Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

Lieutenant General Van Fleet nodded with satisfaction, and reminded him, "Don't save the shells! No matter how expensive the shells are, they are not as valuable as the lives of our soldiers."

"Even if I have to flatten these two hills, I have to take them down."

"Yes sir!"

Major General Jenkins said: "We have developed a detailed combat plan to ensure that there will be no mistakes."

Lieutenant General Van Fleet smiled and said, "I have read your battle plan. Double the amount of artillery shells."

"At that time, we will launch an attack on the nearby defense line as a feint to tie down the enemy's main force and prevent them from supporting this place."

"Just let go and attack with all your strength. Make sure to remove these two nails as soon as possible."

"Yes sir!"

Major General Jenkins quickly responded again.

The evening of April 10.

Li Guotao sat near the cave entrance, lit a cigarette, took a deep puff, turned his head to look at the night sky outside, and couldn't help feeling a little worried.

According to what Li Guotao learned, the top leaders of the 15th Army did not realize that the focus of the enemy's attack was Shangganling.

The battle was about to begin. If nothing unexpected happened, the enemy would launch an attack before dawn on the 14th.

So Li Guotao was somewhat worried.

But on second thought, there are only two hills on the front line of Shangganling, and only one company of troops can be deployed on each hill.

Even if a fight breaks out, they can only fill in one company at a time.

Although the main force of the 15th Army is not deployed in the Shangganling area, the troops nearby are enough to deal with the early enemy attacks.

Moreover, during this period, no large-scale battles broke out, and the logistical support of the Volunteer Army was greatly improved. In order to prevent enemy attacks, the front-line troops also stockpiled enough weapons and ammunition, especially in the tunnels on the front-line positions, which also stored enough supplies, at least enough in the early stage.

However, considering the difficulty of the Battle of Shangganling, Li Guotao also did some preparatory work in the past two days.

First, he personally went up to two heights and talked for a long time with the soldiers on the front line, discussing the experience of guarding the positions with each other.

Li Guotao also reminded Deputy Regiment Commander Wang to increase the reserves of water and medicine in the tunnels, because Li Guotao had checked and found that the reserves of ammunition and food were not too scarce, but there was no water in the tunnels. Once the surface positions were lost and the rear was blocked by enemy artillery fire, the soldiers in the tunnels would be out of water.

At Li Guotao's reminder, Deputy Regiment Commander Wang also sent people in the past few days to increase the water storage capacity in the tunnel, and also stored as many medicines as possible just in case.

Li Guotao thought carefully, and it seemed that he had done everything he could.

All that's left is to fight desperately.

This battle was originally a crazy battle. Troops were madly deployed around these two palm-sized hills, with tens of thousands of casualties. The corpses could cover the entire battlefield, and if piled up, they would be many times higher than the two 500-meter-high hills.

Even Li Guotao thought it was too crazy.

After finishing a cigarette, Li Guotao stood up and stretched.

"What is coming will eventually come. Let the storm come even harder!"

Li Guotao muttered something casually and then went back to sleep.

It was four o'clock in the morning on the 14th and it was still dark.

Rumbling sounds were heard from the enemy's artillery positions.

The enemy used 300 artillery pieces, more than 20 tanks, and 40 aircraft to launch a fierce bombing on the two heights on the front line of Shangganling.

At the same time, the U.S. military launched a full-scale artillery bombardment on the 30-kilometer-long front line of defense, and all the front-line positions were bombarded by enemy artillery fire.

This was a feint attack by the enemy, its main purpose was to tie down the main force of the Volunteer Army nearby, thus buying time for them to capture Shangganling.

The most intense bombing place was naturally the two high ground on the front line of Shangganling, with the fire density reaching as high as six bombs per second.

Such a density of bombardment is absolutely unprecedented.

The enemy frantically poured artillery shells at the two heights, and the two hills were completely covered by artillery fire.

When Li Guotao heard the sound of artillery fire, he immediately ran out of the anti-artillery cave and observed the situation outside.

I saw that the two high grounds on the front line were completely covered by artillery fire, and shells continued to fall in the area near Shangganling, forming a dense fire blockade line behind the two high grounds.

The soldiers of the task force were also awakened by the explosion. They rushed to the cave entrance and huddled together. The people at the back stretched their necks to look outside.

Li Guotao shouted loudly: "Stop pushing and arguing."

"The enemy is about to launch an attack. Our task force must be ready for battle at any time."

"The enemy is preparing for artillery fire now. The density of artillery fire is very fierce. It is unsafe to be anywhere outside. Do not leave the anti-artillery cave unless necessary."

"Yes!"

Li Guotao then ordered: "Wu Qianli, Meisheng! You two are responsible for keeping an eye on them."

"Yes!"

Wu Qianli asked: "Then you...?"

Li Guotao said: "I will go to the headquarters to find out the situation."

After Li Guotao finished speaking, he turned and left the anti-artillery cave. They were not far from the command center, and Li Guotao soon arrived at the command center.

At this moment, the command center was in chaos. Deputy Regiment Commander Wang and Battalion Commander Miao were looking at the two hills that were caught in artillery fire and were extremely anxious.

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang ordered: "Notify the division headquarters immediately and tell them that the enemy is about to launch an attack. Please make preparations early and support us at any time."

"Yes!"

Captain Miao frowned and said, "Such a fierce artillery fire is rarely seen in the world!"

"It seems that the enemy is determined to take these two heights."

At this time, Li Guotao came over and said, "It seems that the intelligence we reconnaissanceed before was accurate. The enemy is indeed about to launch a large-scale offensive."

"These two heights are like two nails stuck in the enemy's defense zone. The enemy has long regarded them as thorns in their eyes and flesh. This time we must do our best to remove these two nails."

Captain Miao said: "That being said, these two high grounds are easy to defend but difficult to attack, and it will not be easy for the enemy to capture them."

"Moreover, the positions on both wings have also been bombarded by the enemy, and we are still unable to determine the enemy's main attack direction."

Li Guotao said: "I also saw that our positions on both wings were bombarded by the enemy, but that was just a feint to tie down our main force. Their focus of attack should be on Shangganling."

"Because from the current situation, the density of artillery fire on the positions on the two wings is much less than that on the two heights of Shangganling."

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang said: "Even so, we cannot completely conclude that the enemy's main attack direction is on our side."

"Now these enemies have become very cunning. Perhaps this is just a trick of theirs to divert attention."

"But this is not what we need to consider. We just need to hold our position with all our strength and block the enemy's attack."

"Report the situation on the front line truthfully to the superiors. They should have a clearer view of the overall situation than us and will naturally make a more accurate judgment."

Li Guotao had to admit that there was some truth in what Deputy Regiment Commander Wang said. If he was not a time traveler and knew this history, he would probably not be able to determine at this moment that the enemy's main attack direction was Shangganling.

Fortunately, Shangganling is easy to defend but difficult to attack, so there will be no danger for the time being. Li Guotao immediately said: "No matter what, we must hold our position first and ensure the safety of the two high grounds at the front."

Deputy Head Wang nodded and said, "Of course, we have been preparing for this day."

Captain Wang walked to the table and asked, "Is the call not connected yet?"

The communications officer replied: "Reporting to the deputy commander, all the telephone lines have been blown off, and the frontline positions cannot be contacted at all."

"Where's the walkie-talkie?"

"The walkie-talkie antennas were blown away just as they were erected. In just a few minutes, all 13 reserve antennas were blown away. Now the walkie-talkies are unusable."

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang couldn't help but frowned and said, "We must contact the frontline as soon as possible. I need to know the situation there."

The communications officer said helplessly: "The enemy's artillery fire was too fierce. The two soldiers we sent out to connect the telephone lines were both killed. Now the telephone lines have been cut in many places. I'm afraid..."

At this time, the deputy monitor of the telephone team came over and said loudly: "I will connect the line. Even if I have to risk my life, I will connect the line."

After Deputy Squad Leader Niu finished speaking, without waiting for Deputy Regimental Commander Wang and the others to speak, he rushed out of the command post holding a roll of quilt.

Deputy Head Wang quickly shouted, "Be careful."

"Don't worry, chief, I promise to complete the mission!"

Deputy squad leader Niu's voice was heard from outside, but he had already disappeared.

Captain Miao said: "We have dug a lot of tunnels on both high grounds, so there shouldn't be any big problems."

"As long as we withstand their bombardment and rely on favorable terrain to block their attack, there will be no problem at all."

"The reserve forces are ready for battle and can support the frontline at any time."

Li Guotao also said: "More than 100 combatants of our task force are ready for battle and can support the frontline at any time."

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang nodded and said, "With you here, we can strengthen our defense force and hold our position without any problems."

"I won't be polite with you at this time. Your task force is the reserve force and is ready to support the frontline at any time."

"Yes!"

Li Guotao quickly responded: "Please rest assured, Deputy Commander Wang, we will resolutely obey your command."

Deputy Squad Leader Niu rushed directly into the enemy's artillery fire with the double line in his arms, risking his life to conduct a careful investigation.

Shells kept falling and exploding nearby. Deputy Squad Leader Niu was ready to die and skillfully reconnected the broken wires.

However, the enemy's artillery fire was so fierce that the telephone lines were blown into pieces, and Deputy Squad Leader Niu could only connect them one by one.

Most of the entire roll of double-wire was quickly used up. Just as Deputy Squad Leader Niu was squatting there connecting the wires, a shell landed nearby with a loud bang.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu was also experienced and quickly lay on the ground, but shrapnel still embedded in his body and blood continued to flow out of the wound.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu climbed up and continued to quickly reconnect the broken line. He no longer even felt the pain. All he wanted was to quickly reconnect the phone line and complete the task.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu checked all the way and reconnected the broken wires one by one, and the entire roll of double wires was used up.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu was bleeding all the way and had three wounds on his body. After walking all the way, he had almost bled out and his strength was gradually dissipating.

Now Deputy Squad Leader Niu no longer has the strength to stand up and can only crawl forward.

“Almost there~!”

"It should be connected!"

Because we were almost at the foot of the mountain, the enemy's shells could not fall on the reverse slope position due to the mountain blocking the way, so the wires on the mountain would definitely not be cut. As long as we checked to the foot of the mountain and connected them all, the telephone line would also be connected.

However, at this moment, Deputy Squad Leader Niu discovered that a telephone line in front had been blown off.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu gritted his teeth and crawled over, but the double track had now been used up. Deputy Squad Leader Niu looked up at the front and observed for a while.

Judging from experience, there should be no more broken wires ahead, so this should be the last one.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu held one end of the telephone wire in one hand and continued to crawl forward, and soon found another broken wire.

Deputy Squad Leader Niu slowly stretched out his other hand and grabbed the other end of the wire.

The human body is conductive!

At this time, Deputy Squad Leader Niu felt a tingling sensation all over his body, and an electric current instantly spread throughout his body.

There is electricity!

This means the phone line is connected!

A smile of relief appeared on Deputy Squad Leader Niu's lips. All the strength in his body was instantly drained at this moment. Deputy Squad Leader Niu fell to the ground and never woke up again. He died a heroic death for his country.

But at the last moment of his life, he used his body as an electric wire to connect the phone to the forward command post.

"Deputy Captain, the call is connected!"

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang went up to him, grabbed the phone, and shouted, "First Company Commander? How's the situation over there?"

Wang Fuxin shouted into the microphone: "Deputy commander, the enemy's artillery fire is too fierce."

"The whole mountain was shaking! It felt like there was an earthquake, or like we were on a boat."

"The soldiers were shaken to the point of bleeding from their mouths. They could neither stand nor sit still. Many of them had their teeth knocked out."

"A soldier has been shaken to death!"

The frontline at this moment is like a small boat in the raging waves, which may capsize at any time.

Heavy artillery shells and blockbuster bombs dropped from airplanes shattered the hard granite on the mountain.

The napalm bomb set the entire hill on fire, with raging flames and billowing smoke.

The two hilltops turned into hell in an instant.

Deputy Head Wang shouted: "We must hold on no matter what. Holding on is victory."

"You must always pay attention to the situation outside. Once the enemy launches an attack, you must stop them and hold your position."

"Just fight as we planned before and teach these foreign devils a lesson."

"The people of our motherland are watching us. Even if we die, we must hold our ground."

"I will also send troops to support you at any time to ensure the safety of the position."

"Yes!"

Wang Fuxin vowed: "We promise to complete the mission and defend the position to the death."

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang then made a call to the frontline position at Hill 597.9 and conveyed the combat mission to them.

Then the telephone line was blown down again and has never been connected since.

Deputy squad leader Niu used his body as a wire to gain three minutes of communication time, so that the combat mission could be transmitted to the front line in a timely manner. (End of this chapter)