[The content of this article is based on authoritative historical data, and there are citations at the end of the article, please be aware]
At dawn, the artillery fire in the Hwacheon theater gradually subsided. The cold wind passed through the valley and blew away the smoke, but the tension on the battlefield did not ease in the slightest. The U.S. generals were in full swing in the tactical conference room to plan the final offensive, believing that victory was in sight—that 100,000 volunteer soldiers would be completely surrounded by them with just a short advance.
But will reality really develop the way they think?
The background and significance of the Fifth Campaign
In 1951, in the context of the Korean War, the 58th Division of the 20th Army of the Chinese People's Volunteers led by General Huang Chaotian participated in the fierce fifth campaign. In the early days of the campaign, the 58th Division, as one of the main forces, launched a fierce offensive under the unified coordination of the Multi-Route Volunteer Army.
The defensive line of the US coalition army showed obvious cracks under the repeated onslaught, and then continued to retreat, and the defense line collapsed one after another, forming a rout situation in some parts. After seven days of fierce fighting, although the Volunteer Army achieved a phased victory, the logistical supply of the front-line troops began to look overstretched.
The rapid depletion of ammunition and food has greatly diminished the ability to sustain front-line operations. At this time, Commander-in-Chief Peng Dehuai learned from the headquarters that the supply shortage at the front line was tight, and immediately made a decision to adjust the strategy. He issued an order for all front-line troops to immediately halt the offensive and move to an orderly retreat in order to preserve forces and regroup.
According to Peng Dehuai's instructions, the commanders of the front line quickly conveyed the order to retreat and organized troops to alternate cover in case the American army pursued. The units began to evacuate the battlefield in batches and in an orderly manner according to the preset route. During the retreat, the commanders took advantage of the terrain, such as valleys and rivers, to lay out temporary defensive lines and ensure the safety of the retreat route.
Although the movement of the troops was severely constrained by materials, through effective command and coordination, large losses in the process of retreat were initially avoided.
The conspiracy of the US military
General Ridgway, after observing the beginning of the retreat of the Volunteer Army on all fronts, immediately gave the order for a counteroffensive. The forces of the US coalition quickly switched from a defensive state to an offensive mode, adjusted their positions, and prepared to implement new tactical operations.
This tactic, known as "leaping" and "leapfrogging", is at its core the use of small forces to move quickly to flexibly intersperse and detour, so as to set up blocking points along the enemy's retreat route to form an effective interception and encirclement. The infantry companies and armored units of the American army were adjusted to the front line, and they took advantage of the terrain and the cover of night to quickly move to key positions in the retreat route of the volunteers.
These key locations are often valley mouths, bridges, and traffic arteries with steep terrain that are easily fortified and difficult to navigate. The goal of the U.S. military is to occupy these sites as quickly as possible, and then build temporary fortifications to form blocking positions.
A part of the US military units chose to operate at night, taking advantage of the dark and complex terrain to avoid the sight of the main force of the volunteer army, and quickly advanced to the predetermined position. Upon arrival, they immediately began digging trenches and setting up mines and other obstacles, ensuring that if the volunteers tried to break through, they would be able to respond quickly and launch a counterattack.
At the same time, the armored forces of the American army were moving quickly along the main roads, using the mobility and firepower superiority of armored vehicles to clear obstacles on the roads and try to cut off the supply lines of the volunteers. Their tactics were to slow or even stop the retreat of the Volunteers by rapidly advancing to the rear of the Volunteers and then setting up blocking points along the road.
The artillery units of the US army were also mobilized, and they set up artillery emplacements on the high ground to shell the retreat routes of the volunteers that had already been reconnoitred, with the aim of disrupting the retreat order of the volunteers and causing chaos. The precise positioning of the artillery ensured that the artillery fire could effectively cover the main retreat routes and assembly areas, causing maximum pressure and damage to the volunteers.
In this series of rapid and precise movements and deployments, the aim of the US military is to force the Volunteer Army into a relatively small area through a form of encirclement, and then use the firepower advantage to engage in a war of attrition. By controlling the main roads and geographical points, they hoped to effectively weaken the fighting power of the Volunteer Army, forcing it to surrender or be exterminated.
In carrying out these tactics, U.S. forces need to maintain a high degree of vigilance and flexibility in response to a possible counteroffensive or breakout attempt by the volunteers. U.S. commanders continuously adjust troop movements and tactical deployments through radio and signal communications to ensure that every step of action can effectively suppress and restrict the volunteers.
Although the implementation of this tactic is full of risks, if successful, it will greatly enhance the advantage of the US army on the battlefield, and surround and eliminate 100,000 volunteers in one go.
Unexpected situations and reversal offensives
In the process of retreating, the vanguard of the 58th Division, when carrying out the retreat mission, unexpectedly found that on their retreat path, especially at a dangerous mountain pass, there were already small units of the US coalition forces that were rapidly building fortifications. These U.S. forces seem to have deliberately chosen the tactics of controlling high ground and key roads in order to cut off the retreat route of the 58th Division and form an effective interception.
This discovery was immediately reported to General Huang Chaotian. After receiving the report, Huang Chaotian quickly assessed the situation and recognized the tactical intent of this operation - by controlling important terrain, the US army tried to block the retreat route of the Volunteer Army, thereby tactically completely isolating the 58th Division.
Such a move would directly threaten the security of the entire division, and could even lead to the entire unit being trapped or forced to surrender. Faced with this critical situation, Huang Chaotian decided to take decisive action. He issued an order to disobey Commander-in-Chief Peng Dehuai's order to retreat on all fronts, and demanded that the 58th Division advance instead of retreating, and directly attack the small unit of the US army that was building fortifications.
Tactically, this was a bold counterattack, intended to disrupt the deployment of the American army through a sudden offensive, remove its control of the important passages, and thus ensure the safe retreat of the 58th Division and other troops. The 58th Division quickly reorganized its forces, gathered available forces and firepower, including mortar and machine-gun groups, and launched a surprise attack on the night of 24 May.
Using the darkness of night as a cover, they quietly approached the temporary defensive positions of the US troops in batches. After reaching the optimal attack distance, the 58th Division suddenly launched a fierce fire attack, using mortars and automatic weapons to suppress the enemy position. This sudden night attack caught the US military by surprise, and the small force of the US military quickly fell into chaos without adequate warning and preparation.
The 58th Division broke through the initial defensive line of the American army in a short time, breaking the enemy one by one. The battle was fierce but swift, and the 58th Division succeeded in eliminating this force of American forces and recapturing the strategic location of Hwacheon. Subsequently, Huang Chaotian ordered his troops to use the rest of the night to quickly set up three lines of defense around Huachuan.
These lines were arranged according to the advantages of the terrain, and each line was reinforced with fortifications, such as bunkers, trenches and horse rejections, as well as a large number of mines and traps. The 58th Division's engineers and combat units worked in tandem to ensure that these lines would serve as a strong barrier against a possible U.S. counterattack.
Hwacheon's defensive battle and sacrifice
In Hwacheon, Huang Chaotian, faced with the increasingly tight encirclement of enemy forces, realized that resolute measures must be taken to ensure the safe evacuation of the entire main force of the Volunteer Army. He gave a decisive order for the 58th Division to hold its position on Hwacheon to the end, and this order quickly spread to every soldier.
Under such an order, the officers and men of the 58th Division were ready to hold their positions and not retreat even in the face of extremely severe combat conditions. The fortifications of the 58th Division consisted of three lines of defense, which played a key role in previous battles.
Each line of defense was designed as a multi-layered defensive system, including machine gun nests, mortar emplacements, communications bunkers, and minefields, each of which provided effective cover and fire support for the defenders. However, as the enemy continued to increase the offensive, the first and second lines of defense were forced to abandon in the fierce fighting, and a large number of officers and soldiers withdrew to the last line of defense.
This last line of defense was laid out in a vantage point of natural terrain, with a steep mountain wall in the back and an open view from the front, which maximized the advantage of firepower. The 58th Division's engineering and combat arms worked together to strengthen the defenses and set up a large number of automatic fire points and protective barriers, such as barbed wire and anti-tank ditches.
In addition, a large number of mines were laid to block the infantry and armored vehicles of the enemy. On this last line of defense, the officers and men of the 58th Division made strict deployments. Machine gunners and snipers chose the best firing positions, and their task was to deliver a fatal blow when the enemy tried to break through the line.
The mortar group, for its part, adjusted its firing parameters to the terrain and prepared for effective artillery coverage of the attacking enemy. In addition, all infantry were required to be ready for close combat at all times in response to possible hand-to-hand combat. After more than half a month of defense, the officers and men of the 58th Division have shown extremely high will to fight and indomitable spirit.
Although the enemy kept sending reinforcements in an attempt to break through the last line of defense in one fell swoop, the 58th Division still held on to every inch of land. During the battle, the artillery and machine gunners of the Volunteer Army fired numerous times, effectively suppressing the enemy's offensive momentum.
In order to increase the defensive effect, Huang Chaotian also commanded the logistics department to make sufficient supplies of ammunition and materials to ensure that the officers and men on the front line would not be short of supplies during the protracted battle. At the same time, the medical team is also constantly providing emergency treatment to the wounded and doing their best to reduce casualties.
This protracted defensive battle at Hwacheon, although at great cost, effectively covered the retreat of the main forces.
Mr. Peng's affirmation and the impact of the battle
On June 8, 1947, with the orderly withdrawal of the last soldiers from the battlefield, the 58th Division was completely withdrawn from the Hwacheon area, marking the official end of this part of the battle and also heralding the victory of the fifth battle.
In this battle, although the 58th Division suffered nearly 3,000 casualties, it bravely resisted the enemy and annihilated more than 7,500 enemy troops, making great contributions to the victory of the battle.
The evacuation procession stretched long along the mountain road to safety, the soldiers with tired faces, but with more determination and pride in their eyes than ever before. They carried guns on their backs, and with each step, dust flew and the sun scorched the earth, but this did not diminish the pride in their hearts. The convoy and artillery units are also working closely together to ensure the safe return of all equipment and wounded.
On the way back to the rear, the soldiers helped each other, supported their wounded comrades, and shared water and rations. From time to time they reminisced about the fierce scenes of the battle, each with their own story, but the common theme was a deep nostalgia for their comrades and joy at victory.
A few days later, the 58th Division arrived at the designated resting place. Away from the smoke of gunfire from the front lines, soldiers can finally let their guard down and recuperate as they need to be. Tents were erected in rows, and rest, medical and logistical areas were set up in an orderly manner.
Medical staff are busy treating wounds to the wounded, and logistics staff are distributing food and daily necessities, everything is going on in an orderly manner. Soon after, the 58th Division held a summary meeting at the resting ground. The meeting was not only a review of the campaign, but also an affirmation of the heroic performance of the officers and men.
Mr. Peng spoke at the meeting, and his voice resounded through the tent, inspiring every soldier. Special mention was made of the performance of division commander Huang Chaotian on this occasion, and he had adopted a different tactical deployment from the orders of his superiors in the battle due to the judgment of the situation, and this decision was proved to be correct afterwards, which greatly weakened the combat effectiveness of the enemy army.
Mr. Peng mentioned Huang Chaotian's "disobedience", and his tone was full of appreciation: "At the critical moment, Division Commander Huang was able to stick to his judgment, protect the troops, and destroy the enemy to the greatest extent. Subsequently, Mr. Peng announced that Huang Chaotian would be rewarded for his great achievements, and the audience burst into warm applause, and the faces of the soldiers were full of pride.
#头条创作挑战赛#
Resources:
Chen Yujun. The development history of the old revolutionary areas and counties in the whole country The development history of the old revolutionary areas in the suburbs of Yangquan City[M]. 2021
Crossing the Yalu River - Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers Fighting Abroad to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.Li Ping; ZHANG Jingcheng ; LIU Chunguang ; Ai Jie.New Long March (Party Building Edition).2010-10-05