On the Korean battlefield, there is a small plateau 190.8 that almost no one knows, which was the focus of fierce competition between the Chinese and American armies. In May 1952, a battle of land and honor was staged here, and the soldiers of the 39th Army of the Volunteer Army launched a life-and-death struggle on this land of less than 1 square kilometer. Not only do they face powerful firepower, but they also have to fight to the death against the enemy in underground tunnels. How fierce was this battle?
Back in the spring and summer of 1952, the war on the Korean Peninsula still did not subside. On the east bank of the Imjin River, there is a small plateau called 190.8, which is not high, but it has become a strategic location. This high ground is located directly in front of the US military position, only 800 meters away, and can be said to be a "visible" hot land in the rain of bullets.
At that time, the U.S. military occupied a vantage point on the high ground and often sent small detachments to harass. In order to regain this territory, on May 5, the top of the 39th Army held an emergency meeting and decided to go all out. Just ten days later, a huge battle began. The fighters of the 117th Regiment of the 350th Division successfully attacked at night and occupied 5 small heights in one fell swoop, laying the foundation for the next battle.
The U.S. military was extremely shocked by the loss of ground, and they quickly organized a strong counterattack. Beginning on May 18, the U.S. military used heavy weapons such as aircraft, artillery, and tanks to carry out a frenzied bombing and attack on the 190.8 heights. The ground fortifications and part of the surface positions were almost leveled under repeated artillery fire, but this did not make the fighters of the Volunteer Army flinch. Chen Yongnian, the commander of the first company, led the soldiers to resist stubbornly, and through repeated seizures with the enemy, more than 270 enemies were eliminated in three days.
At this point in the battle, they have run out of ammunition and food, and the situation of the volunteer soldiers is becoming more and more difficult. In such a desperate situation, the tunnel tactics became their lifeline. Wu Xinquan, commander of the 39th Army, recalled that the tunnel battle lasted for five days and five nights, and the soldiers of the Volunteer Army engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy in the tunnel.
In the early morning of June 12, the US military launched a new round of large-scale attacks after changing guards. 52 aircraft, 34 tanks, and large-scale artillery bombardment blew up the 190.8 heights to the ground. Despite the heavy losses, the soldiers of the 350th Regiment, under the leadership of the squad leader Gao Yunhe, launched a fierce counterattack, and they used the intricate structure of the tunnel to skillfully avoid the enemy's fire network and inflict heavy losses on the enemy by surprise many times. This two-front battle of underground and surface greatly depleted the enemy's will to fight.
During the battle, the volunteer soldiers showed extraordinary courage and wisdom. On the ground, they use their limited resources to build simple but effective fortifications, and underground, they fight to the death against the enemy in confined spaces. This tactic not only effectively defended oneself, but also made it difficult for the enemy to launch an effective attack.
This battle is not only a military confrontation, but also a psychological contest. The long battles and extreme environments test everyone's mental endurance. Under this pressure, the volunteer soldiers showed incredible tenacity and perseverance, and their bravery and sacrifice became a legend in many battles that followed.
Despite being at a disadvantage, the fighters of the Volunteer Army, with their strong will and clever tactics, eventually maintained control of the 190.8 heights. This victory is not only a preservation of territory, but also a great boost to morale. The losses on both sides were very heavy, but through this battle, the volunteers managed to prevent further enemy attacks and protect the security of the rear.
The battle on the 190.8 Heights, although it was only one of the many battles of the Korean War, demonstrated the heroism and perseverance of the volunteer soldiers in the face of adversity. They contributed with their lives and blood to the coming of peace. This battle is not only a battle for land, but also a profound test of human courage and perseverance. Looking back at history today, we should remember those heroes who were indomitable in the smoke of gunpowder, and they are worthy of praise and learning from each of us.