lcionline Chapter 433: Battle of Jingbo City: 14th Army's Attack Blocked
Chapter 433: Battle of Jingbo City: 14th Army's Attack Blocked
At the strategic location of Nanyueguan, the 131st and 137th divisions of the Southern Government made every effort to build an impregnable defense line. They drew on the experience of the Northern Frontier troops in fighting against the Fuso Kwantung Army, abandoned the traditional trench positions, and instead adopted a more solid concrete fortress.
The design of these fortresses is ingenious, with walls and domes more than 120 centimeters thick, enough to withstand the bombardment of 150MM heavy howitzers. In the complex terrain near Nanyue Pass, they are like standing boulders, indestructible. Even the super-heavy Karl mortars and 208MM Thor's hammers of the Northern Frontier troops have difficulty crossing this rugged terrain and pose a threat to the fortress.
Behind these fortresses are more sophisticated trench positions. This position is not a simple trench, but is made of concrete, forming a solid defense line. At the edge of the position, 30 cm high and cm thick concrete walls rise from the ground. They not only provide sufficient cover for the soldiers, but also constitute an insurmountable obstacle.
Under the dual protection of fortresses and trenches, the soldiers of the Southern Government had a safer fighting environment. Relying on these solid fortifications, they launched a fierce confrontation with the troops of the Northern Frontier.
Under such circumstances, the artillery tactics that the Northern Xinjiang government had always relied on seemed pale and powerless in front of Nanyue Pass. The soldiers of the 14th Army, these iron-blooded men who had once been invincible on the battlefield, could only rely on their own flesh and blood to rush towards the seemingly insurmountable enemy positions again and again.
On the battlefield, bullets rained down like heavy rain, and dense bullets tore through the air, making sharp whistles. Every charge was accompanied by the death of countless young lives. A large number of soldiers of the 14th Army were riddled with bullets, and their blood dyed the land beneath them red. Their bodies fell during the charge, and their young lives were forever frozen in this land filled with gunpowder.
At the front of the position, soldiers of the Southern Government hid in a solid concrete fortress, firing intensive firepower outward through the firing holes. Their faces were full of determination and coldness, as if they were already accustomed to this cruel killing.
Behind them are the medical soldiers and logistics personnel who are responsible for support. They are busy in a tense and orderly manner, providing necessary support to the soldiers on the front line.
"Commander, we can't keep fighting like this. Our losses are too great. The two regiment-level combat units of the 141st Division have suffered more than % casualties. The enemy's defensive positions built by relying on Nanyue Pass are completely insurmountable. We must find another way to destroy their large number of heavy firepower fortresses before we can continue the general offensive!"
Wang Bohu, the commander of the 141st Division, spoke to Hong Jing with an anxious and solemn expression. At this moment, Hong Jing was pacing back and forth in the temporary command post with his hands behind his back. He had already given Commander Jia a military order to capture Jingbo City and the surrounding enemy-occupied areas within seven days. Now the battle has lasted for two days, and the 14th Army is still blocked here and cannot make any progress, which makes Hong Jing feel heavy and anxious.
"Wang Bohu, tell me, how are we going to fight this war? Our heavy artillery cannot be transported in. The 150mm heavy artillery and rocket launchers are like children's toys. They pose no threat to their concrete fortresses!" Hong Jing's voice was filled with a bit of irritability and anxiety. His face was ashen, and his eyes flashed with dissatisfaction and anger.
Wang Bohu frowned, thought for a moment and said, "Commander, in the current situation, we can only report the battlefield situation to our superiors and request support from the Air Force. Only in this way can we reduce casualties and losses, capture the Nanyue Pass position as soon as possible, and join forces with the 142nd Division and the Special Operations Brigade to launch a general attack on Jingbo City."
Hong Jing's face was gloomy for a while, and he waved his hand irritably: "If you ask me to ask for air force support, where would I put my face? You go and do it!" There was some impatience and resistance in his voice.
Wang Bohu looked at Hong Jing firmly, his voice steady and powerful: "Commander, face is important, but the lives of soldiers are more important. If we don't act quickly, more soldiers will fall on the battlefield. The air force is our own people, and they are also fighting for the victory of the northern border. The president also made it clear before the war that we must take advantage of every advantage and win at the lowest cost."
Listening to Wang Bohu's words, Hong Jing's expression gradually eased. After hesitating for a moment, he finally made up his mind and called the front-line headquarters directly.
In the front-line command room, Jia Chengxun sat in the center, wearing a pair of exquisite glasses, concentrating on studying the sand table in front of him with Lin Zhengkai and Lian Cheng. Their eyes were focused on the densely marked sand, as if every detail was related to the success or failure of the entire battle.
The ringing of the phone broke the silence in the room. Jia Chengxun was slightly startled, and then a smug smile appeared on his lips. He turned to look at Lin Zhengkai and said in a somewhat teasing tone: "Believe it or not, this must be a call from that stubborn Hong Jing."
Lin Zhengkai nodded, his eyes revealing a hint of agreement: "The terrain of Nanyue Pass is inherently rugged and complex, and the enemy has built a solid defensive position here. In addition, they have made sufficient preparations in advance, so our heavy firepower is simply not effective. Hong Jing's 141st and 143rd Divisions have been attacking for two consecutive days, but have still not made any breakthrough progress. It seems that he has indeed encountered considerable trouble."
After a few breaths, Jia Chengxun calmly answered the phone. On the other end of the phone, Hong Jing's voice sounded a little anxious: "Hello, let Commander Jia answer the phone!" Jia Chengxun smiled slightly and responded in a slightly teasing tone: "I am Jia Chengxun. What's the matter? Did your 14th Army take over Jingbo City? Are you calling to report the good news?"
Hearing Jia Chengxun's words, Hong Jing couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, and his old face turned slightly red. After a moment of silence, he said shamelessly: "Commander, the enemy's defensive positions and heavy firepower fortresses are indestructible, just like an iron turtle that cannot be cut by a knife or chiseled. I called this time to request support from the air force."
After hearing this, Jia Chengxun smiled with understanding. He responded in a deep voice: "Okay, I know the situation on the front line very well. You, you should have found another way long ago when the attack was unfavorable. Why are you unwilling to speak up for the sake of so-called face? I will contact the air force immediately and launch an air strike on the enemy position in the shortest possible time. You get ready and take down Nanyue Pass in one go!"
When Hong Jing heard Jia Chengxun's words, a warm current suddenly surged in his heart. He took a deep breath and said firmly, "Yes, Commander!" After hanging up the phone, his eyes flashed with determination and expectation, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.