In the stillness of a Korean night, a distant bugle sounded — a chilling note that every American and United Nations soldier came to dread. It heralded not just any assault but the impending "human-wave" attack. From their positions, UNC troops watched as the horizon itself seemed to shift, with thousands of Chinese soldiers advancing, many armed only with grenades and raw determination. Tales had circulated among the UNC ranks of these adversaries, so fearless they'd charge into the very jaws of death. Witnessing it, however, was an entirely different ordeal.

This audacious tactic didn't emerge in isolation. Early in the war, the Chinese plotted their counter as American and UNC forces confidently pressed into North Korean territory. Utilizing the terrain and the element of surprise, they executed a series of ambushes that sent the UNC reeling. Recognizing the need for a strategic pivot, by early 1951, the UNC fortified its positions, stretching defensively from east to west. The Chinese, ever adaptive, responded with their now-infamous "human wave" — a tactic as much about psychological warfare as it was about numbers.

While historians might debate the terminology, those who faced this onslaught had no doubts. Veterans recounted the overwhelming force of the assault, comparing it to a tidal wave or a stadium's crowd spilling onto the battlefield. One poignant reflection captured the scene's eerie intensity: "Suddenly, the whole hillside stood up."

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