Episode 2 recap: Qin Ji Wei Studies American Tactics
In Episode 2, after inspecting Wusheng Mountain, Qin Ji Wei returned to the 15th Army base and locked himself in his room for three days. At the rally, he had told all the officers and soldiers that they would face a coalition led by the United States and urged them to bravely fight back. For the sake of victory, he declared there would be no list of heroes, only a memorial for martyrs.
After sleepless nights of contemplation, Qin Ji Wei devised a strategy based on active defense and prolonged warfare, which he presented at a military committee meeting. The operational principle focused on transforming battlefield fortifications, using tunnels as key support points, implementing large-scale construction projects, and establishing an impenetrable defense line to keep the enemy at bay.
While stationed at Shaliyuan, the artillery regiment of the 229th Division encountered a bombing raid by the 13th Bomb Squadron of the 3rd Bombardment Group of the U.S. Air Force. The regiment successfully shot down a B-26 bomber, piloted by the son of General Van Fleet, commander of the 8th Army. Van Fleet was devastated by the loss. In a drunken state, soldier Bell mocked Van Fleet, calling him an incompetent old man, only to be knocked down by his superior, who warned the troops that they knew nothing of the general's achievements in Greece. He threatened to "blow their heads off" if anyone spoke disrespectfully again.
During the troop exchange between the 15th and 26th Armies, the enemy fortified their defenses after establishing their command post on Jixiong Mountain opposite Shangganling, which resulted in one reconnaissance team from the 26th Army failing to return. Despite the freezing weather, Qin Ji Wei remained concerned about the missing team. Meanwhile, the stranded reconnaissance unit fell into a small ambush by U.S. forces, leaving only Captain Zheng Guoliang and soldier Shuang Xi. To protect Shuang Xi, Zheng Guoliang heroically took a bullet from Bell’s sniper rifle, sacrificing himself in the process.
To gather first-hand intelligence on the enemy, Qin Ji Wei sent his aide, Duan Xian Feng, to capture a "tongue" behind enemy lines and to teach new recruits in the 8th Company about capture tactics. However, the recruits were reluctant to listen, believing that Duan Xian Feng, as an aide, lacked sufficient knowledge. Feng Bai Sheng instructed squad leader Chang Dafa to keep an eye on Duan Xian Feng.
At this time, Duan Xian Feng wrote a detailed plan for capturing prisoners. With his silver tongue and a bold spirit, he finally persuaded Feng Bai Sheng to allow him to provide tactical training to the soldiers. To demonstrate his abilities, Duan Xian Feng challenged the strongest soldier, Luo Wanxiang, and using his cunning strength, he managed to take him down, astonishing everyone.
Next, Duan Xian Feng selected team members from the old 8th Company, choosing the strong Luo Wanxiang, the fast Yun Guichuan, the sharpshooter Sun Yaozu, and the machine gunner Xu Xiao. He formed a temporary capture team and took them along to capture prisoners. Hu Man Cang suggested bringing Fan Yuan Bao, as he was excellent at climbing trees and could serve as a lookout.
As evening approached, the capture team managed to catch an American, but on their way back, they fell into an enemy minefield. In a critical moment, a gunman appeared on the enemy's flank and helped trigger the mines. Taking advantage of the smoke, Duan Xian Feng quickly led his team to escape. After they got out, Duan Xian Feng noticed someone in a U.S. military uniform approaching. He knocked the person down with a brick and discovered it was Shuang Xi, the only survivor from the 26th Army's reconnaissance unit.
Due to this unexpected capture of a Volunteer Army soldier, Duan Xian Feng and Hu Man Cang exchanged blame, though Qin Ji Wei did not reprimand them too harshly. Meanwhile, Van Fleet ordered a study of Qin Ji Wei's profile, and Qin Ji Wei also researched Van Fleet, discovering that his favorite sport was football. As a result, he organized a football match between the military headquarters and the 8th Company.
In the intense physical match, everyone gained firsthand experience of Van Fleet's and the U.S. Army's formidable tactics. Football appeared to lack rules, relying solely on strength and speed, yet it closely resembled the battlefield. The large flanking maneuvers they once excelled at were no longer effective against the U.S. Army's linear push tactics that left no gaps. Without advantages in absolute strength and speed, winning battles required ironclad willpower, relying on strong fortifications to withstand enemy attacks, exhaust the enemy, and wait for the right moment to decisively strike.
Comments(Episode 2)