novelden Chapter 139 Lewis's Diary (2)
Chapter 139 Lewis's Diary (2)
Wednesday, August 8, Rain
For three days, the Allied forces and the Japanese had been engaged in fierce fighting on Hill 534. Company A of the 6st Battalion, 1th Regiment, had been nearly crippled in the brutal fighting and had to withdraw. Regimental headquarters urgently recruited volunteers to form a commando team, with the goal of capturing the Japanese stronghold Q, which was hindering our advance.
According to the reconnaissance report, there was about a small team of Japanese troops at the Q stronghold, equipped with multiple machine guns, 102mm mortars and 70mm infantry guns. The fortifications were extremely strong and the terrain was extremely dangerous.
My good friend Hickman died heroically in battle yesterday with Company A. This tragic news has left me devastated. I am filled with hatred for the Japanese invaders. Their cruelty and atrocities are intolerable. I am determined to avenge Hickman's death!
I was surprised to learn that it was Lieutenant Gao who was leading the assault team. Normally, he had nothing to do with the 6th Regiment's mission. However, when Colonel Marshall told me that it was Gao's idea to form the assault team, I instantly understood his intention. It turned out that Gao, like me, burned with deep affection for his comrades and hatred for the enemy. He wanted justice for the comrades who had died in the past few days and made the Japanese pay!
At this moment, my resolve deepened. No matter what difficulties and dangers lie ahead, I remain undaunted. Together with the lieutenant and the other volunteers, I will bravely charge forward toward Stronghold Q. With our actions, we will demonstrate our courage and resolve to the Japanese invaders, avenge our fallen comrades, and secure victory for democracy and freedom!
Thursday, August 8, heavy rain
The heavy rain poured down like a bucket, as if the heavens were deliberately hindering our movement. However, this bad weather also became our cover, making it difficult for the enemy to detect our whereabouts.
The commando team quickly arrived below Point Q. This time, Lieutenant Gao chose not to attack head-on, knowing full well that the enemy's defenses were tight and a frontal assault would likely result in heavy casualties. Instead, he led the team to the left rock face, preparing to climb this nearly straight face and circle back to the top of Point Q.
Several members with exceptional climbing skills participated in the operation. Lieutenant Gao led the charge, braving the pouring rain and slippery rock face, arduously climbing the dozens-meter-high rock face. He paused on a narrow platform high up, lowered a rope, and assisted the other members up the rock face. They then used the same method to reach the highest point of the rock face.
Armed with two bazookas, they quickly took up their positions. Ground control was handed over to Lieutenant Martin, the company lieutenant of F Company, who undoubtedly joined the assault to avenge his comrades. According to the plan agreed upon by the High Lieutenant and Lieutenant Martin, while the High Lieutenant opened fire on the Japanese bunker at Point Q from the heights, the assault team would launch a simultaneous charge, seizing Point Q in a single blow.
The battle unfolded just as the lieutenant had predicted. He accurately blew up the Japanese bunker from his perch. Lieutenant Martin led the first group into Point Q, quickly seizing the outer perimeter. I followed the rest of the team and annihilated those exposed enemies.
By the time the senior lieutenant arrived, we had completely captured Point Q, with minimal losses. Everyone was impressed by the senior lieutenant's command and came forward to commend him. However, the senior lieutenant seemed deeply dissatisfied, even getting angry at Lieutenant Martin and demanding that everyone immediately prepare for battle.
Under Gao's strict instructions, we assigned a group of personnel to carefully inspect every corner of the stronghold, especially those seemingly inconspicuous areas. Sure enough, we discovered what looked like ventilation holes in the underground bunker. After uncovering the holes and dropping several smoke bombs, the Japanese emerged from several hidden passages in the stone walls. Thanks to Gao's foresight and preparation, we quickly annihilated this attempted sneak attack. Then, under the cover of our pyrotechnicians, we entered the hidden passages. The equipment and pre-buried explosives inside made everyone break out in a cold sweat!
Tuesday, August 8, light rain
The 6th Regiment successfully captured Hill 534 today, annihilating a Japanese battalion. This was undoubtedly a day of celebration. However, another piece of news came like a bolt from the blue, plunging me into endless sorrow. The vehicle carrying the high lieutenant and members of the Chinese search team was tragically struck by a landmine while returning to the airport, resulting in numerous casualties. By the time rescuers arrived, the high lieutenant had already died heroically.
Lieutenant Gao Zhen, his full name was Gao Zhen. He was the 113-year-old leader of the reconnaissance platoon of the 4st Battalion, 1th Regiment, 24th Division of the Chinese Army. He was born in the beautiful town of Maotai, in remote Guizhou, China. It's said to be the home of China's most famous liquor, rich in resources and known for its simple and kind people. I truly couldn't fathom what had lured him to such an arduous journey, to this unassuming island in the South Pacific, to engage in a life-or-death battle with the Japanese.
The Wall Street Journal once reported on the Japanese army's rampage during their invasion of China, claiming that over 300,000 innocent people were massacred when the Chinese capital, Nanjing, fell. I once harbored a lingering skepticism about the Japanese army's atrocities, but after experiencing the devastation in that unnamed indigenous village, I became a complete believer. I believe that Lieutenant Gao and the other Chinese soldiers came here with the unwavering determination to avenge their nation's shame and the innocent victims of their deaths. Just like us, we are burning with anger to uphold the dignity of America and for world peace.
Although I had little contact with Gao Zhen, his bravery, wisdom, and decisiveness deeply captivated me. At that moment, I felt deeply that America and China were a closely connected whole, united in our shared goal of eradicating fascism and striving for world peace. I felt immensely grateful and proud to have the privilege of participating in this just struggle.
I am determined to carry on Lieutenant Gao's unfinished work. After the war, I hope to visit his hometown and taste the legendary Maotai liquor. I want to meet Gao Zhen's family and pass on his heroic deeds so that more people can learn about this great hero. At the same time, I want to let the Japanese devils know that our hatred will never fade. We will resolutely fight them to the bitter end until fascism is completely eradicated and true peace is brought to the world!
Lewis's diary contains many more entries, which I will not describe here. Mr. Lewis did not achieve his wish in the end. In the battle of Iwo Jima in 1944, he was killed as a second lieutenant!