21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 92: Book 4 Chapter 3-5 Expedition to North For Unification: White Tiger

October 29, 2020, 16:25, B2 Bunker (Armed Forces Joint Command Control Situation Room) in Yongsan-ku, Seoul

Amidst Chairman of Joint Staff Kang Yi-sik’s meeting with army executives to discuss additional strategies to the ongoing state of affairs, the signal officer rushed in with an urgent look.

“Salute! There is a report from the VII Maneuver Corps Headquarters.”

The Chairman and his generals, previously focused on the meeting, all looked in the direction of the signal officer who hurriedly came in.

“The 60th Armored Brigade’s 26th Tank Battalion, while moving to join forces with the Brigade Headquarters, has been hit by an air raid attack from the Chinese J-30 stealth aircraft, resulting in casualties.”

The signal officer handed a report to the Chairman—a document that summarized the status of the war. The Chairman bit his lower lips hard after thoroughly reading the document. The air in the situation room sank heavily.

“They sent 12 of their newest aircraft to take down one tank battalion. Those Chinese have gone beyond crazy.”

Air Force Chief of Staff General Kim Byung-hwan clicked his tongue and looked at the Chairman.

“Since their mechanized infantry regiment was destroyed by one battalion, I think the leaders of the Chinese army are overreacting.”

Army Chief of Staff General Shin Sung-yong commented. The Chairman after he briefly paused in serious thought then continued.

“We need to focus more on improving air superiority in the Liaoning area. General Kim?”

“Yes, Chairman, sir.”

“Please talk to the Head of National Security Oh Jang-soo about using the airfield in Sinuiju as a base for the Korean Air Force. If he concedes to this request, deploy at least one Fighter Wing to advance. Is that all right?”

“There is no problem, sir. I will call Head of National Security Oh right away.”

“Yes, please hurry. Since the battle between the 60th Armored Brigade and the Chinese 3rd Armored Division has started, let’s move the remaining items to the next meeting’s agenda and get ready.”

The Chairman, after glancing at his wristwatch, finished speaking and got up from his seat to head toward the Integrated Command Post Situation Room.

* * *

October 29, 2020, 16:45 (CST 15:30), Chinese Central Military Commission Integrated Command Post Bunker Conference Room in Beijing, China

Amidst the grim atmosphere, President Xi Jinping had closed his eyes.

This was because of the report that an entire mechanized infantry regiment of the People’s Liberation Army of China was destroyed by one battalion of the Korean army, and the 12 J-30 stealth aircraft deployed as retaliation had all been shot down.

“Vice-President Kan Kuichou, how am I supposed to understand this? The mechanized infantry regiment was completely destroyed by a single tank battalion, or that all 12 stealth aircraft from three formations were all shot down. What’s the problem here?”

President Xi was only getting news about losing the battle to the Korean army and not a single news about a victory since the war began. He was fuming inside.

“Ground Force General, speak!”

“Sir, I apologize—”

“Is an apology all you have?”

The Ground Force General lowered his head not able to say anything as if the cat got his tongue. The President then turned his attention to the Air Force General.

“Air Force General, do you also have nothing to say? Realistically, how can an aircraft lose a battle against a tank?”

“Th-that is . . . I believe the Korean army has greatly improved its antiaircraft capabilities in their armor formation.”

“So 12 of our newest aircraft configured last year were all shot down? Are you even hearing yourself?”

“Sir, I apologize. There is nothing else I can say—”

Bang!

The sound of the fist slamming the table added to the already-gloomy atmosphere in the conference room.

“Starting with the response to the Korean army’s surprise attack, the retaliation attack, and now a defeat from each branch. Aren’t you ashamed that you are the People’s Liberation Army’s high-ranking Generals?”

The Generals of each division who were being berated by President Xi felt it was unfair. Although the People’s Liberation Army’s forces would not lose this battle from a standard-textbook perspective, there was something amiss, like a chainsaw missing a blade; and they suffered greatly from this that they were missing.

“Mr. President!”

“Go ahead, Vice-President Kan.”

“In a few moments, there will be a battle between the Korean army’s vanguard 60th Armored Brigade and our People’s Liberation Army 39th Army Group 3rd Armored Division. In this battle, I will help ease your frustration a little with a certain victory.”

Slightly raising his eyebrows at Vice-President Kan’s words, President Xi spoke while his countenance changed to that of anticipation.

“Are the preparations fully complete?”

“Yes, sir. To replace the defeated regiment while in camouflage, two regiments of the 117th Mechanized Infantry Division have joined forces, and all attack helicopters from the 9th Army Aviation Brigade will be reinforcing the attacks. Furthermore, four formations of J-20 aircraft are ready to be deployed after achieving air superiority with an unmanned reconnaissance plane and early warning aircraft.”

“Good. Make sure that you win this time.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

October 29, 2020, 17:35 (CST 16:35), Nanfen District 23 km southeast from Benxi, China

Around the time, the 26th Tank Battalion joined forces with the 60th Armored Brigade, which was in the midst of battle with target A, the Chinese army’s 3rd Armored Division.

The Chinese army’s armored divisions had trained in this wilderness that stretched five kilometers vertically and horizontally, and where hundreds of tanks spouted fire from their photon and tank cannons. Many tanks that were at the end of their life and covered in unsightly flames, including tanks that broke down from broken caterpillar tracks, were scattered throughout. If this scene were to be viewed from the sky, it would have been a jaw-dropping sight as if watching a war movie.

Pop~ Pop~ Pshoong~ Pshoong~

– This is the Brigade Commander, 26th Tank Battalion, detour widely to the left and attack the enemy armored division from the side. Over.

– Salute! This is Lieutenant Colonel Kang Hyuk-jin of the 26th Tank Battalion. Confirmed. Over.

The Brigade Commander gave orders to attack the left side to the 26th Tank Battalion that just joined the forces. To this, each Company White Tiger tank of the 26th Tank Battalion maneuvered quickly through the wilderness and jumped into the foggy white dust and fired toward the enemy with photon cannons, starting with the front line, the 7th Company.

“Staff Sergeant Kim, fire at will from number 1 to 5.”

According to what 712 Tank Commander 1st Class Sergeant Oh shouted, Staff Sergeant Kim fixed his sight on the panorama, stepping on the firing pedal incessantly.

Pew~pew~pew

Because of the efficient and accurate firing, China’s newest Type 99G tanks of the 3rd Armored Division were pushed in from the side and broke down one by one. To retaliate, two of China’s battalion-sized tanks turned toward the 26th Tank Battalion. Aiming their cannons, they began firing armor-piercing sabots.

Bang~Bang~

When the armor-piercing sabots flew from the Chinese army’s tanks—they were superior in number—columns of dirt sprung between the front line 7th Company tanks, and the battle became full-blown.

Thump!

One armor-piercing sabot hit the 712 Tank turret and sank it to the ground. As the distance between the two opposing forces drew close to 500 meters, more White Tiger tanks were hit by the armor-piercing sabots. To arrest this loss, Tank Commander Oh locked the GPS radar on the closest Chinese tank hiding in a dirt hole and immediately fired one Black Dragon missile.

Shooong~Boom~

A single Black Dragon missile shot up high in altitude from the quad-directional launcher installed on each side of the main turret. It began its downward fall on top of the concealed Chinese tank. In an instant, it blew off the entire main turret of the Chinese tank while regurgitating a massive blaze.

– This is the Brigade Commander 32nd Tank Battalion, commence breakthrough from the center; 26th Tank Battalion, continue pushing in from the side; 107th Tank Battalion, support the rear, and the Armored Cavalry Battalion, take the right side. Over.

The Brigade Commander’s orders were sent without hesitation through the brigade communication network, and to this, the 32nd Tank Battalion further increased their speed to move to break through to the center. Lieutenant Colonel Kang gave additional orders through the 26th Tank Battalion’s communication network.

– 7th Company, advance and push the enemy back in the twelve -o’clock direction, and 8th and 9th Company, push into the side of the center. Headquarters Company, stop movement. Adhere to current location and switch to defense posture! Over.

At the Battalion Commander’s concise orders, each Company, while constantly spouting photons cannons, set their individual paths and bolted off to carry out their given orders.

“Step on it! Staff Sergeant Kim, just shoot as soon as the target is assigned even without a firing command! Got it?”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

The 13 White Tiger tanks of the 7th Company only turned the main turret 90 degrees to the right from their advancing direction and fired photon cannons as if they were sniping every Chinese army’s side, and each time, China’s Type 99G tanks exploded, emitting black smoke. At this moment, the 7th Company tanks’ Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) laser detection warning alarm rang. Two kilometers ahead, Antitank Company armored vehicles were firing HJ-9 (Hong Jian-9) antitank missiles to stop the 7th Company.

The four 1st Platoon tanks in the frontline conducted an emergency evacuation steering, and each fired two Black Dragon missiles, whereas the Chinese Antitank Company armored vehicles fired about ten HJ-9 antitank missiles.

Pishoong~ Shoong~ Shoong~

Each missile crossed the sky and flew toward the assigned targets. In the very first instance, the Chinese Antitank Company’s armored vehicles created a massive explosion and were covered with flames. The Chinese soldiers who barely escaped the armored vehicles had their limbs cut off from their bodies penetrated by the debris of the cluster bombs that exploded in the air, and fell while vomiting blood. In this situation, the three HJ-9 antitank missiles, which maintained guidance until the end, covered the Korean army’s 7th Company 1st Platoon. However, the third-generation antitank missiles could not penetrate the White Tiger tank’s entire armor and only broke a few optical equipment but could not sink them.

“Sh*t! 711 Tank’s commander monitor damaged.”

The 7th Company Platoon leader’s angry voice was heard through the Company communication network.

– Tank 712 Tank Shooter Cho Joon-kyung deceased.

– Tank 713 hit by the antitank missile, but thankfully no damages.

The damage report regarding the antitank missile was uploaded immediately, and the 7th Company Commander’s orders were disseminated once again through the Company communication network.

– 2nd Platoon, switch to the front line and take on watch duty, 1st Platoon, defend the side of the 2nd Platoon and attack, and 3rd Platoon and Headquarters Platoon, continue with the attacks from the side. Over.

* * *

October 29, 2020, 17:50 (EDT 01:50), the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, USA

In the Pentagon, top executive conference room, Minister of National Defense John Wayne and about 50 Generals from each army were gathered to confirm the videos and pictures taken from a reconnaissance satellite. The meeting progressed in a somber atmosphere. The videos and pictures were from the battle between Korea and China on Friday. When the video was almost finished, the Minister of National Defense began to speak.

“Are you saying that the ballistic missile mobilized in Korea’s first surprise attack wasn’t a regular ballistic missile, but was fired from a satellite?”

To this, Integrated Staff Strategy Analyst Lieutenant General Rhode Mackey answered.

“That is correct. When the Korean army’s first surprise attack began, there was no detection of ballistic missile firing from our early warning satellite or THAAD radar and seven fleets of the Aegis Destroyers deployed in Japan. We only made a brief detection of a missile falling at a speed higher than Mach 50 within 3,000 km of the Chinese sky. Furthermore, seeing the location of where it hit, the analysis of the topographical split, and the state of the explosion, we can only believe that this missile gained momentum and free fall energy from a very high altitude.”

Minister of National Defense John Wayne continued asking with a slightly surprised expression.

“Then are you saying that the God’s Staff Project that our air force planned for 80 years and gave up was completed and used in battle by Korea?”

“Although there is no certain evidence of that, there is a very strong possibility.”

“Then isn’t this a violation of the International Space Treaty?”

“Although it may be a violation of the treaty, I think it would be good to stay quiet about it until we have concrete evidence.”

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Dwayne Johnson spoke.

“Yes, we should. Use any means necessary to find that attack satellite.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Furthermore, there are more than just one or two questions when you see the videos and pictures aside from this one.”

Minister Wayne pointed at several questionable photographs laid out in front of him while he asked questions. The aerial pictures were of the battle scene six hours ago between the 26th Tank Battalion and China’s ambushed Mechanized Infantry Brigade. To this, Strategy Analyst Lieutenant General Mackey responded.

“The tanks seen in the photos are the Korean army’s newest K-3 White Tiger tanks forwarded to armored divisions since 2019.”

“Although I learned from a report of a development and combat arrangement of the next generation tanks when it hasn’t been long since Korea made a combat arrangement for the K-2 Black Panther tank. I don’t understand.”

“According to intelligence data, the K-3 White Tiger tank is above a fourth-generation tank with performance greater than our M1A2 Abrams tank, but we surmised that it was an improved model of the K-2 Black Panther tank because we could not confirm any information about the estimations of its actual performance. However, based on this battle’s results, we can judge that this tank certainly has exceptional performance. This is because 44 White Tiger tanks of the Korean army had a complete victory against 124 of China’s newest Type 99 G tanks. There is one more. It’s this photo.”

Lieutenant General Mackey pulled out and showed two photos as he continued his explanation.

“You can tell from this photo that the White Tiger tank’s gun barrel is small for a current fourth=generation gun barrel caliber. The K-2 Black Panther was just 120 mm. However, the White Tiger’s gun barrel is estimated to be around 100 mm. I also want you to take a look at this photo.”

The second photo showed a White Tiger tank firing a photon cannon.

“If you look carefully, looking at the part of the gun that is firing from the White Tiger tank, it does not use ammunition we normally use. I believe it uses a particle beamlike substance.”

Minister Wayne carefully looked at the photo given to him by Lieutenant General Mackey and spoke while tilting his head.

“It’s not easy to discern. Are you saying this is really photon ammunition?”

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“Yes, that is correct, sir. I can assure you of that.”

“If what Lieutenant General Mackey says is true, we need to report this immediately to the White House.”

“Minister, sir, if you give me a little more time, I will collect more evidence through a reconnaissance satellite and report it.”

“I understand. Please upload a report as soon as you can.”