Everyone knows that on the Korean battlefield, the Chinese People's Volunteers displayed extremely high heroism and sacrifice. In particular, the Ninth Corps recaptured the port of Heinnam on December 24, 1950, ending the second campaign. In this battle, the Ninth Corps suffered heavy losses, but do you know why it took them four months to return to the battle? Behind this is not only blood and fire, but also deep helplessness and persistence. Let's explore this history together and see how those tough guys used their flesh and blood to write unyielding legends in the bitter cold.
In 1950, the Korean Peninsula was in the midst of a harsh winter, and the north wind was like a knife, and the Ninth Corps of the Volunteer Army completed the task of the second campaign in such an environment and recovered the strategic place of Xingnangang. The victory was not easy, and the Ninth Corps paid a huge price. Their losses were recorded at around 50,000 men, which is almost equivalent to the strength of a full army.
There are many reasons for this, and in addition to the stubborn resistance of the enemy, extreme weather conditions are also the main killers. Frostbite became a deadly threat to volunteer soldiers, and many soldiers lost their lives in the cold because of a lack of adequate cold protection equipment.
After heavy losses, the Ninth Corps had to rest and replenish for a long time. They missed the third and fourth campaigns that followed, and did not enter again until the end of April 1951. During this period, the Ninth Corps was not without combat capability, but was in the process of recovery and reconstruction. In a battle in March 1951, the 26th Army successfully annihilated more than 1,000 enemies, showing its strength after rest.
During these four months, the soldiers of the Ninth Corps were not idle. While they are resting, they are also carrying out self-criticism and rectification. It has been learned that during this period of time, their attitude was very resolute, demanding that they stay in Korea and continue to fight, so that they could restore their combat strength as soon as possible and repay the hatred of the 1st Marine Division of the US Army for failing to completely annihilate it in the Battle of Changjin Lake. This spirit of perseverance and refusal to admit defeat is an important reason why the Ninth Corps was able to recover quickly and enter the battle again.
The central authorities have also given great support and care to the Ninth Corps. A large-scale replenishment plan was approved, including the allocation of more than 46,000 recruits from the East China Military Region and other units to the Ninth Corps, with the aim of restoring the combat effectiveness of the Ninth Corps as soon as possible.
Replenishing new recruits and restoring combat effectiveness is not something that happens overnight. Recruits' training, integration, and coordination with veterans take time and effort. In addition, the impact of the terrain and climatic conditions of the DPRK on the operation made this process even more complicated and difficult. The road to the revival of the Ninth Corps was full of tests of blood and fire, but it was also a demonstration of the wisdom and tenacity of the generals.
During the four-month-long recuperation period, the Ninth Corps was not only replenishing supplies and troops, but more importantly, integrating ideologically and strategically. Every defeat on the battlefield becomes a valuable lesson, which is used to adjust tactics and boost morale. During this period, the leadership of the Ninth Corps intensified the political education of the soldiers, ensuring that they understood why they were fighting and for whom.
What cannot be ignored is that the cruelty of this war is also constantly testing everyone's psychological endurance. Prolonged battles, great stress and danger, are great challenges for any soldier. During the period of recuperation, the Ninth Corps also paid special attention to improving the soldiers' psychological ability to resist pressure, and relieved the soldiers' war pressure by organizing theatrical performances and sports competitions.
It was this series of preparations and adjustments that enabled the Ninth Corps to once again show its bravery in the fifth campaign at the end of April 1951. Their performance not only proved the necessity of a long rest, but also demonstrated the indomitable fighting spirit of the Chinese People's Volunteers.
History is forged by countless such blood and fire, and every soldier who persevered on the battlefield is a hero worthy of our memory. The Ninth Corps is a microcosm of it, and through their experience, we can get a glimpse of the spirit of the Chinese soldiers in that era who were not afraid of difficulties and forged ahead bravely.
Looking back at history, this experience of the Ninth Corps on the Korean battlefield is not only a history of war of blood and fire, but also a profound topic of courage, sacrifice and perseverance. From them, we can understand that the cruelty of war and the test of human nature are unimaginable, but in the same way, the potential and spiritual power of man are unlimited. The soldiers of the Ninth Corps proved this with their practical actions. Let us not forget history, remember our heroes, and draw strength from them to face any difficulties and challenges in life, and be able to move forward with courage and fearlessness.