Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 156 What does it matter if there's a coalition of more than a dozen countries? China will take them all on!
志司
"Boss, Chief Chen, something terrible has happened!"

"According to the latest intelligence, the US aircraft carrier fleet has arrived at the coast ahead of schedule, along with more than 600 carrier-based aircraft!"

"Air superiority is likely to fall into the hands of the US military again, and the front lines are in danger!"

The Chief of the General Staff said.

"I'm really afraid of what will happen!"

"Boss, the encirclement and annihilation of the British 29th Brigade is at a critical moment. With those hundreds of warplanes, I'm afraid we won't be able to contain the British 29th Brigade."

"We still have four extra corps at our disposal. Should we send one of them to support Li Yunlong and his men?"

Chief Chen looked at the general and asked.

"The 39th and 40th Armies are advancing towards the Qingpingchuan area to contain the US 9th Corps and prevent it from making any rash moves."

"The 42nd and 66th Armies are advancing towards Sanliu-ri, preparing to advance and threaten Chipyong-ri, seize the transportation hub of the US forces on the eastern and western fronts, and strategically cut the battlefield in two."

"Tell me, which army unit can be mobilized?"

"We can't afford to lose our strategic initiative for the sake of tactical advantage."

The boss sighed and said.

"Boss, the most dangerous position on the battlefield right now is not the encirclement in Dead Eagle, but the blocking position in One Line Sky."

"It's already difficult enough for one regiment after another to hold off the British 29th Brigade's forces, but now with the addition of the US Air Force..."

"Boss, Hanqing and Wanli have led the Steel Seventh Company to provide support. I'm worried that these two promising talents might get hurt!"

"Chief Chen said with concern."

"They're both injured..."

The boss fell silent halfway through his sentence.

How many fighter jets do we have left?

Chief Chen looked at the Chief of Staff and asked.

"With the MiG fighter squadrons provided by the Soviets, we still have more than a hundred fighter jets."

The Chief of the General Staff said.

"The US military's warplanes are scattered across various battlefields on the Eastern and Western fronts. It is estimated that there are no more than a hundred of them that can appear in localized areas such as the 'One Line Sky' and 'Dead Eagle'."

"Commander, if we are determined to defeat the British 29th Brigade, we should send all of our more than 100 warplanes to support the 27th Army."

"Either speed up the encirclement and annihilation, and achieve a quick victory to reduce casualties caused by the disadvantage of air superiority."

"If neither of these can be done, then we can only leave the Royal Rifle Regiment of the British Army behind, while the 29th Brigade of the British Army will break out while preserving its combat effectiveness."

"Chief Chen said."

"Wu Wanli and Liu Hanqing really know how to give me a hard time..."

"A group of tens of thousands of comrades, who were reluctant to risk the loss of tens of thousands of lives if the main force advanced directly, insisted on besieging the city and attacking the reinforcements to draw the attention of the main American force before leading the troops to attack Seoul."

"Someone gave up a stable clerical job to go to the Steel Seventh Company to train in bloody battles. That is a sharp knife, always in the most dangerous place."

"Well done, all of you are great..."

The boss stood with his hands behind his back, looking in the direction of the narrow passage, and sighed.

"It is because of people like them that the new China has become strong and prosperous, and the Chinese people have been able to live a good life, haven't they?"

"Don't be fooled by the fact that the United States has a continuous stream of support from its army, navy, and air force; China still has a million-strong army!"

"As long as we all have the same spirit as Wanli and Hanqing, what does it matter if there's a coalition of more than a dozen countries? We, China, will fight them all!"

"Chief Chen said."

"well said!"

"Anyone threatening China's border, no matter which country they are, will be annihilated! The British want to help the Americans? Then they shouldn't be going back!"

"Order the 50th and 38th Armies: I don't care what methods they use, they must reduce the estimated time to complete the encirclement by three hours!"

"We must complete the encirclement of the British 29th Brigade ahead of schedule, so that the blocking action at Yixiantian can be reduced by three hours!"

A resolute glint flashed in the boss's eyes as he made the decision.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff immediately agreed.

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

27th Army Headquarters
"Old Li, Old Li, I have two pieces of good news!"

Kong Jie walked in excitedly and called out.

"What are you yelling about? I'm annoyed!"

"I've seen the intelligence from my superiors. The American carrier fleet is here. We've lost air superiority again. Damn it, we're going to be bombed again!"

Li Yunlong looked at the battle map and said in a bad mood.

"Old Li, it's just a few air force (short-term investors) stocks, what's there to be afraid of!"

"Back when I led my troops to fight at Chosin Reservoir, we didn't have these conditions. We didn't even have Soviet air support! We didn't have any fighter jets at all!"

"So what happened? We still won."

Upon seeing this, Kong Jie quickly spoke up.

"What good news is it? Tell me."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong nodded slightly and said.

"Old Li, the 50th Army and the 38th Army will march rapidly to the various encirclement points, which will be three hours earlier than before."

"In addition, Zhang Dabiao called to say that he used the tactic of relentless harassment and exhaustion that Wan Li had mentioned, coupled with the British Royal Rifle Regiment cutting off their food supplies. Now, many British troops can no longer hold out and have surrendered to the 80th Division under the cover of night!"

Kong Jie held the latest telegram and said with a smile.

"The encirclement was brought forward, and the morale of the British rifle regiments collapsed to the point that deserters began to appear..."

"Old Li, maybe we can change our approach and close the net ahead of schedule."

After hearing this, Zhao Gang thought for a moment and then spoke.

"We don't need so many troops surrounding Dead Eagle!"

"Let the other two divisions launch a general offensive, and the 80th Division can go directly to support the assault regiment."

"Once the 80th Division arrives to support the battlefield, the 50th and 38th Armies should also arrive at the encirclement point. Then we can tighten the encirclement and annihilate the British 29th Brigade!"

Li Yunlong looked at the battle map and pondered for a long time before speaking.

"This……"

"Old Li, if we had joined forces with other troops to encircle them, our losses might have been smaller."

"Moreover, taking this step might alert the British 29th Brigade, allowing them to break out prematurely."

Zhao Gang thought for a moment and then offered his advice.

"What about the first assault regiment? They're still under too much pressure."

"Never mind, just give the order! I refuse to believe these British soldiers can escape!"

Li Yunlong gave the order.

"Yes!"

The chief of staff acknowledged and hurriedly went to relay the message.

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

Beyond the narrow pass, the British 29th Brigade

"Why did you stop? Hurry up and move!"

Brigadier General Brody, looking at the motionless British troops ahead, shouted angrily.

"Sir, the Royal Heavy Tank Battalion ahead reports that we are about to enter a narrow pass, a treacherous area where we are highly likely to be ambushed."

"We'd better take a detour, or at least send someone to search thoroughly..."

The British Chief of Staff said.

How long will it take?

Brigadier General Brody frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked.

“If we take a detour, it will take seven or eight hours longer, and a full search will take at least two hours.”

The British Chief of Staff estimated it.

"It's been too long. The Royal Rifle Regiment has run out of food and is now in dire straits. We can't delay any longer."

"Call the air force, drop incendiary bombs, conduct fire reconnaissance."

Brigadier General Brody shook his head and said.

"But……"

Upon hearing this, the British Chief of Staff had a bad feeling and wanted to continue to persuade him.

"That's fine. The Chinese army is human too. Once the incendiary bombs are lit, if they are really ambushing us, they will be in unbearable pain and expose their weaknesses."

Brigadier General Brody waved his hand and said with a confident expression.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the British Chief of Staff had no choice but to agree.

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

ambush position at the narrow pass
"Brother, you should go back. It's cold here, and the British army is coming soon. I'll be fine here."

Wu Wanli looked at the swirling snowflakes and said.

"What are you talking about? Lao Tan can lead by example, how could I be any worse than him?"

"Besides, I've temporarily handed over the matters of the regiment to Mei Sheng. He'll handle any special circumstances first."

"Take this and eat it. Even if you're not hungry, take a bite. Who knows how long the battle will last?"

Wu Qianli took out the potato that he had been holding in his pocket for a long time, touched it to make sure it was soft, and then handed it to Wu Wanli.

"Thank you, brother."

"After eating too much American chocolate, I feel sick of it. This potato is much more satisfying."

Wu Wanli took the potato, took a bite, and said with a smile, "Commander, Company Commander, the British troops have stopped and haven't come in."

At this moment, Pinghe, who had been on reconnaissance, returned and said.

"It stopped? What happened?"

"Could it be that they've discovered us?"

Yu Congrong was slightly taken aback and asked.

"If they've discovered us, they should be taking action, but these British troops are remaining still, as if they're waiting for something..."

Pinghe said.

"Whatever they do, since we can't beat these idiots, let's just keep lying in ambush."

"It's a defensive battle, not a war of annihilation, so the longer it goes on, the better for us!"

Lei Gong said.

"Waiting for what?"

Wu Wanli frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.

"Company commander, what are you worried about?"

Gao Daxing noticed Wu Wanli's unusual behavior and asked him a question.

Wu Wanli did not respond directly, but instead opened the Hearts of Steel dynamic map and looked at the situation near the British troops.

According to the map, no US reinforcements have arrived.

However, when he looked up at the sky, he discovered that a US military flight formation had already taken off, heading directly towards their location.

"Thirty bombers, forty fighters—no wonder the British hadn't made a move; they were waiting for this!"

Wu Wanli's eyes widened, and he exclaimed inwardly.

"Wanli, what's wrong?"

Seeing the changes in Wu Wanli's expression, Wu Qianli quickly asked with concern.

Wu Wanli's previous warnings during the Seventh Infiltration Company were very accurate, so he had great faith in his younger brother's judgment.

"Brother, if I'm not mistaken, the enemy should be calling in bombing soon. Have we dug any air-raid shelters?"

Wu Wanli asked.

“We didn’t dig one out of the blue, but there are many natural caves on the slope of Yixiantian Mountain. I sent people to do some simple reinforcement and deepening.”

"However, it's a bit far from the front-line ambush point, so we can't guarantee that we'll be able to come back to support immediately after the bombing."

Wu Qianli thought for a moment and then said.

"Brother, immediately send a telegram to the higher command and call for air support, no less than fifty fighter jets!"

Wu Wanli said.

"Calling in fifty fighter jets for support? You've got some nerve, kid."

"But isn't this a bit too much of an exorbitant demand?"

Wu Qianli was slightly taken aback, then frowned and asked with concern.

After all, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army only has about a hundred fighter jets available on the entire Korean battlefield. To ask half of the air force to support a regiment at once is indeed a bit excessive.

"Company commander, I think we should just follow the regimental commander's advice and call for air support directly. We'll see what the higher-ups decide."

Successfully observing Wu Qianli's expression, he lowered his voice and offered his advice.

"Success, what right do you have to interrupt? You think you can overturn the company commander's decision?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Siyi patted Chenggong on the head and stared at him with eyes that looked like he was about to be promoted.

"It's nothing, it's just something I was saying."

Seeing this, Shiqian quickly stepped in with a smile to smooth things over.

"Never mind, this comrade was just anxious and offering suggestions."

"However, Comrade Chenggong, you can directly consult the company commander on matters of battlefield judgment without overthinking."

"Once you've grown up, you'll naturally have your place to use your talents."

Upon seeing this, Liu Hanqing spoke up.

"Yes!"

"I will definitely correct it!"

Successfully lowered his head and replied with a embarrassed expression.

He had originally intended to curry favor with Wu Qianli, the regimental commander, but now he realized he had made a fool of himself and immediately regretted it.

"Let's do as Wanli suggested and generate electricity. If the US military really sends out fighter jets, then we won't have much time left."

Wu Qianli glanced at his watch and said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Mumu acted as a messenger and ran towards the radio station.

"Brother, it's not that there's not much time, it's that it's definitely too late."

"Order the main force to disperse and slowly retreat to the air-raid shelters."

Wu Wanli estimated it and then said.

"Retreat to the air-raid shelter?"

"Wanli, I'm afraid this won't work."

“The air-raid shelters are some distance from the front line. When the US bombs them, the British army will probably take the opportunity to advance there.”

"By the time we return after the bombing is over, the British heavy tank battalion will probably have already passed by."

"In this situation, how can we possibly attack their rear heavy armor blocking the road?"

Wu Qianli said.

"Simple!"

"We should concentrate firepower in the front and lighten it in the back, and deploy personnel in the front and heavy it in the back. This way we can ensure firepower against the British forces while reducing casualties."

"The Seventh Steel Company should leave behind the artillery platoon and the guard platoon; the remaining three platoons should retreat directly to the air-raid shelter."

"Leave more machine guns, submachine guns, and bazookas on the position. With artillery, that should be enough to hold out until the main force returns."

"The same applies to other units; just leave about 30% of the troops plus heavy firepower."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said.

In reality, heavy firepower could still be lost, but this is the best way to reduce casualties.

"Heavy firepower in the front and light firepower in the back, light personnel in the front and heavy firepower in the back... Good idea, it will probably be useful in future battles!"

"Good, Wanli! It seems you should be the commander!"

"Order all units to immediately move out as Wanli instructed!"

Wu Qianli's eyes lit up, and he praised Wu Wanli.

"Company commander, let me stay! I'm a good shot!"

Upon hearing this, Pinghe offered his suggestion.

"My machine gun fire is fierce! Whether it's bursts or continuous fire, who can shoot as clearly as me?!"

"Company commander, I want to stay too!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately volunteered for the battle.

"I don't need to say anything, I definitely need to be in the artillery platoon."

Lei Gong said with certainty.

"Company commander, you can't leave me behind!"

Seeing this, Gao Daxing quickly added.

"What nonsense are you talking about? War isn't an ancient battle of generals. What are you doing here? Are you trying to paralyze the grassroots command?"

"Lei Gong, take the artillery platoon. I'll stay behind with the guard platoon. Everyone else, hide in the air-raid shelter!"

Wu Wanli frowned slightly and resolutely gave the order.

"Yes!"

Seeing that Wu Wanli was serious, Yu Congrong and the others quickly agreed and led their men to retreat to the rear.

"Brother, you too...you too!"

Wu Wanli coughed twice and said.

"Yo?"

"Our company commander has really made something of himself, huh? He's even giving orders to me, the regimental commander?"

Wu Qianli was slightly taken aback, then smiled and widened his eyes as he cursed.

"Brother, this time it's not the small-scale harassment we've seen before."

“Our parents are getting old and need someone to take care of them. If the two of us stay together, what if… the Wu family line will end.”

"I am very strong in individual combat, and this is the best place for me."

Wu Wanli grabbed Wu Qianli's arm and said in a low voice, moved.

"Eh……"

"You little rascal, you've really grown up..."

"Alright, I'm not as good as you at fighting as I am now, so I won't waste my time arguing with you."

"you……"

Looking at Wu Wanli's increasingly mature and experienced face, Wu Qianli felt as if he had a thousand words to say, but they were stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them.

"Take care of yourself!"

Wu Qianli patted Wu Wanli on the shoulder, left a final sentence, and then turned and walked towards the air-raid shelter.

(End of this chapter)