It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 64 | Request for Troops

Forget it, the task has been assigned, let’s give it a try first.

Although he felt somewhat disgusted, he still went directly to the Ministry of National Defense to ask for more veterans and officers.

He complained to a colonel: "You are being extremely irresponsible. The Royal Guards have no combat capability at all."

The colonel knew in his heart that he had never expected the Royal Guard to go to the battlefield, but he remained polite on the surface. "Mr. Advisor, the Royal Army is expanding. Experienced veterans and qualified officers are very valuable. You have a proverb about using the best steel for the blade. I'm sure you're aware of that."

Shang Ke nodded and said in English: "Indeed, but the mission I received is to train the Royal Guard into a qualified armed force. I must fulfill my duty."

The colonel asked hesitantly, "How many men do you want?"

"At least one hundred soldiers with four years' service and twenty officers."

"Too many for me to approve."

The two of them began to bargain, haggling tirelessly.

The final amount agreed upon was half the price, but even so, the colonel felt a little distressed.

Looking at Shang's victorious figure leaving, the colonel thought that he had wasted some precious human resources.

After solving the personnel problem, Shang Ke began to focus on the staffing issue.

In this era, the integration of arms began at least at the regimental level. For example, the German infantry regiment included an engineering platoon and a communications platoon.

In other words, only at the regimental level did they possess the ability to independently conduct combat missions, and lower-level units were completely single-arms. Although infantry companies and infantry battalions had mortars, these were considered accompanying infantry weapons and not formal field artillery units.

This is why Shang Ke complained that the size of the Royal Guard was neither too large nor too small.

After careful study, he decided to combine the Royal Guard into a mini regiment.

>Infantry Company A

>Infantry Company B

>Infantry Company C

>Anti-aircraft gun squadron

>Howitzer Squadron

>Logistics Squadron
>Squadron directly under the headquarters
——Motorcycle Engineer Squad
——Motorized Signal Corps (Communications)

- Mechanized Cavalry Squad (Reconnaissance)
In fact, this organization involves many helpless compromises. Because the number of officers is too small, the structure can only be streamlined as much as possible.

Compared with Shang's creative idea of ​​adapting to local conditions, most people didn't think so much and thought that just setting up an infantry battalion with more people would be enough.

Looking at this organization, even mechanized units have appeared. What are they intended to do?
Su Ji, who was invited, was also surprised.

"Isn't it enough to organize the Royal Guards like the Internal Affairs Corps? If they are trained according to this charter, they will be up to the standard of a field unit."

"I didn't say you can't do that."

"Moreover, this guard is not under the management of the military, so where the equipment comes from is a big problem." Su Ji commented sharply.

"Weapons and other things will be available sooner or later, so just find a way. Let's practice first. It's better for people to wait for equipment than for equipment to wait for people." Shang Ke said as a matter of course.

Under his supervision, the organizational and coordination work was carried out quickly.

The troops were reorganized according to the regulations. The anti-aircraft artillery squadron lacked officers with corresponding professional expertise, so he found a way to get a lieutenant and a sergeant from the army anti-aircraft artillery unit.

In just a few days, the troops' framework was set up.

Formal training began immediately.

On the first morning of late April, the sky was gray and covered with thick dark clouds, as if it was about to rain heavily at any time.

Facing the assembled guards, Shang Ke, dressed in his summer uniform, cleared his throat and gave instructions. "Although many in the military may be disdainful of the Royal Guard, I certainly don't share that sentiment. My mission is to train you into a well-trained force. If anyone thinks this is a leisure sanatorium, please leave immediately." After a long silence, he continued, "The upcoming training will be painful, but it is the only way to become an elite force. I heard that Hungarian and Swedish soldiers performed well in the Austro-Hungarian Army during the European War. I am confident that I can train you into elite troops. And then, I don't want to hear any doubts."

The translator beside him spoke these words fluently in Hungarian into the microphone.

No one said a word.

Shang Ke said with satisfaction, "Okay, now let's proceed to the first subject, the regular march. I've found a training ground for you at the foot of the mountain in the southwest suburbs. You'll be there every day from now on, but Fridays will be different. It will be a forced march."

The total distance is more than ten kilometers, which is actually not very far.

After saying this, he immediately ordered the staff officers at the guard headquarters to draw up a marching plan within ten minutes.

At this time, the dark clouds that had been accumulating for a long time finally broke out, and heavy rain fell down.

As the saying goes - it's better to beat a child on a rainy day than to have nothing to do.

This is exactly what Shang would like to see.

He strolled leisurely in the heavy rain, and the soldiers stood still as well.

As expected, the rookie staff officers came up with a terrible marching plan.

Shang Ke glanced at it for a few seconds and said angrily, "There's only one checkpoint along the way? Did you guys eat up the Flanker? Are the air defense units properly positioned? You're so focused on your backside, aren't you? And you didn't even consider that the second half of the journey would be on a country road!"

He was so angry that he laughed. He waved his hand and said, "Even the marching plan is full of loopholes. Your professional level is not up to standard. Don't take the car, just follow me and learn a lesson."

The three of them knew they were in the wrong and agreed dejectedly.

After another round of trouble, the troops officially set off.

This is how the bad morning started.

"Sir! Someone's been hit by a carriage!"

"Major! The truck has broken down!"

"Sir! Someone has diarrhea!"

"Major! The radio doesn't seem to be working!"

After finally arriving at their destination, the soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment at the empty fields before them.

Where is the training ground?

A lieutenant asked doubtfully, "Sir, where is our training ground?"

Shang Ke sat in the off-road vehicle, holding a cup to catch a lot of rainwater. He drank it all in one gulp, then looked around and said with a smile: "Dear soldiers, are you qualified soldiers?"

There was silence, and no one knew what he was up to.

"For qualified soldiers, setting up a camp is a basic skill. For unqualified soldiers, setting up a camp is a compulsory course." Shang Ke said humorously.

Then he changed his tone and ordered seriously, "Rest for fifteen minutes, then set up the training ground."

After a short rest, a shrill whistle sounded and the soldiers hurriedly dispersed.

Those who were cutting trees were cutting trees, those who were digging holes were digging holes, and those who were setting up tents were setting up tents.

Shang Ke stared at the bustling scene in front of him without saying a word.

He knew that this hastily assembled ragtag group was still a long way from transformation.

Another issue was how to equip the Royal Guard. Given the Guard's size, the required weapons and equipment were considerable. Given the Hungarian Ministry of Defense's dismissive attitude towards the Royal Guard, it was unclear whether they could be successfully acquired.

(End of this chapter)