Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 160 The Steel Seventh Company Pursues a Brigade, Air Tank Coordination Master Wu Wanli!

Within a Line

"boom!"

A British Cromwell light tank suddenly exploded, sending countless pieces of steel flying and even blowing several nearby British soldiers away.

After Wu Wanli finished blowing up the wreckage, he immediately rolled over and hid behind the nearest piece of steel debris.

"Da da da da da..."

The next second, a series of bullets struck the trajectory of his roll, kicking up a flurry of snowflakes.

"The light tanks are mostly dealt with, but these British heavy tanks are the most troublesome!"

Yu Congrong had just fired a burst of bullets when he poked his head back and said.

"These heavy tanks are too far away for the bazookas to even blast open. If only we had heavy artillery!"

"However, we can organize a suicide squad to blow off their tracks first."

Wu Qianli sighed and said.

"Not urgent!"

"The British troops are now surrounded, and the 80th Division is on its way to reinforce us. We just need to hold them off and fight them slowly!"

Wu Wanli said as he filled the bazooka.

"Company commander, company commander!"

"Political Commissar Mei sent a telegram: The British 29th Brigade is about to flee!"

At this moment, Liu Hanqing hurriedly ran towards Wu Wanli's bunker and shouted loudly.

However, he did not notice that a British soldier in the distance was setting up a light machine gun, preparing to aim it at him.

"careful!"

Wu Wanli dropped the bazooka, lunged forward, drew his pistol from his waist, and fired directly at the British soldier.

"boom!"

A short gunshot rang out, and a bullet flew out at high speed, blowing the British machine gunner's head off.

However, at this moment, more British soldiers noticed this place and prepared to turn their guns and fire.

"Covering fire!"

Upon seeing this, Shiqian immediately grabbed a Browning light machine gun and charged out, recklessly firing at the British troops in the distance.

Wu Siyi and several guards pulled the pins on their grenades and threw them toward the British troops.

"go!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Wu Wanli got up, pulled Liu Hanqing up, and ran towards the cover.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The flash of light from the grenade explosion was intense, and the flying shrapnel kept the British soldiers from raising their heads.

After the black smoke from the explosion dissipated, Wu Wanli had already led Liu Hanqing back to the rear of the tank wreckage.

"Hanqing, let the communications officer handle this kind of thing. Don't take any risks!"

"You are our highest-ranking political officer. What will happen to the entire Steel Seventh Company if you are sacrificed?"

Wu Wanli looked at Liu Hanqing and said anxiously with a hint of reproach, his eyes full of worry.

"I...I'm sorry, Wanli."

Thinking of the near-death experience he had just faced, Liu Hanqing said with a hint of guilt.

"It's alright, take good care of yourself..."

"You just said that the Royal Heavy Tank Regiment is still here, but the main force of the British 29th Brigade has fled?"

Wu Wanli patted Liu Hanqing on the shoulder and asked.

"Yes, Political Commissar Mei just sent a telegram that the British 29th Brigade is indeed retreating south."

Liu Hanqing said.

"Wanli, it seems the British army is trying to make a drastic sacrifice and escape unscathed!"

"Unfortunately, we are outnumbered and are currently engaged in a fierce battle with the British heavy tank battalion, making it difficult to pursue them..."

Wu Qianli listened to the still intense gunfire not far away and said with a hint of regret.

"It's alright. Our three armies have already surrounded the British 29th Brigade. No matter how hard the British try to escape, they won't be able to get out."

Liu Hanqing said.

"Retreating south in such a hurry...something's not right!"

"Pinghe, bring out the battle map."

Wu Wanli said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Pinghe quickly took out the battle map from his pocket and spread it on the snow.

"Brother... Commander, look to the south of the British 29th Brigade, there's a town called Kamagok-sang-ri. I suspect they're heading straight for there!"

After examining the map for a moment, Wu Wanli pointed directly to a marker on the map and said.

"Kamagaya-kami-sato Town...they intend to hold out and wait for reinforcements."

Wu Qianli looked at it and guessed.

“That’s right. Kamagosato is not particularly far from Uijeongbu Castle, and it even has the feel of forming a defensive triangle.”

“If the British 29th Brigade successfully enters, it will be much more difficult for us to encircle and annihilate them.”

Wu Wanli frowned as he spoke.

"The company commander is right. Although we have achieved many victories, our logistics are about to fall behind. We must finish this quickly."

"If we let the British 29th Brigade retreat into their own territory, we are not confident that we can win another successful encirclement and annihilation battle like the one at Xinxingli."

Liu Hanqing sighed and said.

"Commander, have Zhang Taofang lead the Third Battalion in a rapid attack on Fugu Shangli. We must be quick and hold the place before the British army gets in!"

"I led the 7th Steel Company to pursue the main force of the British 29th Brigade, harassing and slowing them down!"

"You lead the main force of the assault regiment to continue fighting the British army and wait for the 80th Division's support."

Wu Wanli said.

"Wanli, why are you giving me orders again?!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qianli couldn't help but kick Wu Wanli's butt, scolding him with a mixture of anger and amusement.

"Hehe! This is just a suggestion, after all, it's just a nominal staff officer position..."

Wu Wanli also realized that something was wrong, and said with a slightly embarrassed tone.

"I can listen to you, but you need to clarify two issues."

"First of all, the British army still has vehicles and tanks. How can you guarantee that Zhang Taofang can lead the Third Battalion to arrive ahead of time?"

"And what do you mean by 'leading the Steel Seventh Company to chase after the British 29th Brigade'? What do you take the Steel Seventh Company for? Chasing after an entire British brigade?!"

"I know you're good at fighting, but you can't use the Steel Seventh Company like a division!"

Wu Qianli looked at Wu Wanli with annoyance and said.

"Brother, we brought an armored convoy with us when we came, along with troop carriers that transport ammunition. We have quite a few vehicles, but they're not good for concealment and ambushes, so we're hiding them not far away."

"Just then, I led an armored convoy to pursue the British 29th Brigade, while Zhang Taofang and his men drove ammunition transport vehicles to Busook Sang-ri."

"Besides, I'm not just leading the Steel Seventh Company in pursuit; there are hundreds of fighter jets in the sky too!"

"Now the US Air Force is about to be completely defeated, and our Chinese Air Force can be freed up to play its role."

"With an armored company and hundreds of fighter jets, in coordinated air and tank operations, wouldn't it be more than enough to chase down the British 29th Brigade, which is in a hurry to escape?"

Wu Wanli smiled confidently and said.

"Air-tank coordination, you're really something..."

"Alright! I'll let you go, but we've agreed that you're only there to harass and slow down the British troops. Don't be too reckless, understand?"

Looking at Wu Wanli's determined eyes, Wu Qianli hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Don't worry, Captain, I've never lost."

"Take care, brother..." Wu Wanli patted Wu Qianli's arm and saluted.

Calling someone "commander" means they are following orders, while calling them "brother" means they care. Wu Wanli now understands the difference very well.

"Now that you've grown up and your wings have hardened, go and fly..."

"There's only one condition: come back alive and build a big house for my parents."

"I'm not just talking about this battle..."

Wu Qianli stared blankly at Wu Wanli's spirited face, then took a deep breath, took off the cormorant whistle from his neck, handed it to Wu Wanli, and said.

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

27th Army Headquarters
"Old Li, Old Li, the British 29th Brigade has retreated south!"

Kong Jie walked in excitedly, holding the telegram, and said...

"what?!"

"At this point, Zhang Dabiao's 80th Division probably hadn't even reached Yixiantian yet, right? How could they have retreated so quickly?!"

Li Yunlong frowned, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes!"

"Moreover, this retreat was particularly hasty; their heavy tank battalion was still surrounded by the Assault Regiment in a narrow alley!"

"Judging from this, the British devils are planning to make a drastic decision and abandon their heavy tank battalion, then simply withdraw!"

"The 38th and 50th Armies are almost at the encirclement position; no matter how they run, it's futile!"

"But the fact that a single regiment could force back the British 29th Brigade is exhilarating, truly exhilarating!"

Kong Jie said excitedly.

"Old Li, I don't think the British 29th Brigade was forced back by the 1st Assault Regiment."

"They probably already knew about the annihilation of the British Rifle Regiment, which is why they abandoned the rescue and retreated directly."

Zhao Gang picked up the iron cup, took a sip of hot water, and pondered.

"This possibility cannot be ruled out."

"The American devils must have sent spies to infiltrate, and with their reconnaissance planes constantly circling around, it's normal that they discovered it."

"So I can understand these British devils retreating, but why did they just abandon the heavy tank battalion?"

"I refuse to believe that the British commander has changed his mind. He rushed to rescue the British regiment, only to abandon a battalion to save his own life?"

"They must have ulterior motives!"

Li Yunlong thought for a moment, then looked at the battle map and said.

"Old Li, the British 29th Brigade retreated south. Could they be heading for...this place! Kamagok-sagari town!"

Zhao Gang tapped his finger on the markings on the battle map and made a bold guess.

"They are trying to hold out and wait for reinforcements because they are close to Uijeongbu, where the main force of the US military is stationed!"

Kong Jie looked in that direction and quickly reminded him.

"No way! A new batch of US Air Force personnel has entered Korea, and the logistical pressure is already immense. If this drags on any longer, all my men will starve to death!"

"Which of our nearest troops are currently available? We must stop these damned British devils!"

Li Yunlong slammed his hand on the table and immediately asked.

"Report to the commander!"

"An urgent telegram has been sent from the First Assault Regiment: Wu Wanli has led the Seventh Steel Company onto an armored convoy and is preparing to cooperate with the Air Force to pursue the British 29th Brigade!"

"Zhang Taofang led the Third Battalion to launch a surprise attack on Bugok Sang-ri, aiming to cut off the possibility of the main British force retreating into the tortoise shell of Bugok Sang-ri!"

At that moment, the chief of staff rushed back with a telegram and said...

Upon hearing this, the command center, which had been engaged in a heated discussion, fell silent instantly.

"That Steel Seventh Company... chasing the British 29th Brigade?!"

Li Yunlong's eyes widened, and he gasped, thinking he was dreaming.

"what!"

"Li Yunlong! Why the hell are you pinching me?!"

Kong Jie cried out in pain and immediately cursed.

"It hurts. Looks like I wasn't dreaming..."

"So Wu Wanli has some nerve, daring to lead a company to chase after a British brigade?!"

"Hey! If anyone else dared to do that, I'd definitely call them a fool and fire them!"

Li Yunlong said, hands on his hips.

"Old Li, how could you have the nerve to say the word 'nonsense'?"

"Back when you dared to lead the New First Regiment to confront the Sakata Regiment head-on, the old brigade commander must have been furious."

"Those were several thousand elite Japanese troops who had defeated two divisions of the Central Army at the Battle of Xinkou!"

"If you ask me, Wanli has that same recklessness you had back then!"

Kong Jie pointed at Li Yunlong and smiled, then said.

"What recklessness? This is called having my father's heroic spirit!"

"However, the British army's firepower is even stronger than the Japanese devils'. I'm worried about Wanli..."

Li Yunlong said.

"Commander, there's no need to worry about this. Comrade Wu Wanli didn't just act on impulse; he was prepared."

"The armored convoy of the Seventh Steel Company was hidden near Yixiantian. He led the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company in heavy armor before chasing after them."

"Moreover, at that time, the air force of our new China defeated the US air force, and we temporarily dominated the air power."

"In the words of the telegram, Comrade Wu Wanli is playing a coordinated air-tank pursuit game!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff immediately spoke up.

"Old Li, Wu Wanli is a brave and resourceful comrade, we can rest assured."

"The British 29th Brigade was eager to escape and probably wouldn't risk being bombed by hundreds of warplanes and entangled with the Steel 7th Company."

"Even if they really turn against us, the armored mechanized forces of the Seventh Steel Company are highly mobile and can easily escape."

Zhao Gang thought for a moment and then said.

"So, Wanli, leading the Steel Seventh Company, can chase after an entire brigade without much risk?"

"Heavy armored pursuit, hundreds of fighter jets providing cover, air-tank coordination? That's fucking awesome!"

"Back then, we were just a bunch of guerrillas, we didn't have these conditions..."

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie spoke with a touch of emotion.

"That's what they say, but I'm afraid these British devils will get desperate and launch a counterattack to surround the Seventh Steel Company."

"Or they might suddenly stop, unleash a barrage of heavy artillery, and Wanli and the Steel Seventh Company could be engulfed in flames..."

"No way! I'm not willing to let a British brigade replace the Steel Seventh Company. They are the seeds of our Chinese armored forces!"

"Old Kong, have the 38th and 50th Armies reached the encirclement point yet? Send a telegram to them to hurry up and annihilate them."

"Anyway, our air force is chasing the British army, and we know their location very well. We should be as fast as possible and finish this battle quickly."

"Otherwise, if those British devils retreat into the turtle shell of Kamagosato Town, or if the American troops come to support them, it will be difficult to fight them."

Li Yunlong thought for a moment and then asked.

"We should have arrived by now, but the comrades from the 50th and 38th Armies haven't even had a chance to catch their breath. Now they have to make another long march. Won't that be too tiring?"

Kong Jie was slightly taken aback and reminded him.

"tired?"

"The Seventh Steel Company has been the spearhead since the Imjin River, fighting the ROK 1st Division, blocking the US 38th Regiment, intercepting the British Rifle Regiment, and now they're chasing a British brigade! Have they ever complained of being tired?"

"Pass on my order: the 27th Army shall be the first to encircle and annihilate them, immediately!"

"If they don't fight, I'll lead the 27th Army and take down this entire British brigade by myself. Don't blame me for not leaving them any survivors!"

Li Yunlong, worried about the Steel Seventh Company, slammed his hat on the table and shouted domineeringly.

(End of this chapter)