Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 193 The Final Battle of the Han River! (6K)

Han River defense line
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The deafening roar of heavy artillery bombardment resounded one after another, and large amounts of snow and dust filled the sky as countless American soldiers surged toward the position like waves.

Position No. 6
Zhang Taofang personally operated a heavy machine gun, gritting his teeth and firing wildly at the charging American troops in the distance despite the recoil.

“Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump…………”

With a series of muffled thuds, large-caliber bullets, carrying enormous kinetic energy, pierced through the bodies of several American soldiers.

Clouds of blood mist exploded in the air, and chunks of flesh and entrails splattered onto the blood-soaked ground.

"Come on!"

"According to the American devils' habits, your position will be subjected to saturation artillery fire within a minute!"

Wu Qianli, who was not far away, was calculating the time and loudly reminded him.

"it is good!"

"Comrade, lend a hand!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Taofang picked up the heavy machine gun and spoke to the assistant machine gunner beside her.

Soon, the two men, carrying heavy machine guns, prepared to move to a new location.

"Let's go!"

Upon seeing this, Wu Qianli kicked the heavy machine gun away and roared in a hoarse voice.

"Yes!"

Zhang Taofang looked at the heavy machine gun with some regret, quickly agreed, and moved away to a distance.

It wasn't that he didn't know how fast the American artillery might fire, but rather that large-caliber heavy machine guns were extremely valuable to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

a few seconds later

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three 155mm grenades slammed into the spot where Zhang Taofang had just been standing, the shockwave nearly causing Zhang Taofang and the others who had just moved to stumble and fall to the ground.

As the billowing white smoke dissipated, the trench had been blasted away, rising slightly like a small hill.

"Our heavy firepower has been reduced by almost half, and the US forces will probably be closing in soon..."

"Should we ask the commander-in-chief for help?"

While firing at the American troops in the distance, Zhang Taofang asked anxiously.

"It's not just a problem with heavy firepower. On this position, a quarter of a company of two hundred comrades has been wiped out. If this continues..."

Mei Sheng looked at the bodies of his fallen comrades and felt a pang of sorrow.

"We lost dozens of comrades, but look at the densely packed corpses on the perimeter. The American army lost at least a hundred!"

"We are the glorious Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and it is our honor to die on the battlefield!"

"Write down the list of comrades who died in battle; they are all heroes of the new China..."

Wu Qianli looked at Mei Sheng and said.

"Yes!"

Mei Sheng immediately agreed.

……

Han River Position Command

"Wanli, judging from the way these American devils are acting, it seems like they want to completely trap us through a general offensive!"

"It's strange that they didn't wait for the air force to arrive. Is it because they didn't care about casualties and wanted to save time?"

Liu Hanqing asked in confusion.

"What are the casualties? How many American troops were killed?"

Wu Wanli gently patted the dust off the battle map and asked calmly.

"Approximately one hundred Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers were killed, more than three hundred South Korean soldiers defected, and about one thousand American soldiers were annihilated!"

Liu Hanqing looked at the battle report from the front lines, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.

"At this casualty ratio, all American soldiers would perish on the Han River battlefield. Do you think that's possible?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli smiled slightly.

"This……"

"The casualty rate of the US military is already close to 40%. If the fighting continues like this, they will be defeated in one or two hours at most, and it will not even get to that point."

"However, the fact that the US 25th Division can continue its fierce offensive despite such a low casualty rate is truly worthy of being an elite unit that fought its way from Australia to Tokyo..."

Liu Hanqing thought for a moment and then analyzed.

"Therefore, the US military cannot use these veterans accumulated during the Pacific War as cannon fodder to be worn down by us."

"They want to keep us on the Han River until their air force arrives, then annihilate us on the Han River defense line, or at least severely weaken us and render us powerless to resist."

Hearing the intense gunfire from the front lines, Wu Wanli immediately saw through the situation.

"Then let's hold off this major offensive and retreat in ten minutes. As long as we leave a portion of our troops to cover the rear, we can definitely get back to Seoul ahead of schedule."

"What's more, Lei Gong only took the howitzer and heavy artillery with him. We still have 75mm infantry guns left behind, which is enough for the final defense!"

"Commander-in-Chief, I'm willing to personally lead a team to stay behind and provide cover!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing gritted his teeth and saluted.

"No, the American air force is almost here!"

"Send orders to the front lines: prepare for a counterattack!"

"Guard platoon, prepare for battle! Follow me to the front lines for support!"

"Mountain guns ready, prepare to bombard the American forces!"

Looking at the Iron Heart Sky Eye map, a hint of madness flashed in Wu Wanli's eyes, and he loudly gave the order.

On the SkyNet map, the US Air Force markings are rapidly approaching the Han River battlefield, indicating they will arrive soon.

"What? Did I hear that right?!"

"Shouldn't the US Air Force be retreating as soon as they arrive?"

"Moreover, the US military is currently launching a fierce offensive, and it is estimated that some US commandos are about to charge into the position for hand-to-hand combat. The risk of us launching a counterattack now is too great!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing gasped, his heart jolting, and quickly offered a reminder.

"I know everything you said."

"I'm not attacking the American troops, I'm attacking people's hearts!"

Wu Wanli took a deep breath and said.

"People's hearts?"

Liu Hanqing was slightly taken aback when he saw Wu Wanli's determined gaze.

"The US offensive is so fierce, they're almost charging onto our positions and engaging us in hand-to-hand combat. Won't we end up all mixed up together?"

"How can the US Air Force bomb under these circumstances?"

"If we retreat in advance, wouldn't that make us realize we've been discovered?"

"If you were a U.S. military commander, what would you do in this difficult situation?"

Wu Wanli said.

"Wanli, I knew it! How dare you try to wipe out the US 25th Division when the odds are so far apart!"

"Under normal circumstances, the losses from retreating along the Han River would have deprived us of the ability to confront the US military!"

"All your previous actions... you anticipated this outcome, didn't you?!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing trembled. Thinking of everything that had happened before, his heart felt as clear and bright as if it had been doused with snow water. He looked at Wu Wanli in disbelief.

"Rather than saying we calculated everything, it's more accurate to say we were gambling the whole time."

"Actually, we can't afford to lose even once, but fortunately, I've won all the way to where I am now."

"I have all the air force of the new China, the most elite soldiers, and heavy artillery and ammunition reserves that the main force of the Volunteer Army did not have."

"Under these circumstances, if I don't completely eliminate the major threat posed by the US 25th Division, how can I allow him to withdraw calmly and cover the main US forces?"

Wu Wanli looked at Liu Hanqing and said with a serious expression.

"You are already renowned throughout the world. As long as you hold your ground in a stalemate, even if you suffer heavy casualties, you can still achieve great success and have a bright future, becoming a legendary general at the age of 19."

"But if you take the risk and lose, you will fall from your so-called pedestal, or even perish here, you..."

Liu Hanqing looked at Wu Wanli with a touch of emotion.

"Hanqing, I always remember that I am fighting for my country and my people, not for any fame or fortune."

"I don't want the idea of ​​'one general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers.' I want to do everything I can to reduce casualties and bring my comrades home."

"As for the sacrifice... hahahahaha!"

"The green hills are fortunate to bury loyal bones; why should they need a horse to wrap their corpses and return them home?"

"Go and relay the order."

After Wu Wanli finished speaking, he picked up his gun and resolutely walked towards the front line.

"The green hills are fortunate to bury loyal bones; there is no need for them to be wrapped in horsehide to return home..."

"Wanli, you truly deserve the title of 'People's Hero' bestowed upon you by my father..."

Liu Hanqing watched Wu Wanli's retreating figure and sighed.

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

On the Han River front, the battle has entered a fierce stage.

On position number six, dozens of American soldiers rushed onto the position and engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with Wu Qianli and others.

"kill!!!"

Wu Qianli, holding a bayonet, pierced the chest of an American soldier with a vicious blow, and warm blood spurted out the moment he pulled the knife out.

The next second, two more American soldiers rushed at him with bayonets.

"careful!"

Mei Sheng deflected a US soldier's bayonet and instantly stabbed him to the ground.

Wu Qianli, wielding a blood-red bayonet, laboriously killed another American soldier.

"Battalion Commander, the breach has been opened, and the American forces will be increasing in number. If we don't get back to the position, we're doomed!"

Zhang Taofang, who was not far away, shouted loudly.

"Comrades, even if it costs us our lives, the children of our motherland will burn paper money for us in the martyrs' cemetery to commemorate us, and the incense will never cease to burn!"

"Come at me!"

Wu Qianli looked at the swarming American troops, his heart filled with the determination to sacrifice himself, and roared as he charged forward.

"Come on!"

Upon hearing this, some volunteer soldiers who had no children put aside their last regrets and charged toward the densely packed American troops with red eyes.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh..." In an instant, the shrill sound of shells tearing through the air rang out.

The American soldiers who had just arrived on the battlefield were slightly taken aback and stared wide-eyed at the sky.

"Shit!"

"Is William trying to kill us along with the Chinese by firing at this point?!"

A U.S. Army lieutenant roared angrily.

Because the range of the US heavy artillery was longer than that of the remaining mountain guns of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, the mountain guns would be destroyed if they were exposed, so they were kept hidden until now before being used.

This led the US military to believe that it was their artillery bombardment.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The next second, fiery clouds bloomed brilliantly outside the position, and waves of heat instantly swept towards the position.

Countless American soldiers were caught off guard and instantly blasted into the air, where they were reduced to charred, reddish-brown flesh and plummeted to the ground.

This also means that the American troops who rushed to the front line had no follow-up reinforcements and became an isolated force!
Thinking of this, a sense of unease rose in the hearts of the American soldiers who were fighting, and their morale quietly declined.

"Drip drip drip drip drip drip..."

In an instant, the unique bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army pierced the sky.

"Comrades, the time has come for the Party and the people to test us!"

"Follow me in the counterattack!!!"

Wu Wanli, bayonet in hand, roared and led his guard platoon toward the American troops.

The soldiers on the front lines were both moved and excited to see Wu Wanli, the commander-in-chief, personally leading his troops to provide support and shouting for a counterattack.

"kill!!!"

All the Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers, bayonets in hand, charged madly towards the American troops.

"withdraw!"

Upon seeing this, the US commando commander immediately shouted.

It must be said that the US military, having experienced the baptism of the Pacific War, is indeed an elite force.

Even under these circumstances, they managed to maintain their formation and retreat while taking turns providing cover.

The situation at Position No. 6 was just a microcosm of the entire Han River battlefield.

With the cover of artillery fire and the support of the last reserves, the defenders of the Han River position drove the American vanguard off the position and continued their counterattack against the Americans.

The US military had just been stunned by the sudden artillery fire and never expected the other side to dare to counterattack. They retreated repeatedly and were at a disadvantage.

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

South of the Han River, US 25th Division Command Post
"Sir! This is a great opportunity!"

"The Chinese army's artillery units have been exposed, and they have even left their positions to launch a counterattack!"

"If we deploy our reserves now, we're sure we can defeat them!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff rushed in excitedly, holding a telegram from the front lines.

"Should we commit the reserves to hand-to-hand combat and achieve a Pyrrhic victory?"

"How can we exchange the noble lives of Americans for the worthless lives of Chinese people?"

"As for those South Korean soldiers, they are nothing but dogs."

Major General William snorted coldly and said disdainfully.

Actually, besides feeling it wasn't worth it, he also felt a little guilty but didn't say it out loud.

Even if the US 25th Division is elite, it's already quite remarkable that it can hold on with such a high casualty rate.

If we were to engage in close combat again, we might really collapse and be defeated.

After all, casualties are not just cold numbers on battle reports, but the deaths of your comrades who are with you day and night.

Especially in close combat, the test of morale is even greater.

"Sir, are we just going to watch the Chinese counterattack like this?"

"The gains we made in our offensive, at the cost of over a thousand casualties, will be wasted..."

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff paused for a moment, then offered a reminder.

"No, no, no, how can we just watch the Chinese counterattack?"

"Tell the soldiers in front to speed up their retreat, and it would be best to abandon some more weapons and equipment to make it look like a rout."

Major General William thought for a moment, then a thought struck him, and he said smugly.

"Sir, are you trying to lure the Chinese army?"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff immediately reacted and asked.

"Of course!"

"Our air force is almost here!"

"If we get into a melee and it all turns into chaos, wouldn't we be giving up our air superiority?"

"As a battle-hardened general, one must not only be able to analyze the battlefield situation, but also understand the psychology of the Chinese commander on the other side!"

"Just watch, no Chinese commander will ever pay a bloody price for his pride and arrogance!"

Major General William said confidently.

"Sir, I was naive. I never imagined you would even consider the hearts and minds of the Chinese commander!"

"I immediately notified the war correspondents to prepare to take pictures. This great victory will surely wash away our previous shame!"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff immediately exclaimed excitedly.

"Go deliver the orders first. So what if I can become famous worldwide by stepping on Chinese people, get a huge reward, and be favored by countless blondes? I don't care!"

Major General William suppressed the upward curve of his lips and spoke righteously.

"Yes, sir!"

The US Chief of Staff was somewhat speechless, but outwardly he still pretended to be full of admiration and agreed.

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

Han River Front
Upon receiving the order, the American soldiers abandoned their weapons and equipment and frantically ran towards the rear.

What Major General William did not expect was that the already demoralized U.S. military, after receiving this order, would actually turn into a semi-collapsed retreat.

Apart from a small number of American troops who continued fighting and retreating, the rest of the American troops fled in panic, not even having the courage to turn back.

"What a great opportunity! The American devils are about to be defeated! Comrades, let's keep going..."

Upon seeing this, Yu Congrong immediately shouted and prepared to continue rushing into the distance.

"Telegram: Artillery, fire the smoke bombs immediately!"

"Everyone else, retreat immediately!!"

Wu Wanli suddenly rushed to Yu Congrong's vicinity and shouted loudly.

"Commander-in-chief, the American army is just one step away from victory. Why don't we press our advantage and defeat them in one fell swoop?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong asked, somewhat puzzled.

"We can't fight anymore, the American air force is coming soon..."

Wu Wanli looked at the situation on the Tianyan map and shook his head.

"withdraw!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong had no doubt whatsoever and immediately shouted it out.

"call out--"

"call out--"

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Soon, the smoke grenades traced a graceful arc and landed in various locations across the Han River battlefield.

Puffs of white smoke drifted out, quickly concealing everyone inside.

Due to the momentum of their defeat, the US military continued to flee backwards and had no time to think about anything else.

Inside the US 25th Division Command Post

"Sir, there are smoke bombs everywhere along the Han River. We can't see the battlefield situation clearly anymore. What are these Chinese people trying to do?"

The U.S. Chief of Staff looked at the thick smoke on the battlefield and had a bad feeling.

"Hmph! I underestimated the Chinese commander on the other side."

"The Chinese commander must have anticipated that our air force would come to support us, so he used smoke grenades in advance to cover up the situation and make it difficult for the air force to distinguish between friend and foe."

"He is taking advantage of this opportunity to launch a full-scale attack and buy time to completely crush our troops!"

Major General William thought for a moment and immediately guessed.

"The Chinese are so cunning, and what's the difference between their fighting style and the Japanese army's suicide charges?"

"Even if they defeat us, they'll be blown up themselves!"

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"perish together?"

"They're dreaming!"

"I still have a battalion of reserves in my hands. After I lure them out completely, I will lead the reserves to attack and stabilize the main force for a counterattack. The enemy army, which is full of South Korean defectors, will inevitably be defeated!"

"Then, with the air force's combined attack, victory in the Battle of Seoul will be ours!"

"Instruct the frontline troops to continue their retreat at a faster pace, and prepare the reserves for battle!"

Major General William laughed smugly.

"Yes, sir!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff quickly agreed.

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

After Major General William issued his order, some of the American officers who had initially been suspicious abandoned their reconnaissance plans and followed him in the retreat.

With William's assistance and the cover of smoke grenades, Wu Wanli led the main force to the convoy's location and quickly got into the vehicles.

"The convoy should not travel in a group; it should split up and regroup in Seoul!"

"The covering forces don't need to fight positional warfare. The US armored forces are gone, so they can just engage in guerrilla harassment!"

Looking at the thick smoke behind him, Wu Wanli gave his final order.

"Yes!"

……

Soon, all the soldiers had boarded the vehicles and were preparing to disperse and drive off.

"Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz————"

Just as the convoy was gathering together, the roar of US warplanes suddenly came from the sky.

(End of this chapter)