Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 345 Annihilating 10,000 Enemy Troops, and Victoriously Advancing to the Rear!
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

The instant the signal flare soared into the sky, the artillery detachment unleashed a continuous barrage of destructive fire from its long-prepared cannons!

Dozens of artillery pieces of various types, positioned on the protruding cliffs on both sides and the reverse slope of the valley entrance, roared with earth-shaking force!

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

A barrage of shells tore through the air, whistling with the death knell, precisely covering the main canyon road and the shallow depressions on either side that provided cover for American troops.

In an instant, the area centered on the US Army's leading armored battalion and the vanguard convoy of the 9th Infantry Regiment was completely engulfed by the flames of the explosion and the billowing smoke!

The powerful blast wave spread visibly, whipping up mist, dust, gravel, and even tattered truck tarpaulins into the sky.

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

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

Dozens of light and heavy machine gun positions simultaneously spewed deadly flames from the cliffsides on both sides of the canyon and from the camouflaged positions in the dense forest!
The heavy machine guns' muffled, continuous roar, the light machine guns' rapid, dense whistling, and the interspersed spray of submachine guns instantly intertwined to form an impenetrable net of fire, relentlessly sweeping towards the road below.

Bullets rained down like a storm, slamming into the armor of the American tanks with ear-piercing, sharp clangs and sparks.

It struck the truck's metal cargo box and hood, instantly tearing countless holes in them.

Some bullets even penetrated sandbag bunkers and mounds of earth, kicking up clouds of dust.

Meanwhile, American infantrymen who were exposed outside the carriages or frantically jumping out of the train and looking for cover fell to the ground in droves.

In an instant, large amounts of crimson blood from American soldiers quickly seeped and spread across the khaki-colored road.

"Sizzle—! Boom!"

“Whoosh—Boom!”

At the same time, the bazooka rockets, trailing conspicuous white smoke, crashed down from the ambush point into the advancing American tanks!

The armor-piercing projectile penetrates the side armor or the relatively weak top and rear armor, causing a violent secondary explosion!
Some US military tanks had their fuel tanks ripped open and their ammunition detonated!

The turret of a Pershing tank leading the charge was blown more than ten meters into the air, crashed against the canyon wall, and then rolled down.

A Sherman tank burst into flames, turning into a scorching steel tomb, and the crew inside were instantly reduced to charred remains.

Another vehicle, with its tracks broken, spun helplessly in place, becoming an obstacle to the blockade of subsequent vehicles and a target for concentrated fire!

ambush position

Wu Wanli's Heavenly Eye Map, deep within his consciousness, was instantly activated, revealing the entire canyon's terrain in minute detail.

The dense array of red dots representing the U.S. military split into three distinct streams along the winding, narrow road.

At the forefront, the reconnaissance company and vanguard battalion convoy of the 9th Infantry Regiment, along with the main force of the armored battalion, were trapped in the first death trap constructed by artillery and machine gun crossfire.

The red dots are flashing violently and decreasing rapidly, while the units representing vehicles are also dimming or coming to a standstill.

Shortly after came the main force of the U.S. 9th Regiment and the vanguard of the 38th Infantry Regiment, which was hastily advancing to try to reinforce.

They were deep within the ambush pocket, and their formation began to become chaotic and congested.

At the very back were the main force of the 38th Regiment, the division's artillery detachments, and a large logistics and supply convoy.

The massive but cumbersome red tide was blocked near the valley entrance, temporarily within the range of mortar and long-range machine gun fire, but had not yet entered the ambush's core area.

The blue dots representing the Seventh Steel Brigade are like a pack of wolves poised to pounce, firmly occupying every high point and every pre-set position on both sides of the canyon.

The artillery detachment's fire coverage was precisely defined in the area with the densest concentration of red dots at the forefront.

The barrage of heavy machine guns from the fire support detachment and light machine guns and submachine guns from the assault detachment was primarily aimed at the American infantry attempting to deploy and charge in the middle and rear sections of the canyon.

The anti-tank teams were clearly marked near several key bends in the road and areas prone to traffic jams. Their rocket launchers and anti-tank grenades were crucial for crippling armored formations.

The armored guard battalion's armored group has not yet launched its attack; it is lying in ambush in a pre-designated concealed passage in the forest, its engines humming as it warms up!

"Thunder God! Move the artillery fire forward two hundred meters! Cover the main force of the US 9th Regiment, the vanguard! Block the advance route of the US 38th Regiment from the rear!"

"Yu Congrong! The heavy machine gun team has suppressed the enemy machine gun nest that is gathering behind the earthen embankment on the right!"

They're going to suppress our ambush point with firepower! Coordinates XX-XXX! Covert fire!

"Gao Daxing! Send out several assault teams! There's a recoilless rifle hidden behind the sandbag fortifications 50 meters ahead! Send sappers to blow it up! Quickly!"

"Anti-tank team 4! At the 11 o'clock position, that M26 parked at the corner is still firing!"
Concentrate fire first! Hit its rear engine compartment with armor-piercing incendiary rounds!

Wu Wanli looked at the real-time Sky Eye map and instantly sent out micro-operation commands via radio.

Every mobilization and every allocation of firepower is based on his God-like perspective, which is unattainable by others.

Every struggle of the US military seemed to be within his expectations.

"Whoosh—Boom!"

Lei Gong's artillery group quickly adjusted its landing point according to the order, and the shells seemed to have eyes, hitting the middle of the main force of the US 9th Regiment and the vanguard of the 38th Regiment that were gathering.

The violent explosion and shockwave instantly tore the newly formed counterattack formation to shreds once again!
A truck carrying U.S. soldiers was overturned by the blast wave and rolled down the ravine.

"Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump!"

Yu Congrong's heavy machine gun team immediately turned their guns around, and a series of heavy machine gun bullets lashed out like scorching steel whips, striking the earthen embankment on the right.

Several M1919 heavy machine guns had just been set up there in an attempt to suppress the firing positions on the left side of the hillside of the 7th Steel Brigade.

Before he could even fire a few complete bursts, he was covered by a hail of bullets.

The makeshift sandbags were smashed to pieces, the fortifications were deformed, and the archers and assistant archers inside were instantly riddled with bullets.

Under the cover of the smoke from the explosion, one of the engineers from Gao Daxing's No. 2 assault team crawled to the side of the recoilless rifle bunker and stuffed a three-kilogram explosive charge into the gap of the temporary sandbags supporting the fortification.

"hidden!"

The engineers from the Seventh Steel Corps pulled the fuse and rolled away.

"boom!"

In an instant, the massive explosion sent the entire bunker and the gunners inside flying into the air.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three rockets, trailing white smoke, swooped down from the high ground on the left side of the canyon and slammed into the side armor of the lone M26 Pershing tank that was firing continuously at the corner!

Two crisp sounds, and a ricocheting bullet!
However, the third armor-piercing incendiary round successfully penetrated the tank, and the high-temperature metal jet carried by the warhead instantly ignited the fuel and ammunition inside the tank!

"boom--!!"

The secondary explosion was more powerful than artillery fire!

The turret of the American tank was thrown five or six meters into the air, thick smoke and flames spewed out, and American infantrymen within a few meters who tried to salvage the tank or take cover were instantly turned into charred corpses!
Thus, the vanguard tank column of the US 2nd Division's armored battalion suffered a devastating blow within minutes of the 7th Steel Brigade opening fire.

The roads were paralyzed, and the blocked vehicles became perfect targets. Shells and rockets rained down accurately, turning the steel behemoth into burning scrap metal.

The surviving crew members had just crawled out when they were taken down by a hail of machine gun fire.

Soldiers of the U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment put up a desperate resistance, relying on destroyed vehicles and limited roadbed potholes.

Their troops were completely suppressed, and every attempt to regroup or set up firing positions was interrupted by pre-calculated artillery fire, causing casualties to rise precipitously.

At this moment, on the US Second Division command vehicle
"Report! Armored battalion...signal lost! Communications vehicle destroyed!"

"The 3rd Company of the 9th Regiment is disorganized, and the company commander has been killed in action! We need air support!"

The radio was filled with screams and the incessant sounds of gunfire and explosions in the background.

Division Commander Kaiser's face was ashen, and his fingers squeezed the communicator casing so hard it cracked.

"Commander! Chinese mortar positions have been spotted on the left flank hillside, suppressing our machine gun teams!"

The rear guard reports that a small unit of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army is attempting to outflank our rear!

The chief of staff of the U.S. Second Division reported.

"Damn it, bring up the division's guard company! Form a supervisory team!"

Signalman! Order all units: Anyone who retreats without authorization will be executed on the spot!

The officers led the retreat; those who violate military law will be dealt with! Stay put!
Organize a circular defense! All tanks and machine guns that are still operational, provide full cover for the infantry to seize the high ground on both sides of the road!

Tell them that air support is on its way! The 1st Cavalry Division is also en route!
"If you want to live, hold on!"

As he spoke, Kaiser drew his pistol and, along with several staff officers and a group of military police with cold eyes and distinctive armbands, walked against the flow of people toward the direction where the gunfire was most intense.

At that moment, the sound of Thompson submachine guns being chambered by the members of the 2nd Division's supervisory team was particularly jarring, striking like a death knell in the hearts of every American soldier who intended to retreat amidst the chaos.

"Halt! Return to position!"

"Anyone who retreats will be killed without mercy!"

The shouts of the U.S. military police, accompanied by gunfire into the air, quickly quelled the panic spreading in the core area.

Under the threat of gunfire and death, the routed American soldiers, with red eyes and heavy breathing, had no choice but to blindly fire up the hillside again, searching for cover.

The surviving tanks, though limited in mobility, began to organize a targeted counterattack thanks to their thick armor and powerful main guns.

The turret rotated, fiercely retaliating against the exposed firing positions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

The US heavy machine guns were also adjusting their positions, weaving together a network of suppressive fire. Although scattered, they stubbornly resisted the fire coming from all directions.

For a time, the US military's resistance became tenacious and orderly.

Although it was a passive defense, the offensive of the Seventh Steel Brigade encountered unprecedented resistance due to the use of armored units as support points.

The battle in the middle of the canyon became a stalemate, with every step forward coming at a great cost.

The main command post on the ambush position of the Seventh Steel Brigade.

"Wanli, the US military command area is under control!"

They desperately defended themselves using armored vehicles and pre-prepared trenches, and were still firing blindly at our mortar positions like madmen!
The fire support unit lost three heavy machine gun crews!
The second assault team on the flank of Gao Daxing's detachment was pinned down in a depression by enemy tank main guns, suffering over half its casualties!

Liu Hanqing quickly reported.

"We can't delay any longer."

If we fight a war of attrition, once the US reinforcements and air superiority arrive, we will be surrounded in the canyon and suffer a complete defeat!
Sound the bugle! Target: The last surviving armored force of the US military!
Launch the final assault immediately, at all costs, and crush their tanks!
"Tell Lei Gong to stop being stingy with his shells! Fire them out at the key artillery coordinates I gave you, cover this final attack!"

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli immediately wrote down the coordinates according to the Tianyan map and gritted his teeth to give the order.

"Yes!"

The bugler straightened his chest abruptly, took a deep breath, and raised the gleaming bugle to his lips.

"Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep!!!"

The sound of bugles tearing through the air rang out instantly.

Upon receiving Wu Wanli's order to charge and the precise coordinates, Lei Gong's artillery detachment immediately concentrated its firepower.

All available artillery pieces were reloaded and bombarded the core positions that the remaining American tanks and infantry relied on with extremely high speed.

The shells primarily landed inside the US military's perimeter defenses and at the remnants of tanks.

The massive explosion and blast wave not only directly destroyed temporary shelters and killed personnel, but also produced a powerful shock effect.

The thick smoke and dust generated by the explosion formed a natural shield, obscuring the view of the US troops and greatly weakening their observation and aiming capabilities.

The US military's defensive strongpoints were instantly engulfed in flames and chaos, and the defense system was forcibly torn open in many fatal gaps.

The US military's defensive lines were also relentlessly torn apart and suppressed by artillery fire.

The sharp bugle call echoed through the canyon, mingling with the roar of the "Thunder God's" artillery fire, becoming the stirring prelude to the general offensive.

At this moment, Wu Wanli took the lead, holding a submachine gun, and shouted sharply:
"Attention all personnel! Target: enemy armored target! Anti-tank team, follow me! Destroy the tank! Charge!!!"

In an instant, the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Brigade on both sides of the canyon swarmed out from behind cliffs, dense forests and rocks.

Using the smoke and dust created by the artillery fire as cover, the soldiers swiftly descended the mountain like cheetahs, heading straight for the core American positions on the highway.

The heavy machine guns, light machine guns, and mortars of the fire support brigade opened fire at full force, forming an extended fire network to suppress the remaining American infantry and any targets that attempted to peek out and fire.

Bullets rained down on the American positions, sending sandbags flying and sparks flying, forcing most American infantrymen to keep their heads down.

Gao Daxing's assault team followed closely behind Wu Wanli and launched an attack, using submachine guns and grenades to clear the way and quickly eliminate the scattered American infantry who were putting up a panic or were fleeing along the way, thus securing the assault route.

Under the suppression of artillery and machine gun fire, the US military was unable to organize an effective infantry counterattack, and sporadic resistance was quickly overwhelmed.

Wu Wanli took the lead and was extremely flexible in his tactical movements, using the burning vehicle wreckage and shell craters to quickly advance.

His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and through the "Sky Eye Map," he instantly locked onto the precise location and weak points of several American M26 Pershing tanks that were rotating their turrets in an attempt to retaliate.

"Anti-tank team! Team 1, left! Shoot at the rear of that Pershing with the broken track!"
Group 2, right! Go around to the back of the embankment and hit the side radiator grille of the car at the bottom of the slope!

During the charge, Wu Wanli continuously issued precise instructions via radio and hand gestures.

Armed with bazooka rocket launchers and anti-tank grenades, the assault team soldiers, like the Grim Reaper's scythe, under the direct guidance of Wu Wanli, split into small groups and approached the target tank from multiple tricky angles.

“Whoosh—Boom!”

“Whoosh—Boom!”

Multiple rockets, trailing white smoke and accompanied by the roars of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, accurately struck the target tank's fatal weak point.

A Pershing was hit in the rear, and the engine compartment instantly burst into flames, triggering a secondary explosion of the ammunition. The entire rear was blown open, with flames and thick smoke shooting into the sky.

Another Pershing, hidden on the reverse slope, had its side armor torn open by an armor-piercing projectile, which penetrated the vehicle and detonated the ammunition. The turret shook violently, the hatch was blown off, and thick black smoke billowed out.

Meanwhile, Wu Wanli personally led a group to approach a Sherman whose turret was still rotating.

Using an overturned truck as cover, he calmly commanded: "Side, 45 degrees, attack the armor above the wheels!"

A volunteer soldier emerged from behind a bunker, carrying a rocket launcher on his shoulder. With a roar, the rocket accurately hit the designated location, instantly paralyzing and igniting the Sherman.

Within minutes, the remaining armored forces of the US Army were picked off one by one by the anti-tank teams of the 7th Steel Brigade, turning them into piles of burning scrap metal.

The tank crews were either killed or wounded, rendering them completely incapable of fighting. "Objective achieved! Sound the retreat horn! Withdraw immediately!"

Seeing the last few American tanks turn into fireballs, Wu Wanli did not linger in battle and immediately issued a retreat order to Liu Hanqing and Lei Gong in the rear via radio.

"Beep beep-beep-beep-beep!"

The urgent retreat bugle call replaced the charge bugle call, echoing through the smoke-filled canyon.

The machine gun and mortar firepower of the fire support detachment suddenly increased, providing final fire support to suppress any possible pursuit attempts by the US forces.

Gao Daxing's assault team was divided into two groups: one group stayed behind to guard the rear, while the other group quickly gathered the wounded.

Wu Wanli directed the teams: "Each group will provide alternating cover! Retreat to the designated assembly point according to the pre-planned route! Take the wounded with you! Quickly!"

The officers and soldiers of the Seventh Steel Corps were highly skilled in tactics. Under the cover of dense fire, they disengaged in an orderly manner like a tide and quickly retreated to both sides of the canyon along the pre-set retreat route.

Yu Congrong's heavy machine gun team was the last to withdraw from the position. Before leaving, they launched one last fierce volley of fire, creating even more smoke and dust to obstruct the view.

After receiving the retreat signal, Lei Gong's artillerymen fired a rapid burst of fire from some positions as a farewell gesture, and then quietly began to pack up and move away.

Meanwhile, on the US military command vehicle

"Commander, something terrible has happened!"
The Chinese army launched a desperate assault, willing to suffer heavy casualties to destroy our tanks and armored vehicles.

Our armored forces are now destroyed, and the Chinese army is fleeing!

Moreover, the troops that entered Fupingli were attacked fiercely by the Chinese army as soon as they entered a portion of the territory.

So Fuping Village had already been captured; we'd fallen into a trap!

"The chief of staff of the U.S. Second Division said anxiously."

"Damn the China Steel Seventh Brigade, so that's what they were planning!"

Have the troops in Fupingli withdraw immediately and wait for the main force to move together, so they don't get wiped out as a whole.

The main force of the US 2nd Division here turned around and gave chase; we absolutely cannot let them escape like this!

Upon hearing this, Division Commander Kaiser stared in shock for a few seconds before roaring angrily.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Division of the United States immediately agreed.

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

On the canyon road ravaged by artillery fire,

The surviving M4 Shermans and a few light tanks that were still barely operational acted as the vanguard, their engines groaning laboriously as they carefully maneuvered around or pushed aside the wreckage blocking their path.

"Quick, quick! Everyone keep up! Don't let those yellow-skinned monkeys get away!"

The U.S. Army platoon leaders and sergeants shouted themselves hoarse, urging their soldiers to advance.

The surviving soldiers of the U.S. 9th Regiment ran shakily, occasionally tripping over fragments of corpses or craters on the ground.

Each sporadic sniper shot from the hillside and woods ahead sent them sprawling like startled birds, firing wildly in any suspicious direction and wasting their already limited ammunition.

"Damn coward! Get up! Get up!"

The military police supervising the operation waved their pistols and fired shots into the sky.

"boom!"

"boom!"

The gunshots were exceptionally piercing in the narrow valley, adding to the chaos and fear.

Even under such low morale, the US Second Division relentlessly pursued and ran wildly under Kaiser's pressure.

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

On the high-speed moving command vehicle of the Seventh Steel Corps.

Liu Hanqing stared intently at the telegrams and simplified situation maps sent back from the observation post behind him and said, "Wanli, the fish has taken the bait."

The US 2nd Division, like a mad dog with bloodshot eyes, is chasing after our retreating troops along the predetermined route.

Judging from the size of the troops, the 9th Regiment should be leading the way, followed closely by the 38th Regiment, with their light tanks clearing the path.

The formation was long and disorganized; the soldiers were exhausted, their will to resist was weak, and they were being forced to advance.

With his eyes closed, Wu Wanli's mental map unfolded like a three-dimensional sand table.

The blue lights representing the Seventh Steel Brigade are retreating in an orderly manner along several pre-designated paths, splitting into several groups.

The red lights from the Second Division of the United States twisted and surged into the more open area outside the canyon, which was surrounded by low hills.

That area had been prepared in advance and had been carefully selected by Wu Wanli as the final counterattack site.

"Tell Gao Daxing's detachment to keep their rearguard 'tail' in place!"

When you're attacked, make it look real; when you retreat, make it look quick; act convincingly!
Only light weapons are permitted for harassment, aiming to exhaust the enemy's physical and mental strength to the greatest extent possible!

Let them always believe they can get a piece of meat!

Tell Yu Congrong's detachment that after the fire support team reaches the designated position, they should stop shelling for ten minutes to give them the illusion that we are running out of ammunition.

Tell the reconnaissance scouts to keep a close eye on the distance between the US pursuit vanguard and the main force, as well as the flank observation posts, and to pay close attention to whether the enemy has discovered our ambush zone in advance!

Slow down! We're still three kilometers from the final counterattack point. Even if we lose a few more soldiers, we must lure them into position!

After thinking for a moment, Wu Wanli immediately picked up the walkie-talkie and gave orders to his subordinates.

"understand!"

On the other end of the walkie-talkie, responses immediately came from the various commanders and soldiers.

Despite suffering minor casualties, the pursuit by the Second Division of the United States "successfully" drove the "tail" of the Seventh Steel Brigade into a rout, finally approaching the open area west of Fupingli.

The retreating Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers ahead also seemed to have exhausted their strength, and their speed slowed down significantly.

"Look! They can't run anymore! Charge them!"

"Ahead lies the outer high ground of Fupingli! Once we reach that high ground, we can establish a position and hold out for reinforcements!"

The U.S. military officers, as if given a shot of adrenaline, roared and urged their soldiers to speed up.

The formation became even more scattered in the slightly open terrain, with armor and infantry almost completely separated, and exhausted infantry and heavy weapons left behind.

Division Commander Kaiser's command vehicle also drove to the edge of the open area.

Looking at the shadow of the seemingly within-reach Fupingli Heights in the distance, and then at the few Volunteer Army soldiers fleeing in disarray ahead, as well as the chaotic formation of his own troops stretched out due to the pursuit, an ominous premonition began to grow in his heart.

But the die was cast, and the obsession with annihilating the Seventh Steel Brigade overwhelmed everything else.

"Order the rear guard to catch up quickly! Don't fall behind! Capturing the high ground ahead is victory!"

Division Commander Kaiser held up his binoculars, observing as he urged.

Unbeknownst to him, deep within that seemingly quiet open space, with only a few low shrubs and shallow gullies, behind the hillsides on both sides, lay the true killing move of the Seventh Steel Brigade.

The armored guard battalion's ten T-34 medium tanks and twenty American-made M26 Pershing heavy tanks, along with their elite infantry, were already idling, their guns pointed straight at the path the American troops were bound to take.

The tank crews held their breath, awaiting the decisive signal.

The loader's palms were sweaty, yet he steadily held the next armor-piercing or high-explosive shell, ready to be loaded into the breech at any moment.

The infantrymen accompanying the vehicle gripped their submachine guns, rifles, and anti-tank grenades tightly, their eyes fixed on the designated ambush area like wolves before a hunt.

Time passed second by second, each second seemingly stretched out.

The vanguard of the US forces, consisting of several M24 Chaffee light tanks and a platoon of infantry, had already charged into the pre-designated "pocket."

Following closely behind were even more densely packed infantry and heavy machine gun teams.

The main force of the US 2nd Division was in a formation that resembled a long snake with its head and a small part of its body recklessly darting in, while its entire belly and even its tail were still dragging outside the open ground.

The cold, precise voice of a reconnaissance scout lurking behind US lines came through the radio: "Commander, most of the target has entered the pre-designated pocket! Its vanguard armored units have reached the narrowest point of the 'pocket'!"

The rearguard is still three kilometers away! Requesting action!

Without the slightest hesitation, Wu Wanli grabbed the radio transmitter, his deep voice booming like thunder through the earpieces of every lurking ambush unit:
"Armored Guard Battalion! Target: Enemy vanguard light armored and infantry group!"

T-34 crews numbered one through ten, high-explosive shells!

Pershing crews numbered 11 to 30, pre-loaded with armor-piercing rounds! Their firepower covers areas A1 to A3!
Three rapid shots! Fire!

The moment the order was given, thirty thunderclaps seemed to explode on flat ground behind the desolate hillside!

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

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

The main guns of the T-34 and the M26 Pershing roared simultaneously!

The massive shockwave from the cannon muzzle violently pushed the bushes and dust around the tank outwards, creating a brief but clearly visible huge cone-shaped blast wave.

Thirty shells, with a devastating shriek and scorching trails, tore through the air at high speed, slicing through a distance of less than a kilometer.

These shells landed in the densest vanguard area of ​​their ranks almost as soon as the American soldiers heard the sound of the artillery fire!
"Bang!!!"

"Bang!!"

"Boom——!!!"

First came a deafeningly loud explosion! Then came a series of violent secondary explosions!

High-explosive shells wreaked havoc among US infantry groups and lightly armored targets!
At the epicenter of the explosion, a massive fireball and column of smoke instantly rose up, carrying blood mist, dirt, human remains, and equipment fragments!
The shockwave, visible to the naked eye, spread violently in a circular pattern, throwing American soldiers within a radius of ten or twenty meters into the air like pieces of paper or slamming them to the ground.

The Chaffee light tank's thin armor was like paper when hit directly by a high-explosive shell, and the turret of one Chaffee was blown off.

The other vehicle had a large hole blown open on its side and burst into flames instantly.

The armor-piercing rounds fired by the Pershing tank accurately targeted the Sherman tanks clearing the way and the American machine gun positions attempting to organize a counterattack.

High-speed armor-piercing projectiles slammed into the frontal or side armor of the US Sherman tanks, producing a tooth-grinding metallic clang and tearing sound!
The relatively thin armor of the US Army's Sherman was instantly penetrated!

The scorching metal jets shot out, tumbled, and ignited inside the cramped tank!
Some of the American Shermans that were hit had their turrets explode and be blown away, while others had their sides pierced and ignited their engines, turning them into burning torches!
In just one round of shelling, the US light tanks and accompanying infantry, which were at the forefront, were almost wiped out!
The highway and the open land on both sides were completely plowed out!
Thick smoke and black fumes quickly spread, blotting out the sky!

The US troops were instantly thrown into enormous chaos and utter panic!

"Artillery fire! Artillery fire! Damn it! It's an ambush!"

"Tanks! They have a lot of tanks!"

"Take cover! Find cover quickly!"

"Our tanks are finished! Finished!"

The screams, desperate cries, and officers' futile shouts were instantly drowned out by the even more violent storm of steel.

"Armored Guard Battalion! Offensive formation! Activate!"

At this moment, Wu Wanli entered the Pershing tank No. 001 and gave a loud order.

"Boom!!!"

Like a dormant steel behemoth awakening, the dense and awe-inspiring roar of tank engines drowned out all other noises.

Thirty steel armored vehicles, at full speed, charged out from behind the hillside with heavy resolve!

Leading the charge were ten T-34 tanks, which were relatively light and mobile. They formed a tight wedge-shaped attack formation, splitting into two groups like two sharp bayonets, and rushed at high speed toward the American infantry assembly area on both sides of the road, which had lost cover due to the chaos.

The T-34 tank's main gun continuously spewed out high-explosive and shrapnel shells, while the front machine gun in the co-driver's seat, like the Grim Reaper's scythe, relentlessly sprayed bullets.

Following closely behind the T-34, the armored guard battalion infantry jumped off armored personnel carriers or trucks, using the tank hulls as mobile cover, and hurled their submachine guns and grenades at any stubbornly resisting firing positions or groups of people.

The M26 Pershing heavy tanks followed closely behind the T-34s, and they were larger, had thicker armor, and were more powerful.

Instead of scattering, they ran directly over the main road, which was less blocked by the wreckage of destroyed tanks and vehicles!

Twenty Pershing trucks formed a terrifying, indestructible steel barrier.

Their tank main guns continuously spewed out armor-piercing and high-explosive shells, accurately targeting American squads attempting to set up anti-tank guns or recoilless rifles in the distance, or any area that looked like a command post.

Coaxial machine guns and roof-mounted 12.7mm heavy machine guns wove together a blazing net of fire covering the entire road surface. The tracks relentlessly crushed corpses, wreckage, and craters, producing a chilling, grinding sound.

Wherever the steel torrent passed, the earth crumbled and flesh flew everywhere!
"Kill! Kill them back!"

"Avenge our fallen comrades!"

All the fire support groups of Yu Congrong Detachment and Gao Daxing Detachment opened fire from the high ground around the ambush area!

Heavy machine guns and mortars fired fiercely at the American soldiers who had been scattered by the armored formation and the main American rearguard that was in a state of panic and hesitation about whether to advance!
Meanwhile, the US 2nd Division command withdrew.
"Damn it, why is there still an ambush!"
Those cunning Chinese monkeys, they all deserve to go to hell!!!

Commander Kaiser roared angrily as he watched the American soldiers being mowed down by the dense barrage of fire.

"General, now is not the time to be angry. Quickly order a retreat."

The 1st Cavalry Division is almost at the battlefield. We can withdraw, preserve our manpower, and then send a telegram requesting their support to expedite the process. After all, as long as we withdraw, we still have a chance to counterattack and annihilate the Chinese 7th Steel Brigade!

Upon seeing this, the chief of staff of the US 2nd Division said anxiously.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"
However, the telegram requesting assistance should not be written in an unpleasant way. Just say that there is a Chinese elite division hidden near Fupingli assisting the Chinese 7th Steel Corps in combat.

We only made a safe retreat after annihilating tens of thousands of enemy soldiers and gaining a significant advantage!

Despite the brutal battle, Division Commander Kaiser gritted his teeth and gave the order, still concerned about saving face.

"After annihilating 10,000 enemy soldiers, should we advance victoriously to the rear...?"

"Yes, sir, I'll relay the order right away."

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff of the US 2nd Division could only respond with a wry smile.

(End of this chapter)