Chapter 124: 124

November 14, 2020, 22:30, 55 km north from Shin Ui-joo si, North Korean skies

Sixteen of the Joint Offensive Fighter Wing’s KA-11P Phoenix jets took off from Shin Ui-joo Airport and flew along the border of the Ap-rok River. The jets split into groups of two and moved toward their assigned areas.

The 16 Phoenix jets flew at low speeds in an altitude of 500 m, then dropped off the land sonar Landmark-1 in order.

Boom! Boom! Woooooooosh~

The Landmark-I was 1.2 m in length and 150 mm in diameter. It embedded itself onto the surface by using its falling momentum, then a radar in the shape of an umbrella popped out from its side. The high-precision sensors that faced the ground began checking for vibrations and sent the data to the Joint Offensive Fighter Wing’s Command Headquarters in real time.

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November 15, 2020, 00:30, Joint Offensive Fighter Wing Base, Shin Ui-joo si, North Korea

There were 256 Landmark-I sonars deployed along the Ap-rok River by 16 Phoenix jets. The digital screen in the headquarters’ Command Center showed each of their locations on a map along with any vibrations that were being detected.

“Sector 1, all 16 Landmark-I online, sir.”

“Sector 2, all 16 Landmark-I online, sir.”

The area was divided into 24 sectors, and each operator from their sector began to report. Fighter Wing Commander Brigadier General Kim Gyun-hyun gave the order.

“Organize and compile the data before sending it to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Have all land-attack jets and fighter jets that are deployed till dawn undergo diagnostics and maintenance even if they have to work all night. The weather is getting colder. Cold weather like this can cause equipment malfunction, especially the precision equipment. So tell the men to take all precautionary measures.”

“The repair battalion is undergoing thorough diagnostics, sir.”

Operations Director Ahn Kyung-joon answered.

“Good! Let’s discuss the operation for tomorrow. Have everyone gather to the briefing room.”

“Yes, Commander.”

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November 15, 2020, 09:30, 17 km northeast from Jakang Island (Sector 8-3), North Korea

Twenty or so Russian-made trucks were racing across the white, snow-covered fields of the Ap-rok riverside; the area where the 11th Corps’ 51st Mechanized Infantry Division 26th Brigade 3 Battalion 3rd Company’s men had fought to defend the border.

Vrooo~ Vrooooooo~

The trucks that obviously seemed to be in poor condition had 132-mm multiple rocket launchers loaded on their cargo area. A moment later, at least 20 trucks arrived at the encampment of the Korean military’s 3rd Company. They went through a few processes and searches before they began to line up at the gravel field in front of the company headquarters.

Meanwhile, at the company headquarters, Captain Na Hyun-ho, the Commander of the 3rd Company, was watching the scene with his administrative clerk after being notified of the trucks’ arrival. Then a North Korean officer in a brown uniform came out from the Russian BTR-60 type armored vehicle, tidied up his uniform, and headed to where Captain Na Hyun-ho was.

“Hello. I am Captain Kang Man-soo from the 620 Artillery Corps’ 544th Battalion 1st Artillery Unit.”

Captain Kang Man-soo saluted in a disciplined manner. He was short and lanky, but his eyes were full of fire and charisma that made him seem like a stereotypical North Korean officer.

“How are you? I am Captain Na Hyung-ho of the 3rd Company. Great to meet you.”

When Captain Na Hyung-ho saluted and put his hand out for a handshake, both officers shook.

“It is great to meet you as well. It’s an honor that we get to fight the Chinese with the South Korean military.”

“I also think it is a great honor. Let’s go inside. You must be feeling cold.”

“Yes.”

Captain Kang Man-soo and his aide-de-camp stepped into the temporary headquarters building. They were taken aback from how warm the building was, as they took off their coats and sat down.

“This building is quite warm despite being made of metal.”

“It is equipped with a self-heating system.”

The administrative clerk had brought coffee and placed it on the table. Captain Kang Man-soo became wide-eyed and spoke.

“Is this coffee? I have had it a few times.”

“It is hot so be careful when you drink, please.”

When Captain Na Hyung-ho pointed to the coffee and offered it to the North Korean men, Captain Kang Man-soo and his aide-de-camp became excited and began to sip the coffee.

“This coffee is different since it’s from South Korea. It tops any other coffee I had before.”

“Captain! South Korean coffee is great, sir.”

Captain Kang Man-soo and his three aides-de-camp sipped the coffee and must have found it to their liking and began to praise it. Captain Na Hyung-ho, who saw the men being so happy and amused by something as trivial as coffee, called over his administrative clerk.

“Sergeant Kim.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Talk to the quartermaster and bring a few boxes of the coffee we were rationed.”

“Yes, sir.”

Captain Na Hyung-ho ordered the administrative clerk and then spoke to Captain Kang Man-soo.

“Since you like the coffee, I would like to offer you a few boxes.”

“I- I hope that is not rude of us despite it being our first meeting.”

“No, hahaha. We are now brothers in arms, fighting with our lives at stake. How big of a deal would a few boxes of coffee be? If there are any other items you need, please let us know.”

“Thank you, Captain Na Hyung-ho, Comrade.”

Having the officers from North and South Korea sitting at the same table for the war against China, after being divided for 62 years, was a sight no one would imagine a month ago. The meeting that day was that significant, and the press officer who had come in from the battalion was busy photographing the historic scene. During this meeting, the North Korean soldiers were busy cleaning the canons and setting up their camp.

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November 15, 2020, 11:00,(ROK Military Joint Command Center), Yongsan-ku B2 bunker, Seoul

The Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to actively deploy the North Korean military after the battle between China at the border on the thirteenth. The Korean government had the North Korean 620th Artillery Corps deployed to the border through First Vice-Chairman Kim Yo-jong and have them continue the offensive toward the Chinese military. Also, two light-armored mountain divisions from the 3rd Corps were grouped with the Joint Offensive Fighter Wing to continue the highland battles in the Ap-rok River area.

“Has the 620th Artillery Corps been stationed by each force?”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff asked the Operations Director after coming back from the Ministry of National Defense.

“They have finished moving into sectors 1 through 8, which had well-built roadways, and the rest of the sectors will have men deployed within today, sir.”

Operations Director Kim Yong-hyun answered.

“I never thought we would use the outdated North Korean artillery like this,” the Chairman said.

“In our situation, I believe we need the artillery power from North Korea, sir.”

“But, since both of our nations are not completely unified, we cannot trust the North Korean military completely. So keep a close watch on their movements.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How about the Chinese military’s position along the border?”

“Please take a look at screen number 3, sir. This is the statistics the Shin Ui-joo fighter wing has sent us.”

The third screen showed vibration patterns and other information being detected by the Landmark-Is installed along the Ap-rok and Duman River area.

“We have detected 12 vibration patterns from sectors 6 to 12, sir.”

“That’s more than we expected. So how many men do you think they have?”

“Yes, the area with most men seemed to be sector 9, with 12,000 men and 50,000 in total.”

“If it’s about 50,000 men, then that means there are at least 4 divisions? How did they manage to stay in the mountains this whole time?”

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“It seems they had gathered supplies from the surrounding cities along the border, along with their standard rations, sir.”

“All right! No matter what the Chinese have done, we must use this chance to clean up the border. Was the time for the operation at 3:00 p.m.?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is the fighter wing from Sun-an Airforce Base participating as well?”

“Twenty-four Phoenix land attacker jets are being deployed, sir.”

“What about the mountainous divisions, what’s their position?”

“The 2nd and 12th Light Armored Mountain Divisions are on the move since 7:00 a.m. today and are on the Chul-won/Dukcheon Highway heading North. The 2nd Division will arrive at the 1st encampment at Kang-kye, and the 12th Division will arrive at the 2nd encampment at Hye-san within today. Then they will be divided and stationed to each sector after their three-day maintenance period,” the Operations Director said.

“Yes, we are going to be busier than before. We need to move the Western frontlines and continue our occupation of the three Northeastern provinces. Ah yes. We will have a visitor from the North tomorrow morning,” The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

“What do you mean, sir?”

“Since the North Korean military is actively participating in the Korea¬–China war, they are going to send a few commanders from their ranks.”

“Have the North Koreans decided on who to send to us, sir?”

“That is why I visited the Ministry of National Defense today about the matter. Our guests will be Lieutenant General Kim Ki-yoon, Commander of the 620th Artillery Corps and General Choi Ho-il, the Vice-chief of Staff.”

“It seems they are sending us heavy hitters from the North, sir.”

“Indeed, they are at par with our Vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff here, I’d say.”

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November 15, 2020, 15:00, Joint Offensive Fighter Wing Airforce Base, Shin Ui-joo si, North Korea

The skies above the Shin Ui-joo area were abuzz with jets that had taken off from the Joint Offensive Fighter Wing’s Airforce Base. Excluding a few Phoenix jets, all the jets and bombers that had taken off were equipped with bunker-piercing bombs and flying along the Ap-rok River.

“Operation Mole Extermination” was in effect to raid the Chinese military’s hideouts along the Ap-rok and Duman rivers based on the detection from the Landmark-I sonars.

Some 36 Phoenix jets, 24 Black Phoenix bombers, 24 Phoenix land attackers, and 16 Blue Dragon bombers were deployed for this operation. There were also 24 additional Phoenix jets deployed from Sun-an Airforce Base as well.

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November 15, 2020, 15:10, 28 km north from Shin Ui-joo, North Korea

The 39th Army Group’s 331st Battalion had retreated to the mountain pass since the first strike from Korea started on October 28. They supplied themselves with their own rations and those from neighboring villages. The 331st Battalion had dug trenches and pits, preparing for an ambush amidst the freezing weather. Then when the order to attack the border came from their superior forces, they made attempts at the offensive.

“Commander! You must wake up, sir.”

The sentry that was watching the skies inside the pit silently spoke.

“There are three planes flying at low altitudes, sir.”

Colonel Yang Boyu, who was taking a catnap for tonight’s battle, rubbed his eyes and answered angrily.

“It’s not like we have seen planes flying at low altitudes every day, you know?”

“The thing is, sir, their altitude is low, and they seem to be flying near the area we are hiding in.”

The Commander of the 331st Battalion Colonel Yang Boyu figured this was a bit odd to ignore, and checked the three planes flying nearby with the binoculars.

“Those jets are of a kind we have never seen before.”

“Yes, sir. It seems they are new.”

The three jets that were not on the list of friend or foe chart by the superior forces made a large turn and began to fly toward their direction again.

“How did they know we are hiding here anyways? They must be reconnaissance planes, Radioman.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Contact each company and tell them to not leave their pits.”

“Yes, sir.”

As he gave the order and checked the position of the Korean jets once again with the binoculars, the first two jets began to drop bombs. Colonel Yang Boyu shouted in surprise.

“What the—? They know our position?”

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November 15, 2020, 15:10, 28 km north from Shin Ui-joo, North Korean skies

The two KA-11P Phoenix land attackers assigned for the bombing moved into sector 1. Then a Phoenix land attacker with the call sign Poodle sent out a message to the Arms Operator through the radio.

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Sector 01 bomb area access! Fly heading 160, check!

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Bulldog 1, copy that.

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Under the orders of the first bombing fleet’s Commander, the two Phoenix land attackers turned their bodies right and made an evasive maneuver. Another order came from the Arms Operator once again.

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Bomb, step!

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Bulldog 1, copy propulsion.

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The Arms Operator checked his console monitor. When he confirmed the precise location of the drop zone he sent out another message to Bulldog 1.

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Bomb! Drawing down! Go!

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Bulldog 1, copy that!

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The two Phoenix land attackers flew together in a parallel line and began dropping the bunker-piercing rounds attached to their wings.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The bunker-piercing rounds that were free-falling detached its covers when it reached a certain altitude and revealed the cluster bombs it had within. Then the cluster bombs all opened up small propellers and began to spread across the skies while gliding.

Boom! Bang! Boooooooom!

The cluster bombs that fell onto the surface sank deep into the earth, unlike other bombs. They were powerful enough to shake the entire surface.

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