Bright Sword: Follow Kong's fun and build the strongest military industry

Commander Yun first took Battalion Commander Sun and Kong Hao to confirm the Japanese defensive positions, and then held a corresponding combat meeting to determine tomorrow's combat plan.

Chief of Staff Xu of the Fourth District pointed to the sand table of the Japanese stronghold and gave a detailed introduction to the current situation.

"After over a month of siege by our military sub-district, coupled with daily bombardments, we estimate we have destroyed fourteen enemy bunkers and killed approximately two hundred Japanese and puppet troops. The maximum number of enemies we face now is only about eight hundred."

"According to our multiple reconnaissance intel, there are two challenges we must overcome if we are to successfully capture this enemy stronghold. One is the trench outside the stronghold. Currently, there is only one drawbridge leading to the stronghold. If we mobilize a large number of personnel to carry soil to fill the trench, it will take at least half a day to a day, and we will need to mobilize at least three hundred people."

"With so many people exposed to the enemy's massive firepower of light and heavy weapons, as well as grenade launchers and mortars, for a long period of time, the casualties of our participating troops would become extremely heavy. This is why our military division surrounded the area but did not attack. This enemy fortress is completely like a hedgehog."

"Another one is the enemy's main gun tower, which uses a lot of reinforced concrete. Our 75mm mountain artillery shells occasionally hit it and only leave a crater, which has limited impact on the main body of the enemy."

"By the way, what is the caliber of our tank gun this time?"

"57 millimeters."

"If that's the case, even if we use armor-piercing bullets, it will be very difficult to hit it. You have to know that this is a seven-story artillery tower. Drilling a small hole in it will not have much impact at all."

After hearing this, Kong Hao smiled and responded, "The military region has already informed us of these two issues. They are minor problems. We have found solutions on the way. All you need is to cooperate with us."

"I estimate that we can capture this small stronghold within two days. Then, with the cooperation of the three infantry regiments, we will recapture Mocheng and expand our base in this area."

After hearing this plan, everyone present was immediately shocked. They just wanted to capture the enemy's fortress in front of them, but Captain Kong in front of them was planning to take the opportunity to capture the enemy's county town. What a big move.

You know, Mocheng is a medium-sized county town. The Japanese have a large battalion of troops stationed in the city, and there are complete defensive fortifications. This battle is a bit difficult to fight.

But when I thought about the fact that we had tanks to help us, there was nothing to worry about. Recapturing a county town would bring huge benefits.

Especially on the side of Captain Fan, the Eighth Route Army probably wouldn't be interested in the Japanese weapons and equipment, but the Sichuan Army would treasure them. If they followed the friendly forces to pick up things, they would probably make a lot of money.

There were also various supplies in the county town. Given the generosity of the Eighth Route Army, their Sichuan Army Corps could at least get a large portion, which just solved the urgent needs of the troops.

Next, Kong Hao assigned everyone their tasks, asking them to be ready in the evening and launch the attack after breakfast tomorrow morning.

After Captain Fan returned to the regimental headquarters, he immediately called a meeting with his three battalion commanders.

As soon as the battalion commander sat down, he couldn't wait to ask, "Commander, I heard that the friendly forces have a few Iron Turtle tanks coming over. Is that true?"

"You told me before not to pry around in other people's territory, but there was such a big commotion just now that even blind people could sense what was going on. Tell us what's going on."

The other two battalion commanders also looked at their regimental commander with expectant eyes, wanting to get some more specific information.

All Chinese troops have a love-hate relationship with weapons like the Iron Turtle. If it comes from the enemy, all soldiers will definitely hate it. Whenever the Japanese send out armored units, it means that our troops will suffer heavy losses, and many positions that can be barely defended will be easily broken through by the enemy.

But if the Iron Turtle is on our side, the feeling will be completely different. At that time, the ones who will suffer will be the Japanese soldiers on the opposite side.

Regimental Commander Fan said excitedly, "That's right, but that's not called an iron turtle. Its scientific name is a tank. Don't go around making such a fuss, as if our Sichuan Army has never seen anything like it. And let me tell you, these tanks don't look like they were captured from the Japanese. They look much more formidable than the enemy's tiny tanks. I estimate that even a heavy machine gun bullet hitting a tank would barely scratch an itch."

"This time we're fighting alongside friendly forces. It's also the first time we have artillery and tank units backing us up. Everyone, stay alert and don't let anyone collapse on the battlefield. If you do, I'll punish you."

At this time, the second battalion commander patted his chest and assured:

"Commander, don't worry, the brothers are all aware of this. Besides, we have been eating full meals with our allies these past few days. This is a treatment we have never had before."

"When we first left Sichuan, we wore straw sandals, conical hats, and coarse cloth clothes. We held Type 79 rifles, and grenades were considered heavy weapons."

"Not only did the well-equipped Central Army look down on us, but even the local Shanxi-Suiyuan Army did the same. They all said we were a beggar army. We were looked down upon wherever we went. But we didn't care. We came out of Sichuan to fight the Japanese, not to win over others with words."

"Besides, you can't drive the Japanese away with just words. Facing a powerful enemy, you have to fight for your life. If you're afraid of death, don't come out and embarrass yourself."

"Fortunately, our Sichuan Army has been able to perform well. We have won many battles in recent years, and the military prestige of our Sichuan Army has been forged with the corpses of countless enemy invaders."

After hearing this, the battalion commander added, "Although some people are polite to us on the surface, they still look down on us Sichuan troops in their hearts. We are not fools and we still understand the ways of the world."

"But here in the Eighth Route Army, it feels completely different. The brothers can truly feel respected. Take the daily meals for example, we eat exactly the same as the Eighth Route Army. In order to cater to the living habits of us Sichuan Army soldiers, they even specially add a lot of chili peppers to the stir-fried dishes. This is an army worth entrusting your back to. It is a blessing for our Sichuan Army to meet them."

Upon hearing this, Commander Fan was extremely happy and gave instructions: "I just held a combat meeting. We'll start attacking the Japanese bunkers tomorrow. However, the tanks and artillery will basically be in charge, so I don't think our infantry will have much to do with it."

"I specifically asked all officers above the battalion and company level in the regiment to visit the Eighth Route Army and learn how they fight, especially the coordinated operations between infantry and artillery. This is something our Sichuan Army lacks. Maybe one day our regiment will also have barreled artillery, so it would be good to learn about it in advance."