In the dense rainforest, the night covered the battlefield like a thick black curtain, and only the occasional gunfire and distant flashes of artillery fire broke the dead silence. Militia platoon commander Bao Xiuming, an experienced soldier, found himself in a desperate situation that night. He was on a mission with his troops in the mountains of the border with Vietnam, but was separated from them by a surprise attack.
As he cautiously traversed a narrow mountain path, a series of hurried whistles sounded ahead, each syllable mocking his helplessness. Bao Xiuming knew that he had penetrated deep into the enemy's hinterland, and that any wrong decision could be fatal. However, for a soldier who is sworn to defend the country to the death, there is no way to retreat, only to move forward.
Background to the Vietnam raids
On the morning of February 17, 1979, with the start of the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, a contingent of the Guangxi Frontier Force was ordered to intersperse in the direction of Gaoping in order to cut off the logistics supply line of the Vietnamese army and exert battlefield pressure. It was just dawn, and the team was ready to set off, lined up on the jungle-covered border. The air was filled with the smell of tense and damp earth, and the soldiers' faces were full of determination and determination.
At the rear of the team is a stretcher company of dozens of soldiers tasked with transporting ammunition and medical supplies to ensure that front-line combat units can continue to fight. Each soldier carried on his shoulders fifty or sixty pounds of ammunition boxes, which were filled with bullets and grenades, which were crucial for fire support at the front. Despite the heavy loads, the soldiers of the stretcher company walked with determination, and they knew their responsibilities and missions.
On the way to the army, this team was constantly blocked by the Vietnamese army. Taking advantage of the jungle and terrain, the Vietnamese army set up an ambush in an attempt to block the advance of the Chinese army. Whenever the Vietnamese army's firepower began to concentrate, the Chinese border guards reacted quickly. The commander used radio to give orders, the artillery position was quickly adjusted, and artillery and mortars rumbled, pouring fire on the Vietnamese army's hiding place.
Stretcher company soldiers are especially required to show a high degree of discipline and composure during encounters. Whenever gunfire was heard from the front, they quickly lay down and took advantage of the terrain to protect themselves and the ammunition they were carrying from loss. As the cannon fire died down and the commander gave the order to move on, the soldiers regained their heavy loads and stepped onto the muddy mountain road, moving quickly along the jungle path disrupted by the artillery fire.
In this operation, although the Vietnamese army's resistance was fierce, it was never able to effectively stop the advance of our army. With good organization and coordination and firepower superiority, the Chinese army was able to quickly break through the Vietnamese army's blockade every time, destroy the enemy and quickly occupy favorable terrain. In this process, although the stretcher company was not directly involved in the frontline firefight, the ammunition support they provided to the front line was undoubtedly the key to the continuation of the fighting.
In the process of interspersing and marching, the soldiers of the stretcher company also constantly adjusted the route and speed of advance to adapt to the changing battlefield environment. They pass through dense forests, cross creeks, and sometimes even climb slippery hills. Every step must be taken carefully to ensure that it does not make too much noise that could lead to a new enemy ambush.
Bao Xiuming's heroic resistance to the enemy
On the evening of 18 February, after a long day of intense and difficult marching, the troops reached a relatively gentle hillside. This is a better place to see and provide a better line of sight and defensive position. The soldiers unloaded their equipment and simply set up temporary rest areas on the hillside. The stretcher team also stopped, laid down the heavy ammunition and stretchers, and prepared for a short rest.
However, the break didn't last long. Just as the troops at the front had regrouped and had just begun to continue their advance towards the intended target, explosions and gunfire were suddenly heard in the rear. Vietnamese special forces launched a surprise attack, and they took advantage of the cover of night to quietly approach the stretcher team that was resting. First several grenades exploded near the stretcher team, followed by intensive automatic rifle fire that broke the silence of the night.
Bao Xiuming, the platoon commander of the second company of the second stretcher battalion of the militia in Tianyang County, Guangxi, immediately reacted. In the sound of the explosion, he quickly pulled out the semi-automatic rifle he carried with him and fired back in the direction of the enemy's fire. Under cover, he ordered his subordinates to quickly pack up their equipment, prepare to evacuate the resting place, and assemble at the predetermined position of the troops. He shot and suppressed the enemy forces while directing his subordinates to follow the troops closely.
The Vietnamese attack failed to stop the advance of the troops. Under the cover of Bao Xiuming, the stretcher team quickly passed through a chaotic jungle area and came to a wooden bridge. The bridge is not wide, only two people can run side by side, and is an important strategic passage that connects the hillside to another small hill on the opposite side. Most of the troops had already passed the bridge at a fast pace, and Bao Xiu Minh and his three militiamen had just stepped onto the bridge deck when Vietnamese fire suddenly rang out on the right side of the bridgehead.
The bullet-ridden wooden bridge turns into a death trap. Bao Xiuming and his three militiamen were forced to take cover immediately, hiding on the side of the bridge, using the trees and stones along the bridge as shelter. The gunshots continued to fire, and bullets hit the wooden bridge with a clattering sound.
Just as Bao Xiuming and the four were preparing to return fire under the cover of the bridgehead, dense gunfire rang out again from the rear. This means that the Vietnamese army may be encircling it. In this situation, Bao Xiuming made a quick decision, and he commanded three militiamen to quickly disperse, each looking for a safer and hidden position. They crawled almost in the darkness of the night, taking advantage of the undulations of the terrain and weeds, quickly changing their positions in an attempt to get out of the sight of the Vietnamese army.
Unfortunately, due to the darkness of the night and the complexity of the terrain, Bao Xiuming and his three militiamen were separated during the evacuation.
Wisdom and courage on the spot
After being separated in the darkness of the night, Bao Xiuming walked alone through the forest, trying to find a way to regroup. His military experience and sensitivity to his surroundings allow him to make quick decisions on the complex and ever-changing battlefield. At this time, he heard a whistle not far away, a short, rhythmic sound, and he quickly realized that it was a communication signal between the Vietnamese troops. Bao Xiuming knew that the Vietnamese army often used such signals for rapid communication and positioning between teams.
Realizing that he might fall into an enemy siege or ambush, Bao Xiuming did not choose to move in the direction of the source of the sound, but decisively reversed the direction and moved quickly in the opposite direction. He made his way through the dense bushes and low woods, moving quickly in a low profile, using the cover of night and the terrain to minimize his exposure.
As he traversed a relatively open area, he heard whistles coming from a different direction again, this time closer. Bao Xiuming quickly analyzed the situation again and decided to leave the original path and move in the direction of a nearby river. He knew that the river could provide additional cover, and at the same time, he could use the current to quickly change his position if necessary.
When he arrived at the river, Bao Xiuming quickly took off his heavy equipment and prepared to cross the river. The cold and fast flow of the river made it a challenge for him, but he had no choice but to get away from the enemy forces in hot pursuit. He took a deep breath, jumped into the water, and began to swim towards the opposite shore with the help of swimming skills and currents. The sound of night and running water helped to drown out his movements, making it difficult for his pursuers to pinpoint his exact location.
As he swam across the river, Bao Xiuming was always on the lookout for possible Vietnamese troops on the riverbank. As he approached the opposite bank, he suddenly heard the sound of running on the bridge. When I looked up, I saw that several Vietnamese soldiers had crossed the bridge and were moving quickly to the other side of the riverbank, apparently searching for other areas of the riverbank. Bao Xiuming immediately dived into the water, showing only the tip of his nose, and quietly waited for the enemy to leave.
After the Vietnamese army had moved away, he cautiously swam back to the river bank and climbed onto the shore. His soaking wet body and the cold night wind make him feel extremely uncomfortable, but he must keep going in order to survive and on the mission. Along the riverbank, Bao Xiuming found a hidden spot, a dirt cave halfway up the mountainside. He quickly burrowed into the cave, a naturally formed hideaway that not only temporarily hid the enemy's sight, but also provided the necessary rest.
Return to the battlefield and rescue operations
In the early morning of February 19, 1979, as the night receded, Bao Xiuming crawled out of the earthen cave, and after making sure that there was no enemy activity around him, he quickly marched towards the last known position of his troops. After a night of concealment and evasion, he prepared to return to the battlefield to find and join his troops.
After a period of searching, Bao Xiuming successfully found the unit and was assigned a special task - together with Huang Qiuxiong, a soldier of the cooking squad, he was responsible for carrying his comrades who had been injured in the previous day's firefight. These casualties need to be quickly moved to a safer rear area for treatment, and any delay can be life-threatening.
Bao Xiuming and Huang Qiuxiong moved quickly, using stretchers to carefully move the wounded from makeshift field medical stations to designated safe evacuation points. On the way to transport the wounded, the two had to cross the area covered by possible enemy fire. After an unsuccessful raid at night, the Vietnamese army remained highly vigilant and aggressive, firing at any moving target.
During one of the transfers, Bao noticed that enemy fire began to concentrate on their route. In order to protect the safety of the wounded and his comrades, Bao Xiuming made a decision, and he chose a route that could encounter more enemy fire but would be more effective in distracting the enemy. This route passed through a relatively open area, which provided the Vietnamese army with a clearer perspective of shooting.
After ensuring the safety of Huang Qiuxiong and other comrades, as well as the wounded, Bao Xiuming deliberately slowed down to make himself a more visible target. He deliberately stopped at the edge of the open area to adjust the stretcher, while closely observing the enemy's movements in all directions, in order to attract Vietnamese firepower and ensure the safety of the main evacuation route.
As he expected, the fire of the Vietnamese army began to concentrate on him, and the bullets stirred up dust and debris on the ground and small trees around him. Bao Xiuming uses the terrain to move randomly, sometimes crawling, sometimes sprinting rapidly, trying to obscure his own path of movement, while constantly checking the safety of himself and his surroundings.
Through Bao Xiuming's containment, Huang Qiuxiong and others successfully moved the wounded to a safe area. After Bao Xiuming was convinced that the main evacuation route was safe, he quickly used the terrain and bunkers to evacuate. He traverses a grove of groves and low-lying land, eventually escaping the sight of enemy troops.
Heroic honor and long-term perseverance
After a series of fierce battles and brave actions, Bao Xiuming's performance attracted the attention of his superiors. His extraordinary courage and wise tactics in escorting the wounded and drawing enemy fire earned him widespread acclaim within the army. In 1979, Bao Xiuming was awarded the honorary title of "Model of the Front", which was an official affirmation and high recognition of his heroic behavior on the battlefield. This honor is not only a symbol of individual heroism, but also a public recognition of his sacrifice and efforts.
As the fighting progressed, Bao and his troops were sent to the strategically located 312 Heights, a critical location for controlling the surrounding area. The task of the troops was to establish defensive positions in this area and prevent further penetration of Vietnamese troops. After reaching the 312 heights, Bao Xiuming and his comrades quickly began the construction of fortifications, digging trenches, erecting machine guns and setting up minefields to ensure the fortification of the position.
The natural environment of the 312 Heights is extremely harsh, and the surrounding slopes of the highlands are mostly steep, and the humid heat and rain of the tropical rainforest make the defense even more difficult. However, Bao Xiuming and his comrades-in-arms showed great endurance and perseverance. They held out here for seven days and seven nights, and in the face of continuous attacks by the Vietnamese army, they never let the enemy cross the thunder pool.
During these seven days and seven nights, the troops experienced numerous exploratory attacks and large-scale onslaughts. The Vietnamese army tried to demoralize the Chinese army through intensive artillery fire and night raids. Bao Xiuming and his comrades-in-arms, covered by artillery fire and bullets, persevered in returning fire, effectively suppressing the enemy's offensive. In the trenches, the soldiers supported each other in a rudimentary environment and worked together to maintain the defense of the position.
At night, the silence in the darkness is occasionally broken by enemy reconnaissance teams or small raid teams, and soldiers must be ready for a possible battle. Every time the alarm sounds, Bao Xiuming is always the first to grab his weapon and rush to the line of defense with the greatest threat. Despite the gradual exhaustion of his body, he remained vigilant to ensure that every comrade could maintain their fighting strength in this difficult environment.
After seven days and seven nights, the troops successfully blocked all attacks by the Vietnamese army on the 312 heights and protected this strategic point from falling into the hands of the enemy.
- Gao Xiaoping, Ouyang Kai.1979: Memories of a veteran of the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam Veterans do not die[J].International Outlook,2003(15):24-25