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Prelude: Vietnamese warships approaching Chikua Reef
On March 12, 1988, the South China Sea was rough, and the sky over Chigua Reef was particularly gloomy. The fleet sent by the Vietnamese Navy consisted of several fully equipped landing ships and armed transport ships, which cut in from different directions and quickly approached Chi Kua Reef. On the decks of these ships, soldiers dressed in combat uniforms and armed with weapons are ready to carry out landing combat missions at any time. From time to time, the turrets on the ship rotated, adjusting the firing angle, and the muzzle of the gun was aimed at the Nanchong ship of the Chinese Navy.
At the same time, the Nanchong ship appeared isolated in the waters. The officers and men on the medium frigate, after receiving the information, quickly went into a state of combat readiness. The ship's combatants were quickly assigned to their respective posts to check the weapon systems and make sure everything was working properly. The main and auxiliary guns of the Nam Chong ship also turned to the incoming Vietnamese ships, aiming at the opponent's key parts.
The Vietnamese fleet continued to close, getting closer and closer to Chikua Reef. The Nanchong's radar system tracked the opponent's movements throughout the process, and the commander on the bridge kept an eye on the screen, closely monitoring the surrounding sea conditions and the position of the Vietnamese ships. At the same time, the correspondent maintains communication with the higher command and transmits the latest battlefield information in real time.
As the confrontation continued, the crew of the Nanchong remained calm amid tension. The mechanic checks the health of the ship's engines to ensure a quick response when maneuvering is needed to dodge. The weapon operator is on standby at the gun position, ready to fire at any time. Although the situation was tense, discipline on board the ship was fierce, and everyone acted according to the predetermined combat procedure.
The Vietnamese fleet's moves became more and more apparent, not only launching a strong advance at sea, but also issuing a warning to the Nanchong ship through the ship's loudspeaker, asking it to leave the waters near Chikua Reef. The crew of the Nam Chong observed the movements and deployment of the opposing ships through binoculars to assess the intentions and potential threats of the Vietnamese military.
Moment of crisis: reinforcements and confrontation of the Chinese Navy
With the Vietnamese Navy approaching and provocative behavior, the Chinese Navy quickly adjusted its strategy and immediately sent the 531 Yingtan and 556 Xiangtan to the waters of Chigua Reef to reinforce the 502 Nanchong, which was already in a standoff. The two ships set off from a base not far away and headed at full speed to the designated sea area, ready to join this tense standoff.
The 531 Yingtan and 556 Xiangtan are modernly equipped frigates equipped with advanced radar systems and weapons systems, including sea-to-air missiles and rapid artillery, which make them a great deterrent in a confrontation at sea. The ship's crew quickly moved into combat readiness to check that every system was functioning properly and to ensure that they were ready for action as soon as they arrived at the reef.
During the voyage approaching Chigua Reef, the crews of the two ships conducted a number of tactical drills and exercises to ensure that everyone was well aware of the emergency operations. The communication equipment on the ship is kept on, and it receives instructions from superiors and intelligence updates from the Nanchong ship in real time.
As the two frigates approached, the Vietnamese Navy became aware of this reinforcement and began to track the positions of the Yingtan and Xiangtan ships through radar. In the face of an increasingly complex situation, the commanders of the Chinese Navy remain calm and adhere to the Navy's principle: "do not take the initiative to cause trouble, do not shoot first". This strategy is intended to avoid further escalation of the conflict through a strong defensive posture.
After the two frigates arrived in the waters near the Nanchong, they formed a tactical formation with the Nanchong, demonstrating the unity and military strength of the Chinese Navy in this way. The layout of the three ships is designed to enhance the overall defense capability and deterrence through the optimal configuration of the military lineup.
At this time, the Vietnamese navy was slightly hesitant to act, they monitored the arrival of reinforcements from the Chinese navy and began to reassess their strategy. Radio communication between Vietnamese ships became frequent, and the ship's commander seemed to be discussing the next step in the plan.
Vietnam's armed landings: the fighting at Chi Kua Reef
At 6 a.m. on March 14, it was still dark, and a tense atmosphere came from the waves of the South China Sea. The Vietnamese Navy's provocative behavior suddenly escalated, and 43 armed soldiers, supported by several speedboats, rushed to land on Chi Kua Reef. The soldiers, fully armed with automatic rifles and ammunition packs, quickly rushed from their speedboats to the reef's sandy beaches in an attempt to capture the critical area before dawn.
The Chinese Navy reacted quickly to this. After receiving the information, the 502 Nanchong ship immediately organized 58 naval fighters to carry out anti-landing operations. The fighters, heavily armed and armed with rifles and light firearms, quickly approached the reef by landing craft. On the approach to the beach, soldiers from both sides arrived almost simultaneously, and a fierce exchange of fire quickly broke out on the reef.
Chinese naval fighters maintained formation at the time of landing, and they took advantage of the island's natural bunkers, such as rocks and low vegetation, to quickly deploy and form a defensive front. Vietnamese soldiers tried to push on the island, and the two sides exchanged fire in close quarters in a confined space. At this time, the environment on the island was filled with gunsmoke and tension, with bullets flying back and forth between the two sides, occasionally skimming the water, stirring up a series of splashes.
In this sudden exchange of fire, Yang Zhiliang, the deputy gunner of the 502 Nanchong ship, was unfortunately hit by a stray bullet from the opponent when he tried to adjust the gun position to the Vietnamese speedboat. His injuries were immediately reported to the ship's medical team, who quickly treated him in an effort to stabilize his injuries.
Fierce firefight: an all-out counterattack by the Chinese Navy
As the Vietnamese army's aggression escalated and the situation became tense, the commander of the Chinese naval formation, Chen Weiwen, made a key decision and issued an order for a full-scale counterattack based on tactical intelligence and the situation on the front line. This order was quickly communicated to the ships, which immediately activated the combat mechanics of the fleet.
The crews of the 502 Nanchong, 531 Yingtan and 556 Xiangtan quickly sprang into action, and their respective fire control systems were set to combat and aimed at the Vietnamese warship. In particular, the 100-millimeter main gun on the Nanchong ship, this large-caliber gun is very powerful, capable of firing high-explosive armor-piercing shells and inflicting fatal blows on enemy ships. Shortly after the order was given, with a loud bang, an armor-piercing bullet accurately hit the hull of one of the capital ships of the Vietnamese army, and the powerful explosive force immediately tore through the steel plates of the hull, causing a chain of explosions, and smoke and fire instantly rose from the enemy ship.
At the same time, the 531-mm rapid-fire guns of the 556 Yingtan and 556 Xiangtan ships also came into play. This rapid-fire gun was distinguished by its high rate of fire and accuracy, capable of quickly striking enemy ships, especially against light ships or landing craft. As the shooting progressed, a large number of shells rained down on the Vietnamese ships, and many Vietnamese soldiers suffered heavy losses before they could react.
In this sudden shelling, the Chinese Navy showed a high degree of coordination and execution. Each frigate adjusts its firing parameters in real time according to the dynamics on the battlefield to ensure maximum effect with each round of shelling. The ships of the Vietnamese Navy were greatly weakened in combat effectiveness after being hit hard, and many ships suffered losses in their ability to sail and lost the ability to continue fighting.
In addition, the electronic warfare component of the Chinese Navy also played a role in the fighting, increasing its command confusion by jamming the communications and radar systems of the Vietnamese army. The application of this tactic has caused the Vietnamese army to lose its effective command and coordination capabilities while suffering physical attacks.
As the battle progressed, the Vietnamese army became more and more sluggish, and some ships began to try to withdraw from the battlefield, while the Chinese navy continued to pursue, ensuring that it could completely weaken the Vietnamese army's maritime power.
Post-war evaluation and personal fate: Chen Weiwen and Yang Zhiliang
After the brilliant victory in the Battle of Nansha, Chen Weiwen's command ability was undoubtedly confirmed. However, the victory didn't quite translate into an unconditional affirmation of his personal career. In the post-war analysis and assessment, some voices raised questions about his wartime decision-making, particularly regarding the battle being considered a "battle without orders", i.e., Chan made the decision to make a full-scale counterattack without receiving clear instructions. This is extremely sensitive in military operations, as it involves the degree of autonomy of commanders in wartime and reliance on decisions made at the top.
Since then, Chen's military career has taken a turn. Despite his outstanding performance on the battlefield, he was soon transferred out of the front-line combat unit in favor of the deputy director of the Navy's Guangzhou Naval Academy. Although still a high-level position, the nature of the position is more educational and logistical support than direct command of operations, and involves the training of a new generation of naval officers and soldiers and the study of military doctrine. At this stage, Chan made a series of adjustments and improvements to the Academy's curriculum and training procedures, and strengthened the students' tactical understanding and practical skills with the help of his rich practical experience.
However, Chen Weiwen's position at the Navy's Guangzhou Naval Academy did not last long, and he chose to retire early. Despite his ups and downs in his military career, his contribution to the country and the army has not been forgotten. In 2019, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Navy, Chen Weiwen was awarded the honor of "Outstanding Contribution to the 70th Anniversary of the People's Navy", which is a recognition of his heroic command in the Battle of Nansha.
At the same time, Yang Zhiliang, the only one who was wounded in the Battle of Nansha, also had a significant development in his military career. After recovering from his injuries, Yang continued to serve in the Navy and gradually rose through the ranks. By 2019, he had been promoted to vice admiral and was appointed political commissar of the Navy of the Southern Theater of Operations, responsible for the political work and morale building of the Navy of the theater. Yang's performance in this role continues to demonstrate his leadership and deep understanding of naval affairs.
The stories of Chen Weiwen and Yang Zhiliang have left a deep mark on the Navy and the country. Their experiences and achievements were officially recognized in 2019, not only as a personal recognition, but also as a public recognition of their adherence to national interests and military prowesses in complex circumstances.
References:[1]Zhou Ming. Communist Party Member(Second Half Month),2012(8):49-49