Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 604 Blitz
As early as when the 4th Army Corps tore through the UN forces' defenses, Li Yunlong had already sent the 9th Division south to infiltrate.

However, the 9th Division's infiltration was halted shortly after it began by the rearguard deployed by Van Fleet, and a fierce battle ensued.

However, the 91st Regiment of the 9th Division did not engage the US forces, but instead chose to bypass the US defenses from the left.

Then, the 91st Regiment pressed forward relentlessly.

By the time Van Fleet received the telegram, the 91st Regiment had already reached Wujuli. From there, further south lay the 37th Parallel.

Looking at the five giants on the map, VanVleet felt a lump in his throat.

The Southern army near Wujuli was already in complete chaos, and he didn't know who to give orders to.

At this moment, the area in front of the central army is completely flat, and if they wanted to, they could even fight their way all the way to Busan.

The problem facing VanVleet has now become two.

He had to rescue the 2nd Infantry Division, which was about to be surrounded, and at the same time find a way to block the advance of the 91st Regiment.

However, Van Fleet only had one reserve force, and the 3rd Infantry Division, which was the reserve force, was still in Seoul.

No matter which gap the 3rd Infantry Division is sent to plug, it will be a distance of more than 100 kilometers.

If this were happening in any other country besides the US military, this battle would already be over.

But at this time, the enemy of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was the US military.

"Pass on my orders!" Van Fleet made the decision.

"The 3rd Infantry Division shall immediately proceed to Shangguili to plug the gap in the battle!"

"The 1st Marine Division moved toward the 2nd Infantry Division, relieving the 2nd Infantry Division from its encirclement crisis."

"The remaining U.S. troops will move eastward in stages to fill the defensive lines!"

"Yes, sir!"
Upon receiving the order, the U.S. 3rd Division did not hesitate and immediately set off from the south of Seoul.

The 91st Regiment marched for three whole days from breaking through the enemy's defenses to arriving at Wujuli.

However, the U.S. 3rd Division departed from Seoul and arrived at Sangguili fully armed in less than 10 hours.

The soldiers of the 91st Regiment were stunned when the U.S. 3rd Division appeared out of nowhere. They knew the U.S. military was fast, but they didn't expect it to be this fast.

More than 10,000 fully armed American troops instantly blocked the way for the 91st Regiment, which had no chance of breaking through the Shangguili defense line.

Meanwhile, the 1st Marine Division arrived at the vicinity of the 2nd Infantry Division at an extremely fast speed and immediately launched an attack on the 4th Army Corps, which was attempting to form an encirclement.

Other U.S. troops moved eastward in succession, filling the gaps in the front line before the Chinese People's Volunteer Army could react.

For the first time, Chen Chengxing experienced what it meant to be rich and powerful.

Inside the headquarters, Chen Chengxing exclaimed with some emotion, "The US military is damn rich!"

"Commander-in-Chief, it seems we can no longer complete the encirclement of the US 2nd Division." Xu Wu handed over a report.

"In the past 24 hours, the US 18th Howitzer Regiment on the front of Army C alone fired 12,000 shells."

"If you include the shells fired by the US 2nd Division, the US military fired at least 20,000 rounds yesterday!"

The number 20,000 shells left everyone somewhat silent.

The three artillery divisions of the entire Chinese People's Volunteer Army, along with the mountain and field artillery and howitzers of various armies, fired a total of just over 10,000 rounds during the entire Fifth Campaign.

The amount of ammunition consumed in one day by two US divisions was twice the amount consumed by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in the entire campaign.

"The US military is too fast," Chen Chengxing sighed. "We no longer have a chance to wipe out the US 2nd Division."

The US military can fill in each position in turn, and then repeat the process again.

Although the Volunteer Army has increased its firepower, it is still not enough to fight a decisive battle with the US military.

"Send a telegram to the headquarters." Chen Chengxing made up his mind.

On one hand, there was an inexhaustible supply of artillery shells, while on the other hand, even food was becoming scarce. The gap between the two sides was simply too great, making direct combat extremely disadvantageous.

Upon receiving Chen Chengxing's telegram, the headquarters immediately convened a meeting.

"Commander, the US military has moved eastward, the Confederate army has collapsed and retreated, and our army's food supplies are about to run out, with some units even running out of food."

"If we stop launching major offensives, wouldn't it be more advantageous to retreat?"

The commander thought for a moment and said, "The US military has already realized that a major war is no longer possible."

"If we only fight on the eastern front, even if we can annihilate another part of the enemy army, we will have to pay a considerable price."

"I think Chen Chengxing is right. We should call it a day, adjust our plans, and prepare for another battle."

Although this battle did not achieve all strategic objectives, it did wipe out two Southern Army divisions in one fell swoop and also severely damaged two other divisions.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army annihilated more than 30,000 enemy troops and captured countless weapons and equipment.

Such results are enough to give the US military a headache for a while.

Once the retreat was confirmed, the commander immediately began to deploy the retreat plan.

"Order all army corps to transfer their main forces to the line of Weichuanli, Shuoning, Wenhuili, Shanyangli, Yangkou, Yuantongli and the area north of it."

"Each army corps should leave one division to one corps to adopt mobile defense from their current position, blocking the enemy layer by layer, and buying time for the main force to withdraw."

"Tell all units to remain vigilant during the retreat to prevent the US military from using its speed advantage to launch a surprise attack on our troops."

The rapid support and relocation by the US military served as a wake-up call for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army Command.

Such high speed can be used not only for support but also for offense.

Although the various units were relieved by the orders from the headquarters, they did not become complacent and all left their defensive troops behind as ordered.

However, it was impossible for the remaining divisions to hold the entire front line of over 100 kilometers; each unit could only be deployed to defend key points.

Based on past experience, if the US military encounters several key points that are blocked, the entire front will come to a halt until all key points are breached before it can continue its advance.

After setting up their defenses, the various units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army began to withdraw according to plan.

Inside the headquarters of the UN Eighth Army, Ridgway stared at the map in deep thought.

He had already flown from Tokyo to Korea before the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's offensive ended.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army shifted its focus to the South Korean army on the eastern front, which was indeed unexpected by Ridgway. However, he did not panic at this time; on the contrary, he saw an opportunity.

"The Volunteer Army has only so many troops. If they concentrate their forces to attack the eastern front, then the troops on the western front will definitely be weak."

"Since there is danger on the eastern front, there is an opportunity on the western front!"

Ridgway was well aware that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army lacked vehicles and had limited troop deployment capabilities, meaning that troops on the eastern front would absolutely not be able to return to the western front in a short period of time.

The fact that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army launched two full-scale offensives in a short period of time meant that supplies were likely running out.

Ridgway decided to seize this opportunity.

"We should launch a counterattack on the western front immediately!"

"If this attack succeeds, there will be many more opportunities to take advantage of in the future!"

Van Fleet wholeheartedly supported the counter-offensive plan, but disagreed with Ridgway's caution. "Sir," he said, "if we are to launch a counter-offensive, I suggest we don't limit ourselves to the Western Front, but rather launch a full-scale counter-offensive."

"If we continue to push forward in the same straight line as before, it probably won't have much impact on the situation."

According to Ridgway's plan, this time it would be the same as before: the UN forces would advance hand in hand, taking as many territory as they could.

However, as the only commander in the U.S. military skilled in infiltration, Van Fleet had long been fed up with Ridgway's safety-first tactics.

VanVleet didn't believe that a straight-line push would lead to victory; he wanted to attack in his own way.

Only by dividing and encircling the enemy can we annihilate their manpower and thus determine the outcome of the battle in a short period of time.

Ridgway said seriously, "General Van Fleet, I must remind you that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army is a force that excels at infiltration and encirclement."

VanVleet's tactics can decide the outcome in a short time, but the winner is uncertain.

If the main force of the US military were to be handed over to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, he and Van Fleet would both be in deep trouble.

Ridgway was well aware of Washington's thinking: what the United States wanted was to remain undefeated.

However, VanVleet was different; he never considered politics, he only wanted to win.

“Sir, I know the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army excels in mobile warfare,” Van Fleet said. “But we now have an absolute advantage.”

"The supplies of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army are running low, while we have powerful armored and air forces, motorized units that can move at high speeds, and the world's most advanced radio communication system."

"At this point, we have all the necessary conditions for a successful blitzkrieg."

"I can't figure out how we failed."

Listening to Van Fleet's analysis, Ridgway fell into deep thought.

Indeed, although the Confederate army on the Eastern Front was routed, the deaths of Confederate soldiers helped the American forces establish a huge advantage.

After a moment of silence, Ridgway spoke up: "Tell me your battle plan."

“The plan is simple.” Van Fleet approached the sand table.

"While the infantry advances, the armored forces will penetrate deep behind enemy lines at full speed, cut off the enemy's retreat, and then encircle and annihilate the enemy's manpower."

The more significant the plan, the simpler it should be.

Looking at Van Fleet's gestures on the sand table, Ridgway asked, "So how many troops do you plan to deploy?"

Van Fleet clenched his right fist: "All of them!"

Looking at Van Fleet's resolute face, Ridgway remained silent for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Go do it. Whatever the outcome, I will share it with you!"

“Yes, sir!” Van Fleet smiled.

Ridgway currently holds multiple positions and cannot remain in North Korea indefinitely.

Therefore, after confirming the specifics with Van Fleet, he returned to Tokyo again.

After Ridgway left, VanVleet immediately got to work.

"Pass on my order: all UN forces in North Korea will be redeployed to the front lines and fully committed to the counterattack!"

"All of them?" Dane asked. "Does that include the Confederate Army?"

“Of course.” Van Vellett nodded, but then he remembered the incompetent behavior of the 3rd and 9th Southern Divisions.

Van Fleet felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly.

"Chief of Staff, cancel the designations of the 3rd and 9th Southern Divisions! I don't want to see those two units again!"

"Yes, sir!"

Neither Van Fleet nor Dane felt there was anything wrong with canceling the designation of another country's military.

Van Fleet's mood improved slightly after dealing with the Confederate army.

After thinking for a moment, Van Fleet ordered: "The 1st Corps on the Western Front will launch the first attack. Two days later, the 9th Corps in the Central Front and the 10th Corps in the Eastern Front will launch a full-scale counter-offensive!"

After Dane finished taking notes, he asked, "Sir, which direction should we focus our attack on?"

“The East!” Van Fleet affirmed. “With the 10th Corps as the spearhead, launch a full-scale attack.”

"Tell the 10th Army to quickly organize armored forces to break into the eastern front and encircle the enemy forces in the salient position!"

Although the 2nd Infantry Division of the 10th Corps had just been defeated, Van Fleet still chose the 10th Corps as the vanguard of the attack.

The reason is quite simple: the Chinese People's Volunteer Army fought the best and penetrated the deepest on the eastern front.

In a battle between two armies, the deeper the penetration, the further away from the main force.

When you surround the enemy, the enemy will also have the opportunity to surround you.

Just as the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was leaving its defensive positions and retreating northward with its belongings and logistics units, the US forces on the western front launched a counterattack.

As required by the headquarters, the 19th Army on the western front left an entire army behind to block the enemy, so the attacking US forces did not make a breakthrough.

The commander of the Chinese Communist Party was not surprised by the US military's actions; they had done the same thing back when Ridgway was in power.

This time, however, Van Fleet did not pause the attack like Ridgway did; instead, he chose to launch a full-scale assault.

To ensure the success of the raid, Van Fleet equipped all personnel and weapons with trucks.

Following Van Fleet's instructions, the U.S. military units formed fully mechanized advance teams, followed by trucks loaded with infantry.

The American convoy kicked up clouds of dust as it rushed toward the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's position.

Using their superior speed, the main force of the US military arrived before the various units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army could react.

Upon seeing this, the blocking forces left behind by the various units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army immediately launched a blocking attack.

Fierce fighting broke out on every blocking position.

However, Van Fleet did not commit heavy troops to attack and defend every blocking position, but instead ordered the advance team to directly penetrate into the rear of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

The unprecedented infiltration tactics employed by the U.S. military caught the Chinese People's Volunteer Army completely off guard.

At this time, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had withdrawn from the main battlefield, leaving many positions completely undefended.

The American advance team, which had made a flanking maneuver, broke through the lines without encountering much resistance.

Almost instantly, the US military infiltrated behind the lines of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

The unexpected success delighted VanVleet.

The second step was immediately launched.

The Union 1st Corps on the westernmost front was subjected to fierce attacks by the U.S. military.

In just two days, the 1st Army Corps could no longer withstand the combined attack of the US 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st Southern Division and was forced to retreat northward.

The flank of the 19th Army Corps' remaining troops was thus exposed to the US military.

At the same time, due to the voluntary withdrawal, a large gap appeared between the 19th Army Corps and the 4th Army Corps, and the advance team of the US 10th Corps immediately slipped through the gap.

(End of this chapter)