Chapter 10: Turkish-Style Humor (3)

  The US command did not realize that using English to command troops from different countries would have serious consequences in terms of coordination, logistics, communication, and troop deployment. Differences in food, clothing, and transportation also caused headaches for the US command.

  The most severe problem was that almost all Turkish soldiers were Muslims who were prohibited from eating pork, but the US military's rations inevitably contained pork. A mistake that should not have happened almost led to a bloody incident, and the US high command had to immediately designate a Japanese food factory to produce food that met the needs of the Turkish brigade.

  In addition, Turkish soldiers did not understand English, and the US high command only provided a few liaison officers for each Turkish battalion. Brigade commander Yazgi had commanded a Turkish division against British forces in Gallipoli in 1916 and was a respected veteran. To be able to command troops in Korea, he voluntarily demoted himself.

  Before the intense gunfire at Subok-san, Yazgi was scolding the US commanders who were confused and disoriented. Within an hour, he received three conflicting orders and did not know where to go or what to do. Yazgi ordered his troops to continue advancing, but his deputy reminded him that the US military had not provided enough vehicles, transportation was difficult, and the troops lacked flank protection.

  Yazgi became enraged and ordered his soldiers to carry their equipment on their shoulders and advance on foot. He wanted to prove the bravery of Turkish warriors with a glorious victory. The intense gunfire from Subok-san shocked Yazgi, and he immediately sent out scouts who were repelled by the guerrilla fighters who had been waiting at Mubo-ri.

  The scouts reported that there was approximately one company of enemy troops on the high ground. Yazgi drew his sword and personally led the charge, leaving behind a battalion to guard the heavy equipment. The battle quickly erupted, with machine guns firing wildly and Wu Xiaomao's marksmanship causing 26 Turkish soldiers to be killed in the first probing attack.

  Wu Xiaomao muttered to himself, "What's the use of the iron plate on my helmet? Can it serve as a target? American devils are even more stupid, painting a white five-star on their helmets. It's useless at night too."

  Yazgi's enthusiasm grew, and the heavy machine guns on the high ground ignited his fighting spirit. He was glad to have encountered an enemy that could barely be considered worthy opponents.

  After the first Turkish attack ended, Pak Tong-myong looked out at Subok-san through binoculars and saw people moving around in the snowy landscape. The Korean soldiers who had been driven up Subok-san asked in Korean, "What unit are you?" Pak Tong-myong replied, "The 8th Division."

  The Korean soldiers were suspicious, as the 8th Division had been annihilated by the Volunteer Army at Unsan. However, Pak Tong-myong's fluent Korean put them at ease, and they thought that friendly forces were playing a prank.

  As the Korean soldiers searched for cover on Mubo-ri, Pak Tong-myong led his guerrilla fighters down the slope, with the soldiers tying themselves to wooden boards. They slid down the snowy slope, escaping the attack range of both armies, just like they had done in Northeast China when they skied down snow-covered peaks to escape encirclement.

  The wooden boards used for skiing were "borrowed" from a village by Chen Zizhong.

  When the Korean soldiers reached the top of Mubo-ri, the Turkish brigade's artillery fire began, followed by a fierce attack. The surviving Korean soldiers shouted, "Don't shoot! We're on the same side!" However, Yazgi and his soldiers did not understand English or Korean, and the US liaison officers were all hiding in the back.

  Yazgi believed that the "communists" on the summit were making a last-ditch effort. To be continued...