A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

The Blue Army's simulated mechanized infantry company attack was executed very successfully, whether in terms of tactics, combat organization, marching, deployment, and deployment, or in terms of troop and firepower configuration, artillery strikes, accompanying fire support, company and platoon combat command, platoon and squad tactics, or individual soldier actions. It was truly spectacular and breathtaking, fully demonstrating the trainees' superb military skills.

At this point, the Red Army had less than a platoon on each of its two defensive positions, plus more than 20 wounded soldiers who had just fled back from a heavy cross-country run and were still catching their breath. Under the Blue Army's powerful artillery suppression and superior armored forces, they would be powerless. Their fate in the face of this Blue Army mobile assault unit was already self-evident.

Armored forces and mechanized warfare were still novel concepts at the time. All the instructors, staff officers, and trainers in the training group personally experienced the powerful combat capabilities of the armored forces, and were deeply moved. The shock in their hearts lingered for a long time.

After deliberation, the directing group decided that the Red Army's left and right flank guard positions would be occupied by the Blue Army's mobile assault detachment. The Red Army's remaining platoon had lost most of its heavy firepower and equipment. The remaining Red Army soldiers would retreat to the two echeloned positions in depth between the outpost guard positions and the front line of the main position.

The Red Army outpost's defensive forces retreated in anger and frustration.

Immediately, Song Hongfei ordered the Blue Army assault detachment to press on and launch a fierce attack on the tiered blocking positions with the coordinated efforts of the Blue Army's flanks, until they captured one of the positions.

The Blue Army assault detachment stood ready, forming a standoff with the Red Army's forward forces.

By this time, the Blue Army troops who had advanced from various positions had all moved into position, forming a complete encirclement of the Red Army.

Inside the Red Army command post, all the instructors and cadet officers leading the teams were furious. Some were already hurling insults and angrily denouncing the Blue Army for disobeying the exercise plan and rules! They were disrespectful and shameless! They were going to sue them!

Their situation was extremely precarious. They had only a little over one company remaining, and their battalion-level heavy firepower consisted of just two 81mm mortars and two 37mm infantry guns. The other artillery had been captured or deemed destroyed during the Blue Army's earlier attack on the echelon blocking positions. Even worse, the remaining artillery was pinned down in two low-lying areas at the front of the position, unable to move, and would inevitably be destroyed by the Blue Army's precision artillery fire once the battle began.

Meanwhile, the enemy still had at least two companies, several times the heavy firepower. The Blue Army had the advantage in both manpower and firepower, and it occupied advantageous terrain, forming an encirclement. The Red Army was left with only the main position and a deep front line.

Especially the Blue Army's so-called "armored force," whose only two remaining direct-fire guns had been suppressed, were helpless against armored vehicles and had no ability to fight back. Were they supposed to try to bite through the armor with their heads? Song Hongfei, who came up with this crazy idea, was truly despicable! But one has to admit that this despicable guy is also someone you have to admire.

The shadow of defeat loomed over them. Since they had been able to capture this position, the Blue Army, which now held the advantage, could certainly do the same.

The Red Army battalion command was furious. Through their binoculars, they saw the Blue Army raising their dark cannons, glaring menacingly.

At this moment, the many staff officers and instructors in the directing department were also looking at each other in bewilderment. They had encountered a big problem. The outcome of the upcoming battle was already self-evident, and it seemed that there was no need to continue fighting. The dignity of the graduating seniors could not be ignored.

The directing staff called off the exercise again at just the right moment; human relationships are always unavoidable.

The Red Army soldiers were filled with righteous indignation, and the anger of the masses was hard to quell; everyone was burning with rage.

Colonel Horton, the Red Army battalion's instructor, was furious and confronted "Old Cat," unleashing a torrent of abuse. Old Cat could only try to appease him with a smile, but to no avail.

In the eyes of soldiers, honor is more important than life, and defeat is the greatest shame. These brave and fierce military academy cadets are willing to give their lives for victory.

Although the exercise had been called off, the intense "battle" continued.

One side angrily denounced: "You didn't follow the exercise plan or abide by the exercise regulations! You're despicable, insidious, and cunning! These greenhorns only know how to play dirty tricks. If you're so capable, why don't you set up a proper formation and have a real fight!"

One side retorted sharply, "A loss is a loss, stop nagging! Are you even manly to be so long-winded? You'd still lose even if you fought again!"

As the argument escalated and emotions ran high, it was on the verge of turning into a brawl.

The entire staff and instructors of the directing department and the military academy were mobilized, and it took a tremendous amount of effort to barely bring the situation under control.

The lawsuit between the two parties went all the way to the director's office but couldn't be resolved!

That decision rests with the highest-ranking officer.

West Point Superintendent Major General Smith was in the command center, silently examining the massive exercise area model. He had just given the order: Summon Lieutenant Colonel Winters!

Soon, Lieutenant Colonel Winters, nicknamed "Old Cat," was led to the director's office by a school affairs officer.

"Old Cat" stood at attention and reported loudly, "Sir! Lieutenant Colonel Winters has arrived on orders!"

Major General Smith remained silent, staring at the sand table without moving.

"Old Cat" bobbed his Adam's apple for a moment, then reported again: "Sir! Lieutenant Colonel Winters has been ordered to arrive!"

Major General Smith slowly turned around, his cold gaze fixed on "Old Cat," and said, "I didn't mishear, it's Lieutenant Colonel Winters, not Lieutenant General. Lieutenant Colonel, how dare you treat the exercise plan approved by the Major General as a joke!"

The old cat stood tall and straight, its head held high.

Major General Smith stared at Lieutenant Colonel Winters with a stern face and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Winters, your job is to supervise the Blue Team's operations, not to direct this exercise. Am I mistaken?"

Lieutenant Colonel Winters replied, "Sir! Yes!"

After giving Old Cat a good scolding with a stern face, Major General Smith softened his expression slightly and then ordered Old Cat to give a detailed report on the ins and outs of this operation plan.

The details of the Blue Army's mobile assault unit's operation have been reported back to the directing team at the director's headquarters.

Major General Smith listened intently to Old Cat's report, occasionally comparing it with the huge sand table and map, completely absorbed.

On the sand table, Song Hongfei's mobile assault team circled around a route of more than 10 kilometers and delivered a left hook that caught everyone off guard.

Major General Smith was deeply moved and couldn't help but admit to himself: This was indeed a brilliant flanking maneuver. The tactics and methods of armored forces were still a novel concept in Europe and America at the time, and this third-year Chinese student had actually carried out a respectable armored assault? It was truly unbelievable! Moreover, the idea of ​​using trucks and tractors to "modify" simulated armored vehicles for a rapid assault was indeed quite ingenious.

Major General Smith listened silently as "Old Cat" finished his report, then nodded slightly, softened his tone, and a smile flickered across his face as he said, "Come on, let's go take a look!"

At this moment, "Old Cat" finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The modified armored vehicle convoy was ordered to be brought to a centralized location at the foot of the hill. The Blue Army assault team trainees parked the vehicles in an absolutely neat and uniform formation, with Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi standing at attention in front of the convoy.

Zhang Yi gritted his teeth and whispered, "I'm feeling really uneasy."

Song Hongfei said, "Who isn't? Remember, when you get scolded or reprimanded, stand at attention and don't bow your head. Your gaze should never be lower than your superior's collar!"

Major General Smith and Brigadier General Edward walked over and slowly made their way through the ranks, watching with great interest this "innovation" by the Blues. Brigadier General Louis, Lieutenant Colonel Winters, and a group of staff officers and instructors followed behind.

Major General Smith carefully examined the "rear seat buffer" made of rough wooden frames, sandbags, and mounds of earth inside the carriage and asked, "Who came up with this idea?"

In fact, Major General Smith could guess who it was.

"Old Cat" turned to look at Song Hongfei and the other man who were standing at attention, and said, "It's them."

Principal Smith said, "Let them come over!"