Chapter 134: What? We’re All Dead?
“Number one mortar ready, number two mortar ready, number three mortar ready…”
As the firepower platoon’s six mortars reported one after another, entering the ready-to-fire state, the third platoon leader raised his right hand and decisively issued the order: “First round, ready, fire!”
The six loaders stepped forward simultaneously, dropping the shells from the muzzle into the mortar tubes.
“Clang! Hiss—”
The friction sound of the shells sliding down rang out, but there was no follow-up chorus of artillery fire.
Because this was a simulated confrontation exercise, not live-fire confrontation, they were using only training simulation rounds, which lacked launch capability.
However.
The complete preparatory actions beforehand, along with this firing action, were enough.
The directing staff referee nearby would calculate qualitative and quantitative analysis based on the standard damage data of the 100mm mortar, hit rate, damage rate, and target information at the artillery strike location, and so on.
Ultimately, using mathematical methods to adjudicate, calculating the specific result of each attack.
To put it bluntly.
As long as the firing data elements of the artillery strike matched the target location, and the damage rate was sufficient to cover the target, it would be judged that the target was destroyed.
If the destructive power was insufficient to cover it, it would calculate the approximate percentage survival rate.
This was also why it was necessary to form a directing staff and send a large number of referee personnel to the scene, following each combat unit—this was the main reason.
Without the support of numerous surveillance systems, drones, computer deductions, and various high technology from later generations, military exercises could only rely entirely on manual judgment.
Although the process might not be so realistic, it generally did not affect the results of the confrontation military exercise.
Here, Steel Seventh Company’s firepower platoon, following Chen Jun’s order, conducted two rounds of saturation strikes on Blue Army’s two squads, firing a total of sixteen mortar rounds.
Such firepower was enough to blast a platoon, more than enough to destroy two infantry squads.
The referee on the firepower platoon side collected the data, then reported it to the directing staff for manual deduction, and the result was quickly transmitted to the Blue Army.
“We now formally notify you that under the saturation strike of the Red Army mortar battery, you have all been killed in action. According to the confrontation military exercise rules, please hand over your communication equipment, stay in place without moving, and do not contact anyone else.”
The referee came to the Blue Army position and loudly announced the result, not forgetting to humorously add: “Warning you, obediently play your corpses well, don’t mess around.”
The referee was also seeing this for the first time: a reconnaissance company actually having heavy firepower like an artillery company—it was exaggerated.
Thinking about these two main force squads of the Blue Army frontline, eliminated without even knowing where the enemy was, the feeling in his heart was indeed quite strange.
So the tone wasn’t so formal, and in the end, he even joked.
The referee found it novel and was in the mood to joke, but the two main force squads of Red Third Company, announced as corpses, did not have such a good mood.
They were all blown away by this news!!
“What? We’re all dead? You’re joking, right.”
“The opponent is just a reconnaissance company—how could they wipe us out? Where did they get such fierce heavy firepower? I strongly question this result.”
“You were bought off by Steel Seventh Company, huh? Knew you’d mess around.”
…
The warriors of Red Third Company’s two squads were very unconvinced, surging forward emotionally to surround the referee demanding an explanation, and the scene became exceptionally chaotic for a moment.
“Alright, everyone quiet down.”
The platoon leader in charge of leading the team pushed through the crowd, seriously saying to the referee: “Hey, you directing staff—did you get it straight? Steel Seventh Company is a reconnaissance company; how the hell does it have saturation strike capability.”
So-called saturation strike meant, in a short time, pouring firepower on the enemy far exceeding their endurance limit.
Simply put.
If one slash could kill, slash them two or three times to ensure they were dead through.
To have such saturation strike capability, at minimum, it required heavy firepower troops, and Steel Seventh Company clearly was not an artillery company.
The referee had lived long enough to see this, the first time seeing a “heavy artillery reconnaissance company,” and could understand the Blue Army’s mood.
He patiently explained: “First Lieutenant, you’re a platoon leader too—you know basic unit establishment weapon data, right? I’ll ask you now.
Six 100mm mortars, two volleys—could they take out your two infantry squads with no foxholes, just borrowing a few dirt ditches?”
The platoon leader’s basics were solid, fluently answering like reciting from memory: “Type 89 100mm mortar, maximum range 4 kilometers, combat full weight 73 kilograms, with grenade weighing 8 kilograms.
Standard high-explosive damage grenade, damage radius up to thirty-two meters…”
At this point, the platoon leader stopped, not saying the rest.
Because with one shell’s damage radius of 32 meters, coverage up to 64 meters, and the two squads’ operational distribution distance only about a hundred meters.
If really 12 shells hit together, it would be enough to scrape off a layer of the ground here.
The two squads absolutely could not survive!
“You mean…”
The platoon leader finally reacted, staring with incredulous eyes and asking: “Just Seventh Company, this reconnaissance company—they’re equipped with six 100mm mortars??”
“Yes, military exercise is war—I absolutely wouldn’t joke about this.” The referee nodded seriously.
“Reconnaissance company equipped with six heavy mortars? More than our assault main force company—has Seventh Company gone mad??” The platoon leader was dumbfounded.
The warriors of the two squads were also dumbfounded, unable to believe such a bizarre thing.
“What? The two squads deployed on the center line—all gone, not a single survivor?”
The Blue Army frontline command platoon leader was dumbfounded; Third Company Commander Huang Yang, sitting in company headquarters, hearing the two squads were all gone, moreover “pulverized” by mortar saturation strike, not even knowing where the enemy was before dying—his eyeballs shattered all over the ground.
100mm mortars require 5 people to operate, plus 2 for transporting shells; six mortars add up to 42 people.
Even a proper heavy mortar artillery company could only equip twelve mortars.
Meaning a company responsible for frontline reconnaissance had actually set up like an artillery company, casually using shells to flatten others.
Who wouldn’t be baffled seeing this???
Steel Seventh Company’s infantry fighting vehicles emptied all space for carrying shells, all personnel switched to artillery, to have 30 people do 42 people’s work.
Such an unprecedented bizarre configuration, outsiders naturally couldn’t understand at all.
“Old Seven either went crazy or possessed—doing this, is Seventh Company still a reconnaissance company? Might as well damn well rename it artillery company.”
Third Company Commander Huang Yang cursed in anger, then slapped the table and shouted loudly: “Fine, fine, fine—Old Seven wants to play like this, likes playing with artillery, huh? I’ll make sure you regret it.
First Platoon Leader!!”
“Here!”
First Platoon Leader stepped forward.
“You immediately organize your platoon’s three squads, advance to the center line, find the Blue Army’s mortar position—not a single gun left for them.” Third Company Commander ordered.
“Yes, guarantee mission completion.”
First Platoon Leader saluted crisply, turned, and strode out of company headquarters.
…
Confrontation Command Center.
“Latest confrontation update: Red Army firepower platoon strikes, coordinating with data intelligence provided by reconnaissance squad, via two volleys from six mortars saturation strike, wipes out Blue Army frontline two squads, currently holds advantage.”
The analysis commentator spoke while operating, removing the two small blue flags from Blue Army position frontline.
“Red Army one platoon equipped with six mortars? This configuration rivals half a firepower company—is such setup for a reconnaissance company really reasonable?” Chief of Staff Shi questioned.
“Chief of Staff, whether reasonable depends on actual combat—now the result is before your eyes, haven’t you seen it?” Regiment Commander Wang smiled.
Talk is cheap; actual combat is the real reasoning.
“The core mission of a reconnaissance company lies in reconnaissance—Red Army has serious overstepping, heavy firepower output isn’t for reconnaissance companies, that’s artillery company’s task.” Operations Staff Officer Shi said.
“Does that matter? Not at all.”
Regiment Commander Wang strongly supported Steel Seventh Company: “As long as they can complete the reconnaissance mission, no matter the method, that’s a qualified reconnaissance unit.
Enemy troops ahead forming obstruction—quickly clearing them to ensure advance reconnaissance, rapidly complete mission—I think it’s fine.”
Regiment Commander Wang had preliminarily integrated into combined arms operations, so his thinking differed from others, considering issues from completely different angles.
“Reconnaissance company just do its job well; if firepower support needed, request artillery company support.”
Operations Staff Officer Shi persisted with his insight.
This mindset of doing one’s own job well and calling others for other tasks belonged to traditional combat thinking.
Now facing opposing combat methods subverting years of learning and cognition, psychological resistance was normal.
Regiment Commander Wang listened more to the staff officer’s words, agreeing more with Chen Jun’s combined arms tactics theory.
Following the principle of learning through discussion, Regiment Commander Wang continued debating with the operations staff officer: “Red Army from preparing attack to destroying target, entire process took less than five minutes.
I ask you—if you call artillery company, have them adjust guns to hit Blue Army—not saying five minutes, can they do it in fifteen?”
Regiment Commander Wang hit the key point—
Combat efficiency!
“This…”
Operations Staff Officer Shi unconvinced opened his mouth, wanting to retort something.
But thinking of usual inter-company combat coordination, even with best cooperating friendly units, required a very complex process.
From Red Army reconnaissance squad report to platoon, platoon report to Red Army company headquarters, then up to battalion for request.
Battalion approves combat, issues combat order to artillery company; artillery company transfers per order, communicates with Red Army company headquarters, company passes to platoon, platoon gets data from reconnaissance squad, step by step up.
Just the communication process alone, back and forth up and down at least a dozen handoffs.
Not to mention after artillery company receives order—even mechanized troops transferring combat position isn’t instant, transfer extremely time-consuming.
The two processes of mutual communication and deploying troops—let alone fifteen minutes.
Half an hour would already be very efficient.
While Steel Seventh Company from initiating attack to end, only took less than five minutes—this efficiency, regular troops simply impossible.
Chief of Staff Shi clearly understood the information here, so was left speechless.
Just then new dynamics came; the commentator reported to the leaders present.
Blue Army organized one infantry fighting vehicle platoon’s troops, rapidly moving toward center line position, combat intention already very clear.
Precisely to take out Red Army’s firepower platoon.
Then the Chief of Staff Shi, who had been listening on the side without speaking after asking one question.
Hearing this latest dynamic, suddenly smiled, expectantly saying: “No wonder Regiment Commander Wang so confident—a reconnaissance company equipped with six medium mortars.
Not bad, Steel Seventh Company after synthesized modification really has something, indeed played out flair, quite anticipated.
However, Blue Army one main force platoon already dispatched—firepower platoon can’t handle them.
I’m curious, if Red Army firepower platoon found by Blue Army main force platoon, how will they escape this calamity from Blue Army hands.”
Artillery units most fear being found by enemy—this was most basic war common sense.
Blue Army main force platoon equipped with Type 86 infantry fighting vehicles—if really finds Red Army firepower platoon, three infantry fighting vehicle squads pounce like wolves and tigers.
Firepower platoon vehicles stuffed full of shells, lacked frontal combat capability.
Absolutely would be eaten down to the bones!
“Chief of Staff, Steel Seventh Company’s synthesized modification isn’t just hype—what’s combined arms tactics, you and I half understand, but Steel Seventh Company different—they get it, I believe they’ll have a solution.”
Regiment Commander Wang already believed in Steel Seventh Company; now seeing their opening victory, even more full of confidence, unconditional absolute trust.
“Good combined arms tactics—I really don’t understand, then let’s wait and see.”
Chief of Staff smiled, said no more.
…
Blue Army First Platoon received company commander’s order, perfectly demonstrating mechanized armored infantry’s maximum advantage, arriving at center line in just minutes.
Passing the two frontline squads lying there as “corpses,” one by one dejected.
“Didn’t even know where enemy was and gone—really lost Third Company’s face.”
First Platoon Leader’s face grew uglier, didn’t choose to dismount for any action, instead ordered troops maximum speed forward advance.
Full mind only one thought.
That was, before Red Army mortar position transferred, rapidly maneuver over to find and annihilate.
Completely unaware all their dynamics seen entirely by reconnaissance squad hidden somewhere on center line, while Blue Army platoon oblivious.
When Blue Army First Platoon reached center line, Red Army troops began adjusting structure deploying troops.
When Blue Army First Platoon’s three infantry fighting vehicles aggressively entered A051 area about 500 meters, Red Army already prepared a good show ahead.
Final result very comical, yet even more shocking.
Blue Army platoon drove over a small hillock, entering other side discovered severe gully terrain, only middle a few meters wide road.
Blue Army platoon leader eager to find mortar position, plus unaware of Steel Seventh Company’s configuration.
Even though terrain ahead somewhat off, didn’t make any deployment or vigilance, just ordered heightened alert, then let convoy drive through.
Three infantry fighting vehicles constrained by terrain, could only single file front-back forward.
Just as they reached road middle, ahead suddenly appeared two referees wearing directing staff red armbands, waving to signal them stop.
Blue Army platoon leader unsure what happened, puzzled ordered convoy halt.
Just preparing to open top hatch inquire referee why inexplicably blocking their convoy, referee’s words struck him like thunderbolt.
“Hey, no further—everyone dismount. Ten seconds ago, you’ve all been killed in action. Per exercise rules, cooperate by dismounting, hand over communication equipment.”
“What? We’re all dead?”
This news too explosive.
Blue Army First Platoon from platoon leader to warriors, each expression as if seeing ghost.
