Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 282 A Battle That Forged a New China: Asia's First-Class Navy!
On the nameless hill shrouded in smoke, Ding Wei used binoculars to observe the dust rising in the distance.

After being driven back several times, the troops of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division reappeared on the horizon, the rumble of tank tracks rolling over the frozen ground like muffled thunder across the valley.

"Old An, according to the specific reports from the front, the US military is going to send up three regiments."

"While we're devouring the American advance team, I suspect the US military also wants to devour us."

Ding Wei spoke in a hoarse voice, a fine bead of sweat appearing on his forehead beneath his military cap.

"Didn't Wanli say long ago that the US advance team was likely a decoy?"

"But as long as we act quickly enough to take the bait and retreat, the American devils won't gain any advantage!"

"But we must not underestimate our enemy!"

"The predecessor of the 1st Cavalry Division was formed by George Washington, the first president of the United States, during the Revolutionary War. It is known as the founding fathers' division of the United States!"

"It also participated as a major force in the Pacific War of World War II!"

An Changsen drew three arrows on the map with his finger and gave a brief reminder after thinking for a moment.

"So they were the founding fathers of the nation?"

"Which of our volunteer army units that entered Korea wasn't a fierce and powerful force that was the foundation of the nation!"

"Once Lao Li and his men capture Yiwang County and come to provide support, we'll retreat immediately!"

"You want to trade one of my divisions for one of their American regiments?"

"dream!"

Ding Wei snorted coldly.

"Reporting to the Commander, Commander Li Yunlong is calling!"

"Yiwang County has been liberated, and the entire US advance team has been wiped out!"

At this moment, the chief of staff of the 12th Army ran over and said.

"Nice fight!"

"I knew it! Li Yunlong might not be good at anything else, but he's absolutely fierce when it comes to attacking county towns!"

"Hahahahahahahaha..."

Upon hearing this, Ding Wei was overjoyed and laughed.

"Old Ding, we can't be too happy yet."

"Our initial blocking operations consumed a significant amount of ammunition and resulted in substantial losses."

"It will take time for Lao Li and his men to come and provide support. I'm afraid the US 1st Cavalry Division will get desperate and launch a final offensive to wipe us out at any cost!"

Upon hearing this, An Changsen immediately offered a reminder.

"no need to worry!"

"The telegram also said that Comrade Wu Wanli had foreseen the crisis facing our 12th Army."

"So he didn't participate in the attack on Yiwang County, but instead led the Seventh Steel Brigade to support us!"

"In other words, if we hold out a little longer, we can retreat with the support of the Seventh Steel Brigade!"

The chief of staff handed out the complete telegram and said.

"This Wu Wanli, instead of taking credit for the liberation of the county town, came to rescue us first. He has foresight!"

"Although he was most likely acting out of consideration for the overall military situation, I must remember this fact!"

Upon hearing this, Ding Wei couldn't help but sigh.

"Report to the commander!"

"The US military has amassed a large number of fighter jets, tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry, launching a fierce attack on our south, east, and west sides!"

"They attacked in stages, relying on artillery fire and bombardment to suppress the enemy, and using tanks and infantry in coordinated attacks!"

"If we keep fighting like this, we might not be able to hold out at any moment!"

At this moment, a staff officer from the Chinese People's Volunteer Army rushed over with a telegram from the front lines to report.

"Old Ding, the American devils left us an opening to the north. We certainly wouldn't retreat directly under normal circumstances."

"But since the Seventh Steel Brigade is almost there to provide support, why don't we just head north and find the Seventh Steel Brigade to rendezvous with them? That would be safe."

Upon hearing this, An Changsen immediately spoke up.

"no!"

"The 1st Cavalry Division opened this gap to the north specifically to wait for our retreat!"

"If they are an infantry division, it's fine. After all, the Seventh Steel Brigade is indeed coming soon. We can move closer to them in advance."

"But the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States is different; they have a large number of armored tank units!"

"If we retreat before we gain the upper hand, their armored forces will charge across the plains, and without fortifications, we may be divided and annihilated, or even suffer a rout!"

"Pass on my order: have the troops at each position hold their ground and await reinforcements from the Seventh Steel Brigade!"

Ding Wei shook his head and immediately gave the order.

"Yes!"

The Chief of Staff of the 12th Army immediately agreed.

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

On the battlefield shrouded in morning mist, the sound of steel tracks crushing frozen ground came from three directions like muffled thunder.

Three mechanized regiments of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division launched a pincer attack, with the gun barrels of more than sixty Pershing tanks raised high, while self-propelled artillery positions behind them were adjusting their firing data.

The 12th Army's western offensive direction was where the US forces concentrated the most troops and prepared the most intense firepower for suppression.

…………

Outside the western defense line of the 12th Army
Major General Freeman, who was personally commanding the operation, stood on top of the command vehicle, his hand holding the binoculars motionless.

This commander of the 1st Cavalry Division has the typical West Point elite temperament.

Behind the gold-rimmed glasses were ice-blue pupils, and a neatly trimmed beard concealed the scar left at the corner of his mouth from Normandy.

"The artillery group aimed at the Chinese army's positions and fired rapidly in three-round bursts!"

He put down his binoculars and gave the order to the communications soldier by holding up three fingers.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division immediately agreed.

Soon, the M114 155mm howitzer array, several kilometers away, spewed out blazing flames.

"call out----------"

Amidst the whistling sound of shells tearing through the air, Hill 201, defended by the 3rd Regiment of the 12th Army, was instantly engulfed by orange-red fireballs.

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

With a deafening explosion, countless layers of soil surged like ocean waves, the entire pine forest was snapped in half by the shockwave, and burning tree trunks covered the hillside like torches.

"Not enough..."

"Second armored echelon, fire!"

Freeman shook his head and continued.

His orders were quickly relayed over the radio throughout the attack cluster.

Upon receiving the order, the gun barrels of twenty-four Sherman tanks at the front line were raised and aimed at the western flank of the 12th Army.

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

With a muffled thud as the shell was fired, countless tank gun barrels simultaneously spewed out white smoke.

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

In an instant, a large number of high-explosive shells exploded in mid-air five meters above the fortifications on the western side of the 12th Army, and pre-fragmented shrapnel swept across the trenches like the Grim Reaper's scythe.

West Side Position

"Damn it, they always suppress us with heavy firepower!"

Regiment Commander Zhao Hu wiped the blood and mud off his face and cursed.

But at that moment, the high-decibel explosion of the shell caused temporary tinnitus, making it impossible for him to hear his own shouts.

"Leave a small number of scouts to observe the situation, and the rest of the troops will withdraw to the reverse slope! The American forces will definitely be sending in bombers!"

He picked up the walkie-talkie and roared in a hoarse voice.

“Buzz buzz buzz buzz…”

Not long after Zhao Hu issued his order, a familiar buzzing sound came from the horizon.

A formation of numerous US P-51 Mustang fighter jets swooped down.

The lead aircraft dropped its bombs first, and the instant the incendiary bombs hit the ground, a section of the position was instantly engulfed in blinding white flames.

The smell of pine resin mixed with the stench of burning filled the trenches, and several Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers who had not been able to move in time curled up into charcoal silhouettes in the high temperature.

The next second, a barrage of bombing raids by US warplanes followed.

A large number of B-25 bombers emerged from the clouds, their hatches wide open, and 500-pound aerial bombs fell vertically like the Grim Reaper's scythe.

The first bomb struck the reverse slope bunker complex, the shockwave lifting half of the fortifications into the air, and debris from logs and sandbags rained down on the aid station behind.

The next two missiles pierced the main position, and a mushroom-shaped wave of earth rose from the center of the explosion.

The exposed machine gun position, along with its gunner, was torn to shreds, and the blood mist condensed into an eerie pink haze amidst the smoke.

"The Chinese army can still hold off our advance in the mountains south of the Han River."

"But here, an isolated and helpless Chinese division is just easy prey for us."

"Tank group, charge immediately! Press forward while the momentum is there!"

Commander Freeman, watching all this through his binoculars, couldn't help but smile as he shouted into the radio.

Before long, the order reached the US military front lines.

After the bombing ended, before the fighter jets had fully taken off, the sound of armored tracks grinding against the ground could already be heard.

"Rumble——————"

Twenty-four Sherman tanks, arranged in a wedge-shaped assault formation, charged toward the western flank of the 12th Army.

"Da da da da da da da da..."

At the same time, the turret machine guns fired wildly at the smoke-filled position, 12.7mm bullets turning the collapsed breastwork into a sieve.

Following closely behind, groups of American infantrymen jumped off the M3 half-tracks, their blue-gray cold-weather uniforms standing out starkly against the scorched earth.

These American soldiers carried various weapons and were assigned to different fire support groups.

Some of the better marksmen were responsible for carrying Garand rifles and advancing in skirmish lines.

Some experienced American soldiers, armed with Browning machine guns, seized shell craters as firing positions.

Some American flamethrower soldiers crouched down behind the tanks, aiming their fuel canister nozzles at the suspected openings in the bunkers.

Therefore, the US military provided alternating cover and complemented each other's firepower, clearly demonstrating that they were all highly trained elite troops.

Faced with the rapidly advancing American troops, Zhao Hu quickly led his soldiers back to their position from the reverse slope, ready to fight to the death.

"Continue the attack! Maintain firepower!"

Freeman, watching the Volunteer Army positions getting closer and closer, shouted into the radio.

Browning M1919 machine guns mounted on half-tracks fired wildly, riddling the earthen slope in front of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's position with holes from their 12.7mm bullets.

The flamethrower soldier crouched low, close to the side of the tank, with the fuel canister nozzle aimed at the suspected opening in the trench, ready to unleash flames at any moment.

The muzzle of the Sherman tank in the front row suddenly flashed!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

High-explosive shells exploded in front of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's position. As the smoke rose, the US infantry seized the opportunity to leap up and charge, the magazines of Garand rifles crackling as they ejected their spent cartridges.

"Finally, it's the American infantry's turn to charge in!"

"Give me the damn thing—!"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Hu's eyes lit up, and he immediately shouted loudly.

Suddenly, deafening gunfire erupted from the trenches!
“Da da da da da da da—!”

A large number of light and heavy machine guns opened fire simultaneously, and bullets swept across the American skirmisher lines like sickles.

The first few dozen American soldiers fell instantly, their blood spraying out in the morning light.

"Boom!"

The bazooka squad, concealed on the reverse slope, suddenly rose up, and rockets, trailing plumes of fire, hurtled straight at the lead Sherman tank.

With a loud bang, the hatch of the tank turret was blown off, and flames from the explosion of ammunition inside the vehicle shot into the sky!

"Tong! Tong! Tong!"

Mortar shells arced from behind the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's positions and precisely struck the American infantry formation.

Amidst the flying debris, severed limbs and helmets were tossed high into the air.

The US offensive stalled, and the wave of charges was effectively pinned down just 200 meters in front of the position.

“Damn the Chinese!”

"Tanks, suppress them immediately!"

Upon seeing this, Division Commander Freeman's face darkened, and he continued issuing orders over the radio.

Soon, the surviving Sherman tanks collectively raised their gun barrels, raining down high-explosive shells on the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's machine gun positions.

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

A heavy machine gun emplacement was hit directly, and sandbags and the soldier's body were pulverized in the flames.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the US infantry regrouped, and Browning machine gun teams seized shell craters to build firing positions, raining down bullets on the Chinese People's Volunteer Army so that they could not raise their heads.

"Fire in the hole!" (Watch out for an explosion!)
U.S. demolition experts crawled forward under the cover of smoke and stuffed explosive charges into the edge of the trench.

With a loud bang, the entire trench collapsed, burying five Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers alive.

"Damn it, we can't fight like this. We're at a huge disadvantage in a firepower battle!"

"Demolition experts, move in and blow up the American tanks!"

"The rest of you, fix bayonets! Throw those American devils back!"

Zhao Hu pulled out his entrenching tool, and a series of "click" sounds of bayonets locking together echoed through the trench.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army's suicide squad rushed out of their bunkers with cluster grenades, charging towards the tanks amidst a hail of bullets.

"Machine gun fire! Stop them!"

After seeing this through his binoculars, Freeman shouted into the radio.

Soon, the US tank gunners opened fire.

Several volunteer soldiers fell during the charge, but many more reached the flanks of the tanks.

"Boom——!"

One Sherman's tracks were blown off, and another's fuel tank was ignited by a grenade, flames engulfing the turret.

"Drip drip drip drip—"

At the same time, the unique bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army sounded, and Zhao Hu led the Volunteer Army soldiers to charge out of the position.

"The Chinese are ready for hand-to-hand combat!"

"Then let's fight them!"

"Go all out and break through their flank!"

"Even if it's really impossible, we'll hold them off. Our main force will be here soon!"

Upon seeing this, Freeman yelled into the radio.

Soon, the American troops at the front, having received the order, did not retreat. Instead, they charged towards the western positions with M1 bayonets in hand and engaged in a fierce battle with the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

In the morning mist, the cold glint of bayonets and entrenching tools flashed and clashed amidst the smoke of gunpowder.

Regiment Commander Zhao Hu took the lead and threw himself into the hand-to-hand combat. With his entrenching tool, he cleaved open the helmet of an American machine gunner, and blood and brain matter splattered onto the frozen ground.

Before he could even catch his breath, the M1 bayonet thrusting from the side had already torn through his cotton-padded coat, leaving a bloody gash in his ribs.

"Commander!"

Three Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers roared and charged forward, their bayonets simultaneously piercing the American soldier's chest.

Before they could even draw their bayonets, a hail of Thompson submachine gun bullets from behind riddled them with holes.

The third soldier staggered and turned around, only to be engulfed in flames from the flamethrower. He was instantly turned into a charred fireman but continued to lunge forward, eventually rolling into a crater with the flamethrower and perishing together.

Behind the American defense line, Freeman's binoculars reflected this horrific scene.

He saw his infantrymen have their throats cleaved open by entrenching tools, and he also saw Chinese People's Volunteer Army demolition experts rushing toward tanks with explosive charges only to be cut in half by four or five machine guns at the same time.

On the tense battlefront, the muffled thuds of bayonets piercing bodies and the screams of the dying rose and fell.

Cavalry Division Frontline Observation Command Post

"damn it!"

"The Chinese resistance was incredibly tenacious!"

When will the Third and Twenty-Fourth Divisions arrive?

"If we fail to break through in this final offensive, we'll probably have to wait for them to outflank and encircle us!"

Freeman put down his binoculars and asked the chief of staff beside him.

"Sir, both the Third and Twenty-Fourth Divisions say they'll arrive within three hours!"

"At that time, they will directly outflank and encircle the rear of this main Chinese division!"

"By this time, even if a large force of the Chinese army comes to our aid, it will be too late!"

"That's what the chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division said."

"I hope so. I have a bad feeling about this, like we've overlooked something..."

Freeman said with a furrowed brow.

"Sir, something terrible has happened!!!"

"A large number of Chinese armored units appeared behind us and were rushing towards us!"

"Get out of here quickly! Otherwise it will be too late!"

At that moment, a U.S. military staff officer rushed over and said.

"What did you say!?"

"Chinese armored forces have outflanked us?"

"Where did China get its armored forces from?!"

Freeman's heart sank, but he still asked, unwilling to give up.

"Sir!"

"After the Seventh Steel Brigade of China annihilated the vanguard armored forces, it seems that they did not participate in the attack on Yiwang County!"

"Could it be... that they're heading straight for us with those captured tanks and armored vehicles!?"

The chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized this possibility and quickly said something.

"damn it!"

"Evacuate immediately, it's not safe here!"

"Order all units to halt their offensive and regroup as much as possible; don't let them break up their formation!!!"

"As long as we don't get scattered and survive the initial chaos and disadvantages, we still have a chance!"

"Also, have the Third and Twenty-Fourth Divisions speed up their support and directly encircle the nearby Seventh Steel Brigade!"

"Now that they're here, they're not leaving!"

After quickly issuing the orders, Freeman frantically ran towards the armored command vehicle parked outside.

After all, the Seventh Steel Brigade was known as the "General Killer" in the U.S. military, having captured several U.S. generals.

Freeman didn't want to be next, so he made a hasty retreat.

...Outside the battlefield where the 12th Army's western positions were engaged in a fierce battle with the US forces.

Inside the headquarters of the Seventh Steel Corps
"We rushed and rushed, and finally caught up!"

"Aim your artillery at the rear of the American cavalry regiment on the western flank and bombard them!"

"Be careful with the bombs, only bomb the outer perimeter of the position, and avoid accidentally hitting your own people."

"After the bombing, Yu Congrong, Pinghe, and Gao Daxing, you will each lead your respective infantry detachments to launch a fierce attack in coordination with the tanks!"

"We must strike swiftly and ruthlessly, crushing this cavalry regiment on the western flank in one fell swoop!"

Looking at the current situation on the battle map, Wu Wanli gave a chilling order.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong and the others immediately agreed.

…………

Artillery positions of the 7th Steel Brigade
"All artillery—three rapid fires!"

"preparation--------"

The artillery battalion commander raised his triangular flag and roared loudly.

In an instant, rows of American-made howitzers raised their barrels simultaneously, and the bare arms of the loaders steamed in the minus twenty degree cold.

The ammunition handler took the brass cartridge case from the wooden box and clicked the fuse adjuster to the instantaneous firing position.

As the loader lifts the shell, the shell slides into the breech the instant the breechblock is pulled open.

"fire----!!!"

Seeing that everything was ready, the artillery battalion commander immediately raised the command flag and waved it fiercely.

In an instant, countless orange-red muzzle flashes burst forth on the artillery position.

Amidst the whistling of countless shells tearing through the air, a black and red fire cloud suddenly exploded above the rear supply train of the US cavalry regiment.

Three US tanks were directly hit, and the mushroom clouds from the series of explosions turned half the sky red.

Another shell happened to land in the ammunition pile, and the turret of the exploded M26 Pershing tank was thrown thirty meters into the air like a toy.

The shells exploded in the middle of the skirmish line, and the pre-formed fragments swept across in a fan shape. A dozen American soldiers who were advancing with bent backs suddenly froze and gushed out countless jets of blood.

In the raging flames of the explosion, even the radio antenna mast was twisted into a pretzel by the shockwave.

The exploding transformer emitted blue-white electric arcs, charring nearby staff officers to a crisp.

As the bombing subsided, Yu Congrong's tank group suddenly appeared from behind the ridgeline, and the captured tanks formed a wedge-shaped assault formation, advancing towards the rear of the American forces.

"Attention, team! Maintain the wedge formation and accelerate your attack!"

"Fire freely when you find an opportunity, and strike hard!"

Yu Congrong leaned half his body out of the turret, his fingers, blue with cold, gripping the radio tightly as he roared.

He saw M26 Pershing tanks with their backs to the battlefield on the rear lines of the American forces, their cannons still emitting lingering smoke.

These iron lumps had just finished bombarding the 12th Army's positions and were now busy loading the next round of shells.

Gunner Wang Shuanzhu of vehicle number three fired first, and an 85mm armor-piercing round accurately hit the engine compartment of a Pershing tank at a distance of 800 meters. The exploding diesel fuel instantly turned the entire vehicle into a torch.

The American armored soldiers screamed as they climbed out of the hatch, only to be riddled with bullets by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army infantry who followed up with PPSh submachine guns.

At the same time, other front-line tanks also found opportunities to fire, destroying several American tanks in a short period of time.

"Well done! Keep pushing!"

Upon seeing this, Yu Congrong immediately laughed and shouted.

Meanwhile, the armored vehicle group of the Pinghe Detachment was flanking the US cavalry regiment from the northeast.

The M3 half-tracks, equipped with anti-aircraft machine guns, moved with the agility of cheetahs, their 12.7mm heavy machine gun ammunition belts carving deadly tracks in the snow.

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

The US cavalry regiment was thrown into chaos by the barrage of heavy machine gun fire from armored vehicles and the onslaught of tank formations.

The supply convoy, which was being prepared, was the first to be hit. The truck's fuel tank was hit by an armor-piercing shell and exploded into a fireball. The burning tires rolled into the ammunition pile, triggering a series of explosions.

Just as an American machine gun crew set up their M1919 heavy machine gun, a sharpshooter from the Pinghe Detachment blew the assistant gunner's head off from 300 meters away.

"There's still distance, enough time..."

"Quick, bomb it again!"

Wu Wanli stared at the Sky Eye map in his mind from inside the command vehicle and immediately gave the order.

"Yes!"

A response came quickly from the other end of the radio.

Then came a deafening salvo as the captured 105mm howitzers adjusted their firing arcs, unleashing a rain of steel upon the American reserves attempting to mount a counterattack.

At the same time, Gao Daxing's assault detachment is displaying astonishing combat power.

These veterans, who had experienced five battles, worked in groups of three. The demolition expert crawled forward under the cover of tanks, carrying a pack of explosives on his back. The machine gunner used a light machine gun to suppress the American foxholes, while the rifleman was responsible for sniping officers.

They dismantled the rear defenses of the US cavalry regiment with surgical precision, eroding the fighting spirit of the US troops.

"Commander Zhao! Our reinforcements have arrived!"

On the 12th Army's position, a communications officer with a blood-stained face pointed to the signal flare rising behind him and shouted.

"All men, fix bayonets! Coordinate with the Seventh Steel Brigade to attack the American devils from both sides!"

Zhao Hu spat out bloody saliva, grabbed his Mosin-Nagant rifle with its bayonet fixed, and roared.

On the battlefield, a series of metallic clanging sounds suddenly rang out.

Hundreds of wounded Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers leaped out of the trenches.

Some of them had blood-soaked bandages on their shoulders, and some had injured arms, but at this moment they all pounced on the chaotic American positions like tigers descending a mountain.

Freeman had already escaped the encirclement in an armored command vehicle. The cavalry regiment, caught in the crossfire, suddenly realized their commander was missing, and their morale plummeted.

Under the fierce attack of the Seventh Steel Brigade, the center of the battlefield had become a living hell.

Yu Congrong's tank group rolled over the makeshift roadblocks erected by the American forces, their tracks crushing the anti-tank guns into scrap metal.

The machine gunner of the armored vehicle in Pinghe Detachment emptied his fifth ammunition belt, the scorching hot barrel turning the snowflakes into white mist.

Gao Daxing's assault detachment was even more ferocious; the sound of them splitting American helmets with entrenching tools was more chilling than the sound of gunfire.

Zhao Hu led his assault troops and arrived at the American lines.

The man swung his entrenching tool and cleaved a U.S. lieutenant in two, along with his rifle.

The soldiers behind him were like hungry wolves among sheep, the sounds of bayonets piercing through cotton-padded clothes rising and falling.

A Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldier whose leg had been blown off crawled up and hugged an American flamethrower soldier, then detonated a grenade from his chest.

"Pay attention to the eleven o'clock direction!"

Yu Congrong suddenly shouted into the radio.

Three Sherman tanks turned their guns around, the short, thick 75mm barrels aimed at the charging soldiers of the 12th Army.

Before the American loader could even load the shell, the Pinghe Detachment's anti-tank team had already fired the rocket launcher.

The rocket, trailing a plume of flame, penetrated the turret ring of the lead Sherman gun, and the exploding ammunition blew the turret more than ten meters into the air.

At that moment, Gao Daxing discovered a brilliant opportunity. He led twenty demolition experts to circle around the bomb craters and stuff explosive charges into the gaps in the tracks of the remaining two Sherman tanks.

"Boom! Boom!"

After two loud explosions, the two tanks lay paralyzed on the spot like giant beasts with their legs severed.

The crew members had just climbed out when they were pinned to the armor by submachine gun bullets.

"Pretty!"

"The initial impact has achieved its objective of creating chaos among the US military!"

"Smoke grenade cover!"

"Yu Congrong, your detachment will immediately lead a flanking maneuver to cut the American forces in two!"

Upon seeing this through his binoculars, Wu Wanli immediately gave the order over the radio.

Soon, smoke grenades fired by howitzers exploded over the American positions, and milky white phosphorus smoke enveloped the entire battlefield.

Under the cover of smoke, Yu Congrong's tank group pierced into the heart of the American forces like a sharp sword.

They specifically targeted command vehicles and radio antennas, quickly plunging the various U.S. military units into a predicament of fighting independently.

A U.S. Army captain attempted to organize a company-wide counterattack, but was shot in the kneecap and shattered as soon as he raised his pistol.

Successfully spared his life so that his screams would demoralize the enemy.

Zhao Hu's side was even more bloodthirsty. Although his regiment had less than 400 men left, the fighting power they displayed at this moment terrified the American troops.

A black machine gunner who was nearly two meters tall had just run out of ammunition when three volunteer soldiers pounced on him and stabbed him to death with their bayonets.

The US defenses began to crumble like an avalanche, and many US troops began to break out to the south.

However, a small river blocked their way on the road to the south.

As for the bridge—given Ding Wei's personality, it would have been blown up long ago.

"Want to escape?"

"Pinghe, use heavy machine guns to fire at the ice on the river!"

Wu Wanli saw this scene through the Sky Eye Map and immediately picked up the radio and gave a loud order.

"Yes!"

"Heavy machine guns, aim at the frozen river and fire hard!"

Pinghe immediately gave the order.

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

Soon, the armored vehicles of the Pinghe Detachment opened fire with their large-caliber machine guns.

The 12.7mm bullets easily penetrated the ice, and the fleeing American soldiers fell into the icy river like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

A man who looked like an officer struggled to swim to the other side, but was shot in the head by Zou Xixiang with a sniper rifle, and his blood stained a large area of ​​the ice red.

As the combined offensive of the 7th Steel Brigade and the 12th Army intensified, the western cavalry regiment line of the US 1st Cavalry Division completely collapsed.

Although Freeman's command vehicle had already fled two kilometers away from the battlefield, the defeat cries coming through the radio made his face turn ashen.

"Commander! Chinese tanks have cut off the cavalry regiment's retreat!"

"Guys, we need backup! They're all pinned down on the riverbank!"

The communications soldier's voice abruptly stopped, replaced by the noise of an explosion.

On the battlefield, Yu Congrong's tank group had torn through the last temporary line of defense of the US forces and was heading towards the center of the US forces.

The tank group of the 7th Steel Brigade advanced, its main guns firing in bursts, blasting the American skirmishers who were trying to assemble into disarray.

The machine gunners of the armored vehicles in the Pinghe Detachment turned their guns and fired at the backs of the fleeing American soldiers, the bullets carving bloody trails in the snow.

"Surrender without killing!"

Gao Daxing led his assault team in a furious roar in English, while simultaneously hurling grenades at the stubbornly resisting American machine gun positions.

The blast wave overturned sandbags, and five American soldiers staggered out of the smoke with their hands raised, their helmets nowhere to be seen.

On the riverbank, the fleeing soldiers surged toward the ice like a tide, only to fall into the ice holes under the strafing of 12.7mm machine guns.

Zou Xixiang's sniper team specifically targeted officers. After a bullet pierced the forehead of a US major, the remaining troops finally lost all fighting spirit and knelt down in droves, raising their weapons.

An hour later, as the smoke cleared, the US cavalry regiment was annihilated, except for six or seven hundred who managed to escape.

Inside the command vehicle
"Wanli, we've won another great victory!"

"This heavily damaged US cavalry regiment will probably not be able to recover its combat effectiveness for some time!"

"Commander Ding Weijun and Political Commissar An Changsen both expressed their gratitude to you and said they wanted to see you immediately."

Liu Hanqing handed the telegram back to Wu Wanli and said with a smile.

“Tell them that now is not the time to meet, and that they cannot relax just because they have won a battle.”

"The strength of the US 1st Cavalry Division is still there, and we have suffered considerable losses in this battle. Once the main force of the US army surrounds us, we may not be able to escape!"

"Tell Commander Ding Wei that the 7th Steel Brigade and the 12th Army should retreat immediately, and after regrouping with Commander Li Yunlong and his men, quickly retreat back to the defense line along the Han River in Incheon!"

"Hurry! We don't have time to waste!"

Looking at the approaching US Third Division and US Twenty-Fourth Division on the Tianyan map, Wu Wanli immediately spoke.

"Yes!"

Seeing Wu Wanli's serious expression, Liu Hanqing immediately agreed and ran to the radio station to relay the message.

Upon hearing this, Commander Ding Wei immediately ordered that they proceed to the rear as Wu Wanli had instructed.

Soon, the 7th Steel Corps and the 12th Army, providing mutual cover, quickly joined up with Li Yunlong's troops and withdrew to Incheon at top speed.

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

Incheon, inside the Garrison Command

"That was awesome! So awesome!!!"

"In this battle, we annihilated an entire American advance regiment and severely damaged an American cavalry regiment!"

"We can now confirm that we have eliminated 7,000 American troops!"

"Although our casualties were also considerable, this can still be considered a rare and great victory!"

"If we can eliminate another three thousand American troops, then Wanli can successfully launch a blitzkrieg against Suwon!"

"Then we can retreat with peace of mind and wait for the Soviet Union to give us the cruisers and destroyers they promised."

"By then, less than two years after the founding of our new China, we will be able to build a relatively complete naval fleet!"

"Moreover, this is the most powerful naval fleet China has ever had since the disastrous defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War!"

"Wanli, you truly deserve to be called a soldier personally trained by me, Kong Jie. Well done!"

"The navy of the new China, the navy of a nation... you practically fought your way to half of it!"

"I think it wouldn't be too much to give you the title of 'Father of the New China Navy' and put it in the children's textbooks!"

Kong Jie, holding his pipe, looked at Wu Wanli and sincerely praised him.

"Old Ding, Old Zhao, Wanli, take a look!"

"That Kong Erlengzi has no other skills, but he's good at embellishing his own reputation!"

"You even said that Wu Wanli was a soldier you personally trained, you're really shameless!"

"You're so good at military affairs, and you only rose to prominence because you taught it all to Wu Wanli."

"You can't even read a single character, let alone a carrying pole that's fallen over, you wouldn't even know the character 'one'!"

"You're like Pigsy wearing glasses, what kind of college student are you!"

"Back then, when Wu Wanli shot down an American warplane, you didn't promote him, but just gave him a first-class merit!"

"If my soldiers shoot down a fighter jet, they'll at least get a special merit award, then I'll pull them in as squad leaders of the guard platoon, let them learn some skills by working alongside me, and then send them down to the lower ranks."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately retorted in his usual manner.

"Hey!?"

"You, Li Yunlong, so what if I'm trying to make myself look good? Do you have to say that?"

“My… Wanli…”

"I didn't really teach him anything, but the 'Winter in Seoul' plan that he proposed was something I strongly opposed and submitted to the Volunteer Army!"

"The capture of Seoul, the capital of the puppet state of Korea, was the battle that made Wan-ri famous!"

"Without me, the army commander at the time, protecting his plan, this battle would never have been fought!"

Kong Jie got a little annoyed by Li Yunlong's retort and immediately said something.

"Old Li, Old Kong, I'm not trying to be mean to you two."

"From northwestern Shanxi all the way to Korea, the two of you have been bickering non-stop."

"Especially you, Kong Jie, what are you going to do with your knowledge compared to Li Yunlong? He doesn't have much literary talent; he just uses it all to insult and curse people..."

"Wu Wanli is truly a genius!"

"Not only does it have a forward-looking strategic vision, but it can also see the hidden dangers of my 12th Army and provide support in advance."

"They also possessed absolute courage and boldness, daring to fight and charge forward, defeating the US cavalry regiment like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, and rescuing my 12th Army!"

Upon hearing this, Ding Wei immediately burst into laughter.

"My lords, there's no need to rush to praise me. This battle isn't over yet."

"I'm not worried about the number of enemies killed, but I'm not 100% confident about a blitzkrieg at Mizuhara. It's better to go sooner rather than later; things can change if we wait too long..."

"As long as we can see the complete Chinese naval fleet sailing on the azure sea, our efforts will not have been in vain!"

"After all, the People's Republic of China has only been established for a year and a half, and it already has a complete naval fleet!"

"One battleship, one aircraft carrier, plus the cruisers and destroyers acquired after achieving this objective, still leave us far behind the US Navy."

"But in Asia, it's already considered a first-class naval fleet!"

"The newly founded People's Republic of China, established just one and a half years ago, can build a first-class naval fleet in Asia!"

"It's worth taking any risks!"

"I just don't know where our navy is, or when it will be able to transport the 7th Steel Squadron to land in Pyeongtaek and launch a blitzkrieg against Suwon?"

Wu Wanli took a deep breath and said with a hint of excitement in his heart.

"That's exactly what I was about to say!"

"Commander Xiao just called not long ago, saying that the navy has approached Incheon Port."

"This time, the navy mobilized its entire force, including the aircraft carrier Wanli and the battleship Dongfanghong, as well as a large number of transport ships that had been captured previously."

"Actually, even with these transport ships, it wasn't enough. It was only thanks to the Rong family in China donating a large number of transport ships that we were able to make up the difference."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang immediately laid out a telegram and said...

"In that case, Wanli will have to excuse himself for now!"

"All leaders only need to hold the Han River and Incheon defense lines. If necessary, you can abandon Incheon and retreat completely to the Han River defense line."

"Wanli guarantees that we will swiftly conquer Suwon in the shortest possible time and demonstrate the strength of our new China's first-class navy in Asia!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli immediately stood up and looked at Li Yunlong and the others.

"Comrade Wu Wanli, I know you have worked very hard for the new China's first-class navy in Asia."

"But you and your Steel Seventh Brigade have just finished a major battle and are still exhausted."

"I think it would be better to rest for a while and leave after we've recovered."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang looked at the bloodshot eyes of Wu Wanli and said with some heartache.

"Yeah, Wanli, don't fucking wear yourself out!"

"I know you haven't slept a wink all night."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong couldn't help but whisper a word of advice.

"Yes, Wanli, it would be good to take a nap for two hours. It's not good to rest while you're just lounging around on a warship."

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie added his own words.

"Thank you for your concern, esteemed leaders, but it's not necessary."

"My comrades from the Seventh Steel Brigade and I have recovered, and the American devils have certainly recovered as well. The new US Navy might even arrive soon, which will make things even more dangerous."

"I will immediately muster my troops and head to Incheon Port to board warships, land in Pyeongtaek, and launch a blitzkrieg attack on Suwon!"

"Having fought a hundred battles, clad in golden armor, we swear we will not return until we have conquered the Shuiyuan Plain!"

"Let the new China's first-class navy in Asia be forged by our guns and cannons!"

After saying this, Wu Wanli gave Li Yunlong and the others a standard military salute, and then strode out.

(End of this chapter)