3rd Battalion, 67th Armor
Thirty Miles North of DMZ, DPRK
The Abrams M-1 tank had been designed for exactly this purpose. The Abrams is not a defensive weapons system. It is designed to sprint behind enemy lines, smash any fixed defenses and outrun any possible response by armored units. This is exactly the strategy employed by the US Army in Korea. Already twenty miles behind the supposed “front line” of the DMZ, North Korea had no significant assets in place to intercept the tanks and APC’s of the 3rd Battalion.
During the height of the cold war, the USA and NATO allies had realized that winning a war against the USSR in Europe was actually possible. Previously, it was assumed that the only way to defend Europe would be with nuclear weapons. For this reason, there had been no reason to figure out a way to fight a conventional ground war against the mighty army of the USSR and their seemly infinite supply of tanks.
However, experiences in Korea and Vietnam with communist block weapons systems made them realize that the USSR was actually vulnerable to a very high tech opponent. Isreal’s experience cemented this belief. The Warsaw pact could be beaten in a conventional war, on the ground and in the air. A tank that could “shoot on the move” with massive engine power and the ability to accelerate like a much lighter vehicle could tear into large formations of lesser vehicles like the T-72.
For much of the tank’s existence, this theory was just that, a theory. It was not until Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War that this theory was proven correct. Facing one of the largest armies in the world, equipped with mostly Soviet equipment, the USA lost only two tanks to enemy action. Two tanks. To put this into perspective, almost twenty were lost to friendly fire and accidents. The Iraqi’s lost hundreds of tanks and their ability to fight was almost completely wiped out. This kill ratio is unprecedented and cemented the American strategy of using technology to overcome numbers.
Racing along quickly behind the lead tanks, Hernandez could now see the site of the “Battle of the Bridge” as it had already become known. As he exited his command track, he could see a captain with Special Forces and Airborne tabs on his shoulder leaning against the bridge abutment with a grin on his face.
“Jesus Christ, Captain. What is it with you and busted up tanks?”
Peters shook the offered hand. “Don’t blame me, sir. It was the Air Force, I swear!”
“Yeah likely story.”
Peters mutely pointed. Hernandez walked over to where a Lieutenant in a pilot’s uniform was being tended by an army medic carrying a comically large sniper rifle over one shoulder. “You an A-10 driver, son?”
The pilot looked up and stiffened as he realized who had asked that question. “Yes, Colonel!”
“At ease son. Thanks for your help. We needed this bridge intact and thanks to you we’ve got it.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“How’s the leg?”
The medic answered. “He’ll be fine. No tap dancing for a bit, but no worries; his tibia is broken but he’s stable. The good news is this dude doesn’t buy drinks in any bar where there are Green Berets for the rest of his life.”
Hernandez chuckled and slapped Billy on the shoulder. “Damn right. Same for Tankers if I have anything to say about it.”
He turned, looking for Major Lucas. “Tom!! Over here.” After introductions were made with Captain Peters, they returned to the command track. “Where are the lead elements, Tom?”
“We are a bit ahead of schedule. Less than expected resistance from enemy artillery. Apparently, they really didn’t expect us to get through the DMZ this easily.”
Hernandez grinned wryly. “We damn near didn’t. If it wasn’t for this gent here, we’ll still be bogged down at the frontier.”
“Or dead.”
“Or that.” Hernandez sighed. “No time for that, where are we?”
“Looking good, we have scouts out another ten miles ahead and so far enough fuel for the Apaches. Friendly air cover the whole way. My big concern is fuel which is going to get dicey soon. We’ve outrun our fuel supply at this point unless we slow down. Not safe enough behind us to put a truck convoy through.”
“Nope. Not gonna slow down. We keep moving. Anything else just gives them time to counterattack.”
“So, it’s Taechon.”
“Yes. We’re committed now.”