander-in-Chief, Chairman..." the Chief of Staff reminded him.

  "Don't mention that Chairman again, our old nest is almost lost, what's the point of eliminating bandits. Immediately send a telegram and let them withdraw their troops and return to defend Changsha." He Jian, who was already angry, became even more furious when he heard the Chief of Staff mention Chiang Kai-shek.

  "Sir, sir, good news." The communication officer rushed over in a flurry.

  "What good news is this! You're so excited!"

  "Commander, just now the scout sent back intelligence that the enemy's 3rd Division set out from Zhuzhou half an hour ago with two regiments, and is heading towards our ambush circle. They are still two hours away from here." The communications officer said excitedly. Liu Hua smiled slightly, knowing that all of this was within his expectations.

  Originally, soon after the team set out, Liu Hua led his own troops out of the city, aiming directly at the middle position between Zhuzhou and Changsha. When several battalion commanders learned about their plan, they immediately thought it was a big move, our division commander is really bold this time, at least we will get another enemy regiment.

  In this way, under the encouragement of each main officer and political commissar, every soldier shouted loudly as they rushed towards their destination, closely following behind one team. Of course, this combat plan was also communicated to the team leader through radio.

  The warriors who arrived at the destination in a hurry, without resting, each warrior quickly finished breakfast with water and cold rice balls to start building fortifications and prepare for an ambush against the enemy.

  The artillery battalion was busy measuring the shooting data. With Liu Hua's help, Battalion Commander Chen Guangrong divided the position into countless small squares and marked the numbers, so that they could guarantee accurate and fast shooting. It is worth noting that this time, all the mortars of each regiment were concentrated for use, with a total of 40 mortars, and the ammunition was almost too much to finish, which would have been unthinkable in the past.

  Heavy machine guns were also concentrated in the heavy machine gun battalion under Liu Hua's intervention, with nearly 60 of them, all camouflaged and lined up in a row, and pre-marked shooting ranges to ensure no dead ends. Watching his soldiers complete their pre-war preparations in an orderly manner, Liu Hua felt that he was getting closer and closer to his goal.

  The division commander of the 3rd Division stationed in Zhuzhou was woken up early by his deputy, originally very angry, but as soon as he heard that Changsha was under attack by the Communist army and requested troops to be sent for defense, he immediately jumped up excitedly. It's worth noting that the committee chairman hated these warlords the most, but they all had armies and territories, so it wasn't easy to deal with them. Now there was finally an opportunity to let the Central Army enter the old nest of the Hunan Army to defend together, and when the time came, he could rely on not leaving, then Changsha would soon become the territory of the Central Army. At that time, he would definitely be able to gain recognition from the committee chairman, and his military rank might even be promoted by one level.

  Actually, He Jian as the commander-in-chief of the Xiang Army didn't want the Central Army to help either, because if the Central Army came, it would be like inviting a wolf into one's home. However, his own Xiang Army was currently not stationed in various places, but on the front line fighting against the Communist Army, so he could only let the Central Army intervene. But he still had an ace up his sleeve, because his Xiang Army would return soon, and at that time, if you didn't leave, my several divisions wouldn't be afraid of your one division.

  The division commander thought of this and immediately ordered his deputy division commander to take the first and second brigades and all artillery, a total of three artillery companies, to rush to Changsha at full speed.

  He immediately reported his achievement to Chiang Kai-shek, and indeed, the chairman quickly replied with a telegram, personally written by himself, requesting that Changsha be kept at all costs, and when the time came, to find a way to keep the troops in Changsha, and received praise from the chairman.

  Just as the commander of the 3rd Division was savoring the telegram personally drafted by Director Chiang, thinking that his rank would be promoted again... He did not know that his two crack divisions and all artillery were step by step walking into the trap set up for him by Liu Hua.