Chapter 159
December 21, 2020, 13:20, B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Chiefs of Staff Command Center), Yongsan-ku, Seoul
The Commanders at the Joint Chiefs of Staff held at least one strategic meeting per day. They were in the office once again to plan out their final strategy that would conclude the Korea–China war.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff has concluded that with the reunification of Korea only ten days away, they must conclude the war against China two days before the federal reunification.
“General Choi Ho-il!”
“Yes, comrade Chairman!”
“Is the 8th Corps’ Training going smoothly?”
“Haha, our comrades at the 8th Corps have struck gold. Thanks to the latest equipment from the Korean military and the good food they get, they are training harder than ever.”
“Is the equipment adjustment and paratrooping training going well?”
“Put your worries to rest, Chairman Kang. If you give us the word, we can have them deployed this instant.”
“Hahaha, that is a relief. It’s amazing they made so much progress in such a short period.”
“Comrade Chairman, the men in the 8th Corps are veterans of the veterans within the Northern state military who have served at least eight years. A month is more than enough for them.”
“I understand.”
“Comrade Kang, is it time for our 8th Corps to get moving?”
“Yes, it is time. We were planning to set a time for their deployment today.”
“Is that so? That’s great to hear.”
Before the start of the meeting, Chairman Kang Ui-sik spoke with the Commander of the Northern State Army and Vice Chief of Staff, General Choi Ho-il, before signaling to the Operations Director Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon to start the meeting.
“We will begin the meeting to establish the strategies for ‘Operation Downfall of Beijing.’
Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon stepped up to the podium and made his opening statement while looking at the 30 Commanding Generals in attendance.
The meeting that day decided on a basic strategy after 8:00 p.m. that day. After a short dinner, the meeting continued past 2:00 a.m. before the final plans for “Operation Downfall of Beijing” could be finalized. Early morning the next day, Chairman Kang Ui-sik officially reported the plans to the President. The particular element of this operation was the main force conducting this operation would be the Northern state’s 8th Corps instead of the Korean military. President Suh Hyun-woo did show some concerns at first, but due to the supporting statements from the Northern military’s Commander, General Choi Ho-il, he approved the plans.
On the way back to the Joint Chiefs of Staff office, Chairman Kang Ui-sik looked at General Choi Ho-il from inside the sedan and spoke.
“Thanks to you we were able to have the plans approved easily, General Choi.”
“I told you I needed to come along to convince the President, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you were absolutely right. Haha!”
President Suh Hyun-woo showed concern about the losses that the Norther State Army would suffer in this operation. That was when General Choi Ho-il stood up from his seat and shouted out to show him and his men’s strong resolve.
“Mr. President! Wasn’t this war between Korea and China for the reunification of North and South and our people? How can the Northern state military stand by and watch as the Korean military makes sacrifices in this war alone? If this war is truly for the reunification of our nation, please approve the Northern state forces to be deployed in battle.”
The voice of General Choi Ho-il showed strong resolve and will despite his 71 years. This convinced President Suh Hyun-woo, and he gave his official approval for deployment.
“Our Northern state forces must bet their lives and work as much as the President had put his faith in us. Could I give the order as soon as we get back to headquarters?”
“Yes, I will give you the documents that organize the data for the operation and orders.”
“All right then. I can wait.”
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December 22, 2020, 11:30 (China Standard Time 10:30), Shandong peninsula, China
In the Shandong peninsula, the Korean Marines presently had occupied an area the size of the Kyungi and Chungchung states combined. The 2nd Marine and 3rd Marine Armored Mobile Division’s (fire drake) 10th Armored Brigade was facing off against the 26th Army Group’s forces 11 kilometers away west of Pingdu.
Also, the 11th and 12th Marine Armored Brigade prepared to enter into battle against the 12th Army Group at Qingdao, the final target, and 5 kilometers south of Pingdu. Finally, the 6th Marine Brigade, four paratrooper brigades, and heavy armored brigade began to take over the cities within Shandong peninsula.
The 12th Army Group was stationed 60 kilometers away from Pingdu area. The 11th Marine Armored Brigade’s K-3 White Tiger tanks and K-23PM Hyun-mu armored vehicles from the 12th Marine Divisions were all in line and ready to move.
-Each Vehicle Commander! Move out. Move out.
The first target was the 12th Army Group’s 2nd Armored Division and two of its vehicle infantry divisions. Most of the vehicle infantry division consisted of amphibious vehicles and was weaker than other vehicle infantry divisions, but their vehicles had heavier plating than others. However, the 3rd Marine Armored Mobile Division was a force that matched the 20th Armored Division’s power. Thus, the 12th Army Group’s heavier armored plating did not matter to the K-3 White Tiger tanks.
With the 3rd Marine Division’s head start, the 3rd Mobile Aerial forces’ 46 KUH-50M Super surion choppers began to take off while blowing snow everywhere. Also, the 24 WAH-91SP Peregrin falcon choppers from the 10th Amphibious Fleet also moved forward and took the lead.
The two groups of choppers moved in formation as their rotor engines roared out, and flew at top speeds after splitting into two groups to flank the 12th Army Group’s artillery regiment and anti-air regiments.
Meanwhile, at the Command Center headquarters of the 12th Army Group, the 12th Army Group’s command was receiving the movements of the Korean Marines in real time from their subordinate forces.
“Two armored brigade forces from the Korean Marines are moving at high speed toward the 2nd Armored Division, sir.”
The drone operators of the 2nd Armored Division headquarters detected the Korean marine’s movements and reported to Commander Wu Weian.
“What’s their size?”
Commander Wu Weian asked shortly.
“One armored brigade and one mechanized infantry brigade, sir. They have 220 tanks and 96 AFV armored vehicles.”
“So 220 and 96 . . . if we look at the numbers we outnumber them two to one! Can we win with our superior number, can we not? We have over 750 tanks!”
“The thing is, sir, the Commanding Chiefs have ordered us to not face the Korean armored forces directly in battle but focus on establishing a defensive line.”
Operations Director Lieutenant General Gao lin answered.
“What? They would have us not engage in battle even if we have the advantage?”
Commander Wu Weian was upset by Operations Director Gao lin’s words and shouted while furrowing his brow.
“Do you know what the most important thing in modern warfare is? The decision made by the Commander who is in the field who has access to the actual situation on the ground. My orders are above those that are from men hiding inside a bunker.”
“But that is the order of the Chief of General Staff, Commander Wu Weian!”
The Chinese Chief of General Staff’s order was to focus on defending Qingdao and establishing a defensive line after their repeated defeat against the Korean armored forces. They planned to draw in the Korean forces up to their line of defense and attack after they were in the range of artillery strikes from the rear. This was a very standard defensive tactic.
“Silence. Achieving victory is all that matters. Contact all the divisions! Have the 2nd Armored Division move into their center and start the battle! The 34th and 36th Division from the flank will also move in from the sides to aid them.”
Operations Director Lieutenant General Gao lin showed his discontent before ordering the Radio Operator to contact the divisions.
Moments later, the 2nd Armored Division that had received orders from Commander Wu Weian left the defensive trenches they had dug up all this time since they reached Qingdao, and began to move to the front lines.
Over 400 type-96 (Type-96 MBT(88C)) tanks and type-99 G(Type99G MBT) tanks began to ride across the snow and mud-covered fields.
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December 22, 2020, 12:00 (China Standard Time 11:00), Weihai Port, China
The 7th Maritime Flotilla’s 72nd Destroyer Fleet’s three hocula destroyers tasked with guarding the 10th Amphibious Fleet in Weihai Port used all of its radars to prepare for any surprise submarine, ballistic missile, and fighter jet attacks. The 3rd Marine Division’s headquarters had requested for cruise missile strikes from them as they stood guard.
The attack coordinates were located where the 12th Army Group’s anti-air and artillery brigades were stationed. The 3rd Marine Mobile Division used all of their drones and spider drones to map out the position of all subordinate forces the 12th Army Group had before requesting the missile strike. By having a missile attack before their choppers attack first, they could nullify the enemy’s anti-air defenses and raise the survival rate of their choppers as well.
Within the 72nd Maritime Flotilla’s commanding vessel the Gwanghae (DDG-1001) the command headquarters allotted targets to not just the two hocula destroyers but also the KD-2 destroyers and three escorting vessels before attacking.
“Captain! Each coordinate has been set for every vessel. All ships are standing by for launch.”
The Operations Director aboard the Gwanghae (DDG-1001) reported to his Captain, and soon enough the order to launch was given by the Captain.
The vertical launch pad aboard the three hocula destroyers opened its flaps and launched 18 Sky dragon A cruise missiles into the sky. Within a short period, the Sky dragon A cruise missiles had tilted their head and flew off into the west inland. Then the other ships launched 12 additional Sky dragon A cruise missiles into the sky as well.
The Sky dragon A cruise missiles had a range of 1,000 kilometers and moved toward its target at Mach 3 speed while staying 30 meters above the surface.
“Missile number 1 is 175 seconds away from the target, missile number 2 at 175 seconds . . .”
Sky dragon A cruise missiles glided across the bumpy surface while moving at supersonic speed. They reached their targets within 3 minutes while bungling the Chinese radars. Moments later, the 30 missiles used its pop-up flight and blew up above their allotted targets. A rain of cluster rounds began to fall on the surface.
Boom! Bang! Boom!
The cluster rounds split into 100 rounds after the explosion and created a second wave of explosions after contacting with the various equipment and surfaces. The Chinese cannons, armored vehicles, and self-propelled guns all sustained heavy damages.
The plasma cluster rounds had turned the encampment of the Chinese anti-air and artillery brigade into a sea of flames. Before the Chinese forces could notice, the 3rd Aerial Force’s KUH-50M choppers and 10th Aerial Force’s WAH-91SP Peregrin falcon choppers appeared and sprayed plasma cluster bombs and laser Vulcan beams to the surface.
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