Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

After receiving the report from the front line, Ding Yiquan was overjoyed. He thought that the Second Division had finally brought honor to him.

"Immediately order the frontline troops to hold their positions and prevent the enemy's counterattack. They must hold their positions firmly."

"Yes!"

Ding Yiquan asked excitedly: "How is the progress of the US troops on the other side?"

"Reporting to the General, the US military has not yet taken Hill 597.9."

Ding Yiquan was even more proud, and tried to suppress the joy in his heart, and ordered: "Report to Major General Jenkins immediately and tell him that we have captured Hill 537.7."

Major General Ding Yiquan emphasized the two words "major general", and the resentment in his heart was self-evident.

He is a lieutenant general after all, but now he has to obey the command of the US Major General. He feels aggrieved.

Is the US military so great?
You are so great, why can't you take over the small hill of 597.9!
Thinking of this, Ding Yiquan felt so happy.

Finally feel proud.

The news reached the US military command.

Major General Jenkins felt his old face hurt even more, burning with pain.

The U.S. military suffered so many casualties but still failed to capture Hill 597.9, while the South Korean army on the opposite side had already captured Hill 537.7.

Don’t you have any face?
Major General Jenkins roared, "Order the 33rd Regiment to continue the attack. Be sure to capture Hill 597.9 before dark."

"Yes sir!"

Under the order of Major General Jenkins, the U.S. military once again launched a fierce attack on the northern hill of Hill 597.9.

After an afternoon of fierce fighting, hundreds of American soldiers remained on the Shangganling position forever.

However, in the afternoon, the US military did gain some results.

Under their fierce attack, a squad guarding position No. 11 suffered heavy losses, with only one soldier left, and was forced to hide in the tunnel.

After the enemy captured position No. 11, they began to attack position No. 2. After a bloody battle, the enemy also captured position No. .

However, Position No. 9, as the gateway to the main peak, has always been firmly in the hands of our army.

This place became the backbone of the entire position, resisting most of the enemy's fierce attacks and eliminating a large number of enemies.

Therefore, the U.S. military fought for an entire afternoon and paid the price of hundreds of lives, but only managed to capture positions No. 11 and No. 2 on the east side.

As the sky gradually darkened, Major General Jenkins reluctantly ordered a temporary halt to the attack.

The battlefield of Shangganling finally regained a rare moment of peace, but this peaceful time was also extremely short.

From four o'clock in the morning, the US military began artillery preparation.

During the battle that day, the U.S. military deployed hundreds of cannons and more than a hundred aircraft.

Three hundred thousand artillery shells were fired and more than five hundred bombs were dropped by aircraft.

The US military suffered nearly two thousand casualties, and the puppet army's Second Division also paid the price of more than one thousand people.

As for the Volunteer Army, the two companies on the front line used a total of 400,000 bullets and threw about 10,000 grenades, consuming most of the ammunition reserves.

Ten machine guns, 62 submachine guns and 90 rifles were destroyed.

More than one hundred soldiers were killed and dozens were injured.

The brutality of the battle was evident from this, it was unprecedented.

……

In the afternoon, Commander Zhang of the 135th Regiment had arrived at the front-line command post and took over command.

Regimental Commander Zhang had just spoken to the divisional commander on the phone. After hanging up, he said in a serious tone, "Our superiors have instructed us to launch a counterattack tonight and to recapture the positions we lost during the day."

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang pointed to the map and said, "At present, all the surface positions on the northern hill of Hill 537.7 have been lost. The first company has suffered heavy casualties. We have lost contact with them and cannot confirm the specific situation."

"Only two positions were lost on Hill 597.9. The terrain is limited, and the enemy cannot leave too many troops there. It is not difficult to counterattack and retake these two positions."

Captain Zhang nodded and said, "Then we should concentrate our superior forces and attack Hill 537.7. Of course, we must also recapture the two positions on Hill 597.9."

"The battle was so fierce that the ammunition consumption on the front line was huge. It is estimated that it has been almost used up."

"We must not only recapture the position, but also deliver a large amount of ammunition to ensure the next battle."

"Damn it, I don't know what's wrong with the enemy this time. They actually made such a big scene just for these two small hills."

"But the division commander said that the enemy would not pay a greater price for these two small hills. As long as we hurt them and take back their positions, the enemy will see that there is no hope of taking these two positions and will naturally give up."

"So in this counterattack, we must wipe out all the enemies that have attacked our positions and recapture all the lost positions."

At this time, Li Guotao suddenly said: "I think the enemy will not give up easily after making such a big scene."

"We should be prepared for the experience of a long-term battle, which will not end in a short time."

Captain Zhang waved his hand and said, "That's impossible. The enemy has already suffered thousands of casualties for these two small hills. At most they can fight for another day tomorrow. If they can't take it down, they should give up because it's totally not worth it."

Li Guotao also looked helpless. He even felt that it was not worth it. Based on past experience, it was indeed unlikely.

But this time, the usually shrewd Van Fleet went crazy and launched a frantic attack on Shangganling. The battle lasted for forty-three days and only stopped after suffering tens of thousands of casualties.

Because Li Guotao is a time traveler and knows this history, he knows that the enemy will not give up.

However, this situation cannot be explained by common sense, and Li Guotao naturally could not find any reason to convince the other party.

Li Guotao said: "No matter what, the enemy has invested so many troops to attack Shangganling. At least they will not give up easily tomorrow."

"We need support, especially artillery support."

"The enemy's artillery fire was very fierce today. Both hilltops were blown to pieces. I don't know how many times the shells have been plowed into the position. It is estimated that they fired hundreds of thousands of shells."

"But our artillery fire is minimal, which makes us very passive. The pressure on the front line is also very high. We need artillery support."

Commander Zhang nodded and said, "We have considered this as well and have reported it to the division commander, who has agreed to dispatch artillery to support us."

Li Guotao didn't say anything more, and then everyone began to discuss the specific counterattack plan.

Due to the limited terrain on the two high grounds, too many troops could not be deployed at all.

Therefore, they could only send out a small group of elite troops to launch a counterattack, eliminate the enemy on the position, and recapture the lost position.

At most, only one company of troops could be left to defend each of the two high grounds. Not only did they have to recapture the positions, but they also had to leave a company of troops to defend them, transport the ammunition and supplies up there, and transport all the injured down.

All this has to be completed before dawn, so the time is tight and the task is heavy.

Li Guotao took the initiative to ask: "Captain Zhang, our task force applies to participate in this battle."

"you?"

Regiment Commander Zhang frowned slightly and said, "Our 135th Regiment still has sufficient manpower. Your task force should continue to serve as the reserve force."

Li Guotao couldn't help rolling his eyes. What you mean is, wait until your 135th Regiment is wiped out before letting us go.

But by that time, the supporting troops had arrived, and if other commanders had said the same thing, then their task force would not have needed to go to the battlefield.

Li Guotao said quickly: "Captain Zhang, we are not here to watch the show. Besides, the terrain of these two high grounds is limited. Too many troops cannot be deployed. If they are all blocked on the mountain, they will only become targets for the enemy's artillery."

"We have discussed this before, so we can only send a small group of elite troops to seize the position."

"Is there any force more elite than our task force?"

"I dare say that any company from your 135th Regiment would not be a match for our task force."

Captain Zhang nodded slightly. He also admitted this point. After all, although Li Guotao's task force had only more than a hundred people, about the strength of a company, they were all combat backbones drawn from various units. Their combat effectiveness was naturally beyond doubt. How could an ordinary company be their opponent?

Seeing Li Guotao's insistence, Commander Zhang reluctantly agreed: "Okay then! Your task force will dispatch about a platoon of troops to cooperate with our 135th Company of the 597.9th Regiment to counterattack Hill and take back the two lost positions for me."

"Captain Zhang..."

Li Guotao wanted to say something else but was interrupted by Captain Zhang.

Captain Zhang smiled and said, "The troops on Hill 597.9 are American troops. I know your task force is powerful, so I sent you to deal with them. This is what we call using good steel on the blade."

"Captain Li, obey orders!"

"Yes!"

Li Guotao quickly responded: "I guarantee that the task will be completed."

"But I have one more question."

Captain Zhang smiled and said, "Tell me, if you have any questions, please."

Li Guotao said: "If we take the position, does Commander Zhang intend to have the 7th Company replace the 597.9th Company and continue to defend Hill ?"

"Ok!"

Captain Zhang nodded and said, "The 9th Company has been fighting on the battlefield for a whole day, and the casualties must be heavy."

"Even the surviving soldiers are exhausted. Let them withdraw and rest."

"Seventh Company will continue to defend for them."

Li Guotao said: "That's fine, but I don't think the 9th Company needs to withdraw completely. At least a few combat backbones should be left behind to assist the 7th Company in continuing to defend its position."

"Because they have been stationed at Hill 597.9 for a while and fought for a whole day today, they are more familiar with the position and have rich experience in defensive operations."

"Leaving a few combat backbones to serve as advisors to the Seventh Company will allow the new Seventh Company to quickly familiarize themselves with the position and draw on the valuable experience from previous battles, which will be more beneficial to our defense."

Deputy Regiment Commander Wang smiled and said, "Commander, I think what Xiao Li said makes sense. This can also prevent our new troops from being inexperienced and causing unnecessary losses."

Captain Zhang nodded and said, "Let's do as you say, and follow this method for future defenses."

Li Guotao went on to say: "I am taking this platoon up there to gain experience. I hope to be able to stay on the battlefield, participate in tomorrow's battle, and hold my ground."

"This way, if it's our task force's turn to go into battle in the future, we won't be completely inexperienced."

Captain Zhang frowned slightly. After all, the task force was a force sent by the higher-ups, and they came mainly for exchanges and learning. Captain Zhang was also worried that he would suffer too many casualties in his own defense zone, which would be difficult to explain.

So according to his previous plan, after retaking the position, he let the Seventh Company stay, and this platoon of the task force withdrew with the Ninth Company's personnel.

Li Guotao said quickly: "Captain Zhang, didn't you just say that the enemy can fight for another day at most? If they can't take these two hills, they should probably give up."

"So we'll only be there for a day at most, no problem."

Captain Zhang reluctantly agreed: "Okay then, you must pay attention to safety."

"If we can't hold our position, we will retreat into the tunnels and hold our ground, waiting for the counterattack at night."

"Yes! Promise to complete the mission."

Li Guotao suddenly laughed again after he finished speaking, and then said, "Captain Zhang, I'm still waiting for you to treat me to a drink after this battle."

"Haha~!"

Captain Zhang laughed and said, "No problem. After we win this battle, I'll treat you to a big drink."

"A word is settled!"

Time is tight and tasks are heavy.

After the combat order was issued, all troops immediately began to prepare for a counterattack.

Li Guotao drew about a platoon of troops from the task force and personally led the team to launch a counterattack, leaving the rest of the troops to Wu Qianli and Mei Sheng.

Since most of the positions on Hill 597.9 were still in the hands of our army, Li Guotao and his men's counterattack was relatively smoother.

Li Guotao led his soldiers and followed the soldiers of the Seventh Company, and under the cover of night, they quietly climbed up to Hill 597.9.

The battle on the opposite north hill of Hill 537.7 was not so smooth as all the ground positions were lost.

The two companies that counterattacked Hill 537.7 were soon discovered by the enemy on the mountain.

Flares flew into the sky, illuminating the entire hilltop as if it were daytime, and the soldiers had no choice but to launch a violent attack.

With the loud sound of the charge horn, more than 537.7 soldiers rushed to the north mountain of Hill first. After hearing the noise outside, the soldiers hiding in the tunnels knew that the main force had launched a counterattack, so they came out of the tunnels one after another to assist the main force in attacking the enemy on the mountain. The battle was extremely fierce.

On the 597.9 high ground, Li Guotao's task force, together with the soldiers of the 2th Company and the soldiers of the th Company hiding in the tunnels, also began to attack the No. position occupied by the US troops with all their strength.

The battlefield of Shangganling, which had just been quiet for a few hours, broke out again with fierce fighting.

When the enemy learned that the volunteers had launched a counterattack, they ordered the troops on the mountain to fight to the death, while also dispatching troops to the mountain to provide support.

Li Guotao led the soldiers and rushed towards position No. 2.

Li Guotao rushed forward while firing his gun. A clear sound of gunfire rang out, and an enemy machine gunner was shot in the head, and the machine gun instantly went silent. (End of this chapter)