Episode 9 recap: Rebuilding the Command System in the Tunnels
In episode 9, on a deep autumn day in 1952, specifically October 21, Du Wen Jin and his team conducted a meticulous review and discovered discrepancies in the previously reported casualty figures. They swiftly raised the issue and called for further verification of the data. Reconnaissance expert Lu Wang Yang immediately assisted Du Wen Jin by gathering the necessary information, which finally aligned the numbers.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiang Yang was busy recalibrating the casualty reports from the 19th and 20th, urgently relaying this important information to the division headquarters.
At that moment, the United Nations forces changed their tactics. After discussions among the leadership of the volunteer corps and the military group, it was decided to deploy second-tier troops, with the 12th Army also stepping in to support the 15th Army. This news delighted Qin Ji Wei and his team.
To counter the enemy's offensive, General Qin Ji Wei mobilized his command and direct units, forming thirteen combat companies to engage in the tunnel warfare. However, inside the tunnels, chaos reigned, and the command system was on the verge of collapse. Veteran commanders Duan Xian Feng and Hu Man Cang personally took charge, directing operations while also reassuring the anxious soldiers.
In this critical moment, Mo Yuan suddenly appeared. He was an old acquaintance of Duan Xian Feng and had even introduced him to the party. Mo Yuan came with a mission: he was to go to Jiju Island to gather the latest intelligence on the United Nations' prisoner of war camps.
Upon careful assessment, Hu Man Cang found that there were actually sixteen companies of soldiers in the tunnels, along with several wounded. The number one tunnel was in complete disarray. After discussing the situation, Duan Xian Feng and Hu Man Cang decided to establish a party branch within the tunnel, with Mo Yuan taking on the role of a special commissioner from higher-ups to provide guidance.
With this setup, the party members became the core, gradually restoring order to the organization and command system within the tunnels. Thanks to the collective efforts of all party members, the fighters in the number one tunnel rallied around the party organization and reformed the party branch, with Hu Man Cang serving as the branch secretary. Duan Xian Feng, recognized for his extensive combat experience and his previous success in leading a company through enemy lines without casualties, was appointed as military commander.
This restructuring quickly brought order to the troops in the tunnel, significantly enhancing their combat effectiveness. Mo Yuan felt immense joy witnessing Duan Xian Feng's growth and was curious about life in the tunnels. As Duan Xian Feng was explaining the tunnel's structure to Mo Yuan, Hu Man Cang arrived with orders from the division headquarters, echoing the familiar strategy: hide during the day and launch nighttime raids to weaken the enemy's fighting forces.
The company commander was full of praise for the establishment of the party branch in the tunnels.
That night, Duan Xian Feng and his team proceeded according to their plan, but Mo Yuan insisted on tagging along. Concerned for his safety, Duan Xian Feng firmly refused to let him go. However, Mo Yuan was quite stubborn and slipped away when no one was watching.
Fan Yuan Bao wanted to stop him but couldn't. By the time Duan Xian Feng and Hu Man Cang returned, Mo Yuan had already vanished.
Meanwhile, Fan Yuan Bao faced potential disciplinary action for firing at the United Nations forces without permission, but everyone understood that he had acted out of desperation to protect the group.
Duan Xian Feng was even more worried, fearing that the enemy might discover their concealed exit. He quickly called a meeting with the key personnel, and they all agreed that the enemy might seal the exit and use gasoline to create smoke. If that happened, they would either suffocate or be surrounded.
Sure enough, the United Nations forces launched an attack, even using explosive barrels to block the tunnel entrance.
In this critical moment, Duan Xian Feng contacted Gao Feng Liang to request artillery support. The coordination between the two sides was excellent, and after a fierce bombardment, they managed to repel the American forces.
However, during the pursuit, Shuang Xi fell into his old habit of not following orders and nearly got hit by friendly fire.
Duan Xian Feng was furious and slapped him, delivering a stern reprimand. Shuang Xi recognized his mistake and sought out Duan Xian Feng to apologize once they returned to the tunnel. Duan Xian Feng told him that warfare is not a solo endeavor; it requires organization and discipline. Obeying orders is a soldier's duty, and if one fails to do so, they will inevitably face serious consequences.
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