Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 131 The Steel Seventh Company Turns the Tide of the Entire Battle!
Seoul, UN Command Headquarters
"What?!"

"A million-strong army? Where did China get a million-strong army?!"

"Fuck you!"

"Do these South Korean soldiers think I'm a three-year-old?!"

Ridgway angrily tore the telegram in his hand to shreds and shouted curses.

He would have tolerated even if the army numbered 400,000, since the Chinese People's Volunteer Army actually numbered over 200,000. It would be about twice as many as he claimed.

But is this million-strong army just a joke?

"Sir, please calm down."

"China does have a million-strong army, but they can't possibly send that many to North Korea."

"Based on our previous intelligence estimates, China has at most 200,000 to 300,000 troops assembled on the Korean battlefield."

"However, the enemy attack on the Imjin River is real. That is our first natural barrier, known as the Maginot Line of the East by the South Korean army. Let's provide some support."

The U.S. Chief of Staff reviewed the intelligence and operational maps and calmly analyzed the situation.

"Can we send reinforcements in time?"

"Even with the fastest mechanized troops providing support, it will probably take two hours. I'm really worried that these idiots won't even last two hours."

Looking at the battle map, Li Qiwei said with considerable worry.

"Sir, based on the information they gave us, the South Korean troops had their first line of defense breached in eight minutes."

"They are now struggling to hold on with their last remaining second line of defense. I estimate they can only hold out for a maximum of an hour, or even less."

The U.S. Chief of Staff thought for a moment and then said.

"The first line of defense was breached in eight minutes...that makes sense!"

"These Chinese troops are too cunning. Even we, the South Korean army, thought they would cross the river at Golangpo in the Ilja River section..."

"Unexpectedly, they took a different approach and launched a sudden attack from the Bolang River section, directly crushing the small number of troops there."

"Under these circumstances, the South Korean army can only withdraw its troops from the river section to the second line of defense for a final stand."

"Damn it, is it even necessary for us to send reinforcements?"

Li Qiwei clenched his fist and asked.

"If we want to provide support, we can only gamble on the fact that the Chinese army on the western front cannot break through the entire defensive line so quickly, otherwise the support will be meaningless."

"However, our air force support took off to provide assistance at the first opportunity, and should arrive soon."

"By destroying the first line of defenses with incendiary bombs, we can create a barrier of fire on the south bank of the Imjin River, which may save the situation."

"After all, the fortifications there have a lot of earth and wood structures, and if they are exposed to white phosphorus incendiary bombs, they will burst into flames."

"As long as we can temporarily isolate and delay China's main force, we have a chance to defuse their offensive!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff looked at the battle map and said.

"Air Force, white phosphorus incendiary bombs... I hope so."

"Send mechanized troops to quickly support the front line. We must hold this damned Imjin River defense line!"

Li Qiwei slammed his hand on the table and said loudly.

"Yes, sir!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff quickly agreed.

....................................

Near the Imjin River, the forward command post of the 27th Army
"Old Li, that kid Wu Wanli really did lead the Seventh Steel Company to tear open a gap in the defense line of the Imjin River's wavy section!"

"After the First Regiment expanded the breach, the Eighty Division quickly followed up and has already reached the last remaining defensive line of the South Korean army."

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once the main forces from the rear are fully deployed, the South Korean army will inevitably collapse across the board!"

Kong Jie, with a happy expression, spoke to Li Yunlong.

"Wu Wanli is indeed a formidable general!"

"But we can't be too happy yet. The South Korean army is nothing compared to the support from the American devils."

"You see, although we have broken through the South Korean army's defenses, our troops have not yet fully deployed."

"If the US Air Force launches a massive bombing raid at this time, it will inevitably delay the support of our manpower and weaken our offensive."

"In this way, the time spent delaying the arrival of US reinforcements may be long enough for the battle to become much more difficult."

Li Yunlong pointed to the location on the battle map and said.

"Didn't the 198th Division and the two North Korean army corps on the eastern front march out of Hwacheon to attack the positions of the puppet South Korean 5th Division?"

"Logically speaking, the American devils wouldn't concentrate their entire air force and gamble everything on the Western Front, would they?"

"After all, if the eastern front collapses, their flanks will be threatened, creating a strategic disadvantage."

Kong Jie thought for a moment and then said.

"That's too idealistic."

"To threaten the flank of the US forces, in addition to breaking through the ROK 5th Division on the eastern front, we must also take down Chuncheon and Hongcheon, and then break through Hoengseong!"

"Rigid will definitely ignore the eastern front at this time and go all out to support the western front, since Seoul on the western front is much more important than Hengcheng on the eastern front."

Zhao Gang shook his head and speculated.

"Old Zhao, it's time for those MiG fighters to take off and provide support. I heard there's also a portion of our Chinese Air Force involved, is that right?"

Li Yunlong asked.

"They are mainly Chinese air force pilots, and even the batch of American warplanes captured in Wanli before accounted for a quarter of them."

"Hey... these pilots are all treasures, I wonder how many will survive this battle."

"Taking off now, preparing for combat."

Zhao Gang said.

"Old Li, since there's air force support, why didn't you make arrangements sooner?"

"Let the air force bomb them all the way there, let's enjoy the American devils' nouveau riche tactics!"

Kong Jie frowned, puzzled.

"Because there aren't many bombers, and the main force is fighters, in order to gain some air superiority and reduce the number of bombs our comrades suffer."

"And if we take off immediately, we won't have enough fuel to sustain a long-term operation."

"In that case, we'll be wasting our precious air power on these South Korean troops. When we're about to engage the US-supported troops and aircraft, our air power will have to turn back, and that will be the end of us."

Zhao Gang shook his head and explained.

"Tell Zhang Dabiao that we are fortunate to have armored vehicles, an air force, and so many heavy artillery and troops. I have never fought a battle with such abundance in my eight lifetimes!"

"If he still can't perform well under these circumstances, I'll dismiss his division commander and send him back to China to experience the taste of embroidery!"

"Also, send a special telegram to that kid Wu Wanli, telling him to use all his previous skills to tear apart the South Korean army's defenses!"

"Speed ​​up the offensive! A damn breakthrough across the entire front within half an hour!"

Li Yunlong slammed his hand on the table and shouted loudly.

"Yes!"

Kong Jieying got off the train.

....................................

Frontline, Provisional Command Post of the 80th Division

"The commander gave us a death order: we must break through the entire South Korean army line within half an hour!"

"We've been charging for ten minutes, why haven't we made it through yet!"

"Isn't Wu Wanli's Steel Seventh Company known as the elite first-rate company? Has it become rusty by the time it gets to me?!"

Zhang Dabiao put down his binoculars and shouted with some dissatisfaction.

"Commander, the spearhead of the 7th Steel Company is about to break through the South Korean defenses, but our main force hasn't even made it in yet..."

The chief of staff gave a bitter smile and said.

"What's the meaning?"

"The Seventh Company is almost in, and the main force is being held back?"

Zhang Dabiao was slightly taken aback and asked.

"The South Korean army had constructed a large number of barbed wire fences and minefields outside the position. Our soldiers stepped on mines and were blown up not long after they charged in..."

"Not only that, when the South Korean army saw that we were blocked by minefields and barbed wire, they used a powerful group of bunkers and a network of firepower to suppress our soldiers."

"It's a pity that our 80th Division soldiers charged wave after wave, but a large number of them died without making it to the top!"

The chief of staff said, his heart bleeding, "How is this possible?"

"Weren't you making a breakthrough going perfectly fine up before?"

Zhang Dabiao clenched his fist slightly, looking angrily at the South Korean army's firepower network flashing with gunfire in the distance, and asked.

"The first line of defense consisted of minefields and barbed wire, which were breached by a large number of artillery shells after the legion's reserves were exhausted."

"Now that our division is the vanguard, where are we going to get so many heavy artillery pieces and shells?"

"If we want to break through in half an hour, we will suffer heavy casualties, unless..."

The chief of staff hesitated before speaking.

"Unless what? You pale-faced scholar, your words are enough to drive me crazy!"

Zhang Dabiao slammed his fist on the table and cursed.

"Unless the Steel Seventh Company can break through the enemy lines alone like before and bring down the South Korean army."

"The South Korean army never expected us to have any armored forces, so the minefields were all anti-personnel mines, and the front-line tanks could just crush them."

"They can even break through barbed wire without any hesitation!"

said the chief of staff.

"I hope they can do it too, but I can't put all my hopes for a battle on the Seventh Steel Company..."

"Organize a suicide squad and roll over them with your bodies to load the grenades!"

Zhang Dabiao hesitated for a moment, then slammed his hand on the table and shouted loudly.

"Yes!"

Upon seeing this, the chief of staff quickly agreed.

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front
Amidst the chaos of battle, countless long streaks of fire shot out from the bunkers and positions of the South Korean army, relentlessly striking the charging Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

Countless soldiers fell from the ground, countless heroes perished here, but no one wanted to retreat.

On the contrary, when the news came down that volunteers were organizing suicide squads to load mines, the front-line volunteer soldiers did not hesitate and immediately fell down and rolled into the minefield ahead.

Among them, the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Assault Regiment, which was at the forefront of the offensive, also joined in.

"What are you doing! Your wife and daughter are waiting for you. Even if I die, my parents will still have Wanli to take care of them. Let me do it!"

Wu Qianli grabbed Mei Sheng, who was rushing to the front, and took his place, rolling quickly towards the minefield.

"Boom! Boom!"

Explosions came one after another not far away, and heat waves carrying blood and severed limbs rose up before falling back down near Wu Qianli.

Fortunately, Wu Qianli was not injured, and the path he tested was safe.

"Battalion Commander! Look!"

"The Seventh Steel Company is about to charge onto the South Korean positions!"

Seeing that Wu Qianli was alright, Mei Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. When he saw the distance, he was overjoyed.

"Throw grenades from the front row to blow up the barbed wire. Let's keep up with the Seventh Steel Company's attack and not let them become isolated!"

When Wu Qianli saw the flag of the Seventh Steel Company, a strange emotion welled up in his heart, and he shouted loudly.

"Grenade!"

Company Commander Zhang Taofang of the Ninth Company roared and personally threw two grenades toward the barbed wire fence.

The surviving soldiers of the Ninth Company threw their grenades, and countless black dots landed on the barbed wire.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The continuous explosions quickly shredded and tore the barbed wire, revealing gaps in the wire mesh.

"Comrades, the time has come for the Party and the people to test us. Charge with me!"

After shouting, Mei Sheng, the instructor, rushed to the front.

"Charge through, or you'll survive!"

Wu Qianli also shouted and charged forward.

"Come on!"

The soldiers of the Third Battalion picked up their guns and, disregarding their pain and exhaustion, launched a new round of attacks.

"Comrade Wu Wanli, I truly hope we can all live to see the moment we storm Seoul..."

Looking at the lead tank of the Seventh Steel Company in the distance, a thought flashed through Zhang Taofang's mind.

....................................

At this moment, the Seventh Steel Company had just broken through all the minefields and barbed wire, and was advancing directly towards the South Korean army's position.

At that moment, a barrage of shells landed on the flank and rear of their armored convoy, the violent explosions leaving behind huge, charred craters.

Inside Tank No. 1
"Company commander, I was wondering why you didn't tell us to slow down and cover our friendly forces. Turns out the South Korean artillery had been targeting us all along!"

"If we hadn't pressed our attack against the retreating South Korean troops, our armored convoy would have been blown to bits by howitzers!"

Yu Congrong said with lingering fear.

"Nonsense, we're the most conspicuous, who else would we blow up if not us!"

While feeling fortunate, Wu Wanli inwardly expressed his gratitude for the permanent super-god luck bonus he had previously received.

"Da da da da da da da da..."

"Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!"

At that moment, a series of bullets struck the armor of the tank where Wu Wanli was located, producing a series of crisp sounds.

Inside Tank No. 2
"Company commander, should we eliminate these South Korean troops first?"

Gao Daxing asked.

Inside Tank No. 3
"Company commander, two truckloads of South Korean soldiers have arrived as reinforcements!"

Pinghe reminded him.

Inside Tank No. 1
"Concentrate your firepower, destroy the troop transport vehicles, then follow me deeper into the enemy territory. There's no time for a slow, drawn-out battle!!"

Wu Wanli opened the dynamic Sky Eye Map and immediately said anxiously.

On the map, a large number of US air force units are seen approaching and will soon arrive at the battlefield.

Furthermore, a mechanized U.S. military reinforcement is rapidly approaching this location.

After the order was given, the eight heavy tanks of the Seventh Steel Company turned their guns around and aimed at the armored personnel carrier that had just stopped.

Upon seeing this, the South Korean soldiers on board were so frightened that they jumped off the vehicle, crying and screaming, and fled in all directions.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The eight tanks jolted backward, and the shells, accompanied by the screeching of air, crashed onto the troop carrier.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A violent explosion rang out, and fiery clouds blew the troop transport vehicle away, sending shattered glass and metal flying everywhere, leaving a pool of blood on the ground.

"beat!"

Shi Jian raised the anti-aircraft gun on the M16 and fired a barrage at the remaining South Korean troops, with large-caliber bullets flying out like meteors.

"Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump..."

Soon, the remaining dozen or so South Korean soldiers had their heads and bodies sliced ​​off by bullets and fell heavily to the ground.

"Rumble--"

At this moment, Wu Wanli's tank, disregarding the chaotic battlefield, charged toward the South Korean artillery position indicated by the Sky Eye map.

Originally, he wanted to directly destroy the headquarters of the ROK 1st Division, emulating his previous feat of destroying the headquarters of the US 1st Marine Division to achieve a great victory.

But now that the US Air Force has arrived, the threat posed by these air forces is far greater than that of the South Korean forces.

He zoomed in on the artillery positions on the Sky Eye map and discovered a large number of large-caliber howitzers and anti-aircraft weapons, which immediately delighted him.

Whoever controls this artillery position controls the greatest artillery fire coverage and air superiority on this battlefield!
After all, with both sides having air forces, this batch of air defense weapons can greatly influence the air combat situation!

With both sides having manpower support, this artillery barrage can determine who can cut off the other's manpower support!

"Speed ​​up, follow me!"

"It's time for our Steel Seventh Company to turn the tide of the entire battle again!"

Wu Wanli shouted loudly into the tank's communications radio.

(End of this chapter)