Chapter 166: Red Army Gets Sneaky? Yuan Lang Personally Leads The Team Into Battle!
Eighth Company and Ninth Company occupied the position later than Sixth Company, because the attack horn was sounded at the same time, but in reality, they were not even a few minutes slower.
Sixth Company here encountered an ambush by the Blue Army Interception Team, and Eighth Company and Ninth Company were similarly unable to escape.
Moreover, without the help of Steel Seventh Company, plus it was the first time encountering the Blue Army that did not play by the rules, the decisions made by the two company commanders both had mistakes.
During the process of being remotely attacked by the Blue Army, both companies suffered losses to varying degrees.
But there were both bad and good aspects.
Among them, Eighth Company did not receive help from Steel Seventh Company, and with the steady combat style of the Eighth Company Commander, when encountering the Blue Army attack, he focused on self-preservation.
Everyone found shelters to hide in and hold on stubbornly.
Not to mention popping out to shoot, not even a speck of dandruff was exposed.
Although this overly conservative strategy meant his company did not eliminate even one Blue Army warrior, it also avoided the need to go collect corpses, and Eighth Company did not fall for any of the Blue Army’s despicable tricks.
Instead, the number of eliminated warriors in the end was the smallest among the three companies.
This also proved that Chen Jun’s steady and firm defense strategy advocated at the regiment meeting was indeed the best way to confront the cunning Blue Army.
Perfectly embodying the old ancestor’s saying—
Respond to changes by remaining constant!
And the one with the greatest losses was Ninth Company. When attacked by the Blue Army, the Ninth Company Commander judged that the opponent was a small establishment, the harassment troops ambushed in the forest, and this judgment ability indeed had some real skill.
The Ninth Company Commander, with a tactical style biased toward aggressiveness, decisively issued the order for the whole company to charge.
Intending to annihilate the Blue Army harassment troops, expand the achievements of this battle, not only take the Blue Army position, but also take down the Blue Army together.
To be the first to achieve a brilliant battle record and show off well in front of the whole regiment.
If the encountered enemy’s strength was similar to their own, and using traditional conventional tactics, the Ninth Company Commander’s order for the whole company to assault together, using numbers to outnumber and annihilate the Blue Army small unit, was indeed a very appropriate decision.
Without any accidents, it would indeed yield rich harvests.
Unfortunately.
This time’s enemy was not conventional infantry, but the old A special operations team specially trained with per capita Soldier Kings.
In comparison, it was like the Blue Army was a 8-meter tall man, while Red Army Ninth Company was just a group of first-grade elementary students; numerical advantage could not play a decisive role at all.
Not only was there a huge disparity in individual soldier quality between the two sides, but the tactical systems were worlds apart.
Ninth Company still used the old tactics to fight, and the result goes without saying.
The Blue Army used various nauseating methods to engage Ninth Company in tug-of-war in the forest, setting traps while pulling back, various booby traps exploding and making Ninth Company warriors scatter like frightened chickens and dogs.
By the time Ninth Company realized something was wrong and hurriedly stopped the attack to pull back the troops.
After counting the remaining numbers, the Ninth Company Commander nearly fainted.
In just this short ten-odd minutes of battle, Ninth Company actually had as many as 31 people eliminated, losing an entire platoon, with combat effectiveness greatly damaged.
And the battle record in exchange was very pitiful.
Using the elimination of 31 Ninth Company warriors to merely eliminate one Blue Army warrior, not even getting the Blue Army warrior’s corpse.
And when the Second Battalion Commander received Ninth Company’s report, he was so angry that he cursed loudly on the spot.
Nearly smashing the radio microphone.
Clearly, the Second Battalion Commander had already conveyed the regiment commander’s order that this attack only needed to occupy the highland and hold it, absolutely not to rashly lead troops deeper into the forest.
Yet the Ninth Company Commander treated those words like fart, which in wartime would at least amount to disobeying military orders.
Demoting from company commander to platoon leader would be a light punishment.
Compared to Ninth Company losing an entire platoon, Sixth Company’s battle record instantly looked much better, making it somewhat more acceptable to the Second Battalion Commander.
Only Eighth Company received praise from the Second Battalion Commander, because Eighth Company only had four warriors eliminated.
Compared to the other two, it was simply excellent.
And through the Blue Army simultaneously attacking Red Army’s three companies, all three companies were hit at the same time, with absolutely no communication between them.
This even more highlighted the huge drawbacks of traditional tactics and troop establishments in this informatized combat era—
The command system was too bloated, information could not be shared instantly, making it easy to be defeated individually by the enemy.
If the three companies could communicate in time, share the Blue Army tactics they encountered, and achieve timely intelligence sharing.
“Uptight” Eighth Company, relying on intelligence, could attempt a counterattack, and might even achieve some gains.
The losses of Sixth Company and Ninth Company would inevitably drop significantly.
And this was also the purpose of this exercise: through the Blue Army finding loopholes in the Red Army to attack, letting the Red Army know its own shortcomings.
This way, in the subsequent military reform, it could be carried out with a more positive attitude.
The Second Battalion Commander’s three companies all suffered big losses. Despite how unwilling he was to face it, he still had to report the battle report to the regiment immediately.
Regiment Commander Wang naturally could not avoid a round of heavy scolding, and then issued a death order.
The companies responsible for assault, without battalion orders, were not allowed to leave the defense position by half a step; whoever dared to disobey would be stripped of their military uniform and go back to feed pigs.
Regiment Commander Wang was an extremely competitive person; he did not want to lose this confrontation.
Whoever dared to disobey orders and act recklessly would wait to be whipped.
The Second Battalion Commander then passed the regiment commander’s order intact to the four companies responsible for assault, and decided to personally go to the frontline position to supervise.
After selecting among the three positions, he decided to go to the 034 highland located in the middle of the frontline.
That is, the highland for which Sixth Company was responsible!
As the three assault companies dug fortifications on the highland and showed steady and firm defensive intentions, the Blue Army did not come out to continue attacking.
It remained very calm until noon, with no more gunfire on the battlefield.
The support units of each battalion began to take the field, successively delivering the required various ammunition and supplies to the highland, and the cookhouse also delivered hot dishes.
Although it was just simple steamed buns with two dishes, and the taste could not be called delicious.
But being able to eat hot food on the battlefield was already very satisfying.
“The Blue Army just did a bit of harassment and then no movement? If that’s all their means, I look down on them.”
Gao Cheng, sitting cross-legged on the ground in the command tent, eating white steamed buns and tomato scrambled eggs, was not very satisfied with the Blue Army’s offensive means.
In his imagination…
The first day of the confrontation exercise should be fought more intensely, at least probing the opponent’s bottom, instead of like now, separating after just a face-off.
The original drama’s first day was indeed fought very fiercely, not like today, stopping after just a taste.
Chen Jun was also puzzled!
“Could the butterfly wings have already fluttered? Have the Blue Army discovered the backup plans I arranged, so they changed their offensive thinking?”
Chen Jun thought to himself darkly, but on his mouth replied in another way: “Company Commander, it’s still early now; there’s still the afternoon and evening.
In my personal judgment, the possibility of Blue Army action in the afternoon is 60 percent; tonight, the possibility of Blue Army action is 100 percent.”
“What basis?” Seeing Chen Jun so certain, Gao Cheng asked curiously.
“Yeah, analyze it for us.” Hong Xingguo also said while chewing a steamed bun.
“Alright, then I’ll just say a few casual words.”
Chen Jun put the steamed bun back into the bowl and analyzed the current situation: “Our position has tanks garrisoned; the Blue Army definitely won’t dare to counterattack and gnaw on the tank unit head-on; the Blue Army isn’t that stupid.
The three Blue Army highlands already occupied by us are the main attack direction for Blue Army ground forces.
But Sixth Company, Eighth Company, and Ninth Company were all beaten painfully and scared by the Blue Army this morning, and now they’ve learned their lesson, strictly executing the defense strategy.
The Blue Army won’t even hold positions, just wanting to fight guerrilla warfare; it’s impossible for them to actively attack the highland.
So the possibility of them attacking in the afternoon is actually not great; I judge it at 60 percent, and even if they send people to attack, it will still be mainly harassment and sneak attacks, focusing on consuming living forces.
Why 100 percent probability at night? The reason is actually just one: the Blue Army has equipment advantage, most likely equipped with night vision goggles.
The Blue Army can see as clear as day at night; this advantage is too great, so they will definitely use it.
As for what method they will use to attack, I temporarily have no way to judge accurately, but I can affirm it will definitely not be conventional tactics.
They might use luring the enemy; Company Commander, you can go friendlyly remind them.”
Chen Jun could guess what tactics the Blue Army would use, but had no way to say it exactly, so could only narrate it in this probabilistic way.
Sometimes, human calculations that are too precise are not a good thing.
“Alright, after I finish eating, I’ll go chat with them; anyway, our Steel Seventh Company is very idle now, finding some work to do is pretty good.” Gao Cheng laughed.
“Despicable troops can only be fought with despicable methods; it would be a ghost if they honestly attack the highland.” Hong Xingguo teased.
“Oh, right.”
Chen Jun remembered a serious matter, which was also Steel Seventh Company’s most main task, and formally asked: “The reconnaissance squad sets off tonight; the earlier we find the Blue Army Command Post, the more advantageous for us.
This task is very arduous and extremely important, concerning the exercise’s victory or defeat; I want to personally lead the team out. Company Commander, what do you think?”
The Blue Army forward position must have informants laid out; breaking through the Blue Army forward position during the day is very easy to expose the target.
For the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad to infiltrate, only night can be chosen.
“Shi Jin’s personal ability is pretty good; letting him lead the team is also fine. You personally leading is too adventurous.” Gao Cheng frowned.
“Yeah, behind-the-lines operations have no way back, no support; the risk is too great. You are our Seventh Company’s core; if something happens to you out there, that loss we can’t bear.”
Hong Xingguo also raised opposition, because he knew very well who could counter the Blue Army’s despicable tactics.
Looking across the entire Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, only Chen Jun.
“Old Chen, I know you’re capable and leading the team would be more secure, but the reconnaissance squad is not only Seventh Company’s sharp knife, but also Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment’s sharp knife; they need enough tempering to grow up.”
Gao Cheng said in a negotiating tone: “Old Chen, how about you give them a chance?”
“Old Gao is right; a sharp knife needs grinding to become sharp. You can protect them for a while, but not forever. Moreover, everyone in the reconnaissance squad was hand-trained by you; I think… Old Chen, you can trust them.” Hong Xingguo advised again.
With the company commander and political instructor having said this much, Chen Jun had no choice but to reconsider.
Finding the Blue Army Command Post concerns the confrontation’s victory or defeat; it is indeed extremely important. Chen Jun personally leading maximizes success rate.
If letting the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad perform on their own, there would inevitably be many instabilities.
But as the company commander and political instructor said, the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad ultimately needs tempering to mature; Chen Jun can’t always protect them.
And this extremely important arduous task is equivalent to an opportunity for the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad to prove themselves.
If Shi Jin can lead the team to complete the task, it would not only prove the reconnaissance squad’s strength, but also prove the quality of Shi Jin as acting platoon leader.
For Shi Jin this old backbone, it would be a rare opportunity.
Not only a chance for early promotion!
Even a chance to be promoted to officer!
Service age and age are just standards for promotion to officer, not absolute barriers.
Especially now it’s still only 1997, the relevant standards are even looser; as long as ability is really strong enough, promotion to officer in one’s thirties is not impossible, and there are actually many examples of old non-commissioned officers being promoted.
Thinking of Shi Jin’s still-existing possibility of promotion to officer, although this possibility is minuscule.
Chen Jun still wanted to try!
“Company Commander, Political Instructor, what you say makes sense; without tempering, it’s not a sharp knife, and the reconnaissance squad does need a chance to prove itself. Then I’ll be lazy this time; such opportunities are rare, haha.”
Chen Jun replied in a humorous way, thus settling this most important matter.
And far kilometers away in the Blue Army War Zone, inside a temporarily set up camouflaged command tent, Yuan Lang was sitting there frowning.
In front of him, at the tent entrance direction, stood his confidant Qi Huan.
“Qi Huan, is this how you handle things? With the Red Army’s bunch of crooked melons and split dates, I sent you to do an attack, and you lost me four people?”
Yuan Lang looked at the military map on the table, not even lifting his head to look.
“Captain, this really can’t blame me.”
Qi Huan explained very innocently: “The tactics I used were the same as with the previous heavy equipment regiments.
But this Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment somehow seems a bit off, completely different from the four heavy equipment regiments we took down before.”
“Completely different?”
Yuan Lang recalled the information brought back by the dispatched reconnaissance team, which also seemed eerie, and asked lifting his head: “Tell me, what’s off.”
“They occupied three frontline highlands, among which 032 highland was no different from the other four heavy equipment regiments; they charged headlessly, we took down over 30 of them, we only lost one.”
Qi Huan’s expression was still calm when saying this, but then frowned and said: “But 033 highland was weird; they actually played turtle.
No matter how we provoked and induced, the whole company didn’t fire a single shot, just hiding on the mountain without showing heads.
Second squad had no way to rush over; assault battle isn’t our strength, really no way to deal with them, could only withdraw first…”
“You mean? It was at 034 highland that we lost three people there?” Yuan Lang interrupted.
“Yes, all lost there. The Red Army company attacking that highland had marksmanship accurate to a freakish degree, not something a grassroots company can achieve, and rich in technology and experience, with observers cooperating, firing a shot and changing position; we couldn’t target even if we wanted.”
Qi Huan felt it was very embarrassing to say this; the dignified old A having no way against grassroots infantry, and hurriedly recovered with a smile: “But they didn’t have it easy either.
I used a little trick, pitted an entire squad, total of 19 Red Army taken down.”
“You can still laugh? 3 to 19, you think this ratio is good?” Yuan Lang sprayed him head-on, leaving Qi Huan scratching his head awkwardly.
Nothing to say!
This battle was indeed not fought well; being exchanged by Red Army’s six for one old A had already broken the record; the previous four regiments’ confrontations never had this.
“But you do have one point right.”
Yuan Lang, who was cold-faced cursing the previous second, suddenly grinned and said: “This Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment does have some interest.
Compared to the previous four heavy equipment regiments, a bunch of pumpkins playing with no fun at all, this 702 Regiment has sparked my interest in playing.
And…”
Yuan Lang said this with brows raised, the smile on his face even thicker: “There seems to be a smart guy in this Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
Our prepared offensive plans seem to have all been guessed by him, so today’s offense was so unsmooth.”
Yuan Lang was indeed of the great wisdom demon type.
Just from brief exchange of fire information, he could infer there was an expert directing behind the scenes.
“Red Army has smart people? How smart can they be? I think it’s definitely luck, dog shit luck, just happened to bump into it; this afternoon I’ll take people again, guarantee to beat them back to original form, let them know what tactics are.”
Qi Huan rolled up sleeves ready to go, determined to recover the face lost in the morning.
For the highly arrogant old A, no zero casualties while consuming Red Army.
That was losing face!
But Yuan Lang’s next words poured a basin of cold water on Qi Huan’s head.
“Afternoon offense canceled, act at night.”
“Canceled? Why? Give me another chance, I guarantee to make them scatter like chickens and dogs; even if we lose one more person, punish me however you want.” Qi Huan said unconvinced.
“See for yourself.”
Yuan Lang picked up the document on the table and tossed it to the other side.
When Qi Huan picked up the document to look, Yuan Lang continued: “This is intelligence brought back by the reconnaissance team, with detailed markings and drawings.
Red Army’s regiment command post has been found, but there’s obviously something wrong inside; they acted too convincingly, abnormal things must have demons.
The three dispatched tank companies seem fine, but actually nothing is right inside.
They seem to know in advance that we would dispatch attack helicopters for low-altitude airstrikes; behind each tank company follows anti-aircraft units.
Although the anti-aircraft units did camouflage, the camouflage technique was too clumsy.
If really dispatching attack helicopters over, we’d fall into their trap; even losing one helicopter would mean mission failure for us.
There are many other details, all showing that this Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment has targeted us in various ways, seeming to understand our tactics very well.
To see through our tactics and warfare, no smart person could do it.”
Regiment Commander Wang, based on various deployments made by Chen Jun, thought the camouflage and hiding were already very good, but unexpectedly hid nothing in front of old A.
This was the gap in hard power!
“This…”
Qi Huan really didn’t expect a mere grassroots regiment to be completely different from the other heavy equipment regiments, momentarily not knowing what to say.
After half a moment, he said hesitantly: “Then, Captain, what now?”
“At night.”
Yuan Lang’s mouth corners raised, eyes surging with thick interest, playfully smiling: “Tonight I’ll take you to play something fun with them.”
“Hehe, alright.”
With Squadron Leader Yuan personally leading the team, Qi Huan knew there was good show tonight, his mouth instantly grinning wide.
