“Where is the breakthrough?” Claire Richardson asked.
“It’s centered near Chomya on the border. We have reports they have already taken the town and are moving south. One radio report said they were coming across in a human wave. It was preceded by an artillery barrage. There are also reports of rocket attacks all along this line,” a Major said as he pointed out places on the map.
A telephone rang in the room and was answered. “General, it’s Colonel Yost.”
She grabbed the phone. “What do you have?”
“They are pouring through, General. Division strength at a minimum. I’m pulling my troops back to map section 23, but there’s no way to stop them right now. They ran their troops along the Z setting off every mine in the place and just kept coming. I don’t know about tanks or anything else. But the troops alone are killing us,” he said loudly. She could hear gunfire behind him.
“Yost, get your troops back as best you can. We’ll get things going here and get back to you. If you get any more information, let me know.”
“Will do, General,” he said as the line went dead.
Richardson turned to her staff. “They are pouring across the line. Yost says division strength at least. They used their own people as minesweepers and marched across. Gentlemen, I’ve half way been expecting this. I want all our troops to consolidate along this line,” she said pointing along the map. “Get reinforcements on either side, here and here, as fast as you can. I want to let them in and form a pocket. The troops in the middle give a good show, but keep pulling back until we can find out the extent of this. You all have that?”
The men and women in the room nodded. “OK get on it,” she said. The staff immediately began scurrying around the room, grabbing telephones and giving orders. One young man began issuing electronic orders via satellite. Richardson went to the opposite side of the tent and grabbed another telephone. She dialed a number and waited. “General Fulton, Claire Richardson. Have you seen the outbreak?”
“Yes, I’m trying to get a handle on it. What info do you have?”
“From the reports we have coming in, we have a major breakthrough near Chomya. I have reports they made a human wave attack across the DMZ and are pouring everything through.” She paused as someone handed her a piece of paper. “Now I have a report they are two miles south of Chomya heading southeast. I have moved my troops right and left along the line and have them making a pocket until we can see what they’re up to. I recommend we fall back along the line and then cut them off and circle them once the main part of their force is through. I am consolidating my troops on the flanks and pulling back in the center.”
“Good. I’ll have the other forces begin moving up the sides as well. I’ll fix the pull back line at the Namisum River. I’m also getting the Air Force and Navy to saturate the area. Get your troops back and enforce your positions on the flanks. I’ll get back to you,” he said.
Richardson returned to her staff. They were working quickly and efficiently. It was going to be a long night.
It was dark. Some woods and scrub beside one hill suddenly became active with men and equipment that appeared from seemingly nowhere. The rockets were pulled from their underground bunkers and motored to their launch points. Few knew the extent of the tunnel system under North Korea. They crisscrossed the entire country. The rockets were constantly being moved back and forth underground to make sure they were in the optimal position for launch. This was the first time the missiles had been in open air since they had been manufactured. The trucks backed into a concrete revetment where pipes were fitted to provide the fuels. The missile was raised on the back of the truck and a technician opened a panel and began programming the guidance system. It took only minutes and the panel was closed again. The men around the rockets began scurrying back inside. In just one minute the rocket ignited as a plume of fire shot from its exhaust. The missile quickly lifted from its cradle and accelerated upward into the night sky. Its rocket engine illuminated the valley surrounding them. Within just a few minutes the rocket was only a speck among the stars. Several soldiers standing guard on the hilltop were amazed. The same lights were appearing all along that section of hills, climbing into the sky and disappearing. They all knew it was something special.
USS Iowa steamed slowly into Ulsan Harbor. The message said to proceed to the Hyundai Shipyards where repairs would be made on her after funnel. The ship moved through the breakwater and proceeded upriver to the shipyard. Several ships were in drydock undergoing repairs, but this would not require that level of work. Lights were turned on along one section of pier and Hammond could see men moving along it. The pilot came aboard and told them the pier was ready and there was an American official waiting for them. As usual, the band was playing as the ship came in.
Hammond watched as the tugs pushed the Iowa into the pier. When close enough, the men threw their lines across and the big hawsers were pulled down and attached to the bollards on the pier. As he glanced aft, he noticed a car door open and a flag officer get out. Oh lord, he thought. Just what we need. But the thoughts vanished when he saw who it was.
RADM Mike Shranski waved up at Hammond as he walked forward on the pier. He pointed to the torn remnants of the after stack. “Nice decorator,” he shouted up.
Hammond smiled and waved. “She comes in once a week.”
Both men were genuinely happy to see the other. As the brow was positioned, Shranski was the first across. After being bonged aboard he shook Hammond’s hand warmly. “Good to see you again, Roger. Somebody said you needed some fixing and they sent me over to help out.”
“Good. If it had been any other Chop, I might have turned around and gone home. How are you doing, sir?”
“Pretty fair. I have a bunch we need to talk about, but first some business.” Shranski turned to a shipyard man who had come up with him. “Captain Hammond, this is Mister Gee. He’s got a present for you.”
Gee shook hands and bowed slightly. “It is an honor to have you in our shipyard, Captain. After all you and your crew have done, we are happy to make your repairs,” the man said.
“Thank you, sir. As you can see, we had a little run in with a missile or two,” Hammond said pointing back toward the stack.
“Yes, we understand. Admiral Shranski brought us the blueprints a few days ago and we have completed the upper section of your funnel. My crews should have it repaired within three days,” Gee said.
“His crews will also take a look at where the other missiles hit and make repairs there as well. I had your descriptions and they can manufacture it,” Shranski said.
“That’s a lot quicker than I thought. I had the feeling we would be out at least two weeks or more.”
Gee beamed. “No, Captain, we made the funnel in our shops. We will come aboard this evening and begin cutting the remainder of the funnel at a certain height and then simply weld the two together. The interior ducting is already inside. If all works well, we should be able to match everything up,” he said. “The crane above you can lift it on the ship with no problem.”