Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 192 The US Army's Final Han River Offensive!

South of the Han River, US 25th Division Command Post
"Are you all ready?"

"When can we launch a new offensive against the Han River defense line?"

Major General William took a puff of his cigar, glanced coldly at the positions across the Han River, and asked.

"Sir, the army is ready and can launch a full-scale attack at any time."

"But the air force reinforcements sent by General Ridgway haven't arrived yet. Should we wait?"

"Although we still have superior troop strength and firepower, morale has suffered a heavy blow."

"If we suffer another major defeat on the Han River, our soldiers will lose their fighting spirit..."

The U.S. Chief of Staff said in a low voice.

"What massive defeat?! That was just a tactical adjustment!"

Major General William frowned and raised his voice a few decibels as he spoke.

"Sir, in short, we could afford to lose before, but after several crushing defeats, we can't afford to lose anymore..."

The U.S. Chief of Staff took off his military cap and placed it on the table, sighing with a worried expression.

"You've fought so many battles with me, you've earned both credit and hard work."

"Back then, the 25th Division fought its way from Australia all the way to Okinawa, and was even the first to land in Tokyo, Japan. How glorious it was!"

"We've been losing to the Chinese army time and time again, I'm not reconciled..."

William looked at the chief of staff's haggard face and spoke slowly.

"Sir, as long as we wait for the Air Force..."

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Chief of Staff remarked with a touch of emotion.

"I am not blinded by rage; I intend to leave the enemy's main force on the Han River!"

"My previous eagerness to capture the Han River stemmed from a misjudgment of the strength of the Chinese army and the competence of Chinese commanders, which is why I thought that this would be the fastest way to achieve the strategic objective."

"But you saw the battles before. Their fighting spirit is strong, their combat power is not to be underestimated, and their commanders are much better than those Japanese officers who only know how to charge into battle."

"And the most important thing is that our armored forces were destroyed by the Chinese Air Force when our air force was in a power vacuum..."

Major General William interrupted the US Chief of Staff, his eyes filled with resentment.

"The Chinese Air Force even flew over artillery units, dropping bombs directly on armored vehicles and tanks. Could it be that the Chinese commander..."

The U.S. Chief of Staff looked up as if suddenly realizing something, and said...

"That's right. If we destroy their armored forces, even if they can't hold out, they can still maintain their formation and retreat back to Seoul to continue their defense."

"But we no longer have time to slowly wear them down. We must use continuous attacks to entangle them and pinpoint the location of their artillery."

"That way, when the air force arrives, they can immediately destroy their heavy artillery!"

"Ideally, their air force would fight our superior air force to the death in order to cover the army's retreat!"

Major General William slammed his hand on the table and said with a chilling aura.

"So all we need to do is feign an attack?"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff asked with shining eyes.

"No, we must launch a full-scale attack!"

"The Chinese commander on the other side is definitely not an incompetent person; if we only launch a feint, he will surely see through it!"

"And as I said, we need them to fire their artillery and expose their positions so that our air force can eliminate them immediately."

"Go down and relay the message. I want to see our soldiers launch a fierce attack on the Han River defense line within fifteen minutes at most."

Major General William shook his head and said.

"Yes, sir!"

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

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

Han River defense line, enemy forward command post
At this moment, Wu Wanli was holding a pre-battle meeting with key officers.

"Commander-in-Chief, according to reconnaissance, the US military will launch the next offensive very soon!"

Pinghe hurried in and said, "So fast?"

"Their air force reinforcements haven't arrived yet, and they're already launching an attack?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing asked with slight surprise.

"That's perfect!"

"Our artillery and machine guns are no worse than those American devils'!"

"If they dare to attack, we'll concentrate our firepower and wipe them out! No matter how many come, they'll all die!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong became excited.

"You idiot, it's not that simple. The American devils have just suffered a defeat, yet they're so eager to attack. They must have ulterior motives."

Lei Gong shook his head, suddenly sensing that something was amiss.

"Commander-in-Chief Kaka, no matter what, the military police force that Political Commissar Xia Pai and I personally organized are complete. We have the strength to fight the US military!"

Quan Douguang said.

"The US military's early attack is exactly what I wanted..."

Wu Wanli nodded and murmured softly.

Based on his system selection, he needs to hold out for a period of time before retreating, otherwise the system will fall into a dormant state.

Holding out under heavy bombing by the US Air Force would be too much pressure, and the road ahead wouldn't be easy.

But now that the US military has launched an early attack, it has actually helped him fulfill his selection requirements and has also been able to kill and weaken a portion of the US military.

"Wanli, you are the commander-in-chief, so you can decide on the specific deployment."

Liu Hanqing said.

At this moment, all the officers present turned their gaze to Wu Wanli.

"Let the heavy artillery regiment retreat first. With the Han River as a natural barrier, we only need mortar bazookas and those machine guns to hold the line."

"Once the US Air Force arrives soon, our retreat will be much faster and we won't suffer too many losses."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then spoke.

His words immediately silenced the entire room.

Everyone thought that either a detachment would be left to cover the rear, while the main force would leave directly.

Either the main force stays behind and, along with heavy artillery, inflicts casualties on the American forces.

More importantly, the exact arrival time of the US Air Force is unknown.

"Wanli, by the time the American warplanes arrive, it will be too late. How can we possibly leave before they arrive?"

"Why don't we hold out for a little while longer and then retreat?"

Wu Qianli thought for a moment, then said with concern.

"Trust my battlefield instincts and just follow my instructions."

"I used to think this kind of thing was too frivolous and untrustworthy, but I've never been wrong about it before."

"Go all out and harvest the American troops. When it's time to retreat, I'll have someone send you a telegram."

Wu Wanli waved his hand, looked at the Iron Heart Sky Eye map in his mind, and said decisively.

"Report to the commander-in-chief!"

"The US military is pressing forward now, and the vanguard is ready to cross the Han River. It seems they are about to launch a new offensive!"

At that moment, a messenger rushed over and said.

"Go down to your respective positions and take command. Lei Gong, take the heavy artillery and move quickly. You are all slow, now is the perfect time to leave."

Wu Wanli said confidently.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone recalled Wu Wanli's previous achievements and, without any doubt, quickly agreed.

(End of this chapter)