Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 232



Only Noblemtl

#232. Between Steel and Flame (2)

The long bayonets, the infantry ranks carrying them, and the bayonet tactics of the Japanese army, which were maintained to deal with the enemies charging forward, seemed of little use, at least in front of them.

The enemy infantry specialized in fighting almost individually, swinging their weapons freely in their hands without maintaining formation.

The friendly infantry in the mountain brigade maintained their formation, dodged the bayonets being brandished or deflected them with their butts, then charged up close and provoked a melee.

Some enemies even grabbed the gun barrels of friendly fire with their hands and easily neutralized them with the shovels they were holding.

It was at this point that the Japanese military’s formula for defeating the enemy by engaging in close combat began to break down, immediately following the massive rifle firepower from the mountain barracks.

“Ship, are we being pushed back in close combat?”

The infantry, who had to protect each other’s flanks, were hit by grenades and had holes all over their ranks. Moreover, the enemy was deliberately leading the battle into close combat with the aim of breaking their ranks, so the existing close combat training was useless.

This was not a problem that could be dismissed as simply a lack of mental strength or lack of training.

“Our infantry company is completely pushed back at the entrance to the enemy’s outpost!”

“Fuck!”

The morale of the Japanese infantry companies, whose jaws were broken by buttstocks, whose necks were pierced by sharp shovels, and whose wounds were stabbed by the ends of enemy bayonets, began to drop noticeably and rapidly.

Although troops from the mountain brigade had joined in at that moment, the enemy did not miss the gap in the scattered ranks.

Whenever the opportunity arose, the enemy infantry would tenaciously cling to the ranks of our infantry, pounding the entire line as if they were clubbing each other indiscriminately.

The mountain barracks, which could no longer endure the damage, were slowly collapsing, and eventually leading to a full-scale rout.

“Stop the retreating ones!”

“It’s too late! Our ranks are completely scattered by the enemy’s bayonet charge, and we can’t control them!”

Except for one company that was providing fire support, the other two companies were collapsing due to the enemy’s bayonet charges and close combat.

Although the company that was maintaining the firing line in the rear held out against the charging enemy, they were barely able to stop them, but it was a miserable result.

“···I think it’s time to retreat now.”

The words of a staff member barely broke the silence. Everyone had that thought in their head, but they dared not say it out loud.

In the distance, wounded, exhausted, and panicked troops were fleeing like wounded animals scurrying into a den.

“Retreat….”

After the disastrous outcome of the battle, Major Kobayashi could only speak in a trembling voice.

He couldn’t shake off his sense of guilt at the fact that this was the only order he could give, having failed to even break through the front line.

***

As dusk fell, Lieutenant General Asada, who had finally joined the 3rd Regiment, scolded Colonel Umezawa for still not being able to break through the Black Trade Line.

But what he said in return was something he had never thought of, and it was enough to make Vice Admiral Asada angry.

“What?! The attack failed, what do you mean!”

“Division Commander, below, the enemy’s defense line is stronger than expected. It appears that the enemy has abandoned Hwangju and has established a dense defense line here at Heukgyo…”

“Stop making excuses for your failed breakthrough!”

In response to Lieutenant General Asada’s words, Colonel Umezawa answered by pointing with his hand to the place where the battery once stood.

“This is not an excuse, Division Commander. The 2nd Artillery Battalion of the Guards Artillery Regiment was exposed to enemy artillery fire and lost 60% of its firepower.”

The fire that had been raging fiercely until just now was finally put out, and the scorched earth, destroyed field guns, and casualties that had not yet been recovered were visible. Ten of the eighteen field guns assigned to the artillery battalion were definitely lost.

If the artillery regiment commander found out, he would probably grab the back of his neck and fall down, but fortunately, he was in the direction of the 1st Brigade. He had to set an example on the most important front line or something.

In any case, the Guards Artillery Battalion, which had lost its most valuable artillery, hurriedly pulled out the surviving artillerymen and firearms, but the condition was so bad that there was even a gloomy outlook that it would not be able to exert much force in future offensives.

“The enemies on the front line also appear to be elite troops with considerable fighting power. The 3rd Battalion launched an offensive in a textbook skirmish line, but the enemy seemed to have prepared in advance, and they countered by building a large amount of explosives and a well-coordinated firing line, and pushed back hard against our forces.”

This time, Chief of Staff Colonel Shigemi Kumao answered the division commander’s words on his behalf.

“So, are you saying that the enemy’s intention was to clear the Hwangju area?”

Unlike the confident morning, he now looked very haggard. This was probably because the artillery battalion, which was as good as life, had been swept away.

“I think that’s probably the case for now. To be exact, it would be correct to say that Joseon had already chosen a battlefield that was advantageous to them, and we fell for it.”

Lieutenant General Asada could now understand why they had abandoned Hwangju, where the defensive line was strongly built, and retreated all the way to Heukgyo, which was close to the line leading to Pyongyang.

It was as if the enemies had drawn themselves to a point where they thought it was most advantageous.

I don’t know who planned the enemy’s attack, but he was definitely a very bold person.

It is clear that they have handed over a very valuable fortress position and have dragged their main force into a difficult position.

“And here, Heukgyo Station, the terrain is very unfavorable to us. Unlike the Hwangju front, where there are relatively many places to take a detour or hide, this place is mostly an open battlefield. Furthermore, the high ground that can command this plain and pour out artillery fire is all located in the area where the enemy is located.”

As you can see on the map, this was an extremely difficult terrain for the attackers. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a truly unreasonable natural environment that all the staff had to admit.

The difference between the 2nd Guards Brigade, which had only open plains, and the North Korean soldiers who looked down on them from the mountains was considerable.

“Besides, the harvest season is over and there are currently no terrain features that can conceal us. Night attacks are the only solution.”

“There was a reason why those Chinese guys crawled towards China and tried to intercept them.”

“The enemy is on a different level than we are. They know exactly what they need to do on their own land. We need to respond accordingly.”

Immediately after the battle, Colonel Umezawa withdrew to a village called Kintegi, about 7km away from Kurogeyo Station, to avoid enemy artillery fire.

It was a distance that was just right for tactical action while barely avoiding enemy artillery fire.

“But can’t we just sit here and kill people just because the terrain is unfavorable?”

“Of course. The artillery losses during the first contact were so great that the firepower gap would be severe. We may have the upper hand in terms of manpower, but if the enemy counterattacks from all sides with the support of artillery, which they consider to be superior, along with the Roske cavalry, it would be a big problem.”

The enemy’s artillery was still in full swing, and its power remained the same. The 4th Guards Regiment had already experienced the formidable enemy artillery fire, so if the enemy had used it as a starting point and launched a proper, sharp attack, even the 2nd Guards Brigade would have difficulty guaranteeing victory.

Even if they were to block it, they would be exposed to one-sided bombardment and would inevitably suffer considerable damage.

“Isn’t the main force of the Guards Cavalry Regiment also departed for Jinnampo to support the 1st Brigade’s operations?”

“Then is there any good way?”

In general, compared to the 1st Brigade, the 2nd Brigade was closer to a tribute force, so its troops were inferior in many ways.

The artillery battalion was annihilated, and the auxiliary units, including the cavalry battalion and the infantry battalion, had been called up in large numbers for the 1st Brigade’s operation to secure Jinnampo, so their supplies were also in a difficult state.

“I told you earlier. A night attack is the only solution. Since the 3rd Regiment has been reinforced, we must quickly advance to the interior of Heukseok Station, where the enemy’s forward outposts and main fishing boats are located.”

After taking a short breath, Colonel Umezawa continued speaking. He needed to convince the division commander and his staff as to why the 2nd Guards Brigade had to launch a night attack.

“It is an undeniable fact that our artillery is currently completely suppressed by the enemy artillery.”

“That’s true, but wouldn’t it be more ideal to receive support from the 12th or 2nd Division artillery?”

“That is not true, Chief of Staff. The brigade is short on supplies right now. We are going into the offensive with only two days’ worth of supplies, and time is even shorter. We must break through the Pyongyang-Uiju road before the 2nd and 3rd Armies can land at Lushun and Dalian.”

Colonel Shigemi nodded. There was nothing particularly wrong with Colonel Umezawa’s words.

“Not only is it impossible to receive artillery support, but it is virtually suicidal to move while exposed to enemy artillery on the open ground.”

“So you’re suggesting that we launch an offensive at night?”

“Yes. They are not simply attacking at night because they are afraid of enemy artillery. The enemy has occupied high ground from which they can command the entire plain, and they are making excellent use of their firepower superiority there.”

Even to those who were ignorant of tactics, it was obvious that the Japanese army was positioned in a very unfavorable terrain.

While looking at the situation on the map that made people sigh just by looking at it, everyone listened intently to what Lieutenant Umezawa would say.

“Our strength lies in the fact that our infantry numbers far outnumber our enemies. In order to offset the enemy’s superior firepower and make good use of our infantry numbers… we need to use the darkness, which limits our visibility, as a shield to charge into the enemy’s main fishing boats.”

“So, are you saying that we should offset the enemy’s firepower?”

“Yes. If you quickly move under the cover of darkness and sneak up on the enemy, no matter how powerful the artillery is, it will not be able to drop shells on the heads of its comrades.”

Lieutenant General Asada, who had been pondering for a moment, asked him one last question. The key was whether there were enough supplies to launch an offensive.

“Aren’t you short on supplies for a night attack?”

“So, whether we succeed or fail, we must launch an offensive. We must maintain the offensive as long as possible and prevent the enemy from concentrating their forces on one side. If we give in like this, the enemy will definitely counterattack. And the Roske cavalry is targeting our rear.”