bookrandom Chapter 134 Battle of Guadalcanal (4)
Chapter 134 Battle of Guadalcanal (4)
Guo Kuisheng personally climbed to the top of the slope and observed the situation. Clearly, this was a tough nut to crack. Some soldiers had also entered the destroyed Japanese bunker on the slope. The exit was 5 or 6 meters above the open area on the slope. Except for the dozen or so people who were killed, most of the Japanese had fled back to their main position.
After Guo Kuisheng came down, he reported the situation to Deputy Regiment Commander Chen. Chen ordered the 1st Battalion to split into three routes, two of which advanced along the two wings, looking for assault points that could avoid the Japanese army's weakness.
Wang Chengwu and three regimental commanders stood before a giant US military photograph and a topographic map drawn by the General Staff based on US aerial reconnaissance. Wang's face darkened, and he cursed inwardly, "Damn it! What Allied forces? They're clearly using us Chinese as cannon fodder. What's this about advancing? Bullshit! The Americans have probably already surveyed the terrain, leaving us to gnaw on the bones. They'll advance along the lower slopes and quickly capture the Japanese airfield. Is this going to prove that American soldiers are superior to Chinese soldiers?! It seems the Americans won't lower their profile until they suffer heavy losses at the hands of the Japs."
Cai Yong was being held by Fletcher and Holcomb, and he probably wouldn't be able to get to the front line right away. Wang Chengwu was effectively acting as commanding officer for the entire division. He looked at the three regimental commanders in conversation, raised his hand, and called over the chief of staff. He whispered, "Old Zhou, do you think we're going to be tricked by the Americans?"
Zhou Ruijin smiled and said, "It's definitely a trap, but the Japanese are not fools. The route that the Americans think is easy will definitely be taken seriously by the Japanese. I believe that the Americans will suffer a great loss!"
Wang Chengwu firmly believes this. "Some people will only sit down and discuss cooperation after they've suffered losses. Let's wait and see!"
Zhou Rui said, "I don't think this is a bad thing for us. It's not like we haven't fought tough battles before. I think we should ignore all this and defeat them head-on! The Japanese devils think they are infallible with such a solid defense. They must have few troops. If we take this high ground, the road ahead will be smooth!"
"Yes! I'm going to take them by surprise, break the enemy's obstacle, and go straight for Canglong!"
Following Wang Chengwu's heroic words, the 113th Division Headquarters immediately began to formulate a combat plan for a frontal assault on Hill 217 (code name).
Wang Chengwu was filled with resentment and anger towards the US military. He felt they were being used as cannon fodder, while he was forced to fight the Japanese in difficult terrain. However, he also understood that only through combat could the strength of the Chinese army be proven. He decided to launch a frontal assault, breaking through the Japanese defenses and showcasing the bravery and tenacity of the Chinese army.
The conversation between Wang Chengwu and Zhou Ruijin reveals their thinking and decision-making regarding the war. They sought opportunities amidst adversity and, with unwavering conviction and courage, formulated a plan for a frontal assault. They believed that as long as the Chinese army remained united and forged ahead, they would surely defeat the Japanese and achieve victory.
A few dozen meters of hillside were quickly laced with mesh chains to facilitate climbing. The 4th Regiment utilized the existing Japanese bunker passages and began digging, forming long, interlaced trenches and deploying numerous light and heavy fire points. The soldiers continued to advance, advancing over 30 meters, and were now within 50 meters of the leading edge of the Japanese high ground. The Japanese noticed the Chinese's unusual movements, and machine guns, mountain artillery, and grenade launchers from higher positions began suppressing the advancing Chinese trenches. Fearing heavy casualties, Guo Kuisheng ordered the digging to halt.
The newly formed 5st Battalion of the 1th Regiment had already moved to the collapsed slope and immediately took action, establishing positions around it. Some scouts climbed the slope and crawled along the brush for more than ten meters to the base of Hill 217. This was right on the flank of Hill 217, but the steep terrain still made it impossible to deploy heavy weapons. Unwilling to give up, the 5st Battalion continued to explore along the river channel, intending to use it to bypass the enemy. However, they ended up at a bottomless cliff. This was the unique river channel of the island. When rain did not come, the mountain stream flowed along the impact channel into the former pond. During the rainy season, the river reversed course, releasing water from the cliff above its source.
Looking at the endless mountains, if you want to pass through here, you must break through the 217 high ground controlled by the Japanese army!
The 5st Battalion of the 1th Regiment and the regimental engineers began to dig extensively overnight. According to the order of the division headquarters, all the mechanized equipment of the 113th Division could only pass through the 1st Battalion's position, especially the M4 tanks and M4 flamethrower tanks. No matter how the Japanese army blocked them with firepower, they needed to rush up from here to support the frontal attack on the enemy.
Everything was ready. The 113th Division concentrated all its artillery fire and launched a fierce artillery attack on the Japanese army according to the targets indicated by the front line. Wang Chengwu did not hesitate to request support from the US Air Force. More than ten planes launched a bombing on the Japanese positions for nearly 30 minutes. The incendiary bombs burned the high ground and the surrounding weeds and shrubs to ashes, and the Japanese positions were more clearly displayed in front of the Chinese army.
While the Japanese army was not able to react, a company from the 4st Battalion of the 1th Regiment had already rushed to the bottom of the high ground. Several simple defensive fortifications of the Japanese army were breached. The entire company attacked in a crawling manner, spread out to the surroundings, and gradually cleared out the remaining firepower points that the Japanese army might have hidden.
Hill 217, as it's called, measures 217 meters from base to top. Excluding shrubs and other obstacles, the actual height should be around 215 meters. The 4th Regiment occupied the bottom, approximately 30 meters below. Above, the slope sloped at an average of 35 degrees, interrupted by numerous cliffs ranging from a few meters to over ten meters. The entire hill was composed primarily of granite, making it incredibly solid and sturdy, making the attack extremely difficult. Several commanders from the 4th and 5th Regiments gathered, and their staff used various observation and measurement tools to calculate the terrain and map exposed Japanese bunkers and firing points.
The Japanese army clearly had more than just the surface-level firepower. The constant influx of grenades with unidentified trajectories revealed their extensive preparations. Mechanized troops could construct a detour along the foot of the mountain, bypassing the mountain and advancing deeper into the Japanese territory. However, the Japanese on Hill 217 could strike at the foot of the mountain at any time, posing a significant threat and requiring annihilation.
Hill 217 stood like a sturdy fortress, firmly blocking the Chinese army's advance. Its height and steep slope made the attack extremely difficult. The Japanese firepower points, like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, were always ready to deliver a fatal blow to the Chinese army.
Chief of Staff Zhou, who arrived at the front line, made a decision: attack hard and take the high ground at all costs!
The 4st Battalion of the 1th Regiment attacked from the front, while the 5st Battalion of the 1th Regiment attacked from the flank. Both battalions sent their 1st Company as the vanguard of the assault, as if to compete with each other. This was obviously what the senior commanders wanted to see. Only by competing with each other at all levels on the battlefield can we stimulate greater combat effectiveness.
Gao Zhen's regimental reconnaissance platoon was assigned to the 1st Company, a common method used by regiments to enhance combat effectiveness. Gao Zhen was assigned by the 1st Company Commander to lead the assault on the left flank. Leading the reconnaissance platoon and the 1st Company's 3rd Platoon, over 80 men, under cover of fire from below, they advanced to a precipice. During this time, they eliminated four Japanese artillery points, including both visible and invisible, and killed a Japanese squad.