Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 361 Ridgway's strategy of sacrificing pawns, the 1st Cavalry Division's feint!

Seoul, inside the UN Command Headquarters

"Commander! Chief of Staff! Eastern Front... Jiangling... Latest top-secret battle report!"

A U.S. Army communications major rushed into the command center in a panic, shouting loudly.

Chief of the General Staff Van Fleet, his brow furrowed, broke the silence first, saying, "Report the situation!"
Is it towards Gapyeong? Or Chuncheon?

What's the panic? Speak properly!

The major staff officer took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "No...it's not Chuncheon or Gapyeong!"

It's Jiangling!
Our American Seventh Fleet was completely annihilated at Gangneung Port!

The flagship, the Intrepid, has raised the white flag and surrendered!

"what?!"

"Oh, God!"

"This is impossible!"

After a brief silence, as if a ladle of cold water had been poured into a scalding oil pan, the entire command post instantly erupted into chaos.

The U.S. military officers and staff present jumped up from their seats, their faces filled with disbelief and shock.

Deputy Chief of Staff Eckelberg slammed his fist on the table with a "bang" and said:
"Damn it, this is utter nonsense!"
Major, have you confirmed the source of the telegram?

Is it communication interference or enemy deception?
Our Seventh Fleet of the United States has the most powerful battleships and aircraft carriers in the entire Pacific theater, as well as the heavy cruiser 'Santa Fe'!

How could they possibly be completely annihilated within Gangneung Port?

Even surrender?

This is an insult to the United States Navy!

Ridgway turned sharply around, his gaze piercing the major who was giving the report.

Just now, he was still planning a grand scheme to encircle and annihilate Li Yunlong's group.

However, now, a crucial maritime stronghold, the strategic reserve he had placed high hopes on, has been uprooted in a port in the rear.
This exceeded even his worst-case scenario!

“Read out every single word of the battle report in your hand, without omitting any details.”

I need to know what happened!

Li Qiwei frowned and forced himself to calm down.

The U.S. Army communications officer licked his chapped lips, suppressing immense fear, and hoarsely recited:
"The main force of the U.S. Seventh Fleet suffered a devastating attack from the Chinese army, navy, and air force in the narrow waters of its anchorage and port!"
It has now been confirmed that, apart from the HMS Dreadnought, which has been confirmed to have surrendered and been captured, all other major warships have been sunk or have been completely rendered combat ineffective.

The number of officers and soldiers killed, wounded, and captured below the rank of fleet commander is impossible to determine, but the estimated loss exceeds 95 percent…

By this point, the command post was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the only sounds were heavy breathing and chattering teeth.

All the officers froze on the spot, frozen in shock.

The U.S. military staff officer swallowed hard and continued to report on the incredible course of the battle:
"According to comprehensive analysis, the enemy commander was Wu Wanli, the commander of the Seventh Steel Corps of China."

He employed an extremely bold and sophisticated blitzkrieg tactic, the core of which consisted of three steps.

The first step: strategic deception and division.

Based on intelligence and the situation on the ground, it can be determined that Wu Wanli, with the 9th Division of the Korean People's Army and its newly formed 8th Division as the main force, launched a fierce attack from four directions in Gangneung City.

The Battle of Gangneung was extremely fierce. It successfully created the illusion of a major attack on the city and kept the highly mobile U.S. troops stationed in the city firmly tied down in the urban warfare, preventing them from returning to the core port area in time.

Meanwhile, one unit of the new Eighth Division carried out feints on the periphery to further confuse our army's judgment.

The second step is to launch an elite assault to seize the high ground.

Wu Wanli personally led his most elite Steel Seventh Brigade infantry, along with a powerful tank battalion, artillery detachment, and engineer unit.

Under the cover of the chaos created by the fierce fighting in the city, they concentrated their assault firepower and forcibly tore through the weak defense line in the southern part of Gangneung Port, which was mainly guarded by the 18th Regiment of the 6th Division of the South Korean Army.

The defensive line collapsed rapidly under the concentrated artillery fire and precise coverage of the 7th Steel Brigade, followed by a combined infantry and tank assault.

After breaking through the defenses, the Seventh Steel Brigade did not stop and disregarded casualties, heading straight for the core of the port's defenses—the Fortress of Paotai Mountain.

The fortress was situated in a rugged terrain and had permanent fortifications. It was originally garrisoned by an reinforced regiment and artillery battalion of the U.S. 2nd Division, possessing formidable firepower and overlooking the entire port and anchorage.

The third step is to blockade by sea and air, followed by a decisive blow from shore artillery.

While the 7th Steel Brigade launched a desperate charge towards Paotaishan, the main force of the Chinese Navy, under the cover of a large number of MiG fighters, broke through our early warning and interception lines in an extremely bizarre manner.

Taking advantage of the darkness and complex weather, they suddenly appeared in a small area of ​​water outside Gangneung Port and effectively blockaded the port.

These Chinese naval and air forces completely blocked the massive ships of my Seventh Fleet in an extremely unfavorable anchorage, leaving them with no room for maneuver.

During the battle, the Seventh Steel Brigade paid a heavy price but ultimately seized control of the coastal defense artillery group on the top of the fort.

Furthermore, Chinese naval and air force fighter jets launched diversionary attacks on our fleet in the harbor, drawing away air defense fire and attention.

Finally, the long-range and powerful coastal defense artillery on Paotai Mountain was quickly turned around by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

At extremely close range, in coordination with the Chinese Navy's naval guns and the armor-piercing bombs dropped by the Air Force, they launched a devastating attack on the main warships of the Seventh Fleet, which I was unable to effectively evade.

The heavy cruiser 'Santa Fe' was hit directly in a vital spot by accurate armor-piercing shells from shore guns and sank first.

The remaining ships were subjected to triple fire from land, sea, and air in the narrow waters and were successively sunk or severely damaged.

With most of its escort ships lost, its hull severely damaged, and air superiority lost, the flagship HMS Dreadnought was forced to raise a white flag and surrender.

After the staff officer finished reading the last word, he seemed to have all his strength drained away, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

The UN command headquarters fell into an even more profound and chilling silence than before.

The air seemed to have frozen into solid ice, making it hard to breathe.

The shock on the officers' faces had not subsided, but it had quietly transformed from the initial strong doubt that it was "absolutely impossible" into something deeper and more chilling.

It was an awareness of an adversary’s formidable military prowess and a fear of an army’s awe-inspiring will to overcome any obstacle.

The deathly silence lasted for a full half minute.

A naval liaison officer, with graying hair and a background in East Asian military history, broke the silence with a trembling, hoarse voice:

"Wei...Weihaiwei!"

In 1895, the Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Fleet was blocked by the shore at Liugong Island in Weihaiwei and was eventually destroyed!
Oh, God……

That Wu Wanli treated us and the US Navy like the Qing army back then!
What arrogance! What outrageous insolence!

His voice wasn't loud, but it struck the hearts of every American officer present like a heavy hammer.

The humiliating defeat of 1894 was now being repeated in such a similar and ironic way by the United States, which possesses the world's most powerful navy!
This cold analogy was more impactful than any roar, completely extinguishing the last shred of hope.

Ridgway, feigning composure, slowly sat back in the main seat, placing his hands crossed on the table, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He needs to process this devastating blow, and even more so, he needs to find a "reasonable" way out of this irreversible disaster.

Chief of Staff Van Fleet swallowed hard, forcing his gaze away from the telegram that brought devastating news, and turned to Ridgway, saying:
"Commander, the destruction of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet is a foregone conclusion."

Major General Kaize, the US Second Division, and the South Korean Sixth Division were still trapped in Jiangling City.

According to the latest intelligence, they were surrounded by several Chinese Volunteer Army units at the foot of Paotai Mountain and were fighting like cornered beasts.

Should we order the air force reserves in the Gapyeong direction and the 1st Cavalry Division, which is maneuvering toward the flank of Gapyeong, to immediately divert their forces to carry out a rescue in the Gangneung direction?

Perhaps... we can still preserve the core members of the Second American Division?

He already had the answer in his heart, but as chief of staff, he had to propose this option.

All the officers in the command post were focused on Ridgway, awaiting the decision that would determine the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Li Qiwei raised his head, a slight smile even appearing at the corner of his mouth, and said:

"Save him?"
VanVleet, look at what you've said!
I gave him over two hundred Kaiser fighter sorties!

They provided him with naval support from the entire Seventh Fleet!

They also gave him a complete 6th Division of the Korean Army to guard the port's perimeter and the city!
What he holds in his hands is the power to change the course of a battle!

The results of it?
He's on the defensive!

He occupied strong defensive fortifications such as the port fortress and the fortified hill!
What does Wu Wanli have to offer?
Several infantry units that had just crawled out of the snow!

A ragtag army with what we consider primitive weaponry!
In this way, he not only lost the position and the fortified hill, but also caused the Seventh Fleet to be trapped and beaten, and the entire fleet was destroyed on its own doorstep!

Now you want me to use my precious air reserve force, which is crucial for encircling Li Yunlong, and the 1st Cavalry Division to fill that bottomless pit?

Go and rescue a defeated general who couldn't even do the most basic defenses and had lost his entire elite fleet?
Chief of Staff Van Fleet, do you want the 1st Cavalry Division to get bogged down as well, completely ruining the entire encirclement plan on the Eastern Front?!

This merciless rebuke was like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, completely sobering up all the officers who still harbored a sliver of hope for rescue, and sending a chill down their spines.

Van Fleet's face darkened further. He immediately straightened up and replied without hesitation:
"Commander, you are wise!"

It was my oversight.

The losses to the Seventh Fleet are irreparable. We must not risk our most important mobile force by trying to rescue the inevitably destroyed US 2nd Division.

I immediately contacted the front lines and ordered the 1st Cavalry Division to move at full speed toward the designated battlefield on the flank of Gapin, according to the original plan.

Tell them not to worry about the US Second Division and to resolutely complete the encirclement of Li Yunlong's main force!

At the same time, the air force reserve was ordered to provide full support to the 1st Cavalry Division's operations, ensuring air interdiction during the encirclement!

"very good.

However, Van Fleet directly ordered the 1st Cavalry Division to abandon its mission to rescue the 2nd US Infantry Division and instead focus all its efforts on encircling them...

This decision, after all, concerns the lives of tens of thousands of American soldiers and the survival of a main division.

Public pressure and congressional inquiries are real issues that need to be considered.

Here's what we'll do: when giving orders directly to the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, clearly inform him of all the necessary information.

This includes the brutal reality of the destruction of the 7th Fleet in Gangneung and the fact that the main forces of the US 2nd Division and the ROK 6th Division were being surrounded and annihilated by the superior forces of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army at Paotai Mountain.

He was also told that his primary task was to arrive at the designated location on the Jiaping battlefield on time, at all costs, to complete the encirclement of Li Yunlong's assault group from the rear!

This is a strategic mission that determines the entire course of the Korean War, and it cannot be lost!

Then give him a choice.

Tell him that, while carrying out this core mission, he can make his own judgment based on the actual situation on the battlefield.

Should we prioritize rescuing our allies in Jiangling City before completing our mission, or abandon the rescue and focus entirely on encirclement?

Let me emphasize again, the encirclement mission is an ironclad rule, and it must be completed!

As for the rest, that was left to him, the frontline commander, to decide on the spot.

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a storm in the hearts of every officer!

"Make your own judgment... make a decision on the spot..."

Van Fleet's eyes flickered; he instantly understood Ridgway's intention, and a chill rose from the soles of his feet.

Eckelberg looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock and a hint of anger.

He opened his mouth, but seeing Ridgway's unquestionable, cold gaze, he only swallowed the words that were about to come out, his Adam's apple bobbing.

All the other officers, regardless of rank, now fully understood the commander's intentions.

In the command center, only heavy, suppressed breathing and the monotonous ticking of the radio in the distance remained.

This isn't about giving choices.

This is a blatant attempt to frame someone!

This completely shifted the moral responsibility and political risk of abandoning friendly forces and watching the annihilation of the entire US 2nd Infantry Division onto the shoulders of Freeman, the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division!
Ridgway himself, and the entire UN command, would don a veneer of "respect for the judgment of frontline commanders" beneath the brutal orders.

Freeman, who was on the front lines, knew that the allied forces in Jiangling were about to be annihilated and that he himself was tasked with a strategic encirclement mission. How could he possibly spare troops to save a dead end that was doomed to fail?

His only "reasonable" choice was to give up the Second American Division!

This was not a choice at all, but a cold, hard question that left the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division to bear the blame alone!
Ridgway took in everyone's reactions without showing any emotion on his face.

He sat back in his chair, leaning back relaxed, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, and said in a low, meaningful tone:
"Guys, calm down."

Anger and impulsiveness will not solve any problems.

The destruction of the Seventh Fleet was a geopolitical disaster!
The Pacific Command and Washington need to hold someone accountable for this and give an explanation to Congress and the public.

The 2nd Infantry Division, which fought to the last man and whose entire division died heroically, could perhaps be described as a tragic and indomitable sacrifice.

At least, it can quell some of the anger within the country.

Their 'sacrifice' can fully bear the joint responsibility for the destruction of the Seventh Fleet.

But can our entire UN Command Supreme Command bear the 'command responsibility' for the complete annihilation of the Seventh Fleet and the systematic destruction of a main division?

Of course, the tragic sacrifices of the Second US Division in the fight were not enough; that was merely a safety net to reduce their responsibilities.

However, if they were to successfully encircle Li Yunlong's assault group and annihilate over 100,000 elite Chinese troops in one fell swoop...

We have not only made no mistakes, but have actually done something good!
We are all one, I don't want to waste any more words.

Immediately relay the order to the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, as I just said.

At the same time, in my name, I sent telegrams to Washington and Tokyo detailing the events of the Battle of Gangneung and the 'objective' reasons for the destruction of the Seventh Fleet.

The report emphasizes the inadequate defense of the US 2nd Division's Kaiser unit, the loss of key coastal artillery positions, and the Chinese military's "surprise and overwhelming advantage" through concentrated superior forces and coordinated sea, land, and air operations.

The wording...you know how to handle it.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged a knowing glance and responded in unison.

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

Soon after, at the temporary command post of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, located in a sparsely wooded valley southeast of Chuncheon, several sturdy military tents stood out starkly under the searchlights.

"General Freeman, this is a telegram from General Ridgway."

This is a telegram from General Kaiser, stating that they have launched their final, desperate battle.

He knew that the 1st Cavalry Division was not far away, and that as long as we deployed all our armored units to rescue them, it would still be in time.

So the last sentence on his phone was... "For the sake of my old West Point classmate, I'll give my brother a hand, I'll give my brother a hand."

As for General Ridgway's instructions, you should see them for yourself.

The commander of the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army sighed and said.

Division Commander Freeman frowned, silently took the two telegrams, and began to read them.

The desperate telegram from Major General Kaiser, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, pierced Freeman's heart like a cold needle, conveying a sense of despair and humility.

He had known Kaiser for so many years, since West Point. That proud, tough, and even somewhat rigid guy would never easily back down.

Now, the telegram's wording is almost a plea.

Freeman's fingers trembled slightly.

He could imagine Kaiser looking like this when he sent the telegram: his face covered in blood, his voice hoarse, his eyes filled with resentment and utter despair.

The perilousness of his situation and the collapse of his mental state need no further explanation.

A feeling that was hard to describe, mixed with the camaraderie of comrades-in-arms, welled up in Freeman's heart.

He recalled the days of charging side by side in Normandy, and the life-or-death moments of covering each other's retreat in the Ardennes Forest.

The Second Division, that was the renowned Indian Chief Division!

If they were truly wiped out in Jiangling...

However, before he could process this sorrow, his gaze fell on the second telegram—from the Supreme Command of the United Nations Command in Seoul, signed by Ridgway.

That cold, businesslike command instantly froze all the turmoil in his heart:

"...It's a real pity that the battle situation in Jiangling has been reversed."

However, the core strategic objective on the eastern front remained unchanged: to encircle and annihilate Li Yunlong's assault group, which was the key to turning the tide of the entire war.

The main force of the 1st Cavalry Division must proceed as planned, charging at full speed towards Gapyeong-Chuncheon, sparing no effort to secure the final opening in the enemy's pocket.

Commander Freeman should assess the battlefield situation himself and decide whether and how to rescue the remnants of the US 2nd Division.

But regardless of whether or not rescue is carried out, the primary task is to ensure that the encirclement of Li Yunlong's group is flawless.

It was emphasized that any allocation of resources and troops must not affect the achievement of the core mission.

"To judge for oneself? To decide for oneself?"

Freeman whirled around, his face flushed red with suppressed rage, the veins bulging on his hand gripping the telegram.

He slammed the telegram down on the makeshift wooden table next to him with a loud thud, drawing the attention of the American staff officers in the corner, who quickly lowered their heads again.

"Damn 'self-determination'!"
This is like handing me, Freeman, a hot potato and the responsibility of abandoning allies, without any mercy!
Kaiser was risking the lives of his entire division in a last-ditch effort to survive, while Ridgway was playing word games with me!
He told me to "make my own decision," which meant it was best not to save him, and if I did, it absolutely couldn't interfere with his "grand plan."

If the rescue fails, the blame lies entirely with me; if it succeeds… humph, whose credit will it be?

Freeman roared angrily.

"General, anger will not solve the problem."

The meaning behind Commander Ridgway's order is already very clear.

The annihilation of the American Seventh Fleet and the fall of the coastal defense guns at Fort Hill to the enemy means that control of the waters surrounding Jiangling has temporarily and completely changed hands. This frees up Wu Wanli's Seventh Steel Brigade to coordinate with naval and air firepower to launch a devastating attack on the remnants of Kaiser's forces within Jiangling City.

Division Commander Kaiser's telegram was by no means an exaggeration; it was only a matter of time before they were completely annihilated, and that time... was probably measured in hours, or even minutes.

Li Yunlong's assault group had just broken through the outer defenses of Chuncheon and was engaged in fierce fighting with Major General Iverson's rearguard.

Our 1st Cavalry Division is now less than 20 kilometers from the outskirts of Chuncheon!

If our most mobile armored force can wedge into the valley south of Chuncheon at the designated time and cut off Li Yunlong's retreat route.

And together with the 1st Marine Division, the New 1st Marine Division, and the 3rd Infantry Division advancing from the west, they formed an encirclement...

Therefore, we do have a chance to wipe out more than 100,000 elite troops from the four main forces of the Chinese army!

This is the only chance to turn the tide of the entire eastern front, and even the entire Korean War.

General Ridgway had staked everything on this.

Therefore, he cannot tolerate any variables interfering with this core objective.

General Kaiser and the Second Division... have been strategically abandoned.

This order to 'make the decision on its own' is indeed a perfect shield for shirking responsibility.

If the rescue fails, we'll take the blame, and it might even affect the encirclement.

If we fail to rescue, then the fault for failing to do so lies with our own misjudgment.

The chief of staff of the U.S. Second Infantry Division sighed and said.

In an instant, the command post fell into a deathly silence.

Only the static from the radio and the distant, muffled thunder of artillery fire served as reminders of the passage of time.

Freeman stopped pacing, stood in front of the map, and his gaze lingered on the area in Gangneung marked in deep red and the arrow leading to Chuncheon.

The camaraderie among comrades and the overall strategic situation clashed fiercely in his mind.

He could clearly see Ridgway's cold chessboard.

Sacrificing Kaiser and 15,000 officers and soldiers in exchange for the possibility of encircling and annihilating more than 100,000 elite Chinese troops.

This comes at a huge cost, but on a war-wide level, it seems to have a cold "justification".

A few seconds later, Freeman suddenly raised his head, all hesitation and anger in his eyes replaced by a resolute sharpness.

"Give me the order!
First, we cannot simply stand by and watch someone die!
Immediately select one elite company each from the division's directly subordinate reconnaissance battalion and mechanized infantry battalion to form a rapid rescue detachment.

Meanwhile, the assigned engineer platoon, communications platoon, and all trucks and jeeps available from the division headquarters were to be rapidly deployed and assembled!

Williams quickly took notes, but his brow furrowed even more as he said, "General, if I may be so bold, two companies... are like a drop in the ocean against the ironclad encirclement of over ten thousand Chinese troops!"

this……"

"Let me finish!"
These two companies are not going to engage in a direct confrontation!

They don't need to actually break through the encirclement!

Their mission is to bluff and mislead the enemy!

First, the rescue brigade immediately sent high-powered telegrams to the direction of Jiangling and to all public and secret channels in the name of the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters, the 1st Cavalry Regiment, the 5th Cavalry Regiment, and the 8th Cavalry Regiment!

The message is consistent: The main force of my 1st Cavalry Division, under the orders of Commander Ridgway, has been divided into three routes to rush to the aid of Jiangling!

The 5th Regiment took Route A, the 7th Regiment took Route B, and the 8th Regiment and the division headquarters' directly subordinate units took Route C!

Commander Kaiser was ordered to hold his position and await reinforcements!

At the same time, a vague briefing was sent to headquarters in Seoul stating that "our unit has dispatched troops to reinforce Gangneung!"
Second, the rescue detachment displayed the number flags of our division's three main cavalry regiments during their advance!

They gathered up all the South Korean defeated soldiers, local garrison troops, police, and even militia members, cooks, and refugees they encountered along the way!
Give them guns, even if they're empty, and have them wear any military uniforms they can find, and let them mingle in the convoy!

The trucks and jeeps kicked up as much dust as possible to create the illusion of a large convoy marching!
Radio communications remained active, constantly repeating the 'locations' and 'progress' of each 'regiment'!

"Third, send a telegram back to Division Commander Kaiser: The main force of the 1st Cavalry Division has rushed to the rescue and is breaking through the enemy's blockade! We must hold on to the end!"

At the same time… this reply was made sure it could be intercepted by the Chinese military!

Williams took notes quickly, his expression growing increasingly serious as he listened.

After Freeman finished speaking, he put down his pen, took a deep breath, and said, "General, this...this plan is very bold, but the chances of success are...extremely slim!"
The Chinese are too cunning!
If Wu Wanli could see through Chief of Staff Van Fleet's encirclement and annihilation plan and use blitzkrieg tactics to destroy the Seventh Fleet, how could he not see through this feint?
How strong are their intelligence gathering capabilities in Jiangling now?

Once they see through it, these two companies and the rabble they gathered together will probably not even make a splash before being crushed by their armored forces!
It might even... expose the true intentions and positions of our main force!

"I know!

The probability of success is very small!

Perhaps only one percent, or even one in a thousand!

However, this one percent is an explanation to Kaiser and the 15,000 American soldiers still fighting!

This is an explanation of our bottom line regarding military honor!
We did it! We tried our best!
Even if it only gives the Chinese five minutes to hesitate, and buys Kaiser and his team five minutes to catch their breath, it will be worthwhile!
More importantly, Ridgway has handed this 'decision-making power' to us, and we must accept it.

And we must ensure that the blame doesn't fall on us!
We've sent reinforcements, and our main force is even deployed in three separate groups!
We sent countless telegrams and made a big show of it along the way!
We did everything we could to save them!
Strategic deception is also part of the battle! Even if the rescue ultimately fails, where does the responsibility lie?
The Chinese army was too powerful, or Kaiser didn't hold out until the very end!
Whether it's Ridgway or those old men in the military, who can accuse us of standing by and watching someone die?
Who can say we didn't carry out his damn 'self-determination'?
We even risked being exposed in order to save our comrades!

But Li Yunlong's assault group is our main course!
We must put 99% of our remaining energy into this!

After the rescue detachment set off, all tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and infantry of the 1st Cavalry Division immediately charged towards the Chuncheon South Valley at full speed on the highest level of combat readiness!
There is only one objective: to cut off Li Yunlong's assault group's retreat before the Chinese defeat the New First Marine Division!
Assist friendly forces in completing the encirclement!

Annihilate those four Chinese armies!

This is the true mission, this is the key to victory or defeat!

Chief of Staff, immediately draft specific operational orders and marching sequences!
I want to see the troops depart in half an hour!

Freeman slammed his hand on the table, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

Colonel Williams looked at Freeman's face, which was filled with determination and fortitude, and knew that his mind was made up and there was no room for negotiation.

The general has already placed his bet: on one side, a feinting force that does its best to perform, leaving the rest to fate and shirking responsibility.

On the other hand, there is a thunderous strike with all-out effort, aiming to seize the greatest strategic advantage.

The risks are extremely high, but the logic is clear.

He straightened up abruptly, gave a crisp military salute, and said, "Yes, General! I understand completely! I'll take care of it immediately!"

After saying that, the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Infantry Division turned and rushed towards the communications and operations staff, speaking at a rapid pace like a machine gun: "Notify Baker Company of the reconnaissance battalion and Charlie Company of the mechanized infantry battalion to report to division headquarters immediately! Commander..."

Let Major Patton lead the team!
Reinforcements for the engineer platoon and communications squad!
All available transport vehicles should be allocated to them first!

Forge them the number flags of three main cavalry regiments!

Get ready immediately!

Communications Center!

Immediately send a telegram to Division Commander Kaize Jiangling: Reinforcements have been dispatched, divided into three routes. Hold the line and await reinforcements!

At the same time, as instructed by the general, I sent orders to the Seoul headquarters and all general channels that the main force of my division would rush to Gangneung in three routes!
............"

The order, like a cold tide, instantly overwhelmed the entire command post.

The staff officers' fingers flew across the keyboards and maps, and the radio's ticking suddenly became dense and high-pitched.

The messenger rushed out.

Freeman walked to the tent entrance and lifted the heavy canvas curtain.

Outside, the roar of engines echoed throughout the valley.

The tank turrets turned, the tracks crushed the gravel, and the beams of searchlights pierced the darkness as soldiers rushed to their vehicles at the officers' shouts.

The air was thick with the scent of diesel fuel, steel, and the tense, anxious atmosphere of the lead-up to a major battle.

He looked towards Jiangling. Night had fallen, and there was only deep darkness and faint rumbling sounds in that direction.

"Kaiser... old classmate... this is all I can do."

As he spoke, Freeman looked toward Chuncheon, where the skyline was bathed in the crimson glow of artillery fire.

"Li Yunlong's assault group, is that right?"

Wu Wanli created a "miracle" in Jiangling.

Now, it's my turn, Freeman, to vindicate the U.S. Army in Chuncheon!

Freeman clenched his fist and said with a determined look in his eyes.

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

Soon, under the cover of night, the two steel torrents of the US 1st Cavalry Division, each with a completely different mission, parted ways in two different directions.

Major Patton stood beside an M35 truck equipped with a high-powered radio, looking at the team that had been temporarily given an "important mission," his feelings a mix of emotions.

There were only two hundred or so truly elite soldiers in front of them.

They were the tough guys from Baker Company, the reconnaissance battalion, and the backbone of Charlie Company, the mechanized infantry battalion.

They were sharp-eyed, well-equipped, and silently inspected the weapons and vehicles.

What remains are the "spectacular" scenes of the shelters along the way:
Hundreds of South Korean soldiers, disheveled and still in shock, were forcibly dressed in old American uniforms that had been found somewhere, and sat blankly on trucks, clutching old Springfield rifles or empty guns.

A small squad of South Korean police officers was conscripted, their only weapons being pistols at their waists, their faces etched with reluctance.

A group of emaciated militia members carried outdated Japanese-made or homemade guns.

There were even some South Korean army logistics cooks wearing dirty aprons who were crammed into a grain truck, holding kitchen knives or spatulas to make up the numbers...

十几辆卡车、吉普车，车身上被油漆匆忙刷上了巨大的“1CAV”“5CAV”“8CAV”的白色标识，分别代表第1、5、8骑兵团。

The front of the vehicle was adorned with brand-new battle flags, symbolizing the three main cavalry regiments, which fluttered brightly in the night wind, appearing particularly conspicuous.

"Major, is this... really going to work?"
Leading this group of people felt more like going to a circus parade than to a war.

The Chinese side…

The reconnaissance company commander walked up to Patton and said in a very low voice.

"Shut up, Lieutenant!"

Execute the command!

Remember the general's words: We are actors!

Our battlefield is in the radio waves, in the enemy's binoculars, in the rising dust! Move out!

Patton interrupted him sharply, even though he himself was unsure.

With his command, this peculiar team sprang into action.

The roar of the engine broke the silence of the night, and the headlights pierced the darkness.

The wheels rolled, kicking up clouds of dust on the dirt road, and the headlights of the convoy cast long streaks of light in the darkness.

From a distance, the undulating terrain, combined with the deliberately widened but not completely disjointed vehicle spacing, created the impressive sight of a massive mechanized force advancing in multiple directions at night.

Those hastily assembled "soldiers" had negligible combat effectiveness.

But crammed into the vehicle, the crowd was so dense that from a distance it really did look like a large army gathering.

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

The smoke of battle had not yet dissipated on the southern slope of Paotai Mountain. Division Commander Kaiser stared with bloodshot eyes at the core position of the Seventh Steel Brigade, less than 300 meters ahead.

The area was riddled with shell craters and the fortifications were in ruins, but the remaining Volunteer Army firing positions were still spewing deadly flames.

He gripped the radio, roaring as he prepared to issue the final order for the all-out assault—to smash his remaining six thousand-odd American and South Korean soldiers like a hammer into Wu Wanli's command post; this was his only way out.

In that life-or-death moment, the communications officer staggered forward, roaring as he handed over a newly translated urgent telegram:

"Commander! General Freeman's urgent telegram! The main force of the 1st Cavalry Division is rushing to our aid at full speed!"
Two hours! We'll reach Gangneung in two hours! We've been ordered to hold our ground and await reinforcements!

Kaiser's bloodshot eyes were fixed on the words "two hours" and "aid" on the telegram, as if he had grasped at a lifeline.

The initial desperate, reckless thought was instantly replaced by a strong will to survive.

"Cease the assault! Cease the assault!"

He practically roared into the radio, his voice distorted with excitement.

"Everyone retreat! Immediately! Construct a circular defensive perimeter on the spot, organized by battalion and company!"

Infantry used shell craters and wreckage as cover, while tanks formed mobile fortresses on the perimeter!
Engineers, lay the mines! Set up the anti-tank guns!
Tell every soldier that as long as they can hold off the Chinese for two hours, two hours!

General Freeman's iron torrent is coming! Then we'll survive!

This order was like a shot of adrenaline to a dying army.

The American and South Korean soldiers, who had been charging forward with the determination to die, suddenly stopped in their tracks. The ferocious despair on their faces instantly turned into unbelievable ecstasy and hope.

"Reinforcements are here!" "Two hours! Hold on for two hours!" Shouts quickly spread among the remaining soldiers.

Morale suddenly reversed, and the instinct for survival overwhelmed everything.

The soldiers no longer thought about advancing to their deaths, but instead turned around and retreated with astonishing efficiency.

They made use of every available piece of terrain and rubble to dig foxholes, set up machine guns, and establish anti-tank positions.

The remaining mortars and bazooka squads were quickly deployed to key nodes of the ring defense line.

In a short period of time, a multi-layered defensive perimeter relying on the complex terrain at the foot of Paotai Mountain was formed, and the remaining firing points once again showed a fierce will to survive.

At the forward position of the Seventh Steel Brigade, Yu Congrong was directing his soldiers to reinforce a heavy machine gun emplacement that had been destroyed by an explosion with sandbags.

Gao Daxing, dragging his injured leg, was counting the remaining anti-tank grenades.

Pinghe squinted and cautiously scanned the desolate battlefield ahead through the sniper scope.

The anticipated final, desperate charge by the enemy never came. Instead, the American and South Korean soldiers who had just been howling and charging forward suddenly retreated in panic like a tide.

The US and South Korean troops retreated to the rear of the positions they had just abandoned and then began frantically digging and constructing fortifications.

"what the hell?

Are these bastards not going to charge?

Are you digging a hole to bury yourself?

Yu Congrong wiped the blood and dust from his face, his face full of doubt.

The surviving Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers on the position looked at each other, unsure whether to relax or be more vigilant.

This unusual retreat and defense has an eerie quality to it.

Just then, Political Commissar Liu Hanqing, accompanied by two guards, rushed through the billowing smoke to the makeshift command bunker where Wu Wanli was located.

Liu Hanqing's military uniform was covered in dust and dark brown bloodstains. His expression was solemn, yet tinged with urgency.
"Commander-in-Chief! Emergency!"
We have just intercepted and deciphered US military communications!
The main force of the 1st Cavalry Division is reportedly advancing at full speed towards Jiangling!
Their strikers could arrive on the battlefield within two hours!
We have suffered too many casualties!
Fortress Hill has been captured, the Seventh Fleet has been annihilated, and the USS Dreadnought has become a war trophy of the people. This is an unprecedented and glorious victory!
The strategic objectives have been exceeded! And the enemy has reinforcements on their way… I think it's time to call it a day and organize a well-ordered withdrawal of our troops from the battlefield!
Preserve your strength, for there's plenty of time in the future!

Inside the bunker, the other commanders' eyes were all focused on Wu Wanli, and the atmosphere was tense and heavy.

The tremendous victory was exhilarating, but the heavy casualties and news of enemy reinforcements weighed heavily on our hearts.

Retreat seems to be the wise choice.

Wu Wanli frowned, and instead of responding to Liu Hanqing immediately, he quickly closed his eyes and concentrated.

Deep in his mind, the invisible "Sky Eye Map" instantly unfolded.

In the clear dot map representing the enemy and friendly forces on the Jiangling battlefield, he accurately pinpointed the direction of the markers representing enemy reinforcements.

The insignia of the 1st Cavalry Division was indeed moving, but its trajectory... Wu Wanli's pupils suddenly contracted!
The arrow wasn't pointing towards Gangneung Port, but rather rushing southeastward along the Han River valley without stopping—to the Chuncheon South Valley!

Meanwhile, the edge of the "map," representing the location of the western passage of Gangneung, only detected a few scattered, weak signal sources moving extremely slowly.

However, its size is completely inconsistent with the designation of "the main force of the 1st Cavalry Division".

Wu Wanli suddenly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone, and said decisively:
"It's a feint!"

Freeman's main cavalry division is rushing towards Chuncheon at full speed to encircle Li Yunlong's troops!

The force sent to Jiangling was nothing more than a bluffing, incompetent, and pretentious decoy force!

Kaiser, the big fish, and the few thousand remnants of his retreating army, are now like dumplings in a pot!
Waiting for reinforcements? Dream on!
Pass on the order!

The new eight ministries and the nine ministries of the court immediately tightened the encirclement and blocked all gaps!
Inform the Navy to use all available naval guns to mark the coordinates of the enemy's ring-shaped defensive perimeter!

Lei Gong, your artillery detachment, in coordination with the navy, give me a continuous, round-by-round bombardment!

Use artillery fire to 'plow' their positions! Deplete their manpower!

They were firmly 'pressed' into that tortoise shell!

The timing of the final assault is up to me!

"Yes!"

A fierce glint flashed in Lei Gong's eyes, and he saluted without hesitation to accept the order.

Seeing Wu Wanli's unwavering confidence, the crowd's almost blind trust once again took over.

"Yes, sir! We will carry out the order without hesitation!"

Inside the bunker, everyone responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)