Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 215 Wherever the army went, the people welcomed it with all their heart!

Outside Red Cloud Canyon, the headquarters of the US 5th Division.
"Sir, the Chinese army has also laid an ambush in Hongyun Canyon!"

"The 32nd Regiment suffered heavy losses, with over a thousand soldiers annihilated. Their armor and artillery were almost completely destroyed!"

"Damn it, aren't their main forces all in White Plains Canyon?!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff reported anxiously.

"Combined, they actually have tens of thousands of elite troops?"

"I knew they were so brazen, one regiment daring to fight two divisions. Turns out they had hidden soldiers in the shadows!"

Edward snorted and looked at the towering cannon fire in the distance.

"Sir, if we really have to name names, it can only be the traitor Chun Doo-kwang and his former subordinates from the Capital Division!"

"They were indeed fully equipped with American weapons, and they had fought in the Battle of Seoul with that Chinese man named Wu Wanli, which honed their skills."

"But they also suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Seoul, probably only a few thousand elite troops left."

The U.S. Chief of Staff thought for a moment and made a judgment.

"Damn rebels, they insist on risking their lives for China, then they'll be crushed together!"

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Edward's eyes as he coldly spoke.

"Sir, the 32nd Regiment has suffered heavy losses. Their commander, Mike, has been killed by a Chinese sharpshooter!"

"David, the chief of staff of the 32nd Regiment, has requested our assistance many times. Should we call in two more regiments to launch a strong attack on both sides of the hillside?"

"The Chinese Seventh Steel Regiment has only a few thousand elite troops. Our 20,000 soldiers can easily crush them!"

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"Shit!"

"Are our only opponents the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment?!"

"After capturing Lizhou, we will turn our attention to the 27th Army, which will continue its fierce attack on Tiande Peak!"

"We've been under heavy firepower from the 7th Steel Regiment, and they're going to cripple at least two of their regiments. All this meticulous planning has led to this Pyrrhic victory?!"

"I'm not reconciled..."

Edward gritted his teeth, staring at the distant Red Cloud Canyon, and said fiercely.

"Sir, the 25th Division thought the same thing, but they were..."

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly offered advice.

"Shut up!"

"We are the 5th Infantry Division of the United States Army, an elite unit that has defeated the German army!"

"Two years ago, I embarked on my campaign from Normandy and began the war against Germany, and Europe was brought back to peace!"

"Wherever the American army went, the people of Europe welcomed it wholeheartedly. It can be said that they took full advantage of the opportune moment when World War II shattered the old power of Britain and France and reshuffled the world!"

"That vibrant scene, where everything flourishes, is still vivid in my mind!"

"Especially in the Battle of Lorraine in September 1944, the US 9th Division, in coordination with General Patton's Fifth Army, defeated the newly formed German armored forces!"

"What glory it is to be known as the Red Diamond Legion, the Fifth Division of the United States!"

"In just a few years, do the Chinese want to turn the Korean battlefield into our burial ground?"

"dream!"

Major General Edward reminisced about past glories, his heart filled with excitement as he spoke.

"Sir, the armored forces in Shirahara Canyon are calling!"

"They said they could only hold out for another hour or two at most, and if no reinforcements arrived, they would have to break out."

At that moment, a U.S. Army staff officer rushed in with a telegram, shattering Major General Edward's illusions.

"Fuck!"

"These bastards, is this how they fight a war?!"

How many fighter jets do we still have available?

Edward asked.

"Sir, the 27th Army, which is blockading Tiande Peak, needs a lot of air support. We only have 210 aircraft allocated to us, but that's not a small number..."

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"Two hundred?"

"Have them prepare for takeoff. Send two hundred aircraft to support Red Cloud Canyon, and ten to White Plain Canyon."

Edward thought for a moment and then gave the order.

"Ten?"

"Sir, aren't ten planes too few? Such firepower is completely insufficient to suppress the enemy."

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Chief of Staff immediately offered a reminder.

"Who said I was there for fire support?"

"Have someone urgently write down a partial order by hand: Fight to the death or be shot!"

"As for air support, let's support the main force here first."

Edward straightened his white gloves and said coldly.

"Sir, are we going to wait for the air force to arrive before we attack the mountain...?"

After silently mourning for the armored forces, the US Chief of Staff spoke softly.

"Attack the mountain?"

"Arrange for the 33rd Regiment to launch a feint attack to cover the retreat of the 32nd Regiment."

"Next, all we need to do is coordinate with the Air Force to keep launching feint attacks on the main force of the 7th Steel Regiment in Red Cloud Canyon, so that they can't escape."

"The decisive battle will not be fought in Red Cloud Canyon, but in Lizhou City."

Edward smiled slightly and looked in the direction of Lizhou City.

"Sir, it's good that you had this in mind beforehand; you truly have foresight!"

"Even if the attacks from both sides are thwarted, as long as the spies inside Lizhou City open the city gates, our raiding force will be able to take Lizhou!"

"At that time, the 7th Steel Regiment of China, having lost its rear, will become an isolated army cut off from food and ammunition!"

"By then, even if we don't attack, we can starve them to death!"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff's eyes lit up instantly, and he couldn't help but praise him.

It must be said that although Edward was a bit cold-blooded, his three-pronged attack was indeed a huge threat.

If someone else had been in command, the 7th Steel Regiment would likely have suffered a crushing defeat in this battle.

But Edward had no idea that Wu Wanli, who possessed the ability to see the heavens, had already made preparations.

"One Steel Seventh Regiment? Not enough!"

"I heard that the commander of the 27th Army of China... that Chinese general named Li Yunlong, values ​​brotherhood the most."

"Don't be fooled by their current restraint due to defensive pressure and the firepower of the 1st Cavalry Regiment. That's just because the 7th Steel Regiment hasn't reached a critical point yet."

"If the Seventh Steel Regiment encounters a life-or-death crisis, he will definitely lead his troops to rescue them."

"Just like how he wiped out the allied troops he was trying to recruit for the sake of a mere guard!"

"Such impulsive Chinese generals are the biggest weakness in their defenses!"

Edward gave a cold smile, recalling the information Ridgway had given him earlier.

"Sir, the 27th Army is one of China's elite armies. It once annihilated the Polar Bear Regiment and the US 1st Marine Division. Its combat power is extremely strong."

"We and our cavalry alone probably can't take them down."

"Although the 1st Cavalry Division received orders from General Ridgway to slow down its attack on the Chinese 38th Army and try to move closer to Tiande Peak."

"But if they attack Tiande Peak, the Chinese 38th Army cannot remain indifferent."

"They are the elite Chinese troops who raided San Suoli and fought a bloody battle at Songgu Peak."

"This batch of Chinese troops is not the same as the Nationalist army of the previous Blue China, which caused trouble for one side and added to the chaos from all sides..."

The U.S. Chief of Staff pointed to the 38th Corps on the operational map and said.

"You're right, it seems the strategic deployment needs to be adjusted..."

"Telegram to General Ridgway: Tell him our plan and request that he slow down the offensive against the 50th Corps."

"Draw a division from the western part of the Hanjiang South Front to support the central region and suppress the Chinese 38th Army!"

"If we fight like this, we can wipe out the 27th Army and advance straight to Seoul!"

"Hongyun Canyon will launch a feint attack as planned to cover the 32nd Regiment's breakout."

"The feint attack can be more intense; it would be best if someone could charge onto the Seventh Steel Regiment's position."

"Only in this way can we conceal our intention to launch a surprise attack on Lizhou to the greatest extent possible, and at the same time wear down their manpower."

Major General Edward thought for a moment and then gave the order.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the Chief of Staff of the 5th Division of the United States immediately agreed.

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

Soon, the feint attack by the US 33rd Regiment and the breakout by the 32nd Regiment began simultaneously.

Hongyun Valley, on the eastern ridge. Dozens of flares suddenly rose up, illuminating the 7th Steel Regiment's position with blinding brightness.

The US 33rd Regiment deployed in a fan shape, with companies and battalions as their units. Garand rifles and machine guns intertwined to form an impenetrable net of fire, and bullets shattered the rock walls, sending fragments of rock flying.

On the position of the 7th Steel Regiment
"Be careful!"

"The 3rd Company of the Firepower Battalion, move to position number two!"

"Reconnaissance Battalion, Company 1, move to position number seven!"

"Second Company of Assault Battalion, move to position number nine!"

Wu Wanli roared and retreated into his bunker, the hail of bullets creating a series of craters the size of bowls in the spot where he had just been standing.

But he kept his eyes glued to the Sky Eye map, constantly micro-managing and issuing orders to deploy and plug all the gaps in firepower.

"Damn it, these American bastards are even crazier with their feint attacks than with their real fighting!"

Yu Congrong rolled over, carrying a smoking bazooka, blood seeping through the gauze on his shoulder.

Sensing a glimmer of hope, the remaining mortars of the 32nd Regiment at the bottom of the canyon and the three tanks that had previously feigned silence immediately roared and unleashed high-explosive shells toward the pass on the north slope.

"call out------"

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

Flaming clouds exploded on both sides of the cliffs in Red Cloud Canyon in an instant.

"American tanks and mortar crews are clearing the way for the 32nd Regiment from the north!"

"Damn it, those American tank crews are even using tricks to preserve their strength now!"

"Snipers, concentrate your fire and take them down!"

Pinghe's observation scope was instantly blown away by the blast wave, and he wiped the blood from his forehead and shouted.

"I see it!"

Guizhou's sharpshooter Zou Xixiang, chewing on chili peppers, crawled to the edge of the cliff, where the barrel of a Mosin-Nagant rifle quietly emerged from a crevice in the rock.

He also frequently uses the Garand rifle, but he always feels that it doesn't feel as good as the Mosin-Nagant, so he still prefers the Mosin-Nagant in crucial moments.

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

The first bullet pierced the tank's observation window, and the driver's head exploded like a watermelon.

The second shot precisely penetrated the base of the second tank's gun barrel, and the exploding ammunition rack hurled the ton-heavy turret into the air.

The third tank, in its panic, crashed into the mountainside. The crew had just climbed out of the hatch when they were blasted into fireballs by Yu Congrong's rockets.

However, the infantry of the 32nd Regiment had already taken advantage of the chaos to assemble into a wedge formation, preparing to break out.

"God bless America! Charge out!"

Chief of Staff David brandished his pistol and shouted.

"Lei Gong, bring out the cannons and blast them hard!"

Wu Wanli roared.

His voice had barely traveled a short distance before it was instantly swallowed up by the sound of gunfire, but the command flags, along with the radio, still managed to transmit the orders to the rear.

"Don't worry, Captain!"

"Those American devils want to run away?"

"no way!"

"Bomb it!"

"It's time to eat!"

Lei Gong waved his hand and roared.

In an instant, the artillery battalion suddenly turned half of its cannons around, and the dense artillery barrage blocked and bombarded the escape route.

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

A deafening explosion rang out, and flames instantly illuminated the entire canyon.

Each shell landed precisely five meters from the American vanguard, and the shrapnel pinned hundreds of American soldiers to the burning wreckage of vehicles.

At that moment, a violent explosion was heard on the western side of the mountain, and the M1 howitzer group of the US 33rd Regiment began to fire in a barrage.

The salvo from the 105mm heavy artillery shook the earth, and several machine gun positions of the 7th Steel Regiment, along with their bunkers, were instantly reduced to scorched earth.

"Commander! The 3rd Company of the Artillery Battalion has suffered more than half its casualties!"

Liu Hanqing said loudly.

"Let the reserves fill the gap!"

As Wu Wanli spoke, he tore open his collar, which was torn by shrapnel, raised his binoculars, and instantly saw an even more critical scene.

Two assault companies of the U.S. 33rd Regiment were climbing up the steep path cleared by scouts, using smoke grenades as cover.

"That bastard is trying to flank us!"

Pinghe snatched the machine gun from the fallen soldier and mounted it on the scorching rocks, the empty ammunition belt clanging as it fired.

"Ten o'clock, towards the crevice!"

Zou Xixiang suddenly threw a chili pepper at him to wake him up.

Two U.S. scouts were sniped as soon as they showed themselves, but more U.S. soldiers emerged like ants along the ridgeline.

"Grenade barrage!"

Liu Hanqing led the grenade throwing team to stand up straight amidst the artillery fire, as hundreds of grenades drew deadly arcs.

The American soldiers climbing the rocks fell like puppets with broken strings in the series of explosions, but the subsequent echelons continued to charge forward frantically, stepping over the bodies of their comrades.

Taking advantage of the situation, the remnants of the 32nd Regiment at the bottom of the canyon launched a desperate assault, with twenty heavy machine guns suppressing the pass on the north slope.

"Fuck your mother... someone help me load the bullets!"

Yu Congrong was knocked down by a stray bullet as soon as he set up the rocket launcher. A piece of shrapnel grazed his left arm, and a thin line of blood flowed out.

At this moment, the Seventh Steel Regiment was truly caught in a pincer attack from two sides.

Mortar shells from the US 33rd Regiment on the east side began to extend their fire, turning the temporary resting area for dozens of wounded soldiers who had just been transferred to the rear into an inferno.

The 32nd Regiment's relentless charge from the north had reached within 100 meters of the pass, the gleam of bayonets stinging the pupils of every soldier.

"Fix bayonets!"

Wu Wanli grabbed a blood-stained Garand rifle and leaped out of the trench, three thousand gleaming bayonets forming a silver wave amidst the smoke.

When the first American soldier stormed into the position, a deafening roar echoed throughout Red Cloud Canyon.

"kill--!"

A Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldier roared and stabbed an American soldier to death on the spot.

Soon, a large-scale melee broke out, with both sides brandishing bayonets and fighting desperately.

After discarding his sniper rifle with the red-hot barrel, Zou Xixiang picked up an entrenching tool and cleaved open the head of an American soldier.

Ignoring his minor injuries, Yu Congrong insisted on leading the assault team to engage in bayonet fighting.

……

As the setting sun dyed the canyon blood red, David, the chief of staff of the 32nd Regiment, finally had his head hanging from Wu Wanli's gun.

In the end, the remaining thousand or so soldiers of the US 32nd Regiment managed to break out of Red Cloud Canyon.

A regiment was reduced to the size of a battalion, and it was clear that it was temporarily unable to fight.

Once the feint attack was complete, the U.S. 33rd Regiment, responsible for providing cover, abandoned hundreds of corpses and withdrew from the battle.

Red Cloud Canyon, on the position of the 7th Steel Regiment

"Bring out all the medicines and treat the wounded properly. We cannot abandon anyone!"

Looking at the wounded soldiers and the bodies of heroes, Wu Wanli felt a pang of heartache and pulled out the roster.

I wonder how many names he'll cross out this time.

"Reporting to the commander, we estimate that nearly 3,000 American soldiers have been annihilated, and the 7th Steel Regiment has suffered approximately 800 casualties and serious injuries."

"There are still about 2,200 warriors in Red Cloud Canyon who can fight right now."

"Logically speaking, a casualty ratio of three to one is not bad."

"But when I see these comrades who have sacrificed their lives, I can't help but feel heartbroken."

"Many of them were even... their bodies were shattered, washed away by the artillery fire..."

Liu Hanqing handed the preliminary statistical report to Wu Wanli, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.

"Commander, do you think that after our people sacrifice their lives in North Korea, their souls can return to the land of China...?"

Looking at the scene of blood flowing like a river, Yu Congrong couldn't help but wipe away his tears and ask.

Wu Wanli opened his mouth, but stopped speaking.

He didn't know the answer to that question either. In later years, he saw videos of heroes' remains being sent back to their home countries, but why couldn't those remains be found?

"Now is not the time for sadness; our journey is far from over."

"The final fate of the main force of the Seventh Steel Regiment depends on what happens in Lizhou."

"Hopefully, Lei Zhen and the others who stayed behind can hold Lizhou and defeat the American assault force..."

Wu Wanli looked in the direction of Lizhou and spoke slowly.

(End of this chapter)