The story of "trapping the enemy without firing a shot" is not a drama of outwitting Weihu Mountain, but a legend that really happened on the Korean battlefield in 1951. Wu Xinquan, the general of the 39th Army at that time, used his wisdom and courage to create an incredible miracle of war. Do you want to know how Wu Xinquan put the US army in a predicament for seven days and seven nights in the Battle of Hwacheon Reservoir without spending a single shot?
When it comes to Wu Xinquan, many people may not be familiar with it at first, but his performance in the 1950s is definitely enough to make every military enthusiast pay attention. Wu Xinquan was a heroic general of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, especially in the Korean War, which can be said to be a perfect combination of tactical wisdom and courage.
In July 1950, when the 39th Army received the order to go north, Wu Xinquan was spending a rare moment of reunion with his family. His wife had just given birth to their son, and it was supposed to be a time of family joy, but the military order was like a mountain, and he had to immediately lead his troops to the front. This dual responsibility to the country and the family makes Wu Xinquan's image more three-dimensional and respectable.
Soon after, the 39th Army demonstrated its might on the Korean battlefield. The first thing they encountered was the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army, a unit with a long history and glorious achievements. But in this encounter, the 39th Army showed combat effectiveness that should not be underestimated. On November 1, 1950, the two sides launched a fierce confrontation in the Yunshan area, which was the first head-to-head confrontation between the Chinese and American armies, and it was also a key contest.
The background of the Battle of Unsan is very special, it is an important passage through the mountainous areas of northern Korea, and to control it is to hold the key point to the northwestern part of Korea. General Peng Dehuai was well aware of this, and specially assigned Wu Xinquan to lead his troops to take on this important task. And the U.S. army also realized the strategic location of Yunshan and sent the 1st Cavalry Division to strengthen the defense.
The troops of both sides arrived on the battlefield almost simultaneously, but each was not very clear about the strength and deployment of the other. Under these circumstances, Wu Xinquan demonstrated his military prowess, and through precise intelligence gathering and quick judgment, he ordered his troops to attack two hours earlier, a decision that later proved to be extremely correct. At the beginning of the offensive, the American troops were completely caught off guard, and the firepower and offensive of the 39th Army were like a flood of fierce beasts, quickly suppressing the opposing side.
In this battle, Wu Xinquan's thinking on the art of war and his calm command art were especially displayed. He not only relied on force, but also used wisdom, and was well versed in Sun Tzu's Art of War, such strategies as "waiting for work with ease, matching with righteousness, and winning with odds". This kind of meticulous command allowed the 39th Army to achieve repeated victories in the entire Korean battlefield.
But what really made Wu Xinquan famous was the battle that took place near the Hwacheon Reservoir in 1951. It was a strategically important location, and if you control it, you can effectively cut off the enemy's logistical supply lines, and the impact on the situation of the war is very huge. The U.S. military is also aware of this, so it has deployed a large number of troops to defend.
Wu Xinquan did not choose to face it head-on, but adopted an extremely ingenious strategy. He had his troops quietly approach enemy positions at night, gradually encircling them by digging trenches and setting up ambush circles. The most critical thing is that the 39th Army barely fired a single bullet during the whole process, relying entirely on covert movement and psychological tactics, which put the US military in a state of complete passivity and panic.
The brilliance of this strategy lies in the fact that it is completely unexpected by the enemy. US commander Ridgway mentioned in his post-war memoirs that they did not expect the Chinese side to adopt such tactics at all, and for a time they were unable to effectively organize a counterattack or break through. This psychological repression, coupled with physical difficulties, made it impossible for the US military to effectively break the situation in the next seven days and seven nights until the Chinese side safely withdrew as planned.
Wu Xinquan's battle at the Hwacheon Reservoir not only demonstrated his far-sighted tactical vision, but also demonstrated his deep understanding of the essence of warfare. Wars are not always won at the cost of blood and lives, and sometimes the use of wisdom and strategy can achieve the goal more effectively. This concept has been recognized and applied more in many later military operations.
In addition to his heroic performance on the battlefield, Wu Xinquan's personality charm is also an important factor in his ability to become an excellent commander. He treats his soldiers like family, always puts the safety of his soldiers first, and always insists on winning the greatest victory at the lowest cost in battle. This combination of humanistic concern and tactical wisdom made him extremely prestigious in the troops, and he was deeply loved and respected by officers and men.
Looking back at General Wu Xinquan's performance on the Korean battlefield, it is not difficult for us to find that the true military genius does not rely only on force and violence, but more on a deep understanding of the essence of war and the skillful use of various tactics.