On the Chinese New Year's Eve of 1979, the silence on Position 2 was broken by an abrupt "It's time to eat!" People's Liberation Army soldiers Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang hid in the thick grass, their tense nerves vibrating like strings in this sudden sound. In the shadows of the grass at this seemingly ordinary meal time, two pairs of eyes were as sharp as trappers, staring at the four figures slowly walking towards them. The four men dressed as cooks, each carrying a cauldron in their hands, chatted seemingly lazily, and walked easily between the trees and the tents.
However, Li Guilin's gaze stayed on these "cooks" for a longer time. He noticed that the men's white towels were unusually tied to their left arm, while the troop regulations were for the right arm. This tiny detail, like a needle piercing his heart, quickly aroused his vigilance.
Enemy Camouflage: Sneaking closer
The 304th Division of the Vietnamese Army, under the command of Division Commander Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, began to carry out a well-planned operation aimed at approaching the positions of the Chinese troops by camouflage and covert means. They selected a special operations force that included hundreds of specially trained soldiers who wore uniforms similar to those of the Chinese army in order to confuse the public.
At dusk, when the sky began to darken, the team went into action. The four Vietnamese agents wore Chinese military uniforms, and their uniforms were so meticulously detailed that they were almost indistinguishable from real Chinese soldiers from their appearance. The agents were fluent in Mandarin and interacted with each other, mimicking the conversations and mannerisms of Chinese soldiers to ensure smooth access to Chinese military positions.
The Vietnamese special operations team, led by four agents, quietly advanced through the night. They weave through dense jungles and meadows, with a light and cautious pace to avoid making any sounds that might cause alarm. They took advantage of the terrain, such as cleverly taking advantage of the cover of ravines and low-lying areas, and stopped from time to time to observe the surrounding situation to ensure that they would not be detected by the Chinese army sentries.
Vietnamese special combat personnel disguised as cooking squads began to carry food containers and slowly moved towards the Chinese army's outpost. Their movements are natural and their expressions are relaxed, just like real cooking workers. Under their cover, other Vietnamese special operators approached, following behind the camouflaged cooking squad, ready to launch a surprise attack at the right time.
Vigilance turns danger into safety: Respond in a timely manner
Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang crouched in the lush grass, their eyes as sharp as those of predators, piercing through the surrounding fog and tree shadows. Their task was to monitor and defend Position 2, a key point on the front, where any small negligence could lead to serious consequences.
In the grass, the two soldiers almost blended in with their surroundings. Their camouflage uniforms are covered in mud and leaves, making them almost impossible to spot in dense vegetation. The breeze was blowing, the grass was gently swaying, Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang were as quiet as virgins, moving like rabbits, always ready to deal with any situation that might arise.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence around them, "It's time to eat!" This is the usual rallying slogan, which means that the logistics staff will deliver the meal to the front. Qin Liangguang subconsciously felt a burst of hunger when he heard this familiar call, and his stomach seemed to remind him that he hadn't eaten for a long time. But just as he was about to get up and go to the meal, Li Guilin grabbed him tightly.
Li Guilin's eyes were locked on the so-called "food delivery personnel", and he noticed a detail, that is, their white towels were tied to their left arms. This anomaly aroused his suspicions, as according to the routine of their troops, a white towel was supposed to be tied to the right arm. Such small differences may seem trivial to the average person, but in the tense atmosphere of wartime, any slight anomaly can be a harbinger of a potential threat.
Qin Liangguang didn't think so at first, he thought it might just be a coincidence or the negligence of the logistics staff. But Li Guilin's insistence led him to reassess the situation in front of him. They decided to hide their observations for the time being, not to reveal their location easily.
As the so-called cooking procession approached, Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang began to observe these people more carefully. In addition to the problem of tying the wrong arm with a white towel, they also found that the pace of these people was not the same as that of a soldier in an ordinary cooking class, and more like the rhythmic pace of a soldier who had undergone rigorous training.
As the distance shortened, Li Guilin clearly saw through the telescope that the expressions on the faces of these people were different from those of ordinary cooks, and the eyes revealed not the gentleness of serving the front-line soldiers, but nervousness and alertness. This further deepened his suspicions.
Vietnamese agents disguised as cooks and the special operations forces behind them gradually approached the positions where Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang were located. The dense grass provided good cover for the two PLA fighters, allowing them to covertly observe the enemy's every move. Li Guilin carefully observed the approaching team through the binoculars in his hand, and he counted them, clearly identifying the four agents disguised as cooks in front of him, and the special operations team of about twenty people hidden behind them.
Dressed in uniforms similar to those of the Chinese military, the fake cooks hold rice buckets and other containers for food in their hands, and appear harmless on the surface. However, although the special combat personnel behind them tried their best to hide themselves, they could not escape Li Guilin's sharp gaze. These men are burly and agile in their movements, very different from the body shape and demeanor of ordinary cooks. They crept through the grass, their eyes scanning their surroundings wary, each with their weapons clenched and ready to fight.
When the team quietly approached a place that was only seven or eight meters away, Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang were already ready. Close cooperation and tacit understanding allow them to react quickly at critical moments. At this critical juncture, Li Guilin stood up abruptly and shouted: "Fight!" At the same time, he quickly pulled the signal flare launcher, and two bright lights pierced the night sky, shooting a warning signal into the sky.
Almost at the same time, Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang's submachine guns began to spit out fierce tongues of fire. Bullets rained down on the disguised cooks and the special operations forces behind them. Due to the extreme proximity and the complete unpreparedness of the enemy forces, this sudden attack had an immediate effect. The four agents in front of them, disguised as cooks, were knocked to the ground almost instantly, and the special operators hiding behind them were also caught off guard by the sudden fire.
Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang had been nervously waiting for this moment after discovering the abnormal movements of the enemy army. Their marksmanship is accurate and well-trained, and every shot is highly likely to hit the target. This sudden exchange of fire threw the Vietnamese army's special operations forces, which had originally tried to quietly approach and launch a surprise attack, into chaos. The enemy did not expect to be hit by heavy fire at such a distance, and the planned surprise attack turned into a passive attack.
All-out attack by the Vietnamese army: escalation of the fighting
When the Vietnamese army's plan for a sneak attack failed due to the timely response of Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang, they immediately abandoned their camouflage and switched to a direct all-out attack. This transformation happened extremely quickly, and the Vietnamese soldiers who had been hidden in the darkness began to pour out from all directions, and their numbers far exceeded what Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang had previously estimated.
Hundreds of Vietnamese soldiers, carrying all kinds of light and heavy weapons, swarmed out of the dense forests and grass, their steps were firm, and their guns were pointed at the positions where Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang were located. The appearance of these soldiers, like a torrent in the dark night, rushed towards the positions of the Chinese army with overwhelming momentum. Obviously, the Vietnamese army invested a large number of troops in this operation, intending to break through the defense line of the Chinese army in one fell swoop.
The No. 2 position where Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang were located immediately became the focus of the battle. The all-out assault of the Vietnamese forces forced them to react quickly to the immediate crisis. Despite facing an enemy who outnumbered them, the two men held their ground, taking advantage of the bunker and terrain they already had to gain advantage of, and engaged in methodical defensive fire.
After encountering initial resistance, the Vietnamese soldiers did not stop the offensive, but began to disperse, trying to encircle and break through the positions from multiple directions. They moved fast, trying to take advantage of the darkness and complex terrain to reduce the time they were exposed to Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang's firepower. Some Vietnamese soldiers even began digging bunkers or using throwing weapons, such as grenades, to increase the intensity of their attacks.
Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang faced an increasingly fierce firepower duel, and they constantly adjusted their firing positions, using every possible cover to avoid being directly hit by enemy fire. Their marksmanship is precise and they try to stay calm to ensure that every shot hits the enemy effectively.
At this time, a dense burst of gunfire and explosions rang out over Position 2, and the light of fire and gunsmoke mingled in the night. Although the Vietnamese army was outnumbered, their advance was significantly slowed down by the stubborn resistance of Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang. Every time the Vietnamese tried to charge or change tactics, they were met with accurate fire and counterattack from two PLA soldiers.
Timely reinforcements: Turn the tide of battle
Under the pressure of the all-out attack of the Vietnamese army, the fighting on Position 2 became extremely intense. At this critical juncture, the PLA soldiers of the two platoons led by the commander of the 9th company and the instructor rushed to the battlefield in time. The arrival of this reinforcement brought strong support to Li Guilin and Qin Liangguang, who were originally in a tense situation.
Reinforcements quickly entered a combat state, they methodically arranged on the battlefield, quickly built a network of firepower, and began to suppress the Vietnamese army. Each of these newly arrived fighters showed a high degree of combat quality and tacit cooperation, and their firepower quickly covered the main offensive line of the Vietnamese army, effectively containing the offensive of the Vietnamese army.
In the face of the powerful firepower of the PLA reinforcements, the offensive rhythm of the Vietnamese army was obviously frustrated. The pressure they had relied on to sustainably exert on their numerical superiority was now met with a powerful response. The PLA's firepower was precise and heavy, making it extremely difficult for the Vietnamese to advance, with many Vietnamese soldiers being killed or forced to retreat before they could get close to their positions.
The company commanders and instructors of the reinforcements quickly assessed the situation on the battlefield and launched an organized counteroffensive. They carefully arranged the firing points and fire coverage areas so that each shot was able to suppress the enemy to the maximum. Under their command, the PLA soldiers showed excellent combat synergy, covered each other, had a clear division of labor, and formed a strong combat synergy.
As the fighting continued, the PLA gradually consolidated its defensive line and began to advance step by step, attempting to form a flank attack on the Vietnamese army. The actions of the PLA soldiers were swift and powerful, they moved flexibly between bunkers, effectively taking advantage of the terrain and the darkness of the night, causing great psychological and practical pressure on the Vietnamese troops.
In the face of a strong counterattack by the PLA, the morale of the Vietnamese army began to waver. They found themselves not only unable to break through the PLA's defensive line, but increasingly fell into a situation of passive beating. With the increase in losses and the unfavorable development of the situation, the commander of the Vietnamese army finally made the decision to retreat.
Xu Linping,Guo Xiu.Analysis of China's self-defense and counterattack operations against Vietnam[J].Journal of Dehong Normal College,2013(1):17-21