Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 204 The Battle of Hanjiang South Begins!

South of the Han River, near the Tiande Peak Pass
358 Hill, the headquarters of the 7th Steel Regiment

"Commander, according to the latest intelligence and reconnaissance information, the attackers here are the US 5th Division and the South Korean 8th Division."

"This Fifth Division consists of three infantry regiments: the 32nd Regiment, the 33rd Regiment, and the 34th Regiment."

"In addition, there is an artillery battalion, a reinforced tank company with 20 tanks, plus an anti-aircraft artillery company, with an estimated total of more than 20,000 people."

"The South Korean 8th Division, which includes the 29th, 30th, and 31st Regiments, suffered heavy losses at the front, with an estimated total of more than 6,000 men."

Pinghe reported to Wu Wanli.

"The 32nd Regiment was the first to be organized? That makes sense. The 31st Regiment was the Polar Bear Regiment, and it has already been completely wiped out!"

"It was also equipped with an anti-aircraft gun company..."

"Has the Soviet Union provided any new fighter jets? Will we have air cover over our skies this time?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"Yes, the Soviet Union also hoped that we could hold Seoul, the capital city, so they sent a large number of MiG fighter jets."

"However, most of these air force units are used to cover the rear supply lines, so we can only mobilize Yang Ping's 150 fighter jets."

"The US military has an estimated 500 aircraft spread across the entire Eastern Front, so the disparity in strength is still quite significant."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing immediately spoke up.

"According to intelligence, the US military set off in three routes, which corresponded to the three major supply cities and airports of Suwon, Icheon, and Yeoju."

"The closest one to us is Lizhou, if only we could..."

As Wu Wanli looked at the battle map, his mind began to race.

"Commander, are you going to attack Lizhou?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately asked excitedly.

"Wanli, this time is different from the past."

"We were in a strategic offensive position before, so it's in line with the overall situation for us to be bolder."

"But our main task south of the Han River is defense; we cannot underestimate the enemy and advance rashly."

Seeing this, Liu Hanqing quickly offered some advice.

“Passive defense is not a good thing; only active defense can give us the initiative, but now is definitely not the time.”

What are the movements of the US and North Korean forces?

Wu Wanli fiddled with the unloaded pistol in his hand and asked.

"The South Korean 8th Division is stationed in Yeoju, and it seems they are conscripting soldiers locally."

"The 1st Battalion of the US 32nd Regiment, along with a tank company, is advancing rapidly toward Hill 358, seemingly aiming to take over our defense zone."

Pinghe said.

"Them? Even a fully-staffed U.S. Army battalion only has a little over two thousand men, right?"

"Our 7th Steel Regiment has more than 4,000 men, fully equipped with American weapons, and our firepower is no weaker than theirs!"

"Unless we don't consider just one battalion, even two regiments of the US military might not be able to take us down!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Daxing smiled smugly and said.

"Commander, Hill 369 is to our flank and rear. That's where the First Assault Regiment is stationed. The old company commander and the others said to let us know if we need any support."

Lei Gong took a puff of his pipe and said.

"I have just finished reviewing all the intelligence on the battle south of the Han River and discovered something."

"The current battle situation is roughly that the 50th Corps is facing two main US divisions and one Turkish brigade, which is about 60,000 enemy troops."

"The 38th Army would have to face approximately 40,000 enemy troops, including the US 1st Cavalry Division, the US Army's top elite unit, plus the British 27th Brigade."

"Our 27th Army was fighting against the relatively weak US 5th Division plus the South Korean 8th Division, totaling 30,000 enemy troops."

"Moreover, we are responsible for the smallest defense zone, so we face less pressure."

A sharp glint flashed in Wu Wanli's eyes as he spoke.

"Wanli, are you saying that the US military made a miscalculation?"

“That’s right! The west side is the closest to Seoul and Incheon, so they probably think our defenses on the west side are the strongest.”

"But with such a surplus of troops, they will definitely adjust their troop deployment later to provide support here."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing immediately spoke up.

"So we need to create a time difference!"

"Does our regiment have any equipment similar to that of the regular troops of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"I brought some as a supplement."

Liu Hanqing said.

"When the US military attacks later, use this batch of equipment to defend against them and make them underestimate us."

"Besides, isn't the South Korean 8th Division recruiting locally?"

"Have him arrange for some people to infiltrate. Not many, a hundred or two will be enough."

"Also, have my brother prepare a battalion of soldiers, as I may need support later."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said.

"So you really are going to attack Lizhou after all."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing smiled wryly with a hint of worry.

"Let's take out the American vanguard first."

Wu Wanli smiled and said.

"Reporting to the commander, the 1st Battalion of the U.S. 32nd Regiment is approaching!"

At that moment, a communications officer rushed in and said.

"Commander, our mission is safe and easy. Do we really want to take the risk?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing felt even more worried.

Do you think the counterattack on Lizhou was just a temporary tactical maneuver?

"The American devils have no idea that we are going to fight a war in the west and oppose the east. What do you think will happen to the American military, which is already traumatized by defeat, if I start this war?"

A hint of fighting spirit flashed in Wu Wanli's eyes as he asked.

"Will they think we've amassed a large force on the western front?"

"Okay, but I have to remind you, the main force of the US military isn't far away either."

"If a large U.S. force is to arrive to provide support, then we cannot fight."

Liu Hanqing reminded him.

"Alright, I agree. Let's see how the battle unfolds."

"Comrades, we are the Iron Seventh Regiment, the sharpest spearhead of the Volunteer Army, and also a model training regiment."

"Let our brother units see our strength!"

Wu Wanli said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately responded loudly.

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

Outside Hill 358, the command post of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Regiment of the United States.

"Sir, should we wait for the reinforcements to arrive before launching an attack?"

A U.S. Army captain asked.

"I know what you're worried about, but I won't launch a reckless attack."

"Arrange for the first company to launch a probing attack on Hill 358."

"If the number of Chinese troops does not exceed one battalion, then we should be fine."

"Even if it's a partially staffed regiment, we can still give it a try."

"But if we encounter a regiment equipped with American weapons, we should immediately retreat thirty miles and wait for the main force to arrive."

Major Charlie said.

"Retreat thirty li?"

"Sir, isn't this a bit too much?"

"We have received an overstretched reinforcement, with a battalion of 2,000 soldiers, plus a reinforced tank company and 16 105mm howitzers."

"Given the air force advantage, surely we shouldn't have to retreat thirty miles?"

The U.S. Army captain scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.

"What do you know? The only unit in the Chinese army that is fully equipped with American weapons is that steel unit."

"The 25th Division once thought the same thing, and the result was complete annihilation!"

"Just do as I say, go!"

Major Charlie raised his binoculars, looked inside, and said.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Army captain immediately agreed.

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

Firepower Battalion Position
"Deputy Commander, why are we leaving our howitzers, mortars, and so many American-equipped machine guns and bazookas unused, and using these instead?"

Deputy Battalion Commander Lei Zhen looked at the Type 38 rifle in his hand and asked.

"What do you know?"

"Our regimental commander had a reason for ordering us to disguise ourselves as ordinary troops!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately reprimanded him.

"call out--"

In an instant, the whistling sound of American artillery shells could be heard.

"Lie down!"

Upon seeing this, Yu Congrong immediately shouted and lay down on the ground.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

In an instant, orange-red flames engulfed the position, and billowing black smoke choked the soldiers, making it hard for them to breathe.

Amidst the billowing smoke, hundreds of American soldiers, armed with various types of weapons, charged toward their positions.

As they charged, a large number of US mortars were set up on both sides, carrying out precise bombardment of the positions.

Inside the position

"Damn it, when have we ever been treated badly by an entire American company!"

"Deputy Commander, let's fire."

Seeing this, Lei Zhen raised his Type 38 rifle, aimed it at the American soldiers, and looked at Yu Congrong to ask a question.

"Let's fight our brother unit now, which doesn't seem like they're saving ammunition, and wait for the US forces to get closer."

Yu Congrong thought for a moment and then spoke.

Three hundred meters, two hundred meters, one hundred meters.

The US mortars are becoming increasingly accurate, and even the light machine guns in the front ranks are starting to fire in suppression.

Ninety meters, eighty meters, seventy meters.

Yu Congrong and Lei Zhen could now clearly see the faces of the American soldiers, and they were being suppressed even more fiercely.

Sixty meters, fifty meters... "Hit!"

At Yu Congrong's command, he picked up his Czech light machine gun and began firing.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang..."

"Da da da da da da..."

In an instant, the sounds of Type 38 rifles, Czech light machine guns, and Type 92 rifles mingled together.

The approaching American soldiers were instantly swept away by the sudden barrage of fire, their blood spraying everywhere.

"Comrades, charge with me!"

Upon seeing this, Yu Congrong immediately fixed his bayonet and charged towards the American troops.

"Come on!"

In an instant, the soldiers of the firepower battalion, bayonets at their ready, charged toward the American troops.

Upon seeing this, the US military, which had originally intended to launch a probing attack, had no intention of engaging in close combat at this moment and quickly retreated like a tide.

"withdraw!"

"Telegram commander, the disguise mission has been successfully completed."

Seeing this, Yu Congrong shouted without hesitation.

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

Steel Seventh Regiment Command
"Commander, Yu Congrong's disguise is very good. The American probing force has now been repelled."

"Now, in the eyes of the US military, we are just an ordinary battalion with little food, ammunition and heavy firepower, holding the high ground."

Liu Hanqing said.

"it is good!"

"The US military should be unable to hold back and launch a general offensive. Telegram to Yang Ping: all 150 warplanes should be scrambled and sent to provide support."

"Get the howitzers ready, give them a good blast!"

"Have Gao Daxing lead the assault battalion to infiltrate the American forces' left flank, and Pinghe lead the reconnaissance battalion to infiltrate the right flank. Give them a good beating!"

Looking at the battle map in his mind, Wu Wanli waved his hand domineeringly.

"Regimental Commander, the Air Force has made a move. Should we consult the Corps Commander first, and then relay the inquiry to the Headquarters?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing offered a reminder.

"If you rely on asking for instructions to fight, you'll never get to participate in any battles."

"Moreover, the boss had already spoken to me, granting me the authority to act first and report later in the event of a major crisis."

"Moreover, the air force squadron commander should still be Wang Wei, so he won't make things difficult for us."

Wu Wanli stood with his hands behind his back and said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing immediately agreed.

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

On a hilltop, the headquarters of the New Eighth Army

"General Quan and Wu Kaka telegraphed us, instructing us to send men to infiltrate Yeoju and infiltrate the South Korean Eighth Army's recruitment drive."

Lu Taijian said.

"Ah, call him Commander Wu, Kaka!"

Upon hearing this, Quan Douguang immediately corrected him.

"But... the last battle is over, so he shouldn't be considered the commander-in-chief anymore."

"Now that you are a division commander, you command the most powerful army in the Korean War behind enemy lines."

"And to put it grandly, he's just a military chief of staff, with only a few thousand elite troops under his command. His rank is even lower than yours..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Taijian said...

He's right. The Korean People's Army can only operate near mountain villages and attack supply convoys.

The New Eighth Army, however, with its elite troops honed in the Battle of Seoul and its powerful firepower, dared to attack some small towns and undefended counties in the rear.

"Ah Xiba!"

There is a Chinese saying: "When you drink water, don't forget the well-digger."

"We owe our success today to Commander-in-Chief Kaka."

"Besides, do you know that he practically single-handedly planned the entire operation of this campaign? What kind of power does that equate to?"

Quan Douguang said, seeing it very clearly.

"I...I understand!"

"Our New Eighth Army has no foundation in China. Commander Wu Kaka is our root in China. Only he can speak up for us!"

Lu Taijian thought for a moment and immediately understood.

"As long as you know."

"Commander Wu is probably preparing to take action against Lizhou. How many people can we mobilize in this area at the fastest?"

Quan Douguang asked.

"After our expansion, our total strength has reached 30,000, and we should be able to assemble 10,000 in this region!"

Lu Taijian thought for a moment and then said.

"Mobilize everyone here to prepare for Commander Wu's operation!"

Upon hearing this, Quan Douguang immediately gave the order.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Taijian immediately agreed.

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

Outside Hill 358, the command post of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Regiment of the United States.
"Sir, air support is on its way. One hundred fighter jets have been dispatched from the Lizhou direction to support us."

"Major General Edward said that as long as Hill 358 is captured, you will have a chance to be promoted to deputy regimental commander!"

"That's what the U.S. Army captain said."

"Good!"

"I will recommend you to succeed me as battalion commander!"

"Immediately order a feint attack from both flanks, forming two columns, to tie down the meager strength of the Chinese defending troops."

"Two companies, with 20 tanks, will break through from the middle and give the Chinese a shocking display of force!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……"

"That's what the U.S. Army lieutenant said."

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the US military officer immediately responded.

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

Hill 358, Central Position

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

The US warplanes surged in like a swarm of locusts.

A mixed formation of P-51 Mustang fighters and B-26 bombers took the lead in diving down, the napalm bombs under their wings gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"hidden!"

Yu Congrong's roar was drowned out by the whistling of the first batch of bombs.

“Boom! Boom! Boom—!”

The entire main position was instantly engulfed by flames, black smoke carrying sand and gravel shot into the sky, and the heat wave evaporated the snow on the edge of the trenches into white mist.

At the same time, twenty American tanks sped up the mountain at full speed.

A large number of American soldiers were attached to the back of Sherman tanks, constantly firing suppressive shots at the opposite positions.

The tanks also turned their guns around and bombarded Yu Congrong's position from time to time.

Steel Seventh Regiment Command
"Commander, the American devils are about to extend their bombing; our howitzers are threatening us!"

"And the main force of the American devils has charged up; it's time!"

Liu Hanqing quickly replied.

"Pass on my order: the howitzers must fire immediately, focusing their fire on the American tanks on the front flank!"

"Other combat units will launch an attack as planned."

"As for those American warplanes... once they arrive, they're not going anywhere."

Wu Wanli smiled slightly, glanced at the sky, and said.

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

The clouds to the northeast were suddenly torn apart by the silver aircraft, and the roar of the Soviet-made fighter jets' turbojet engines was like rolling thunder.

Inside the Wanli-1 fighter jet
"I originally thought that the Chinese Air Force would be completely suppressed by the American devils on the Korean battlefield."

"But now I've discovered that Commander Wu Wanli always manages to judge the timing well, allowing us to gain a local advantage."

"Comrades, this is insane!"

"On the very first day of the war, you used all the air power on the front lines in a gamble-like air battle, and you actually won the gamble, hahahaha..."

Peter's admiration for Wu Wanli grew even stronger, and he laughed heartily as he spoke.

The American pilots' radios immediately crackled with exclamations of alarm.

Soon, the Chinese and American air forces intersected, and an air battle broke out.

As the American bombers hastily climbed, the MiG fighters had already deployed their classic "scissor" tactics.

But more US fighter jets frantically swooped down to low altitudes, attempting to cover the advance of the tank formation.

"Shhhhhh!"

Three MiG fighters suddenly broke away from the battle and dove down, their RS-82 rockets, mounted on their fuselages, whistling as they hurtled towards the American tank company.

The turret of a Sherman tank spun and flew ten meters into the air amidst an orange-red fireball.

Soon, fiery clouds burst forth, and the American tanks were instantly reduced to scrap metal under the saturation bombing by the air force.

The American troops who had lost their cover suffered heavy losses under the sudden burst of artillery and machine gun fire, and the ground was covered with warm blood and charred corpses.

"We've been scammed! We've been scammed!"

"This is not an infantry battalion, this is China's iron army!"

A U.S. Army lieutenant, witnessing the horrific scene of carnage, dropped his weapon, clutched the gunshot wound on his arm, and retreated.

A large number of American troops were also stunned and hurriedly retreated.

"Shouldn't we be the ones attacking?"

"Shouldn't we have stronger firepower?"

"Why..."

Some American soldiers didn't even have time to react before being sent to meet their maker by artillery shells.

"Beep be ...

At the same time, a unique bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army sounded, its spirit soaring high!
"Comrades, the time has come for the Party and the people to test us!"

"Charge with me!"

Seeing that the time was right, Yu Congrong picked up his gun and charged ahead to counterattack the American troops below.

(End of this chapter)