Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 161 Truman said, "Move the machine gun forward ten meters!"
United States, White House

"Mr. President, the British Ambassador has issued a strong protest, accusing General Ridgway of standing idly by and watching the main British forces get surrounded."

"It is said that Churchill has planned to visit our country on this matter and has even requested to speak before Parliament. What do you think..."

Secretary of State Acheson said.

"Damn it! I'm not a military idiot. Back in World War I, I led artillery units in France against the German army!"

“I am aware of the current progress of the Korean War, and from a military perspective, General Ridgway has done nothing wrong.”

"Moreover, Ridgway had already warned the British 29th Brigade before they set off. It was they who went their own way and disobeyed orders."

"These self-righteous idiots, after being surrounded, actually blame us. How shameless!"

President Truman slammed his hand on the table and said coldly.

"Mr. President, in any case, it is not the time to hold those who disobey military orders accountable."

"To put it bluntly, we could rescue the British 29th Brigade and then have General Ridgway kill a few people to establish his authority, but we can't not rescue them now!"

"After all, nominally speaking, the participating forces were the United Nations forces composed of seventeen countries, not just our American army."

"As a major ally, the British army has made significant contributions, and I feel we cannot simply ignore them."

Secretary of State Acheson lowered his head and whispered his advice.

"Hmm... I understand what you're saying."

"Has our support carrier strike group arrived yet?"

President Truman paused for a moment, then asked.

"They arrived, along with hundreds of warplanes, to the Korean battlefield."

"Mr. President, I believe that General Ridgway can balance rescuing the British troops with preventing the war from collapsing."

Secretary of State Acheson noticed Truman's concern and said...

"Well... I hope so."

"Telegram to Ridgway: Considering the diplomatic pressure from the British and international public opinion, instruct him to do everything in his power to rescue the British 29th Brigade."

"I don't ask for much, just that the British army isn't wiped out in large numbers."

“Tell him that if he wins this battle, MacArthur’s position as the commander-in-chief of the UN forces will be his.”

President Truman thought for a moment and then said.

After the defeat at Chosin Reservoir, Ridgway became the commander-in-chief of the UN ground forces, but MacArthur remained the commander-in-chief of the UN forces.

"Mr. President, if it involves General MacArthur, how about we avoid using coded telegrams?"

"After all, using such a position to motivate General Ridgway would be somewhat disrespectful to General MacArthur, who is still in office..."

Upon hearing this, Secretary of State Acheson quickly offered a reminder.

"You've thought this through very thoroughly. Let's send it as a secret telegram then."

"This damned Korean War has mired America in a quagmire for far too long, and public anti-war sentiment is growing stronger..."

"By the way, didn't we send diplomats to negotiate with Red China? How's the progress?"

President Truman rubbed his temples, saying with a slight headache.

"Mr. President, I'm afraid we can't expect a quick diplomatic solution to the North Korean issue."

"The attitude of Red China was very tough; they even rejected our proposal for a temporary ceasefire."

"They also said... they would fight until complete victory."

Secretary of State Acheson sighed and said.

"These poor Chinese people can't even get enough to eat, why would they want to fight us to the death?"

"Fine, let's fight then!"

"I'd like to see if these Chinese can defeat an allied force composed of more than a dozen powerful nations!"

Upon hearing this, President Truman's anger flared up, and he retorted.

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

Seoul, U.S. military command headquarters
"Sir, news of the annihilation of the Royal Rifle Regiment has been relayed to Brigadier General Brody."

"Now, in order to extricate themselves from the narrow pass as soon as possible, the British 29th Brigade has left a heavy tank battalion to cover the rear and is heading at full speed toward the town of Sang-ri in Bugok."

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"So, the British are going to lose another heavy tank battalion?"

"If this idiot were in my army, his military command ability would be at best only good enough to be an infantry battalion commander!"

"Using World War I thinking to command troops will only bring military merits to the Chinese army!"

Li Qiwei looked at the battle map and said with considerable disdain.

"Sir, Brigadier General Brody has sent a telegram requesting our immediate reinforcements. They will try their best to reach Kamagosato and hold out for reinforcements."

The U.S. Chief of Staff pointed to the map and said.

"They're thinking about providing support now?"

"He's surrounded by the three main corps of the Chinese army, how can I provide support?!"

"I explicitly forbade him from rushing into the rescue, but he wouldn't listen. Now he has only himself to blame for everything!"

"I can't possibly drag the entire UN force into a decisive battle with the Chinese army just to save him, can I?"

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

"decisive battle……"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei, who was standing to the side, fell into deep thought.

From his perspective, the most urgent task is to support the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, especially after a large number of air force personnel entered Korea, which has greatly increased the logistical pressure on the Volunteer Army.

"Mr. Chu, what are your thoughts on the current battle situation?"

"Or to put it simply, do you think it's still possible to save the British 29th Brigade now, and if so, how should it be done?"

Li Qiwei noticed Chu Yunfei's thoughtful expression and asked with narrowed eyes.

"I wouldn't presume to offer profound insights, but I do have some experience."

"Let me speak frankly to you both, but please don't tell anyone else."

“During the previous civil war, our National Revolutionary Army also had many generals who were good at leading troops and were good at making the most advantageous military decisions.”

"But at every crucial moment, our principal would always step in and make a brilliant decision, which would change the course of the battle."

Chu Yunfei smiled and lit a cigar, hinting at something.

"Mr. Chu, why beat around the bush? Just say what you have to say."

Li Qi frowned slightly and asked.

"The United States has always been a free and democratic country. Please allow me to give an example, even if it offends me."

"If your President Truman were to order the machine guns on the front lines to be moved forward ten meters, what would General Ridgway think?"

Chu Yunfei took a puff of his cigar, exhaled a few puffs of smoke, and said.

"Mr. Chu means that the President will intervene in the Korean War?"

"I understand. You mean to say that the British 29th Brigade's situation isn't a matter of whether or not to rescue them, but rather that they are forced to rescue them under pressure?"

Li Qiwei realized what was going on and immediately pointed it out.

"How could our president possibly make such micromanagement moves that could affect the course of the war, like your commander-in-chief?"

"General Ridgway is highly trusted by the country. I dare not say anything more than that, but these British troops disobeyed orders first and were involved in such a great risk. It is understandable whether or not to save them."

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff immediately smiled with a hint of disdain.

"Sir!"

"A secret cable has been sent from the White House!"

At that moment, a U.S. military staff officer rushed into the command room and whispered something.

"A secret White House telegram? No way..." Upon hearing this, the US military chief of staff's eyes widened instantly, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

"Take a look, and then just tell me what it is."

Upon hearing this, Li Qiwei frowned and said with slight annoyance.

"Sir, the President has ordered us to rescue the British 29th Brigade at all costs. We cannot allow them to be annihilated as a whole, otherwise it will cause a huge diplomatic incident."

"However, the President promised that if this battle is fought well, the position of Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations forces will be given to you."

The U.S. military staff officer said in a low voice.

"Understood, let's go down."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Li Qiwei's eyes as he waved his hand and said.

"Yes, sir."

Upon seeing this, the U.S. military staff officer quickly left.

"This……"

The US Chief of Staff was slightly taken aback, feeling a burning pain on his face.

He had expected the White House to put pressure on them, but he didn't expect them to actually issue a direct order.

"Mr. Chu not only possesses formidable military strength, but also demonstrates remarkable accuracy in his assessment of the current situation."

Li Qiwei looked at the composed Chu Yunfei and praised him.

"You flatter me. It's all just experience shared by the principal."

Chu Yunfei smiled and said.

He wasn't being modest at all; he and a group of his fellow Huangpu Military Academy classmates had been tricked by this micro-management master countless times, so they were full of experience.

"Sir, are we really going to follow this order?"

"This is a secret telegram, not an open telegram. If the battle goes badly, it won't be the president who will be blamed, and we can't very well expose him..."

The U.S. Chief of Staff realized the crux of the matter and quickly offered a reminder.

"damn it!"

"Are we really going to push forward and engage in a decisive battle with the Chinese army right now?"

Ridgway walked to the vicinity of the sand table and looked at the British military flags that were surrounded on it, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Chu Yunfei's mind was racing, trying to figure out how to create the most advantageous layout for the Chinese army.

The worst-case scenario is that the US military is holding firm and repeatedly bombing the supply lines of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) with its air force, forcing the PVA to retreat due to logistical constraints.

However, this problem has already been solved by US President Truman, whose micromanagement skills have blocked the best strategy for the US military.

So, would it be the best outcome for the US military to go out and fight the Chinese People's Volunteer Army? Chu Yunfei didn't think so either.

The best course of action would be to continue with the previous tactic of piecemeal support, creating openings for the Chinese army.

Having thought of this, Chu Yunfei had a rough plan in mind. He calmly puffed on his cigarette, waiting without any urgency.

"Mr. Chu, do you have any insightful suggestions?"

Li Qiwei looked at Chu Yunfei's confident demeanor and asked.

"General Ridgway, the secret telegram from your president states that the 29th Brigade of the British Army should not be annihilated as a whole, but rather that they should be rescued intact."

"That means we're allowing them to suffer heavy casualties."

Chu Yunfei reminded him.

"Allowing them to suffer heavy casualties... what are you trying to say?"

The US military chief of staff looked at Chu Yunfei with some wariness and asked.

"At present, it is not a good choice to fight a decisive battle against an enemy with high morale after a series of defeats."

"I think it would be better to send some troops to support the British 29th Brigade's breakout, rather than us going to rescue them directly."

"This way, we can meet the White House's requirements while also ensuring that the main force does not take any risks."

Chu Yunfei said.

"No decisive battle, use a portion of the army to provide support..."

How many reserves do we still have available?

After a moment of deep thought, Ridgway asked the US Chief of Staff.

"Sir, after the US 2nd Division was transferred, only the ROK Capital Division and your guard regiment remain in Seoul."

"The guard regiment is crucial to your safety and is your last resort; it absolutely cannot be mobilized now."

"The South Korean Capital Division is the only fighting force that the South Korean army has left for the time being. If it is defeated, the South Korean army will be almost completely wiped out, and the political impact will be too bad."

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

After all, they were nominally fighting for South Korea, but the South Korean army was wiped out, and South Korea was now filled with foreign troops. The impact was indeed not good.

"Ever since I witnessed the South Korean army's swift defeat at the Battle of Imjin River, I have given up on them."

"If we can't get troops from Seoul, are there any troops that can be transferred from the front lines?"

Li Qiwei asked helplessly.

"Due to the overzealous advance of the main British force and the annihilation of the US 38th Regiment, our frontline troops are already stretched thin."

"Moreover, in addition to the troops besieging the British 29th Brigade, the Chinese army also has three main forces that are eyeing us covetously, ready to break through our defenses at any time."

"The positions of the 24th Division and the 1st Cavalry Division are crucial; if the defense line is moved, it may collapse."

"The Turkish brigade is located on the periphery, but sending them there would just be handing them over to the Chinese army, which is pointless."

"In the end, the only option left is to send the US 2nd Division to provide assistance."

"If the British 29th Brigade can reach Pogok-sang-ri and hold out for a while, and then join forces with the US 2nd Division to attack the 50th Corps and open a passage, they may be able to break out successfully."

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

"Can the US 2nd Division really open a passage to facilitate the breakout of the British 29th Brigade?"

Li Qiwei looked at the battle sand table and said with a hint of worry.

"Hard to say."

"The Chinese 50th Army is located south of the British 29th Brigade. If we want to open up the passage, we have to defeat them."

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"Mr. Chu, wasn't this 50th Army previously part of your Nationalist Army? What do you think of their combat capabilities?"

Li Qiwei asked with slight hesitation.

"General Ridgway, I can only say that when they were still the 60th Army of the National Revolutionary Army, their combat effectiveness was average, and they were even called the 60th Army Bear."

"However, the other side has always done a good job in ideological work, so it's hard to say whether they have completed their transformation."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei could only respond in a non-sticky manner.

"Sir, don't worry."

"That 50th Army was nothing more than an army that had surrendered. If it could really transform, it would have transformed long ago. How could it have only transformed on the Korean battlefield?"

Seeing Ridgway's concern, the U.S. Chief of Staff quickly offered words of comfort.

"Fine. Tell Brigadier General Brody this will be his last chance!"

“I will send the 2nd US Division to support him, and attack the 50th Army in one day to open a breakout channel for him.”

"If he still can't break through, don't blame me for not saving him!"

Li Qiwei snorted coldly and said.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff immediately agreed.

(End of this chapter)