Fighting back against Vietnam, scouts infiltrated Viet Nam, each with rotten wood on their backs and phosphorescent leading the way
In February 1979, the Sino-Vietnamese border was filled with gunsmoke. A mysterious reconnaissance squad is on a special mission. As night fell, the fighters of the reconnaissance platoon of the 14th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 125th Army quietly assembled. Each of them carries a piece of rotten wood that emits a faint phosphorescent light on their backs, a unique way for them to stay connected in the dark.
Deng Zhizhong, the commander of the reconnaissance platoon, looked solemn and explained the last details to the soldiers. They are about to cross the Sino-Vietnamese border and sneak behind enemy lines in preparation for the upcoming large-scale military operation. But what awaits them? Has the Viet Nam army been aware of the movements of the Chinese army? Will they be able to complete their mission and return safely?
With the order to go, the scouts silently disappeared into the night. How will they operate behind enemy lines? And how will this covert infiltration affect the impending war?
On February 15, 1979, only two days before China's self-defense and counter-attack operation against Vietnam officially began. In the 14th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 125th Army, there was a tense and busy scene. In the war room of the regiment headquarters, regiment commander Li Guohua was studying the latest intelligence with chief of staff Wang Zhiqiang.
"According to the latest reconnaissance reports, the Vietnamese army has strengthened its defenses in the border area. Wang Zhiqiang pointed to the map and said, "There are more than 50 people in the old public security tun, about 30 people in the Viet Nam 'youth stormtroopers' in the old and old villages, there is a reinforced platoon in Ban Lao Shan, there are 2 squads in Mansetian, and there are more than 50 people in Guigeng." These forces formed the first-line defense of the Vietnamese army. ＂
Li Guohua frowned and thought for a moment, and said: "The Vietnamese army has sensed the movement of our army and strengthened its precautions. We must grasp the specific disposition and movements of the enemy's forces as soon as possible and prepare for the offensive of the main forces. ＂
At this moment, reconnaissance staff officer Mo Shunneng walked into the war room, saluted the two chiefs, and reported: "Report to the chief, the reconnaissance platoon has completed its assembly and is ready to carry out its mission at any time. ＂
Li Guohua nodded and said to Mo Shunneng: "Okay, immediately summon Deng Zhizhong, the commander of the reconnaissance platoon, to come to the regiment headquarters." ＂
Not long after, Deng Zhizhong came to the regiment headquarters. Li Guohua said solemnly: "Deng Zhizhong, your reconnaissance platoon will carry out a special mission. Before the all-out offensive of our army begins, you must secretly penetrate to Heights 11. There are three tasks: first, to attack the nameless village 400 meters east of the 360 Heights and cut off the retreat of the old Vietnamese army; second, to block the reinforcements of the Vietnamese army in Gui Geng; Third, it is necessary to closely monitor the movements of the Vietnamese troops in Ban Lao Son and report to the regimental command post at any time. ＂
Deng Zhizhong replied immediately: "Yes! Mission completion guaranteed! ＂
Li Guohua continued: "Remember, this operation must be absolutely covert. The Vietnamese army has set up a large number of mines and bamboo sticks on the front line, and you must be careful. If you encounter a Vietnamese patrol, hide in place and do not entangle with the enemy. ＂
After receiving the order, Deng Zhizhong immediately returned to the reconnaissance platoon and summoned the squad leader and the combat team leader to deploy the task. They carefully studied the topographic map and chose a hidden interspersed route: starting from the station, passing through the Bazi River, along the ridge of Plateau No. 9, and into Plateau No. 11.
In order to ensure the concealment of the operation, Deng Zhizhong came up with a unique method. He ordered each warrior to stick a piece of phosphorescent wood on their backs, so that they could keep in touch with each other in the dark of night without being detected by the enemy.
On the evening of February 16, the reconnaissance platoon made its final preparations. They inspected weapons and equipment, each carrying dry rations and water for 3 days. In order to lighten the load and improve mobility, they brought only the necessary equipment.
Staff Officer Mo Shunneng came to the reconnaissance platoon and mobilized all the officers and men before the war. "Comrades, we are about to carry out a difficult and honorable task," he said. Our actions will create favorable conditions for the offensive of the main forces. Remember, we are the sons and daughters of the party and the people, and we are the Great Wall of Steel, and we must complete the task! ＂
After the mobilization meeting, Deng Zhizhong made the final deployment of the whole platoon. He divided the reconnaissance platoon into three groups: the fourth and sixth squads were responsible for the main interspersed tasks, and the fifth squad was to build fortifications on the south side of Zhongbaji to block the Vietnamese army in Mansetian.
At 23 o'clock, the reconnaissance platoon, under the leadership of Staff Officer Mo Shunneng and platoon commander Deng Zhizhong, quietly left the station and marched towards the dark border area. Each warrior had a faintly glowing piece of rotten wood stuck in their backs, forming a looming "firefly" formation in the night.
They are about to face unknown dangers and challenges, but the belief in victory burns in everyone's hearts. What role will this small reconnaissance detachment play in the coming war? Will they be able to successfully complete the task and pave the way for the offensive of the main forces? The answer will be revealed in the next action.
At 23 o'clock on February 16, 1979, the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 14th Army, under the leadership of Staff Officer Mo Shunneng and Platoon Commander Deng Zhizhong, quietly left the station and began their secret crossing operation. The night was inky, and the silence was silent, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.
The reconnaissance platoon used the method of advancing in echelons, with the group of advanced soldiers at the forefront, consisting of experienced veterans. They are responsible for reconnoitering the terrain ahead and the enemy's situation, opening the way for the follow-up troops. Mo Shunneng and Deng Zhizhong took turns in the vanguard group and personally grasped the direction of progress.
In order to maintain concealment, the reconnaissance platoon adopted the tactic of "one step and three looks". Every step forward, carefully observe your surroundings and listen for any unusual sounds that may arise to make sure you don't reveal your whereabouts. During the march, the fighters always maintained a high level of vigilance and were always ready to respond to possible contingencies.
At 23:50, the reconnaissance platoon came to the Bazi River on the Sino-Vietnamese border. The river was turbulent and the sound of the water was loud, which brought a lot of challenges to their crossing. Deng Zhizhong signaled the whole platoon to stop and sent two scouts down to the river to explore the way. The two scouts waded cautiously through the water, carefully measuring the depth of the water and the riverbed.
After ten minutes of reconnaissance, the two scouts returned to report: "The deepest part of the river is above the knee, and the riverbed is relatively flat, but in some places it is slippery. ＂
Deng Zhizhong nodded and ordered the whole platoon to start wading in vain. In order to reduce noise, they adopted the method of crossing the river in a "huddle". Every three or four fighters huddled together, supported each other, and moved slowly but steadily towards the opposite bank. This approach not only increases stability, but also reduces the risk of being washed away.
At 24:10, the reconnaissance platoon successfully crossed the Bazi River and all members arrived safely on the opposite bank. In order to ensure safety, Deng Zhizhong ordered the whole platoon to hide in place and listen for 30 minutes. During these 30 minutes, everyone held their breath and pricked up their ears to listen carefully to the movements around them, alerting them to possible Vietnamese patrols.
During the listen, one of the scouts suddenly raised his hand. Everyone immediately tensed up and prepared for battle. However, it was just a hare jumping out of a nearby bush. This vignette reminded everyone of the need to be vigilant when operating behind enemy lines.
After confirming safety, the reconnaissance platoon continued in the direction of Heights 9. This is a challenging journey, with complex terrain and dense vegetation. In order to avoid getting lost in the woods, Deng Zhizhong ordered the whole platoon to adopt the method of "sticking rotten wood on its back" to keep in touch.
Each warrior had a piece of rotten wood that glowed faintly phosphorescent on his back. This unique method keeps the team connected in the dark without attracting the attention of the enemy. In the dark of the night, these faint phosphorescences were like a string of fireflies, guiding the direction of the reconnaissance platoon.
At 1:30 a.m. on 17 February, the reconnaissance platoon encountered an unexpected situation. A bamboo stick formation appeared ahead, which was an obstacle set up by the Vietnamese army to block the advance of the Chinese army. Deng Zhizhong immediately ordered the whole platoon to stop advancing and sent two sappers to carefully remove the obstacles.
The two sappers moved slowly and precisely, carefully clearing a safe passage with specially crafted tools. Other fighters remain vigilant and ready to respond to possible enemy situations. After 40 minutes of hard work, a safe passage about one meter wide was finally opened.
The reconnaissance platoon continued to advance, but had to slow down. They must carefully navigate this narrow safe passage, with extreme caution at every step. The process took nearly an hour, slowing them down considerably.
At 2:13 a.m. on 17 February, the reconnaissance platoon finally reached Heights 9. Deng Zhizhong ordered the deputy squad leader of the sixth squad to lead a team to stay here, responsible for monitoring the enemy in Laozhai and ensuring the safety of the flanks and rear. The rest of the personnel continued to advance towards Heights 11.
The journey from Heights 9 to Heights 11 was the most difficult part of the trip. There are many strange rocks here, and thorns and vines are entwined, and it is very difficult to take every step forward. The scouts gave full play to their expertise in climbing and penetrating the forest, overcoming many difficulties and persevering in their advance.
During this difficult journey, several warriors were scratched on their arms and cheeks by thorns, but no one let out a single groan. They gritted their teeth, silently endured the pain, and moved on. This perseverance demonstrates the qualities of a scout.
After nearly five hours of arduous travel, the reconnaissance platoon finally reached Heights 11 at 7 a.m. on 17 February. Despite the exhaustion, everyone's face showed the joy of victory. They successfully completed the task of secretly crossing the border, laying a solid foundation for the next operation.
However, their mission has only just begun. Next, how will they operate behind enemy lines? How do you complete important tasks assigned by your superiors? The answers to these questions have yet to be revealed.
At 7:30 a.m. on February 17, 1979, the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 14th Army set up a temporary observation post on the No. 11 height. Platoon Commander Deng Zhizhong and Staff Officer Mo Shunneng carefully studied the terrain and drew up a detailed reconnaissance plan. They divided the reconnaissance platoon into three groups, each of which was responsible for reconnaissance missions in different directions.
The first team, led by Li Zhiqiang, the leader of the fourth squad, was responsible for reconnoitering the unnamed village 400 meters east of the 360 heights. This village was an important supply point for the Vietnamese army and a possible route for their retreat. Li Zhiqiang led five scouts, carrying high-powered binoculars and miniature recording equipment, and quietly sneaked into the nameless village.
At 8:15, Li Zhiqiang's group arrived at the outskirts of Wuming Village. They set up observation equipment on a hidden high ground and began to carefully observe the situation in the village. Through the binoculars, they found about 30 Vietnamese soldiers in the village, who were conducting daily training and patrols. Several outposts were also set up around the village, which made reconnaissance more difficult.
Li Zhiqiang ordered a scout to draw up a map of the village, marking the enemy's areas of activity and defenses. Another scout is tasked with recording enemy communications with a tiny recording device. Despite the language barrier, these recordings may contain important military information that can be handed over to translators for analysis.
The second group, led by Wang Jianguo, the leader of the fifth squad, was responsible for monitoring the movements of the Vietnamese army in the direction of Guigeng. Gui Geng was an important stronghold of the Vietnamese army, and it was possible to send reinforcements to the theater. Wang Jianguo led four scouts, carried radio equipment, and set up an observation point on the road leading to the war zone in Guigeng.
At 9:30, Wang Jianguo's team found that a Vietnamese army of about 50 people was moving from the direction of Guigeng to the theater of operations. They immediately reported the situation to Deng Zhizhong by radio. After receiving the report, Deng Zhizhong immediately ordered Wang Jianguo's group to continue to follow the movements of this unit and to record in detail its numbers, equipment, and route.
The third group was led by Zhao Ming, the leader of the sixth squad, and was responsible for reconnoitring the Vietnamese troops in Banlao Mountain. Ban Lao Son was an important position for the Vietnamese army, and keeping track of its movements was crucial to the Chinese army's offensive plan. Zhao Ming led five scouts, armed with night vision equipment and rangefinders, and set up a number of observation points around Banlao Mountain.
At 10:45, Zhao Ming's group discovered through night vision equipment that the Vietnamese army on Ban Lao Mountain was strengthening the fortifications. They were building new bunkers and carrying a batch of heavy weapons up the hill. Zhao Ming immediately measured the specific location of these new defense facilities with a rangefinder and drew a detailed schematic diagram.
At the same time, Deng Zhizhong and Mo Shunneng established a temporary command post on Heights 11. They keep in touch with the various reconnaissance groups through radio equipment and keep abreast of the latest information. In order to avoid exposure, they used a pre-agreed cipher code for communication.
At 12:30 p.m., the three reconnaissance groups returned to the temporary command post one after another to report the reconnaissance results to Deng Zhizhong and Mo Shunneng. Deng Zhizhong carefully sorted out all the information he had gathered, including key information such as the enemy's deployment, defense facilities, and troop movements. They also drew up a detailed map of the enemy's situation, marking the enemy's main strongholds, firing points, and possible offensive routes.
At 14 o'clock, Deng Zhizhong reported the results of the reconnaissance to the regimental command post through an encrypted radio channel. This valuable information provided an important basis for the Chinese army to formulate an offensive plan. After receiving the report, regiment commander Li Guohua immediately summoned staff officers to study countermeasures.
However, the task of the reconnaissance platoon was not over. According to orders from above, they also need to continue their activities behind enemy lines to provide real-time intelligence support for upcoming large-scale military operations.
At 15 o'clock, Deng Zhizhong again convened the leaders of each group to deploy the next stage of reconnaissance missions. He stressed the need to continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance and pay close attention to the movements of the enemy's troops, especially the possible reinforcements and movements of the Vietnamese troops.
At 16:30, the reconnaissance platoon again divided into several groups and set off for their respective reconnaissance areas. This time, they will face greater challenges and risks. The Vietnamese army has strengthened its vigilance, and the difficulty of reconnaissance has greatly increased. However, each Scout understands the important mission he has and is determined to do whatever it takes to complete the mission.
As night fell, the members of the reconnaissance platoon disappeared into the night again. How will they continue their reconnaissance activities behind enemy lines? And how will the intelligence they gather affect the upcoming battle? The answers to these questions have yet to be revealed.
At 3 a.m. on February 18, 1979, the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 14th Army, under the leadership of platoon commander Deng Zhizhong and staff officer Mo Shunneng, quietly withdrew from the No. 11 high ground and moved to the predetermined assembly point. By this time, the Chinese army had received an order to launch a general offensive, and the task of the reconnaissance platoon was changed to guide the main forces and provide battlefield intelligence support.
At 3:30, the reconnaissance platoon arrived at the predetermined assembly point and joined the main forces of the 125th Regiment. The regiment commander Li Guohua summoned the platoon commanders of each company for the final pre-war mobilization. According to the information provided by the reconnaissance platoon, Li Guohua fine-tuned the attack plan, focusing on intensifying the attack on Banlao Mountain and Nameless Village.
At 4 o'clock, with a low whistle, the 125th Regiment began to launch a general attack on the Vietnamese position. The reconnaissance platoon was divided into three groups, assigned to the troops attacking Banlao Mountain, Nameless Village, and 360 Heights, and played the roles of sharp knives and guides.
Deng Zhizhong led the first group, which was assigned to the first battalion that attacked Ban Lao Mountain. They took advantage of a hidden path they had discovered during their previous reconnaissance and successfully rounded the flank of the Vietnamese army. At 5:15, when the roar of artillery fire from the front sounded, Deng Zhizhong's group suddenly launched a fierce attack from the flank, taking the Vietnamese army by surprise.
The raid greatly weakened the Vietnamese army's defensive capabilities. Deng Zhizhong personally led the assault group to destroy a heavy machine-gun fire point of the Vietnamese army, clearing the way for the advance of the follow-up troops. After two hours of fierce fighting, the Chinese army managed to occupy the main position of Ban Lao Mountain.
At the same time, the second group, led by Wang Jianguo, was assigned to the second battalion that attacked the nameless village. Using the detailed maps drawn during the previous reconnaissance, they successfully avoided the secret posts of the Vietnamese army and guided the main force of the second battalion to quietly approach the village.
At 6:30, when the Vietnamese army was busy dealing with attacks from other directions, the 2nd Battalion suddenly launched a fierce attack on the nameless village. Wang Jianguo's group served as the vanguard of the assault, and with its familiarity with the terrain, it quickly broke through the outer defense line of the Vietnamese army. They also succeeded in destroying the communications center of the Vietnamese army, causing the Vietnamese army's command system to fall into disarray.
After fierce street fighting, the 2nd Battalion completely took control of the nameless village at 7:45. This victory not only cut off the supply lines of the Vietnamese army, but also opened the way for subsequent advances.
The third group was led by Zhao Ming and assigned to the third battalion attacking the 360 heights. The 360 Heights were an important stronghold of the Vietnamese army, with difficult terrain and strong fortifications. Zhao Ming took advantage of the dead corners of the Vietnamese artillery positions discovered during the previous reconnaissance, and led a reinforced platoon to quietly sneak into the hinterland of the highlands.
At 7 o'clock, when the main force of the third battalion began to attack head-on, Zhao Ming's group suddenly created chaos in the rear of the Vietnamese army. They blew up the ammunition depot of the Vietnamese army and launched a surprise attack on the command post. This operation greatly shook the morale of the Vietnamese army and also created favorable conditions for the offensive of the third battalion.
However, the Vietnamese army soon organized a stubborn counterattack. Taking advantage of the terrain, they launched a heavy artillery cover on the Chinese army. The offensive of the third battalion stalled for a time, and casualties began to mount.
At the critical moment, Zhao Ming led the remaining scouts to break into the artillery position of the Vietnamese army in the face of artillery fire. They destroyed several artillery pieces with grenades and submachine guns, effectively curbing the Vietnamese army's firepower superiority. This heroic action bought the 3rd Battalion valuable time to relaunch the offensive.
At 9:30, after paying a huge price, the 3rd Battalion finally captured the main position on the 360 heights. Zhao Ming was seriously wounded in this battle, but still insisted on commanding until the end of the battle.
By 10 o'clock, the 125th Regiment had basically completed its scheduled combat mission and successfully broke through the Vietnamese army's defensive line. However, the battle was not over. The Vietnamese army began to organize a large-scale counterattack in an attempt to regain lost territory.
At 11:15, a battalion-sized Vietnamese reinforcement unit rushed to the battlefield from the direction of Gui Geng. Fortunately, this is exactly the route that Wang Jianguo's group had previously scouted. Based on this information, regiment commander Li Guohua quickly adjusted his deployment and set up an ambush on the road that the Vietnamese army had to pass.
At 12:30, Vietnamese reinforcements entered the ambush circle. The Chinese army opened fire suddenly, pinning it down in the narrow valley. After an hour of fierce fighting, this Vietnamese reinforcement was completely annihilated, crushing the Vietnamese army's counterattack attempt.
By 14 o'clock, the battle situation was basically stable, and the 125 regiment firmly controlled the occupied positions. However, the Vietnamese army continued to organize small-scale counterattacks, trying to find weak links in the Chinese army's defensive line.
In order to consolidate the results of the battle, Deng Zhizhong led the remaining scouts to continue to operate in the front line and closely monitor the movements of the Vietnamese army. They discovered and reported on the repeated sneak attack attempts of the Vietnamese army in a timely manner, making an important contribution to defending the hard-won fruits of victory.
As night fell, the fierce battle came to an end for the time being. However, the smoke of war has not yet dissipated, and more difficult challenges await them. How will the reconnaissance platoon respond to the next changes in the situation? And what role will they play in future battles? The answers to these questions have yet to be revealed.
In late February 1979, with the end of the Sino-Vietnamese border war, the members of the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 14th Army withdrew from the front line one after another. The fate of the members of this reconnaissance platoon, which played a key role in the war, changed dramatically.
Platoon Commander Deng Zhizhong was awarded the title of "Battle Hero" for his outstanding performance in the war. After the war, he was selected to study at the Military Academy, where he later became an excellent military instructor and made an important contribution to the training of a new generation of scouts. Recalling that experience many years later, Deng Zhizhong said that the experience of border warfare had made him deeply aware of the importance of intelligence work in modern warfare.
With his excellent battlefield analysis ability, Staff Officer Mo Shunneng was transferred to work in the intelligence department of the General Staff after the war. He participated in the formulation of a number of important policies to enhance the military's intelligence capabilities, and contributed to the modernization of the Chinese military.
Wang Jianguo performed well in the war, but unfortunately died in the battle on the last day. His heroic deeds are written in military history, and a monument has been erected in his hometown. Wang Jianguo's sacrifice also became an important spiritual wealth that inspired later soldiers.
Zhao Ming had to retire early due to serious injuries in the battle of the 360 Heights. But he did not stop there, but used his military experience to open a veterans' skills training center in his hometown, helping many veterans readjust to social life.
Li Zhiqiang continued to serve in the army after the war, and with the experience accumulated in the war, he was gradually promoted to the commander of the reconnaissance company. He has participated in many important military exercises and made important contributions to improving the actual combat capability of the troops.
This war had a profound impact on the development of the Chinese army. The experience of the reconnaissance platoon of the 14th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 125th Army was summed up as a typical case and written into the textbooks of military academies. Their methods of reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and battlefield guidance behind enemy lines became an important part of military training in the future.
In 1980, the military organized a meeting to sum up the experience of border warfare. At the meeting, the actions of the reconnaissance platoon of the 125 regiment were mentioned several times. The experts at the meeting agreed that the work of the reconnaissance platoon made an indispensable contribution to the victory in the war. In particular, the detailed information they collected before the war provided an important basis for formulating operational plans.
However, the war also exposed the shortcomings of the Chinese military in some areas. For example, the backwardness of communication equipment led to the lack of timely transmission of intelligence on the front line. To this end, the military invested heavily in improving the military's communications capabilities in the years that followed.
In 1985, when the Central Military Commission organized the compilation of the "History of Self-Defense and Counterattack Operations on the Sino-Vietnamese Border," a special chapter was devoted to recording the contributions of reconnaissance units. Among them, the deeds of the reconnaissance platoon of the 14th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 125th Army were described in detail as a typical case. This book later became an important reference material for military academies to learn the experience of border warfare.
In the early 1990s, with the changes in the international situation, Sino-Vietnamese relations began to gradually improve. In this context, some veterans of the border war began to recall and reflect on that period of history. Several veterans of the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment said at a party that although they were heroic in war, peace was the most valuable.
In 2000, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the end of the border war, the military organized a symposium for veterans. Deng Zhizhong, who has retired, said in his speech at the meeting that although the work of scouts is dangerous, it is very important to protect the lives and safety of their comrades-in-arms. He called on servicemen on active duty to continue to carry forward the spirit of scouts who are not afraid of sacrifice and are willing to make sacrifices.
In 2010, when preparing for a special exhibition on border warfare, the China Military Museum specially invited several veterans of the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment to provide material materials. Among the items they donated, including telescopes, compass and other reconnaissance equipment used during the war, these precious objects provide intuitive evidence for people to understand that period of history.
In 2015, during the filming of a TV series set in a border war, several veterans, including Deng Zhizhong, were specially invited to serve as military advisers. Their advice makes the scenes about Scouting more believable and makes more people aware of the important role Scouts play in warfare.
In 2020, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of the border war, the military newspaper published a long report reviewing the deeds of the reconnaissance platoon of the 14th regiment of the 42nd division of the 125th army. The article points out that their experience is still of great significance for reference in contemporary army building, especially in today's emphasis on information-based warfare, and the importance of reconnaissance and intelligence work has become more prominent.
Today, although the smoke of the war has long since dissipated, the story of the reconnaissance platoon of the 125th Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 14th Army is still circulating in the army. Their deeds are not only a precious historical memory, but also a valuable spiritual wealth that inspires the new generation of soldiers to keep forging ahead. In the context of the new era, their experience and spirit are still influencing the construction and development of the Chinese armed forces in various ways.