Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 307 Wu Wanli Leads Chinese Armored Forces to a Decisive Victory Over the Defenders of Shuainan! Armored Blitzkrieg Simultaneously with Micro-Management of Artillery Fire!
Shuinan City, UN Command Headquarters
"boom!"

The oak door was kicked open, the heavy sound making everyone in the command center jump.

"General! Chief of Staff! Urgent battle report!"
In Yelangyu, the fastest fully armored vanguard battalion to reinforce Shuainan, led by Lieutenant Colonel Robert, was ambushed by the main force of the Chinese 7th Steel Corps!

The losses were extremely heavy; the armored battalion was almost wiped out!

A second lieutenant staff officer, his face ashen and chest heaving violently, nearly collapsed in front of the command post, shouting.

In an instant, the air seemed to freeze.

The fire in the fireplace flickered and crackled faintly; otherwise, all was silent.

"An armored vanguard battalion?!"
Robert Carter's troops?

That's a rapid strike group composed entirely of tanks and armored vehicles!

They are the fastest reinforcements we've drawn from the Pyeongtaek direction!
How could such a rapidly moving torrent of steel be so quickly ambushed and defeated by a force primarily composed of infantry?!
Moreover, their marching routes were kept secret, so where would the Seventh Steel Brigade of China find the time to build an ambush position?

Report clearly! Was it a complete defeat? Or merely a setback?!

Li Qi frowned slightly and quickly pressed for an answer.

Just as they were still unsure whether Wu Wanli's main force was on the main stream of the Han River or coming over, the Seventh Steel Brigade had already precisely wiped out the armored fighters that were coming to reinforce them!?
"General Ridgway, the annihilation of our armored forces by the Chinese 7th Steel Brigade is no longer unbelievable news to us..."

"The armored reinforced battalion of the 1st Army Division, the armored platoon attached to the 187th Airborne Regiment Combat Team, and those that were wiped out outside Suwon City..."

Our armored vehicles have fallen to Wu Wanli's forces far too many times...

As long as that Chinese man named Wu Wanli lives, as long as we show even the slightest weakness...

These seemingly invincible mobile fortresses were nothing more than walking targets in his eyes.

"Damn it, he can sense things coming from afar, anticipate the enemy's moves, and even guess which valley our armored forces are most likely to pass through!"

Van Fleet sighed and looked out at the howling wind and snow.

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's heart pounded wildly in his chest.

A tremendous, irrepressible joy almost burst forth.

It's gone!
Wu Wanli succeeded!

Wild Wolf Valley annihilated this elite US armored battalion in one fell swoop!
This not only shattered the hopes of reinforcements for Shuainan City, but also dealt a heavy blow to the UN forces' mobile forces on the southern front!
However, he had to suppress his turbulent emotions and could not show the slightest abnormality at this moment.

"Lieutenant, please confirm... whether Lieutenant Colonel Robert's armored battalion was... completely wiped out? Was there really no one who managed to break through?"

Chu Yunfei took a deep breath, forcing the muscles on his face to remain tense and worried, and asked in the calmest and most cautious tone possible.

His tone sounded one of pure concern, as if he were seeking a last glimmer of hope.

"No...not all wiped out! Some units are breaking through!"

The communications showed that eighteen tanks and seven armored vehicles, led by Lieutenant Colonel Robert, broke out of the ambush!
In his subsequent call to arms, Lieutenant Colonel Robert specifically requested that the command not hold them responsible for leaving the main battlefield and taking the initiative to break out.

He said that if they hadn't rushed out, staying put would have meant certain death!

The American staff officer was enlightened by Chu Yunfei's words and hurriedly added.

"Hold them accountable?!"

What crime has he committed?!

This is how precious armored combat power was preserved in a desperate situation!

He was a hero who saved the UN forces' southern defensive capabilities!

Eighteen tanks! Seven armored vehicles!
In the present-day Shuainan City, every war chariot is priceless!
It is our anchor, the key to stabilizing morale and ensuring our continued defense and support for reinforcements!

Call back immediately! Commend all officers and soldiers who successfully broke through the encirclement!
I, Ridgway, personally guarantee that there will be absolutely no question of holding anyone accountable!
After winning the battle to defend the city, everyone will be commended!

The flush of rage that rose on Li Qiwei's face was instantly replaced by a wild joy of surviving a catastrophe, and he quickly said.

"General, the breakout troops have reported in their reply that they are being relentlessly pursued by a large number of Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade troops from the rear, and have suffered heavy casualties!"

Lieutenant Colonel Robert implored the garrison troops of Shuainan to provide support, otherwise the breakout force risked being surrounded again!

The second lieutenant licked his chapped lips and spoke quickly.

"Provide backup..."

Van Fleet muttered to himself, his brow furrowing instantly.

These two words were like ice water dripping into a boiling oil pan, instantly extinguishing the slight glimmer of hope that had just risen in Van Fleet's heart.

His keen battlefield intuition immediately sounded a sharp alarm!

Something is wrong!
Wild Wolf Valley is not close to Shuainan, especially in wind and snow, when the road conditions are terrible.

Can a defeated army that has just suffered a brutal ambush, whose organization has been thrown into chaos and which has lost more than half of its troops really break through the encirclement?

Moreover, the act of proactively requesting assistance is itself full of ulterior motives.

"Wait! This news..."

Van Fleet looked up abruptly, his gaze sharp as a knife, about to issue a warning.

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's heart tightened suddenly!
He actually sensed that the armored unit breaking out might be up to something, but he wasn't sure.

However, Van Fleet has become suspicious, so he would be best to close the gap and win trust with suggestions that are more in line with the UN forces' position before Van Fleet expresses them!
"General! Chief of Staff!"
This matter is of utmost importance, relating to the overall security of Shuainan City. I dare to speak frankly, and we must be extremely cautious!

The exact details of the battle report from Yelangyu, whether it was due to communication disruptions or encirclement and annihilation, are currently only one side of the story!
The battlefield situation is changing rapidly and is extremely chaotic!
What's most troublesome about the Chinese Steel Seventh Team is their unpredictable and ruthless tactics!
Using a "resurrection" tactic, they disguised themselves as defeated soldiers, infiltrated our core defensive positions under the guise of friendly forces, and launched a surprise attack from within and without...

These are exactly the cunning tricks they usually use!
We must be extremely vigilant and take strict precautions!

We absolutely cannot allow a potentially problematic force to threaten the core defenses of Shuinan City!
Never let potential risks enter your home! Otherwise, it will be too late to regret it!

Chu Yunfei took a smooth and steady step forward, and spoke first with a solemn expression.

Van Fleet's once sharp, scrutinizing eyes, which had been fixed on Chu Yunfei, now flashed with an extremely complex light.

Startled, scrutinizing, then turning into a hint of admiration and relief.

He was initially highly suspicious that this might be a scam and was preparing to expose it.

Unexpectedly, Chu Yunfei not only saw through his doubts, but also reacted even faster than him!

Chu Yunfei's heartfelt words, spoken from the perspective of the UN forces, completely dispelled any remaining suspicion Van Fleet might have about him.

This truly demonstrates their dedication and tireless efforts for the safety of the UN forces!
Chu Yunfei's loyalty is beyond words!

"Advisor Chu is absolutely right! He hits the nail on the head!"

I think there's a good way to tell whether this armored breakout force is real or fake.

Immediately inquire with the breakout force!

Where do they want to meet?
Should we go directly to Shuinan City? Or…?

Chief of Staff Van Fleet thought for a moment and then quickly said.

"Reporting to the Chief of Staff!"

In his telegram, Lieutenant Colonel Robert specifically noted that the breakout tanks had suffered heavy losses and urgently needed replenishment of fuel and ammunition, as well as a short rest.

We earnestly request the headquarters' permission to temporarily move the troops to the eastern suburbs of Shuainan City, where they can rely on the outer defensive positions to defend and hold their ground.

Once the situation stabilizes and the pressure from pursuing troops is relieved, they can then enter the city.

The telegram specifically emphasized that, in order to avoid causing panic and confusion in the city's command structure, no one should enter the city before receiving orders from headquarters!

They requested immediate deployment to the outer perimeter of the eastern suburbs to coordinate with the troops defending the outer city positions and construct an outer defensive perimeter!

Upon hearing this, the U.S. military staff officer immediately picked up another telegram he had just received and responded loudly.

Absolutely not entering the city!

These four words reached Chu Yunfei's ears like heavenly music!
The huge weight in his heart was lifted, and he was overjoyed that his chest almost burst!
If this is indeed a US armored breakout force, then it's not surprising.
But if we really fall for Wu Wanli's disguise, that would be amazing!
Wu Wanli and his men fully grasped the essence of the plan and understood the mindset of old-school professional soldiers like Van Fleet.

Actively place the threat outside the city and dispel doubts about the core crisis!
The opportunity is right in front of you!

"Chief of Staff Van Fleet, please understand!"

It is extremely important that the other party explicitly stated that they would 'temporarily stay outside the city and not enter the city.'

If their intentions are malicious, their primary goal will undoubtedly be to infiltrate the core defense perimeter, that is, to enter the city!

However, the other party deliberately avoided this sensitive action that could have triggered our high level of alert...

While this alone cannot completely eliminate the risk, their actions are basically in line with the normal practice of severely damaged troops in urgent need of support and rest.

Having fought so hard and narrowly escaped death, if even the friendly forces outside the city refuse to open their gates and let them be relentlessly pursued and attacked by the enemy in the wind and snow...

General Ridgway, Chief of Staff Van Fleet, and all the officers and soldiers of the armed forces must feel a chill run down their spines upon hearing this!

After that, who would dare to bravely break through in a desperate situation?
Morale and morale will suffer an immeasurable blow!

Chu Yunfei looked at Li Qiwei and Van Fleet and spoke earnestly.

These words, especially the phrase "the morale of the troops is chilled," struck Ridgway and Van Fleet, as senior UN officers, with unparalleled precision, hitting the most sensitive nerves!
They knew all too well what morale meant to a besieged city defender facing immense pressure!
The city of Shuainan had just been bombed, its air defenses were severely weakened, and the people were filled with fear.

Are we going to sit idly by and watch another one of our own troops be wiped out outside the city?

That would be tantamount to destroying the last will of resistance of the defending troops!

VanVleet's furrowed brows hadn't completely relaxed, and his wariness of the "Steel Seventh Brigade" hadn't completely disappeared, but the scales in his heart had already tipped.

He took a deep breath and quickly scanned the red and blue flags marking the defensive deployment of Shuinan City on the sand table.

The defensive strength of Shuainan City is clear:

The core urban area was defended by the main force of the US Guard Regiment, numbering about 3500 men, with an artillery battalion equipped with 155mm heavy howitzers and an armored battalion with thirty tanks.

The outer perimeter of Shuainan City was defended by 2500 troops equipped with machine guns, mortars, and rocket launchers, as well as a field artillery company.

The density of firepower and the elite status of the troops inside the city are vastly different from those in the outer outposts!

In other words, even if the outer defenses are lost, the defenders inside the city may still be able to hold out to the death, it will just be more difficult.

Allowing only this armored breakout force to enter the city carries a relatively low risk.

"Advisor Chu's considerations are thorough; morale... is indeed of paramount importance."

Without entering the city, the enemy cannot threaten our fortified core area centered on the headquarters building.

Although the outer perimeter defenses are not as fortified as those in the main urban area, they are equipped with sufficient anti-tank teams and pre-set firing positions.

Moreover, our artillery and armored battalions are located within the city, ready to provide reinforcements or even launch a counterattack at any time.

Even if there are doubts about this so-called breakout force, with their mere twenty-odd damaged tanks, it would be absolutely impossible for them to shake the entire Shuainan defense system.

However, the 'Steel Seventh Brigade' pursuers were hot on their heels...

Hmph, in the current game, what was once an unexpected sharp blade has now become a piece of fat meat under my knife!
We have every opportunity to launch a counterattack!

Van Fleet slammed his baton into the sand table depicting the western part of the city of Shuainan, and said with a chilling aura.

Is the Seventh Steel Brigade a piece of easy prey?!

These words were like a spark thrown into a frying pan of oil that had just been stunned by the bad news about the armored battalion, and the command post instantly erupted into chaos!

The American staff officers who had shown fear upon hearing the name of the Seventh Steel Brigade could no longer contain themselves.

"A counterattack?!"

Chief of Staff, are you kidding me?
How many enemies are pursuing us? What are their equipment like?
We just lost the majority of an armored battalion!

At this point, offering to provide support is already risky, let alone launching a counterattack?!

What if this is another trap?

What will happen to Shuainan City if our last armored forces and artillery are attacked again?
This risk... is absolutely unacceptable!

Upon hearing this, Major James, the intelligence officer, quickly replied.

"Ammunition reserves! Fuel reserves! Continuous airstrikes and troop deployments have depleted the city's reserves to support large-scale field operations!"

I urge the Chief of Staff to reconsider! The most urgent task at hand is to hold the existing defensive line, not to risk venturing out of the city!

Logistics staff officer Captain Smith also stood up abruptly.

"My God! That team that's chasing us relentlessly in the snow is the China Steel Seventh Brigade!"

Chief of Staff, please take a look at the map!

From the Han River to Suwon and then to Yelangyu!
In which battle did he not win against the odds and achieve victory through unconventional means?

If we remain in a defensive posture, we still have some advantages. But if we send our mobile forces out into the open, wouldn't that be exactly what he wants?!
Winning is great, but the risk of losing is enormous!
Who will bear the consequences of the fall of Shuainan?
Who will be responsible for General Ridgway's safety?!

Another tactical staff officer, Lieutenant Colonel Davis, wearing glasses, slammed his fist on the table and growled.

A wave of accusations and fear swept in instantly, and the entire command room was filled with the staff's vehement opposition.

Clearly, some of them were terrified by the names "Steel Seventh Brigade" and "Wu Wanli" and their previous failures.

"Quiet!
Van Fleet, explain your plan clearly!
What exactly are we supposed to do?

Ridgway slammed his palm on the map and then spoke.

"It seems that some people in our command are more afraid of the Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade than they are of our military's combat system."

My plan is simple!
This so-called 'breakout force' is nothing but a bloodstained bait!
Wu Wanli was hot on his heels, chasing closely behind the breakout convoy!

We can move the armored battalion out of the city to cooperate with the artillery company on the outer perimeter, and draw a thousand elite soldiers from the outer perimeter of the city and place them all on the outer perimeter of the city to the east!

Let the armored units that have come in come in and join our armored battalion!
Once they regroup, our artillery battery will immediately launch a rapid artillery barrage on the pre-set area of ​​pursuit behind Carter's forces!
Immediately afterwards, all the armored units assembled on the position took the lead, with thousands of elite infantrymen bringing up the rear, to launch a counterattack against the odds!
Our goal is definitely not to annihilate the Seventh Steel Brigade, after all, we can't take down Wu Wanli's main force.

The real goal is to catch his pursuing vanguard off guard and cripple a portion of it!
As long as you hurt him once, even if it's just to repel him or cause him to lose a few hundred soldiers, that will be enough!
The key to this battle is not the size of the victory, but breaking the shadow of our repeated defeats and restoring morale on the walls of Shuainan!

Let the soldiers know that we still have the strength to fight back!
Tell all the defenders in the city that we still hold the initiative!

Van Fleet pointed to the battle map and explained clearly.

In an instant, the command post fell into a deathly silence; even the firewood burning in the fireplace did not spark for the moment.

Chu Yunfei was the first to recover from his shock, and he could hardly contain his joy.

If Wu Wanli really disguised this armored unit, then Van Fleet's plan would be exactly what Wu Wanli wanted!

This is sending their sharpest armored assault group into the slaughterhouse pre-planned by Wu Wanli!
"Van Fleet's insight is brilliant!!!"
This plan can both support our brave warriors who are fighting their way out and cripple Wu Wanli's advance in open battle. It achieves two goals at once and is imperative! I wholeheartedly agree!

Chu Yunfei took a deep breath and quickly agreed.

Ridgway stared intently at the counterattack path marked on the map by Van Fleet's pencil, repeatedly rehearsing it in his mind.

The immense risk and the incredibly tempting rewards clashed violently in his mind.

"Van Fleet, deploy immediately according to your strategy!"
The armored battalion was ordered to advance west of the city, and thousands of elite infantry and artillery companies outside the city were also in position at the same time!
Consultant Chu, please accompany Van Fleet to oversee coordination among the various departments!
Everyone else also put aside their personal opinions and disagreements, and fully cooperated!

Ridgway took a deep breath and finally gritted his teeth to give the order.

"Yes, sir!!!"

Upon hearing this, Van Fleet, Chu Yunfei, and the others quickly agreed.

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

A few hours later, outside Shuainan City, an armored force led by Wu Wanli sped towards them at full speed.

Wu Wanli pressed himself against the periscope of the captured No. 1 tank commander, his vision filled with distorted light and dense snowflakes.

The tank compartment reeked of engine oil, metal, and lingering blood, along with the musty smell of the camouflaged US military uniforms.

Through the narrow observation slit, the gray outline of Shuinan City appeared and disappeared in the wind and snow, seemingly within arm's reach.

The "breakout armored force" he led, consisting of eighteen tanks and seven armored personnel carriers, was strictly following the instructions received over the radio and heading towards the outer perimeter of the eastern suburbs of Shuainan City.

"Attention all crews, remain vigilant as you enter your positions."

The commander's observation hand position is activated, and the turret is pointed directly forward at the twelve o'clock position. It must not be rotated arbitrarily.

We are defeated soldiers who have been beaten; we must adopt the same posture.

The radio operator maintains only the bare minimum of command and reception channels.

Wu Wanli spoke softly into the radio.

With the heavy sound of tracks crushing the frozen soil, the camouflaged convoy rolled over the last earthen embankment and entered the gap left in the outer perimeter of the Shuainan position.

On the U.S. military positions on the eastern outskirts of Shuen, countless wary eyes and cold gun barrels and cannon barrels peered out from behind sandbag fortifications.

Towed howitzers, anti-aircraft machine guns, and anti-tank rocket launcher squads were distributed in the crisscrossing trenches.

Inside the command post, a U.S. lieutenant colonel raised his binoculars and carefully scanned the approaching, battered and bruised steel army.

Almost simultaneously, from the snow-covered landscape far behind the camouflaged tank convoy, a sudden burst of bugle calls and intense gunfire erupted.

That was a "pursuit" performance launched by the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade led by Liu Hanqing in accordance with the plan.

Tracer rounds ripped through the gloomy sky, and shouts of battle were torn apart by the wind, creating the illusion that the Chinese army was relentlessly pursuing this "remnant force."

This immense sense of oppression left the US troops on the outer perimeter with even less time to carefully distinguish between different positions.

"Open a breach! Let them in! Quickly! Artillery company, prepare for targeting!"

Upon seeing this, the U.S. military position commander roared orders through a loudspeaker.

The barbed wire fence that had been blocking the way was removed, and the heavy steel chevaux-de-frise were pushed to the sides.

Wu Wanli, disguised as a U.S. Army major, slightly raised his helmet and sharply scanned the situation on both sides after entering the position.

Most of the American infantrymen huddled in their bunkers, their eyes mostly focused on the "pursuers" that were faintly visible in the snow behind their vehicles.

They did not immediately rush forward to meet and inspect this convoy of "their own people," but instead showed a complex expression of "reinforcements have finally arrived."

Just then, the "Sky Eye" map in Wu Wanli's mind suddenly unfolded, and the detailed situation of the entire outer perimeter of the Shuainan position was suddenly revealed.

The enemy and our own lights flickered, and countless minute details of the battlefield were precisely captured, located, and analyzed from Wu Wanli's perspective at this moment!
His gaze instantly locked onto the western side of the position, an area about 800 meters from their entry point, slightly obscured by artificial snowdrifts.

"Found it! That damn artillery position, it's well hidden!"

Thunder God! Coordinates confirmed!
方位：东经127°45'32“，北纬37°12'15“！
重复，东经127°45'32“，北纬37°12'15“！
Immediate coverage! Highest priority! Fire!

Wu Wanli quickly adjusted the radio to a secret channel and gave the order.

The order was issued as if it had sunk to the bottom of the sea, but in an instant it stirred up a huge storm!

Just as the US position commander was about to order the "remnants" to rest in a designated area, the artillery of the 7th Steel Brigade opened fire!

The artillery fire did not come from the direction of the "pursuit," but from the northeast, from the pre-positioned artillery positions commanded by Lei Gong!
"call out----------"

A swarm of shells tore through the frigid air, whistling as they precisely struck the area of ​​coordinates that Wu Wanli had just reported!

"Rumble—Rumble—Rumble—!!!"

In an instant, a series of violent explosions turned the disguised US artillery position into a sea of ​​fire!
The towering flames illuminated the swirling snowflakes in a crimson glow, the shattered cannon barrels twisted and flew into the air, and the piled-up ammunition boxes were engulfed in a massive fireball by the secondary explosion.

At that moment, the entire US artillery position outside the city was completely torn apart by the violent shockwave!
Thick smoke billowed dozens of meters high, resembling a giant black pillar in the wind and snow.

"Bombardment!"

"Where did they fire that cannon?!"

"Our artillery battery! The artillery battery is gone!!"

Panic and chaos erupted on the outer perimeter. American soldiers stared in disbelief as the core support firepower point was destroyed in an instant, fear washing over them.

At that moment, an even louder and more intense roar of engines and the rumble of tracks crushing ice and snow suddenly rang out from behind the outer perimeter of the US military positions!

Those were not the remnants of the annihilated artillery battery, but rather elite forces that had been hiding in the city, preparing to launch a "counterattack" according to Van Fleet's plan!

An American armored battalion with thirty tanks and an elite infantry battalion that had been transferred were charging out of their pre-arranged positions.

They planned to attack the flanks of the "pursuers" after their own artillery fire had covered them.

But they never expected that their own artillery positions would be targeted and destroyed first!

U.S. tanks and troop transport trucks are crammed into narrow passageways in the position, and the troops have not yet fully deployed!

Chaos! This is chaos unlike anything we've ever seen before!

"It's now!
First formation! Target: US armored battalion directly ahead! Rapid fire!
Smash them on the head! Smash them in the waist! Smash them to pieces!!
Second formation! Enemy infantry assembly area on the left flank!
Grenades! High-explosive shells! Covert fire!!

Third formation! Right flank, suppress enemy's core firepower!

A cold glint flashed in Wu Wanli's eyes, and he instantly abandoned all pretense, shouting orders into the radio.

The turrets of every tank in the camouflaged armored convoy instantly emitted a piercing metallic scraping sound as the gun barrels swung sharply over to take aim!
Inside the No. 1 tank where Wu Wanli was located, the gunner had already completed loading and aiming almost the instant Wu Wanli roared.

Before the vehicle had even come to a complete stop, the gun barrel locked onto the leading American command tank!
"boom--!"

With a muffled thud as a shell was fired, the cannon recoiled violently, and thick smoke and flames spewed from the muzzle!

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

The deadly armor-piercing shell whistled as it slammed into the junction between the turret and the hull of the US command tank!

"boom!!!"

Amidst the violent explosion and the sound of metal tearing apart, the turret of the American tank spun out, sending hot metal fragments mixed with sparks flying in all directions!
"Well done! Next one!"
The target is on the left, the one climbing up the embankment! Armor-piercing round!

The rest of the tanks, fire on your own! Give them a good beating!

Wu Wanli shouted orders while keeping a close eye on the periscope.

Almost at the same moment Wu Wanli gave the order, the other seventeen tanks in the camouflaged convoy roared simultaneously! Seventeen deadly lines of fire ripped through the chaotic battlefield, accurately striking the American armored formation that had just left the city and was in disarray!

In the first salvo, seven US tanks or armored vehicles were hit and started smoking or caught fire, or were completely disabled!
A series of explosions echoed through the ranks of the US armored battalion, and flames soared into the sky.

Large numbers of American infantrymen were exposed on the open ground and were blown to pieces by flying shell fragments and blast waves!
They were completely unprepared to engage the enemy and were instantly stunned.

"Enemy attack!"

"It's a disguise! A Chinese person!!"

"The shelling is coming from the direction of the position!"

"Retreat! Retreat immediately!!"

In an instant, heart-wrenching screams and shrieks in English rang out on the public radio channel, throwing the US military into complete disarray.

Their originally tight formation completely collapsed due to their hasty departure from the city and the sudden attack. Vehicles blocked each other, and people scrambled to escape, becoming easy targets.

"Hold the line! Prepare firepower!"

They're in disguise! Limited numbers! Eliminate them!

Infantry! Take cover and take out the tanks!

After the initial chaos, the commander of the U.S. armored battalion tried to stabilize the situation and shouted orders over the radio channel.

Soon, the remaining American tanks began clumsily turning their guns around.

U.S. infantry, using the wreckage of destroyed tanks and snowdrifts, raised their bazookas in preparation for a counterattack.

Looking at the situation on the Sky Eye map, Wu Wanli's brain worked at high speed, instantly analyzing the battlefield situation.

"Tanks, maintain suppression! Armor-piercing rounds! Hit their tracks! Limit their mobility!"

Han Qing! Ping He! Yu Congrong! Gao Daxing!
"Bring your main force and give them a good beating! Don't let them retreat! Weld all the doors shut!"

Wu Wanli's voice didn't pause at all as he loudly gave the order over the radio.

Before he finished speaking, a Sherman tank, hidden behind an anti-aircraft machine gun emplacement, suddenly opened fire from the right front of Tank No. 1!
"call out----"

The shell whizzed past the roof of a Chinese armored vehicle, blasting a large crater in the snow. The scorching heat and snowmelt splashed onto the observation window of Tank No. 1.

A camouflaged tank belonging to the third formation was unfortunately hit in the track, causing it to veer and stop abruptly. The fate of the soldiers inside was unknown.

"Turret at 12 o'clock! Enemy concealed firing point! High-explosive shells! Quickly! Suppress it!"
Third formation, second and third vehicles! Crossfire! Concentrate fire on that half-buried fortification!

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli quickly continued issuing orders over the radio.

The gunner beside him had veins bulging on his forehead as he turned the steering wheel, making the turret spin rapidly!
"Loading complete!"

The loader of Tank Number One wiped his sweat and roared.

"boom!"

In an instant, another 105mm high-explosive shell burst out of the barrel less than three seconds later and smashed into the tank gun position behind the machine gun bunker that was spitting fire!

Although it failed to directly hit the well-concealed American tank, the massive explosion completely overturned the nearby heavy machine gun emplacement.

Gravel and mud mixed with human remains flew into the air, and the violent shockwave left the remaining American tank crews at their positions dizzy and disoriented.

Almost simultaneously, shells from two other Chinese tanks came hurtling in!

One of the shots accurately struck the base of the gun barrel of the half-buried Sherman, completely silencing it!

Another shell exploded next to the vehicle, instantly engulfing it in thick smoke and flames.

"Good job!"

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli immediately roared.

But through the Sky Eye map, he immediately saw a dozen or so American soldiers crawling out of the smoke and dust behind the blown-up anti-aircraft machine gun position, their heads covered.

"Vehicle-mounted machine gun! Sweep the remaining enemy!"

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli immediately gave the order.

"Da da da da da...!"

Tank One immediately fired a burst of bullets, sweeping across the area and sending snow flying and blood splattering everywhere, hitting the American soldiers who had just climbed out along with the snowdrifts.

At this moment, the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade, under the command of Gao Daxing and Yu Congrong, roared and charged from the ambush point!

Hundreds and thousands of figures surged across the snow like a tide, gun barrels and bayonets gleaming coldly as they approached.

As they charged, they fired their rifles, submachine guns, and machine guns.

A dense hail of bullets instantly covered the panicked and unarmored American infantry!

"kill!!!"

"Come on!"

"Surf the gun and don't kill!"

"We march in triumph, trampling over the bones of our enemies!"

In an instant, a deafening roar overwhelmed the wind, snow, and explosion!
Countless soldiers of the 7th Steel Brigade leaped into the trenches of the outer perimeter of the US military positions, and close-quarters combat erupted instantly!
The sounds of clashing bayonets, exploding grenades, and shouts and screams of fierce combat echoed across the battlefield.

Inside Tank No. 1, Wu Wanli kept a close eye on the remaining forces of the US armored battalion through the periscope.

About ten tanks were frantically reversing, trying to squeeze back into the narrow entrance passage into the city, like a herd of frightened bison, colliding with each other.

At this moment, their escape route was completely blocked.

"Mortars! Smash the city gates! Don't let them get in!"
Tanks, load grenades and suppress the supporting fire on the city walls!

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli immediately gave the order.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

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

Instantly, a dense barrage of mortar shells rose from the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade behind them, raining down on the area near the city gate entrance crowded with American tanks!

The explosion's flames and smoke instantly engulfed the narrow area, greatly slowing down the retreat of the American tanks.

Meanwhile, the grenades from the tanks successfully suppressed several US machine gun positions that were attempting to fire support from the city walls.

"Commander, here's the latest reconnaissance and observation report!"
The remaining ten tanks of the US armored battalion began to turn around on the spot!
On the eastern front of Shuainan City, some American infantry were being reorganized and were building a defensive line using the wreckage!
There has been no unusual activity within the city, and no reinforcements have been sent yet.

However, two units, one from the south and one from the west of the city, were rapidly moving eastward to provide support, still two kilometers from the main battlefield!

At that moment, Pinghe's urgent voice came through the communications radio of Tank No. 1.

"Let them struggle and provide support as they please, the Seventh Steel Brigade doesn't care!"
Armor-piercing rounds! Fire!

Wu Wanli waved his hand and gave the order.

"boom--!"

The gun barrel of the No. 1 tank jerked backward, and a huge flash of gunfire disappeared into the narrow field of vision.

"Boom!"

In an instant, a blinding burst of sparks and thick smoke erupted from the left track joint of the Sherman tank, which was 300 meters ahead.

The next second, the entire vehicle tilted sharply to the left, spun half a circle on the spot, and became completely paralyzed.

The last ten tanks of the US military did not collapse as a result; instead, they seemed to be completely enraged.

"Rumble————"

At the command of the US commander, the remaining nine tanks accelerated suddenly, their engines roaring loudly.

Instead of reversing and retreating, they spread out in formation and, though heavy, resolutely pressed towards the camouflaged convoy and the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade charging from the rear!
Meanwhile, about 800 U.S. infantrymen, who had regrouped amidst the chaos, used the wreckage, collapsed fortifications, and snowdrifts to unleash a barrage of fire on the 7th Steel Brigade!

Their intention was exceptionally clear—to engage in prolonged combat and delay the enemy!

To ensure that the two reinforcements from the south and west of the city could be surrounded and deployed, and for Ridgway inside the city to make a decisive all-out effort to provide support, thus buying time!
"Clang clang clang clang clang..."

A hail of bullets rained down from the opposite side, with ricochets striking the front armor plating of the Panzer I tank in rapid succession.

"Artillery detachment! Highest priority!"

坐标：东经127°45'30“- 127°45'35“

北纬37°12'13“- 37°12'18“！
Covert bombardment! Five rounds of rapid fire! Execute immediately!

Looking at the infantry gathering point behind the US tank formation and the hastily set-up US heavy machine gun group on the Tianyan map, Wu Wanli gave an order over the radio.

Clearly, the coordinates he chose were the core support points where the US military was stubbornly resisting.

Moreover, he did not choose to bombard the tanks charging ahead, since that would have made it very easy to accidentally injure his own troops.

On the other end of the walkie-talkie, Lei Gong seemed to have already pressed his ear to the receiver.

The very next second after the order was given, his hoarse roar exploded across the artillery position: "All units, at your positions! Coordinates..."

Top priority! Coverage bombardment!
Five rounds of rapid fire!

"Beat them! Beat them! Beat them!!!"

Upon receiving the order, rows of American-made howitzers and field guns instantly raised their dark muzzles under the operation of the elite artillerymen.

With their hands numb from the cold, the volunteer soldiers loader almost roughly stuffed the heavy 105mm and 155mm high-explosive shells into the gun barrel.

The breechblock snapped shut with a series of clicks, like the sound of death sharpening its blade, echoing through the wind and snow!
"Ready—Fire!!!"

The Thunder God roared and swung his command flag down fiercely!

“BOOM Boom Boom Boom!!!”

In an instant, a roar as powerful as an avalanche erupted from the artillery position!
Dozens of deadly fire lines roared through the air, flying at high speed across the battlefield and striking the precisely marked area!
The U.S. commander was waving his pistol and loudly ordering his infantry to hold the line and fire from the wreckage.

American soldiers lay prone on the cold snow and behind broken steel bunkers, frantically pulling the bolts and firing their guns.

Suddenly, an extremely dense and terrifying howl came from the sky!
"call out----------!"

In an instant, the experienced veteran's face turned ashen.

"Artillery barrage!!! Take cover—!!!"

Upon seeing this, a U.S. military officer immediately shouted loudly.

However, it was too late to hide!

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

The first wave of shells hit the ground almost simultaneously, and the deafening explosions formed a series of deadly thunderclaps!

A blinding flash of light instantly engulfed the entire area, and the earth trembled violently!

"boom!"

A huge, orange-red fireball suddenly exploded!

A makeshift heavy machine gun bunker, along with its four gunners and an M1919 heavy machine gun, was blown to pieces!

The mixture of flesh and steel was thrown high into the air by the shockwave, and then blasted even higher by the subsequent explosion.

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

The dense barrage of shelling exploded wildly within the marked area of ​​50,000 li, instantly evaporating or turning the snow into scalding mud!

The US infantry squad that had been firing fiercely just moments before vanished without a trace, leaving behind only charred, smoking shell craters and scattered limbs.

A U.S. armored personnel carrier that was hiding behind an anti-tank ditch and preparing to fire was hit in the top by at least two 155mm grenades!

Its body was like a can that had been smashed flat by a giant hand, and all the occupants were instantly crushed to pieces!
Thick, choking black smoke billowed into the air, carrying flames and dust, instantly obscuring the sunlight and snow!

The violent shockwave swept outwards, blowing away American soldiers who were close to the perimeter of the bombing zone!
The deafening roar drowned out all the gunfire, shouts, and dying cries on the battlefield.

Not only the fortified positions and firing points, but also the advancing US tank groups suffered devastating damage.

Three Sherman tanks were on the edge of the artillery fire zone. One of them had its top flipped off, and thick smoke and flames gushed out.

A tracked vehicle was blown off and lay tilted in a crater.

Another tank was shaken by the massive shockwave, causing its internal parts to become displaced, its engine to stall, and its hatch to be blown open, leaving the American tank crewman covered in blood as he crawled out.

Although the remaining American tanks were not directly destroyed, the drivers were disturbed by the violent shaking and the shockwave of the explosion, the vehicles swayed violently, and the gunners completely lost their sight and target!

Their momentum was instantly interrupted, and they even seemed bewildered and lost.

The infantry groups that the US military had just organized collapsed instantly!

Overall, about two hundred American soldiers and the three partially disabled tanks were completely wiped out under five rounds of terrifying, rapid artillery fire!

Craters were piled up one after another, scorched earth covered scorched earth, emitting the stench of burnt flesh.

American soldiers who were not in the exact center of the coverage area were either blasted with blood from their ears and noses or thrown to the ground by the shockwave while experiencing tinnitus and fear.

Lei Gong, on the artillery position, looked through his binoculars at the billowing black smoke and continuous flashes of fire, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"Report to the commander! The artillery barrage is very effective!"

That was so satisfying! Requesting the next round's objective!

Lei Gong grabbed the phone and shouted in a hoarse voice with a hint of glee.

"Well done! Adjust the coordinates to...!"
That area is the only way for the two enemy reinforcements from the south and west of the city to pass through!

Directional angle correction, extended firing range, three-round coverage!
Break their kneecaps! Let them crawl over here!

Looking at the American reinforcements on the Sky Eye map, Wu Wanli continued to order the coordinates to be reported.

Soon, with his order, the artillery positions adjusted their angles slightly, and the muffled loading sound rang out again.

At this moment, Lieutenant Colonel Jones, who was in charge of commanding the remaining troops in the eastern outer perimeter of the city, was hiding in a relatively sturdy bunker, his face covered in blood.

"Hey guys in the south and west of the city, can you hear me?"

We were subjected to a devastating artillery barrage by the Chinese!
At least two hundred people! Several armored vehicles and tanks are gone!
The enemy's artillery fire is too intense! Where are the reinforcements from the south and west of the city?
We need reinforcements immediately! Otherwise, the eastern position will be completely lost!

"Let's help our senior out, since we're both West Point students!"

Lieutenant Colonel Jones, his voice trembling with fear, roared into the walkie-talkie.

However, what came through the walkie-talkie was no longer a response, but a new round of deathly howls!
The new coverage bombing that Wu Wanli just requested has begun!

Two American reinforcements, ordered to urgently reinforce the eastern positions from the south and west flanks of the city, had just left their respective fortifications to provide support.

Suddenly, the sky was torn apart by a barrage of artillery shells once again!
It wasn't the destructive storm that was concentrated in one point like before, but two barrages of death that swept across their inevitable path like combs!

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

Before long, a large number of shells began to fall on their marching route, on the flanks of the formation, and even precisely in the center of their sparse formation!

The sudden and intense shelling instantly plunged the two reinforcements who had just stepped out of their fortifications into hell!
Compared to the terrifying point-to-point elimination just now, this artillery barrage, although slightly less dense, focused more on extended coverage and killing personnel.

The shockwave from the explosion slammed down and sent American soldiers flying on the snow, while shrapnel spun wildly among the American reinforcements.

The American platoon at the front was instantly blown to pieces, and the troops behind it were thrown into chaos.

The American soldiers scattered and fled, searching for any ditch, embankment, or crater where they could hide, but being exposed in the open made them perfect targets!
After three rounds of artillery fire, the open snowfield was covered with twisted corpses, struggling, seriously wounded soldiers, abandoned weapons, and severed limbs.

The first two platoons were almost wiped out, and the follow-up troops were also bombed and disorganized, leaving the commander unable to regroup.

Before this new force even entered the battlefield, it had already been turned into a frightened bird by the steel storm, with more than a third of its soldiers killed or wounded.

The smoke and dust had not yet cleared from the main battlefield in the east of the city.

Lieutenant Colonel Jones listened to the cries of agony and explosions coming from the south and west of the city over the walkie-talkie, and felt utterly hopeless.

The last remaining reinforcements were pinned down by artillery fire halfway to their destination!
On the battlefield before him, the Seventh Steel Brigade's charge surged once again under the cover of artillery fire!
After confirming through the Sky Eye Map that the enemy forces had been severely weakened and their reinforcement speed had been drastically reduced, Wu Wanli immediately turned all his attention back to the present.

The US military's counterattack has now been crippled!
The remaining few tanks and about four hundred infantrymen, whose morale had plummeted to rock bottom, were making their last stand!

"Yu Congrong! Gao Daxing! Pinghe!"
Blow up the rest of the American troops!

All tanks! Provide cover for the main charging force!

Target: Depleted enemy tanks! Charge!

Tank Number One too! Push it forward!

Wu Wanli roared at a Sherman tank ahead that had just recovered from the shock of the artillery fire and was beginning to rotate its turret.

Soon, the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade launched a new round of fierce attacks, and the turret of the No. 1 tank immediately began to spin rapidly.

"Armor-piercing rounds! Quickly!!"

The volunteer soldier's loader used all his strength to stuff in another heavy armor-piercing shell.

The engine of Tank No. 1 roared, its tracks kicking up mud and snow as it surged forward!

Wu Wanli himself was also pushing forward; he wanted to get close and fight the most dangerous close-quarters combat!

The captured American tanks and armored personnel carriers followed closely behind Tank No. 1 and charged toward the seven stunned American tanks!
At this moment, the distance between the two sides is rapidly closing!
"boom!"

A Chinese tank was hit in the track by a stray enemy tank shell during its charge, causing it to swerve and come to a sudden stop.

But another vehicle immediately followed up and blasted away the main gun of the American attacker!

"Da da da da da...!"

On the other side, the heavy machine guns mounted on Chinese armored personnel carriers fired fiercely, suppressing the American infantry who were crawling on the ground trying to launch a sneak attack with rocket launchers.

Several hastily fired US rockets grazed the armor plate and exploded on the ground.

"Target at three o'clock! That vehicle that's turning! High-explosive shell! Fire!"

Inside the No. 1 tank, Wu Wanli stared intently at his target amidst the jolting motion; it was a Sherman tank with a white star printed on the side of its turret.

A flash of light from the muzzle!
The high-explosive shell whistled as it slammed into the side of the connection between the target tank's hull and turret!
"boom!"

With a deafening roar and the agonizing sound of metal tearing apart, a huge gash was blasted open in the rear half of the Sherman turret, and the turret instantly stopped rotating.

"Charge! Smash it!"

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli gritted his teeth and roared.

At this moment, Tank One roared and accelerated, crashing into the side of the Sherman tank that had been half-destroyed by the explosion with a ferocious momentum that could crush everything!

“Bang—!!!”

In an instant, the ear-piercing sound of steel rubbing together and deforming made everyone's eardrums ache!

The first tank pushed the nearly overturned Sherman forward for another seven or eight meters before stopping, pinning it firmly to the edge of a large crater!

The American soldiers inside the tank turret were completely disoriented by the impact, and the hatch was so deformed that it couldn't be opened at all!

Almost at the same time that the No. 1 vehicle crashed, the main infantry assault line of the Seventh Steel Brigade arrived!

"kill--!!!"

Gao Daxing took the lead, with his rifle fixed to a bayonet, and was the first to jump into the remaining American trenches!

The soldiers behind him surged into the ravaged American positions like tigers descending a mountain, their fierce killing intent palpable!

The sounds of bayonets piercing flesh, grenades exploding at close range behind cover, the screams of the dying, and the desperate roars instantly filled every corner of the eastern outskirts of the city!
The American infantry, already demoralized after losing armored cover, completely collapsed in the face of the overwhelming charge after the terrifying artillery fire and tank bayonet fighting!

Many American soldiers dropped their weapons, knelt in the snow with their hands raised, and shouted in broken English, "Surrender! Surrender!"

The fates of US military tanks varied.

The two vehicles were brought to a complete standstill and surrendered after being hit by a barrage of submachine gun fire, grenades, and approaching bazookas that either blew off their tracks or destroyed their engines.

One vehicle was riddled with holes by concentrated fire from three Chinese tanks.

A vehicle attempted to ram the other but was overturned by a side shell.

As soon as a car was reversing, the periscope and observation port were pierced by the Pinghe sniper team, who had been aiming at it all along. The turret hatch opened, and several blood-covered American soldiers crawled out of the turret to surrender.

Two more were destroyed by Wu Wanli's No. 1 tank!
Just as the outer positions on the east side of the city were completely captured, the morale of the two American "reinforcements" on the south and west sides of the city, which had been reduced to less than a hundred men by artillery fire, also collapsed.

They were terrified and scrambled back home!

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

The headquarters of the United Nations forces in Shuainan City.

"General! The entire eastern defense line is destroyed!"
Lieutenant Colonel Jones' final report stated that the eastern part of the city had been almost completely razed to the ground!

The reinforcements from the south and west of the city were blocked by heavy artillery halfway to the east of the city, and our people were fleeing back to the city!
Damn it, that armored unit that broke through was actually Chinese in disguise!
General, the garrison at the outer perimeter of Shuainan City has suffered more than half its losses and can no longer hold the position!

If we let the soldiers outside the city hold out to the death, they will probably all surrender!

If we order a retreat now, I estimate that of the original 2500 defenders outside the city, only 700 or 800 will eventually be able to withdraw!

The U.S. military communications officer reported, his voice trembling.

"What!?

How could it have gotten like this?!
Damn it, this isn't just the loss of a thousand or two infantrymen outside the city, but also the last armored force inside the city!
Immediately... immediately order all outer perimeter troops to abandon all positions outside the city!
Order all the men outside the city to immediately return inside!
Then close all the gates! Quickly!!!

Upon hearing this, Li Qiwei was shocked. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he clutched his chest, his face pale, and roared angrily.

"Yes, sir!!!"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Van Fleet, barely recovering from his astonishment, quickly agreed.

(End of this chapter)