CH48 - Unit

"Urgent report from Quy Nhon. The lumber project and port construction are proceeding smoothly. The first caisson has settled—heavy equipment repair business to commence soon. Quy Nhon's tactical value is rising sharply. Immediate manpower reinforcement needed."

"Ha, what nerve... to push the president like this?"

President Park could read between the lines of the telex.

Woo Chan-soo had used the word "urgent" twice in this short message.

It was clear he was pressuring for the deployment of the main Mang-ho unit and 300 top-tier university students, which had yet to be sent.

"Does he think I'm not sending them because I don't want to? That rascal..."

President Park rubbed his face.

He was just as anxious.

Knock, knock.

"Your Excellency, it's the secretary's office."

"Come in."

The president ran his hand through his hair and ushered the chief secretary into the room.

"The negotiation results..."

"Never mind that just answer my question."

"Yes, sir."

"What's the final deployment location for the Mang-ho unit?"

"The Americans, even in the final negotiations, want to deploy the Mang-ho unit to Pleiku, An Khe, and Tuy Hoa."

Bang!

"Nothing has changed! What kind of negotiation is that! How many times have I said the Mang-ho unit should be stationed only in Quy Nhon? How many times!"

The president was fuming.

If the troop deployment negotiations hadn't been tangled like this, he would have already sent the main force.

"My apologies. The Americans are strongly requesting an expansion of the Korean military's deployment areas in exchange for recognizing our independent operational command."

"Why there of all places? That's practically the front line! And how do they expect us to spread our troops out like that? Are they asking us to get picked off one by one by the Viet Cong or what?"

The tactical area assigned to the Korean army had expanded to 1,500 km², several times larger than initially negotiated, with a single division's forces covering a 240 km front line.

As a former soldier, President Park saw the troop deployment as dangerously sparse.

"Not just the Americans, but even the South Vietnamese army wants the Korean deployment area to expand. They are threatening to refuse military supplies if we don't comply."

"What? The South Vietnamese army?"

It was absurd.

To pressure the Korean army, which came to help their country, was madness.

"It seems Japan is meddling in between. Suddenly, the South Vietnamese army is insisting on Korean-made military uniforms and jungle boots."

"... Damn them..."

"Japan, handling military supplies around Saigon, seems wary of Quy Nhon's growth. They are bringing up the Korea-Japan Claims Agreement through diplomatic channels, demanding the expansion of our deployment areas. They are threatening that unless we refrain from actions that disrupt the trilateral military cooperation, the Claims Agreement negotiations will cease."

"Trilateral military cooperation? What nonsense..."

To twist U.S.-Korea military cooperation into U.S.-Japan-Korea military cooperation was absurd.

"It's understandable for Japan, as their national interests are at stake, but why is the U.S. pressuring us so hard? No other country has sent such a large combat force as we have. We are their true allies."

"... The request for expansion is the same for both the U.S. and Japan, but their purposes seem quite different."

"Different?"

"Japan likely hopes for our self-destruction through an expanded deployment, but the U.S. seems to have received information about elevating Quy Nhon to a strategic hub instead of Saigon."

"What? Elevate Quy Nhon instead of Saigon?"

"General Van Flint is reportedly leading the strategic shift. His strategy change and Japan's meddling are creating a synergistic effect."

"Van Flint?"

If Van Flint was involved, it meant the U.S. military, politics, and business sectors were all moving together.

And when he was involved, it usually didn't bode ill for Korea.

"... Your Excellency, with all due respect, if the Korean army can hold that area, this might be an opportunity. This is a minority opinion within the secretary's office, but I agree with it."

"!!!!"

The word "opportunity" sparked something in his mind.

Opportunity! Opportunities are always hidden within crises, and it takes sharp eyes to notice them.

"What do you mean?"

"President Woo Chan-soo separately sought the opinion of the secretary's office. He suggested preemptively occupying Quy Nhon due to its high future value."

"To - Secretary Office.

An urgent analysis of Quy Nhon's future strategic value is needed. Potential for becoming a 21st-century hub for international logistics, commerce, finance, and tourism. What if Korea moves in early?"

The chief secretary handed the president the telex from Woo Chan-soo to the secretary's office.

A thick report seemed to be attached to the telex, indicating that it had already been reviewed by the office.

"So, Chan-soo sent this message?"

"Yes, sir. It's a simple statement but carries significant implications. It's an opportunity to reassess the geographical, economic, and demographic value of Quy Nhon."

Geographical and economic value aside, demographic value?

"What do you mean?"

"Woo Chan-soo means that Quy Nhon could become the Hong Kong of Southeast Asia. Not a Chinese-dominated Hong Kong, but a Korean-dominated Quy Nhon."

"!!!!!!"

A jolt of electricity surged from the president's head to his toes.

He realized the full potential of the fleeting thought that had crossed his mind.

"As you know, Woo Chan-soo is sceptical about the Vietnam War. He always emphasizes the economic aspects and believes the U.S. will eventually withdraw from Vietnam..."

"Wait! Let me think!"

The president raised his hand to stop the chief secretary's words.

A picture was forming in his mind.

As a soldier, he also thought that winning the Vietnam War would not be easy for the U.S.

The Korean War, with its clear enemy, ended in a ceasefire. It seemed unlikely that the U.S. would win a civil war like the Vietnam War.

So, he had strategized to maximize U.S. support through short-term concentrated deployment.

But if there was something to gain even after the U.S. withdrew...

'He's drawing a picture for after the U.S. withdrawal. He aims to make Quy Nhon surpass Hong Kong and replace Singapore. The U.S. wants to maintain its influence in Southeast Asia but doesn't want the Chinese to dominate.'

The Chinese influence in Asia was the greatest threat to the U.S.

It was a well-known fact that the Chinese diaspora acted as an overseas extension of the Chinese Communist Party.

Hence, the U.S. subtly supported Indian traders in Singapore, encouraged British financial firms in Hong Kong, and facilitated Japanese companies in Thailand and the Philippines.

If Quy Nhon fit into such a grand U.S. strategy...

If the Korean army held Quy Nhon under the pretext of protecting Free Vietnam with U.S. backing...

Quy Nhon could become a bastion against communism in Southeast Asia.

With U.S. support, becoming like Hong Kong was only a matter of time.

Strategically, Quy Nhon was easier to defend than Saigon.

"Your Excellency..."

"Give me the agreement. Quickly."

"Yes, sir."

Scribble, scribble.

The president signed the agreement without hesitation.

"Expedite the Mang-ho unit deployment. Send the 300 university students with them."

"Yes, sir."

"And inform the commander of our forces. The goal of the Korean army in Vietnam is to defend Quy Nhon and protect Woo Chan-soo."

"Yes, sir!"

The Korean army's objective was now clear.

****

A few days later, on October 16, 1965.

"Waaaah!"

A farewell ceremony for the Mang-ho unit was held at Busan Port.

Countless government officials, diplomats, senior officers from Korea and the U.S., representatives from social organizations, citizens, students, and families of the deployed soldiers, totalling 100,000 people, gathered.

"Oh, my boy, why are you going to Vietnam?"

"Don't worry. With four sons, what if one goes?"

"Is that even a question? Never put yourself in danger. Understand?"

Cheers and confetti filled the air, but the families of the deployed soldiers were worried.

"Waaaah!"

"Please return safely."

Most were sending them off with a mix of hope and concern. Rumours spread that some had struck it rich in Vietnam, sending home large sums monthly.

"Mang-ho!"

"Waaaah!"

Thus, the Mang-ho unit boarded the four large transport ships provided by the U.S. and set off for Quy Nhon.

Of course, the 300 university students went with them.

****

Splash!

Today, another caisson plunged into the sea.

It was always a magnificent sight.

"Position it! Sub 2, turn. Turn to the right."

<Turn right.>

"Good, the position is good. Push Sub 3. Keep pushing."

<Keep pushing.>

Thud!

"What are you doing? If it's positioned, remove the shuttering."

"Yes, team leader."

Placing a new caisson next to an already positioned one wasn't too difficult.

"Is the filling in Caisson 5 completed?"

"The dredging team is working on it."

"Why are they so slow? We have Caissons 6 and 7 waiting."

"I'll go and push them."

From the roof, everything looked incredibly busy.

Few construction companies could build a port this quickly in these times. It was a source of pride.

With two barges, two caissons now came out simultaneously.

The dredgers couldn't keep up with the construction speed.

The employees matched the caissons like Lego blocks, so I just watched leisurely from the roof, sipping cola.

Click.

"Deck team leader, let's cover the temporary deck."

<Aye! The boss says to cover the temporary deck!>

<Main Line 1, over here! Crane!>

I turned on the radio to instruct the covering of the temporary deck on the caissons.

In the distance, a large ship appeared near the horizon.

Hoooot.

As expected, the ship's horn loudly announced the arrival of the transport ship carrying the deployed soldiers.

"Wow, a big ship is coming."

"The Mang-ho unit! They're finally here."

"Cover it! Cover the deck! Quickly."

The employees were just as excited.

Once the main Mang-ho unit was stationed, the place would become an impregnable fortress the Viet Cong wouldn't dare to challenge.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bam ba bam ba bam bam bam. Bam ba bam ba bam bam bam.

The U.S. soldiers at Quy Nhon camp also fired fireworks and played a fanfare, perhaps rehearsing a welcome ceremony.

Awesome, this is exciting.

Another 300 employees were coming.

****

A month later,

<Scout 2 completed. No enemies within kilometres ahead.>

<Transport unit, advance! Advance!>

With the radio message from the U.S. scout helicopter, the Mang-ho unit soldiers led us forward.

The soldiers called us the transport unit.

It was short for the Land Transportation Supply Support Unit.

We were a civilian company, different from the military transport unit.

"Go, go, go, let's move."

"Depart!!!"

When the Mang-ho unit signalled it was safe, we hit the gas.

We handled supplies from Quy Nhon to Tuy Hoa, An Khe, and Pleiku. Each trip left us leaner.

Rat-a-tat-tat!

"Damn it! They said no Viet Cong!"

"Those American bastards must be blind."

<Everyone, return fire!>

"Return fire!"

<Transport unit, advance! Advance!>

Even with helicopter scouting, Viet Cong snipers appeared from nowhere. We faced such attacks every three days.

We kept our heads down and floored the gas.

The leading jeep of the Mang-ho unit carried a machine gun, followed by an armoured vehicle covering us, and a U.S. helicopter providing aerial support, yet this happened.

Despite being civilians, we wore helmets, kept M1 rifles with 240 rounds of ammunition in the passenger seat, and drove.

Wearing U.S. bulletproof vests was a given.

Initially, we didn't, but constant Viet Cong ambushes left us no choice.

After all, we were transporting military supplies for tens of thousands of Mang-ho units and U.S. soldiers stationed in the conflict zone, making our trucks the primary target for the Viet Cong.

"Transport is combat," became a felt reality.

"Damn it! 20,000 dollars a day isn't enough! We need double."

When the U.S. offered payment per transport, I firmly refused.

Using money as bait to exploit us would weaken our position in negotiations.

Given the life-threatening risks, we agreed on 20,000 dollars per day, regardless of transport, securing a yearly contract worth 7.3 million dollars.

The U.S. had to agree because no other civilian company was willing to handle the transport.

Our employees took turns covering Tuy Hoa, An Khe, and Pleiku.

<Boss, let's ask for three times the amount.>

"Is this the time for jokes? Step on it!"

My father's joke came through the radio.

Rumble, crash.

Once we hit Route 19 after speeding through the jungle trails, we felt somewhat relieved.

"Waaaah! Supplies are here!"

Entering the company base, the Mang-ho unit soldiers were the first to greet us.

Not just for the supplies, but because we also brought letters from home.

"Mang-ho! Did you bring the letters?"

"Hold on a moment. Let's unload the supplies first, then distribute the letters."

"Mang-ho! Everyone heard? Let's unload the supplies."

"Waaaah!"

"Ha ha, wait a bit."

"We'll handle it quickly."

"Then, a bottle of cola for each of you!"

"Waaaah!"

Despite their fierce reputation, the soldiers were just young men in their early twenties, rejoicing over a bottle of cola.

It pained me to hand out boxes of American snacks and cola that I had deliberately packed.

"Company commander, do you have any goods today?"

The company commander smiled at me unusually, so I walked to the back of the building.

"Yes, today we have something big."

"Something big?"

"We finally succeeded in recovering a U.S. helicopter. It's covered with a tarp in the yard."

"Is it something we need to report to the headquarters?"

"No. Checking the serial number, it's marked as completely lost. The pilot escaped, and it was presumed swept away by a river."

"Wow... Hup!"

I raised my arms in a cheer but quickly covered my mouth.

It wouldn't be proper to cheer over a crashed friendly helicopter.

"We'll take it. Please call the recovery team."

"Yes, sir. Mang-ho!"

We also retrieved broken military supplies.

Quy Nhon camp had a heavy equipment repair base.

While most items had to be reported to the U.S. command, occasionally, completely lost items like this fell into our hands.

In such cases, we could dismantle and repair them as we wished. Unlike the South Vietnamese, we didn't engage in the despicable act of selling to the enemy.

Our purpose was purely educational.

For the sake of the eager students, I had a duty to provide them with equipment.

"Mang-ho! Our platoon recovered the aircraft."

At the yard, the platoon members who retrieved the helicopter stood in a line, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

The aircraft looked perfect.

While the fuselage and cockpit were wrecked beyond recognition, the engine seemed intact.

"Thank you for your hard work. Here are TV vouchers."

"Te... TV! Thank you."

"When you return home, visit our store to exchange them for a TV."

Soldiers returning from service were exempt from all duties on items as heavy as their full gear.

Thus, taking expensive items from the U.S. PX meant they made money upon return, and a TV was the most efficient item.

Selling a TV could cover a year's tuition for a university student. Our store exchanged items with the U.S. PX, so securing TVs was no problem.

"Let's head back to Quy Nhon."

"Yes, sir."

My father had already loaded the helicopter remains onto the truck and carefully covered it with a tarp.

We finally secured a helicopter engine.

Now we had a gasoline engine for jeeps, a diesel engine for trucks, and a turboshaft engine for helicopters... no, a gas turbine engine, completing the trio.

Turbines are the pinnacle of heavy industrial engineering.

Today, we gained that pinnacle.