OBS Chapter 331 Sharp Knife Company!
Chapter 331 Sharp Knife Company!
Meanwhile, opposite the unnamed hill, on Hill 3, the main force of a company from the 1st Battalion, 118th Regiment, 40th Division of the 14th Army was responsible for capturing Hill 3. Four hours before the counterattack began on the morning of February 17th, their troops crossed the newly erected pontoon bridge at the river mouth border, leaped across the Nanxi River, and advanced directly to the southeast side of Lao Cai, arriving at the enemy-held Hill 3 as quickly as possible. They launched their attack with maximum speed, hoping to catch the enemy off guard and capture this strategic location in the shortest possible time, thus paving the way for the main force to advance smoothly into Lao Cai city.
As soon as the two sides clashed, the vanguard company, which had just entered the position, was suppressed by fire from three sides. This area, consisting of Hill 1, Hill 3, and the unnamed hill on the opposite side, formed a pincer movement. If one hill was attacked, the enemy could immediately reinforce the other two hills. Moreover, the enemy was clearly aware of the importance of this strategic location and had deployed heavy troops to defend it. The secret passages, fortresses, and bunkers were built like a spider web. It was also situated on high ground, so that not even birds could fly over it, let alone people.
The spearhead company launched a continuous assault, fighting for a full day and night. By employing a dispersed formation and combined fire suppression, they finally captured the right flank of Hill No. 1. However, they also suffered heavy casualties, with the company commander and more than twenty soldiers sacrificing their lives, resulting in the loss of one-sixth of their personnel.
"Da da da!"
"Boom, boom!"
Inside a bunker, Deputy Company Commander Li Shan reported the battle situation on the position via walkie-talkie. Artillery fire erupted overhead intermittently, filling the air with dust that made it impossible to open one's eyes.
"...What are you good for, Li Shan?"
A furious roar came from the other end of the walkie-talkie.
"It's been a whole day and night and you still haven't taken the position. What did you promise me before we set off? Absolutely no problem, I guarantee the mission will be completed. Is this how you promised me? You call yourselves the 'sharp knife company'? You don't deserve that title."
Li San was extremely aggrieved; blood was still flowing from his head, his right arm was injured, and he was covered in dust, looking as if he had just been pulled out of a mud pile.
"Commander, it's not that we're not willing to fight, it's just that the enemy has set up heavy defenses here. Our elite company has charged more than ten times in a row, and suffered heavy casualties..."
"Don't give me reasons, I want results, results!"
That roar
"Where's Yang Ming? Let him talk to me. How did he become the commander of this elite platoon? If he can't take the position again, I'll fire him."
"Captain!"
Li San suddenly choked up, and large tears uncontrollably slid down his cheeks.
"The company commander had just led a platoon toward Hill No. 3, intending to launch a strong attack on the enemy's outer fortifications. Unexpectedly, the enemy's bunkers were under fierce crossfire. The company commander was hit by two bullets. At the last moment, he rushed straight to the enemy bunker, detonated the 'glorious grenade' on his body, and died together with the enemy."
There was silence on the other end of the walkie-talkie, only heavy breathing could be heard.
"Commander, Commander, are you listening?"
"How many casualties does the company have now?"
"Forty-three people were killed, eight were seriously injured, and the rest..."
Li Sandao:
"Commander, after dark, I will lead the company in another charge and we will definitely take these two hills to avenge Company Commander Yang and his comrades."
There was another silence on the other end, about ten seconds, before someone finally spoke:
"Li San, let's wait for the reinforcements to arrive. If we keep fighting like this, the elite detachment might be wiped out."
"Commander, even if only one man remains in the elite platoon, we will never desert or retreat, and we will never bring shame to the 118th Regiment. Just wait for the good news that we have captured the position."