“What about the food supplies, Comrade Minister?” asked the Minister of Agriculture. “Our reserves in the underground facilities are already being used. We had cut back our imports to bare minimum because of the need for our trucks. If you must have more for ammunition, people will be starving,” he said.
“They can eat after the war!” shouted Kim, slamming his fist on the table. “The first priority is our troops and our mission. The people can make do until then.”
The men at the table grew silent. After the recent example of Kim’s patience, none desired to incur his wrath.
“The other problem we have encountered is that all of the tunnels crossing under the former border are now closed. They were all attacked last night. My engineers are looking at each of them to see if they can be salvaged. Until then, we will have to transport our supplies along the roads,” he said. “We will have to make sure they are not harassed as they cross over,” he said looking at the Air Force general.
Kim was looking at his watch. The local party officials were going to brief him in a few minutes. He would leave the details to these men and hope they were better than the last. “Continue the meeting until all the plans are made, then brief me this afternoon on your initiatives,” he said formally. Everyone rose when he stood and they remained standing until he left the room. No one showed any sign of relief. Hua was there and would tell his uncle everything. The men sat down and continued. The plans were drafted and approved. Hua then warned them of the seriousness of not sticking to the plan.
Hufham couldn’t believe what was happening. Lt. Colonel Peterson selected him and Ricks to provide information about the routes and strong points along the way north. Seated in a Bradley, they took the column along the same roads they had retreated across only days and weeks before. Abrams tanks led the way. Once breaking through the lines, the armored vehicles opened up the throttles and sprinted almost unopposed. As the lead tanks entered a town, they fanned out to secure the area, and then the trucks and troops entered and set up. The rest moved forward again to the next town. Any opposition was quickly dispatched and the men moved on.
By 10 am the column was forty miles from the old lines around Pusan. Hufham and Ricks led them through two provinces before they were ordered to stop and regroup. No one expected the move to be made that rapidly. The troops were behind the tanks, but it took time to secure an area properly and they were not planning on giving the real estate back again soon. The strike screen in the Bradley showed that stronger opposition lay to the west and some other friendly troops were getting closer from the east.
The major on the Bradley turned to Lt. Colonel Peterson while pointing at his tactical display. “Sir, we are ordered to hold here in Chilgok and refuel. These guys coming from east of us will join up within the hour. We haven’t heard anything yet, but I would guess we will head west and secure this hot spot,” he said pointing to a place on the map. “While we’re stopped, you and your guys might as well get out and stretch your legs.” The major flipped a switch and the rear door opened.
Peterson led the way out of the vehicle just as the refueling truck pulled up. As the crew shut down the engine and scrambled around to get their fuel, the three men walked around the small town square. “When did we leave here? Was it a month ago?” asked Hufham.
Ricks looked around and noticed a few places that stood out in his mind. “Something like that,” he said pointing to one pockmarked corner. “That was where Preston caught one in the leg. Had to drag him for hours,” he said almost in a sigh. He pointed to another place. “Didn’t we take out a tank just over there?” he asked.
“You know, I think you’re right,” Peterson said. The men walked around the corner and came upon the burned out hulk of a T-34. The scars of battle were all over it. The tracks were separated, the engine compartment burned out and the interior was black with soot. “I still can’t believe you crawled up and threw that cocktail down in there,” Peterson said.
“Got tired of the thing killing my people,” Ricks replied. “When we shot off the track, that damned gun just kept shooting. I had to do something.”
Peterson shook his head. “Between you acting like a one man M-1 and Hufham here going after gun positions with that rifle, I may end up worrying myself into a nut house. At least you guys keep things interesting,” he chuckled.
“Maybe next time we’ll try the POW route,” Hufham smiled. He threw up his hands. “Take me to your leader,” he said suppressing a laugh.
“Could be interesting. At least we wouldn’t have to walk all the way,” Ricks said. “I’m getting to like riding around in these Bradleys.”
“Well, we walked the first time. About time we caught a ride,” Hufham shot back.
The humor was making the three men almost giddy. For so long they struggled with life and death situations that the relaxed atmosphere was almost more than they could take. In a few minutes the three sat down and just looked along a small valley. It was such a pretty sight. The green of the valley floor was marred by several small farms, yet no movement could be seen anywhere. The small buildings on the farms had been burned out, but the men could hear birds chirping in the trees. No words were exchanged. They just sat and soaked up the peacefulness of the valley.
The building behind the men suddenly exploded, knocking all three men forward into a low stone wall. The crack of rifles and bullets ricocheting around them alerted the compound. Luckily, all three were relatively unharmed and grabbed their rifles in defense. The fire came from a clump of trees and underbrush about 100 yards into the valley. Gunfire was returned as Peterson, Ricks, and Hufham fanned out to get a good target. More gunfire erupted from other areas of the woods. By now over 100 men were rushing to positions along the road around Hufham and Ricks. Some grenades were fired into the area, killing about a dozen, but the gunfire didn’t really slacken.
A Bradley came from behind the building and its Bushmaster opened up, cutting through the underbrush. Cries and screams resulted and the gunfire ceased. The Bushmaster traversed to the next positioned and opened up again. Suddenly tank rounds exploded in the middle of the last two areas. Everyone looked around to see two tanks emerge from a side road aiming toward the enemy. Two more shots and it was over. Several men began moving down the road to secure the area. The others watched as the two tanks turned into four, then several more followed by trucks and other vehicles. Attached to one of the lead trucks was the flag of Japan.
Lt. Colonel Peterson turned and leaned back against the wall. “Shit. I was starting to like this place.” He looked over at Ricks. Ricks waved and nodded. Peterson struggled to his feet, then realized something wasn’t really right. His right side was sore. Glancing down he noticed the blood staining his hip. “Damnit!” he said.