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26th July 1943, 0200, 1st Armored Brigade, 5km east of Wandao Wa

It was early morning and the sun has not risen yet. Batallion commanders of the 1st Armored Brigade were packed together in the small tent where Lieutenant Colonel Chol Chulsoon, commander of the AB1 started to brief his officers.

Lieutenant colonel Chol Chulsoon: "Well Gentlemen, our recon company was busy this night and managed to gather some more information about the enemy composition and the layout of their defence lines. At the moment we think that only light infantry units of the Chinese 29th Armored Infantry Division are holding defence positions along the G11 highway. Though, the air-reconnaissance reported heavy traffic around Donggang and it is likely that the tanks of the 29th AID are already near the front. Anyhow, our task is simple: 1st Armored and 1st Mechanized Batallion will push along the G11 highway further southwest and smash the Chinese defence lines. MechBtn2 will follow behind. ABtn2 is located near Tianjiabao at the moment and will cut off any Chinese counterattacks coming from Donggang. Ki-55 of our airforce will provide close air support. Our brigade artillery is in position and will support our attack. Speed is key, that is especially true for the Commanders of MechBtn 1 and ABtn1 who lead the attack. The Chinese defenders will try to delay your advance as long as possible, so don't get yourself bogged down, just push through and ignore remaining pockets of resistance as we have MechBtn2 to deal with that.
Any questions concerning the plan?"

Nobody replied

Lieutenant Colonel Chol Chulsoon: "Fine. There is another thing I want to address: We have no clue which tank models the 29th AID is using. Our intelligence let us down in that regard. So make shure your tank crews can identify the Chinese tank models correctly and deal with them accordingly. Be wary especially of those modern Chinese tanks LT-15 and MT-25. But if you encounter older chinese models take them seriously as well. I don't want any avoidable casualties.

26th July 1943, 0400, 1st Armored Brigade, 2km south of Wandao Wa


One armored and one mechanized batallion of the 1st Armored Brigade are moving to their staging areas. The men are singing old korean warsongs and the officers are highly motivated to lead their men to victory.
A total of 58 tanks (28x CET-2B, 16x J-5 A, 14x Type 95) as well has several dozen armored personal carriers, will attack along the highway and punch a hole into the weak chinese defenseline.

26th July 1943, 0600, 1st Armored Brigade, 4km south of Wandao Wa



Chosen artillery is pounding the positions of entrenched Chinese infantry.

26th July 1943, 0700, 1st Armored Brigade, 4km south of Wandao Wa




Chosen CET-2B tanks of the B-Company/1st Armored Batallion/1st Armored Brigade are commencing the attack supported by infantry.

26th July 1943, 1100, 1st Armored Brigade, 1km northeast of Xiejia Shantou

Attacking elements of the 1st Armored Brigade achieved a breakthrough after a short and fierce fight with the outgunned Chinese defenders. Light casualties have been sustained (2x J-5 disabled, 1x Type 95 destroyed, 24 men KIA). Enemy casualties were considerable, several enemy AT guns have been destroyed and about 60 prisoners have been taken. The Chinese units in the area of operations are in disorder and retreatung due south. Spearheads of the MechBtn1 have reached the village of Xiejia Shantou.



A chinese AT-gun in an ambush position. After it was able to score several hits on a J-5 A tank, the three other tanks silenced the Chinese gun with several HE-Shells.

26th July 1943, 1230, 1st Armored Brigade HQ, Donggang Area

The brigade headqurter received an intelligence report straight from the Army HQ. The Ki-55 pilots who flew ground attack sorties in the forenoon reported several Chinese tank columns closing in on positions of the 1st Armored Brigade.

26th July 1943, 1400, 1st Armored Brigade, 2km southwest of Xiejia Shantou

D Company/1st Armored Batallion/1st Armored Brigade equipped with 14 CET-2B ran into an ambush of Chinese TM-38M tanks and took heavy casualties. 7 CET-2B have been destroyed and two more were disabled. Batallion commander is sending reinforcements to relieve the crippled tank company and break through the enemy ambush.



Well camouflaged Chinese tanks opened fire on the tank column with 37mm guns and took out two CET-2B immediatly. In this picture we see the tanks of Ltn. An Yong-Chui and the Cpt. Gu Gab-Do (company commander) burning.

26th July 1943, 1530, 1st Armored Brigade, 2km southwest of Xiejia Shantou


Due to Chinese counterattacks from multiple directions and heavy friendly casualties all units of 1Abtn and 1MechBtn are retreating to the village of Xiejia Shantou.

26th July 1943, 1700, 1st Armored Brigade, 4km south of Wandao Wa


2nd Mechanized Batallion is reporting massive Chinese counterattacks with infantry and tanks from the south. MechBtn 2 must hold its position as otherwise MechBTn1 and ABtn 1 are in danger to be isolated.

26th July 1943, 1445

»You are here fairly exposed«, remarked Captain Chen An-pao, the commander of the Anti-Tank Company, who ducked behind the tower.

»Quiet true«, agreed Sergeant Wang Ching-chiu. His tank, a TM-38M, was buried at the back side of a hill, and his gun barrel sticking out behind a row of bushes just above the ground. Wang Ching-chiu looked across a shallow valley to a forest edge in a distance of fifteen hundred meters. There sat the enemy and watching the hills. He could only hope that she could not see the compact and menacing profile of the tank. The tank was in one of three prepared fire positions which pioneers had dug with bulldozers. One drawback was that the next line could only be achieved after driving over five hundred meters open fieldsBetween his tanks, infantry has placed into position. Despite all the pre-war warnings, the violence of the enemy artillery had been a shock.

»What can you offer us as support, sir ?« asked Wang Ching-chiu.

»Seven TH-1s, may be some additional AT-Guns«, replied the Captain. He saw the terrain from a different perspective. How can his TH-1s brought best on the spot and how can they pull back in one piece ? The first attack on this position was beaten back, but he could see the remains of two of his vehicles that had been destroyed in this process.

Wang Ching-chiu was surprised and little bit concerned. What kind of attack was expected here ?

»Okay.« The captain stood up and turned back to his jeep. »When you send >Zulu, Zulu, Zulu<, I'll be here in 10 minutes with my TH-1s. If you see more tanks, for God's sake shoot them down. «

»We will do our best, Captain.«


[size=1]Chen An-pao's TH-1 waiting for command in their preparation area[/size]

27th July 1943, 0300, 1st Armored Brigade HQ, Donggang Area

Yesterdays counterattacks of the Chinese forces continued with infantry untill the late night.
The offensive of the 1st Armored Brigade came to a hold and although all three batallions involved suffered casualties they were able to repel the counterattacks till now.

As the Chinese counterattacks were executed with infantry mostly and only a few tanks took part, the commander of the 1st Armored Brigade is expecting that the bulk of the Chinese 29th Armored Infantry Divisions tank force will be thrown into battle today. Therefore the 2nd Armored Batallion which was kept in reserve, will advance on an axis parallel to the G11 highway but about 6 kilometres further south. The intent is to cut off the Chinese counterattacks and to suprise and destroy the Chinese tank forces while they are still in their staging areas.

27th July 1943, 0700, 1st Armored Brigade, Donggang area

Heavy Chinese artillery fire is reported from all sectors of the 1st Armored Brigade. 2nd Mechanized Batallion is reporting Chinese probing attacks. 2nd Armored Batallion (14x CET-2B, 16x J-5 A, 28x Type 95) is ordered to start its advance.



CET-2B tanks of the 2nd Armored Batallion lead the way.

27th July 1943, 1000, 1st Armored Brigade, Donggang area

While Chinese 29th AID was focused on their counterattack, the 2nd Battallion of Chosens 1st Armored Brigade rushed through the weak flank security of the 29th AID. The reconnaissance platoon of 2ABtn made an important discovery: 50 - 70 Chinese tanks in the open, prepairing to support the ongoing attacks of the Chinese infantery against the positions of 2MechBtn. The platoon leader of the Chosenian recon unit sent a message to the batallion commander:

"Chinese tanks spotted, about 50 TM-38M and few MT-25. The Chinese seem to be unaware that we are nearby."

When the batallion commander Park Eunkyhung received the message from his recon-unit he shuddered for a moment as he rembered what they said in the military academy....always attack with a local numeric superiority of at least 3:1...but he also remembered that they were taught how important it is to keep the initiative. He knew from the reports that the 2MechBtn was already swaying under Chinese attacks and should those Chinese tanks join the battle there was no hope they would hold their position. But if the 2MEchBtn was pushed back, the two other batallions were in danger to be isolated and crushed. And if that would happen, the whole breakthrough attempt would turn into a total desaster.

"No", Park Eunkyhung said to himself "I have to keep the initiative. Victory or defeat depends on my decision and as the Chinese are unaware we are in their flank we have a serious chance to crush them."

Then Park Eunkyhung called for his adjutant: "Gather all company commanders, I will have to give them a short briefing. We are going to attack."

27th 1600, 1st Armored Brigade, Donggang area

When at around 1045 the tanks of 2ABtn/1AB fired the first shells it became clear that the Chinese tank unit which was apparently still refueling and rearmring was caught in total suprise.

The massive artilleryfire which was called in on the Chinese tanks caused further havoc as many crews were dismounted and the supply trucks standing next to the tanks caught fire. After little more than 1 hour about 40 Chinese tanks stood abandoned or burning in the field and the few Chinese soldiers who survived this initial onslaught fled in terror.

Though the battle was not over yet. About 20 Chinese tanks, some of them modern MT-25 managed to regroup and offered organized restistance. Despite the Chinese were able to destroy several Chosenian tanks the Chosenian force had the numerical superiority now and with a flanking maneuver they took out additional 12 Chinese tanks.

Now, at 1600 the battlefield was almost silent, just occasional gunhsots could be heard from time to time. When batallion commander Park Eunkyhung transmitted a radio message to the brigade HQ concerning his success, the reply he got was euphoric. Park Eunkyhung and his batallion achieved their first victory of the war.

But Park Eunkyhung knew that the battle was not over yet and he pushed his men to refuel and rearm their tanks as fast as possible so they could continue their advance further southwest.
The batallions casualties are as follows: 39 Men KIA, 56 WIA, 2x CET-2B destroyed, 2x J-5A destroyed, 8x Type 95 destroyed.
The wrecks and dead bodies are still being counted at the moment but the Chinese casualties were much higher.


Several Chinese TM-38M are burning.


One of the few modern MT-25 which took part in the battle. This particular tank in the photo destroyed two Type 95 before it was disabled by a 50mm shell hit in the engine compartement.

27th 2100, 1st Armored Brigade, Donggang area

Tanks of the 2nd Armored Batallion reached the village of Hejiabao and managed to destroy a Chinese artillery unit which was retreating. The other frontbatallions of the 1st Armored Brigade are reporting that the Chinese attacks ceased. Chinese forces of the 29th AID are in a state of disorder and dissolution. Remaining enemy forces are retreating on the G11 highway due west. 1st Armored Brigade will continue its adcance tomorrow.

28th July 1943, SITREP 2nd Army

general note: since the evening of the 26th July 1943 all Chinese troops remaining in Yuanbao/Dandong are cut-off from their main supply routes.

RD14/IC40: RR1/RD14 is holding blocking positions at Chengdong-Laolongtou with very little enemy activity. RR2 reached the Shenjiabao-intersection in the evening of 26th July. RR2 is entrenching around the intersection right now and has so far defended against several Chinese harassing attacks (section sized). RR3 is still advancing slowly through the northern part of Yuanbao and was unable to make contact with units of the RD32 which are still bogged down at the central trainstation.

RD32/IC40: Generally the situation has not changed. RR2 was able to hold the trainstation against Chinese counterattacks but suffered heavy casualties. Chinese artillery fire is still devastating. RR3 managed to gain ground to the south of the trainstation but was ultimately stopped by Chinese reinforcements. RR1 was finally able to cross the Yalu and will try to expand the bridgehead due north and join up with RR3/RD14.

RD48/IC40: Despite futile attempts to push the Chinese troops from their improvised strongholds no considerable territoral gains have been made. However, there are indications that the enemy is running low on ammunition.

RD25/IC22: Spearheads of RD25 have reached Donggang. Remnants of the 154th Fengtian Regiment are still offering some barely organized resistance.

AB1/IC22: AB1 reached the village of Jiangjia Fenfang. Most of the remaining units from the 29th AID are still retreating disorganized. Though there is a Chinese company+ sized tank-hunting unit which is attempting to delay the advance of our tanks on the G11 highway.

29th July 1943, SITREP 2nd Army

RD14/IC40: RR1 and RR2: situation unchanged. RR3 still encountered heavy resistance in the northern part of Yuanbao but was finally able to rendezvous with units of RD32 in the afternoon.

RD32/IC40: Sporadic Chinese artillery fire but otherwise no enemy activity

RD48/IC40: With massive artillery and close air support and after hours of brutal close quarters combat RR1/RD48 pushed back a Chinese infantry regiment of the 24th Infantry Division. The two Chinese infantry regiments as well as auxiliary units which have entrenched in an industry complex and the sourrounding settlement in Dandong are now separated from the Chinese main force in Yuanbao.

RD25/IC22: RD25 conquered large parts of Donggang without encoutering resistance. Remnants of the 29th AID and the 154th FR have most likely retreated to the harbor area.

AB1/IC22: AB1 reached the village of Huangjialu. Remaining enemy forces in the area avoid confrontation and are retreating due Gushanzhen. AB1 is currently holding and waiting for resupply.

air activity: The first time since the beginning of the ground offensive the Chinese airforce harassed friendly air operations. 3x Ki-55 and 1x SSC-70 were lost. Friendly pilots claimed 2x F6B.

30th July 1943, SITREP 2nd Army

RD14/IC40: Infantry skirmishes throughout the day reported from RR2. Otherwise no reports.

RD32/IC40: All Regiments from RD32 as well as RR3/RD14 are have attempted to expand the defensive perimeter around the central trainstation. Large parts of northern Yuanbao have been liberated and enemy troops are slowly retreating from nortehrn Yuanbao.

RD48/IC40: All frontline units of RD48 assaulted the isolated Chinese infantry Regiments which have entrenched in an industrial complex and around a power plant (see map). The battle is still raging at this moment and so far northing precise can be said about the outcome. Though, it is expected that the Chinese regiments will run out of ammo and supplies very soon.



RD25/IC22: RD25 captured Donggang without a struggle. However approximately 600 Chinese soldiers, mostly remnants from the 154th FR entrenched themselves at the harbor.

AB1/IC22: AB1 is still holding and resupplying at Huangjialu. Supply was delayed due to Chinese bomber attacks and the bad road conditions.

air activity: Chinese airforce concentrated on disrupting our logistics and strafed several fuel and ammotrucks in the Donggang area. 3x N1F1A1 were claimed by friendly AAA.

31st July 1943, Pyongyang, Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Chosen

Weekly combat report no. 1

Despite the fact that we are slighly behind scheduele, the situation in the area of operations of the 2nd Army developed quite favorably for us. Especially the 22nd Infantry Corps was able to achieve a breakthrough quickly and is swiftly moving along the coast. Spearheads will reach the town of Gushanzhen within 48 hours.

The Chinese resistance in the sector of the 40th Infantry Corps is heavier than expected and therefore IC40 has fallen behind scheduele. While the Chinese main supply routes into Yuanbao have been cut, the isolated Chinese defenders are fighting with vigor even though their casualties are high. We estimate that there are still around 20,000 Chinese soldiers fighting in Yuanbao and Dandong. As the 40th Infantry Corps suffered already considerable casualties in the urban warfare, the 1st Infantry Corps will be attached to the 2nd Army and assist IC40.

The offensive operations of the 1st Army are schedueled for 3rd August.

overview map (2nd Army AO)




casualty report week 1:

KIA: 4270
WIA: 8502
MIA: 234
POW: 34
tanks: 18
light tanks: 24
armored vehicles: 49
unarmored vehicles: 68
art. guns: 34
fighter planes: 12
bomber planes: 28
recce planes: 3

Chinese air operations in the last days:

Three waves of Chinese bombers hit various military targets near Yongampo. Chosonian interceptors mostly failed to make contact, except for an unsuccessful attack on the third flight of 36 planes. One of the Ha-36Cs was damaged during emergency landing at his home airfield as it ran out of fuel.


[size=1]Ha-36Cs on their way to attack military targets near Yongampo[/size]


Once again Chinese fighters attacked several waves of Chosonian intruders without much success. An F-6B developed mechanical problems and had to crash land, destroying the plane and injuring the pilot. Two other Chinese fighters were slightly damaged in combat.

At 13:00 on 31st July China again attacked Yongampo with the II. Squadron of the ABF. The Chinese fighters claimed 5 aircraft in the vicinity. During this combat Liu Chi-Sheng with his F6D claimed three GTD-50s and was awarded the "Seven Star Medal".