by Unknown
The new Air Force commander was giving his report. “Our losses were extensive; however, crews are working to ready our aircraft for service. As of this morning’s report, we have ten MIG-29s, three MIG-23s, fifty-two MIG-21s and F-7s, twenty F-6s, and another thirty MIG-17s. On the attack side we have three SU-7s, twelve Q-5s, and another five SU-25s. In our fighter and attack aircraft we lost 398 of our first line aircraft. We lost another 200 training aircraft and over half our helicopter force. To counter this, I have ordered the H-5 bombers brought back into service. This will give us another fifty or more bombers. I have also instructed that our training aircraft be fitted for carrying bombs. Fortunately, our transport aircraft were located at commercial airports, so were spared. In all, we will still have a formidable air force. We are transporting our aircraft to the civilian sites since all of my military airfields are now unusable. We should be ready in two days. The fuel and ammunition situation is critical. We lost nearly fifty percent of our fuel reserves and one-third of our ammunition. This will not prevent us from making attacks; however, we will have some difficulties with sustained operations.”
“So you are saying we have the capability to attack the Americans?” asked Kim.
“Yes, Comrade Chairman. We will be fully ready tomorrow afternoon and can begin making limited strikes this evening. This is giving us time to get the planes to their new airfields where they can take off and land safely,” the Air Force Officer said.
“Then I do not want a minute wasted. As soon as a unit can get in the air, I want them up and attacking where they can,” said the Chairman. He turned to the Army. “What about our ground forces?”
“As commanded, we have begun moving 20,000 troops to the Inchon area to counter the invasion. Another 100,000 are being rounded up for reinforcements. Between these two forces, there should be ample troops to push them back. I would suggest we have some of those air force fighters shifted to go after the naval units as they try and come in to the beach. It would kill many of the enemy soldiers on the ocean instead of on the ground,” the general said nervously.
“That is a good idea,” said Kim. “Coordinate your efforts and remember that the tides work with us on any invasion of Inchon. Exploit it to the fullest,” he said.
The two men nodded and the General continued. “With communications disrupted, I know there was some sort of landing last night in Pusan. Our troops and equipment were shelled up to 24 miles away from the port. A massive breakthrough by the allied forces has pressed us back thirty miles as of this morning. However, our forces are mobilizing and the lines are firming up. The Americans landed some armor and some troops; however, our intelligence sources have not indicated that this could be anything but a stop gap measure. I should have firm information from the front as soon as the communications lines are reestablished. Until then, my orders are to hold fast and not give another inch to the Americans.”
Kim nodded. That was the proper order. He didn’t want to delay his victory too long. The Americans would have to reinforce the Pusan area to try and stop them. The loss of ground was unexpected, but such was war. They still had the upper hand. He turned to another officer, “Naval Forces?” he asked.
The admiral was tall and thin. His uniform hung on him like an adult suit on a child. He beamed at the Chairman. “No naval losses. I have ordered our ships to deploy tonight to harass the enemy and to carry out lightning raids on any units encountered,” he nearly shouted.
Kim beamed. At least someone was still ready. “Why are you waiting until tonight?”
“Since we lost our air capability temporarily, it would give our ships a better chance to escape observation and attack with some surprise. Since our forces may be outnumbered, it would be best to initiate a set of quick, decisive attacks to disrupt their shipping or to harass troops. The plan is to sortie from our bases and dash to Inchon and try and hit any transports they have there. If they have landed some troops, we can also launch attacks from the rear. Then we will dash back to our bases to refuel and resupply,” the admiral said as he pointed to the areas on the chart. “On the eastern coast we shall sortie the ships and patrol boats to the south and attempt an early morning raid on the Pusan area. In the resulting confusion we shall get as many ships and men back as possible. Our aim will be to cause any temporary efforts to be slowed or thwarted by having to reinforce facilities around Pusan,” he said. No further elaboration was needed. Everyone in the room knew that more than likely these ships and men wouldn’t be coming back home.
Kim nodded in approval. “I approve the plan. Do whatever you can to stop this incursion,” he said to the admiral. “Now what about our strategic reserves?” he asked turning to the new Minister of Defense.
Hua passed over some papers. “We lost a great deal of fuel and munitions. Our overall oil supplies are down by one-third and our munitions have been depleted by forty-eight percent. Much of this was due to the ineptitude of the former Defense Minister,” he snarled. “We can continue on. Our oil supplies will be increased from the People’s Republic. I have already sent someone to negotiate this. The munitions are a different matter. Last night all of our above ground major munitions works were attacked by air. With the exception of the underground factories, we have less than half the capability of manufacturing our own arms. This means a major expense to get these arms from our brothers in the People’s Republic. Unlike the oil which can come by pipeline, our arms must be manufactured first. This will mean a delay. My office is already in touch with the Russians, India, and the People’s Republic to purchase what is necessary. We will also need the transportation to import them,” he said.
“What about the food supplies, Comrade Minister?” asked the Minister of Agriculture. “Our reserves in the underground facilities are already being used. We had cut back our imports to bare minimum because of the need for our trucks. If you must have more for ammunition, people will be starving,” he said.
“They can eat after the war!” shouted Kim, slamming his fist on the table. “The first priority is our troops and our mission. The people can make do until then.”
The men at the table grew silent. After the recent example of Kim’s patience, none desired to incur his wrath.
“The other problem we have encountered is that all of the tunnels crossing under the former border are now closed. They were all attacked last night. My engineers are looking at each of them to see if they can be salvaged. Until then, we will have to transport our supplies along the roads,” he said. “We will have to make sure they are not harassed as they cross over,” he said looking at the Air Force general.
Kim was looking at his watch. The local party officials were going to brief him in a few minutes. He would leave the details to these men and hope they were better than the last. “Continue the meeting until all the plans are made, then brief me this afternoon on your initiatives,” he said formally. Everyone rose when he stood and they remained standing until he left the room. No one showed any sign of relief. Hua was there and would tell his uncle everything. The men sat down and continued. The plans were drafted and approved. Hua then warned them of the seriousness of not sticking to the plan.
Forty Miles North of Pusan
Hufham couldn’t believe what was happening. Lt. Colonel Peterson selected him and Ricks to provide information about the routes and strong points along the way north. Seated in a Bradley, they took the column along the same roads they had retreated across only days and weeks before. Abrams tanks led the way. Once breaking through the lines, the armored vehicles opened up the throttles and sprinted almost unopposed. As the lead tanks entered a town, they fanned out to secure the area, and then the trucks and troops entered and set up. The rest moved forward again to the next town. Any opposition was quickly dispatched and the men moved on.
By 10 am the column was forty miles from the old lines around Pusan. Hufham and Ricks led them through two provinces before they were ordered to stop and regroup. No one expected the move to be made that
rapidly. The troops were behind the tanks, but it took time to secure an area properly and they were not planning on giving the real estate back again soon. The strike screen in the Bradley showed that stronger opposition lay to the west and some other friendly troops were getting closer from the east.
The major on the Bradley turned to Lt. Colonel Peterson while pointing at his tactical display. “Sir, we are ordered to hold here in Chilgok and refuel. These guys coming from east of us will join up within the hour. We haven’t heard anything yet, but I would guess we will head west and secure this hot spot,” he said pointing to a place on the map. “While we’re stopped, you and your guys might as well get out and stretch your legs.” The major flipped a switch and the rear door opened.
Peterson led the way out of the vehicle just as the refueling truck pulled up. As the crew shut down the engine and scrambled around to get their fuel, the three men walked around the small town square. “When did we leave here? Was it a month ago?” asked Hufham.
Ricks looked around and noticed a few places that stood out in his mind. “Something like that,” he said pointing to one pockmarked corner. “That was where Preston caught one in the leg. Had to drag him for hours,” he said almost in a sigh. He pointed to another place. “Didn’t we take out a tank just over there?” he asked.
“You know, I think you’re right,” Peterson said. The men walked around the corner and came upon the burned out hulk of a T-34. The scars of battle were all over it. The tracks were separated, the engine compartment burned out and the interior was black with soot. “I still can’t believe you crawled up and threw that cocktail down in there,” Peterson said.
“Got tired of the thing killing my people,” Ricks replied. “When we shot off the track, that damned gun just kept shooting. I had to do something.”
Peterson shook his head. “Between you acting like a one man M-1 and Hufham here going after gun positions with that rifle, I may end up worrying myself into a nut house. At least you guys keep things interesting,” he chuckled.
“Maybe next time we’ll try the POW route,” Hufham smiled. He threw up his hands. “Take me to your leader,” he said suppressing a laugh.
“Could be interesting. At least we wouldn’t have to walk all the way,” Ricks said. “I’m getting to like riding around in these Bradleys.”
“Well, we walked the first time. About time we caught a ride,” Hufham shot back.
The humor was making the three men almost giddy. For so long they struggled with life and death situations that the relaxed atmosphere was almost more than they could take. In a few minutes the three sat down and just looked along a small valley. It was such a pretty sight. The green of the valley floor was marred by several small farms, yet no movement could be seen anywhere. The small buildings on the farms had been burned out, but the men could hear birds chirping in the trees. No words were exchanged. They just sat and soaked up the peacefulness of the valley.
The building behind the men suddenly exploded, knocking all three men forward into a low stone wall. The crack of rifles and bullets ricocheting around them alerted the compound. Luckily, all three were relatively unharmed and grabbed their rifles in defense. The fire came from a clump of trees and underbrush about 100 yards into the valley. Gunfire was returned as Peterson, Ricks, and Hufham fanned out to get a good target. More gunfire erupted from other areas of the woods. By now over 100 men were rushing to positions along the road around Hufham and Ricks. Some grenades were fired into the area, killing about a dozen, but the gunfire didn’t really slacken.
A Bradley came from behind the building and its Bushmaster opened up, cutting through the underbrush. Cries and screams resulted and the gunfire ceased. The Bushmaster traversed to the next positioned and opened up again. Suddenly tank rounds exploded in the middle of the last two areas. Everyone looked around to see two tanks emerge from a side road aiming toward the enemy. Two more shots and it was over. Several men began moving down the road to secure the area. The others watched as the two tanks turned into four, then several more followed by trucks and other vehicles. Attached to one of the lead trucks was the flag of Japan.
Lt. Colonel Peterson turned and leaned back against the wall. “Shit. I was starting to like this place.” He looked over at Ricks. Ricks waved and nodded. Peterson struggled to his feet, then realized something wasn’t really right. His right side was sore. Glancing down he noticed the blood staining his hip. “Damnit!” he said.
Ricks heard the exclamation and saw the expression on Peterson’s face. Then he saw a bloodstained hand. He rushed over and threw his arm around Peterson’s shoulder to give him some support. The two men made it a few yards before a medic grabbed Peterson and eased him to the ground. The uniform was cut away revealing a gash about four inches long gouged an inch deep into his hip. The medic worked quickly, bandaging the wound and then having two men move him back to the courtyard.
Hufham stayed still. A bullet had entered under his left arm and he could feel the blood running down his side. When Ricks deposited the Colonel with the medics, he saw the pained look on Hufham’s face. He was already starting to turn pale with shock. “Get me a medic over here!” Ricks shouted.
Rushing to his side, Ricks lay Hufham down and grabbed for his first aid pouch. Before he had time to do anything a medic grabbed Hufham and began pulling away the flack vest and uniform shirt. He pressed a bandage against the wound, noting it wasn’t gushing blood, just a slow steady bleed. “It didn’t hit an artery,” he said as he worked.
While pressing the bandage firmly to help stop the bleeding, another medic felt around the shoulder and along the chest. “I feel it up front,” he said after a moment. His fingers were resting in front of Hufham’s collar bone just below his neck. The medic smiled down at Hufham. “That’s good. It means it didn’t go into your chest,” he said.
“You’re not feeling it the way I am,” Hufham grunted in pain. That was when the first medic jabbed him with a dose of morphine.
“Goddammit, Paul, can’t you keep out of trouble,” Ricks said to his friend. Concern was written all over his face. Hufham just grunted.
The major walked up and looked at Peterson and Hufham. “Get these three on a truck back to Pusan. I want a medic to go back with them,” he ordered. “Don’t worry guys,” he said. “We’ll get you home. Thanks for helping us out last night,” the man said extending his hand.
Peterson shook it firmly. “Just kick their ass all the way to China.”
The major headed back to his Bradley as the column began to circle around and start down a road heading northwest. Ricks, Hufham, and Peterson were loaded in the back of a deuce and a half and started back down the road they came in on. When they arrived in Pusan late in the afternoon, Hufham and Peterson were admitted to the military hospital where Peterson was sewed up and Hufham was taken into surgery. Ricks reported in to headquarters and was told to report to the barracks for some “R and R.”
After checking in, Ricks returned to the hospital where he stayed until Hufham was out of recovery and in a room. He was sitting in the waiting room when an attractive young Korean woman entered.
Su Lynn could see the heavy burden on Ricks’ shoulders. He looked up to see her standing in front of him. She knelt and took his hands in hers. Ricks reached forward and pulled her into a tender hug. She held him close while caressing the back of his head. No words were spoken. There was no need. By now they both knew how they felt.
Ricks pulled Su Lynn into the chair beside him, still holding her hand. “He was hit under the arm and it went up into his chest. The doctors are making sure the bullet didn’t do any more damage,” he said softly.
She nodded. “He be okay. You see,” she said. “We wait.”
After another thirty minutes a doctor came in and walked up to Ricks. “Your buddy is okay. The bullet’s out and it appears it didn’t really hit anything substantial. Give him a few days and he’ll be good as new,” he said. “Now why don’t you get out of her
e and get some rest. After what you’ve been going through, you need a break,” he said.
Su Lynn took Ricks by the hand and pulled him from the chair. “Let’s go home,” she said. Gently, she led the tired man out the door. Ricks didn’t pay any attention to where he was going. He just let her lead him wherever she wanted to go. In ten minutes they rounded the corner near her refugee center. They entered through the kitchen door and walked quietly through the darkened kitchen past two of the people putting away some linen. The couple smiled at them when they passed.
Su Lynn led Ricks to her small room in the corner. She pulled back the bed clothes and helped Ricks put away his gear and take off his soiled uniform. She laid him on the clean sheets and then turned off the small overhead lamp. Before she got in the bed with him, she closed the door.
Chapter 14
August 17 - Surface Ops
Off the Coast of South Korea
“Inbound aircraft now bearing 095 distance 50 miles, multiple aircraft, course 280 speed 350,” the watch coordinator reported.
“How many have you made out?” Hammond asked from his seat in Strike.
“About 150, sir,” the coordinator said.
“Well, we know they’re not Korean. They’re coming from the wrong direction,” said the Operations Officer or OPS.
“I could use the air cover. Despite all this armor, I don’t like the idea of us being out here by ourselves. One DDG and a frigate are not really enough,” Hammond said. The door opened and Admiral Thacke entered.
“Admiral in Strike,” someone announced.
Thacke walked over beside Hammond and sat in a chair. “Believe it or not, those are ours,” he said. “Please don’t shoot at them.”
Hammond chuckled. “Wasn’t planning to right off. You mind telling me what’s going on?” he asked.
“Phase two. Now that we’re in it, I can tell you that there are a couple of carriers around here that just started operating. They should be coming up on the net any time now.” He sat back and took a deep breath. “According to the plan, we took out just about anything they had last night. We figure it will take a day for them to get their act together. So it gives us one day before we can expect any real retaliation. Those guys are going in to support the troops so we can make as much ground as possible. Just so we don’t get left out, I’ve ordered the North Carolina, Wisconsin and New Jersey up the east coast and the Alabama, Massachusetts and Missouri up the west. If I were them, I might try and make a general sortie out of their naval bases. So, no matter what we’ll be ready,” the Admiral said.
