Chapter 22 8. Lost to Seoul

On December 31, 1950, near the 38th Parallel, it was cold and windy, with heavy snow and the temperature dropped sharply. At 16:40, the artillery preparations of the Volunteers began, and shells roared towards the enemy's position on the opposite bank.Suddenly, flames and smoke rose from the other side of the river. After a brief artillery preparation, the Volunteer Army and the People's Army launched an attack on the defensive position of the "United Nations Army" on the 38th parallel on the 200-kilometer-wide front from Linjin River Estuary in the west to Linti in the east.

The commanders and fighters of the 39th, 40th, and 38th armies of the Right Column of the Volunteer Army, each serving as a breakthrough task force, braved the blockade of enemy artillery fire on the section from Gaolangpuli to Yongping, bravely stepped on the ice (some troops waded) to the Linjin River and the Han River. Attack on the south bank of Tanchuan. The south bank of the Imjin River and Hantan River is a natural cliff. The 1st and 6th Divisions of South Korea relied on the established positions and defended against danger. The front of the enemy's defense line was covered with barbed wire and landmines.After the right column of the Volunteer Army crossed the river, it broke through numerous obstacles and fire blockades, broke through the frontier of the enemy's defense in one fell swoop, and continued to attack in depth.

"Let's charge now!" Zhang Feng, deputy commander of the 116th Division of the 39th Army, issued an order to the assault troops.Almost at the same time, thousands of soldiers jumped out of the traffic trench, shouting and rushing towards the river. After Zhang Feng gave the order, he immediately walked out of the shelter and stood on the hill to observe the spectacular scene.Flames flickered on the Linjin River, and the soldiers rushed to the opposite bank on the ice in the flames of shell explosions.Suddenly, a column of flames and smoke rose from the beach in the south of the Yangtze River, and a mine exploded in the impact area of ​​the left-wing company.A series of landmines exploded rapidly from north to south.The soldiers in front fell down, but the soldiers behind did not stop, they were still running forward.

After a series of explosions, the troops behind rushed to the edge of the cliff on the opposite bank and set up a ladder.Immediately afterwards, there was a grenade explosion on the enemy's position, and a flash of fire flashed on the cliff.Three red flares rose into the sky. "It's over! It's over!" Zhang Feng couldn't hide his excitement, ran into the shelter, and reported to the division commander by phone: "We have occupied the enemy's first trench on the south bank!" "Good! Rapidly expand the results and ensure that the second echelon enters the battle!"

After the 39th Army broke through the Linjin River in the Sinfa and Doi sections, it quickly broke in from the front of the South Korean 1st Division's defense.After a night of fierce fighting, before dawn on January 1, 1951, it broke into the enemy's defense to a depth of about 10 kilometers, occupied the Dacun and Wujianli areas, and effectively supported the 50th Army's crossing of the river. The 40th, 38th, and 50th armies occupied Anxingli, Xinyili, and Zichangli respectively on the 1st. The front of the enemy's defense in the section from Yongping to Mapingli is narrow, with interlaced mountains and rivers in the depth, dense forests, and white snow, and the two sides rely on the Imjin River and the Bukhan River.The 42nd and 66th Corps of the Left Column of the Volunteer Army are preparing to break through this area.

After the 42nd Army broke through the forward position of the 2nd Division of South Korea, after a night of fierce fighting, it occupied Doseong Hyeon and Gayangyan before dawn on the 1st. After the 124th Division of the army took the roundabout task and occupied Daochengxian, regardless of the high mountains and deep snow and the threat of enemy planes, it continued to attack during the day and boldly advanced. In the Shichangli area south of the ri, the retreat route of the 2nd Division of the South Korean Army was cut off, and the assault continued up and down the Nanchong area. At dawn on the 2nd, the 31st and 32nd Regiments of the 2nd Division of South Korea, most of the 36th Regiment of the 5th Division of South Korea, and a Battalion of Artillery of the South Korean Army left Huayueli along the Anchuan, Shangnanchong, and Xiananchong Highways. Attempt to flee south.The 124th Division cooperated with the main force of the 66th Army to wipe out the enemy, and successfully completed the task of cutting off the enemy's retreat and surrounding and wiping out the enemy.

The main force of the 42nd Army advanced to the Hwahyeon-ri, Chungban-ri, and Chimo-ri areas on the 1st, wiped out a battalion of the 2nd Division of South Korea, and then continued to attack in the direction of Gapyeong, occupying Gapyeong at 10:00 on the 2nd, the enemy of Gapyeong Has fled south. At 15:00 on the 2nd, the 198th Division of the 66th Army, which made a feint attack in the direction of Chuncheon, occupied Chuncheon. After the 66th Army broke through the defensive frontiers of the 2nd Division of the South Korean Army and the 5th Division of the South Korean Army, it overcame numerous obstacles from the enemy, crossed icebergs and snowy ridges, and broke through positions such as Huayue Mountain and Gaoxiuling in one fell swoop.

Then, the South Korean Army developed an offensive in depth, successively occupied Xiudeshan, Shanghongjishanli, Xiahongjili, Shangnancong, and Xianancong areas, and annihilated the area with the cooperation of the 124th Division of the 42nd Army. The 31st and 32nd regiments of the 2nd Division of South Korea, most of the 36th Regiment of the 5th Division of South Korea, and a battalion of the South Korean Artillery Army killed, wounded and captured more than 3,200 enemies, and captured more than 30 artillery pieces. Completed the scheduled task.To this end, the Volunteer Army Command called to congratulate the 66th Army on its major victory.

Four divisions of the 2nd Army Corps and one division of the 5th Corps of the People's Army crossed the 38th parallel before the start of the campaign, and infiltrated and detoured towards Hongchuan, Hengcheng, and Wonju respectively.Its 12th Division advanced to the Xinfali area southwest of Hongcheon on the morning of the 31st. After threatening the enemy's side, it forced the South Korean 3rd Division to flee south.After the battle was launched, the remaining troops of the 2nd Army continued to cross the 38th parallel and marched southward with the main force. So far, the six armies of the Volunteer Army, with the coordination of the three corps of the People's Army, broke through the established position of the "United Nations Army" on the 38th parallel, and took advantage of the victory to attack the enemy in depth, completely smashing the "United Nations Army"'s insistence on the 38th parallel. attempt.

Under the continuous assault of the volunteers, the South Korean Army's first line of defense has completely collapsed.American military reporters reported the scene of the South Korean army scrambling to flee south: Chinese forces pushed back United Nations forces for miles north and northeast of Seoul on New Year's Day morning this year.An Allied division due north of Seoul has completely collapsed. Reporters had seen about 300 troops of the division marching southward in dismay on the road several miles east of their original positions.The reporter revealed that the defeated division was known for its tenacity.

When the Eighth Army retreated, it burned all the schools, grain depots, and thatched huts that had been occupied since early December last year.White smoke and burnt straw drifted on the way of retreat, and the smoke covered the sky, and the winter was dark. Li Qiwei, commander of the US Eighth Army, later wrote in his memoirs: Driving north out of Seoul on New Year's Day morning, I was met with a depressing sight.North Korean soldiers are rushing southward in a continuous stream in trucks. They have no order, no weapons, and no leaders. They are completely retreating.Some soldiers fled here on foot or in various requisitioned vehicles.They had only one thought - to escape as far as possible from the Chinese army.They threw away their rifles and pistols, all artillery, mortars, machine guns, and manned weapons. Kim Myung-yang of the South Korean Army Native Officer School also said in "History of the Korean War": The United Nations soldiers threw away all the heavy artillery, machine guns and other supporting firearms, climbed into the truck and galloped south. The people in the truck were so crowded that even a child could no longer squeeze in, and few people even carried rifles.They have only one thought, "get rid of that terrible enemy", and run as hard as they can!The uncontrollable "backward madness" spread. On January 3, 1951, after Li Qiwei was forced to order the entire line to retreat to the south of Seoul, the U.S. 8th Army used gasoline and bombs to crazily destroy Seoul, Incheon, Gimpo Airport and other places while withdrawing from Seoul.Schools, hospitals, libraries, museums, etc. in Seoul were severely damaged.When Reuters reporter White fled Seoul by plane, he saw "Seoul burning in fireworks" and "the fire can still be seen 50 miles south of the city." According to the situation on the battlefield, Peng Dehuai immediately decided to take advantage of the victory to pursue and expand the results of the battle.Peng Dehuai pointed out in a telegram to Han Xianchu and the heads of the armies and the 1st Corps of the People's Army that day: (1) Order the 40th Army to send a powerful detachment to cross the North Han River from near Qingpingchuan to Yangping for reconnaissance and find out the enemy's route. (2) It is estimated that our casualties in this campaign have not been very large so far. The left column and the Second and Fifth Army Corps of the People's Army plan to take advantage of the victory to occupy Chuncheon, Hongcheon, Hengcheng, Xiangyang, and Jiangling. Prepare to go south in the future.The Right Column and the First Army Corps of the People's Army will occupy Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, Yangpyeong, and Icheon-eup in camera, and control the airfield in order to prepare for the conditions for the southward advance, rest and supplement, and allow the enemy to retreat to the north of the Pyeongtaek, Anseong, Chungju, and Jecheon lines , It is also conducive to the future attack to the south.If this plan is agreed, our main force (two armies) must cross the river from near Cheongpyeongcheon to advance towards Yangpyeong, cross the Namhan River, threaten and intercept the enemy fleeing south from Seoul.Advance to Seoul and Suwon with the 50th Army, and the First Army occupies Seoul, Incheon Port, and Gimpo Airport to serve as city defense, airport and sea security. After Han Xianchu received the telegram, he believed that it was too late for the 40th Army to cross the North Han River from Qingpingchuan to the south to pursue it. At 10 o'clock that day, he suggested that the 38th, 39th, and 40th Army should gather on the north bank of the Han River to rest, and the 42nd Army would clear the south bank of the North Han River. After remnants of the enemy, rest in the Hongchuan, Hengcheng, and Yangping areas.Use the 50th Army to cross the Han River to chase after the enemy fleeing south, and control the positions on both sides of the Han River to facilitate the spring offensive.The 1st Army Corps of the People's Army advanced to the southwest of Seoul, Gimpo, and Incheon to take charge of coastal defense.The 66th Army chased to the south bank of the Han River, controlled the bridgehead position, and covered the 2nd and 5th Army Corps of the People's Army to penetrate behind the enemy. Peng Dehuai basically agreed with Han Xianchu's suggestion, and he called back at 15:00 on the 3rd to point out: The enemy in front of you has to retreat to the south bank of Seoul, the small unit controls the bridgehead defense, defends with cameras, or continues to retreat south, it depends on our army's actions.Please quickly order the 40th Army to cross the river from Qingpingchuan to attack Yangping with one division, and threaten Seoul to retreat south after occupying Yangping.The 38th Army, 39th Army, and 40th Army will rest at the same place on the evening of the 3rd, and actively make preparations for crossing the south from Qingping River. Decide.The 50th Army continued to advance towards Seoul and occupied Seoul at will. If the enemy continued to flee south, they would follow up to Suwon and contact the 1st Army Corps in Incheon and the 40th Army Division in Yangpyeong.The 1st Corps of the People's Army occupied Seoul, Incheon, and Gimpo (airport) as the guards according to the previous report. Accordingly, at 18:00 on the same day, Deputy Commander Han Xianchu ordered the units of the left column to break through the U.S. 24th Division's defense line at Dobongsan in the south of Uijeongbu. In the east, the 40th Army will use the 118th Division to go northeast of Seoul, the 39th Army will go to the north of Seoul with the 116th Division, and the main force of the 50th Army will attack to the west and southwest of Seoul, hoping to wipe out the 24th Division of the United States in the north of the Han River.If the US 24th Division has retreated, the 50th Army will cross the river to pursue it according to the situation, and the 39th Army will leave a division responsible for maintaining order in Seoul, and the rest of the divisions will withdraw from Seoul immediately to prevent US air strikes.According to this, the various ministries pursued towards Seoul. The 50th Corps of the Right Column of the Volunteer Army divided into two groups and pursued towards Seoul. The 446th Regiment of the 149th Division on the right route repelled a battalion of the 25th US Division in Yangbydi-ri, north of Goyang, and captured more than 20 US troops. The 446th regiment continued to pursue and cut off the retreat of the British 29th Brigade, which was fleeing from Uigungbu to Seoul, at Fomidi, south of Goyang. The 39th Army pursued in the direction of Seoul, and the 347th Regiment of the 116th Division annihilated two companies of the British 29th Brigade in Bugok-ri, west of Uijeongbu.During the battle, the 7th Company of the 347th Regiment served as a support mission.The company repelled several violent attacks by the enemy's reinforcements, and all the cadres died, leaving only seven people in the company.At this critical moment, Zheng Qi, the trumpeter, stepped forward and acted as the company commander to command the entire company to fight.When the enemy was about to break into our position, Zheng Qi wittily blew the charge horn. The enemy mistakenly thought that I was charging and fled in a hurry.The 7th company successfully completed the blocking mission.Zheng Qirong won the title of second-class combat hero for his special meritorious service. The 38th and 40th armies chased to the Shuluoshan area southeast of Uijeongbu, and wiped out the 17th Regiment of the 24th Division of the United States and wiped out part of the enemy. The 42nd main force of the left column of the Volunteer Army and a division of the 66th Army crossed the Bukhan River from Gapyeong and Chuncheon respectively and pursued in the direction of Hongcheon.The 2nd and 5th Corps of the People's Army continued to intercept the enemies fleeing south in the direction of Hongchuan and Hengcheng. On the 4th, in addition to a part of the 42nd Army searching and advancing towards Hengcheng to scout the enemy's situation, the main force has entered the Yangdeyuanli-Dongmurri area.The 66th Army has entered the Chuncheon-Hongcheon area. On the afternoon of January 4, the 116th Division of the 39th Army of the Volunteer Army and the 1st Corps of the People's Army occupied Seoul.The 149th Division of the 50th Army entered Seoul that night.The 114th Division of the 38th Army and the 117th Division of the 39th Army each had a reconnaissance unit that entered Seoul on the 4th.When the 1st Army Corps of the People's Army entered Seoul, it fought fiercely with a U.S. tank battalion. About 200 people were killed, wounded and captured, and two tanks and 46 cars were captured.As the "United Nations Army" and the South Korean Army ravaged the city frantically when they withdrew from Seoul, Seoul at this time was beyond recognition, and many buildings were reduced to rubble. After the Volunteer Army and the People's Army entered Seoul, they strictly abided by the policy and discipline codes, and were warmly supported by the citizens of Seoul. On January 5, China's "People's Daily" published an editorial congratulating the occupation of Seoul.The editorial also pointed out: The reason why the Chinese People’s Volunteers were able to defeat the “armed to the teeth” American aggressors in North Korea was mainly because they fought for justice and humanity, for patriotism and internationalism, and for the eradication of the American beast. Fighting to Save North Korea and China from Massacres: Fighting for the Safety of Women and Children in North Korea and China.Therefore, wherever they went, they saved lives, restored towns and villages, and restored the peaceful life of the Korean people.Their great actions have been warmly welcomed by the Korean people.