In the 1950 War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, a front-line commanding soldier asked Mr. Peng. "Why the sudden release of 100 U.S. prisoners?" But even Chairman Mao didn't know much. In the end, at the cost of releasing 100 American prisoners, Peng completely destroyed 180,000 United Nations troops led by MacArthur and annihilated more than 36,000 enemy troops in one fell swoop.
So what kind of strategy did Mr. Peng use? Why did it take just 100 prisoners of war to achieve such a great result?
Peng Dehuai
In the first battle with the U.S. army in 1950, the Chinese Volunteer Army dealt a heavy blow to the U.S. army with strong willpower. The complacent U.S. five-star general MacArthur believed that the defeat in the first battle was just the good luck of the volunteers, who should understand the military strength and logistical supply system of the U.S. army. Nothing is incomparable in the world, but the equipment of the volunteer army is too rudimentary. But the U.S. military did not know that the Chinese People's Volunteers defeated them not by luck when the hardware conditions were extremely backward, but by the confidence of victory, clever tactical thinking and far-sighted generals.
Throughout the war in support of Korea, Peng Dehuai, one of the main marshals, once again demonstrated his strategic thinking of great power in this battle. On the eve of the second battle of the Korean War, the 335th Regiment led by Peng Dehuai successfully blocked the enemy army in the Feihu Mountain area for 5 days and nights under the fierce attack of South Korea and the American army, annihilating more than 1,800 people.
But at this point, the UN Support Force was marching north much more slowly than expected. Peng Dehuai, who discovered this situation, speculated that the combat effectiveness of my 38th Army seemed to be too fierce. Due to the limited food supply, in order to complete the progress of the plan as soon as possible, Peng Dehuai pondered for a while, and then ordered the withdrawal of the entire front of the 335 regiment, which had just been victorious.
MacArthur
At the beginning, the situation made many soldiers feel overwhelmed for a while, coupled with the dawn of a hard-fought exchange, this battle can soon be a complete victory, why choose to retreat at this time? Even the enemy could not understand this method of the volunteer army at this time. At a time when everyone was suspicious, U.S. five-star General MacArthur confidently said: First, due to the lack of ammunition and food supplies of the volunteers, and fear of affecting the current situation, they retreated.
In this way, the United Nations army accelerated its advance and rushed to the front. But the cunning and suspicious British commander Walker did not think so, and hurriedly told MacArthur that it was a victory that the Volunteers had desperately bought. But you can't give up easily. There may be great dangers hidden in it, and MacArthur may have emphasized slowing down the march. At this time, Peng Dehuai also found that the speed of the enemy's march was different from before, and if it continued like this, this situation would be very unfavorable to our side. Prior to this, Mr. Peng ordered the retreat not to be a real retreat, but to set up an ambush circle nearby, so as to let the enemy reach the area where he was ambushed as soon as possible. The enemy noticed something, but who are we always? Strategize and ascend to a legendary figure thousands of miles away. On 20 November, the 39th Army, which had the most prisoners, was ordered to immediately release 100 wounded prisoners of war, suspected of being bargaining chips between the two sides after the war. And, for the average soldier, that's all. The combat suits have risked their lives, even lost many comrades, and even achieved results, but now that they are asked for release for no reason, the soldiers will not be able to avoid some discordant opinions.
Captured American soldiers
But in this regard, Chairman Mao highly praised the correct way in which you released your captives. It must be released as soon as possible. No instructions are required to request. This is a brilliant trick. The 39th Army began releasing 100 U.S. prisoners onto the road in batches, but the focus was on showing our humanitarian concern before releasing enemy prisoners. This is also an important foreshadowing of whether the next battle can be won completely. Before their release, the volunteer leaders and captives made speeches. We are not the main force. We moved backwards and stopped fighting. There is no ammunition, medicine and food. Wait, after negotiations with the American army, the volunteer soldiers sent the wounded prisoners to the side of the road on stretchers, and after the soldiers left, the volunteers took the stretchers and left.
In order to convince the prisoners of war that the volunteer army was indeed a forced action, the headquarters of our army specially ordered the captured soldiers to leave a gun, backpack, etc., to confuse the enemy. The release caused an international uproar, and U.S. intelligence agencies were surprised. Because the voluntary release of combat uniforms that are important to the significance of war is really incredible. In addition, the friendship and care of the volunteers to these prisoners also captured the trust and admiration of the prisoners. Confused by the enemy's sight, the gods unknowingly broke through the enemy's psychological defenses, and even many of the prisoners were so excited that they burst into tears, saying that they would never fight again, they Chinese, and unsurprisingly signaled defeat to the volunteers.
MacArthur on the battlefield
The active release of the prisoners of war gave MacArthur the illusion that the Chinese volunteers were afraid, thus exposing weakness, which was an initiative to seek their forgiveness and forgiveness, and together with the newly inducted prisoners of war, vividly described the situation of the volunteers, which made MacArthur more firm in his judgment. Not only MacArthur, but all the United Nations forces had a great illusion, and soon the military decentralization began to accelerate northward.
The war seemed to have been won, and Peng had seen through it, so unsurprisingly, MacArthur would definitely fight back when he saw this situation. Just because of the last failure, he couldn't swallow this breath. On 21 November, after the arrival of the Allied Forces on the Western Front, MacArthur's offensive plan began to unfold in full swing, and the 1st Division of the U.S. Tenth Army and the 3rd Division of the U.S. and Seventh Armies, commanded by MacArthur, marched from Chosin Lake to the Mupingli River stream. Attacked the South Korean First Army, commanded the 30th Korean monks, and implemented along the east coast to the river.
But what they didn't know was that Mr. Peng had deployed a lot of troops again. Because the U.S. military likes to take advantage of such a critical gap, the next defeated country is what they have asked for. At this time, the UN army completely fell into the trap set by the Resource Army, leading the enemy into a large curved bulge about 140 kilometers east of Yeongbyon. By this time, the volunteer army on the Western Front had also been completed, reached the agreed place, and formed an encirclement. Around this large pocket, the Volunteer Army consisted of nine corps. At dusk on November 25, the volunteer army launched an attack with overwhelming momentum, and the 38th Army, the 39th Army, and other unified confrontations with the nationalist forces launched a large-scale detour and interspersed, countless signal bombs sounded in the air, and the volunteers came out again.
Chairman Mao and General Peng Dehuai
Inspired by the charge, wave after wave of charge was launched, even if the weapons of the US army were good, they could not resist the fighting spirit of the volunteer soldiers, and the United Nations army had seen this kind of position, in their impression, the volunteer army should go far at this time. However, the scene in front of MacArthur was unforgettable, and the 180,000 Allied forces ushered in an unprecedented defeat. In this battle, 36,000 UN troops were annihilated, of which 24,000 American casualties reached 24,000. After this battle, the American Cavalry Division, the First Division, and the 25th Division were severely damaged, and the Second Division suffered a devastating blow.
In this battle, the US army not only lost its adults because of its arrogance, but MacArthur completely fell to the altar after this battle, and this battle also proved who was the world's first division. It is worth mentioning that although the volunteers released 100 disabled American prisoners before the battle, the 38th Army captured more than 1,000 American soldiers after the victory of the second battle.
And these American veterans said bluntly that the Chinese volunteers were like steely soldiers, and they didn't seem to be tired at all, because in the battle with the volunteers, these people were full of despair, so that many American soldiers could feel trembling when they heard the sound of the rallying call. There is no doubt that the victory of this battle of wits and courage is inseparable from the wise command of General Peng, who has taught the arrogant MacArthur a lesson with his rich combat experience and ingenious psychological tactics. The so-called Christmas offensive of the United Nations army was severely punched in the face by our army, whether it was mentioned that the previous large-scale victory in the Hundred Regiments War or the clever plan of catching turtles in the urn of the Korean War reflected The excellent military ability of Mr. Peng.
Peng Dehuai's former residence
Mr. Peng joined the army at the age of 18, whether in the Revolutionary War or the War of Resistance Against Japan. Or in the journey of the construction of new China, they all fought for the motherland and the people to the last moment with enthusiasm and loyalty, just as the so-called marshal respected and cherished the warmth of the people. Throughout his life, our great leader Chairman Mao made great contributions to the War of Liberation and the building of New China. Under the correct leadership of the party, the mainland has made great achievements in the economic, people's livelihood, military, scientific and technological fields, which has also enabled the mainland to continuously enhance its right to speak in the international arena and truly show the world the image of a big country in the East. But we always keep in mind that the draught does not forget the people who dig wells, and the good life we have now is exactly what those martyrs have bought by throwing their heads and spilling their blood, so we must remember history, dedicate our own modest efforts to the development of the motherland's cause, and also wish our great motherland eternal prosperity.