Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

After the fifth battle, both the enemy and us launched certain offensives.

However, neither side was able to defeat the enemy quickly, and the battle situation fell into a stalemate for a while, and the battle line remained near the 38th parallel.

At this time, both the enemy and us realized that it would be difficult to completely defeat the other side in a short period of time.

Therefore, the entire battlefield was in a state of confrontation most of the time.

The enemy and our side also began negotiations, but the contest at the negotiating table was a protracted war. Both sides were unwilling to make concessions, so the negotiations naturally fell into a stalemate, and there was no substantial progress at all.

In early November 1951, the weather was getting colder, and Li Guotao and the task force were resting in a remote village.

That night, Li Moyin called Li Guotao to his room.

Looking at the map on the table, Li Guotao couldn't help but his eyes lit up.

Li Moyin smiled and said, "Sit down and talk!"

Li Guotao sat opposite Li Moyin.

Li Moyin pointed at the map and said, "I believe you have also seen this map, and you should know why I called you here."

Li Guotao nodded slightly, because this map mainly marked some coastal islands from the mouth of the Yalu River to the mouth of the Cheongcheon River.

Li Guotao said: "Have the superiors decided to pull out these nails?"

Li Moyin said: "Not bad! You really understand everything at once."

"Look, according to the intelligence we have so far, the Daxiaohe Island between the mouth of the Qingchuan River and the mouth of the Yalu River, as well as the surrounding islands such as the Linden Island and the Tan Island, are now in the hands of the enemy."

"The enemy has currently deployed more than a thousand puppet troops on the island, as well as hundreds of enemy agents."

"There are high-power radars and other monitoring and eavesdropping equipment on the island. The enemy is extremely rampant in collecting intelligence on our army, which poses a great threat to us."

"And you also know that the two sides are currently in the process of negotiating. If all goes well, there is a high probability that the two sides will stop fighting and restore peace based on the current actual occupation line or the previous demarcation line."

"But these islands are on the North Korean side and are very close to our country. The enemy has refused to withdraw from here."

"They relied on their superiority in the navy and air force and thought we couldn't do anything to them, so they refused to retreat."

"We must resolutely and thoroughly remove these nails. Since the enemy refuses to retreat, we can only attack by force, occupy Dahe Island, Xiaohe Island and the surrounding islands, and completely destroy the enemy troops and intelligence bases here."

"The boss has issued an order to carry out a joint landing operation by the army, navy and air force to recapture these islands and completely remove these thorns in our army's side."

Li Guotao smiled and said, "I understand. When do we set off?"

Li Moyin smiled and said, "You are not worried at all."

"Is there anything to worry about?" Li Guotao asked back.

Li Moyin smiled and said, "This time we are fighting across the sea, which is different from the previous battles."

"The enemy has an absolute advantage in navy and air force, even if we succeed in taking these islands."

"If the enemy deploys the main force of the navy to launch a large-scale counterattack, the troops landing on the island will face a life-or-death situation."

Li Guotao smiled and said, "War is always dangerous. If we are afraid of danger, we don't deserve to wear this military uniform."

"This is the first time that our army has carried out a joint operation of the three services of the army, navy and air force. To be honest, facing an enemy with absolute superiority in the sea and air force, this is a very big test for us."

"But this is also an extremely rare opportunity. How can we miss such a good opportunity?"

Li Moyin smiled and said, "You are right. We must not miss such a good opportunity."

"This time, we will lead the task force to the front line together to assist our brother troops and win this battle."

"Yes!"

Li Guotao quickly responded: "Please rest assured, Captain, we will complete the mission. Isn't it just pulling out a few nails?"

"It's nothing!"

Li Guotao then rushed to the front line with a task force. The 50th Army was responsible for the army's task of retaking the Big and Small He Islands.

More than half a month before, the 50th Army began preparations, investigating the patterns of tidal currents and the topography of the islands, and began sea crossing and landing training.

On November 11, the battle officially began.

The Volunteer Air Force dispatched nine Tu-2 bombers, which took off from domestic airports and launched the first bombing of Yamato Island.

The bomber formation soon flew over Yamato Island, and at this time a shrill air defense alarm sounded in the enemy camp on the island.

The enemy's anti-aircraft artillery on the ground also opened fire one after another, and anti-aircraft machine guns and anti-aircraft guns fired a hail of bullets in an attempt to stop the volunteer army's bombing.

At a command from shooting director Yang Zhentian, the machine gun turrets at the belly and tail of the bomber opened fire simultaneously.

Tongues of fire spewed out and fell towards the anti-aircraft firepower on the ground, and violent explosions continued to sound.

The enemy's anti-aircraft artillery suffered heavy losses, and most of its anti-aircraft firepower was silenced one after another.

"Drop the bomb~!"

The chief navigator gave the order to drop the bombs.

The orders were transmitted to the aircraft by radio.

"Drop the bomb~!"

"Drop the bomb~!"

The captains of each plane issued orders to drop bombs.

Eighty-one bombs fell from the magazine one after another, whistling loudly and fiercely hitting the ground.

"Boom~! Boom~!"

Violent explosions continued to sound, and sparks of bullets rose from the ground.

In an instant, the enemy base on Yamato Island was engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

The enemy's headquarters, radars, military camps, listening stations and other targets on the island were hit and caught fire one after another.

According to post-war statistics, the bombing achieved brilliant results, although only killing dozens of people.

However, the enemy's command post was destroyed, and a major general, the enemy's operations chief, the captain of the naval intelligence team and other high-ranking officials were killed.

Just as the Air Force was bombing Yamato Island, Li Guotao and his task force boarded a landing craft.

The 50th Army sent two battalions of troops to prepare for a landing operation on Linden Island. Li Guotao also participated in the operation with a task force.

At this time, the coastal defense artillery had begun to concentrate its firepower and bombarded Linden Island, and the entire island was filled with smoke.

Li Guotao was looking towards the direction of Linden Island when Li Moyin suddenly boarded the boat and sat down next to Li Guotao.

Li Guotao asked in surprise: "Captain, why are you here?"

Li Moyin held the gun in his hand and said with a smile: "Such a good opportunity, how can I miss it."

Li Guotao felt helpless about this, but there was nothing he could do.

Li Moyin looked into the distance and said, "This time the Air Force will also send bombers to cooperate with us in the battle. First, they suddenly bombed Yamato Island, and then another group of planes will come to bomb Linden Island."

"Once the bombing is over, we can launch the attack."

Li Guotao nodded and said with a smile: "This kind of opportunity is really rare!" As he was speaking, the roar of a motor was heard in the air.

Several bombers quickly flew through the air and headed straight for Linden Island.

When the soldiers saw the planes in the sky, they couldn't help but shout excitedly.

"It's our plane!"

"It's our bomber!"

"Brothers in the Air Force, bomb these beasts hard to death."

"Let them have a taste of being bombed!"

The soldiers were all very excited. After all, the enemy had always held absolute air superiority and our army had basically only been bombed. But this time everything was reversed.

Soon the bombers dropped bombs accurately on the enemy targets on Linden Island, and flames shot up into the sky.

Seeing this scene, the soldiers cheered excitedly again.

At the same time, a number of speedboats, escorted by several small warships, quickly rushed towards Linden Island.

Due to the previous artillery preparation, the enemy's fortifications had been basically destroyed.

Under the fierce bombing of our army, the surviving enemies on the island all hid obediently in the air-raid shelters and dared not come out.

Therefore, the landing was very smooth and speedboats quickly docked.

Li Guotao jumped down first and shouted, "Comrades, charge!"

"Kill~!"

More than a thousand brave volunteer soldiers, with high morale, rushed to the Linden Island.

It was not until the volunteers landed that the enemy on the island reacted.

Under the command of officers, they came out of the air-raid shelters one after another, trying to resist the attack of the Volunteer Army.

While rushing forward, Li Guotao raised his gun, aimed at the enemy in the distance and pulled the trigger.

"Da da da~!"

A burst of intensive gunfire rang out, and several enemies fell to the ground, killed on the spot.

The soldiers were unstoppable and easily broke through the enemy's defense line, then divided into several groups and began to clear out the remaining enemies on the island.

Li Guotao was also extremely brave in combat. He led the task force soldiers and charged all the way, killing hundreds of enemies one after another and taking the lead in occupying the enemy's main position on the island.

The entire battle lasted about forty minutes, and all the hundreds of remaining enemies on the island were wiped out.

The volunteer army recaptured Linden Island in one fell swoop.

After the Volunteer Army successfully recaptured Linden Island, the enemies entrenched in Dajiaci Island, Xiaojiaci Island, Diedao Island and other islands retreated to Dahe Island, Xiaohe Island and Dahe Island one after another, attempting to continue to resist stubbornly.

The volunteer army then successfully recaptured the above-mentioned islands.

In this way, the small islands were recovered one after another, and the enemies all retreated to the Big and Small He Islands and continued to hold on.

The volunteer army also began to plan for the final offensive against the Big and Small He Islands.

Li Moyin stood on the shore, looking at the calm sea in the distance, and said with some concern: "You should know what we are most worried about now?"

Li Guotao said: "What I am most worried about is that the enemy's navy will launch a massive counterattack."

"If their main naval fleet arrives, we will be no match for them."

“But I don’t think they will do that.”

Li Moyin asked: "Why?"

Li Guotao explained: "These small islands are very close to us. For us, they are like a thorn in our side, a serious concern."

"But for the enemy, it's not that important. It's just an intelligence base. Its main function is to collect intelligence on us."

"They don't dare to land here in large numbers and launch a larger-scale counterattack now."

"After all, the enemy no longer wants to expand the scale of the war because they are also frightened by the attack."

"So in this case, the size and the island are even less important to them."

"Plus, our air force is much stronger now than it was before. This place is very close to us, so our air force can provide reinforcements in time."

"Although our navy is no match for the enemy's naval fleet, our air force is still capable of fighting."

"So the enemy may not send out its main naval fleet to fight us to the death just for these two small islands."

"If their main naval fleet comes over and a fight breaks out, it will ultimately turn into an all-out decisive battle between our air force and the enemy's naval aircraft."

"Facing our Volunteer Army's air force, the enemy now has no necessary confidence."

"It's not worthwhile to lose a large number of advanced fighter jets for a few insignificant islands."

Li Moyin nodded slightly and said, "What you said does make some sense. Do you think the enemy will retreat on their own initiative?"

Li Guotao said: "That may not be the case. They should continue to hold on."

"Aircraft will also be sent to help in the battle, but the enemy will not be determined to hold out to the end because the force of sending aircraft to participate in the battle will not be too great."

"So as long as our army is resolute in its belief and attacks Daxiaohe Island with all its strength, there will be no problem in retaking these two small islands."

"Now that we have captured the surrounding islands, we have a forward base. It will be much easier to attack the Big and Small He Islands."

"The previous battle also showed that the enemies on the island are not very strong. As long as we land successfully, it won't be difficult to destroy them."

"The only threat now comes from the air. We must prevent enemy bombing and enemy fighter jets from joining the battle."

Li Moyin nodded and said, "You are right. The superiors also attach great importance to this battle. The boss has repeatedly instructed that we must take down the Big and Small He Islands at all costs."

"Right now, the front-line command is also actively making final preparations."

"But the final offensive will probably take some time."

Li Guotao smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. These two islands are only a small area, and the enemy won't increase their forces too much."

"So it's only a matter of time before we take over these two islands."

After a while, one day, when Li Guotao was scouting the situation at the seaside with his men, they again discovered several enemy ships docked at Yamato Island.

Li Guotao ordered: "Send a telegram to the front command immediately, the enemy warships are coming again."

During this period, although the enemy did not send out the main force of the fleet, it also sent out several warships to hover nearby, partly to replenish supplies for the enemy forces on the island.

However, since our navy is too weak, even these few warships are enough to resist our attack on Yamato Island.

This also led to the repeated postponement of the plan to counterattack Yamato Island.

After the news reached the front command, Commander Zeng immediately ordered someone to pass the news to the Air Force Command.

Because they had already studied the countermeasures and were ready to send out aircraft to deal with these enemy warships.

After the Air Force Command learned the news, it immediately formulated a combat plan and prepared to attack Yamato Island at night, with the main goal of bombing these US warships. (End of this chapter)