Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 391 Breaking Through the Han River Defense Line, Heading Straight to Seoul!!!
On the Han River defense line, two main infantry regiments of the US 3rd Division, three regiments of a South Korean reorganized division, plus an American artillery regiment, totaling more than 22,000 troops, were combined.

They crawled along the frozen riverbank, relying on the numerous reinforced concrete fortifications, crisscrossing trenches, layers of barbed wire, and minefields.

Major General Saul, commander of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division and the highest-ranking commander of the Han River defense line, stood in front of the observation post's glass window, a large cigar dangling from his lips, looking smug and self-satisfied.

Through the telescope, a desolate snowfield stretched across the gray horizon on the north bank, with only the cold wind whipping up snowflakes and howling as it swept across the ice.

"General, the hammer is in position."

The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Third Division handed over the latest report.

Ten kilometers behind the defensive line, more than 6,000 elite Delta Force troops, along with a mixed force of an armored infantry regiment from the U.S. 3rd Division, known as the "Iron Hammer" mixed unit, are waiting in their pre-designated concealed positions.

Major General Allen, the supreme commander of Delta Force, silently wiped his sidearm with a cold, icy gaze.

This powerful mobile reserve force is the core killing move of Ridgway and Chu Yunfei's insidious plan of "luring the enemy deep and then launching a central attack," waiting for Thor to wear down the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade on the front line.

Then they can pounce with lightning speed, cut off their retreat, and annihilate them.

Silence, a deathly silence, enveloped both banks of the Han River.

4:59:30 AM.

On the opposite bank from the US military base, behind what appears to be an ordinary snow slope.

At the artillery position of the 7th Steel Brigade, Lei Gongzheng pressed the walkie-talkie's transmit button tightly, his hoarse voice piercing through the biting cold wind: "Attention, all artillery groups!"

Target area: Eastern section of the Han River defense line, pre-defined coordinate group: Zone 7 (甲字) to Zone 3 (癸字)!

Three units of high-explosive and time-delay fuse grenades! One unit of incendiary bombs!

Ready—release!

"put!"

"put!"

The command traveled along the telephone line and through the roaring mouth, instantly reaching every heavy cannon with its muzzle raised.

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
In an instant, the entire US military's Han River defense line trembled violently amidst a furious roar!
Shells tore through the dawn's glimmer, shrieking with destructive force, and crashed down on the US and South Korean forces with a density beyond the reach of the human ear!
Major General Saul slammed his hot coffee cup to the ground, the brown liquid splashing all over his shiny leather boots.

He rushed to the observation window, his pupils contracting sharply in extreme horror.

"God! Artillery fire! Overwhelming artillery fire!?"
The Seventh Steel Brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was unlike any other Chinese army; their firepower was incredibly rapid.

The scream of the US 3rd Division Chief of Staff was so faint amidst the deafening roar of the explosion.

On the south bank, along the eastern section of the Han River defense line, hell descends.

Lei Gong's artillery was not conducting aimless carpet bombing, but rather precisely bombarding the points that the US military thought were impregnable, according to the coordinates given by Wu Wanli!

The coordinates of a core firing point, which was built on a sturdy brick house and equipped with four heavy machine guns and an anti-tank gun, were just told to Lei Gong by Wu Wanli.

At that moment, three 152mm high-explosive grenades, as if precisely guided, pierced its firing port and weak top cover almost simultaneously!
Amidst the deafening explosion, the entire building, along with the machine guns, artillery, and American soldiers inside, was transformed into a massive fireball that shot dozens of meters into the air.

Pre-set permanent machine gun nests?

A delayed-fuze heavy grenade pierced through its concrete top and exploded inside.

The blast wave, carrying deadly precast fragments and shockwaves, instantly tore the thick concrete structure apart and blew it away like an eggshell.

The American soldiers inside didn't even have time to scream before they were crushed into dust.

A mortar position concealed on the reverse slope?

Several incendiary bombs landed with a piercing whistle, the viscous flames of solidified gasoline like hellish lava, instantly turning the area into a boiling sea of ​​fire.

Soldiers, engulfed in flames, screamed as they rushed out of their bunkers, rolling on the snow before being blown to pieces by a high-explosive bomb.

The earth trembled violently, and the air was distorted by the high temperature and shock waves.

The steel is groaning, the flesh is vaporizing.

The U.S. military's fortified positions crumbled and melted like paper, and the carefully laid barbed wire and minefields were like child's play in the face of the raging steel storm, easily torn apart and detonated.

Smoke, fire, dust, and snow mingled into a dark curtain of death, shrouding the entire eastern section of the Han River defense line.

The severed limbs and twisted weapon parts of American and South Korean soldiers fell from the sky like dirty raindrops.

"Report! The core support point of District 7 has been destroyed!"

"Report! Heavy artillery positions in Sector C4 have fallen silent! Three 105mm howitzers lost!"

"Report! Mortar position No. 2 on the reverse slope... completely destroyed! The fire is too intense to approach!"

The bad news hit Major General Saul's command post on the Han River defense line like hail.

The U.S. military staff officers were pale-faced, their hands trembling as they marked the positions marked with red crosses on the map.

In just the first round of barrage, most of the tough obstacles that were supposed to be in place on the eastern defensive line were shattered!
Thor's heart felt like it was being gripped by an icy hand. The resources he relied on to wear down the "Steel Seven's main force" were being rapidly evaporated by this terrifyingly accurate artillery fire!
Before the smoke from the shelling had even cleared, a roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami suddenly erupted from the snow-covered plains on the north bank!
Countless figures, like a torrent bursting its banks, leaped out from their concealed attack positions and stepped onto the pale, frozen surface of the Han River!
"Charge! Cross the Han River!"

"For our motherland! Charge!"

Leading the charge was a remnant of the 6th Army of the Korean People's Army behind enemy lines, numbering over 10,000!

They wore haphazard cotton-padded clothes and carried a variety of weapons; many even had only crude homemade guns and explosive charges.

However, at this moment their charge was imbued with an unprecedented, forcibly gathered, and desperate spirit.

Among the ranks, many figures wearing standard cotton uniforms and cotton hats of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army could be clearly seen.

They were elite core members of the Seventh Steel Brigade secretly planted by Wu Wanli!

These elite troops of the Seventh Steel Brigade, like steel bars and iron bones, firmly wedged themselves into this hastily assembled force.

Park Sung-ho, a Chinese Korean soldier and platoon leader of the armored guard battalion of the 7th Steel Corps, has now been appointed as the commander of the "Supervisory Assault Regiment" of this North Korean unit.

He stood at the very front of the ice, holding his blood-stained PPSh submachine gun high, veins bulging on his neck, and roared in broken Korean and Chinese: "Forward!"
Those who retreat will be subject to battlefield discipline by the military police!
kill! ! ! "

Behind him stood dozens of military police from the 7th Steel Corps, also dressed in North Korean uniforms but with conspicuous red ribbons wrapped around their arms, their eyes as cold as ice.

The dark muzzles of their Thompson submachine guns and Browning machine guns were mercilessly pointed at any figure that hesitated or tried to retreat.

The authority and iron discipline of the Seventh Steel Brigade, like an invisible whip, lashed the team forward.

Further back, on the highest point of the snow slope, a huge, bright red military flag, fluttering in the cold wind, stood proudly—it was the battle flag of the Seventh Steel Brigade!
Under its banner, Pinghe stands like a silent reef in the howling cold wind.

He held up his binoculars and calmly observed the situation across the entire eastern battlefield.

Beside him stood an elite reconnaissance detachment of the 7th Steel Brigade, reinforced with a battalion, like a pack of leopards poised to pounce, their bayonets gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Their temporary inaction was the final straw that broke the camel's back, and also Pinghe's trump card to ensure that this feint could attract and deplete the enemy's forces to the greatest extent.

Tens of thousands of soldiers charged forward, treading on the ice that had been plowed by artillery fire and stained with blood, braving the sporadic, fearful shots from the remaining strongpoints on the south bank, shouting as they rushed toward the smoke-filled, devastated eastern section of the defense line!

It was a grand and imposing event, with a force that could shake mountains and rivers!
In the Sol command post, the staff officers, who had just been stunned by the precise artillery fire, were once again shocked by the surging crowd and the glaring steel seven battle flag seen through their binoculars.

A young U.S. Army staff officer pointed to the red flag fluttering in the wind through his binoculars, his voice trembling with excitement and fear: "General, it's Steel Seven!"
The main force, absolutely the main force!

Look at that flag, and the density of the charge—only Steel Seven has this kind of momentum!

The chief of staff of the U.S. 3rd Division quickly scanned the map and scattered battle reports, speaking at a speed like a machine gun: "The artillery bombardment is entirely concentrated in the eastern sector!"

Now it's another infantry charge of this size!
With a clear objective, concentrated firepower, and a fierce offensive!

This perfectly aligns with the consistent attacking style of the China Steel Seventh Team!

General, they are launching a full-scale attack on the eastern section!

General Ridgway's plan to first weaken the enemy and then lure them deeper into his territory has been realized!

Major General Thor stared intently at the surging tide of soldiers that was pouring onto the south bank beach like boiling ants, then glanced at the arrow representing "Iron Hammer" on the map.

He suddenly grabbed the red secure phone on the table, a gambler's fervor and relief flashing in his eyes: "General Allen! The prey has taken the bait!"
The main force of Steel Seven is launching a fierce attack on my eastern defense line! I order the 'Iron Hammer' mixed forces to activate immediately!
As planned, you will lead the Delta Force and the attached US 3rd Division Armored Infantry Regiment to move at full speed to the eastern flank of the battlefield!
When their main force penetrates deep into our defensive territory and is exhausted, smash their flanks and rear!
Nail them to the south bank of the Han River!

The order was transmitted instantly via encrypted radio waves to the concealed positions of the "Iron Hammer" mixed forces in the rear.

Major General Allen expressionlessly closed the cover of the secure radio, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. He then swung his arm sharply at the troops who were already fully prepared: "Iron Hammer!"
Target – the eastern flank of the defense line along the eastern section of the Han River!
Full speed ahead! Crush them!

In an instant, the earth trembled once more!
Dozens of American-made Sherman tanks and M5 light tanks roared deafeningly, their diesel engines spewing out thick black smoke.

Following closely behind were a large number of M3 half-track armored personnel carriers and jeeps, fully equipped and menacing Delta Force elites.

This unit kicked up a cloud of snow dust, like a ferocious steel python tearing through the snow curtain and rushing at high speed toward the eastern flank of the battlefield!
....................................

Almost at the same instant that Allen's "Hammer" cluster started its engines!

On the north bank of the Han River, inside the bunker of the core command post of the Seventh Steel Corps
Deep within Wu Wanli's consciousness, the Sky Eye Map was unfolding with unprecedented clarity!

On the south bank of the Han River, mountains, rivers, towns, and roads are clearly visible in detail.

Orange-red dots representing the enemy were densely distributed along the defensive line.

At this moment, behind the defensive line, a large cluster of dense, blindingly bright red dots, moving at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary troops, is breaking away from its pre-set concealed position and rushing at high speed toward the eastern flank of the battlefield!

Its target area clearly points to the flank and rear of the eastern section of the defense line where Pinghe is located!

Wu Wanli suddenly opened his eyes: "The US military reserves have moved! Target: the eastern flank!"

it is good!
That old dog Thor really fell for it... Thunder God!

"To!"

Lei Gong's hoarse and excited reply immediately came through the walkie-talkie.

"Target changed! Central defense line of the Han River!"

Coordinates: Core fortress cluster in Zone 3 (丑字三区), Anti-tank gun position in Zone 1 (寅字一区), Reserve assembly area in Zone 2 (卯字二区)!
High-explosive rounds, base quantity four!

Delayed-fuze armor-piercing projectiles, base number two!

Covert fire!

"Take off Thor's turtle shell completely! Now!"

Wu Wanli spoke at breakneck speed, rattling off a series of incredibly precise coordinate numbers.

After saying this, he waved and led the people in the command post toward the tank formation outside.

Because he understood that the real battle was about to begin.

"Understood! Central defense line! Coordinates received! Covert fire! Flip over the turtle shell!"

The thunder god's roar was filled with frenzied excitement.

Less than half a minute later, the artillery positions on the north bank, which had just been silent for a moment, roared once again with earth-shattering fury!

This time, the spearhead of the steel storm was turned with utmost precision and without warning towards the seemingly calm central defense line of the Han River!
Rumble——! ! !
More intense and violent explosions than those in the eastern section of the Han River suddenly erupted in the middle section!

The earth is shaking!

The US 3rd Division and the South Korean troops who were just relieved that their defense zone had not been targeted were instantly overwhelmed by a rain of death falling from the sky!
The third district of the character "丑" (chou) was a core fortress complex that was expanded from a natural cave and equipped with four anti-tank guns and a large number of light and heavy machine guns. Several heavy armor-piercing shells with delayed fuses directly penetrated the top rock layer!
Violent explosions repeated themselves in the narrow space, crushing everything inside, including living things and weapons, and causing the cave to collapse like a walnut being smashed by a giant hammer.

In Zone 1 of the Yin character, the anti-tank gun positions, meticulously disguised and prepared to ambush tanks, were completely engulfed by a barrage of high-explosive shells before they could even fire.

The cannons were overturned and twisted, and the gunners were torn to pieces.

The second district of the Mao character, a low-lying area where an infantry battalion was to be assembled as a reserve force, was instantly transformed into a raging inferno.

Incendiary bombs poured down viscous, deadly flames, burning the soldiers into rolling, wailing torches. High-explosive bombs repeatedly plowed up the entire area, sending blood, flesh, and limbs flying everywhere.

At the central defense line, a cacophony of screams and howls filled the air, and command instantly descended into chaos.

Before the smoke from the artillery fire had even cleared, the deafening roar of tank engines echoed through the swirling dust!

In the central area of ​​the north bank of the Han River, the snow slope suddenly opened up!

A tank painted with the insignia of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and with a thick cannon barrel was the first to rush down the riverbank, its tracks grinding against the ice with a screeching sound!
Inside the No. 1 tank
"Seventh Steel Brigade! Target—the central defense line of the Han River, follow me!"

Wu Wanli shouted into the radio.

In an instant, Tank No. 1 shot off like an arrow, heading straight for the opposite bank that was being bombarded by artillery fire!

Tanks and armored vehicles from the Seventh Steel Brigade followed suit and charged forward!
Steel tracks rolled over the cratered ice surface riddled with craters from artillery fire, splattering ice shards mixed with blood and mud.

The tank turret spun violently as it moved, flashing gunfire as it eliminated the remaining firing positions one by one.

On both sides and behind the tank formation were more than 400 elite soldiers from the guard battalion, personally led by the prehistoric battalion commander!
Most of them carried Thompson submachine guns, their waists laden with grenades and explosive charges, like spikes attached to a tank, following closely behind.

Gao Daxing led a commando unit of 2,000 elite infantrymen, who followed closely behind the armored spearhead like a surging tide.

Behind them were two thousand soldiers from the fire support detachment commanded by Yu Congrong, carrying heavy machine guns, mortars, and spare ammunition.

"kill--!!!"

The deafening roars converged into a wave of sound that tore through the cold wind, intertwining with the rumble of tanks and the deafening explosions, forming a symphony of charging that shook the heavens and the earth!

Under the personal leadership of Wu Wanli, the 7th Steel Corps, the sharpest dagger, thrust fiercely into the central position of the Han River defense line with an overwhelming momentum!
....................................

Inside the command post of the Han River defense line, the piercing emergency phone calls and the roaring walkie-talkies almost lifted the roof off.

"Sector Three! Sector Three is completely destroyed! The fortress complex has been destroyed!"

"Anti-tank gun positions in Zone 1 have been destroyed! Repeat! Destroyed!"

"Second District Reserve Team... It's over! All of them are wiped out! Incendiary bombs! Fire is everywhere!"

"General! North Bank! Center! Tanks!"

A lot of tanks! And infantry too!
It's the main force of Steel Seven! They're charging in!

That's too fast!

The voice of the American observation post was choked with sobs.

Major General Saul's face instantly turned from ashen to deathly pale, and the cigar in his hand had already fallen to the ground and been trampled to pieces.

He rushed to the observation hole and saw, amidst the billowing smoke, a torrent of steel was crushing across the ice. Several tanks of the vanguard had already stormed onto the south bank beach and were using their tracks to crush the last barbed wire!

Thor whirled around, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the chief of staff and a group of dumbfounded staff officers: "Steel Seven's main force?! In the center?!"
What's that to the east?!

What's with that flag?!
Can anyone tell me?!

The chief of staff of the U.S. 3rd Division trembled as he looked at the markings on the map representing the enemy forces in the eastern sector and the "hammer" arrows rushing toward the eastern flank from behind, then at the unstoppable red torrent in the center.

In an instant, a chilling thought coiled around his heart like a venomous snake.

The chief of staff of the U.S. Third Division suddenly realized: "We've been tricked...we've been tricked!"

General! The enemy to the east is a feint!
It's a feint!
The real deadly attack is in the center!

Wu Wanli... he may have seen through our plan!
He deliberately used the Koreans and that flag to distract our 'hammer'!

Cold sweat instantly soaked through Major General Thor's back.

He was gripped by immense fear and a sense of absurdity.

The brilliant plan that the entire UN command was so proud of was so easily exploited by Wu Wanli, turning it into a trap that destroyed the Han River defense line!

He grabbed the phone abruptly, his voice hoarse and distorted: "Allen! Allen! Immediately halt the maneuver toward the east wing!"

Reinforcements! Immediately reinforce the central defense line!
Wu Wanli's main force is in the Central Committee! The Central Committee!

They're about to break through!

However, all that came from the other end of the phone was Allen's calm yet unquestionable reply: "General Saul, my troops are executing the plan and have advanced at full speed to the designated attack position on the east flank."

The battlefield situation changes rapidly. Turning back to reinforce the central command at this time would not only be too late, but would also expose our troops to open terrain, putting them in great danger.

I will proceed as planned, first annihilating the enemy on the eastern flank, and then, depending on the situation, conducting a tactical flanking maneuver towards the central battlefield.

complete. "

After a moment of silent thought, Allen responded.

"Allen! You bastard! This is an order! The central defense line is about to be breached!"

Saul roared into the microphone, but all he got in response was a busy signal.

He slumped down and put down the microphone, overwhelmed by a profound sense of despair.

He understood that Allen was right. Iron Hammer's Delta Force and Armored Infantry Regiment had been personally transferred away by him, leaving them unable to reach him!
Just as Thor was falling into despair, on the eastern flank of the eastern battlefield...

The fangs of "Iron Hammer" were finally fully bared!

Major General Allen stood atop the command tower of a Sherman tank, coldly swinging his attack arm: "Delta Force! Panzer Regiment! Tear them apart!"

Instantly, dozens of tanks spewed deadly flames from their cannons!
High-explosive and armor-piercing rounds rained down on the positions of the North Korean "Supervisory Assault Regiment," which had just stormed onto the southern beach and were still establishing a firm foothold. Delta Force soldiers in M3 half-tracks followed closely behind, unleashing a dense and precise hail of bullets with their M1 Garand rifles, Browning automatic rifles, and light machine guns.

In the air, a large number of P-51 Mustang fighter jets roared and swooped down, their cannons and rockets slicing through the charging North Korean troops, stirring up a storm of blood and gore.

Park Sung-ho's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Hold on! The Seventh Steel Brigade is right behind us! Hold on!"

His Thompson submachine gun swept down two U.S. Delta Force soldiers who were trying to flank him.

The core members of the Seventh Steel Brigade and the military police around him stood like rocks at the most dangerous breach, repelling the probing attacks of the Delta Elite Squad time and time again with accurate shooting and fierce bayonet fighting.

The guns of the supervising officers kept spitting fire, shooting down North Korean soldiers who tried to escape onto the snow.

"Those who retreat will die! Forward! For the motherland!"

The shouts of the supervisory team sounded particularly shrill amidst the explosions.

However, the absolute gap in firepower, armor, and training quality cannot be bridged by simply supervising the troops.

The veterans of the US military in Delta Force moved like ghosts through the smoke and ruins, their precise sniping constantly taking down machine gunners and junior commanders on the front lines.

American tanks recklessly crushed the relatively open beachhead, leaving shattered limbs beneath their tracks.

The courage of North Korean soldiers crumbled rapidly in the face of the steel storm and massive casualties.

Despite the desperate efforts of the core members of the Seventh Steel Brigade, the front line inevitably began to waver and collapse, like thin ice being constantly hammered by a heavy hammer.

"Commander! The 3rd Battalion on the right flank... has collapsed! The American tanks are coming!"

A North Korean officer, his face covered in blood, staggered and fell in front of Park Sung-ho.

Park Sung-ho turned his head and saw that on the right flank, several Sherman tanks rolled over the broken fortifications, and Delta Force members poured into the gap like a tide.

The retreating North Korean soldiers fled like a flood after a dam had burst, their gunfire drowned out by the cries of the fleeing soldiers and the excited shouts of the American troops.

"Oh shit!"

Park Sung-ho slammed his fist hard onto the cold, frozen ground.

He knew that the game was over.

If they are forced to stay here, all the core members of the Seventh Steel Brigade and the remaining North Korean soldiers will only be completely crushed.

"Send the signal! Provide alternating cover! Retreat towards Commander Pinghe's direction!"

Park Sung-ho gritted his teeth and gave the order; this was the only option to preserve their fighting force.

The surviving core members of the 7th Steel Brigade and the military police immediately sprang into action, organizing a final rearguard action and guiding the remaining North Korean soldiers toward the high ground of the snow slope occupied by Pinghe in the rear.

Behind them came relentless pursuit fire from the U.S. Delta Force and the U.S. 3rd Armored Regiment.

From the high vantage point, Pinghe put down his binoculars, his face ashen.

The collapse of the eastern beachhead was happening faster than he had anticipated.

The "Iron Hammer" is indeed terrifyingly sharp.

"Commander! Commander Park and his men have withdrawn! The Americans are holding on tight!"

A scout urgently reported.

Pinghe did not hesitate at all and decisively ordered: "Reconnaissance Detachment, open fire!"

To meet up with Commander Park and his men!
Heavy machine guns and mortars, give the vanguard of the pursuers a good thrashing!
Stop their momentum!
Gather the routed soldiers behind our lines!

"Yes!"

The reconnaissance team soldiers, who had been holding back for so long, immediately roared and opened fire!
Dozens of light and heavy machine guns spat out long tongues of fire on the snow slope, and shells whistled as they fell in front of the pursuing American armored group, blasting up walls of mud and snow.

The precise and fierce firepower instantly suppressed the momentum of the pursuit, giving the retreating Park Sung-ho troops a chance to catch their breath.

The routed soldiers, as if they had found their backbone, cried out and surged toward the rear of the Pinghe position.

Pinghe looked coldly at the chaotic rout below and the "Iron Hammer" group in the distance adjusting its formation and preparing to press forward again.

He did not choose to fill the collapsing beachhead, which would have been tantamount to suicide.

He grabbed the walkie-talkie, connected to the brigade's frequency, and said in a steady but urgent voice: "Brigade Commander! The feint mission on the east wing is complete!"

The US reserve force has been drawn in and engaged!
But the feint has already collapsed, and our troops are gathering the remaining forces to delay the attack!
In the central direction, we must accelerate the breakthrough!

Pinghe requested that the main force of the reconnaissance detachment be immediately moved toward the central battlefield to provide support!

Repeat, requesting to align with the central government!

Meanwhile, at the forefront of the central defense line along the Han River.

Wu Wanli's armored spearhead has already deeply penetrated the defensive depth of the US and South Korean forces!
Steel tracks rolled over broken barbed wire and collapsed trenches, crushing the remaining wooden stakes and sandbags to dust.

Tank No. 1, like a raging rhinoceros, smashed through a half-collapsed brick wall with its welded ramming horn, clearing a path for the following troops.

"Hanqing! Left front! Second floor of the brick building! Heavy machine gun! Smash it!"

Wu Wanli's roar remained clear amidst the rumbling noise inside the tank.

"understand!"

Inside the turret, Liu Hanqing, who was temporarily serving as the gunner, had his arm muscles bulging as he steadily and quickly operated the azimuth and elevation mechanisms.

The gun barrel of Tank Number One suddenly swung and pointed at the target.

boom!
The cannon spewed out scorching flames!
The shell accurately penetrated the second-floor window of the brick building, and the violent explosion threw the machine gunner and the gunner out of the room.

"Prehistoric! Ten o'clock! Anti-tank ditch! Infantry ambushing! Firepower coverage!"

Wu Wanli gave another order via radio.

The prehistoric battalion commander, who was right behind Tank No. 1, immediately yelled into the walkie-talkie: "Second Platoon! Heavy machine gun! Suppress the anti-tank ditch!"

Three rows! Grenades! Smash them!

The guards moved with lightning speed.

Two heavy machine guns were instantly set up, and a dense hail of bullets rained down on the gap in the anti-tank ditch.

More than a dozen soldiers simultaneously pulled the pins on their grenades and threw them with all their might.

Boom boom boom!
Explosions echoed through the trenches, drowning out screams.

The assault detachment led by Gao Daxing followed closely behind the tanks, surging into the gap opened by the tanks like a tide.

The soldiers stood in groups of three, back to back, unleashing a barrage of bullets from their Thompson submachine guns.

Bayonets gleamed coldly at close range as fierce trench warfare unfolded between American and South Korean soldiers who were desperately resisting against the ruins and complex fortifications.

Gunshots, explosions, roars, and screams mingled together.

Yu Congrong's fire support detachment quickly deployed at a slightly later position.

Mortars, heavy machine guns, and recoilless rifles were set up behind stable ruins or tanks to provide continuous fire support for the assault troops and suppress enemy counterattack fire points.

However, the US 3rd Division and the South Korean troops stationed on the central defense line were, after all, elite forces on which Ridgway had placed high hopes.

After the initial chaos and heavy casualties, the remaining forces, under the suppression and supervision of officers, unleashed a ferocious force like trapped beasts.

Taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain, and relying on the solid reinforced concrete core fortress complex, the extensive underground tunnels and trenches, they launched a counterattack from unexpected angles.

A bazooka rocket launcher suddenly appeared from behind the ruins of a bunker that had been partially destroyed by an explosion!
"Watch out! Rocket!"

The prehistoric creature had sharp eyes and issued a stern warning.

laugh--!
The rocket, trailing a fiery exhaust, hurtled straight at Wu Wanli's No. 1 tank!
"Turn right! Avoid the obstacle!"

Wu Wanli reacted with lightning speed.

The driver jerked the steering wheel!

The tracks of the No. 1 tank made a screeching sound as they rubbed against the muddy snow, and the massive vehicle swerved violently to the side!
The rocket grazed the storage box at the rear of the tank turret and exploded next to an armored vehicle, overturning it.

"Kill him!"

Wu Wanli roared angrily.

Liu Hanqing's cannons were pointed at the ruins almost simultaneously!

boom!
A high-explosive bomb completely leveled the ruins.

On the other side, a group of South Korean suicide squad members, strapped with explosives, suddenly emerged from a hidden exit in an underground tunnel and charged towards a forward position of Gao Daxing's assault detachment, howling as they rushed towards it.

"Grenades! Focus fire!"

Gao Daxing roared.

Dozens of grenades rained down like hail!
The violent explosion sent several suicide squad members flying. But two of them managed to get close enough to reach the front!
"Follow me!"

Li Tiedan, the platoon leader next to Gao Daxing, roared and led two soldiers to rush forward!
With a gust of wind, his entrenching tool struck a U.S. commando in the neck, while another soldier stabbed another man through the chest with his bayonet!

boom! boom!
The explosive charge was detonated, and Li Tieniu and two soldiers were instantly engulfed in flames!

"Iron Egg!"

Gao Daxing fired wildly with his submachine gun, riddling the American soldiers who followed him with bullets.

The battle reached an extremely brutal stalemate.

Every step forward for the Seventh Steel Brigade came at a bloody price.

Tanks are limited in their mobility in narrow streets and complex terrain, and infantry face fierce sniping and counterattacks when fighting for every section of trench.

Time ticked by, and every second meant the sacrifice of more soldiers.

Meanwhile, the remnants of the US and South Korean forces held them off tightly, buying precious time for the rear defenses to be reorganized and for possible reinforcements to arrive.

The surging tide of the central breakthrough crashed against the stubborn reefs forged from flesh and steel, and was temporarily halted.

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

Han River Defense Command Post
Major General Thor stared at the map with bloodshot eyes, like an ant on a hot pan.

Although the red arrow representing Wu Wanli's breakthrough force was temporarily blocked on the periphery of the core fortress complex, it was like a dagger deeply embedded in the heart of the defense line.

The blue arrow representing the "hammer" is still in the direction of the east wing!

The latest report indicates that after defeating the North Korean forces' delaying resistance at Pyonghae, Allen did not immediately turn to the flank of the central battlefield to carry out the "tactical flanking maneuver" he had promised.

He chose to continue to "expand the gains," directing his troops to chase after the scattered remnants of the North Korean army like ducks, attempting to completely annihilate them in the open area north of the Baishui River!

Thor slammed his fist on the table, making the pencil and water glass on the map jump up: "Idiot!"
Allen, that stubborn idiot, is wasting his most precious time!
Send another power to Allen immediately!

Tell him that the central defense line is in imminent danger!

Once Wu Wanli breaks through the core position, the entire Han River defense line will collapse!
"Tell him to immediately cease pursuit and launch a full-speed assault on the flank and rear of the central battlefield, or he will be court-martialed!"

However, when Major General Allen received the telegram, he merely glanced at it coldly, a hint of disdain even curving his lips.

He was watching through his binoculars as the Delta Force soldiers hunted down the scattered and disorganized North Korean routs like rabbits.

In his view, completely annihilating the enemy force that had caused some trouble for "Iron Hammer" and thoroughly eliminating the hidden dangers on the eastern flank was far more valuable than hastily returning to reinforce the already crumbling central defense line.

Moreover, deep down he was filled with contempt for Saul's "incompetent" performance on the central defensive line.

He believed that with the Delta's formidable fighting power, as long as they dealt with the immediate "minor troubles" first, and then marched westward, they could still deliver a fatal blow to Wu Wanli's rear.

He picked up the microphone and calmly replied, "General Saul, my unit is currently carrying out battlefield cleanup operations and is nearing completion."

After the mopping-up operation is completed, a decisive attack will be launched immediately on the flank of the central battlefield as planned.

Please hold the core positions firmly. Over.

At the very same moment that Allen replied to the telegram!

The stalemate on the periphery of the core fortress complex in the central battlefield was abruptly broken by the arrival of a fresh force!
"Commander-in-Chief! I'm here!"

Pinghe's roar came from the flank and rear!

Pinghe personally carried a light machine gun and took the lead!
Behind him was the main force of the reconnaissance detachment, as fierce as tigers descending the mountain!
Without any hesitation, they plunged directly into the flank of the city where the US and South Korean forces had relatively weak defenses!

This strike was as precise as a scalpel, instantly cutting into the waist of the US and South Korean troops who were fighting against Wu Wanli's frontal attack!

Inside Tank No. 1
"It's the Pinghe reconnaissance team! Well done! They've come at the perfect time!"

Wu Wanli's eyes flashed with a sharp light; this was the moment he had been waiting for!
He immediately roared through the walkie-talkie: "Attention everyone! The Pinghe Detachment has arrived!"

All-out attack! All-out attack!

Gao Daxing! Gather all the bazookas and explosives, and blow that turtle shell in front of me open!
Prehistoric times, armored battalion providing fire support!

Yu Congrong suppressed the enemy's deep-seated firepower!
Target—the core stronghold, breach it!

With Wu Wanli's order, the entire central battlefield was ignited!
Gao Daxing's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Demolition Team! Follow me!"

He personally picked up a heavy explosive charge and a rocket launcher, and led dozens of assault team members carrying explosive charges and demolition charges to rush towards the core fortress blocking their path!

Bullets struck the surrounding ground like water, sending up dense debris of soil and rocks.

Soldiers kept falling from the guns, but those behind them immediately picked up explosives and bazookas and continued their charge!
"Cover Gao Daxing!"

Prehistoric himself operated the coaxial machine gun on the tank turret, suppressing several firing points on the fortress.

boom! boom! boom!
Continuous, deafening explosions rang out on the foundation and walls of the fortress!
Smoke filled the air, and fragments of reinforced concrete flew everywhere like shrapnel from artillery shells!
"A breach! It's blown open!"

Someone roared with ecstatic joy!
A huge gap, several meters wide, had been blasted open in the thick wall of the fortress!
"Fight in!"

Gao Daxing was covered in blood, it was unclear whether it was his own or that of the enemy.

Carrying a Thompson submachine gun, he was the first to rush through the smoke-filled gap!
Instantly, even more intense gunfire, explosions, and screams of fierce hand-to-hand combat erupted inside!
The fall of the fortress was like toppling the last domino.

The collapse of the core defense system instantly shattered the last will to resist of the remaining US and South Korean troops on the central defense line.

Panic spread like a plague.

"The fortress has been breached!"

"We can't hold on! Run!"

The defeat has begun.

The remaining US and South Korean soldiers, no longer heeding the officers' orders to suppress them, began to flee like headless flies toward the urban areas behind them.

"Armored battalion! Assault detachment! Firepower detachment! Pursue them across the entire front! Crush them!"

Destination—Seoul! No stopping!

Wu Wanli's voice, like thunder, echoed across the battlefield via radio!
Tank No. 1 roared and broke through the last embankment of the central defense line of the Han River, sweeping irresistibly towards Seoul!

Behind them lay a scene of devastation: fortifications littered with debris, burning steel wreckage, and countless fallen enemy corpses.

Less than ten minutes after Wu Wanli's steel torrent swept over the ruins of the core fortress and headed toward Seoul!
Major General Allen finally "completely wiped out" the defeated North Korean troops on the eastern flank.

He commanded his massive "Iron Hammer" mixed force with great pride, turning aggressively to the west and pouncing on the rear flank of the central battlefield, preparing to deliver a fatal backstab to "Wu Wanli's main force, which was embroiled in a bitter battle."

However, when their tanks and armored vehicles roared into their designated flank positions in the central battlefield, all they found was a desolate wasteland and...

Dust and smoke from a rearguard unit of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army rapidly withdrawing from the battlefield and pursuing the enemy northward!
Further away, the main force of the Seventh Steel Corps could be seen rolling towards Seoul!

Major General Allen stood atop the command tank. Through his binoculars, the battle flag of the Seventh Steel Brigade fluttered in the smoke of battle, as if silently mocking his late arrival.

He saw the core fortress that had been bombed and collapsed, the corpses of American and South Korean troops scattered everywhere, and the wide passage that had been carved out by steel tracks, leading straight to Seoul!

"FUCK!"

Major General Allen's handsome face contorted instantly as he slammed his fist into the cold armor plate!

Extreme anger and shame made him tremble all over.

Almost!
Just a little bit different!
He was too late!
Wu Wanli, that cunning fox, broke through the Han River defense line right under his nose and escaped triumphantly!

"Chase them! Chase after them! Keep them pinned down! We can't let them escape so easily!"

Allen's furious roar exploded over the radio, filled with resentment and murderous intent.

Under his strict orders, the Delta Force and the armored infantry regiment of the 3rd Division disregarded rest and formation and immediately sped off towards the direction of the 7th Steel Brigade.

(End of this chapter)