Chapter 49: The Nanling Blockade War (Part 1)

  "Alright, good. I know your special operations battalion has a small arsenal with quite a bit of ammunition stored away. However, holding off an enemy attack will indeed require a large amount of ammunition, and more importantly, you're facing two regiments of the enemy. So, I've discussed it with the political commissar, and we want you to go to the logistics department to pick up five light machine guns, 20,000 rifle bullets, 10,000 machine gun bullets, and an additional 1,000 hand grenades. That's all there is, the rest will have to rely on your special operations battalion's own resources."

  "Thank you, Commander, thank you, Commissar. The Special Task Force guarantees to complete the mission, so you can rest assured..." Upon hearing that the commander had actually added five more light machine guns for himself, Zhang Hua was excited and loudly replied.

  "All right, go ahead. As for the specific departure time of your Special Operations Battalion, you determine it yourself. The division will not interfere at all." Division Commander Huang Kecheng nodded in satisfaction.

  Back at the special agent camp's training ground, several people immediately gathered around, asking in unison about the specific combat mission.

  "Old Guo, order the troops to stop training immediately, replenish ammunition, and prepare for battle. Notify all company commanders and platoon leaders directly under them to report to the battalion command post for a meeting immediately." Battalion Commander Zhang Hua faced the inquiring crowd with a smile but said nothing, instead giving a loud order to his deputy, Vice Battalion Commander Guo Chengzhu, who stood behind him.

  "Yes, Battalion Commander, I'll sound the assembly call and gather all troops." Upon hearing that a combat meeting was about to be convened, several company and platoon leaders seemed to understand something and stopped asking questions. They ran back to their own units and began to assemble.

  Half an hour later, the six company commanders and five platoon leaders of the Special Operations Battalion, as well as five instructors, gathered in the cramped command center of the battalion headquarters, waiting for the battalion commander to announce specific combat tasks.

  "Comrades, our special operations battalion has been established for less than a week! However, the division commander, trusting us, has given us the most important part of the entire battle. Comrades, let's discuss, shouldn't we fight well and test our combat effectiveness, not disappointing the division commander's trust?" Seeing the excited crowd, Zhang Hua did not immediately announce the task he received, but instead said loudly.

  "Old Zhang, don't worry, our special operations camp doesn't have a single coward. Just hurry up and tell us the mission of our special operations camp! I'm dying of anxiety..." Deputy Camp Commander Guo Chengzhu said anxiously after hearing Camp Commander Zhang Hua's words.

  "Right, Battalion Commander, just hurry up and say the task, we're all anxious to death... The several company commanders sitting below also echoed after hearing Deputy Battalion Commander Guo Chengzhu's words."

  "Alright, this time our 4th Division's combat mission is to annihilate the vanguard brigade of Shanxi-Suiyuan 71st Division, which is like pulling out a tiger's tooth. And our special operations battalion's mission is to cut off the connection between the vanguard brigade and the main force. At the same time, before the end of the entire ambush battle, we must resolutely block the main force of Shanxi-Suiyuan 71st Division. How about that, this is a tough nut to crack! And I forgot to tell you, this main force has a full eight thousand troops, and in addition to each brigade having an artillery company, there's also a division-level artillery battalion." Zhang Hua said with a smile.

  "What, Battalion Commander, is this a good task? What's the difference between this and sending us to our deaths? Just with our 600 men, we're supposed to hold off over 8,000 enemy troops. Oh my god..." Just as Zhang Hua finished speaking, Deputy Battalion Commander Guo Chengzhu let out a cry of alarm.

  "Comrades, I think you all understand the task that the battalion commander has given us. I also know that it will be extremely difficult to complete this task smoothly. However, our superiors believe in us and have entrusted us with the rear of the main force. Our special operations battalion is the backbone, and we must hold back the Jin-Sui army and not let a single soldier pass through. Comrades, do you have confidence in completing the task?"

  "With confidence, with confidence..." Suddenly, the previously silent conference room was filled with the excited cheers of the warriors.

  "Alright, Instructor Xu said it very correctly. The superiors entrust us with such an important task, that is the trust in our special operations battalion. Now, I will arrange the specific combat tasks. Communication officer, map." Zhang Hua looked at Instructor Xu Bin beside him with appreciation and said loudly.

  Soon, a huge map was thrown onto the table in the middle of the crowd. Under Zhang Hua's invitation, everyone stood up around the map.

  "Comrades, the main force's ambush battlefield is set up here, which is Shiliwan. And our blocking position is at Nanling, less than 2 kilometers away from Shiliwan. So, after dispersing, all troops will immediately carry all equipment and rush to Nanling to build defensive fortifications. The specific combat tasks of each company and platoon will be decided after observing the terrain on site, did everyone hear clearly?" Zhang Hua said, pointing to two places on the map.

  "Yes, Battalion Commander..."

  "Alright, Old Huang, you have another task. The division commander has provided us with a batch of ammunition and five light machine guns to support our counterattack. Later, you will lead a team to the division's logistics department to pick them up. One light machine gun for each of the artillery company, reconnaissance platoon, and guard platoon, and the ammunition will be stored in the artillery company as reserve." Zhang Hua turned around to look at Deputy Instructor Huang Zhengqing.

  "Yes, Battalion Commander." Hearing that the division was actually providing him with a batch of weapons and ammunition, Huang Zhengqing replied exceptionally happily and excitedly.

  "Alright, everyone disperse and prepare. In half an hour, all personnel of the Special Operations Battalion must gather at the battalion headquarters. Did you all hear that?" Zhang Hua shouted loudly after seeing that the deployment was complete.

  "It's all clear now..."

  "Alright, dismissed..." Zhang Hua nodded and began to get ready himself.

  Half an hour later, the entire Special Operations Battalion, with more than 600 people, set out with their weapons and ammunition. Under the envious eyes of other troops, they left Pucheng County and headed towards Nanling in a mighty manner.

  At this time, the Special Task Force was equipped with a large number of mules, and although they carried a lot of heavy equipment, the speed of the troops' march was not affected at all. The entire Special Task Force marched south to Nanling at a speed of over six kilometers per hour. After four hours of rapid marching, the Special Task Force arrived in Nanling at 5:00 pm that day.

  "Old Huang, order the troops to rest in place immediately. We'll go take a look at the terrain." Upon arrival, looking up at the increasingly dark sky, Zhang Hua didn't dare to rest and brought the instructors and others to climb to the high point of Nan Ridge, starting to observe the terrain here and prepare for building defensive fortifications tonight.

  It can be said that the entire Nanling, as Master Zhenru said, is a good place to block the enemy. The only way to reach Puxian County is through the two lowest points of the mountain from south to north. It can be said that as long as heavy troops are dispatched to guard these two mountains, the enemy will not be able to fly over Nanling with even one soldier or one general.

  "Battalion commander, this is a great place to ambush. We just need to send out two companies of troops, occupy these two high points, and set up one heavy machine gun. No matter how many Jin-Sui troops come, we'll take care of them." Deputy battalion commander Guo Chengzhu couldn't help but praise the terrain in front of him through his binoculars.

  "Heh, Old Guo, don't forget that the enemy still has two mortar companies and a regimental mountain artillery battalion with 12 mountain guns. If we only hold onto these two high grounds, won't we become the target of the enemy's artillery? If they launch a barrage, how many of our two companies will be left?" Hearing Deputy Regiment Commander Guo Chengzhu, who had just seen the terrain and was starting to underestimate the enemy, Zhang Hua furrowed his brow and hastily reminded him.

  "Right, the enemy has cannons, how could I forget that... Hehe, Battalion Commander, you tell me how to fight this battle, I'll listen to you..." Upon hearing Zhang Hua's reminder, Guo Chengzhu immediately came back to his senses.

  "Alright, let's not talk about that for now. Old Xu, it's getting dark soon, can you quickly draw out the terrain around here? We'll discuss the specifics of how to attack while we eat dinner. Also, order each company's cook team to make a good meal for the soldiers tonight, I estimate we'll be digging in all night and without enough physical strength, we won't be able to hold on." Zhang Hua said to Instructor Xu Bin as he looked at the increasingly dark sky.

  At night, under a horse lamp, Zhang Hua, Xu Bin, Guo Chengzhu and Deputy Instructor Huang Zhengqing. The four of them held their rice bowls, surrounded the horse lamp, eating while discussing military affairs.

  "Captain, I think we should build a blocking position directly on the mountain waist, which can reduce the threat of enemy artillery to some extent." The instructor pointed to the topographic map he had drawn and expressed his idea.

  "But this way, although it can reduce the threat of enemy artillery, the terrain on the mountain waist is flat and very suitable for the enemy's attack and firepower. Although we have six heavy machine guns in our hands, the number of heavy machine guns in the enemy's hands is almost several times ours." Guo Chengzhu immediately retorted.

  "I think we should build defensive fortifications on the mountain top, as for the enemy's artillery threats, we can move our hands and feet in the trenches. We'll dig the trenches deeper and excavate several more artillery caves..." Deputy Instructor Huang Zhengqing proposed.

  "Captain, the three of us have all spoken up, but you're the only one who's been silent and hasn't expressed any opinion. We're all waiting for you, what do you think?" Instructor Xu Bin asked, looking at Captain Zhang Hua who was staring at the map in silence.

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