"Report to the commander that the Fourth Army has arrived at the south bank of the Imjin River and asked whether to cross the river."
After delaying the enemy for several days, Li Qiufan's troops retreated to the south bank of the Imjin River. This Imjin River was their last line of defense.
"Reply to the Fourth Army and cross the river immediately!"
"Also send a report to the First Army and the 38th Army. After the troops arrive at the Imjin River, they will directly cross the river and then build defensive positions on the north bank of the Imjin River!"
After hearing the correspondent's report, Li Qiufan immediately asked him to reply to the Fourth Army, and at the same time issued orders to the First Army and the 38th Army.
The last line of defense is also divided into three areas, defended by three armies respectively.
The first is Yenchuan on the front, which is garrisoned by the Fourth Army, and Li Qiufan has assigned it two heavy artillery brigades, an entire tank regiment, and two air defense battalions.
As for why most of the heavy firepower equipment is deployed here, it is because of the extensive transportation network in the Yeoncheon area.
Once the enemy successfully breaks through the Imjin River defense line, its mobile troops can be used to their fullest potential and penetrate directly into Cheorwon from the Yeoncheon area.
Therefore, the Yeoncheon line on the north bank of the Imjin River can be said to be the top priority. Li Qiufan must pin the enemy to the south bank no matter what.
The First Army was stationed on the right flank of the Fourth Army, on the Matian-ri line on the north bank of the Imjin River. Li Qiufan assigned it a heavy artillery brigade and an air defense battalion.
The last 38th Army was stationed on the left flank of the Fourth Army, on the Yongpyeong line on the north bank of the Imjin River. But this time Li Qiufan could not provide it with artillery fire and mobile support, and could only rely on the 38th Army's own strength. response.
After crossing the Imjin River, the three armies began to quickly build fortifications, waiting for the enemy's arrival.
Just as Li Qiufan was making pre-war preparations, he suddenly received an order from the Volunteer Army Headquarters, asking him to immediately go to Zhisi's station for a meeting.
After receiving the order, Li Qiufan handed over the command of the Western Front battlefield to Erhu, and then took several guards to the Volunteer Army Headquarters.
After Li Qiufan arrived at the Volunteer Army Headquarters, he was taken directly to see the commander-in-chief.
"Let's talk before anyone arrives!"
After seeing Li Qiufan, the commander-in-chief smiled and said to him.
"Commander-in-Chief!"
Li Qiufan paid a military salute immediately, and then nodded towards the tired old leader in front of him.
"Okay, let's not be so polite. Let me give you some reassurance. Your political commissar has been sent back to China, and his injuries have been stabilized."
Seeing Li Qiufan salute him, the commander-in-chief waved his hand towards him, and then talked about Zhao Gang's situation.
"Is Lao Zhao okay?"
After hearing the commander-in-chief's words, Li Qiufan excitedly confirmed to him.
"You don't even believe what I say? How can I still lie to you?"
After hearing Li Qiufan's inquiry, the commander-in-chief glanced at him angrily and said.
"Uh... No, I'm just too excited. Commander-in-Chief, please forgive me!"
After being scolded, Li Qiufan first scratched his head in embarrassment, and then explained to the commander-in-chief.
"You brat, don't talk like an old man. Am I very old?!"
"Let me tell you something else. You mentioned to me before that you would transfer your garrison division to the peninsula to replenish troops. I have made arrangements for it after I return home."
"And I also heard about your previous blocking battle on the north bank of the Han River. The troops suffered heavy losses again. Both armies were left with very few people."
"So while I was in the country, I made a private decision to urgently mobilize your Second Army and the originally planned garrison division to enter the peninsula area to supplement your First Army Corps!"
When he heard Li Qiufan call him an old man, the Commander-in-Chief kicked him in anger, and then told Li Qiufan some news that he didn't know, or gave him a surprise.
"Second Army? Commander-in-Chief, please transfer the Second Army to the peninsula. What about the Yunnan border? There are only two armies left in Yunnan!"
After hearing the commander-in-chief's words, Li Qiufan was stunned for a moment, then realized the problem of border defense, and then asked the commander-in-chief.
"You don't have to worry about this. The Military Commission has transferred another unit to Yunnan to supplement border defense and will be temporarily incorporated into your Yunnan Military Division."
After hearing Li Qiufan's inquiry, the commander-in-chief smiled and said to him.
After Li Qiufan heard the commander-in-chief's explanation, he nodded with relief.
"Okay, now that we've finished talking about personal matters, let's discuss the official matters at the meeting!"
After chatting about personal matters, the commander-in-chief took Li Qiufan to the conference room and waited for commanders and soldiers from other units to arrive.
After everyone arrived, the meeting began. The main discussion was about the current location of the reinforcements and how to deal with the enemy's offensive next.
At present, the Third Corps and the Nineteenth Corps, which have newly entered the peninsula, have reached the Ping'an River line, not far from the Pingkang area. The commander-in-chief is preparing to replenish them all to the eastern battlefield.
Li Qiufan's garrison division and the Second Army took another route and have now arrived in the Tushan area, still more than a hundred kilometers away from the Yeoncheon front line.
Li Qiufan's two troops will naturally be added to the Western Front. In addition, the Commander-in-Chief is also preparing to integrate the Thirteenth Corps into the combat sequence of the Western Front.
After the reinforcements arrived, the Third, Ninth, and Nineteenth Corps were responsible for the battlefield on the Eastern Front.
On the Western Front are Li Qiufan's First Corps and Thirteenth Corps. Of course, Li Qiufan is still the commander-in-chief.
Another thing is that the Volunteer Army Headquarters received intelligence that the enemy was preparing to land from Anju and Wonsan, and planned to outflank the Volunteer Army front and rear.
After learning about the enemy's intentions, the commander-in-chief gave a solution, that is, the best defense is to attack, and take the initiative to attack so that the enemy's main force has no time to allocate troops to the rear of the volunteers.
According to the preparation of logistics supplies, the best time to launch an attack was May, but two things happened suddenly that directly disrupted the entire plan.
The first is the current situation. The enemy has advanced to the Yeoncheon and Hwacheon areas. Judging from the enemy's current offensive, there will be certain risks in delaying the situation in the Iron Triangle area.
In addition, two days ago, the enemy bombed the Sandeng Railway Station behind the volunteers, destroying a large amount of supplies that were to be transported to the front line.
Therefore, this decisive battle plan, which was fully prepared, could only be forced to start the war hastily.
After the meeting, everyone returned to their troops, and Li Qiufan also returned to the command post in the Yenchuan area.
At the same time, the enemy troops had advanced to the south bank of the Imjin River and began to attack the defense line on the north bank.
