Zhang always admired the Vietnamese for defeating colonial super powers through sheer determination. The PLA were falling into old traps. The Vietnamese were using the same tactics they used at Dien Bien Phu, and against the Americans, and they were getting away with it.
He had begun to think he’d missed the real war. On paper China held almost all of Northern Vietnam. Central Vietnam had been pacified quickly; Chinese soldiers relaxed on the same beaches American GI's had sixty years before. In the South, the invasion bogged down after Saigon. Far from the Chinese border and with less available forces than in the North, the PLA were yet to venture far beyond Saigon. Instead creating a kind of Great wall of a dozen forward bases around the city. Now those bases were all under heavy assault.
‘We have our orders, sir,’ the radio operator announced.
The Major took the headset and listened to the instructions before turning to his staff. ‘The enemy are trying to punch through Tan Binh and Phu Nhuan districts. Supported by Guerrilla activity. Airstrikes are going to deal with their ground forces. We’re to mop up the Guerrillas.’
'Major, I would like to re-join B Company. Just to ride with them. My place is where the fight is.' Zhang said.
The Major scrutinized the Lieutenant with a twitching eye. 'Perhaps you’re right. Prove yourself, Lieutenant!'
That was it. Let off his leash. He snapped to attention. Saluting the Major, then making a parade-ground left turn, he rushed toward his company’s encampment.
He found the nine APC’s of B company already moving onto the road in single file. Only the last trio of APC's still prepared to move. He sprinted to the nearest, and hammered on the hatch next to the driver. The hatch swung open. A young face glared out at him.
'Get lost we're moving out... oh, Lieutenant. I apologise.'
'Do you have an officer aboard?'
'No, sir. We’re Dog-two. Sergeant Guang’s vehicle. Lieutenant Gao is in Dog-one.'
'I'm coming aboard.'
He climbed onto the roof and stomped his boot on the hatch over the commander’s position. The Sergeant opened it; glaring at Zhang.
'Move aside. I'm taking command of this vehicle under orders from Major Hu.'
The Sergeant shifted across to the next seat without complaint. Commanding a single APC wasn't the same as having his own squadron of APC's and platoon of infantry, but at least he was going to action. He pulled a set of earphones off their hook, slipping it onto his head. The APC was soon rumbling along; second to last in the convoy of nine. Once outside the base they accelerated to 50kph. Zhang kept his eyes fixed on the small night-vision view screen. Glancing occasionally at the convoy’s progress on the sat-nav.
The night-vision was occasionally obscured by flashes of light from distant ordnance. Being second to last in the convoy there was little to see anyway other than the ass end of the vehicle in front.
Crossing one of the larger bridges over the Saigon river, he was treated to a panoramic view of part of the city. Most of the city was in darkness. Flames and explosive flashes provided the only illumination. He listened to the radio chatter; Vietnamese forces were being pursued or annihilated in many locations just for a new strike to appear elsewhere.
As per procedure, the convoy slowed when moving into the outlying residential areas of the city. Many gunners and APC commanders slung open their hatches to better spot enemies. Zhang kept his lid closed. He wasn't wearing armour and the night-vision worked better than his eyes. There was nothing he could do up top that he couldn't do inside the APC.
The company commander, Captain Liang's voice came over the radio. 'Divide and search by threes.'
Dog squadron took the next right turn. A standard patrol pattern. The company adopted a three pronged approach. Two elements proceeding on parallel roads, while the third took a longer more circular route. This tactic could be used at battalion, company and platoon level. He adopted it himself when on patrol.
'Snake-two under fire. Deploying infantry.'
'Cat-one, en-route. Eta two minutes,' Captain Liang said over the whirr of his accelerating engine.
'Dog-one, en-route. Eta thirty seconds,' came the response from the leader of Zhang's section, Lieutenant Gao.
'Negative, Dog-one,' the Captain said, 'circumnavigate Snake's position. Make sure there's no ambush.'
Zhang would've taken a similar precaution. The whole company on one street would eliminate manoeuvrability and increase their amassed target size. The Vietnamese were proven masters of ambush. However, if there was no trap Dog squadron could miss out on any action.
He examined the satnav display. They were heading the wrong way down a one-way street; not that such things mattered when there was no traffic and your vehicle weighed 20 tons.
'Twelve o'clock, hostiles!' Lt.Gao bellowed over the communication channel.
From inside the APC the gunfire sounded tinny and distant. He couldn't get a clear look through the periscope. The night-vision only caught the barrel flashes.
'Deploy to line,' Lt.Gao commanded.
That meant action. Zhang couldn't suppress his smile. The driver dropped a gear. The APC shot forward; swinging left to halt alongside Dog-one. The remaining APC fell in on the right side. All three unleashed their 30mm cannons. Zhang couldn't see the target. Cannons kicked up sparks, shattered windows and crumbled masonry.
'Dog-two. Target position?' Zhang shouted through the microphone. He didn't want to empty all his ammunition into abandoned buildings.
'Dog-three. I think they fled.'
'So why are we still shooting?' Zhang cried out.
'Hold fire!' Lt.Gao hollered. 'Deploy smoke!'
There was a series of hollow thunks as each APC launched smoke grenades. Zhang could overhear the squad leader's pre-engagement pep-talk to his men in the belly of the vehicle. Deployment of smoke usually a prelude to deploying infantry.
'Advance Squads. Victor formation. Search and destroy,' Gao's order crackled through the channel.
'Go!' the sergeant commanded.
The rear and side doors of the APC squealed open. Boots thumped on concrete followed by the quick patter and scrape of their soles as the soldiers scrambled into position.
Zhang watched them through the night vision camera until they moved out of sight. Only the Sergeant of each squad had radio contact to the APC. A burst of automatic fire rang out. It only lasted a few seconds. He knew it was one of theirs; a type 95 light machine gun.
'2nd Squad. Movement spotted; Christian Church,' the senior sergeant's voice was almost a whisper, 'are we firing?'
'Eliminate all hostiles!' Lt.Gao barked.
Gunfire echoed through Zhang's earphones. Barrel flashes obscured the night-vision. He unbolted the turret hatch and swung it open.
Three squads from the three APC's made up a platoon totalling twenty-one soldiers. They had taken positions along the street using what cover the could; doorways, alcoves, walls. Some had smashed their way into buildings to shoot from windows. Gun flashes rippled along the street. The church was the target of their fury. The statue of Christ stood over the entrance with arms wide. Sparks flew off him where bullets hit. The Church lit up like it was under a giant strobe light. Stain glass windows shattered. Zhang wondered if soldiers were actually aiming at the statue.
'Dog section, fire!' Lt.Gao commanded.
'Fire!' Zhang repeated.
They launched 100mm shells almost simultaneously; obliterating one of three pillars supporting the domed entrance on which Jesus statue stood, and blasting two holes in the walls large enough for a man to fit through. The spent shell clattered onto the floor of the APC as it was ejected. The next was thrust into firing position with a clunk! declaring its readiness to fire. A second barrage further demolished the walls- sending dust and debris across the street.
'Cease fire!' The Lieutenant ordered.
Small-arms fire continued for a few seconds. Dust and smoke hung in the air. Zhang dropped down into his seat. Looking through the
image-intensified night sight he couldn't see any indication of life or movement.
'First squad, move up!' Lt.Gao ordered. In a rush of boots, the seven soldiers scrambled to what remained of the Church entrance. Lining up either side of the splintered doorway. A soldier with a heavy machinegun covered the entrance. At their Sergeant's signal, one by one the soldiers disappeared into the Church.
Zhang could see at a glance that there weren't enough soldiers to loop around the whole building. He was about to communicate that the rear of the church wasn't covered when the First squad sergeant's report came in.
'First squad, uh...we've got uh, about...thirty civilians. Some casualties.'
'What?' Lt.Gao shrieked, as if the possibility of civilians in the combat zone never occurred to him. 'What about hostiles?'
'Uh, that's negative. Just civilians, um... there are casualties, sir.'
The Lieutenant cursed.
A new voice interrupted the channel. 'Second squad. We're spotting movement at the school behind the church.'
'First squad, hold position!' the Lieutenant screamed, 'second and third squads- assault entry on the school. Dog two, hold position. Dog three, support infantry assault!'
Sensible orders, Zhang mused; providing armoured support and fall back positions for the infantry. They were however, getting strung out in unfamiliar territory. That was how Custer got defeated.
Captain Liang's gruff voice broke into the channel; 'Third platoon, what's your status?'
'Engaging hostile forces!' Lt.Gao said.
Zhang reasoned that the armed men spotted minutes before had plenty of time to flee the area. Even so, from the command hatch he kept a keen watch. Militants could easily creep up and apply a magnetic mine or improvised explosive completely unnoticed.
'Do you require reinforcement?' the Captain said.
'No, sir! We… I have the situation under control.' Lt.Gao said.
'Understood. We're finished here. Cat and Snake will move in orientation to your position eta... ten minutes.'
Finished? Zhang glanced at his watch. They couldn’t have encountered much resistance. He found himself willing the enemy to strike from the shadows; he'd be the one to spot the attack and spearhead the counterattack. He had to prove himself.
The soldiers of first squad began to emerge from the Church. Escorting a line of civilians with hands on their heads- it looked like a lot of old people and kids.
'First squad. We've got two deceased civilians, and uh... four injured. Squad medic attending... request stretcher and additional medic.'
'Negative, First Squad. Tell your medic to make do.' Lt.Gao snapped.
The civilians were separated into two groups; five adult males, then everyone else. The men made to kneel with hands on heads while a Sergeant looked over their ID's, shining his flashlight into their faces. Zhang wondered why women were above suspicion. If anyone read history they'd know Viet Cong women were famed for their ruthlessness during the 'American War'.
Second and third squads also started bringing prisoners from the school. They had a bigger haul, and there were no casualties. Zhang counted forty-three civilians marching past his APC to join the first group.
Lt.Gao emerged from his APC. He joined the assembled infantry squad leaders. Zhang removed his headphones and replaced them on the hook.
'You're in the hot-seat,' he told the sergeant before climbing out of the turret and dropping down to the road.
He walked quickly. Glancing about for signs of sniper or ambush. The infantry also scanned the vacant windows, looking along the sights of their assault rifles ready to fire at the first sign of trouble.
The flashes and streaks across the skyline had become less frequent. He could still see helicopters, their searchlights waving over the city and occasional flash of tracer fire, but much less than twenty minutes previous. Had the fight gone out of the foe already? Maybe, as during the Tet offensive half a century ago they'd spent their force.
He fell in beside Lt.Gao who glanced at him with a puzzled frown before turning his attention back to his prisoners. He was holding a battered AK-47 assault rifle. A soldier held another. These weren't regulation weapons used by the PLA. The Lieutenant held the rifle in the air.
'I want to know who is responsible for these guns?'
A corporal acting as platoon interpreter repeated the question in Vietnamese. There was no response from the prisoners.
The male prisoners all looked impassive; staring vacantly without so much as a twitch.
'Who's guns are these?' Red faced, Lt.Gao sprayed spittle as he snarled the question. 'Whoever owns these are terrorists. Any protecting them are guilty of association!'
There was still no response. Zhang looked from face to face. Any could be an insurgent. They'd probably have to take them all in. There’d be a cage shortage back in China.
'Second squad!' the Lieutenant barked, 'move the women and children behind Dog three.'
The squad waved, prodded and pushed them along. Many women wailed, clutching young and crying out with pleading faces to the men. Smaller children began to cry. Zhang held his breath. He ground his teeth; hoping he misinterpreted Gao's intent.
Lt.Gao passed the AK-47 to one of the soldiers and un-holstered his pistol; waving it in the air so all could see he meant business. He levelled the weapon at the face of the nearest prisoner. The man’s eyes widened. The weapon didn't stay trained on him for long. It traversed the line of prisoners. When the barrel passed over someone they ducked or cringed, with some letting out a yelp. It was like a horrific lottery; Who will win tonight's star prize? Stay tuned for 'the gun of fortune!'
'My men found these weapons hidden under the altar. If nobody will accept responsibility, I have to hold you all responsible!'
The interpreter translated. Still nobody spoke up. Zhang shook his head. If they wouldn't talk with a gun in their face, Gao was going to be pushed into further action.
The Lieutenant's eyes seemed to bulge from their sockets. He paced. Breathing hard and nostrils flared.
'First Squad, form a firing line!' Lt.Gao waved his gun, indicating where he wanted them to line up. Soldiers shuffled into place.
Zhang closed his eyes. Couldn't he just once get involved in a normal battle without having to deal with this sort of thing? Was his family cursed?
'Present arms!'
Cries of shock and fearful murmurs spread among the prisoners. Soldiers of third squad moved to distance themselves from ricochet, or perhaps from the crime they could see about to unfold. Lt.Gao's teeth were gritted. Zhang didn't know Gao well, but he looked determined.
'Sir?' the first squad’s Sergeant said with begging eyes.
'Fire!' the Lieutenant roared.
Zhang blinked. His cry of outrage caught in his throat. Nothing happened. Nobody fired. Had the Lieutenant given a secret signal not to shoot? Soldiers looked at each other, unsure. The Sergeant stood with his barrel dipped to the ground. His jaw working as he tried to find words.
'Fire!' the Lieutenant screamed, glaring at the Sergeant while jabbing his pistol toward the nearest kneeling prisoner. The soldiers straightened their stances. The sergeant turned back to the prisoners and raised his weapon. They might hesitate once, but PLA soldiers were not in the habit of defying orders.
'Stop!' Zhang screamed.
The entire firing line paused. Faces turned to him. Lieutenant Gao's furious face turned too.
'What?' Lt.Gao spat, incredulous.
Ignoring him, Zhang looked to the sergeant- his hesitation marked him out as a possible ally. 'Place Lieutenant Gao under arrest. I'm taking command.'
The Sergeant looked from one Lieutenant to the other and back again. Gao stepped forward, his arm sweeping up to level his pistol at Zhang's face.
Zhang sidestepped and caught Gao's wrist- pushing the barrel skyward. With his other hand he struck Gao's neck; sending the Lieutenant stumbling. His fingers closed around the barrel as the Lieutenant fell, wrenching the weapon from
his grasp.
Gao lay on his side. His hand cradling his injured neck. Glaring up at his own pistol aimed directly at his head. The Lieutenants stared at each other. Zhang felt strangely calm. He'd done the right thing. Whatever the consequences he could live with it.
Gao's jaw hung open in disbelief. His eyes bulged; giving him a crazy look which Zhang decided suited him.
'Execute that man!' Gao screamed, stabbing his finger at Zhang.
Zhang's eyes flicked to the Sergeant. The soldiers had lowered their weapons. They looked at each other with uncertainty. Gao gawped at his Sergeant.
Zhang pressed on while he still had the initiative. 'Sergeant! Place Lieutenant Gao under arrest.'
The Sergeant waved two of his men forward. With their NCO’s endorsement they acted without hesitation; pulling their former commander to his knees. They applied a plastic cable-tie to his wrists which they bound securely behind his back. Gao's eyes were furious in silent hatred. Zhang nodded his thanks to the Sergeant. If the Sergeant had been pals with Gao, things may have gone a lot differently.
'We were ordered to eliminate all opposition. I'm following orders,' Gao said in a calm, cold voice.
'No,' Zhang growled, 'you exceeded the remit of your orders and made yourself a criminal. You'll be sent back to China in disgrace. Your men are now under my command.'
He hoped Captain Liang would see it that way.
Thuỳ
23rd March, 23:00
She was surprised they'd made it so far. The Chinese were everywhere. She tried to appear brave but couldn't contain her trembling. Not just her hands, but her shoulders, legs... Thankfully, nobody seemed to notice.
'What are we going to do?' Minh whispered.
Tuấn stole a glance over the side of the rooftop. 'Looks like they’re poised to attack the bridge. Okay, here's the plan...'
Tuấn always looked so confident. He looked at the three of them in turn as he delivered his instructions. She felt his eyes lingered on her for a half second longer than the others. Probably checking to make sure she wasn't freaking out. She forced herself to smile, then felt silly about smiling with the city burning around them.
The March of the Dragons Page 28