Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 339 Bloody Battle on the Eastern Front! When foes meet on a narrow path, the brave prevail!

Outside Yangkou City, the command post of the Volunteer Army's Eastern Front Assault Group

"That was so much fun! So much fun!"
The commander has approved our plan for a decisive battle on the eastern front. Nearly 70,000 elite American troops from three main American divisions will fight us to the death!
If we win this battle, we can coordinate with Wu Wanli's long-range flanking maneuver to launch a lightning strike and return directly to Seoul!

Kong Jie looked at the battle report in his hand and said with a hint of excitement.

"Look at this Kong Erlengzi, he looks like he's never seen the world before!"
Seoul is just one example; it's not like we haven't fought there before.

If you ask me, if we win this decisive battle on the eastern front, the only thing left on the American devils' flank will be the puppet South Korean troops.

Let's be bold and take advantage of the situation to outflank Suwon from behind, and wipe out the hundreds of thousands of UN troops all at once!
Let's finish this war as soon as possible so we can go back to China for dinner and drinks!
Ha ha ha ha……"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong also spoke excitedly.

"Old Li, I think we can't let our guard down this time. If we lose, it will mean the collapse of the eastern front of our Volunteer Army."

"The American mechanized forces will be able to outflank us even faster than we can. If the retreat route of our million-strong army is cut off, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

After carefully reading the documents given by Zhi Si, Ding Wei spoke seriously.

"Old Ding is right. In this major battle, we were actually at a disadvantage in terms of troop strength and combat power."

To gain the upper hand, we need to take advantage of the time difference before the 1st Cavalry Division arrives.

Ideally, we should annihilate the US 2nd Infantry Division before the 1st Cavalry Division even arrives.

Zhao Gang thought for a moment and then said.

"The headquarters ordered us to trap the Second American Division, and to trap them for as long as possible."

Even if we eventually lose control and allow them to break through, we must hold them firmly at the rear and not let them have any free hands to attack.

Otherwise, the worst-case scenario would be that the US 2nd Infantry Division and the US 1st Cavalry Division would attack Wu Wanli and his men in Fupingli from both sides.

Even if Wu Wanli is a genius, he won't be able to withstand it.

Strategically, we must despise our opponents, boldly advance, and boldly formulate strategic goals.

However, tactically, we must take our opponent seriously and execute every step with utmost effort.

Li Yunlong nodded and said.

"I'm afraid we won't be able to contain them. The US 2nd Division has dozens of tanks, plus armored vehicles, totaling over a hundred vehicles."

Coupled with their powerful artillery fire and intense bombing raids, we couldn't hold out even if we tried our best.

My 12th Army is responsible for the dense defensive fortifications that have been built on the west and north sides, and has destroyed all the nearby bridges and roads.

This was to prevent the Second US Division from breaking out and quickly launching a lightning attack on Fupingli to put pressure on the Seventh Steel Brigade.

Ding Wei sighed and said.

"Old Li, why don't we do what Old Ding did and blow up all those bridges and roads?"

Even if the US 2nd Division tries to break out, they'll have to slowly repair roads, which will greatly slow down their march!

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie immediately looked at Li Yunlong and offered his suggestion.

"Hey you, you idiot Kong, don't try to blow up bridges like Ding Wei all the time."

You two really don't know the value of money when you're not in charge of the household.

If you blow up all the roads and bridges, how will we live?
Putting aside everything else, the daily needs of tens of thousands of soldiers in two military battalions, including their food, drink, and toilet needs, as well as the artillery shells and bullets fired every day, require an enormous amount of logistical support.

If I were the commander of the Second Division of the US Army, and I saw that you had blown up all the bridges and roads, I would just stop walking!

We'll stay in Yangkou City and wear you down for two days until our logistics can't keep up and we run out of ammunition and food. Then we'll launch an attack with artillery and air support, combined with armored assault!

By then, we won't even have enough shells left. What will we use to fight their tanks and armored vehicles?
The US 2nd Division is not like the Nationalist Army; they can truly scatter both of our armies, and even systematically divide and annihilate our subordinate divisions!

Li Yunlong shook his head and said.

"Well... Old Li, you're right. If we don't bomb them, we might not be able to stop their attack."

If we let the Second US Division escape like that, all the pressure will fall on the Seventh Steel Brigade!

Kong Jie looked at the battle map and said with a hint of anxiety.

"Old Li, just tell me what's on your mind."

Others may not know, but I know very well that you have an extraordinary number of clever ideas.

Ding Wei looked at Li Yunlong and asked.

"Hey, Old Ding really understands me!"

As Lao Tzu once said, "When two people meet on a narrow path, the brave one will win!"

But we have to make sure this narrow passage is well-prepared!

We'll blow up the north, east, and west sides, leaving no road untouched!

If it weren't for the lack of time and manpower, I would have blocked even the back roads!
There's only one main road to the south, so let's not blow it up!

I have already arranged for Wu Qianli to lead the 81st Division to build layers of defensive positions on the road leading south to Fupingli.

If the American devils dare to cross the border, Wu Qianli will lead the 81st Division to block and delay them, slowing down their progress and depleting their strength and morale.

By the time the Second US Division arrived at Fupingli, it was already a weary force, which greatly reduced the pressure on the Seventh Steel Brigade.

Li Yunlong said with a smile.

"Let Wu Qianli lead a division to block and delay, and finally let Wu Wanli lead the Seventh Steel Brigade to completely block them in Fupingli."

"They really are brothers who fight tigers together!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang couldn't help but sigh.

"The remaining troops consist of exactly five divisions, and four divisions can be used to block all four sides and resolutely resist the attack."

Zhang Dabiao's 80th Division is my trump card; I'm keeping it as a reserve force.

Once the US 2nd Division has made a real breakout attempt, I'll send Zhang Dabiao's 80th Division to take its place.

Even if we can't stop them, we have to tear a piece of flesh off the Second Division of the United States!
Just do as I say and get ready.

"Unsheathe our swords and let those American devils see the strength of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army!"

Li Yunlong slammed his hand on the table and said passionately.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone responded loudly in unison.

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

Meanwhile, inside Yangkou City, at the headquarters of the 2nd Division of the United States.
"General, according to reconnaissance by the Air Force, the Chinese army has recently been bombing bridges and destroying highways on a large scale."

In this short period of time, they have blown up all the bridges and highways on the east, west, and north sides.

The southern side remains unexploded, presumably to ensure their logistical support.

General Ridgway ordered us to accelerate our breakout and launch a full-scale blitzkrieg at Fupingli.

Otherwise, the longer the battle drags on, the lower our morale and fighting spirit will become, and the more thoroughly the Chinese army's defensive fortifications will be repaired.

"That's what the chief of staff of the U.S. Second Division said."

"But the 1st Cavalry Division is still on its way."

"If we attack Fupingli so quickly, and the 1st Cavalry Division doesn't arrive by then, wouldn't we be vulnerable to a fierce attack from the Chinese army taking advantage of the time difference?"

Division Commander Kaiser frowned, and said somewhat hesitantly.

"General, we might have been able to buy time before because of such strategic considerations, but that's no longer possible."

We wouldn't have to worry about the Chinese army whether they bombed everything or not, but they deliberately left a major road to the south.

If we bomb everything, it will cut off their supply lines, and we can sit in Yangkou City and waste some time.

When the Chinese army runs out of food and ammunition, we will launch a lightning-fast attack with armored forces and powerful air and artillery firepower.

At that point, it won't be a breakout; it will be a devastating blow to these Chinese troops!
Don't forget why we fought this decisive battle on the Eastern Front.

It was due to political factors, diplomatic implications, and the morale of the entire UN forces that the rescue of the Anglo-French-American mixed regiment in Fupingri, a unit of special significance, was necessary.

Considering the progress of the campaign, we should seize the opportunity to launch this decisive battle on the eastern front.

But as long as we defeat Li Yunlong's eastern assault group and move south without any worries about our rear, our 2nd US Division alone will be enough to support the garrison at Fupingli in their breakout.

In this situation, the 1st Cavalry Division wouldn't even need to be deployed; they could launch a surprise attack on the western front, catching the Chinese army completely off guard!

The chief of staff of the U.S. 2nd Division pointed to the battle map and carefully analyzed the situation.

"That's true, but what if they don't bomb it?"

"I asked the deputy commander of the 2nd Division of the US Army."

"If they don't bomb, they will have to defend all four sides, and their troops and firepower will be extremely dispersed, making it difficult to stop us."

Now that they only need to defend the south, it is estimated that they will put their most elite troops in the south, and even block most of their artillery and anti-aircraft guns in the south.

Even... it might be more than that.

If I were Li Yunlong on the other side, I would also send an elite force to build fortifications and set up ambushes along the way.

When we arrived at the walls of Fupingli, there were at most two full-strength regiments left.

Division Commander Kaiser deduced with a wry smile.

"The general has indeed seen this step. In fact, by now, both the American and Chinese armies have revealed their true intentions and are using open strategies."

We can't delay any longer; the longer we delay, the worse it will be for us.

We must launch a full-scale attack before their layers of fortifications and ambushes are ready.

The strategy is already set, but the tactical impact on the overall situation is more difficult to determine.

What matters most is fighting spirit and raw strength.

The chief of staff of the U.S. Second Division took a deep breath and said.

"Alright, very good, old buddy. You've strengthened my resolve to fight to the death."

Thinking about it now, the Chinese army isn't so scary after all.

Our 2nd Infantry Division is a heroic unit that has participated in major battles such as the North African campaign, the Sicilian campaign, and the Normandy landings.

It also inflicted heavy damage on the German 7nd Panzer Division and entered Berlin in July 1945!
"We can even defeat the German army, let alone these Chinese troops!"

Division Commander Kaiser smiled and gave a relaxed pep talk.

However, the officers in the command post were not particularly excited; on the contrary, they were still quite uncertain.

Kaiser's claims about the glorious history of defeating the German army are true, but the Chinese army had already given them a sound thrashing long ago.

Before Wu Wanli even entered Korea in 1950, the US 2nd Infantry Division was already stunned in the Battle of Chongchon River, and was reduced to a mere 8,000 men before retreating in disarray.

"Everyone, even if we set aside the good and bad historical records, that's fine."

This battle was not about glory; it was about survival and escaping.

If they were defeated, they would have only two options: to die in battle or to be imprisoned in a prisoner-of-war camp.

Go and get ready. Two hours later, the air force and artillery will bombard the area, and the armored battalion's 48 tanks and 52 armored vehicles will lead the way!
No matter what, we must first break through the encirclement of the Chinese army's eastern front group!

Division Commander Kaiser clenched his fists and roared.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately agreed.

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

Two hours later, the US Second Division's breakout began, with the Air Force group taking the lead.

The roar of an airplane engine echoed in the sky south of Fuping Village.

“Buzz buzz buzz buzz——”

First came a low, rumbling sound that pressed down from the depths of the clouds, like a rolling boulder, getting closer and louder.

The soldiers of the 79th Division, crouching in the newly reinforced trenches, instinctively shrank their necks and gripped their cold weapons tightly.

The sound wasn't from just one or two planes, but a deafening roar.

"Air raid—!!"

"Beep—!"

In an instant, sharp whistles and desperate roars rang out simultaneously.

Tan Ziwei stood behind the observation post of the forward command post, his face tense.

As far as the telescope could see, the sky was pierced by a large number of fast-moving black dots, swooping down like a flock of eagles spotting prey.

"All personnel take cover! Enter the artillery bunkers! Heavy machine gun company, take your positions! Initiate anti-aircraft fire!"

Tan Ziwei's orders were short and forceful, and were relayed down through the rudimentary wired telephone and the communications soldiers' passwords.

The entire southern defensive position of the 79th Division instantly sank into a rapid yet orderly chaos.

The volunteer soldiers quickly disappeared into the foxholes and deeper bunkers, leaving only observation posts and anti-aircraft machine gunners behind.

The first wave of American fighter jets roared down, their engines whistling through the air, followed by the heavy thud of bombs detaching from their racks.

The black cylinder, exuding an aura of destruction, plummeted straight towards the earth.

"Boom—! Boom! Boom boom boom boom—!!!"

The earth trembled violently.

The enormous fireball, carrying mud, rocks, and broken tree trunks, exploded violently. The shockwave, like an invisible giant hand, violently ripped up the loose soil on the ground and threw it in all directions.

The trenches near the point of impact were instantly flattened, and the sturdy log support beams groaned and broke under the shockwave.

The explosions continued unabated, colliding and overlapping repeatedly in the mountains, creating a devastating symphony.

Visibility was completely obscured by thick smoke and dust, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur and an even stronger stench of blood.

However, this is just the beginning.

Almost as if the aftershocks of the aerial bombs had not yet dissipated, another low and orderly roar surged from afar.

That was the roar of the US artillery under unified command.

Tan Ziwei's fingers gripped the soil tightly at the edge of the bunker.

He didn't need to look at the map to know that the hidden artillery positions on the southwest side of Yangkou City were now all pointing their guns upwards.

The 2nd Infantry Division's artillery regiments, along with reinforced artillery battalions, possessed a number of 105mm and 155mm howitzers that far exceeded the total number of heavy artillery pieces available to the entire Chinese People's Volunteer Army's Eastern Front Group.

A sharp, piercing sound tore through the murky air, like the whistle of death.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh—!!!"

A dense barrage of shells slammed down.

Unlike the devastating single-unit explosion of aerial bombs, artillery fire aims for continuous and dense coverage of firepower.

The flames from the explosions were no longer scattered, but instead formed rolling seas of fire, sweeping across the Volunteer Army's pre-arranged positions with a plowing-like force.

Shrapnel, accompanied by shockwaves, flew in all directions, reaping all exposed lives.

The soil covering the top of the bunker collapsed under the continuous heavy impact, and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers inside were so shaken that they bled from their mouths and noses, and their internal organs seemed to be displaced.

The carefully disguised fortifications were easily overturned, and the exposed trenches were repeatedly "trimmed" by large-caliber grenades, collapsing and deforming in sections.

The radio antenna mast was shattered into pieces by a direct hit from a 155mm shell, mingling with the flying blood and flesh.

The shelling continued at an astonishing intensity for a full half hour.

When the overwhelming barrage of artillery fire turned into sporadic, precise shots, the entire frontline position was completely unrecognizable.

As the smoke cleared, a hellish scene came into view.

The scorched earth was emitting wisps of smoke, and the craters were as numerous as those on the surface of the moon. Broken wood and mangled limbs were scattered across the cracked ground.

Some bunkers were completely destroyed, and the surviving soldiers struggled to crawl out of the mud and ruins, their faces covered in blood and their ears ringing.

But no one flinched. The surviving officers and veterans of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army roared, "Prepare for battle!"

"The enemy is coming up!"

"Infantrymen, take the wounded to firing positions!"

"Machine guns in position! Anti-tank team—ready!!"

Tan Ziwei took a deep breath and continued to observe.

At the edge of the horizon, on the only passable road to the south that had not yet been destroyed, and across the open fields on either side, a torrent of steel appeared.

Under the cover of the smoke billowing from the artillery barrage, the vanguard of the US 2nd Division moved out.

"Rumble————"

For a moment, the roar of the engine drowned out the groans of the injured.

Leading the charge were the massive Pershing heavy tanks and the relatively lighter but more agile Shermans.

The steel behemoths formed several attack arrows, their tracks kicking up mud and snow, and rolled over with unstoppable force.

Sunlight occasionally pierced through the smoke of gunpowder, reflecting a dazzling halo on their cold armor.

Accompanying the tanks were M3 half-track armored vehicles equipped with large-caliber machine guns, and trucks carrying a large number of infantry.

Further away, countless American soldiers wearing M1 helmets and bulky winter clothing advanced rapidly in skirmish lines behind tanks and armored vehicles.

In the sky, several liaison and calibration aircraft circled at low altitude, indicating targets for subsequent artillery fire and air strikes.

"Hold your ground! Get closer and fire!"

For a time, the shouts of commanders at all levels echoed across the remaining positions.

The 79th Division's position was deathly silent, with only the suppressed coughs of the wounded and the soft scraping of weapons against the bunkers.

The volunteer soldiers held their breath, staring intently at the approaching steel behemoths from the twisted edges of the trenches, from the muddy water of the shell craters, and from the firing ports of the half-collapsed bunkers.

The demolition expert clutched the explosive charge and anti-tank grenade tightly, awaiting orders.

800 meters... 600 meters... 500 meters...

As the lead Pershing tank drove into the edge of a pre-marked minefield—

"Boom! Boom boom boom!"

In an instant, anti-tank mines were detonated one after another, sending flames and dirt shooting into the sky.

One Sherman tank, which had been charging too fast, broke its left track and became disabled, blocking part of the route. The other tanks were forced to slow down and try to go around it.

"Open fire! Give them a good beating!"

The roar of the Volunteer Army frontline commander was like a spark thrown into boiling oil.

"Dong dong dong dong dong dong..."

"Da da da da da da..."

In an instant, various light and heavy machine guns roared, and dense bullets swept towards the infantry and armored personnel carriers behind the tanks like a waterspout.

The exposed American infantry were instantly cut down in droves, falling with screams of agony.

The machine gun turrets of the armored vehicles also returned fire fiercely, and the firepower of both sides intertwined in the air, with tracer bullets flying like locusts.

"Anti-tank team! Charge!"

Concealed on the reverse slope of the position and in the trenches, the anti-tank teams, carrying heavy cocktails, anti-tank grenades, cluster grenades, and a small number of super bazookas, charged bravely toward the tanks, taking advantage of the shell craters and the terrain for cover.

The battle instantly entered its bloodiest and most brutal phase.

The bullets struck the tank armor with a clanging sound, sending sparks flying.

Under the suppression of machine gun and artillery fire, the demolition team soldiers advanced almost crawling, paying the price of their lives for every step they took.

Soldiers were frequently hit by tank machine gun fire or accompanying infantry fire during their charge, falling onto the burning frozen ground, their explosive charges rolling to the side.

Some brave soldiers successfully rushed to the side or rear blind spot of the tank, disregarding the coaxial machine gun fire from the tank turret and tearing their comrades to pieces, resolutely pulling the fuse of the explosive charge and rushing towards the cold tracks.

"boom!!!"

In the violent explosion, the side armor of a Sherman was ripped open with a hideous gash, the turret tilted and burst into flames.

The tank crewmen who escaped from the vehicle were immediately mowed down by rifle fire that extended from the position.

However, the firepower density of the US military far exceeded the expectations of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

Their tank turrets spun wildly, their main guns roared incessantly, and close-range bursts destroyed one stubborn machine gun emplacement after another, scattering dirt and human remains everywhere.

Although the shelling decreased, it did not stop. Guided by observation aircraft, the US howitzer groups began to suppress the deep positions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and possible mortar positions, while simultaneously eliminating heavy machine gun emplacements that threatened tanks.

The American correction aircraft overhead were like leeches, constantly issuing orders to guide the artillery fire from the rear to intercept the 79th Division's stubbornly organized counter-attack force, or to call in the circling fighter-bombers to dive again.

Explosions continued outside Tan Ziwei's command post, causing the logs on the top of the bunker to creak and the dust to fill his eyes.

He stared intently at the battlefield situation map, on which the pressure levels of various frontline support points were marked with red and blue pencils.

Several company-level positions reported more than half of their personnel killed or wounded, and one even just reported that its company commander had been killed and its deputy company commander was seriously injured and unable to command.

The anti-tank teams suffered even heavier losses. Faced with a tank formation that possessed absolute armor superiority and was protected by accompanying infantry fire, even if the soldiers risked their lives, their destruction efficiency was extremely limited.

"Report on the division commander!"

The 8th Company of the 3rd Battalion on Hill 3 was breached by an enemy tank platoon and a large number of infantry, and the position was lost!

Prepare for a counterattack!

"Report on the division commander!"

The three gaps in the left-wing anti-tank trench were filled by US engineers using bulldozers!
A large number of enemy tanks and infantry are pouring in from there!
The pressure on the First Battalion has increased dramatically; they request reinforcements!

Bad news poured like ice water onto Tan Ziwei's heart.

He looked through the constantly shaking observation port.

On the left flank, where their own firepower was gradually thinning, several Pershing tanks, protecting armored personnel carriers, had already rolled over a damaged anti-tank ditch.

The American infantrymen on the vehicle were jumping off and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers who rushed up to block their advance.

Further away, countless U.S. reserve troops are pouring in.

The battle lasted for about an hour, with the American offensive surging like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the next.

The soldiers of the 79th Division displayed astonishing fighting will and resilience.

The machine gun barrels were red-hot, and there wasn't time to replace them, so the soldiers climbed to higher ground and used submachine guns and rifles to fire at the firing windows of the armored vehicles and the infantry.

Ammunition supply lines were cut off by artillery fire, and soldiers picked up the ammunition of their fallen comrades, and even threw stones at the enemy.

The position changed hands repeatedly; no sooner had one wave been repelled than another surged forward.

The anti-tank teams charged forward almost desperately, often sacrificing the entire team to disable a single tank.

However, the gap in strength is a cold, hard reality.

The US military's artillery fire and air strikes are always a sword hanging over their heads.

Tan Ziwei watched helplessly as several defensive strongholds, which had only been temporarily stabilized after suffering heavy casualties, were finally secured.

In the blink of an eye, it was covered by napalm and rockets dropped by several "Thunder" fighters that swooped down again, instantly turning it into a hellish scene of rising flames.

The soldiers and wounded inside were reduced to ashes before they could even cry for help.

Although tanks in the U.S. military's armored formations have been continuously destroyed or damaged, their core strength remains intact.

With their heavy armor, they served as mobile fortresses, covering the infantry as they gradually eroded the Volunteer Army's defenses.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling incredibly long.

Tan Ziwei's face grew increasingly grim, and he bit his lip until it bled.

The chief of staff reported in a hoarse voice the real-time casualties and ammunition consumption of each regiment: "The first regiment has suffered nearly 40% casualties, and its anti-tank grenades and explosive charges have run out!"

The Second Regiment's position was compressed by one-third, and more than half of its officers at the company level and above were lost!

The division's artillery company had only three mortars left to fight back, with less than ten shells!

The heavy machine gun company damaged one enemy aircraft with anti-aircraft fire, but lost three machine guns..."

The clamor of the battlefield seemed far removed from the command post, leaving only the sound of his own rapid heartbeat.

Tan Ziwei knew that the 79th Division was nearing its end.

Although their morale remained high, the soldiers continued to defend their positions inch by inch with their blood and lives, delaying the enemy.

However, the integrity of the defense system is collapsing, and the intensity of firepower is decreasing rapidly at a visible rate.

The US military's offensive showed no signs of slowing down.

Their reserve forces are still being deployed, and the intensity of the shelling is beginning to increase, clearly aiming to break through this already crumbling defensive line in one fell swoop.

If an irreparable breach is torn open in the south, allowing the Second American Division to advance towards Fupingli without suffering significant losses, the consequences would be unimaginable.

No more hesitation.

Tan Ziwei turned around abruptly and clearly commanded:

"Send a telegram to the army commander immediately!"

Our unit was attacked by the enemy with overwhelming air and artillery firepower and a powerful armored formation. Our division fought a bloody battle, suffered heavy casualties, and ran out of ammunition!

Several key support points at the forefront have been breached, and the defense system is on the verge of collapse!
The enemy's main force is continuously pouring in through the gap on the left flank!
Commander, please immediately order Zhang Dabiao's 80th Division reserve to the battlefield!

Urgent! Send it now!

"Yes!!!"

Knowing the urgency of the situation, the division chief of staff quickly agreed and ran down to relay the message.

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

Inside the command post of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's Eastern Front Assault Group

"Old Li, you guessed right, the Second Division of the US Army really did try its best to break through to the south."

Tan Ziwei said the pressure and casualties over there are immense, and he is now sending a telegram requesting reinforcements.

Kong Jie anxiously handed the telegram to Li Yunlong and quickly said.

"We can't delay any longer. The US military has only suffered close to two thousand casualties so far. We absolutely cannot let such a intact US 2nd Division pass through."

Upon hearing this, Ding Wei immediately offered a reminder.

"That's right, we can't put so much pressure on Comrade Wu Wanli."

Upon hearing this, An Changsen quickly echoed.

"Old Zhao, you go and supervise the power generation yourself. Tell Zhang Dabiao to take the 80th Division and immediately enter the southern position to support Tan Ziwei's 79th Division."

In addition, the US Air Force's bombing campaign is almost over. Get the artillery ready and unleash a full-scale bombardment!
After bombing one round, quickly move to a prepared concealed position and hide. Don't lose all my resources.

This battle requires at least another two hours of holding out to buy time for Wu Qianli's 81st Division to build layers of defensive positions and to further weaken the US 2nd Division.

"Right now, it's easiest for them to break through our defenses. But once we start chasing them, it won't be so easy."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately gave the order.

"Okay, I'll go and personally supervise the rapid power generation right away!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang quickly agreed and turned to leave.

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

Not long after, just as the steel torrent of the US 2nd Division was about to tear apart the 79th Division's defenses, the resounding bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army pierced the sky.

"Drip drip drip drip drip drip—"

Zhang Dabiao drew his bayonet and was the first to leap into the enemy ranks; the 80th Division was like a sharp knife piercing the flank of the American forces.

The battlefield instantly turned into a carnage!
The sounds of bayonets clashing against entrenching tools, tanks crushing bunkers, and dying soldiers screaming filled the air.

Seeing that their near success had been thwarted again, Division Commander Kaiser, with a grim face, mobilized all his reserves to launch a wave-like assault, with each wave of attack less than five minutes apart.

A certain high ground changed hands thirteen times in seven hours, and the rocks were soaked through with blood for three centimeters.

When the last Pershing tank rolled over the trench, only seven Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers remained standing on the hill.

At this time, inside the joint command post of the 80th and 79th Divisions

"Report to Division Commander Tan! Hill 3 has fallen! Three American tanks, accompanied by infantry, are advancing towards the flank of the main position!"

A communications soldier from the 79th Division, covered in mud, tumbled and crawled out of the thick smoke, shouting loudly.

Upon hearing this, Tan Ziwei turned his bloodshot eyes to Zhang Dabiao, who had just climbed up the steep slope, and pointed to the northeast where the artillery fire was most intense, saying:
"Old Zhang! Hill Three has fallen!"
The flanks are wide open! The US armored spearhead is poised to strike!

The 80th Division has to block that breach! Otherwise, the whole passage will collapse!

Through the thin gaps in the smoke, Zhang Dabiao could clearly see three Pershing tanks rolling along Hill 3 toward the trenches behind the 79th Division's main position.

The towering vehicle charged almost recklessly, its tracks sweeping away the remaining barbed wire, sandbag bunkers, and all obstacles into the mud with devastating force.

Following behind the tanks, the US infantry, relying on this mobile steel fortress, were firing wildly, suppressing the scattered firing points on the main position that were trying to counterattack.

The breach is widening rapidly, like a fatal rupture suddenly torn in a dam.

If it had been a second later, the flood would have completely submerged everything.

"Blow the bugle! Charge again!"

"Reserves, charge! Tear apart that son of a bitch's flank!"

Without a second's hesitation, Zhang Dabiao roared.

"Beep beep beep beep—beep beep beep beep beep—"

The bugler, who had been waiting in ambush, puffed out his cheeks and his chest heaved violently.

In an instant, the bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army sounded again for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

"kill--!!"

"Rush!!!"

The moment the bugle sounded, the reserve soldiers of the 80th Division roared with unrestrained fury as they charged forward with Zhang Dabiao.

Like lava suddenly surging from beneath the dormant earth's crust, it is scorching and frenzied.

Zhang Dabiao's figure was like a black arrow released from a bow, leaping out from behind the ridge like a tiger descending a mountain, heading straight for the three Pershing tanks that were still recklessly crushing our trenches!
All the soldiers of the 80th Division who witnessed this scene were as if they were suddenly pushed forward by an invisible force. Without any orders, they roared and swept towards the enemy's flank like a flood that had burst its banks.

The battleground erupted in chaos.

The living world has vanished, leaving only a purgatory of blood and fire.

The 80th Division, a fresh force, was positioned precisely between the American tanks and subsequent infantry that had just broken through Hill 3 and were attempting to sweep towards the main position.

Zhang Dabiao's charge was not reckless madness; he chose an extremely cunning landing point, right next to a huge shell crater on the edge of the Pershing tank's track, which was a blind spot in the tank commander's observation tower.

"Cover the commander! Demolition team, the one on the left!"

The roar of Wang Xikui, the platoon leader of the guards, drowned out the gunfire.

Behind him, several soldiers carrying explosive packs and cluster grenades rolled and leaped like raccoons among the rubble, stubbornly approaching the second tank on the left by using the shell craters and burning vehicle debris.

"Puff puff……"

Bullets from the Pershing tank's machine gun grazed Zhang Dabiao's leather hat, sending up scorching air currents as they thudded against the sandbags behind him.

Taking advantage of the brief opening when the tank turret turned to the other side to suppress the main position, he suddenly lunged forward, his body sliding close to the scorching side armor of the tank, and his right hand immediately opened fire on the infantry following behind the tank with his submachine gun!

"Da da da da da-"

A burst of bullets sprayed a deadly net of fire at close range.

Several American soldiers who were firing out of their seats fell backward as if struck by a heavy hammer, their blood splattering onto the cold, frozen ground.

"Grenade!"

Zhang Dabiao roared as he emptied the magazine.

A bodyguard following behind swiftly threw two smoking Soviet-style stick grenades.

"Boom! Boom!"

The blast wave, carrying debris, surged from behind the tanks into the American infantry, and screams echoed throughout the area.

This sudden attack from behind left the lead Pershing tank without infantry cover, exposing its sides and rear completely.

It clumsily tried to turn on the spot, and an American machine gunner poked out from the roof of the turret, trying in a panic to regain control of the situation.

"Fuck your mother!"

A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Dabiao's eyes, and his body leaped up like a spring compressed to its limit.

The instant the gunman pulled the trigger, his left hand gripped the scorching hot barrel like steel, enduring the excruciating pain of his palm burning, and used the momentum to swing his entire body upwards. His right hand's bayonet transformed into a cold, icy glint, viciously and accurately piercing the machine gunner's exposed jaw from bottom to top!

He could even feel the subtle vibrations of the blade piercing through his muscles and shredding his cartilage, and warm liquid gushing out!

The American machine gunner's body went limp instantly, sliding back into the cabin, where screams and curses could be heard muffledly through the thick steel plates.

Without lingering in battle, Zhang Dabiao suddenly drew his bayonet, curled up, and rolled down the other side of the tank, falling into a deep shell crater.

The movements were fluid, ruthless, and efficient—the very fighting techniques honed through countless battles and crawling through piles of corpses.

Almost at the moment he landed, a huge ball of flame, accompanied by a thunderous explosion, rose up where he had just stood!
It was a high-explosive shell fired from another US Pershing tank behind them that blasted that spot into an even larger crater, with metal fragments and pieces of frozen soil raining down on Zhang Dabiao's back.

Fortunately, the crater he rolled into shielded him from the deadly shockwave.

"Fuck his mother!"

Zhang Dabiao spat out the mud in his mouth, shook his buzzing head, and felt as if all the bones in his body had fallen apart.

Through the billowing smoke, he saw the turret of the first Pershing tank spinning frantically, its hatch half-open, clearly indicating that the internal chaos had temporarily deprived the American forces of their focus of attack.

This is the opportunity he needs!

"Quick! Fuel tank!"

He yelled at the edge of the pit. His guard platoon had caught up.

Just then, a lithe figure braved the bullets coming from the flank and lunged at the rear of the isolated Pershing tank.

It's Wang Xikui!

His face was blackened by smoke, and his arms were wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, but his movements were not slowed down at all.

Without hesitation, he shoved a huge explosive charge into the gap between the tank's engine grille and the hatch, lit the fuse, and then rolled violently to the side!
"boom--!!!"

A deafening explosion sounded!

The entire rear structure of that Pershing tank bulged up like a can being crushed by a tremendous force, and then disintegrated!
Flames erupted from within like a volcanic eruption, spraying outwards violently along with scorching metal fragments and pieces of human flesh!
The thick, black oil slick was ignited and flowed onto the ground with a whoosh, forming a burning lake.

The vehicle twisted violently and came to a stop at an angle, leaving only the chilling crackling sound of flames engulfing the wreckage.

The scorching heat swept across an area of ​​several meters, illuminating the faces of the soldiers around them, which were covered in gunpowder and blood.

"Old Zhang! Well done!"

Behind the ruins of the command post in the distance, Tan Ziwei, who was closely watching the battle, slammed his fist into the charred wood beside him and roared hoarsely. For the first time, his bloodshot eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Counterattack! Push Hill 3 back for me!"

Zhang Dabiao successfully pulled out the most ferocious fang and severed the connection between the US military's breakthrough and its forces, like throwing a heavy boulder into a turbulent sea of ​​blood.

The officers and soldiers of the 80th Division, who were engaged in fierce fighting, were greatly encouraged and, led by their grassroots commanders, charged fiercely at the American troops who had not yet established a firm foothold.

Bayonets, entrenching tools, rifle butts, fists, and even teeth—every means that could kill the enemy was used.

A brutal hand-to-hand combat erupted instantly and continued to rage on this slope of less than 200 square meters, the thick, pungent smell of blood almost suffocating.

At the same time, the pressure on the main position of the 79th Division suddenly eased.

Those warriors who persevered in despair let out weary yet exhilarating roars, unleashing their last strength to hold their ground and stabilize the nearly collapsed defenses.

At this time, inside the US Second Division command post
"General! The counterattack force on Hill 3 has suffered a massive counterattack! We've been driven back again!"
"The Chinese are a bunch of lunatics! They actually dared to engage in close combat with rocket launchers and explosive charges under the attack of a tank convoy!"

The chief of staff of the U.S. 2nd Division rushed into the operations room, not even having time to straighten his military cap, his face filled with undisguised terror.

"damn it!

They weren't soldiers at all! They were an army that Satan released from hell!

Can't wait any longer!
We can't afford to waste a single second!

If we wait any longer, the Chinese will build fortifications layer upon layer, dragging us to our deaths in this hell!

Put everything into it! Smash that hole!
All the remaining shells in the artillery battalion!
Tell those pampered young masters in the Air Force not to be stingy with their precious bombs!
Also, tell Colonel Jackson that his third, fourth, and all his units should launch a general offensive!

Don't give those yellow-skinned monkeys a chance to breathe!

Use tanks to crush them! Use artillery shells to smash them! Use planes to bomb them!

Even if I have to flatten this mountain, I want to see my tanks break through that damn ridgeline before sunset!

Otherwise, we'll all be stuck here forever!

Division Commander Kaiser slammed his fist on the table and roared.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff of the U.S. Second Division quickly agreed.

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

Soon, the entire US offensive system, like a beast with its spine broken, unleashed an even more frenzied and hysterical force after the initial chaos and pain.

Kaiser's command was like opening the gates of hell, unleashing all destructive power without reservation on this repeatedly ravaged land.

The offensive posture, which was originally intended to maintain pressure and a clear and orderly rhythm on the second line, was instantly replaced by a primal ferocity.

"Woo——"

The dull, piercing whistling of shells suddenly intensified by an order of magnitude, like the most frenzied movement of a death symphony playing overhead.

It is no longer a targeted strike in a specific area, but a blanket, indiscriminate bombardment.

The combined defensive zone of the 79th and 80th Divisions was completely covered by this torrential rain of steel and flames, and every inch of land trembled amidst exploding fireballs and billowing smoke.

The firelight illuminated half the sky, making it appear as if it were a perpetual twilight.

The fighter-bombers in the air also received the highest priority orders, and their shrill dives echoed one after another.

As the napalm bombs struck, the viscous flames opened like the gaping maw of a giant beast, instantly engulfing the entire forest and trench area, with billowing black smoke rising hundreds of meters.

The bombs, with their heavy whistling, tore open huge wounds in the earth, and the shockwaves crushed even solid fortifications.

Under such intense and overwhelming firepower, the US military's infantry offensive tactics underwent a fundamental change.

Kaiser pushed all three independent combat battalions onto the table like a gambler who had lost everything, without any regard for order or reservation.

Each battalion is organized into an independent "wave," with each wave led by several tanks, closely following the elite infantry assault group.

The first wave had just been suppressed or repelled by the tenacious blocking fire on the position, and before they could regroup, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army commanders and soldiers who had suffered heavy casualties on the position often only had time to drag back the wounded and replenish some ammunition before the ear-piercing sound of tracks crushing bricks and stones could be heard again.

The second wave of enemy troops, having already stepped over the corpses of their own men and the remains of their comrades, charged forward again within three minutes, braving the lingering smoke and rain of friendly artillery fire and shrapnel!
The entire southern front, especially the salient extending to both sides from Hill 3, became a huge, high-speed meat grinder.

Flesh, steel, and soil were endlessly thrown in, crushed, and thrown in again.

Zhang Dabiao had just caught his breath against a piece of overturned concrete wall. His glasses, covered in tiny cracks, were stained with blood and mud, making it almost impossible for him to see clearly.

The bandages that had been temporarily tied around his right arm were now showing a fresh, dark red color.

I just led my team to fight back against a reinforced American company's charge. After another hand-to-hand combat, my shoulder felt like it had been hit hard by something. The bone wasn't broken, but it hurt terribly.

"Commander! Get some water!"

The guard, Xiao Guo, handed over a water bottle with pitted edges; only the bottom was left inside.

Zhang Dabiao took it, shook it, and took a sip. The cool snow water, mixed with an indescribable earthy and rusty taste, slid down his throat, slightly suppressing the burning sensation.

Before you could even swallow it, that enormous, chilling roar, like a leech clinging to your bone, rolled back from the broken hillside ahead!

"They're here again! Those bastards are here again!"

A soldier holding an anti-tank rifle shouted hoarsely.

Zhang Dabiao wiped his face abruptly and looked through his blurry glasses.

Amidst the smoke and dust, a massive row of Sherman tanks reappeared!

Their massive bodies, carrying the scent of death, rolled over the wreckage scattered across the hillside and the huge, smoking craters, their steel tracks mercilessly churning up broken wood and twisted barbed wire.

Behind the tank, American infantrymen, dressed in bulky winter clothing, swarmed forward like locusts.

They dispersed under the cover of intense machine gun fire, their movements so fierce that they didn't resemble those of retreating soldiers who had just been driven back.

"Hahahahaha...

The American devils were far superior to the Japanese devils in terms of tactical coordination, firepower, and armor. It was so damn satisfying to kill them!

Tell the brothers to hold out for the last ten minutes!

"Just hold out for ten minutes to meet the enemy kill count and time limit set by the corps commander, then we'll retreat!!!"

Looking at the overwhelming American armored formations and infantry, Zhang Dabiao gritted his teeth and shouted the order.

(End of this chapter)