Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 574 The wounds are too deep
Inside the headquarters of the 21st Detachment, everyone was gathered around the map, discussing the attack plan.

Chen Chengxing assigned the task of attacking Gusongling to the 21st Detachment.

Furthermore, in order to ensure the attack strength of the 21st Detachment, Chen Chengxing specifically assigned a rocket artillery battalion to Li Chishui.

This can be considered a very generous investment.

Due to logistical reasons, the supply of various types of artillery shells was extremely difficult at this time.

Chen Chengxing dared not use rocket artillery, a major consumer of energy, lightly.

"According to the special operations team's reconnaissance, although there is a considerable gap between the US 24th Regiment and the US 25th Division, they maintain contact with the US 2nd Division."

"To take down the US 24th Regiment, the first thing to do is to cut off their connection with the US 2nd Division."

As he spoke, Li Chishui looked at the Qingchuan River on the map.

"The Chongchon River is a natural barrier that the US military can use, and so can we."

Li Chishui planned to make some moves on the Qingchuan River.

After careful discussion, the operational plan for the 21st detachment was quickly finalized.

After receiving approval from the headquarters, the 21st Detachment acted overnight and headed straight for Gusongling.

Knowing that they could not defeat an entire U.S. division head-on, the 21st Detachment chose to attack the 1st Battalion of the U.S. 24th Regiment first.

In the early morning, the 211th Regiment, as the vanguard, reached the east bank of the Chongchon River.

The soldiers of the vanguard platoon ran back and reported: "Commander, there are enemies on the high ground ahead, about two hundred in number, roughly a company."

Ren Wuliu opened the map, and the guard next to him quickly used a flashlight covered with a cloth to illuminate the map.

"Here, Hill 631."

"Beyond this hill lies the main position of the 1st Battalion, 24th Regiment of the United States."

"We must take Hill 631 before dawn!"

Every minute and every second is precious now, and they cannot afford to waste any of it.

"The entire regiment's 82mm mortars were concentrated into a gun group to cover Hill 631 with firepower."

"Three infantry battalions will launch a fierce attack on Hill 631 from three sides. The first battle will be the decisive one!"

"yes!".
At this time, on Hill 631, the 2nd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 24th Regiment of the United States was unaware that they had been infiltrated and surrounded, and most of the soldiers were still fast asleep.

Of course, a small number of soldiers are also playing the role of latrine cleaners.

Just as the poop-scooping boy began his sprint, a barrage of shells rained down.

Upon hearing the shell explode, all the American soldiers on the position jumped up instantly.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Everyone is in your place!"

"Hurry up!"

Faced with the fierce attack, the US 2nd Company was somewhat flustered, but its resistance was very tenacious.

The US 2nd Company was well aware of the importance of their position and the current situation facing the 9th Corps.

However, facing the 211th Regiment, which had superior troop strength, combat effectiveness, and firepower, the US 2nd Company managed to hold off the first wave of attacks from three directions, but suffered extremely heavy casualties.

"Damn, these American soldiers are really tough. They can hold on even with such heavy casualties."

"The US military isn't all pampered soldiers; there are still some heroes among them."

Ren Wuliu felt he should re-evaluate the U.S. military.

The reason why the US 2nd Company performed so differently from the US forces they had encountered before is very simple.

This company is mostly composed of World War II veterans who have re-enlisted, and their fighting spirit is still very strong.

Just as Ren Wuliu was reorganizing the offensive and preparing to wipe out the US 2nd Company in one fell swoop, Li Chishui had already arrived with the main force.

Upon learning of Ren Wuliu's battle plan, Li Chishui immediately shook his head.

"There's no need to waste time with them here, let's just go around them."

"The previous attack had already inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, so we simply bypassed them. They wouldn't dare to launch a preemptive strike."

Hill 631 only blocked the 21st Detachment; once the main force passed, it was of no use.

As for launching a preemptive attack on the flank of the 21st Detachment, Li Chishui felt that even if they had a lot of guts, they wouldn't dare.

And just as Li Chishui had predicted, the US military did not dare to move when they saw the 21st Detachment marching through the foot of the mountain in a grand manner.

In just one hour, their casualties exceeded 70%.

At this point, launching an attack would be like an egg hitting a rock. Although American veterans fought tenaciously, they were not fearless in the face of death.

After Li Chishui led his team to the vicinity of the 1st Battalion of the 24th Regiment of the United States, he did not hesitate and immediately concentrated all his troops and firepower to launch a fierce attack.

In addition to the full-scale firing of mountain guns and mortars, even the rocket artillery battalion fired two rounds in succession.

The position of the US 1st Battalion was engulfed in flames.

Looking at the hilltop covered by the explosion, Li Chishui was filled with emotion.

"It's really spectacular."

"I can't even imagine how powerful our firepower will be once we have air superiority."

"Squadron Leader, we are currently in the Northeast, and our pilots are undergoing training."

"I think it won't be long before they join the war, and then we'll be able to fight the American devils in a fair and square artillery battle."

"Mm." Li Chishui nodded.

Only when the Americans lose their air superiority can the Second General Staff's full combat power be unleashed.

Using the light from the explosion, Li Chishui looked at the devastated American positions and issued the order for a general offensive.

"The artillery has done enough; it's time for the infantry to go in."

"Pass on my order: the 211th and 212th Regiments shall launch a full-scale offensive!"

The 1st Battalion of the 24th Regiment was the only unit in the entire regiment stationed on the east bank of the Chongchon River. They were responsible for maintaining the continuity of the front line with the flank of the 2nd Division.

Therefore, in addition to attacking the US 1st Battalion, the 21st Detachment also had to leave troops to block possible support from the US 2nd Division.

However, the fierce attack by the two regiments had rendered the more than 1,000 men of the US 1st Battalion powerless to resist.

On the US 3rd Company's position, Company Commander Hudson slammed his walkie-talkie heavily onto the ground.

"Farke! Farke!"

Hudson cursed as he stomped on the walkie-talkie on the ground.

Those nearby immediately understood why.

"Sir, the battalion commander is refusing to provide support?"

“That’s right!” Hudson gasped for breath and plopped down on the stool.

"That son of a bitch told us to hold on. The heavy weapons company has been reinforced to the 1st Company."

"Fuck! Just because we're all Black?!"

The people nearby also began to curse angrily.

In the United States, Black people have long faced discrimination, making them psychologically more vulnerable than the general population.

The 3rd Company was the only all-Black company in the 25th Division. If they were treated unfairly, they would immediately think it was because of their skin color.

However, they were wrong this time. Battalion Commander Odose of the 1st Battalion did not intentionally withhold support from the 3rd Company.

After all, this was his unit, and the 24th Regiment was originally a pilot unit of the US military, with most of its soldiers being Black.

The reality was that the 1st Company was under immense pressure. Li Chishui not only fired all the rocket artillery shells at the 1st Company, but also launched his main attack from that direction.

If the heavy weapons company doesn't provide full support to the 1st Company, the 1st Company will almost be overrun.

But Hudson didn't think so. In his view, it was wrong to give support to the 1st Company but not to the 3rd Company.

"Sir, without support, our company alone cannot possibly hold off an entire regiment of the enemy's central forces."

"Their advantage is simply too great!"

"What do you mean?"

"Since defeat is inevitable, why waste our lives?"

"Sir, I think it would be better to lay down your weapons and surrender."

"This..." Hudson hesitated.

In his mind, prisoners of war seemed to have no good ending.

"Rest assured, sir, the Central Army has always treated prisoners of war well."

"My aunt's cousin's wife's neighbor's ex-boyfriend is serving in the 24th Division."

“He had been captured before, but the Chinese army did not mistreat him and even gave him a day’s worth of food, allowing him to return on his own.”

Although the gifts weren't anything special, at least we got back safely.

However, the American soldier who said this was unaware that it was actually outdated.

In the early days, due to a lack of experience in international warfare, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army still followed the old traditions of domestic warfare.

When capturing enemy soldiers, ordinary soldiers who had no value were usually given a verbal warning and then dismissed.

Although the situation was quickly adjusted and prisoners were no longer released, the news of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's humane treatment of prisoners had already spread.

"Your neighbor's ex-boyfriend?" Someone nearby seemed to remember something: "Isn't that neighbor your ex-girlfriend?"

"Yes, ever since that bitch dumped me, our relationship has been pretty good."

With firsthand accounts of real events, the balance in the hearts of the American 3rd Company members immediately shifted.

Just as the 211th Regiment resumed its shelling and prepared to attack, the US 3rd Company raised a white flag on its position.

Although Ren Wuliu didn't understand the US military's thinking on the position, he was fine as long as he could successfully capture the high ground.

Moreover, attacking this position at night is indeed a bit difficult, as these black people are camouflaged and the soldiers can't see them at all.

After taking over the position and arranging for a platoon of soldiers to send the prisoners back to the brigade headquarters, Ren Wuliu led the 211th Regiment to charge towards the main American position.

The US 1st Battalion was already struggling to hold out against an attack by a regiment, and now that its flank had been breached, it was even more unable to resist.

When Odosi learned the reason why the flank had been breached, he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Fuck! I told you we couldn't let these black guys defend the position themselves!" Odossie's words were a generalization, and the faces of the many black people in the camp were not happy.

However, although they were unhappy, they couldn't refute it verbally, since the three consecutive actions were indeed unethical.

"Sir, what do we do now?"

"Hold on and wait for reinforcements!" Odosi said through gritted teeth.

"The regimental commander has sent a telegram that, in addition to air support, the 2nd Division will also send reinforcements after dawn."

"Three hours! Just hold on for another three hours and the reinforcements will arrive!"

However, Odose clearly overestimated the capabilities of the US 1st Battalion.

As time went on, the US military's heavy machine guns, recoilless rifles, and mortars were destroyed one by one.

Without the suppression of heavy machine guns, the soldiers of the 21st Detachment quickly stormed the American positions.

The two sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat, which was the Second Chief of Staff's forte, and the US military was no match for him.

Soon, as American troops were successively defeated, the position fell into the hands of the 21st Detachment.

The 24th Regiment of the United States and the 2nd Division of the United States were completely cut off.

Upon learning that the position had been captured, Li Chishui excitedly stood up.

"it is good!"

"Time is precious. Tell all units to stop cleaning up the battlefield and immediately cross the Chongchon River!"

Because of the presence of the 1st Battalion, the US 24th Regiment did not deploy many troops along the Chongchon River.

Faced with the fierce attack of the 21st Detachment, the US troops defending the Chongchon River position were simply unable to hold out.

The 211th and 212th Regiments quickly completed the crossing, and the American defenders scattered.

After crossing the river, Li Chishui didn't waste any words and directly led his troops to launch a strong attack on the main force of the US 24th Regiment from the flank and rear.

As for the artillery units, they began to slowly cross the river under the cover of the 213th Regiment.

Inside the headquarters of the US 2nd Division, Kaiser felt an excruciating headache as he watched the endless stream of bad news.

Whether it was the entire 3rd Company surrendering or the 1st Battalion being annihilated, Kaiser could not accept it.

Just then, more bad news arrived.

"Sir, the 24th Regiment has been surrounded by enemy forces."

"Fuck!" Kaiser was even more exasperated.

The 24th Regiment was not part of the 2nd Division's organization, so even if he wanted to give orders to the 24th Regiment, he couldn't.

Kaiser only hoped that the 24th Regiment could hold Gusongling, which was very important for the 2nd and 25th Divisions.

Meanwhile, at Gusongling, the fierce battle had been raging for quite some time.

The 21 teams launched wave after wave of fierce attacks.

Faced with air suppression from the US military, Li Chishui even split up the artillery regiment that had just arrived and pushed it to the front line.

As he watched another mountain gun being blown away by American planes, its barrel spinning and flying, Li Chishui's lips twitched.

However, no matter how much he felt sorry for the cannons, Li Chishui did not suggest that they be concealed.

The telegram from the headquarters clearly stated that they would take Gusongling at all costs.

On the ancient pine ridge, Phillips, the commander of the 24th Regiment of the United States Army, was restless.

"Sir! The 9th Platoon of the 2nd Battalion's position has been breached!"

"Fuck!" Phillips cursed. "Couldn't there be more of this damn air support?!"

After the Chinese forces launched their attack, he repeatedly requested air support, but only a few carrier-based attack aircraft circled around to provide support.

He wanted heavy bombers, he wanted carpet coverage.

"Sir, it seems unlikely that we can get any more support," the chief of staff said dejectedly.

"I heard that the 10th Corps on the Eastern Front has been surrounded, and all the Marine Corps planes must have been sent there to provide support."

"We're already lucky to have a few carrier-based attack aircraft supporting us."

This was a full-scale attack by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, with fighting taking place simultaneously on multiple battlefields.

Although US aircraft have night combat capabilities, only 20% of carrier-based attack aircraft, excluding bombers, are equipped with night vision devices.

The 1st Marine Division of the 10th Corps, being the favored son of the Marine Corps and Navy, will definitely prioritize deploying all its firepower there.

Although Washington has been urgently sending more aircraft to North Korea, it has not been very quick.

These aircraft are unlikely to reach the battlefield and participate in combat in a short period of time.

"Fake!"

After swearing, Phillips sighed, "Hopefully the reinforcements will arrive soon."

According to the established withdrawal plan, the 2nd Division withdrew first, and after opening up Shaxikou, it covered the withdrawal of the 25th Division.

However, Phillips felt that the 24th Regiment might not be able to wait for the main force of the 25th Division to arrive.

It must be said that Phillips's premonition was very accurate.

Seeing that the US 24th Regiment continued to resist, Li Chishui once again deployed the rocket artillery battalion.

These two salvos were the last ammunition; if they couldn't take down the 24th Regiment, the 21st Detachment would pay an even greater price.

The commanders and soldiers of the 21st Detachment also knew that this was the last time they would receive strong fire support, so the commanders of the 211th and 212th Regiments personally went to the front line to direct the battle.

To minimize casualties, the attacking skirmishers stretched their lines very wide, but this time, the attack showed no sign of stopping from the start.

When the soldiers in front are killed, the soldiers behind automatically move forward to replace them.

Soldiers receive the same training every day, so it's easy for them to integrate into new groups.

Faced with relentless waves of attacks, the positions of the US 24th Regiment were constantly being squeezed.

As the density of US troops within the encirclement increased, the lethality of heavy mortars also increased.

With annihilation imminent, Phillips could no longer contain himself and sent a telegram to the 2nd Division requesting reinforcements.

Looking at the 24th Regiment's telegram requesting reinforcements, Kaiser felt somewhat helpless.

He intended for the 24th Regiment to continue holding the line, since as long as Gusongling did not fall into the hands of the central army, the retreat of the main force would not be affected.

But now the 24th Regiment is already retreating eastward, and it's too late to say anything.

Moreover, on the east bank of the Chongchon River, a regiment of the central army is also eyeing the area covetously.

If the 2nd Division does not provide support, the 24th Regiment will absolutely not be able to escape the encirclement of the central army.

“传我命令，23团加强重坦克2连、155榴弹炮营、105榴弹炮2营、工兵营，进攻清川江南岸的中军，为24团打开突围道路。”

After thinking for a long time, Kaiser finally decided to send troops to provide assistance.

"Yes, sir!"
Facing an American force twice their size, and heavily armed with heavy weapons, the soldiers of the 213th Regiment did not flinch, and the two sides fought fiercely without stopping.

However, the objective of the US 23rd Regiment was not to capture the hilltop.

Using artillery cover, the US forces opened a breach in an unimportant position and then surged forward.

Watching the movements of the US troops, Xiang Zhiyong, the commander of the 213th Regiment, gritted his teeth in anger: "Damn it! Trying to outmaneuver us?"

"Tell the 1st and 2nd companies to attack the American breakthrough point!"

"The 1st and 2nd Infantry and Artillery Companies will each be reinforced to two companies!"

"You think you can just bail someone out like that? Good heavens!"

The 92nd Division's infantry guns, which were the mainstay of the regimental artillery, had low power and short range, but were very well concealed.

Once pushed close, the infantry guns are particularly accurate when fired directly at close range.

This time, the artillery went all out, sparing no effort with their shells and firing with all their might.

With the breach about to be closed again, the commander of the 23rd Regiment of the US Army had no choice but to keep filling it with more people.

However, due to space constraints at the breached position, he cannot deploy too many people at once.

The battle for position between the two sides eventually devolved into a piecemeal fighting tactic.

However, to the relief of the US military, the position was still in their hands.

Moreover, as the sky gradually brightened, more air support arrived on the battlefield.

After the 23rd Regiment assault team successfully rendezvoused with the 24th Regiment, they did not linger in battle but quickly retreated.

An hour later, as the US 24th Regiment withdrew from the battlefield, the US 23rd Regiment also quickly withdrew without any delay.

If they continue fighting, they are confident they can defeat the central army in front of them, but it's pointless.

What they wanted was a retreat, not to trade American soldiers' lives for Chinese soldiers' lives.

Looking at the troops retreating in disarray, Kaiser didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

The 24th Regiment was indeed rescued, but the 23rd Regiment paid a heavy price.

Two-thirds of the tanks were destroyed, and there were over a thousand casualties.

The number of casualties among the 24th Regiment that were rescued was roughly the same as that of the 23rd Regiment.

Kaiser waved his hand, not wanting to say anything more: "Let the 24th Regiment go and rest."

Although the 24th Regiment successfully withdrew from the battle, the loss of Gusongling meant that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had once again gained the upper hand.

Kaiser looked toward the direction of Gusongling, wondering if the US 25th Division could retake the position.

If this place remains in the hands of the Chinese army, it's like having a dagger pointed at the waist of the American troops.

The 24th Regiment suffered a crushing defeat, Gusongling was surrendered, and the 3rd Company surrendered voluntarily. This series of events became a permanent pain for the United States.

Even after the Korean War ended, this was a taboo subject in American war history.

The entire Second Battle was glossed over, with only the 2nd Company, which lost 80% of its strength, being lauded as a testament to American spirit.

However, the US military initially acted as if the matter was insignificant.

However, three months after the end of the Second Battle, the U.S. Army disbanded the 24th Regiment.

And since then, no separate Black units have ever been formed. Even in the 21st century, all U.S. military units are mixed Black and White.

The damage this incident has caused to the United States is self-evident.

(End of this chapter)