Chapter 97 Peng Dehuai met the most difficult opponent

On December 23, 1950, General Walker, commander of the Eighth Army of the United Nations Army, was involved in a car accident and died. At that time, he was on his way to inspect the troops retreating to the defense area south of Kaesong.At that time, Lieutenant General Walker, who had never suffered such a defeat, was in a bad mood.He ordered the jeep to go fast. At that time, retreating US tanks and trucks full of soldiers filled the road.His jeep was marching in the hastily retreating team, honking its horn, turning left and right, and shuttled forward.When running to a bend in the mountain road, the fast-moving jeep collided sideways with a truck full of South Korean soldiers.The jeep rolled off the road, fell into a ravine, caught fire and exploded.

The famous Lieutenant General Walker died unexpectedly. As a soldier, General Walker died on the Korean battlefield. He died well and deserves admiration. You can't live without a commander in the army. On the same day, the Pentagon appointed a new commander of the Eighth Army. The appearance of this general had a profound impact on the situation in the Korean War.In the subsequent battles, the Chinese generals also learned the resourcefulness and capabilities of the American soldiers.He is Peng Dehuai's most difficult American general - Li Qiwei. Li Qiwei, 55 years old at the time, graduated from West Point Military Academy and served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Army.Like MacArthur, his image is very American and has the personality of an American soldier.He was handsome, with scorching eyes.Although he is a commander, he is used to wearing the uniform of a member of the US Marine Corps.In particular, he still has a grenade hanging on his chest, so striding in the army like this is simply very different and cool.

He is resourceful, rigorous, majestic, selfless and fearless, and he is the embodiment of the spirit of American soldiers. After being appointed, he hurried to the Korean battlefield without going home to say goodbye to his wife. Upon meeting, the old principal MacArthur told his West Point cadets: I especially warn you, don't underestimate the Chinese, their weapons are better than ours, they are good at night combat and mobile warfare, they are difficult opponents. General Ridgway showed great courtesy and respect to Principal MacArthur.At this time, MacArthur, who was beaten by the Chinese, also showed full trust and confidence in the student Li Qiwei.He told Li Qiwei: "Do whatever you think is good!"

Everything is up to you. When meeting MacArthur for the first time, what Ridgway wanted was this sentence. At this moment, he was suffocating all his energy, and he was focused on making something famous. The Chinese must be taught a lesson! We must let the Chinese know what is the number one army of the United States of America in the world! He is about to act. He immediately flew to the battlefield and discussed the war with various army commanders and division commanders.These army commanders and division commanders may have been beaten and blindfolded by the volunteers and have not wandered out. Almost without exception, they answered:

My commander, don't think about it anymore, the Chinese army is too powerful, we have no chance to fight against them. Take a jeep and go to the front line. He wants to see for himself. On the front line, he saw a scene that almost coincided with the generals' answers. He recorded this scene in his memoirs: From them, I deeply feel that this is a panic-stricken army. They don't know what they are doing. What they think is to flee from the Chinese and return to China by boat. Where is the great soldier of the United States of America!Bear! Li Qiwei was angry. Walking into the dining room, he saw that the tablecloth on the dining table turned out to be a dirty sheet, and the tableware was crooked and put together in a mess.

He was furious. Where is this headquarters, it's a kennel! This is not an American soldier, but a stray dog! How can an army that has lost its self-respect and honor fight a war! To change the tableware, it is necessary to change the spirit of the United Nations Army! Li Qiwei understood. The top priority is not to attack, but to defend! Just keep it. Seeking truth from facts, Li Qiwei ordered his 8th Army: "You can retreat to the Linjin River to the 38th parallel, but after that, you must never take a step back! All units must connect with each other, and the Volunteers can no longer be interspersed, divided, encircled and wiped out! We are the United States Soldiers of the United States, must hold on!"