Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 351 Wu Wanli is promoted and temporarily commands the army, navy and air force, providing full support!

Command Center, Operations Room

"Can't open... still can't open!"

So many troops on the western front were pinned down in front of their pre-arranged positions by the enemy's air superiority and armored forces!
"It's been a day and a night, how much sacrifice has been made? Where is the breakthrough line?!"

The Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army put down the thick stack of telegrams in his hand, rubbed his temples and said: "The enemy on the western front is very clear in its intention to hold out in the fortifications and wait for reinforcements. Its airborne reinforcements have already blocked several key passes."

The fierce offensive on the western front resulted in significant casualties and made very little progress.

There were also attempts by troops to flank the enemy, but they were all driven back by enemy armored forces...

These plans either involve a localized offensive or a wider-ranging flanking maneuver.

However, facing the enemy's powerful firepower and aerial attacks, rashly deploying more troops would indeed pose a great risk.

But... where exactly is the breakthrough?
It's not really about seizing a lot of territory, but we can't launch a massive campaign with a million-strong army and end up with nothing.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside became even more somber.

The operations staff held their breath, no one daring to interrupt, a tremendous pressure weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.

With the western front proving unsuccessful after a prolonged offensive, the strategic window is gradually closing.

Once the US military completes its reinforcements and adjustments, the main force of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army will be bogged down in front of their positions, with unimaginable consequences.

Chief Chen slowly stood up, walked to the large window, and gazed at the dark night outside.

His slender back was ramrod straight, and his voice, though steady, carried a hint of barely perceptible fatigue as he said, "The Chief of the General Staff's analysis is correct."

The enemy is adept at using this 'magnetic tactic,' drawing in our main force and continuously inflicting casualties with naval and air firepower.

A full-scale attack now would be exactly what they want.

But we can't stop!
Once our offensive falters, the enemy will pounce like a wolf and turn the tables.

The breakthrough might not lie on the western front itself?

Does it require a larger-scale mobilization, or... perhaps a more unconventional approach?

"A surprise move? Li Yunlong's side is making good progress, holding back the US 2nd Division and a bunch of ragtag troops."

But Li Yunlong only had those two armies plus the Chaojiu Army, and he couldn't handle the tough challenges!
His troops could at most break through a gap, but they couldn't shake the overall situation on the western front!

What was the value of the Eastern Front?

"How much of a commotion can the Seventh Steel Brigade cause from just one direction?"

The leader sighed heavily and pointed to the Fupingli area on the eastern front of the map.

Clearly, his assessment of the Eastern Front was still based on containment and attrition.

Before he could finish speaking, the thick wooden door was suddenly pushed open.

The head of the operations department practically rushed in, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"Commander! Chief of the General Staff! Urgent battle report!"
"Eastern Front...Eastern Front Li Yunlong Corps...Steel Seventh Brigade...Great Victory! A tremendous victory!"

The shout was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly breaking the stagnant air in the command room.

Everyone turned to look at him abruptly, their eyes filled with disbelief and a flicker of hope that longing had been ignited.

"What's the panic! Speak slowly!"
What great victory? How far did the fighting go?!

Although the leader was also greatly shocked, he still maintained his dignified demeanor.

Li Tao took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, saying, "It's Comrade Wan Li from the Seventh Steel Corps! And the Fifth Logistics Regiment!"

They fought continuously in the area from Fupingli to the Hanjiang Gorge, and inflicted a major defeat on the US 2nd Division!
This is the detailed battle report!

The Chief of the General Staff stepped forward, snatched the telegram, and quickly unfolded it.

Chief Chen immediately gathered around, and lines of telegrams, thick with the smell of gunpowder, came into view:
"The 7th Steel Brigade, in conjunction with the 5th Logistics Regiment, ambushed the majority of the US 2nd Division at Fupingli on the eastern front. Using tactics such as exhaustion, a series of entrapments, and a decisive general offensive, they annihilated the majority of the US 2nd Division! The battle unfolded as follows..."

The telegram detailed a series of thrilling battles, including the Battle of Fupingli, the ambush, and the blocking action of filling the canyon.

From Wu Wanli's feigned attack on Pinghe to deplete the ammunition of the defenders in Fupingli, to the simultaneous all-out attack from four directions that breached the city.

Wu Wanli lured the US 2nd Division into the ambush zone and used dozens of light and heavy machine guns and heavy artillery fire to inflict a devastating blow on them.

Then, during the breakout of the remnants of the US 2nd Division, the commander of the 5th Logistics Regiment successfully led his troops in a desperate resistance at the canyon exit, staging a fierce charge and hand-to-hand combat between 800 Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers and 8,000 elite US troops...

In the end, in an attempt to break through the encirclement, General Kaiser, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, frantically ordered his artillery to indiscriminately bombard his own soldiers in the midst of the fighting, which finally managed to tear a bloody path through the enemy lines.

The remnants of the US 2nd Division numbered only 7,000, and with almost all of their heavy equipment lost, they fled in disarray toward Gangneung Port!

The Seventh Steel Brigade itself suffered more than half of its casualties, and the Fifth Logistics Regiment was almost wiped out!

The commander's hand holding the telegram trembled slightly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened with excitement.

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and said, "Good! Good Wu Wanli! Good Fifth Logistics Regiment!"
They actually crippled the U.S. Second Division, which the Americans called the "invincible division"!
He's been beaten into a stray dog!
Incredible! His military strategy is simply divine!

Such tactical audacity, such command artistry!
First, they forcibly removed the nails from Fuping Village, and then they set up a series of traps to lure the enemy into a massacre!

That final, decisive blow!
They managed to nearly wipe out this formidable team!
We always talk about daring to fight and struggle, but Wu Wanli has etched those four words, "daring to fight and struggle," onto the face of the Second Division of the US Army with steel and fire!

The Chief of the General Staff was also deeply shocked by this battle report, his face flushed with excitement as he said:
"The commander is right! Such a victory is an extremely rare masterpiece in the history of world army warfare!"
Especially the part where eight hundred support soldiers charged with bayonets...

How magnificent! How indomitable!
Wu Wanli's ability to seize opportunities and his ruthlessness, along with the successful regimental commander's perseverance and decisiveness at crucial moments, were both indispensable!

The Fifth Logistics Regiment demonstrated the spirit of our army!

This battle completely reversed the absolute disadvantage on the Eastern Front!

With the 2nd Infantry Division's stronghold breached, the enemy's entire midsection on the Eastern Front went limp!

A glint of wisdom flashed in Chief Chen's eyes. He strode to the map, drew a heavy line with his finger from Bupyeong-ri towards Seoul and Incheon, and said:
Not just the Eastern Front!
The U.S. 2nd Division was one of the elite units in the entire U.S. military. If news of its annihilation were to spread, it would be a devastating blow to the morale of the U.S. military and even the entire 'United Nations Command'!

Why are the enemies on the western front so stubborn?

They have the confidence to be supported by the sea and air!

But now, their strongest flank has been crushed by the iron fist of our eastern front troops!

What will happen if the enemy on the western front finds out?
Panic and chaos are inevitable!

Even the most solid defenses can develop invisible cracks!

The command room was initially deathly silent, but then erupted into a heated discussion.

The staff officers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army were so shocked by this incredible reversal of fortune that they whispered among themselves, their excitement and disbelief filling the air.

"The Seventh Steel Brigade is amazing!"

"The Fifth Logistics Regiment are heroes too!"

"The US Second Division was actually reduced to only a few thousand men who fled?"

"The eastern front is now completely open!"

The excitement on the commander's face gradually faded, replaced by a focus on the overall battlefield situation.

He paced a few steps, looking at the still deadlocked situation on the western front, and sighed deeply, his voice filled with deep regret: "Well done! Beautifully fought! It's a miracle!"

Li Yunlong has a good soldier, and Wu Wanli is a divine sword!
What a pity... what a pity...

This glorious achievement is currently limited to a corner of the eastern front.

It shines like a bright star, but for the time being, it cannot illuminate the entire dark battlefield.

It dealt a heavy blow to a powerful enemy and opened the door on the eastern front, but it did not yet have the power to directly break through the steel wall of hundreds of thousands of UN troops on the western front.

The U.S. military remains powerful, and its naval and air superiority still covers the entire battlefield.

To transform this local victory into a strategic advantage that changes the overall situation, we need to achieve a decisive victory on a broader battlefield.

Comrades, Wu Wanli's victory was a timely help, a torch in the darkness. It greatly boosted morale and dealt a heavy blow to the enemy's arrogance. It was of extraordinary significance!
However, it was only a major tactical victory after all, and it cannot and should not replace the main offensive mission that our main force on the western front had to fight and struggle to complete.

To maintain our overall advantage, we need to exert a hundred times the effort, and we need more fists like the Seventh Steel Brigade to strike the enemy's vitals!

The regret and melancholy in the leader's words were like a bucket of cold water, slightly extinguishing the flames of excitement that had just risen due to the great victory.

The excitement on the staff officers' faces gradually gave way to solemnity, and some nodded silently, agreeing with their commander's profound assessment of the battle situation.

Yes, the Eastern Front was fought brilliantly, but the Western Front was the real main battlefield and the core that determined the outcome of the war.

The stalemate there was like a huge swamp, tightly dragging down the entire front line's progress.

This great victory was more like a shot in the arm in despair than a tremendous force that could instantly reverse the tide.

Just as this solemn atmosphere returned, Chief Chen spoke up: "What the chief said is true."

The victory on the Eastern Front is indeed not enough to shake the foundation of the Western Front.

But we must also recognize the conditions under which this victory was achieved!
Although the Seventh Steel Brigade was the bravest of the three armies, it was only a small elite force of less than 20,000 men.

The 5th Logistics Regiment is not a main combat unit!

They were facing the heavily armed US 2nd Division and a UN force several times their size!
The New Eighth Army, the Ninth Army, and even the 27th and 12th Armies that we deployed as the main force on the eastern front were not on the same level in terms of troop size and firepower configuration as the main force groups of our army on the western front.

The fact that the overall advantage, as lamented by the commander, could not be fully realized was not due to a lack of effort from the soldiers on the front lines, nor was it because this earth-shattering victory was not valuable enough.

Rather, it's the limitations imposed by objective conditions that are the problem!
Significant strategic implications are never achieved overnight.

It is like an impregnable fortress that cannot be destroyed by a single thunderbolt. It requires the constant impact of countless tough bricks to finally tear its foundation apart!

The hammer blow that Wu Wanli brought down in Fupingli was a priceless, blood-stained cornerstone!
Although it occurred in a corner of the Eastern Front, it had already managed to wrest some of the initiative from the Americans!

It completely crippled and destroyed the elite 2nd Division of the US Army, dealt a heavy blow to the morale of the enemy, shattered the myth of the invincibility of the US Army, and bought us a rare lull in the battle.

This in itself is a huge and strategically valuable turning point!
What are we criticizing?
We should feel excited and proud!
In a situation where the enemy is strong and we are weak, and with inferior troops and equipment against an absolutely superior enemy force, we managed to forcefully overcome the toughest obstacle!

This was not an accident; it was the inevitable result of strength, courage, and wisdom!
It proves the high morale and superb tactical level of our army, and is a hopeful way out of the stalemate on the western front!

This path to survival now requires our commanders to take a holistic view and make decisive decisions in order to ultimately change the entire battle situation!

Chief Chen's words struck like a heavy drum, resonating in the hearts of everyone present and transforming their regret into a renewed appreciation and expectation for the potential.

"Jingle Bell--"

The sharp, piercing ring of the telephone suddenly broke the silence that had been lost in thought because of Chief Chen's words.

All eyes immediately focused on the communications officer.

The staff officer of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army quickly picked up the microphone, listened intently, and his expression instantly became extremely solemn and strange, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

"Yes...yes...understood! I'll report immediately!"

The staff officer put down the microphone, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within him, his voice trembling with extreme excitement and astonishment as he spoke:

"Report! Commander! Chief of the General Staff!"

We have just received the latest operational request from the Eastern Front Group, personally drafted by Comrade Wu Wanli, commander of the Seventh Steel Brigade, and directly sent to our headquarters!

"Read!"

Upon hearing this, the leader immediately spoke.

The volunteer army staff officer cleared his throat and read aloud in the clearest possible tone:

"Urgent report to the General Headquarters! The Seventh Steel Corps, the New Eighth Army, and the Ninth Army of Chaoyang jointly submit a petition:"

The remaining several thousand troops of the U.S. Second Division fled towards Gangneung Port, intending to rely on the port's sea and land support and strong fortifications to put up a stubborn resistance, and possibly retreat by sea.

The enemy is now in a state of panic, its organization is in disarray, and its morale is low, making it the perfect opportunity to completely wipe them off the Korean battlefield.

Gangneung Port is not only an important naval port, but also a core base on the front line for the main ships of the U.S. Seventh Fleet to dock and resupply!

Our assessment is that rather than watching the remnants of the enemy regroup and hold their ground, or waiting for them to regroup and cause further trouble, it would be better to take advantage of their unstable foothold and the tense atmosphere to concentrate overwhelming forces and firepower to launch a lightning strike.

In other words, we must capture Gangneung city and control the core coastal defense artillery fortress!
The core objective of the operation is to use the main forces of the New Eighth Army and the North Korean Ninth Army to completely wipe out the enemy forces defending the city of Gangneung and the fortifications outside the city, and to thoroughly eliminate the remnants of the US Second Division.

At the same time, the Seventh Steel Brigade will concentrate all its combat-ready forces and spare no effort to seize the Jiangling Port coastal defense forts in the shortest possible time!
After capturing the area, they immediately used the captured coastal defense guns and coordinated with the navy to turn them around and fire at the main warships of the US Seventh Fleet anchored in the harbor!

At the same time, we earnestly request the General Headquarters to coordinate and authorize the main fleet of the Chinese Navy to prepare to advance to the waters off Gangneung to form an encirclement.

At that time, in coordination with the coastal defense firepower and the air force, we must participate in the general offensive simultaneously when our coastal defense positions launch artillery bombardment!

The goal is to annihilate the Seventh Fleet within the harbor!
If the situation turns out well, we might even be able to capture or severely damage the enemy's aircraft carrier!
If this battle is successful, its significance will far exceed the annihilation of several divisions!

This will completely reshape the strategic landscape of East Asia's seas and air, greatly deterring adversaries and shaking their global deployments! Its strategic value is immeasurable!
To achieve this goal, our department earnestly requests the headquarters to grant Wu Wanli full authority to command the Jiangling Campaign.

Coordinate all ground and joint combat forces of the Seventh Steel Corps, the New Eighth Army, and the Ninth North Korean Army!
And directly mobilize and coordinate the main forces of the Chinese Navy and Air Force participating in the battle!
Now or never!
To prevent leaks, we earnestly request the General Office to make a swift decision!
Wu Wanli, commander of the Seventh Steel Brigade, urgently submitted this report from the front lines.

After the staff officer's voice fell, the entire headquarters command hall fell into a deathly silence.

It was as if a super-powerful aerial bomb had been detonated directly in everyone's mind, creating an unprecedented upheaval!
"What...what is he going to do?!"

A blitzkrieg of Gangneung?! And they want to capture Paotai Mountain in the city... and then turn their coastal defenses to bombard the port??

To coordinate with the Navy and Air Force to completely annihilate the Seventh Fleet?

Captured an aircraft carrier?! This is insane!! Is Wu Wanli...is he about to cause a catastrophe?!
What kind of place is Jiangling?!

That was a key stronghold painstakingly built by the US military! It was impregnable!

Even if the remnants of the US Second Division escaped inside, the port itself would certainly be heavily guarded!
The coastal defense forts are the most crucial of all, and they are definitely guarded by elite troops!

Li Yunlong didn’t dare to say that he could definitely take down either of his two armies. He only sent the New Eighth Army and the Ninth Army to clear the perimeter.
Relying on the Seventh Steel Brigade to attack Paotaishan?!

This isn't just an adventure! This is a pipe dream! This is gambling with lives! And gambling with enormous strategic power!
Is the US Seventh Fleet made of paper?!

It's a steel fortress at sea!
Aircraft are flying everywhere! Large-caliber naval guns can cover the shore at any time!
No matter how big the coastal defense guns are, how many can they fire under a saturation attack from its naval guns?!

Want to capture an aircraft carrier? The firepower of the escorting frigates surrounding the carrier isn't even enough to let a mosquito fly through!
There's also air defense! There's also the threat of submarines! And there's also aerial dogfighting!

If our main naval force were to make a long march there, and the Americans discovered our intentions, we might be intercepted and severely damaged en route!

This is a gamble with almost no chance of winning and a slim chance of survival!

Not only did they cripple the Seventh Steel Brigade, but they also want to throw their precious naval vessels into it?!
No! Absolutely not! The risk is too great!
We cannot approve this plan!

The Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was the first to react, his voice rising sharply with extreme shock and disbelief.

Before he could finish speaking, a clamor arose in the staff seats, with almost everyone displaying expressions of shock and strong opposition:

"The Chief of the General Staff is right! This is insane!"

"Take Jiangling? Are you going to just watch them turn their cannons around? Won't the American troops in the forts fight to the death?"

"For the naval fleet to move forward under the dual air threat of enemy land-based and aircraft carrier bases is like lambs to the slaughter!"

"Capture an aircraft carrier? My God! That's like a fairy tale! An impossible mission!"

"Yes, even if we win on land, how will we fight at sea? What are the capabilities of our navy? Can it really stand up to the Seventh Fleet?"

"Comrade Wu Wanli has just won a great victory. Is he perhaps... a little blinded by victory?"

"This plan is far too risky! If it fails, the elite forces on the Eastern Front will be wiped out, and the navy will suffer irreparable damage! The consequences will be a strategic catastrophe!"

Doubt, shock, panic, and confusion instantly filled the huge operations room.

A suffocating silence fell over the operations room.

"Finished?"

Chief Chen's voice was not loud, but it clearly penetrated the lingering echoes of the discussion, carrying an undeniable power.

"Let me ask you a question: What is the core basis for your opposition to Wu Wanli's plan?"
Is it a lesson from history, a comparison of strength on paper, or a fear of unknown risks?

As he spoke, Chief Chen took a step forward, turning his gaze to the Chief of the General Staff:
"You agree that Wu Wanli fought brilliantly in Fuping."

Then I would like to ask: Before the Battle of Fupingli, who wasn't on tenterhooks?

The mixed British, French, and American regiment was well-equipped and relied on fortified positions, so its strength was not inferior.

So what happened? How did Wu Wanli fight?

Encircle and divide! Launch a frontal assault! Combine air and ground attacks! Lure the enemy deep into our territory!
In the end, their system was destroyed in a very short time!

In this battle, among all of you here, including myself, who dares to say that before the battle we were certain we would win, and win so decisively?

We acknowledge that there is indeed a gap in naval strength.

But war isn't fought by playing war games!
Are there many US military tanks and planes in Fupingli?

How fierce was the artillery fire of the US Second Division?
Did Wu Wanli shrink back because of this?

He used the three-three system to break through the defenses, used tanks to guide the breaching of obstacles, used air strikes to remove obstacles, and even personally operated a machine gun to shoot down planes!
These are things that conventional tactics can't achieve!

He led the Seventh Steel Brigade and carved out a path to victory despite the enemy's superior firepower! That's the truth!
Why do we only think "it's impossible" and "it's not going to work" when facing Jiangling and the Seventh Fleet?

Why can't we give Wu Wanli, a fierce general who can create victories that others consider 'impossible', a little more trust this time?!

Let's look at the plan itself!

Are you worried that transferring key players will cause the entire system to collapse?

Alright, let's look at the deployment of troops!
Wu Wanli requested to take away his Seventh Steel Corps, the New Eighth Army, and the Ninth Army!

He didn't touch Li Yunlong's 27th Army, nor did he touch Ding Wei's 12th Army!
The original plan of the headquarters was to have the 27th Army and the 12th Army cooperate with the Central Assault Group to launch the main attack on Chuncheon, and then attack Gapyeong!

Are these two key forces still around?
"Can we still proceed along the original route and carry out the assault mission at the junction of the eastern and western fronts of the Volunteer Army?!"

At this point, Commander Chen's gaze swept across the room again, pausing particularly on the faces of some of the military-level officers who had previously strongly opposed the move, before continuing:
"It's clearly written in the plan!"

The troops he took away were taken without affecting the established battle plans in the Chuncheon direction on the eastern front and the Gapyeong direction on the western front!

The key is to concentrate available resources to find a breakthrough in Jiangling!
To give an analogy, it's like when we extend our hand and poke a spot with all five fingers, the other fingers don't retract but instead continue to gather strength and smash down hard on Chuncheon and Gapyeong!

How can this be described as a desperate gamble leading to the overall collapse?!
The staff officer told me that the combat missions for the 27th and 12th Armies were being issued as usual. "Are there any difficulties?"

The volunteer army staff officer who was called on was taken aback. After thinking for several seconds, he shook his head and said, "No...no problem!"
Based on the timeline, we are fully in place and ready to execute the attack order towards Chuncheon at any time!

The detail raised by Chief Chen was like a pebble thrown into a pond, causing a barely perceptible wavering in the previously overwhelming opposition.

Indeed, Wu Wanli did not deploy the 27th and 12th Armies, the two core strike forces, which maintained strong pressure on the Chuncheon-Gapyong axis.

Taking advantage of this opening, Chief Chen suddenly raised his voice and said, "Good! Then the problem has come down to the most crucial point!"
This is also the most significant aspect of Wu Wanli's proposal – the risks and rewards!

Everyone's talking about risk! So, what's the biggest potential reward?
Was it merely the annihilation of the 7,000 remnants of the US 2nd Division? No!
It's about removing Gangneung, this poisonous thorn buried deep on the east coast!

More importantly, it's about capturing or destroying the main force of the US Seventh Fleet! That includes those damned aircraft carriers!
Comrades! Think about what this means!

Annihilate the US Seventh Fleet, or at least severely damage it, capture or sink one of its aircraft carriers!
Its strategic value far exceeds that of annihilating one or two US divisions on land, or even more!

Since the First Sino-Japanese War, when has the Chinese Navy ever inflicted such heavy damage on a powerful nation's fleet at sea?
The fleets we defeated before were mixed fleets and task forces, which were essentially ragtag troops drawn from the army.

But this time it's the U.S. Seventh Fleet, which is famous in the Asia region and has a formal designation!
If this operation succeeds, we will take down this behemoth that guards the US military in the Far East waters!
The balance of power in the Pacific will undergo a fundamental reversal!

Our navy and air force will gain unprecedented strategic space!
On a larger scale, if this battle achieves its intended objectives, it will wash away a century of shame on our maritime borders!
It will declare to the world that the Chinese people can not only stand firm on land, but also have the power to tear any invading enemy to shreds on the seas right at their doorstep!
It will be the most powerful voice at sea in the true war of nation-building!

The inspiration this victory brought to the people, the impact on the international landscape, and the boost to national confidence could not be compared to the loss of one or two divisions!

This is the true glory of the new era navy and the new China!

Is this—worth the risk?!

Is it worth believing that Wu Wanli, who can create the Fupingli miracle, should fight and strive again?!

Chief Chen's long speech, devoid of any flowery language, was nonetheless weighty in its words, each rhetorical question striking the hearts of everyone present like a war drum.

In particular, the assertions about "a century of humiliation on the coast" and "the strongest voice at sea in the war of national founding" touched the deepest feelings of these generals who had experienced the humiliating era.

However, the enormous risks and the huge gap between reality still loom large.

The Chief of the General Staff was not entirely convinced. With a sullen face, he attempted to refute the grand blueprint outlined by Chief Chen:
"Commander Chen, we are not unaware of the strategic significance you mentioned!"
However, the gap between ideals and reality is insurmountable!
The strength of the U.S. Seventh Fleet far surpasses that of the garrison at Fupingli.

First, our air force's 300 fighter jets must simultaneously face the attacks of shore-based anti-aircraft guns, fleet air defense firepower, and US carrier-based aircraft!
The battle for air superiority will be extremely fierce, and the losses of our fighter jets and pilots are incalculable!
Secondly, the narrow waters of the port are conducive to the use of shore defense firepower, but not to the deployment of our fleet in formation evasion and mobile artillery warfare!
The ships that rush in are sitting ducks!
Thirdly, and most importantly, is time!

Wu Wanli's troops need to capture the heavily fortified city of Jiangling before the enemy's Seventh Fleet can react, find the coastal artillery positions, and successfully turn the guns around!
If the US fleet receives a tip-off and retreats slightly to open waters, its naval guns will have a range far exceeding that of shore-based artillery. Wouldn't our main naval force rushing out at that time be walking into a trap?

Every step must be precise and interconnected!
If any link in the chain breaks down, it will be utterly disastrous!
This plan doesn't require courage, it requires... something akin to a miracle!

His concerns were extremely specific, and every word he uttered hit the nail on the head.

Another staff officer in charge of intelligence analysis added: "Moreover, according to reliable intelligence, the U.S. military has recently been strengthening the air defense perimeter and anti-landing obstacles around Gangneung, deploying several new anti-aircraft artillery battalions and searchlight positions, and may also have laid new types of mines underwater."

This information was completely absent from Wu Wanli's report! His intelligence was outdated!

Chief Chen remained calm and retorted, "Comrade Chief of Staff, every risk you mentioned truly exists."

But war is inherently risky!

What war can yield significant strategic benefits without taking risks?

The war we are fighting now has been a gamble from the very day we entered the war!

After saying that, he turned to the Chief of the General Staff's specific rebuttal:

"First, air superiority!"

Our air force does indeed have a heavy responsibility.

But we have an advantage!

Distance! Jiangling is closer to our base!
Our fighter jets have a range that can cover the area, while the time it takes for US carrier-based aircraft to take off from the carrier and reach the battlefield is relatively long, giving us a time advantage.

Our pilots are brave and tenacious, and have proven their skills and fighting spirit in many battles!
If ground forces proceed as planned and destroy several major US airfields and air defense early warning facilities in Gangneung at the same time as the general offensive begins, it will create an opportunity for the main air force strike!
This is not a miracle, it's strategic coordination!
Second, the issue of waterways!
Because of the narrow harbor, the main ships of the Seventh Fleet could not be fully deployed!

Its enormous numerical advantage is actually greatly limited within the narrow port!

They're afraid of a ship collision!
If our main fleet can quickly break in, use light, fast ships to disrupt their formation, and then use submarines in conjunction with shore artillery to focus their attacks on their main ships, we can win in the chaos!

This is just like when Deng Shichang crashed into a Yoshino! When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave one wins!

Whoever is more willing to risk their life will take the initiative!

We don't expect to win in a fair naval battle; what we want is to use shore artillery and chaos to trade our lives for their iron!
Third, time!
This is Wu Wanli's core military skill!

In the Battle of Fupingli, he completed the encirclement, annihilation, and ambush of the mixed regiment in one night!

The core principle of blitzkrieg is 'speed'!
It's amazing!
The remnants of the US Second Division fled in panic to Jiangling, and with morale in turmoil, how could the defense system possibly be restored to its optimal state instantly?
We are closely monitoring the current position of the Seventh Fleet. In order to support the western front and guard against our other fleets, their main force is currently deployed in a dispersed state, and it will take time for them to regroup and react!
This is the basis for Wu Wanli's choice of 'blitzkrieg' instead of 'powerful attack'!

That's exactly the time difference we're exploiting!
As long as we act swiftly, stealthily, and lethally enough!
Turning the muzzle of the coastal defense guns is by no means difficult for experienced artillerymen at the port and docks!
The key is to take the first step!

As for the intelligence lag?

The battlefield is ever-changing, and opportunities are fleeting!
With Wu Wanli on the front lines, his on-the-spot judgments are more valuable than any delayed intelligence from our rear!
The fact that he dared to make this guarantee means he had a contingency plan!

Even assuming the situation at the coastal artillery positions changes, as long as our ground forces capture or seriously threaten the core area of ​​the forts, it can still force the fleet into a panic, creating a window of opportunity for our naval and air forces to strike!

Chief Chen's rebuttal was clear, logical, and highly targeted.

Upon hearing this, the Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army still asked with concern, "But Commander Chen, what about logistics?"

How to ensure maintenance and resupply after continuous high-intensity combat operations?
Ammunition consumption is enormous; what if the frontline supply lines are cut off by US airstrikes?

"beat!

It was about using the blood of our army brothers and the lives of our air force brothers to tear open a gap in the navy's defenses and buy them a chance!
Logistical support is difficult, but let's not forget the circumstances under which our army has fought to this day!

Even eating fried noodles in the freezing cold is a battle!

Wu Wanli was able to lead his troops to outflank and win battles in Fupingli, and the comrades of the Fifth Logistics Regiment were able to grit their teeth and complete their blocking missions under the bombing of the US military!
They won't ignore the issue of naval resupply!

The headquarters coordinated the preparation of supply depots and hiding places along the route in advance!

At the same time, once we partially control the port of Jiangling, the supplies in the enemy's warehouses on the shore will be ours!

"No food, no clothes, yet the enemy will bring them to us!" Did we sing this song for nothing?

We must acknowledge the difficulties, but we must demonstrate the determination and methods to overcome them!

We can't let difficult roads stop us from taking a step!

Commander Chen spoke with unwavering resolve, his eyes flashing with determination.

The operations room erupted into another heated debate.

Faced with wave after wave of doubts and concerns, Chief Chen debated with the scholars, unconditionally believing in Commander Wu Wanli, who could create miracles in desperate situations!

As the discussion deepened, the voices of opposition gradually became less resolute and loud than they had been at the beginning.

The staff officers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army exchanged opinions in hushed tones, their expressions more thoughtful and hesitant than directly rejecting the proposal.

Wu Wanli's past victories, which seemed impossible but were ultimately achieved, weighed heavily on the hearts of every doubter.

The Chief of the General Staff pursed his lips, his brows furrowed, and looked repeatedly at the map, then at Chief Chen's face, which was full of determination and unwavering conviction.

He tried to speak again several times, but Chief Chen's rebuttal had already covered up the most crucial loopholes. Any further opposition would only appear as mere conservatism and cowardice.

The other deputies and heads of key departments also fell silent.

Just as the silence, thick with complex emotions, reached its breaking point, the leader slowly stood up.

The entire operations room fell silent instantly, all eyes were on him, and the staff officers instinctively straightened their backs.

"After arguing for so long, everything that needed to be said has been said."

The more a principle is debated, the clearer it becomes.

But what Old Chen said made sense; it hit the nail on the head!

The difficulties, risks, and generational gaps you mentioned are real!
These aren't straws, they're huge rocks! This water is indeed deep! It's indeed dangerous!
However, what Wu Wanli achieved in Fupingli was not just how many enemies he annihilated or how much equipment he captured!
What he achieved under such difficult conditions is something that some of our comrades lack!
It's that indomitable spirit, that refusal to admit defeat, that dares to walk a tightrope on the edge of a cliff!
It's about using the enemy's spear to pierce the enemy's shield with a clever technique!

Not to mention his great success in the Battle of Incheon!
To establish a nation, to avenge our humiliation, and to truly stand on the world stage with a voice that carries weight, we must fight our way out!
Wu Wanli was appointed as the temporary commander-in-chief of the Jiangling Campaign, temporarily commanding all land, sea, and air forces participating in the campaign!
The logistics department fully supports Comrade Wu Wanli's blitzkrieg plan!

The leader slammed his hand on the table, expressing his firm support.

"Yes!!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the headquarters readily agreed.

(End of this chapter)