Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 71 Two against six tanks!
"Company Commander, Wanli is right!"

"Their defeated troops must have all retreated down the mountain by now."

"The US military could very well launch a new round of bombing!"

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng immediately voiced his support.

"Row!"

"Order the comrades to immediately retreat to the reverse slope fortifications!"

Wu Qianli nodded slightly and gave the order.

He basically stopped questioning Wu Wanli's judgments.

"Company commander, we have a prisoner of an American devil!"

"I think I fainted from the pain just now, and I was arrested as soon as I woke up!"

Yu Congrong escorted a wounded American soldier as they walked over.

"Prisoners? Take them all to the air-raid shelter on the reverse slope."

Wu Qianli said.

"Yes!"

Yu Congrong immediately agreed.

Soon, all the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company took cover behind the fortifications.

"Buzzing—"

The sky seemed to be torn apart by thunder, and the enormous roar was deafening, echoing through the heavens.

Before long, the outline of the bomber became clearer in the sunlight.

"It's really here!"

Gao Daxing, standing in the position, looked at the distant fighter jets and said.

"Wanli's calculations were correct; you'll get used to it!"

Seeing Gao Daxing's slightly surprised expression, Yu Congrong smiled and said.

Soon, the bombers swooped down towards their original positions and dropped their bombs when they reached their lowest point.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The moment the bomb hit the ground, a violent explosion suddenly rang out.

For a moment, the earth seemed to tremble.

The shockwave from the explosion swept across the area with overwhelming force, sending snowflakes flying, scattering debris, and even distorting the surrounding landscape into a blur.

The flames, like the tongue of a demon, greedily licked everything, turning the white ground into scorched black.

After the bombing, the American bombers circled twice before flying away from the position.

Only then did the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company emerge from the air-raid shelter on the reverse slope with peace of mind.

"What is the casualty situation? Have any comrades been killed?"

Wu Qianli looked at the soldiers of the Seventh Company and quickly asked.

"Reporting to the company commander, thankfully Wanli was alert early, and with the well-constructed fortifications, all the comrades are safe."

"Even the American prisoners were behaving themselves."

Mei Sheng said.

“A prisoner…perfect, go and interrogate him, see if you can get any useful information!”

Wu Qianli looked at the American prisoners of war not far away and said.

"Yes!"

Mei Sheng responded.

"Company Commander, I'm just curious, the soil is frozen solid, how did the Third Company manage to dig open that air-raid shelter in such a short time?"

As Yu Congrong spoke, he personally picked up an entrenching tool and began to dig at his feet.

It can be dug, but it is extremely difficult.

"That air-raid shelter cannot be considered as one that our Third Company dug."

"There is a natural cave; we just reinforced it."

At that moment, a soldier holding a bugle spoke.

"Three in a row?"

"Didn't you retreat with Company Commander Yang?"

Wu Wanli walked over at this moment and happened to hear this, so he asked.

"Company Commander Yang considered that the Seventh Steel Company had just arrived at Xiaogaoling and was not familiar with the terrain and positions."

"I was the only one in the Third Company who wasn't badly injured, so they assigned me to stay behind and assist."

"My name is Niu Qiang, and I am the bugler of the Third Company. Please give me any tasks you may have."

Niu Qiang gripped the bugle and the tattered Type 38 rifle tightly, and said somewhat nervously.

"Row!"

"Pinghe, take Comrade Niu Qiang to scout around the position and see if there is any valuable terrain that can be used."

Wu Qianli nodded slightly and gave the order.

"Yes!"

"Comrade, I'm begging you."

Pinghe immediately agreed and smiled at Niu Qiang.

"It's alright, it's alright, let's go, let's go."

Niu Qiang quickly said this and walked out with Pinghe.

"Reporting to the company commander, the interrogation is complete!"

"Based on intelligence obtained from that U.S. military officer."

"The US military will launch another attack in an hour."

"And this time several tanks will be deployed."

Mei Sheng said.

"One hour..."

"Comrades, reinforce the fortifications. Platoon leaders, come to the command for a combat meeting."

Wu Qianli looked at the watch that had been seized earlier and said.

"Yes!"

Mei Sheng responded.

……

Soon, the core members of the Seventh Steel Company had assembled.

After waiting a while, Pinghe and bugler Niu Qiang returned after completing their reconnaissance.

"Reporting to the company commander, reconnaissance complete."

"There is a ditch hidden by bushes on the lower left front side of the position."

"Perhaps because it was far from the position, that ditch was not bombed by the US military."

"This is the coordinate map of the position and that ditch; I've already drawn it."

Pinghe took out a piece of paper and said.

"Our Third Company also discovered that crack."

"But it's too far from the position, and the location is also remote."

"It would be difficult to coordinate if we sent someone to guard the area."

"That's what bugler Niu Qiang said."

"It's quite far from the position, and we have the coordinates..."

"Comrade Niu Qiang, could this ditch hide the entire Seventh Steel Company?"

Wu Wanli took the coordinate sketch, pondered for a moment while rubbing his chin, and then immediately asked.

"Hidden the entire Steel Seventh Company?"

"That's fine, but who will hold the line?"

Niu Qiang frowned and asked.

"Let me join the army to guard the border."

"Add me, that's enough."

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and said.

"what?!"

"Enough...enough?"

Yu Congrong was slightly taken aback and stared blankly at Wu Wanli.

"Scared?"

Wu Wanli provoked him.

"What's there to be afraid of? Let's defend!"

"But I'm not married yet, it would be a shame to sacrifice myself like this..."

Yu Congrong first loudly expressed his determination, then murmured softly.

"Wanli, are you planning to use a piecemeal approach?"

Mei Sheng pondered for a moment and guessed.

"Add oil? What does that mean?"

Gao Daxing scratched the back of his head and asked.

"During the Battle of Shanghai, the Japanese navy's naval gunfire was extremely fierce."

"Often, after a few rounds of shelling, an entire battalion or even a regiment would be sacrificed."

"In order to avoid such a large number of casualties, some officers would keep the main force hidden and only send a small number of troops to guard the positions in normal times."

"Once the Japanese troops charge up, the main force will rush up to assist."

Mei explained.

"Hey? That's a great idea!"

"Wanli has even grasped the art of war!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately praised him.

"A piecemeal tactic, is it or isn't it..."

"Brother, judging from the coordinates, that ravine is quite remote, and the US military will not pass through it whether they are shelling or attacking."

"The Seventh Steel Company was hidden inside, perfectly concealed."

"As long as Yu Congrong and I hold the position for a while, we'll retreat as soon as they rush up."

"Once the American troops are about to reach the position, we'll unleash a fierce artillery barrage!"

"Then the main force of the Steel Seventh Company from Liegou will break out from behind the American devils!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli smiled and said.

"Beautiful!"

"In this way, not a single American devil will escape during the attack; this is a complete annihilation of an entire unit!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately spoke up.

"Company commander, the artillery platoon has plenty of shells; it can completely cover all the American devils."

Lei Gong estimated for a moment and then said.

Upon hearing this, everyone beamed with joy and praised Wu Wanli's brilliant plan. "Alright, let's proceed according to Wanli's plan..."

Wu Qianli gave Wu Wanli an appreciative look, and was about to make a decision.

"Company Commander, Wanli's idea is good, but there is one problem he has overlooked."

"The mortars of the artillery platoon have no problem killing American infantry."

"But according to the intelligence we just received, the US military will deploy several more tanks in the next offensive."

"If we fail to counterattack the remnants of the American army with tanks, and we get stuck in a stalemate, and then the American reinforcements arrive, won't we be surrounded and trapped?"

Mei Sheng shook his head and said.

"The instructor is right, mortars can't break through the armor of the American devils' tanks."

"And our counterattack is an uphill assault, so there are still risks involved..."

"Wanli's idea is good, but it's a pity that the American devils' heavy tanks are not as thin-skinned as the Japanese ones..."

Lei Gong sighed and agreed.

"It's alright, Wanli. Your idea is good."

"No one can always devise a perfect plan; it's normal for the methods they come up with to occasionally fail."

Mei Sheng glanced at Wu Wanli, worried that he might be upset, and offered some words of comfort.

"Brother, instructor, perhaps this problem can also be solved!"

"Don't we still have a batch of large-caliber howitzers? As long as we get a round of bombardment support, we'll be fine!"

Wu Wanli said.

"Okay, okay."

"With the support of the first round of artillery fire, it won't be difficult for the seventh company to arrive."

“But our army is not the US army. We have a severe shortage of radios, and they can’t be assigned to our company level at all.”

"After we arrived to provide support, the US military's artillery and air force blocked the Xiaogaoling position's external access routes, making it difficult to contact the higher-ups."

Wu Qianli frowned slightly and said.

"I know the location of the regimental headquarters!"

"Moreover, the American devils' artillery fire was spaced out regularly, which could be taken advantage of."

"As long as I get through the American devils' artillery blockade to the regimental headquarters, the regimental headquarters can call for large-caliber artillery support via radio."

Upon hearing this, Niu Qiang quickly replied.

"Row!"

"Company commander, this way there will be no loopholes."

Mei Sheng thought for a moment and then said.

"it is good!"

"Niu Qiang, here's the coordinate map. Go to the regimental headquarters immediately and call for artillery fire coverage in one hour!"

"Wanli, you and Yu Congrong stay behind to defend the position. Make sure it is safe and do not linger in battle."

"The rest of you from the Seventh Steel Company, follow me to the ravine for shelter!"

Wu Qianli thought for a moment and then immediately gave the order.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Seventh Steel Company immediately agreed.

"Um... Instructor, could you help me write a letter?"

“I’ll read it to you as you write it, and it will be finished soon.”

Niu Qiang hesitated for a moment, then asked.

"Okay, you go ahead."

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng quickly took out paper and pen and said.

"Mom, brother and sister-in-law, sister..."

"By the time you read this letter, I may have already sacrificed myself."

"Our father died young, and our mother suffered too much. Please don't make her sad. We're entrusting our mother to you..."

"..."

"Thank you, Instructor Mei. That's all."

Niu Qiang didn't dare to waste too much time, so he finished speaking in two minutes and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

"Comrade Niu Qiang, wait a minute!"

"Put this on for me..."

Mei Sheng thought for a moment, then took off his watch and handed it to Niu Qiang.

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on the time, I definitely won't be late!"

Niu Qiang paused for a second, then immediately agreed.

Soon, Wu Qianli led the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company to the crevice and hid there.

Soon, Niu Qiang removed all his bullets and guns, carrying only his watch and bugle, and ran lightly down the mountain.

"30, 29, 28, 27..."

Niu Qiang counted as he ran.

As the countdown was about to end, he quickly threw himself into a bullet casing.

"call out--"

"call out--"

At that moment, shells streaked across the sky, falling with a whooshing sound.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The shells exploded on the hillside, and brilliant flames ignited continuously.

A pungent smell of gunpowder hit him, causing Niu Qiang to cough repeatedly.

Soon, when the shelling ended, Niu Qiang got up and started running again.

After doing this two or three times, Niu Qiang had already covered more than half the distance.

However, when he counted the numbers again and stood up to run...

This time, the artillery fire suddenly arrived ahead of schedule.

"What's going on? The shelling pattern has changed..."

Niu Qiang felt a surge of panic and quickly threw himself down inside a bullet casing, muttering to himself.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

His only response was the fierce artillery fire from the American forces and waves of heat.

…………

Meanwhile, on the Xiaogaoling position

"Wanli, this fight is really exciting!"

"It's just the two of us defending Xiaogaoling, while the American devils have tanks."

Yu Congrong wiped the machine gun and said.

"What's the big deal? We don't need to hold the line. We can just fire a few shots, kill a few American soldiers, and buy some time."

Wu Wanli smiled slightly.

"But what if the Americans get suspicious because we're acting so strangely?"

Yu Congrong asked.

"Becoming suspicious?"

"Then let's just watch them slow down their attack."

"Anyway, Xiaogaoling has blocked their retreat route. They're the ones in a hurry, not us."

Wu Wanli took a bite of chocolate and said.

"Too……"

"Wait, that's the sound of tanks!"

"The American devils are about to launch an attack!"

Yu Congrong bent down, listened to the ground for a while, and then quickly spoke.

"Get ready to fight."

Wu Wanli picked up his sniper rifle and said.

Soon, an American infantry battalion followed the tanks and charged up the hillside.

"hiss--"

"The Americans have really gone all out, six tanks?"

"And judging from the looks of it, there's about a battalion of American troops following behind them."

After observing through the 16x sniper scope, Wu Wanli gasped in shock.

"What's the matter?"

"Two of us against six tanks and an entire battalion?"

Yu Congrong was slightly taken aback, then opened his mouth in shock.

mountainside

"Rumble--"

Six American tanks lined up in a row, their massive cannons pointing straight up, their engines roaring as they drove up the mountain.

Behind the tanks, a large number of American soldiers carefully followed the rear of the tank armor, heading up the mountain.

At this moment, a U.S. Army major, holding binoculars, looked at the tranquility of the small hill with a slight sense of unease.

"Sir, isn't it a bit excessive for us to mobilize so many troops for a general offensive?"

A U.S. Army captain looked up at the position above and asked.

"Should we pass?"

Do you know who our enemy is?

"It's that volunteer army unit known as the Iron Army!"

The U.S. Army major frowned slightly, looking worried.

"what?!"

"That elite Chinese unit that captured Colonel McKlain alive?"

The U.S. lieutenant swallowed hard and said.

"Don't panic."

"This elite Chinese force was only good at using some tricks before, and the Polar Bear Regiment was careless, which gave them the opportunity."

"This is a fair and square positional war, and they have no tactical options to employ."

"With their light infantry, they have no chance of defeating our armored forces in a direct confrontation!"

"Let's launch a fast-paced attack."

"I look forward to defeating these Chinese people and then burning their 'steel' flag in front of them. How humiliated they will be!"

The U.S. Army major smiled slightly and said dismissively.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Army lieutenant immediately agreed.

(End of this chapter)