North wind a-blowing
snowflakes a-flutter
A-flutter, a-flutter!
Careful!
Snowflakes a-flutter!
Li Xiao!
Who are you after?
My dad?
Li Xiang, you're back.
Dad.
You're home. Come in.
Meet your sister.
Come, Li Xiao.
Greet your brother.
Brother!
I'm Li Xiao.
Li Xiang.
I wrote to tell you.
You had a lost sister.
I found her after Shanghai was liberated.
Foreign teachers had taken her in.
You only told me
after you found her.
How old is she?
Younger than you, anyway.
Come inside.
Did you sleep on the train from Xi'an?
Yes. They gave me a sleeper.
I slept the whole way.
Xi'an specialties.
You slept the whole way.
Find a wall and stand at attention.
Did you hear me?
It's been two years
and your first act is to punish me
to show you're the boss.
Li!
There's an urgent meeting!
We have a situation.
I'll be right there.
Li Xiao
make dinner.
I'll eat later.
Okay.
Bro, help me make dumplings!
In light of the grave situation on the Korean Peninsula,
I have ordered US air and sea forces
to provide the Korean Goverment troops
with cover and support
and fight the North Korean Army with all we've got.
We need to prepare to fight a new war.
Don't stand there like an idiot.
You'll keel over from exhaustion.
Li Xiao
phone!
Coming.
Hello?
I'll be gone a few days.
What's your brother up to?
It's been a whole day.
He even eats facing the wall.
He's a dutiful one.
He's actually defying me.
Ask him
if he gets why I criticised him.
Brother!
Dad asks if you get it or not.
No.
Dad, he said no.
Call him to the phone.
Brother, take a call!
Li Xiang, you listen to me.
The trip from Shaanxi to Beijing
was a perfect opportunity
for a soldier to study the lay of the land.
And you slept the whole way.
The wars aren't over yet.
Li, your son's here.
I was just notified
to report early tomorrow.
You're rejoining your unit
and we didn't even have a meal together.
Here.
This is the thing you wanted.
You rascal
you did study the lay of the land.
Don't call me a rascal.
I'm a political instructor
in the People's Liberation Army.
Let me act out what I've drawn.
On my left is Xi'an,
my feet are the Tong Pass.
One man defending a pass can block 10,000 more.
Take the Lanzhou to Zhengzhou line
then Wuhan-Beijing north
across the North China Plain
to Xinxiang, Anyang, Baoding,
and finally
Beijing.
It's all in the notebook.
Then why take the punishment?
You're my father.
Why lie that you slept the whole way?
I wanted my notes to surprise you.
You're still such a kid.
Li Xiao made you some dumplings.
Say goodbye to your sister when you go.
Dad
how did Mom die?
You need to tell me.
I'm going to war.
When the world's at peace
I'll tell you.
Dad.
Take care.
Li Xiao!
Have you seen my canteen?
You're leaving.
What did Dad say about me?
He said
he feels so sorry for what he did.
My adoptive family was so lovely.
When I grew up they told me
I'd been adopted.
Now that I have you and Dad.
we are our own family.
You've got a mission, Brother.
You have to go.
Wait.
You haven't called me 'Sister' yet.
Don't you like me?
I like you a lot.
Here, Bro catch!
Xiao,
I've had to go.
Look after yourself.
I'm keeping a housekey on me.
Dad, you're leaving?
Dad! When are you coming back?
I won't lie to you.
This time, I don't know.
Xiao, look after the house.
Brother left, now you're going!
I'm all alone!
What kind of family is this?
The arrival of America
will change all this.
What's the evidence for your belief
that you can win a war against the US?
Retreat!
70-plus kilometers
and we've only got 14 hours.
Any one wants to go home?
If so,
come with me.
Comrades! The final 15 kilometers!
Sprint!
General Peng!
General Peng! They stopped them.
They've taken Samso-ri.
We've asked her to assist you.
Li Xiao.
How do you do.
How do you do!
Sir!
We're 3rd Company, the 335th of the 112th Division,
under orders to take the Gauntlet.
Pour it on them!
The People's Republic of China!
Fire!
Take cover.
Sun Xing!
Death before retreat!
which the Chinese people
absolutely cannot tolerate.
The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death
General.
General you shouldn't be here.
It's too dangerous!
That's why I came.
Fire!
From the start of the Battle of Chipyong-ni
the 115th Division of the 39th Army
has had 879 casualties.
Three regiments of the 40th
lost 1,830 men.
There are over 600 casualties in the 42nd.
Total casualties
exceed 3,300.
More than 70 percent
suffered direct hits from artillery.
Chinese rations fried flour and potatoes.
They still think they can beat us with these weapons!
General,
I promise our position of Chipyong-ni is secure.
We will not lose it!
This is Peng Dehuai.
General Peng,
It'll be a stretch,
but we must take Chipyong-ni.
Please give us another chance to attack.
No.
Stop attacking immediately.
General Peng
I was commanding at Chipyong-ni.
The enormous number of casualties
is my responsibility.
General Peng
the 3rd Army of the 19th Regiment
has already crossed the Yalu.
Those in the rear, stay in formation!
Don't fall behind.
Any stragglers, hurry and catch up!
Hurry, faster!
I, Lieutenant General Matthew Bunker Ridgway,
do solemnly swear to serve honestly
and faithfully in the discharge of my duties
as commander of the United Nations forces.
The red team stands for the Chinese.
We are the blue.
we'll circle round to the rear and annihilate them.
The Chinese have no real defenses.
Meanwhile, on Korea's east and west coasts
we will carry out landings as planned
and while they lack defenses, get in airborne tactical units
to cut off their path of retreat to China.
I want you to go from frontal assault
to a front and rear pincer movement.
They'll be unable to resist such an offensive.
When we reach the banks of the Yalu
we'll leave a trail of hundreds of thousands of Chinese corpses behind us.
If their plot to land troops to our rear succeeds
we'll actually be facing
the risk of total annihilation.
In the fourth campaign
we retreated south to the 38th Parallel.
If we retreat again
where would we go?
Back to the Yalu River?
To seize the strategic initiative
we need to strike before the enemy does.
Faced with death, we'll fight for our lives.
General Peng
The reinforcements are still green
and after such big battles, the others
are totally exhausted.
We really need to rest and reorganize.
You need to rest and reorganize.
How about the enemy?
They need that too.
But they're readying an attack.
Before they can do that
we get in first.
We'll prevent them from landing
and catching us in a pincer movement.
Li Moyin!
Yes.
You're often with the troops.
You know our situation and the enemy's too.
What do you say?
I agree with General Peng.
Rather than retreat to the Yalu
we need to attack.
There's no other choice.
Old Zhao!
Why aren't we moving?
Little girl
don't be rude.
So you're a fusspot, old guy!
Should I call you Mr Zhao? Uncle? Daddy?
The 63rd has a ton of American POWs
waiting for me to go and translate.
You can't fool me.
The 63rd hasn't even fought yet.
Dezi
The 63rd is still some ways away.
I'll go get some water.
Okay.
What're you doing?
I'm asking you.
Say something!
Which unit are you from?
I'm asking you.
Say something!
What're you doing?
Answer mel
Move!
Why are you bullying him?
What did he do?
What's he doing taking photos?
You don't know to leave the martyrs in peace?
I'm a casualty recorder.
It's my job.
I photograph martyrs, record their names.
This is our tradition.
You're Death's little helpers.
Who you calling Death's little helpers?
Is that wrong?
Their families need to know where
and how they died.
I do this
so that in the years to come
people will be able to remember them.
He's the only one without ID.
What's his name?
Gu Shouzhu.
Engineer, 2nd Corps.
Nineteen years old.
We called him Kid Zhu.
He was delivering letters from home
when he ran into the enemy.
Where are you going?
The 63rd.
Got any matches?
Old Zhao!
He's going to join the 63rd too.
He's got transfer papers.
Let him come with us!
Sure. First call me Daddy Zhao.
My dad's in Korea.
If you want me to call you Dad
you have to get in line.
Let's go.
Comrade!
Have you seen an injure man?
He's very tall.
The wound's healed but he's not all here.
Haven't seen him.
Okay.
Let's look over there.
Who are you?
I'm talking to you.
Li Moyin!
You didn't tell me you joined the troops.
You're busy, General.
You worried I'd say no.
The 189th Division of the 63rd Army?
Yes.
The 63rd has just arrived.
They've no experience fighting the Americans.
And the battlefield is flat.
No way to stop the enemy's tanks.
That's right.
I hear your son's in the 188th.
Not just my son.
My daughter's in Korea as well.
I haven't seen them.
But all three of us are here.
It's our chance to be together.
Take care.
Wait.
This candy
came from an eight-year-old
who put it in a letter to the Volunteers.
When you get to the 188th and see your son
give it to him for me.
Chin up, chest out!
Show your discipline, 1st Battalion!
You knew I was coming.
The division leaders told me.
I wasn't going to say hello
just observe you from a distance.
True.
If a dad can't set an example, who can?
We're both here and you wouldn't say hi.
I'm going south to join the 189th.
The 189th.
Dad
How's Li Xiao?
She wrote to say she was coming.
No idea where she went.
I have to go.
They're waiting for me to talk.
So that's your battalion.
You must fight well.
Try not to get injured.
Welcome our commissar to say a few words.
Listen up men of the First
The 188th didn't make it to the 5th Campaign.
The leaders have ordered us
to break through at Rimjingang.
We'll be fighting a Belgian battalion.
I've heard they're very tough.
But what are we made of?
Steel!
Now clap!
Dismissed!
Yes sir!
Who's that?
My dad.
Your dad?
Oh, I forgot!
Never mind.
How can an enemy have got to the rear?
He's one of us.
You have to warn them
to get down.
The enemy is coming at you!
Dezi!
Sniper!
What're you doing?
Come-on.
Shit!
Good shot.
Get in!
I'm Wu Benzheng.
I'm joining the 63rd.
I'm Li Xiao. I'm also joining the 63rd.
I'm Yang Sandi.
Transferring to the 63rd as casualty recorder.
That's admirable work.
And this
is Comrade Zhang.
Zhang Xiaoheng.
He's...
I'm his bodyguard.
No...
Didn't you say you weren't a bodyguard?
That's what I am now.
Two out of three killed.
If I'm the last man standing, I'll still protect you.
And this comrade is...
The Gauntlet.
A huge battle was fought here by
the 335th Regiment of the 38th's 3rd Company.
Did you fight here?
His medical report says his name's Sun Xing.
But his mind's gone.
He can't remember anything.
Did you fight here before?
Don't ask him.
It's called shellshock.
I saw this in Europe in WWII.
It's like their memory has shortcircuited.
Each part is there
but they can't connect.
He's usually in a kind of stupor.
Only if his memory is triggered
will he be able to recover himself.
Order the entire army to attack to the south.
The 63rd in particular
must break through the enemy defences at Rimjingang.
The Chinese are still attacking.
Order the troops to retreat now.
Let them keep chasing us
but don't make contact, don't return fire.
At the same time, bomb their supply lines.
When the opportunity arrives,
we'll turn and launch a surprise attack on the key site of Cheorwan.
Yes, General, sir!
Back to base!
Yes, General!
Commander
it's the leadership.
Zhang Yinghui here.
Zhang Yinghui
SO many casualties from a fight with the Belgians!
What was the problem?
Sir, it wasn't light infantry.
It was a heavy equipment battalion.
A heavy equipment battalion.
Yes.
I'll give you another half of a basic load of ammo.
By dawn tomorrow
you have to take their position.
Yes sir.
Chief of Staff!
Here!
Has Li Xiang's 1st Battalion left?
(French) Sir, there's heavy fog.
I can't be sure the Chinese aren't coming
but it's very quiet at the moment.
I'll take some men in first.
Set up the strawmen
and move to the enemy's rear.
Meet up with the commander.
Listen for my whistle.
Yes sir.
Move.
(French) I see the Chinese through the mist!
Nonsense. Where?
(French) Fire!
Hold on.
The enemy's straight ahead.
Advance with care.
When you find the enemy, shoot.
Stay alert.
Tricked.
Who's there?
Commander!
There's fighting up ahead.
Can we charge through?
Let's try.
(French) Fire!
What the hell is that truck?
Run!
Duck!
Run, hurry!
(French) Aim at the truck!
Old Zhao!
Comrade!
Medic!
Get down!
Grenades!
Here.
That's not enough!
- Give it to me. - Let me go.
Give it to me.
Move away, quick!
Grenade!
Get down!
You're bleeding.
Don't be stupid. Get up.
Where's our troops?
Over...
Move!
Quickly, destroy their pillbox!
Another tank!
Hurry! Don't let 'em get away.
You saved me.
I owe you my life.
Help!
(French) We found a live one!
Retreat!
Help!
Report that the
1st has taken the Belgian position.
Yes sir!
Brother!
Li Xiao?
What are you doing here?
Bro
where's Dad?
He's up ahead.
Up ahead.
Up ahead where?
Up...
Speak!
- Come. - And Dad?
Take my sister to the rear.
Yes sir.
No!
Follow orders.
Dad's okay.
Thanks for saving my sister.
Amazing.
This is the newest centurion tank from England.
Who did this? I want to meet them.
Sure, I'll ask for you.
My job is done.
Take care.
I'll leave this with you!
Be safe.
Thank you!
- Thank you! - You're welcome!
- You've done a lot. - Safe travels!
Yang Sandi!
Lao Zhao.
These pencils
keep them.
You could be recording for a while.
Thank you.
Rest up and you'll recover.
I'm off.
Where are you going?
Back home.
Yang Sandi!
Let's take a look at what's written here!
Coming!
Sun Xing
let's go.
What's wrong?
let's go!
Li
in your time with the 189th
the Americans have kept retreating,
pulling us with them.
Something's off.
Let's climb up and have a look.
Okay.
So weird.
They get us to chase them for seven days
and now they're not moving.
The enemy is turning around.
General Peng
urgent telegram from the 189th.
The Americans suddenly halted their retreat.
The armoured division has turned around.
They're going to counter-attack.
It was under difficult conditions
that we launched our Fifth Campaign.
We already broke out of their pincer movement.
General Peng
they're counterattacking to take Cheorwan.
Our strategic rear base is there.
To move our wounded and materiel, we need time.
Order the 63rd's
187th and 188th Divisions
to the Yeoncheon area
and south of Cheorwan
to build defensive fortifications.
We must hold Cheorwan city.
Deng Hua.
Present.
Order all of our attack forces
to turn around immediately
and move northwards.
We'll retreat and fight at the same time.
General Peng
what's the mission of the 189th?
The ones retreating and fighting
will be the 189th.
Keep up morale.
Increase speed.
Everyone, put in extra effort.
Yes sir!
Li Xiao
why are you still here?
Have you finished your own work?
I did that ages ago.
Don't send me to the rear.
Has the gasoline seized at Rimjingang
all been taken to the rear?
It's all at the second line of defense.
Fu Chongbi
did you receive my telegram?
Yes, General Peng
I did.
The enemy's goal is to take Cheorwan.
You ordered the 189th Division
to hold off the Americans for three days
That way
The 187th and 188th will be able
to finish preparing Cheorwan's defences.
The two divisions' engineering teams
have been digging like crazy.
But they're still going.
Can the 63rd Army hold on?
If we lose Cheorwan
and we retreat north of the Yalu
If we lose Cheorwan
Then chop off my head.
I understand.
How many men in the 63rd?
Going into Korea, over 36,000.
And now?
Counting admin and logistics
Less than 25,000.
Listen, Fu Chongbi
they'll attack Cheorwan with more than 50,000 men.
That's twice as many as you have.
The 1st Cavalry, the 25th,
the Brit ish 28th and 29th Brigades...
Never mind the materiel...
25,000
against 50,000.
I understand.
Which year did you join up?
1932
I was sixteen, a Red Army soldier.
This year I'm 35.
Same age as General Zhang Fei
when he held Dangyang Bridge.
Standing on the bridge, glaring
And a million soldiers fled in fear.
General Peng
the soldiers of the 63rd all heard you.
Tell Division Commissar Cai
the 189th must hold Cheorwan's south for three days.
Yes sir.
Holding onto Cheorwan
is a matter of life or death.
We have to fight well.
Yes sir!
With this huge area to be defended
we'll split the whole army into groups.
An unconventional deployment.
Comrades
In the next three days
the 189th
will split into several hundred small combat units
to stop the enemy's advance south of Cheorwan.
Every platoon,
every squad,
every single one of you
must hold your position
and the sparks we light
will ignite a fire across the land.
We vow that for three days, we'll defend
Cheorwan's south with our lives
and buy the 187th and 188th
time to finish the fortifications.
Make it looser.
The trenches
face the direction of attack.
The dirt should be loose.
When the tanks roll in
they'll fall in
ass-end first.
Will do!
Stack theserocks
at meter intervals
into pyramids.
The tanks won't get past.
We'll stop the tanks and engage
in close combat.
If you get dispersed
form new combat units.
If you get wiped out
We'll play Taps.
Every person
must be like a nail
firmly pounded into position.
Faster, give it your all.
Broken stones
should be cleaned away
to avoid collateral damage.
Fill all the bomb craters with water
and turn them to mud.
The 189th!
Charge!
TAPS.
Deputy Commander!
Dig deeper.
You know him?
Yang Chuanyul!
Come here.
You're a new recruit?
Yeah, what of it?
It's not true.
You're not new, you're a vet.
You know how to fight.
You knew Sun Xing from before.
You were in the same unit.
We didn't do anything glorious.
Stay out of my business.
I'm not investigating you.
I'm doing this for Sun Xing.
Yang Chuanyu
we're going to be fighting a major battle.
Sun Xing hasn't recovered from shellshock.
He doesn't know who he is
or where he's come from.
Tell me which company you were with.
I'm not worthy of them.
- So don't ask. - Yang Chuanyu!
I can't let him go to battle like this
and certainly can't let him die like this.
Tell me the unit number.
Here.
In the 2nd campaign
a unit of Volunteers attacked the enemy from behind
and cut off their path of retreat.
They got to Seodang-cham
just as the enemy did.
They occupied the position
next to the road, a bald little hill
and blocked them.
A fierce battle
began.
It lasted for eight hours.
They swarmed the peak occupied by the enemy.
Kill them all!
In the end,
they'd used all their ammunition.
They threw down their guns.
Their bodies and clothing were in flames
yet they pounced on the enemy
and held them close
so the fire
would burn them alive as well.
Of all the battles in Korea
this was the most heroic.
The Battle of the Gauntlet.
Go!
Harder!
I was just speaking to the leadership.
They want us, the 335th, to secure Kunu-ri.
Good!
Let me record the names
of the martyrs who fought with
burning bodies and knives
Wang Jinchuan
Xiong Guanquan
Wang Jinchuan
Xing Yutang
Jing Yuzhuo
Wang Wenying
Xiong Guanquan
Wang Jinhou
Zhao Xijie
Sui Jinshan
Li Yu'an
Ding Zhendai
Zhang Guisheng
Cui Yuliang
Li Shuguo.
Dai Ruyi too.
and Yang Shaocheng
Third Company.
I'm Company Commander Dai Ruyi.
Are there any survivors?
Clean the trenches! Move out the dirt!
Comrades step it up!
The 1st and 2nd line trenches are done.
Yay!
Commissar!
This is the first time
I've heard you speak.
Reporting, Commissar!
335th Regiment, 112th Division, 38th Corps,
3rd Company Deputy Commander
Sun Xing.
I'm reporting
to request being sent into battle.
Welcome back.
Let's hear it!
C'mon!
Deputy Commander
I'm Yang Chuanyu
from your old company, the 3rd.
Yang Chuanyu.
Welcome!
They stopped firing, Zheng.
It's the Americans' routine, right?
Two hours between artillery barrages.
Tell me.
Any news of my dad and the others?
We have to send a platoon
with ammo for the 189th.
If you lead it, you'll see him for sure.
Really?
Really.
I'll do it then.
Hold the fort for me.
Li
where'd your sister go?
The frontlines. To broadcast to the Americans.
Wait a mo'.
Catch.
Seized from the enemy.
Thanks!
Go!
Here's the script.
Thanks.
No worries.
The enemy has been completely wiped out!
Press forward!
Yes sir!
Sniper! Take cover!
Attention US Armed Forces!
This is a broadcast from the Chinese Volunteer Army.
Over the past three days,
we have strongly resisted
and slowed your advance towards Cheorwon.
If you continue to try to reach Cheorwon.
You will meet with even stronger resistance.
Don't listen to her man!
Consider this a warning.
If you do not want to suffer even more casualties, stop the attack at once!
Go home!
Cooking this meat I brought
is the first time you've made me a meal?
Once in twenty years
and it's Western food.
Here.
Great.
It's hot!
Tell me.
Was Mom a good cook?
You won't let it go, will you.
You came all this way to make me talk.
Okay.
I'll tell you how your mother died
because of something you said to me.
You said, what if we don't meet again
there'd be no other opportunity.
Li Xiang
at birth you were sent away
to live with your grandparents.
I was in Shanghai in 1927.
That year was a blow to the revolution.
The Kuomintang had captured me too.
They tortured me but I escaped.
It was pouring that night.
I ran home
but your Ma wasn't there.
Just the baby, Li Xiao, who was wailing.
A traitor betrayed her.
Secret agents took her from home.
What I could never have imaged
was that night
we were...
in the same torture cells
but didn't know that.
She was beaten to death.
I so wished
it had been her who escaped.
Why didn't you tell me this before?
Li Xiang
I didn't tell either of you
because it would hurt too much.
You were both still so young.
I gave Li Xiao into the care of a safe family.
From that time on
our family
was split up.
I only saw you both a few times
before Liberation
when we were finally united.
After victory here we'll go home
and the three of us
will be a happy family.
Great.
Dad!
Li Xiao!
What are you doing here?
Dad, if Mom could see us together.
she'd be so happy.
Brother told me to go to the rear.
To honor Mom, I'm staying.
Dad, see?
She won't obey me.
I can't control her.
Stay here then.
We'll all stay.
Our family
has been reunited
in Korea.
I've still got the key to our house.
Dad, I went to the UN last year.
I took our key there too.
After I begged our mission chief
to let me join the troops in Korea.
Where?
Those two up there.
That's them.
It wasn't long before I got my wish.
Go on.
Dad, I swear
now that we've seen each other
however difficult the battles ahead may be
it's worth it.
Li Xiang
the enemy's coming.
Take your sister back, hurry.
Go now!
Yes.
Go!
C'mon!
Dad!
Come back!
What?
Catch!
From General Peng.
Holding Cheorwan is up to youl!
Don't worry. I'm your son!
Dad!
I'm your daughter!
I'll look after my brother
Look after yourself first.
Take care, Dad!
Dad, see you!
Cai Changyuan
you've been fighting very well.
The 189th has completed the defences.
Return to Cheorwan immediately.
HQ, HQ
Bombers are targeting the 189th outside of Cheorwan!
Bombers are targeting!
Split up!
Catch up!
Hurry!
Split up!
Split up, now!
C'mon!
Withdraw!
Return to Cheorwan!
- Take the wounded! Take the wounded! - Yes sir!
Take the wounded!
Return to Cheorwan!
Hurry, retreat!
Take cover!
Link the walkie-talkie and microphone.
HQ, HQ
Order the 187th and 188th
to finish the Cheorwan fortifications ASAP.
Don't worry, sir
the 189th will hold on till the end.
Commissar, we can't hold on here.
Li Xiang, it's your Dad.
Li find a new position.
Change positions.
Help the wounded.
Okay.
Li Xiao
Come.
Listen quietly.
Change directions, hurry!
Dad's voice?
HQ
Note this and pass on
Go for cover.
Fire in short bursts.
Leave space for fire support.
Don't rush to fight, defend!
Leave enough depth, get me?
Approach from the rear
and target officers and sergeants.
Don't be fooled if you hear Chinese.
It's an enemy trick to trap and kill us.
Bullets!
Are there any bullets left?
The enemy is attacking.
This is the 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, 2nd Company.
Incoming artillery fire!
Bugler, play Taps!
This is the lesson of the 189th's sacrifice.
Record and disseminate it.
Yes sir!
Stop!
Stop right there!
I'm going to see Dad.
Stop!
Dad can't die.
He can't die.
Comrades
the bugle tells us
we can return to Cheorwan.
But many of us have gone missing.
We need to find them.
Every survivor
needs to return home.
Reporting
they broke past the 189th's line of defence
and are pushing towards us.
Got it.
Yes sir!
Li!
I heard.
Zheng
the division has called a meeting.
I'm going.
- Prepare to meet the enemy. - Okay.
Yang Sandi!
Let's go.
Battalion Commander
what can I do?
Today I want to hear
from those who've used these copied weapons
about any problems.
You really made these?
would I lie?
Please
tell me the problems.
They're very good.
Very good?
What do you mean?
30-kilo explosives can't blow up a tank.
But these go straight through.
No problems there!
You didn't make enough.
Is that a problem?
It's a problem.
But
we're working on it.
Believe me.
The bazooka is really good.
But
further than 30 meters it's not so accurate.
It needs to be airtight.
Damaged steel
or recovered rubber won't work.
Prof
This grenade didn't throw straight.
But we figured it out
and fixed it.
We're still experimenting.
The grenade's tail keeps it directional.
But
Chinese tails aren't yet up to standard.
I'm curious to know
what you figured out
how you overcame the problem?
To throw accurately
we throw from close up.
How close?
Ten meters.
Anti-tank grenades
have a Killing radius of 20 meters.
You wouldn't survive a 10-meter throw.
I need actual data. No bullshit.
What bullshit? It wasn't me.
Then who was it?
Call him here.
I got knocked down by a machine gun.
So the sergeant picked it up
and threw it.
Call him here.
Sergeant Wang Shunsheng,
from Jiaodong.
While attacking an enemy tank at Rimjingang
he lost his life.
"Throw from close up".
The copies of the American recoilless rifle
are good
but a bit heavy.
Over 100 kilos with its gun carriage.
If a soldier could pull it back 30 meters
within one minute
that'd be ideal.
This gun
has a firing range of 300 meters.
Why get within 30 meters?
We lack training.
We don't want to waste ammo.
To be sure
we get as close as possible.
We have too few guns.
Without pulling them back we'd run out.
So
we want lighter artillery.
"Recoilless rifles
fired at close range".
What's your casualty rate?
If we're attacking a tank
three squads go in
and if we do well, one comes back.
Prof
could I have a hawthorn berry?
Everyone, take one.
Here.
Thanks!
Fire!
Reload! Reload!
The enemy's approaching.
Hurry.
Take the equipment. Speed it up.
One round, HE ready to fire!
Prof
make us good weapons to fight the enemy.
I will.
Let's go.
What are you doing?
Going to fight.
Come back.
Wu Benzheng
stop right there!
Dispatch a three-tank patrol to test the waters.
send some armored units to the enemy lines to do some recon by fire.
Yes sir!
Wu Benzheng, halt!
Stop running!
Keep running, and you'll run into the enemy.
I want to get to the front line
to see how they use my weapons.
Come back!
Let me go.
Watch out. Three enemy tanks ahead!
Quick, get back!
3rd Squad, charge! Get those tanks!
Go then.
I won't look after you anymore.
Go on.
3rd Squad attack!
But, I thought you weren't looking after me?
If I wasn't, you'd be dead.
Don't move.
Let's go, now.
No.
It's that kid.
Don't!
- Quick, help him! - Come back.
Help him, quick!
Let's go.
Kid!
Come back, kid!
Come back.
C'mon.
Just like his sergeant
he attacked from close up.
Stay out of sight!
- Sun Xing! - Here.
I'll knock out one.
Take some men and get the other.
Okay.
- Go. - Sandi!
Yang Chuanyu! Go.
Zheng
cover me.
Stir up the dust with a grenade.
Block the tank's vision.
I'll lead it to the ditch.
Got it.
Run that bastard down!
Yes sir.
Grenade.
I can't see.
Advance.
Li Xiang!
Grenade.
Why we not moving?
I'm trying. What's stuck.
They're trapped.
Trapped!
Take POWs.
Heads up.
Out!
That's an officer,
we have to take him out!
Watch out!
Advance!
Move.
Last one!
Go!
Sun!
Let me go.
Okay.
Yang Chuanyu, separate and cover.
Got it.
Get the bazooka.
Shoot at that cannon.
- Hurry. - Yes sir.
I can't get it to shoot.
I can't.
Open the safety.
Seargent!
That's a bazooka.
Take him out!
Yang Chuanyul!
They're coming to us from three sides!
Sun!
Oh shit, he's under our tank!
Fuck! He's too close!
Sandi now!
I'll get closer.
Sandi!
Oh shit, Reverse! Reverse! Reverse!
Open the safety.
Why are you pushing me?
You're too close.
Yang Sandi!
You just made me remember who I am.
But you haven't told me who you are.
Come with me.
Metal one to command, negative on Chinese heavy artillery.
Then you tell me, how the hell did they take out two tanks!
Warhammer, move out!
Roger that, sir!
Warhammer interrogative distance to target and ETA.
Distance 300 meters.
Follow me!
ETA 8 minutes.
Make it 5. Speed it up.
Yes sir!
Let's move!
Move faster!
Commissar
Their infantry, tanks and artillery are one team.
- Be careful. - Yes sir!
Let's go!
Keep up the barrage!
Fire!
200 meters, estimated two minutes to contact!
Commissar!
Professor Wu.
Their team is advancing fast.
Their infantry arrives straight after the shelling.
Prepare for close fighting
140 meters.
We haven't run into any resistance.
Prepare for battle!
120 meters.
Should we stop firing, sir? It's 100 meters.
100 meters.
Fire!
70 meters.
60 meters.
They're firing crazily. They're hitting their own men.
50 meters from enemy lines.
Warhammer is already in our kill zone!
Cease fire!
Warhammer! Warhammer! Do you copy?
Copy that!
Advance!
Move up!
The enemy is here.
Come out of hiding!
Prepare to fight!
Fire!
Secure the enemy position.
Roger that, sir!
Sun Xing, the enemy's broken through our lines.
We're in danger.
Fight hand to hand.
Yes sir!
Keep moving!
Professor Wu
go to the rear.
I understand.
I won't make trouble.
Zheng!
Run!
Sandi!
Commander!
Sir, Warhammer facing stiff enemy fire.
Sustained heavy casualties.
Roger Warhammer fall back.
If the trenches get filled in, how can they fight?
You know what I mean, right?
Yes sir!
Look.
Those...
the Americans are using tank-dozers
to flatten all the trenches
built by the 188th
and leave our men nowhere to hide.
Zhang Xiaoheng
find those in charge and report.
We should fire at them.
Use large caliber
heavy cannon to smash them.
And the problem will be gone.
Wait...
This time
I promise I won't run off.
I'll wait here for you.
Go.
Why are you still here?
The 188th has no cannonballs.
Impossible.
They couldn't get them through the bombardment.
Each mortar shell cost a life.
The 188th just has to hold on.
Fire!
Everyone, listen up.
It seems the enemy
won't rest until
they've taken Cheorwan.
We can't hold the 1st line of defence.
We need to retreat to the 2nd line.
We've got more chance there.
Yes sir!
Let's go!
Commissar.
You're coming with me.
Let's go.
Move!
Commissar, everything's ready.
Let's go.
Our decision to retreat
is to make them think we've fled.
I understand.
Bear with me.
Commissar.
It's done.
What's your plan?
Don't panic.
It's coming.
Hold!
It's too quiet here.
Yeah.
Looks like they've fallen back.
Let's secure this position.
Move out.
Keep moving, guys!
Bell out!
Go! Go! Go!
That was something!
Those in the back keep up!
Contact Division Commissar Cai.
Tell him
we've shaken off the enemy
and found quite a few wounded.
Sir
The bearer of the field telephone was killed
and the equipment smashed.
We're out of contact.
Prepare the drum-barrel cannon!
Yes sir.
The enemy left comms equipment here.
That's their broadcasting setup.
Listen, the American reinforcements are coming.
The enemy will definitely keep advancing.
By dawn all of our defensive fortifications
will have been flattened.
Cheorwan City is just behind us.
We can't hold it.
Once Cheorwan is lost,
the 63rd Army
will have nowhere to go.
The enemy figured this out
and put everything into taking Cheorwan.
Tonight we have to
knock out all the tank-dozers.
It's a matter of life and death.
Fire straight at their lights.
Commissar
The projectiles are ready.
Take explosives from their unexploded shells
pack it into shells
and fire it all back at 'em.
Hurry, lay the mines!
Li Xiao
That comrade has died.
as soon as they go off
let's take back the 1st line of defence.
Good.
Oh no, they've turned off the lights.
The Americans don't fight at night.
They worry about being ambushed.
With the lights off
our men can't see their targets.
If we can't calculate
the target distance accurately.
The barrage will probably fail.
Then we just have to push across.
We'd lose too many men.
I'll go set off a flare.
Where it appears will be the target.
See it and fire.
That won't work.
It's too risky.
If we're discovered, we fail.
I know of a nearly-finished tunnel.
The planned exit
is close to the target.
It'll work.
I'll figure out a way to cover you.
Stay in contact.
Comrade Li Xiao
The commissar needs you at the broadcast station.
Company Commander Sun
where are you going?
It's a secret.
You treat me like an outsider.
Professor Wu
no one here today
is an outsider.
OK.
Go.
Let's go!
Zhang Xiaoheng
I've never asked you
about your family.
My parents died a long time ago.
I've a younger brother.
I'm Xiaoheng.
He's Xiaowen.
He's also fighting in Korea.
And you, Professor Wu?
My wife
was killed by the Japanese at Nanjing in 1937.
I wasn't there.
The rain
gives this mud an earthy smell
that's just like at home.
It's "grain in ear" day on the calendar.
After the summer harvest
we plant beans.
You Henan people plant soybeans.
In Jiangxi we plant sesame.
Cut it out.
You're making me homesick.
Here. Dig fast.
Right here.
HQ, we're here. We'll get through quickly.
Stay alert, keep your eyes peeled,
watch out for any enemy ambush.
Commander
we're close to the enemy.
Right under their noses.
Don't expose yourselves. I've got a plan.
Li Xiao
Turn on the loudspeaker
and distract the enemy.
Hey, U.S soldiers!
Where are you from?
Is it California?
Or Kentucky?
There is a Chinese folk song about homesickness
that we sang during our war against the Japanese.
We used our voice to show the aggressors that
we can never be defeated!
The bullet from your gun might kill us,
but it cannot kill this song!
Zhang Laosan
please tell me
where you're from?
Me, I'm from Shanxi.
Cross the river, then go 300 Ii.
Zhang Laosan
please tell me
where you're from?
Me, I'm from Shanxi.
Cross the river, then go 300 Ii.
HQ, HQ, the tunnel is done.
Return to position!
Prepare to attack!
Yes sir!
Hurry!
Sir, the flare will mark the target.
Calculate the distance.
Light the fuse.
Fire!
Charge!
In Shanxi by a big locust tree.
is where I live.
My home is in Subei!
Lintao in Gansu!
Jiaozuo, Henan!
I'm from Yibin, Sichuan!
Lingwu, Ningxia!
Tianmen, Hubei!
Wuwei, Gansu!
Get them!
Kill the bastards!
Kill them!
Commissar!
Let's go! We'll kill our way back!
Right!
Comrades.
Comrades
we've done it!
Yay!
Prepare for tomorrow's battle!
Yes sir.
Move!
Commissar
we recovered the 1st line of defence so fast!
The 1st line.
We're not giving it up again.
Zhang Xiaoheng
come down.
This is a prize of war.
I'm going to drive it back.
Not bad, Wu Benzheng!
Someone just got an attack number 79!
They're driving it off.
Chase them!
Fire!
The enemy tanks are approaching.
Get them away from our position.
Hold on!
Wu Benzheng
Keep cool, stay calm.
Damn you
I'm very calm!
Charge!
Load!
Ready!
Easy! Easy!
Fire!
I lost my glasses.
I can't see a thing.
Turn right!
Straight ahead!
Don't be scared.
You're driving down a slope.
Don't let them get away.
Tank 2, take the higher ground!
Copy that!
Faster.
Speed up.
Got it.
They're too low.
We don't have a shot.
Fuck, they're trying to beat on us!
Slow down.
I have them in my sites.
Traverse left!
Fire!
You can drive a tank!
I told you I used to be an artillery soldier.
What an ace.
Hurry, watch the other tank.
Away!!
You okay?
Speed up.
Right.
AP, load!
Get me range!
Fire!
Zhang Xiaoheng
That was spectacular.
Where are my glasses?
I'll help you find them.
Professor Wu
The leadership has assigned you a security detail.
I'll be responsible for you.
My name is Zhang Xiaoheng.
No.
I don't need a bodyguard.
That's rude.
No one's your "bodyguard".
Glasses.
I'll find your younger brother.
I'll make him a tank driver
and tell him how you destroyed two tanks.
Good.
The enemy has retreated.
Yesterday the 188th fought all night
but American reinforcements are heading to Cheorwon.
The enemy will attack again.
We have to figure out how to help the 188th.
Yes sir.
Up the hill!
That's Jocheon Reservoir.
Shortly we'll feel our way there.
Right.
The enemy seemed in retreat.
But they're already regrouping.
The next offensive will be fiercer.
What's the opinion
of the three division commanders?
My 187th
has secured Yeoncheon.
And the 188th?
Depends how long we have to hold on.
If the offensive is too fierce
we'll be in trouble.
They've got an armoured division.
They rely completely on vehicles.
So what would work to the advantage
of the defenders, not the attackers?
We do have an idea.
Commander.
We'll definitely hold the 1st line of defence.
We're reinforcing our position.
Good, you must secure it.
And till the ammo arrives.
Yes sir.
And you have a new mission, too.
Send a squad to breach the Jocheon Dam.
Use a flood to stop the Americans.
Will do!
Give me a platoon. I'll go.
The 3rd company's 2nd platoon has the most men.
It's yours.
The 2nd platoon of the 3rd.
That's the platoon I let up the Gauntlet.
It's a huge mission.
I know.
Deputy Commander
I want to go with you.
No.
Stay here
with the Commissar.
No.
I want to go with you.
What is it, Yang Chuanyu?
Deputy Commander
I have to confess something.
Do you remember me climbing onto a tank at the Gauntlet?
So why didn't I blow it up?
Because I was terrified.
I let it take me down the hill.
Yang Chuanyu.
I'd buried this incident
and continued fighting.
But from the day I saw you here
it's like my heart's been on fire.
I can't live with that secret anymore.
Deputy Commander
I need to make up for it.
Please let me go.
At ease!
Attention!
Sun Xing
Come here.
What is it, Li Xiao?
You're heading off
and I owe you a thank you.
A thank you for what?
For saving me at Rimjingang.
That was nothing.
You need to thank me too.
What for?
Who got Yang Sandi to read you that newspaper?
Me.
Really?
Yes.
She was so worried for you
she couldn't stop crying.
Who was crying?
Everyone, assembly!
What's this chat?
Let's go.
What're you doing?
Go.
Yang Sandi!
Present.
Get down.
We're taking a photo of the battalion.
Yes sir!
Comrades
from the time the 1st left China
we haven't had a single group photo.
Let's do one now.
Closer.
Good.
Wait for my order.
In a moment
we'll shout "1st Battalion"!
Give me big smiles!
Yay!
Look at me!
One, two, three
First Battalion!
Sandi
another thing.
Please take my sister to the rear.
I'm not going.
The next battle is going to be deadly.
You have to get away.
No.
In the future, whatever you want
you decide where to study
what work to do
and who to marry.
Whatever you decide is fine.
But now
you have to listen to me.
I'm your brother.
Look.
Dad said this is from General Peng.
Is it sweet?
It is.
Commissar
We're off.
Men! March to the left!
Tight formation!
If you see my dad
bring him back here.
Sure.
Yang Sandi!
Your job is recording casualties, what the
I've always been a soldier!
Those are the floodgates.
They'll have men guarding it.
It won't be easy.
I've studied the terrain.
If we open the floodgates,
water will race towards the position of the 188th.
The mud will bog down the Americans' armoured vehicles.
They're guarding it because they know it's important.
We'll attack at night.
Yes sir.
These are the controls for the dam.
Anything happens, you just have to press this button
and it will blow up the control system.
No one will be able to open the sluice.
See that? One of ours.
We'll move now too.
Yes sir.
C'mon.
Let's sneak onto the roof.
Hide, don't fire your guns.
Wait till fighting starts in the control room.
When the guards
on the roof go to help, get them.
Try to avoid getting wounded.
Yes sir.
Go.
Contact!
Don't let them get away!
Attack!
Blow the controls now!
Hit that button!
Yang Sandi!
How come you're here?
What about you, sir?
Careful!
Sir!
Cover!
Sir!
You're wounded.
I'm okay.
Sun
It's nearly dawn.
The enemy is about to attack the 188th again.
We have to open the floodgates
and release the water.
The mechanism is broken.
We have to push it open by hand.
Aerial attack!
Vultures are over the LP,
commencing attack run.
Roger that maintain pressure,
airborne will be dropping at first light.
Airborne is on station and go for drop.
Sir! Paratroopers!
Roger proceed to reservoir and secure.
First platoon on me.
Second platoon on me.
Form up, everyone form up, stay frosty out there.
Sweeping clear toward the reservoir.
Comrades
they're landing paratroopers.
Commander Sun and I'll lead a sniper force
to buy some time with the floodgates.
Everyone else
push open the valve.
Yes sir.
Hurry.
Target!
Jocheon Reservoir advance!
Hurry!
Let's release the valve!
Yes sir. Hurry!
Comrades
At ease.
We've gathered you here today
simply
to say some things to you.
Although it's true
it's been a very difficult fight
we haven't let the enemy off easy.
Now we've recovered the 1st line of defence.
But the enemy
won't rest unless they've taken Cheorwan.
Are you scared?
No!
Are you scared?
No!
I want to show you something.
The day I left for Korea
My sister gave me a flower.
Although it's dried out
It still has its scent.
Here.
Let me smell.
Smells like happy times.
Let me smell.
I hope in the future
we can all enjoy happy lives.
Build a home.
Have children.
I'd like daughters.
Me too.
Hurry, back to position!
Quick!
Commissar
Enemy Spotted!
They're racing for the dam.
Sun
Let's pull them elsewhere.
Right.
Follow me!
Yang the valve is rusted shut.
Commissar
What?
All the company commanders are dead.
I'm the only instructor left.
Forget the 1st and 2nd companies.
How many men left in the battalion?
Half a company tops.
The enemy is pounding at the 188th again.
The new ammo still isn't here.
The 188th is at breaking point.
Why isn't the Jocheon Dam open yet?
I'm trying to reach them.
It's moving!
Come-on!
Move away!
- Move away! - Take cover! Fast!
Don't move! Stay hidden!
Li!
Sun
Sandi
return to the dam.
See if they've opened the floodgates.
It's worrying me.
- Let's go. - Move!
Take this.
Yang Chuanyul!
Valves!
Hurry!
Turn them!
Turn!
Hurry!
Sir
there's a cliff behind us.
We're trapped!
Frag out!
Commissar
Everyone's been hit.
There's only us left.
Yang Chuanyu
The floodgates are open.
Deputy Commander
my mission is complete.
This time
I wasn't scared.
Yang Chuanyul!
Get back to base!
Commissar
More enemy are on their way.
You're the only ones left here?
Yes, Commissar.
Hurry.
Let's not waste time.
Li!
Sir!
The floodgates are open.
The waters are racing towards the 188th.
Don't worry.
The 1st Battalion
how are they doing?
Good.
Sandi, look after Li.
Yeassir.
If
I die
don't tell
Li Xiang and Li Xiao.
I won't.
Help me up.
Take cover!
Move on!
The enemy's in HQ!
Commissar!
Circle them!
Grenade!
On the hill!
Frag out!
Sweep and clear,
Clear!
Push on to the reservoir.
Roger.
Sir!
Li!
Sir!
Li!
1st Battalion! 1st Battalion!
HQ calling 1st Battalion!
1st Battalion! 1st Battalion!
HQ calling 1st Battalion!
Keep calling!
1st Battalion! 1st Battalion!
Can you hear us?
Can you hear us, 1st Battalion?
If you hear us, answer.
1st Battalion!
This is the 1st!
It's Li Xiang here.
Li Xiang, this is Fu Chongbi.
Sir!
Li Xiang
Listen.
The Jocheon Dam's floodgates are open.
The enemy is going to drown soon.
You've accomplished your defensive mission.
However many survivors there are
just bring them back for me.
Did you hear me?
Li Xiang?
Sir
we won't make it back.
We're down.
You keep advancing.
Brother!
Sister!
don't cry.
Give your brother a smile.
Who are you after?
My dad?
Li Xiang, you're back.
Dad.
You're home. Come in.
Catch!
From General Peng.
Take care, Dad.
Is it sweet?
After victory here we'll go home
and live happily
as a family of three.
There's one more here!
Let's get him!
Brother!
Surrender! You!
Don't move!
Don't panic!
It's a goddamn swamp down there.
Just like this whole fucking war!
Hurry!
Unload the ammo quick-smart.
General Peng, reporting
The 187th and 188th
south of Cheorwan, at Yeoncheon and Kodaesan,
tenaciously stopped a fierce assault by the Americans
and wrecked their plans to chase us back to the Yalu.
Like Zhang Fei's heroes scaring off Cao Cao's army.
that they are all like those ancient heroes.
Say that Peng Dehuai
salutes them.
Fire!
Jesus Christ!
What the hell?
They're our cannons!
What is it?
General
Intelligence shows that the Chinese wounded
and material are no longer in Cheorwan.
Also, the president today has proposed to negotiate with the Chinese.
Li Xiao!
Listen
I just didn't see your dad after that.
I called out for him.
I looked everywhere.
But no.
I couldn't find him.
You won't find him either.
I have to find him.