WesWorld

10th July - far behind the border

On 10 July a group of 9 bombers attacked Tokchon aerodrome, which is in the deep rear of the enemy. Because of its location, the HQ of Chosen did not expect any attacks. The aerodrome was designated as "Base W". On this day the airbase prepared to receive new aircraft ferried from the south and representatives of the airfleet command and the city authorities had assembled there. The EW208C bombers flew to the target unobserved, in a tight wedge, maintaining radio silence. They attacked as the ceremony was in progress. Aircraft stood in four rows, wing tip to wing tip. From an altitude of over 5000 m the Chinese bombed them with a mix of high explosive, fragmentation-high explosive and incendiary bombs. According to the reports of the crews, most of the bombs exploded along the rows of aircraft, which were tossed in every direction from the force of the blasts, with many burning. Antiaircraft guns remeined silent and only a single fighter took off from the enormous bonfire below. Fortunately the Fighterplane was unable to intercept the departing and lightened bombers. Reportedly 64 aircraft were destroyed or damaged, with several dozen people killed and several hundred wounded. The fuel reserves burned for three hours. Chosenian sources confirm the death of seven senior officers of Captain 1st Rank and higher. Twelve more were wounded. Amongst the latter was Lieutenant-General Shin Sang-Ok, commander of the 154th Fighter Regiment. After they accomplished their dangerous mission, the Chinese aircrews were awarded with medals for their bravery.



High flying bomber attacking airfield


Airfield still under attack

11th July 1943, Army District North

The devastating Chinese airraid on the Tokchon caused severe casualties, mostly due to gross carelessness of the local airfield commander, who has already been absolved from all his responsibilities and will face a military trial.
12 SSC-60 as well as 16 Ki-27 were destroyed or damaged beyond repair as they were parked on the open field closely parked together instead of being placed between protective barriers and camouflaged as ordered by ADN.
76 men have been killed during the airraid and the explosion of a fueldump which was also hit, while more than 175 men have been wounded.
This incident shall serve as a negative example for all officers who are responsible for a military or civilian installation not to disregard ordered security measures.

14th July 1943, Pyongyang, Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Chosen

General Cho Hyang-Soon: "My leader, the situation on the China-Front is still unchanged, both belligerents are lurking at each other and not doing much. Just ocassional airraids and artillery shelling. There is no need to say that it wont stay like that forever. The important question is: Who makes the first step.
I, and many of my comrades assume, that the only reason the Chinese haven't launched a massive ground offensive yet is that they are not strong enough at the moment. I mean, they would be strong enough to attack us for a few days but they wouldn't be able to achieve anything significant.
Therefore the only logical thing to do is to use their temporary weakness against them and launch an offensive ourselves. At the moment we still have a slight advantage in numbers and I am certain that if we have an opportunity to beat them decisively, it is now. We have to attack them on the ground with all we have. These air and sea skirmishes wont help us in the long run. We have to enforce a decision as long as we have the strength to do so. I would like to present to you the operation plan my staff and me worked out."

General Cho Hyang-Soon unfolded a big map on the table where the generals and Jong-Un were sitting around. Jong-Un puckered his eyebrows: "Well, you have to explain, I am no military professional myself."


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General Cho Hyang-Soon: "Well, as you can see, there are four Infantry Corps, one Motorized Corps and one Mountain Corps which will take part in the operation. The whole 2nd Army is concentrated at the coastal area while the main part of the 1st Army will attack in the mountainous region to the northeast. The operation consists of four main phases, I will describe each one in detail.
Phase I is the breakthrough phase and most critical. The 40th and 22nd Infantry Corps will attack at the coastal area and capture the cities of Yuanbao, Dandong and Donggang. We expect rather stiff resistance in this area. After the initial breakthrough, the 1st Motorized Corps will lead the way and advance as quick as possible along the coastal highway, the 22nd Infantry Corps will follow. While the 1st MC will capture Zuanghe as fast as possible the 22nd IC will take a hold at the Duizifang intersection and resupply for phase II. In the meantime the 40th Infantry Corps will advance north west and liberate the city of Fencheng, which is supposedly an enemy strongpoint. On the other front sectors we will see the 28th Infantry Corps capturing Kuandian and the 1st Mountain Corps taking Huaren. We expect only slight resistance in these areas. Last but not least, the 4th Infantry Corps will conduct a diversion attack on Tonghua and secure the right flank of the 1st MtnC.
In Phase II, on the southwestern flank the 1st MC will advance northwest and take Gaizhou and thus cut off the Chinese troops defending Dairen. Then the 1st MC will shift to the northeast and give assistance to the 22nd IC which advances from the southeast to take Haicheng. Auxilary troops of 2nd Army will defend the cities of Zhuanghe and Ghaizou in case the Chinese troops remaining on the Liaodong Peninsula attempt to break out. The task of the 40th IC for the second phase of the operation will be to push further north and capture Benxi to gain an advantageous position for the final push on Shenyang.
On the northeastern flank the 28th Infantry Corps will push and unite with the 1st Mountain Corps. After that, both Corps will advance swiftly to the Hun river.
Phase III will be the final attack on Shenyang which will be conducted as a combined assault from three directions. The 1st MC and parts of the 22nd IC will assault from the southwest through Anshan and Liaoyang. The 40th IC will advance from the southeast while the 28th IC and parts of the 1st MtnC will push from the east and move along the Hun river through Fushun and Wanghua.
Phase IV will take some time as the 1st MC as well as parts of the 28th IC have to be relocated. Both Corps will then push simultaneously from Zhuanghe and Gaizou along the coastal roads to Dairen. As the Chinese troops defending Dairen are cut off and have to be supplied by sea or by air, which of course will be denied by our air and naval assets, we don't expect any difficulties with phase IV."

Jong-Un had attentively listened to his general but he was undecided what he should reply.

Jong-Un: "Well, thanks General Hyang-Soon for this short overview. I have to say I am a little bit bewildered by the complexity of your plan. It is ambitious, and I have to admit you have a valid point with your appraisement that we can only beat the Chinese if we act soon.
On the other hand, I have concerns about the timeline of the operation. I mean what is the estimated duration of the operation?"

General Cho Hyang-Soon: "My leader, we expect that we can conclude phase III after 6 to 9 weeks. Phase IV would take additional 3 weeks but that is not relevant really."

Jong-Un: "So our offensive takes place in the monsoon period? I would guess that has not been taken into account, has it?"

General Cho Hyang-Soon: "Of course, my leader. We are well aware of the additional difficulties the monsoon period will cause, but we evaluated that and we came to the conclusion that the heavy weather and monsoons are in fact a big help to our effort.
Monsoons will hinder our movements as well as the Chinese movements but it will help us with other things. The first one is the effect of surprise: They will never expect us to start a major ground offensive within the monsoon period. The second big advantage we have from the monsson arises from the fact that we don't expect to achieve air superiority. In fact enemy bomber raids on our advancing troops and supply lines would slow down the advance far more than any weather phenomenon ever could. Within the monsoon period however, the Chinese will have little opportunity to make use of their air superiority."

Jong-Un nodded in appreciation: "General Moon Jung-Keun, what do you think about this?"

General Moon Jung-Keun: "Uhm....ahhh....well, normally I would say it is just insane to attack during monsoon when the roads are turning into goo but considering what the Chinese Airforce maybe could do to our advancing columns, the tweeks during July and August are probably the best time for this kind of operation."

Jong-Un: "Yes, yes, I agree with you....I think. Anyway, I have another question. I am confused about Phase III and IV of this plan. I mean, wouldn't it be better to finish off Dairen immediatly after Phase I."

General Cho Hyang-Soon: "My staff and me discussed this matter. It would have indeed some advantages to capture Dairen as early as possible. But we came to the conclusion that we don't have enough troops availbale to assault Dairen and Shenyang simultaneously. If we are to slow with our push on Shenyang we would give the Chinese an opportunity to throw massive reinforcements into the battle which could have a devastating effect on the whole operation.
With our plan we would be able to capture Shenyang as fast as possible and furthermore the resupply, reinforcement or even the evacuation of those isolated troops on the Liaodong Peninsula would cost the Chinese time and resources."

16th July 1943

Eight Ha-36s bombed the Sonchon airport. The bombers tangled first with six fighters and later with three more fighters escorting four bombers. No loss were reported on either side.
No aircraft were sighted at Sonchon so the bombers hit a train station and a train instead.


18th July 1943

Four Ha-36s attacked Yongchon and four other attacked Choosen vehicles near Yongampo. The later encountered two fighters and two of the Ha-36s were slighted damaged with one aircrew wounded. One Ha-36 went missing near Dandong.


20th July 1943 - HQ of the Air Battle Force / Beijing

Air Force Colonel Wang Hongju, the Commander of the ABF began his speak "The attacks of the First Squadron of our ABF seem to be very successful. For this reason, I intend to send also the Second Squadron to the region. With immediate effect, the machines will be relocated to the Suixi Air Force Base. All machines start with the for ferry flights maximum allowable load."

"Is this really necessary?" asked one of the present staff officers. "At Suixi there are enough weapons - why do not we load our aircraft with fuel and spare parts and take the weapon at Suixi on board ?"

"I want, that our aircraft are ready for use immediately after landing", Hongju answered. "The squadron is now on red alert, and the less we need preparation time after arriving in Suixi, the more flexible we are. As the order to go into action can already occur during the transfer flight, the crews should be prepared to have to start again after a few hours rest. In an extreme case, they land, getting their documents, refuel, make their weapons ready and start immediately. I know that is our first relocation under operating conditions, but since we have practiced it a long time, we should made it. Any questions ?" No one answered. "The next meeting in two hours should be our last meeting before the start of the first aircraft. I expect that the takeoffs starts promptly thereafter. So go on, gentlemen - Dismiss !"

17th July 1943, Combat Report

17-7-1943, 13:04

From: RCN Siranui (DD), LOCSTAT: 39°03' N 123°25' E

To: Central Naval Command

Chinese fishing boat has been engaged with deck guns and is sunk. Lifeboats observed. No rescue attempts have been made due to Chinese patrol flight in the area.



The Chinese fishing boat is spotted and engaged with the 76mm deck gun.



After 15 minutes several critical hits have been scored and the enemy boat is on fire. The Chinese crew abandons the sinking boat.

19th July 1943, incoming radio traffic

19-7-1943, 17:22

From: Central Naval Command

To: Battlefleet 1

Due to changed overall situation Battlefleet 1 is ordered to abort its current mission and to relocate to the navalbase Jeju-Do. Resupply at Jeju-Do and standby for further orders.

21st July 1943, observing position 3km east of Dandong

Colonel General Youn Se-Hong watched through his binoculars and observed the Chinese side of the Yalu river, where the urban areas of Yuanbao and Dandong stretched along.

Col. Gen. Youn Se-Hong: "Interesting. Very interesting."

Major Ma Gyong-Si: "Well general, what is it, what do you see?"

Col. Gen. Youn Se-Hong: "Nothing. Nothing unusual. Well, almost nothing unusal at least. A few Chinese army camps, but nothing special. No real entrenchements, no barricades and lots of civilian traffic on the roads as if nothing happened. We will catch them off guard the second time."

Major Ma Gyong-Si: "What do you mean, Sir? You have attended the meeting yesterday at the Army HQ. What did they say? I mean, is there something planned? There is something going to happen, right?"

Col. Gen. Youn Se-Hong: "You ask too many questions, the things we discussed at the meeting are of course confidential. I know you and the men can't be fooled, all the troops in this area, the supply transports and ammo stockpiles..... I know how it must look like. But can't tell you anything at the moment"

Major Ma Gyong-Si: "I really hope we get something to do. I would be fine if they would just make peace and send us home either. But the current situation is rather dispiriting. We are just sitting around and doing nothing since more than three weeks."

Col. Gen. Youn Se-Hong: "I am pretty sure we will all have a lot of work in the coming weeks."

21st July 1943 - Border Patrol of the 154th Fengtianregiment


[size=1]Lance Corporal Xhu (left) and Yhan Xi have discovered something[/size]

"What's new ?" asks Lance Corporal Xhu at seven thirty his comrad Yhan Xi when he replaces him on the observation position.

Xi, hungry and tired, replied: "What the hell should be new ? Always the same: boring hour for hour" He grabs his rifle, four hand grenades, which he carelessly puts into his belt, and his assault pack. "I go now. If there is some coffee, I'll send that to you."

"Yes, thanks. All right.", answered Xhu. He observed with the binoculars, the area lying beyond the river. Suddenly he stopped. In his glass he had the well-camouflaged and almost invisible position of an army unit of Chosen.

"Hey Xi," he calls out to his comrade "Xi, come back please."

Xhu pointed towards the enemy. "Look more closely." Xi looks through the glasses. One or two seconds of silence. Xi then sets the binoculars down and suddenly had beads of sweat on his forehead.

"This is just unreal", he stammered.

"This will be a filthy story or. Come on - message to the company commander ......"

22nd July 1943, Samsang-Ni, 40th Infantry Corps HQ

Col. Gen. Youn Se-Hong, commander of the 40th Infantry Corps opened the brown leather wrapper and studied the documents like he already did several times before. He memorized every detail by heart but he knew, that this was just theory. When the day came, he would have to prove if he is capable to apply his knowledge in a real operation.

Youn Se-Hong was aware, that the performance of his Corps and thus himself was vital for the success of Operation Gyeogno (Wrath).

He recapitulated the plan once more:

The Rifle Division No. 14 will cross the Yalu river a few kilometres north of Yuanbao. While one Rifle Regiment of the Division will defend the town of Chengdong, the second Regiment will rush to the Shenjiabo-intersection, capture the airfield and cut the Chinese main supply route to Yuanbao off. The third Regiment will support the frontal attack of the Rifle Division No. 32 into the center of Yuanbao. The Rifle Division No. 48 will cross the Yalu with the 22nd Infantry Corps south of Yuanbao.



His 40th Infantry Corps will have to do the dirty work and capturing the urban areas while the 22nd Infantry Corps with its attached 1st Armored Brigeade was supposed to exploit the breakthrough and rush along the coastal highway deep into Chinese territory.

23rd July 1943, incoming radio traffic

23-7-1943, 19:45

From: Army District North

To: 2nd Army

Conduct Operation Gyeogno as schedueled. Victory or Death!

24th July 1943, 12:00 "Voice of Chosen - Special Announcement" radio broadcast:

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From this day on, brave soldiers of Chosen entered Chinese soil for the first time since the beginning of the hostilities in June. More than 400.000 Soldiers are advancing on a 250 kilometre wide front. Military experts expect that the illequipped, untrained and incompetent Chinese army will be smashed within weeks. We are now switching to our correspondent Ri Youngchul situated in Sinuiju who had the oppurtunity to witness the victorious actions of our glorious second army.

+++++

*interference*------------

".....Uhm...Yes...Can...."


*interference*------------

"Ehmm...can you hear me? Yes! This is Ri Youngchul, Voice of Chosen correspondent, reporting from Sinuiju, Chosen. Well, it is intense. I can not say much about the current...
*interference*.....but it certainly looks like a decisive victory for Chosen. Officers I have spoken to, say that the first spearheads crossed the Yalu at night. Since the early morning hours hundreds of our artillery guns are continuously shelling Chinese positions in and around the city of Dandong. Just two hours ago there were several airraids targeting Chinese troop concentrations. An officer confirmed that Ki-51 as well as GTD 50 M bombers were involved. There were some......*interference*......*another interference*......at the moment I can see huge fires raging on the Chinese side of the Yalu and dense, black smoke is ascending over the city....uhm...*whistling noise*...what the....*inaudible noise*...*screams*...."

+++++

As we have some technical difficulties we will continue with the program now. We will keep you informed on the situation at the Chosen-Chinese border later today.

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24th July 1943, SITREP 2nd Army




Sector Chengdong-Laolongtou (RD14/IC40):

The Rifle Division No. 14 crossed the Yalu at 0500 and moved on to its objectives. Rifle Regiment No. 1 engaged batallion-sized forces of the 141st Fengtian Regiment. After heavy fighting during the forenoon enemy forces withdrew due to heavy casualties.
Rifle Regiment No. 1 took up defensive positions in and around Chengdong. RR2 advanced west and encountered moderate resistance by parts of the 141st Fengtian Regiment as well as sporadic artillery fire. RR3 advanced into the northern suburbs of Yuanbao and is slowed down by enemy sniper and machinegun fire. The Chinese 141st Fengtian Regiment is scattered and unable to offer serious resistance at this moment.


Rifle Regiment No. 3 of the RD14 is advancing through the burning suburbs of northeastern Yuanbao

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Sector Yuanbao (RD32/IC40):

Two Rifle Regiments of the Rifle Division No. 32 crossed the Yalu at 0600 to capture the Yaunbao train station. After a short but fierce firefight with units of a Chinese infantry regiment, the RR2 was able to seize the train station. Since late afternoon Chinese forces have launched a counterattack from the west. Chinese artillery fire is a massive problem in that area. RR1 aborted its attempt to cross the bridge over the Yalu due to considerable casualties caused by chinese artillery fire. Friendly counterbattery fire proved to be ineffective as enemy batteries are dug in and well concealed.


The mighty bridge connecting Sinuiju and Yuanbao is under constant Chinese artillery fire.

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Sector Dandong (RD48/IC40;AB1,RD25/IC22):

Parts of the IC22 and the RD48 crossed the Yalu as planned without encountering resistance. In the forenoon RR3 of the RD48 conducted a frontal attack on an industrial complex defended by parts of the Chinese 24th Infantry Division and suffered severe casualties without takeing the objective. RR1 and RR2 launched flanking attacks to assist RR3 and encircle the enemy strongpoint but both flanking maneuvers were repelled by stiff enemy resistance. RD25 and AB1 encountered heavy resistance as well but managed to maintain initiative and inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese defenders.


Tanks of the 1st Armored Brigade are crossing the Yalu river under the cover of Chosens airforce.

enemy air activity: none

Diplomatic Note from the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to the Foreign Ministry of Chosen

Please be advised that pursuant to Article XV of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the Kingdom of Chosen and the Republic of the Philippines Chosen-flag vessels carrying contraband of war are hereby denied use of any ports of the Republic of the Philippines for the duration of hostilities between Chosen and China or any of its potential allies. Such restrictions apply only to the articles defined by the Treaty as contraband of war and to no other class of articles or materials.

Pursuant to its policy of neutrality the Republic of the Philippines will not admit to its ports or to its territorial waters commercial vessels carrying contraband of war to either belligerent in the current hostilities in Northeast Asia. This policy will remain in effect until the conclusion of hostilities between the belligerent nations.

Noted. The Government of Chosen is however disappointed about the lack of compassion and support the Philippine nation is showing.

Quoted

Originally posted by Daidalos
Noted. The Government of Chosen is however disappointed about the lack of compassion and support the Philippine nation is showing.

As a neutral nation, the Philippines is obliged to follow the tenets of international law in an attempt to limit, rather than expand, the scope of the conflict. Other nations may see their obligations in a different light.

Admiralty Notice to Mariners
Pursuant to its policy of neutrality the United Kingdom will not admit commercial vessels carrying legally defined contraband of war to either belligerent in the current hostilities in Asia to any ports or territorial waters under British control including all overseas territories. Any vessels so discovered will be detained and the cargo impounded. The vessel's owners will also be fined. This policy will remain in effect until the cessation of hostilities.

Air Ministry Notice
Pursuant to its policy of neutrality the United Kingdom will not admit commercial or military aircraft carrying legally defined contraband of war to either belligerent in the current hostilities in Asia to overfly or land and make use of airfield facilities under British control including all overseas territories. Any aircraft so discovered will be detained and the cargo impounded. The aircraft's owners will also be fined. This policy will remain in effect until the cessation of hostilities.

State Department Notice to Mariners

Pursuant to its policy of neutrality the United States of America will not admit commercial vessels carrying legally defined contraband of war to either belligerent in the current hostilities in Asia to any ports or territorial waters under American control including all overseas territories. Pursuant to Articles III and XVII of the Kellog-Portes Gil Treaty the United States is also extending these restrictions to the Mexican Canal Zone. Any vessel so discovered will be detained and the cargo impounded. The vessel's owners will also be fined. This policy will remain in effect until the cessation of hostilities.

Commerce Department Notice to Aviators

Pursuant to its policy of neutrality the United States of America will not admit commercial or military aircraft carrying legally defined contraband of war to either belligerent in the current hostilities in Asia to overfly or land and make use of airfield facilities under American control including all overseas territories and the Mexican Canal Zone. Any aircraft so discovered will be detained and the cargo impounded. The aircraft's owners will also be fined. This policy will remain in effect until the cessation of hostilities.

24 July 1943 -- Sector Dadong

The battle is seven hours old, as the situation with the chinese defenders reached the critical point. The method of the attacker to break the resistance of the Chinese here is simple and effective: First, four, five minutes great fire spell on the detected positions of the Chinese, then fast attack with strong fighting troops.

That costs nervs. Until now the 3rd Infantry Regiment succeeded to fight off all attempts to break through, but how long the forces are still sufficient, that colonel Hau Lung, commander of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, couldn't say. In a "flying briefing" colonel Hau Lung and major Jason Hu (commander of the Engineerbatallion of the 24ID) agreed, that two things are important: the fortification of the buildings and the guarding of the surrounding terrain. Both will be started immediately.
In this critical situation the engineers of the engineer battalion prove that they are rightly called "artisans of the battles." In shortest time, Hu's engineers transform the buildings into fire-breathing and weapon-defying fortresses. In the niches of the windows, machine gunners and snipers are stationed, bulletproof breastworks are built and the basement windows were massively barricaded that they themselves could withstand anti-tank fire. The Engineers put their last mines around the buildings, in mortal danger under heavy fire of enemy machine guns and grenade launchers. No sooner they are finished with their work, the diabolical carousel starts spinning again.

25th July 1943, SITREP 2nd Army



Sector Chengdong-Laolongtou (RR1/RD14/IC40):

No enemy activity.

Sector Shenjiabao-intersection (RR2/RD14)



Rifle Regiment no. 2 is still on its way to the Shenjiabo-intersection. Remaining units of the 141st Fentiang Regiment are defending the mainroad (G201) and a train station along the axis of advance but suffering considerable casualties. The advance of the RR2 is however delayed.
Btn2/RR2 reached the Highway G11 and is trying to outflank the Chinese blocking force on the road G201.

Sector northern Yuanbao (RR3/RD14)

RR3 is fighting against regular Chinese infantry and slowly advancing due southwest. Chinese troops in the city used the little time they had to fortify single buildings which serve as strongpoints in their defence lines.

Sector Yuanbao (RD32/IC40):

The Rifle Division No. 32 is defending the train station in central Yuanbao against several chinese counterattacks throughout the day. Chinese artillery is shelling the station and the surrounding area and causing severe casulaties amongst the defenders.

Sector Dandong (RD48/IC40):

Despite massive air and artillery support the Rifle Division no. 48 was unable to overcome the Chinese troops defending the industrial area. Chinese engineers which are present in this area layed mines and fortified the industrial complex. Heavy friendly casualties have been suffered.


sector Dandong-Donggang (IC22/A2)



The spearheads of the 1st Armored Brigade reached the highway G11 without encountering resistance and continued its advance along the highway. Recon units of the Chinese 29th Armored Infantry Division have been reported. Air reconnaissance suggests the presence of Chinese tanks in the area.
Rifle Division no. 25 is pushing the Chinese 154 Fengtian Regiment back and advancing to Donggang as planned.