Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 305 Blitzkrieg, Blitzkrieg! The final strategic bombing in the final battle of the Four Crossings of the Han River!
The snow-covered fields were vast and desolate. The trampled snow was quickly covered by fresh snow, leaving a blurry trail that stretched rapidly toward Shuinan City.

Led by Wu Wanli, the Seventh Steel Corps was making a desperate forced march toward Shuainan City, the location of the UN Command headquarters.

Time is life, and it is also the key to victory or defeat.

They must reach the heart of Shuainan before the main UN forces that have been redeployed return to reinforce the city.

"stop!"

"Ten-minute rest! Drink water, eat, and check your equipment!"

Wu Wanli looked at the umpteenth soldier who had collapsed from exhaustion, then suddenly raised his hand, his deep voice piercing through the wind and snow.

The order was quickly relayed.

The marching column suddenly stopped, and the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Brigade immediately obeyed the order, gathering in groups of three or five behind sheltered hillsides or rocks.

They pulled out the captured canned beef and chocolate and began to eat them heartily.

No one spoke; only heavy breathing rose like white mist in the cold wind, and exhaustion weighed heavily on everyone's shoulders like a mountain.

The continuous high-intensity combat and forced marches were extremely taxing, but discipline and faith sustained them, and their eyes shone with a desire for victory.

Wu Wanli leaned against a boulder and quickly unfolded the "Sky Eye" map to observe.

He was observing the movements of the UN forces, assessing their strength and weaknesses.

On the map, red dots representing the UN forces' ground and air power are converging in large numbers and densely towards the Han River main stream defense line!

The markings for the southern army and air force forces centered on Shuainan City became extremely sparse, with only a few patrol and warning signals remaining.

"I reckon the Hengcheng detachment's performance on the other side of the Han River was quite successful!"

"Someone, send the generator up immediately!"

"All available fighter jets, speed up and head towards Shuainan City! Bomb it hard!"

"First, prioritize destroying all field airfield runways, oil depots, and ammunition depots inside and outside Shuainan City!"

Especially the one closest to the command post!

Second, focus bombing on fortifications, communication hubs, and important warehouses near the UN command headquarters and within the city!
Especially the pre-positioned positions near the Han River ferry crossing! Napalm and high-explosive bombs—use them all!

"Third, bomb and leave! No lingering! The attack time must not exceed the predetermined safety window!"

Your current escort force is insufficient to sustain a prolonged battle!

Remember, hit and run! Conserve your strength!

In short, the plan was to bomb the airport, bomb the fortifications, and then withdraw!

Wu Wanli gave the order loudly.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the communications staff officer of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, who was standing nearby, quickly responded.

"Immediately contact the naval fleet and order them to sail at full speed to the waters near Pyeongtaek Port!"

Prepare to seize control of the sea off the port to support our subsequent military operations!

Wu Wanli then looked at Liu Hanqing and gave the order.

Pyeongtaek Port?

Wanli's decision to use the navy to facilitate the retreat, and his choice of Pyeongtaek Port as the destination, was indeed unexpected, but it was a brilliant move!

But our biggest worry is in the sky!
In case Wang Wei and his team went to bomb, the main force of the UN forces' warplanes had not been completely transferred away...

Our air force is already smaller than theirs, and with the added losses from the fierce battles after the long-distance raids, we're afraid we won't be able to withstand them!

At that time, not only will our air force suffer huge losses, but our navy will be no match for Pyeongtaek Port if it moves out without air cover!
This is too risky!

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing immediately expressed his concern.

His words expressed the concerns of all the core cadres.

Before he finished speaking, Yu Congrong, Gao Daxing, Pinghe, and Lei Gong immediately surrounded him, their faces all showing the same heavy expression.

"Commander-in-Chief, the Political Commissar's words make sense!"
Ridgway is no pushover either. What if he had a backup plan and left reserve air force units near Shuainan?
Our planes and pilots are extremely valuable. If Wang Wei and his team get surrounded and killed, we'll suffer a huge loss!

Yu Congrong thought for a moment and said in a low voice.

"Yes, Captain, and the navy, those warships are the culmination of our hard work."

"We can't afford to be bombed by American planes outside the harbor!"

Gao Daxing nodded in agreement.

"Air cover is the key; we must ensure at least a brief period of air superiority before we can achieve great success."

Pinghe's words were as concise as ever.

"The disparity in air power is too great, and we still have to go deep behind enemy lines to bomb key targets... It's a bit risky."

Lei Gong took a puff of his pipe and nodded.

At this moment, everyone looked at Wu Wanli, waiting for his explanation.

All your concerns are based on one premise.

That is, the enemy saw through our feint and believed that the real 'Steel Seventh Brigade's main force was still around Shuainan City, so they would leave their main air force in Shuainan.

But right now, VanVleet and Ridgway are thinking the exact opposite of what you're worried about!

However, based on the situation and the reconnaissance of the Hengcheng Detachment, it was determined that the UN forces had already deployed a large number of troops to the Han River area, indicating that they had made a miscalculation.

Given this misjudgment, the UN air force would inevitably follow suit and deploy its main forces to seek an opportunity for a decisive battle to annihilate the enemy.

Whether it's Ridgway or Van Fleet, they are both deeply swayed by our Hengcheng Detachment at this moment!
In their logic, what could be more important than the actual main force of the Steel Seventh Team?
In their view, now is the golden opportunity for a decisive battle!

We must achieve a decisive victory in one battle, and unleash all available air power and ground reserves!

In order to completely crush us! To eliminate any future trouble!
Luring the tiger away from the mountain, using the illusion to exploit the reality!
The Hengcheng detachment played the main role of bait, but more importantly, it was a chain that made them absolutely certain!

How could the UN forces possibly be willing to leave their main fighter jets in Shuainan at this time?

In their view, Shuinan has now become a relatively safe 'rear area'!
Even with some patrol aircraft and small reserve teams, they absolutely could not stop Wang Wei and his men's thunderous attack!
What we're betting on is the huge blind spot in the enemy's mindset and their currently captivated attention!

Wu Wanli shook his head and analyzed.

His insightful and ruthless tactical analysis, like sunlight piercing through the fog, instantly dispelled the gloom and doubts in everyone's hearts.

"That's certainly possible. The UN forces thought they had the main force in hand, but little did they know that the most fatal blow was aimed at their own heart!"

Liu Hanqing thought for a moment and nodded slightly in agreement.

"The captain's plan is full of deception and deception, even a ghost would be completely baffled!"

Since the commander-in-chief and political commissar both think it's okay, then I, Old Yu, will obey orders and fight.

Upon seeing this, Yu Congrong nodded and said.

"The commander-in-chief's predictions about the enemy's reaction have never been wrong, I definitely believe him!"
These bastards' cleverness backfired! They've been led by the nose! Damn them!

Gao Daxing agreed upon hearing this.

Pinghe didn't speak, but nodded firmly, his eyes filled with a desire to take action.

"If that's the case, then it makes sense. The air force's surprise attack was indeed very useful..."

Lei Gong rubbed his hands, which were red from the cold, and said.

With all doubts dispelled, the flame of desire for battle burned fiercely in everyone's hearts.

"Good, everyone gets it!"

"Target: Shuainan City! Continue at full speed! Prepare to deliver a major gift to the UN Command!"

Wu Wanli waved his hand and gave a loud order.

"Yes!"

Officers like Liu Hanqing, and all the soldiers who heard the order, responded in unison, their shouts shaking the wind and snow!
After a brief rest, the Seventh Steel Brigade set off again for a lightning strike towards Shuainan City!

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

Meanwhile, north of the Han River, inside the command post of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's blocking force.
"It's so enjoyable, so enjoyable!"

"Old Li, look! Wu Wanli is amazing! He's about to make another brilliant move!"

Kong Jie grabbed the telegram he had just translated and rushed to Li Yunlong, who was standing in front of the map, and shouted.

"You idiot Kong! What's with all the fuss? Let me see what tricks Wu Wanli is up to this time!"

Li Yunlong was drinking water from a chipped teacup when he was startled by Kong Jie's loud voice. He clicked his tongue in displeasure, took the telegram, and cursed.

Political Commissar Zhao Gang, 12th Army Commander Ding Wei, Political Commissar An Changsen, New 8th Army Commander Quan Douguang, and 9th Army Commander Lin Zhengshun, who were standing nearby, also came over upon hearing this.

The command center fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned to them.

Li Yunlong glanced at it casually at first, then his eyes widened suddenly, and he didn't even notice the cigarette butt he was holding falling to the ground.

"Hahahaha...Good lad! Good lad! You've got guts!"
What a grand scheme! What an incredible scheme! What a brilliant deception! What a clever cover-up!
Old Zhao, take a look too!

Li Yunlong handed the telegram to Zhao Gang and said with a smile.

"The courage and insight required to make this move are truly remarkable; it's a stroke of genius! It seems like the Four Crossings of the Han River are really going to be a success!"

Zhao Gang adjusted his glasses, took the telegram, and read it carefully. His usually gentle face was filled with shock and disbelief.

"Based on intelligence and reconnaissance information from various units, Wu Wanli has confirmed that the entire main force of the UN forces' warplanes has been pinned down on the Han River defense line by the 'Hengcheng Detachment'!"
Currently, the air force in Shuainan City is severely depleted!

Therefore, he wanted Wang Wei's air force group to take off immediately and bomb Shuinan City and its nearby airports with all its might to destroy the enemy's air stronghold!
At the same time, he also mobilized the navy!

He ordered the high-speed destroyer formation of the East China Sea Fleet to sail at full speed toward Pyeongtaek Port to prepare to pick him up and the 7th Steel Squadron for their sea evacuation!
He has now led his troops at full speed towards Shuainan City!

Seeing that the others couldn't finish reading it all at once, Kong Jie summarized it directly.

"Bombing Shuinan City? Deploying the navy for support? Evacuating by sea?!"
My God... this kid... he's going to cause a huge uproar!

A feint on land will lure the enemy's main air force northward!
Taking advantage of this gap, the air force launched a surprise attack on the enemy's vulnerable command core nodes and waterborne escape routes!
Then the main force of the army launched a blitzkrieg against the core and vital points!

Then, they could rely on the safe airspace created by the bombing and the sea passage opened up by the navy to evacuate.

Four crossings of the Han River!

This fourth crossing... it's like stabbing the enemy in the heart and then leaving triumphantly!

The usually composed Ding Wei gasped, instantly grasping the intricate tactical chain, and said.

"Absolutely amazing! Absolutely amazing!"

Wukaka used a disguised main force to send almost all of the UN forces' aircraft into the air to swat mosquitoes!

He led the main force to raid the enemy's stronghold!

They even prepared an escape route in advance!
This plan is both risky and ingenious!

They precisely exploited the enemy's greatest weakness—pride and misjudgment!

Quan Douguang, commander of the New Eighth Army, rubbed his hands vigorously and exclaimed in admiration.

"Wukaka is truly a rare tactical genius in this world!"
They brought the art of deception, feinting to the east while attacking in the west, long-range raids, and coordinated air and sea operations to their fullest potential!
With this battle, the four crossings of the Han River will surely be an unparalleled achievement!
Not only can it be completed, but it can also be safely evacuated!

This is a miracle! An absolute battlefield miracle!

Lin Zhengshun, the commander of the 9th Army of the Republic of Korea, also expressed his admiration.

At this moment, he had already begun planning how to flatter and welcome Wu Wanli back in triumph, and how to arrange for his sister Lin Yun'er to meet with Wu Wanli.

"A brilliant idea! A perfect scheme!"
Using the false intelligence successfully fabricated by Comrade Chu Yunfei, coupled with the perfect performance of the Hengcheng Detachment, Ridgway and Van Fleet were completely deceived!

They threw their punches in the wrong places!
This is the most vulnerable moment for Shuinan City and the surrounding airspace!
But the coordination between the air and sea can't afford the slightest mistake, Lao Li! We need to be quick!

After recovering from his initial shock, Zhao Gang spoke with admiration mixed with a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Hahahaha, damn it! Well said!"

These are my soldiers! They're my men, Li Yunlong's men!

You didn't embarrass me!

To be able to orchestrate the Four Crossings of the Han River to this extent means not only mobilizing our own land, sea, and air forces, but also manipulating the main force of the UN forces!
Beautiful! Absolutely fucking beautiful!
But Lao Zhao is right, this matter cannot be delayed!

Relay my orders!

First: Highest priority, immediately connect to the Volunteer Army Air Force Command!
Tell Wang Wei! I don't care what method he uses, throw every single flying plane over Shuainan City!
Just do as Wu Wanli kid orders, and give him a good blast!

Blow up the airport! Blow up the fortifications! Blow it to smithereens! Then run!
Anyone who lingers in battle and misses a crucial opportunity will be shot!

Tell them that Li Yunlong said it!

This is saving Wu Wanli, saving the Seventh Steel Brigade, and bringing honor to the entire Chinese People's Volunteer Army!

"Second, immediately send a telegram to the naval fleet to urge them to hurry up!"
At all costs, even if it means burning through the boiler, we must rush to the waters off Pyeongtaek Port at top speed!

Seize battle positions and control of the sea, and prepare to support Wu Wanli's troops!
Tell them that the people who came to their aid were not just one or two, but a group of heroes who had demonstrated the might of our nation!
This is our most valuable elite military force! We must ensure absolute safety!

"The third order is to be issued to all departments!"

The blocking forces on the Han River front, intensify your feint attack! Make the commotion even bigger! Keep the artillery firing!
Blow the bugle call louder! Make Ridgway and VanVleet completely believe that our 'main force' is still fighting desperately on the north bank!
"Find the enemy's full attention and remaining reserves!"

Hearing the crowd's exclamations and discussions, Li Yunlong suddenly waved his hand and gave the order.

"Yes!!!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals and staff officers immediately accepted the order!

The command center was immediately in operation at high speed.

The shouts of orders, the ticking of telegrams, and the ringing of telephones mingled intensely together.

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

Soon, the Chinese fighter jet group took off.

As the aircraft group passed the last snow-covered mountain ridge, the terrain ahead suddenly opened up.

The outline of Shuainan City was clearly visible, especially the most conspicuous field airfield.

The massive circular runway, the neatly arranged hangars, the control tower, and the scattered oil tanks and ammunition storage areas stand out against the gray and white snowy backdrop.

"Attention all personnel! Formation deployment!"

First attack group, targeting enemy airport runways and aprons!

The second attack group suppresses ground-based air defense fire!
The third attack group has locked onto the command tower, fuel depot, and ammunition depot!

Soviet comrades, following Captain Peter, are focusing their attacks on the core area!
The attack will be carried out in waves as planned, execute immediately!

Seeing that the time was right, Wang Wei quickly shouted into the radio.

In an instant, the massive aircraft swarm dispersed, forming a diamond-shaped attack formation.

Each air force unit completed a precise dive route at the designated altitude.

The engine's shrill roar suddenly rose, and the sonic booms that tore through the air continued incessantly. The shadow of death rapidly loomed over the sky above Shuinan City.

More than sixty bombers from the first attack group were the first to arrive over the target area.

In an instant, the bomb bays opened, and aerial bombs rained down with a piercing whistle. "Whoosh—"

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

Soon after, deafening explosions rang out in quick succession.

First, the north and south ends of the main runway!
Large amounts of concrete blocks and steel rebar fragments, mixed with snow and frozen soil, were hurled tens of meters into the air, while smoke and dust, along with flames, shot into the sky.

This violent explosion at the starting and ending points instantly severed this "lifeline" that maintained the UN forces' frontline air power.

Immediately afterwards, subsequent bombs exploded precisely along the longitudinal extension of the runway, leaving craters that covered the entire runway like giant footprints.

The runway's smoothness was completely destroyed, turning it into sections of broken ruins that could no longer be used for takeoffs and landings.

The two taxiways connecting the runways were also targeted and were blown to pieces.

The entire airport's takeoff and landing functions were paralyzed within tens of seconds!

Almost simultaneously, fighter-bombers from the second attack group launched raids at even lower altitudes.

Their targets were anti-aircraft artillery positions, anti-aircraft machine gun emplacements, and military camps.

The noses of these fighter jets were tilted down, flashes of fire appeared under their wings, and cannon shells were precisely aimed at the preset coordinates.

A dense hail of bullets swept across the ground, causing snow to tumble and earth and wood to fly everywhere. American soldiers who were hastily setting up their weapons fell like wheat that had been cut down.

Just as the first and second air groups broke through the enemy's air defenses and paralyzed the airport's functions, Wang Wei led the core assault formation straight into the core area of ​​the airport.

"Peter! Take your men and get them in charge of the oil depot and ammunition depot. Don't let them get away with it!"

Wang Wei glanced at the situation below and gave a brief order over the radio channel.

"Understood, Comrade!"

"Did you hear the order? Follow me!"

Peter responded quickly and led an elite squadron of Soviet volunteer pilots in a dive toward the fuel and ammunition depot in the northwest corner of the airport.

The combined dropping of aerial bombs and incendiary bombs immediately ignited huge seas of fire in those areas.

Orange-red flames billowed and thick black smoke shot into the sky, forming a huge column of smoke that was clearly visible from dozens of kilometers away.

Wang Wei personally led the formation to the heart of the airport, the control tower.

The Wanli-1 fighter jet emitted a piercing shriek as it dove down. Wang Wei kept his hands firmly on the control stick, his eyes locked on the target.

The altitude dropped rapidly, and the control tower zoomed in quickly in the aiming device.

"It's time! Drop the bombs now!"

Wang Wei gave the order loudly into the radio channel.

In an instant, the bombs on the belly of each fighter jet roared off their racks and crashed with perfect accuracy into the top of the control tower!

"call out-----"

"Boom!!!"

In an instant, a deafening roar resounded!
The upper part of the entire airport control tower collapsed completely in the intense explosion and flames.

The lower part also burst into flames, and glass shards and debris were thrown up by the shock wave and scattered everywhere.

In an instant, the command center was engulfed in flames.

At the same time, the machine gun under Wang Wei's wing roared angrily.

The shells, like a torrent of steel, swept across the auxiliary communication facilities near the control tower and the vehicles attempting to move, crushing all resistance and any chance of escape.

The first wave of devastating attacks on the airport had just ended, and the aircraft that had completed their missions quickly climbed away, but the attack did not stop.

The second attack group, now freed up, and some of the subsequent bomber groups began to focus on clearing out the defensive fortifications inside and outside Shuainan City, according to predetermined coordinates.

The ring of fortifications consisting of bunkers, barbed wire, and trenches built outside the solid, semi-underground U.S. forward command post became the target of the bombing.

The heavy bombs fell, easily tearing apart the hard frozen ground. The bunkers were overturned by the massive shockwave and then shattered into pieces in the secondary explosion.

The continuous and precise bombing turned the entire pre-planned defensive position into a desolate wasteland littered with wreckage.

The pre-planned trenches were destroyed and blocked, and rows of communication poles were blown up.

At this moment, Shuinan City was completely engulfed in apocalyptic chaos and terror.

The shocking scene of the devastating blow to the airport and surrounding positions was clearly presented to the UN high command in the city.

When the first bomb exploded at the airport, the UN command headquarters in Shuainan was still in shock.

"My God! That explosion came from...the direction of the airport?!"

A U.S. Army communications officer dropped a newly translated telegram about the "fierce battle" on the Han River to the ground, exclaiming in shock.

Immediately afterwards, the massive explosion and the ensuing earth-shattering blast shattered everyone's hopes.

The loudspeakers blared hysterical air raid sirens, but it was too late.

Outside the window, the dazzling flames illuminated half the sky, and thick smoke billowed.

The light emitted from the massive oil depot that exploded at the airport turned the windows of the entire command center orange-red, followed by even more intense and closer explosions!
The entire command building was shaking violently, with dust and plaster falling from the ceiling and walls.

Van Fleet's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and his usually calm face turned extremely ugly.

"Damn it! This isn't the Battle of Han River! All the Chinese Air Force's fighter jets are headed here!"
"Quick! Get to the air-raid bunker immediately! Quick!!!"

Li Qiwei's face turned deathly pale, and he roared suddenly.

In an instant, the entire UN command center descended into chaos.

Surrounded by guards, the senior officers stumbled and rushed toward the nearest underground bunker entrance.

Several civilian staff officers were a little slow, and just as they ran toward the door, a bomb had already landed on the annex building on the side of the command building.

"boom--!!!"

A violent shockwave, a mixture of flames, debris, and shattered steel beams and glass, relentlessly swept across the corridor connecting the command post flank and the main hall.

The running US military staff officers were instantly torn to pieces, their screams drowned out by the massive explosion.

The corridor walls collapsed and burst into flames.

Ridgway and Van Fleet, under the desperate cover of their bodyguards, practically tumbled and crawled through the heavy blast bunker doors.

Behind them, one side of the main building was already ablaze, and the corridor area was a mess.

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

In the sky, inside the Wanli-1 fighter jet
Wang Wei glanced down at the airport and the outskirts of Shuainan City, which had become a sea of ​​fire and inferno, and nodded silently.

He pulled the control stick, and the fighter jet gracefully traced a large-radius arc as it began to climb and turn.

"Attention Eagles! Target destroyed!"
Remain vigilant and exit the combat airspace in an orderly manner!
Each formation, please submit your inventory report!

Wang Wei shouted into the radio as he maneuvered the fighter jet to climb.

"First formation, disengage!"

"Second formation, disengage!"

"Third formation reporting: Objective achieved!"

"Soviet formation report! Key target cleared!"

The responses from each formation came quickly and clearly over the radio channel.

Under Wang Wei's precise command and the tacit cooperation of key personnel such as Peter, the entire formation made full use of the surprise attack advantage and avoided resistance fire to the greatest extent possible.

Like a flock of eagles performing precise surgery, the two hundred fighter jets, after delivering a fatal tearing blow to their target, swiftly and methodically withdrew from the battlefield.

Below, the city of Shuainan was shrouded in thick smoke and fear.

The airport was reduced to a burning wasteland, and key defensive fortifications were shattered.

The American soldiers who were lucky enough to survive ran futilely through the ruins to fight the fire.

Although the UN forces managed to retain key personnel at the command level, they suffered complete loss of transportation and airport functions, as well as staff personnel.

Most importantly, the entire command system suffered an unprecedented and enormous psychological shock.

UN Command
"General, the first strike wave of the Chinese Air Force bomber group accurately penetrated the main runway, and three mid-section bombing points formed intersecting deep craters. The initial estimate for repair time is more than 48 hours."

Two fires were reported in the oil storage tank area, and firefighting efforts are still underway.

The control tower and core communication antenna array have been physically destroyed.

The losses of ground crew and a small number of flight reserves stranded at the airport... 179 people were confirmed dead, 46 were seriously injured, and the number of minor injuries was unknown.

Seventy percent of the anti-aircraft artillery positions inside the city were lost, and four key nodes of the permanent defensive fortifications on the west side were destroyed.

Preliminary estimates suggest that the total number of casualties in the city is around 500.

The brief communication disruption in the command system has been restored, but morale has been severely damaged.

Chief of Staff Van Fleet reported in a low voice.

"Snapped!"

In an instant, Li Qiwei slammed his broad palm heavily on the table, producing a dull thud.

The coffee cup on the table trembled and jumped up, splashing brown liquid onto the spread-out battle map.

"Van Fleet! You confidently told everyone before that Wu Wanli would lead the Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade to crash into our Han River defense line!"
You must 'bury' them there! You must accomplish your goal in one fell swoop!
The results of it?
Their air force swarmed towards our heartland like locusts!

They bombed our Shuainan Airport and a large number of fortifications!
Why did the Chinese Air Force choose not to engage in a decisive battle on the Han River battlefield, but instead use its precious bombs to bomb us here?!
Why is this happening? !
Answer me!

Ridgway glared at Van Fleet and angrily cursed.

No sooner had Ridgway's roar faded than a figure abruptly stood up from the second seat at the long table.

"Reporting, Commander!"

Chief of Staff Van Fleet's judgment was probably fundamentally flawed and fatally directional!

He misjudged the enemy commander's intentions and capabilities!
What is the most critical situation right now?
Shuainan City is extremely vulnerable in terms of military strength!
A large portion of our mobile combat forces have been mobilized to that damned Han River main stream defense line in the north, according to the 'Battle of the Han River' plan!
The nearest rapid reaction mobile force to Shuainan City is over 100 kilometers away!
Even more critically, we have now lost the aviation support capabilities of Shuainan Airport!

Perhaps Wu Wanli's goal was never to confront us head-on at the Han River!
Everything before could have been a smokescreen!
Now, their air force is swarming out, sparing no expense to bomb Shuinan, destroy the airport, and paralyze our air countermeasures. Why is that?!

Without a doubt, this was the paving fire before a ground blitzkrieg!
They are paving the way for an iron-clad land assault!

The target is definitely Shuinan City!
Moreover, the window of opportunity will not be long, as they must know that it will take time for our main players to return to support us!
General! What kind of place is Shuainan City? It's the central hub of our headquarters!
It was the command brain of the UN forces in Korea!
The lives of His Excellency the Commander and all of us are tied here!

Have you thought about the consequences once those Chinese soldiers rush in?
Imagine Wu Wanli capturing photos of all the senior generals of the UN Command and having them published in newspapers around the world!

The balance of the entire Korean War! The face of the entire free world! Will be utterly overturned by this humiliating scene! This war!

How can we possibly fight?! We will all become sinners and laughingstocks in history!
"General, we should immediately recall the main force of the 3rd Division in Pyeongtaek to defend, otherwise we might really be finished!"

Deputy Chief of Staff Eckerberg, his face equally ashen, shouted anxiously.

boom--!
In an instant, everyone in the command center became worried.

The fear of the humiliation of becoming a prisoner of war exploded instantly in the closed command room.

"God... General Eckelberg is telling the truth!"

"We...we must ensure the absolute safety of headquarters!"

"How many combat-ready soldiers does Shuainan have left? Two companies? Damn it! They probably can't hold out!"

"And air defense! Without air superiority, if another wave of Chinese fighter jets comes... we're all finished! Completely finished!"

Immediately, the various US military staff officers began to discuss the matter with concern.

"Shut up! All of you, shut up!"
Your Excellency, Deputy Chief of Staff!

You only see the wall in front of you, but you don't see the bottomless cliff behind it!

Was the main force of the Third Division in Pyeongtaek being transferred away? To give Suenam Castle a temporary illusion of 'safety'?

This is exactly what the enemy wants to see!
Once the main force of the 3rd Division leaves Pyeongtaek, the Chinese army can seize this opportunity and take over the land direction of Pyeongtaek as easily as piercing through a window!
The core of the defense there is the 3rd Division cluster!

Even more deadly was Pyeongtaek Port!

What remains in Pyeongtaek Port now?
It was just a vanguard naval unit!
Just a few ships!
How can we defend against a possible attack by the Chinese navy?!
Mobilizing the Third Division is tantamount to us personally opening a golden passage to Wu Wanli's victorious sea escape!

Just imagine! The entire UN forces were traversed back and forth across the Han River four times by a single commander of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army!
They treated our carefully constructed blockade line as their own backyard!

After causing immense casualties that we could hardly bear... they finally slipped away by sea?!

VanVleet quickly questioned.

"Enough! All of you shut up!"

Ridgway's thunderous roar swept through the command room.

All the arguments and commotion were instantly crushed by this pure, violent authority!

"Danger in Shuinan City!"
The potential vulnerabilities caused by the redeployment of the main force of the Han River defense line!

Potential threats facing Pyeongtaek Port!

I know everything you're saying!

I've considered every possibility!

But remember this!
Our military strength is not inexhaustible!

Our room for maneuver is not infinite!
Hasty troop deployment... is a major taboo!

Does the air force still maintain control over the airspace above the Han River defense line?

Ridgway took a deep breath and said.

"Yes! Absolute superiority remains! Our fighter squadrons are in a state of absolute air superiority! They cannot stop our airborne reconnaissance!"

A U.S. military staff officer responded.

"Alright! Pass on my orders!"
First: All main attack groups along the Han River shall immediately draw no less than one-third of their highly mobile forces to form an emergency support group!
The specific sequence will be drafted by the General Staff and submitted to me for approval within fifteen minutes!

Second: All the above-mentioned returning units must complete preparations within thirty minutes of receiving the order! They must march back at any cost!

Third: The garrison in Pyeongtaek! Immediately enter the highest level of combat readiness!
The main force of the 3rd Division organized a solid defense based on pre-established positions, while ordering the port garrison and destroyer squadrons to raise the alert level to Level 1!
We must guard against any enemy naval raids or ground infiltrations from any direction!
Without my personal written order, not a single soldier, gun, or cannon is to be moved in the direction of Pyeongtaek!
Anyone who disobeys orders will be court-martialed!

Fourth: All existing defensive forces in Shuainan City! Mobilize everyone who can take up arms!
Military police, logistics personnel, engineers... all were incorporated into the defense system!
Relying on the core fortified area! Prepare for layered resistance! Defend each house to the death!

After thinking for a moment, Ridgway decisively gave the order.

The series of commands were clear and decisive, with each instruction precisely targeting the current critical weakness while maintaining the overall structure and resilience of the defense line to the greatest extent possible.

It did not completely deny Van Fleet's strategic concerns about Pyeongtaek, but also directly addressed Eckerberg's fears about the safety of Suyun, and mobilized the most effective mobile forces in the shortest possible time.

This is the only feasible, tightrope-walking balancing act amidst countless enormous risks.

Ridgway's steely gaze swept across the room. The staff officers, who had just been arguing and mired in their own panic, were instantly pulled taut as if by invisible threads.

Without any hesitation, everyone instinctively stood up straight!
"Yes, sir!"

With a hint of obedience and awe, the crowd responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)