Chapter 167: Blue Army In Rout? Chen Jun Goes To “stock Up”?
8:00 p.m.
Yuan Lang, who had been staying in the Third Company tent all afternoon with no one knowing what tricks he was playing, finally walked out of the tent unhurriedly.
He ordered Qi Huan, who was sitting under a tree a few steps away wiping his gun: “It’s about time, let’s begin.”
“Got it, Captain.”
Qi Huan had been holding it in all afternoon and was about to burst; finally he could go abuse the pumpkin. Excitedly, he dashed to the open space on the left in a few strides and shouted loudly.
“Assembly!”
The old A’s of the Third Company, who had just finished dinner and were resting, reacted swiftly and rushed out from various tents, completing the formation on the open ground in the blink of an eye.
A Detachment had a total of three companies, each company had three squads, and each squad had three platoons.
The company Yuan Lang was responsible for was the Third Company. Although it was ranked last in A Detachment, its strength was the strongest among the three companies.
Because the establishment was not yet full, and four more had been eliminated in the morning action.
The Third Company now had only eighty-something people left.
Don’t think that these mere eighty-something people were nothing; in the previous four confrontations with the Heavy Equipment Regiment exercise, the number of people they had eliminated added up to no less than a thousand.
On average, they eliminated more than ten per battle, and the warrior with the most had even exceeded thirty eliminations.
A group of absolute monsters!
“Align to the right, eyes front, attention!”
Qi Huan organized the formation and turned to Yuan Lang to report: “Report to Captain Comrade, Third Company has fully assembled, awaiting your instructions!”
“Take position.”
Yuan Lang said.
“Yes!”
Qi Huan raised his hand in salute, turned back, and took a few steps to the front of the formation.
“Check weaponry and equipment.”
Yuan Lang came to the front of the formation and first issued the inspection order.
All the old A’s of the Third Company acted together, checking their carried weapons, ammunition, night vision goggles, and various others, creating a rustling sound all at once.
In merely less than thirty seconds, all old A’s completed the inspection work and returned to the state of shouldering rifles at attention.
“At ease!”
Yuan Lang issued the drill command, then arranged: “Tonight I will personally lead the action. Now assigning specific tasks to each platoon.
First Squad and Second Squad as First Action Group, responsible for attacking Highland 033, First Squad Leader responsible for leading.
Third Squad and Fourth Squad as Third Action Group, responsible for attacking Highland 035, Qi Huan you responsible for leading.
Fifth Squad and Sixth Squad as Second Action Group, responsible for attacking Highland 034, Second Squad Leader responsible for leading.
Third Squad’s three platoons as Fourth Action Group, I will be responsible for commanding, note: only harass attacks, no strong assaults, create pressure for them.
If there are other changes, follow my on-site command. Understood?”
Yuan Lang’s arrangement thoughts were clear and explicit; the warriors heard very clearly and all responded in unison: “Understood.”
“Very good, begin action, move out.”
Yuan Lang was straightforward and decisive without dithering; after assigning tasks, he began the action.
This was the first time since confronting the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment that the Third Company was deploying all out, showing that the game Yuan Lang was playing tonight would inevitably not be small.
They marched at forced march speed all the way, walking through the dense forest under the stars and moon.
The old A’s speed was not fast!
However, this action had no time limit, and everything was within Yuan Lang’s calculations, so there was no requirement to advance by running.
After all, there was a big action coming up next; no need to waste too much stamina on the road.
Nearly two hours later.
The time reached just after 10 p.m., and the Blue Army Third Company arrived 500 meters from the target. The three action groups divided according to the mission assignment each headed to their own target.
10:15 p.m.
The three Blue Army action groups all arrived at position. The Red Army controlled position, faintly glowing with firelight in the darkness, appeared over a hundred meters away from each action group.
The reason for pulling the distance to about a hundred meters was mainly relying on their own night vision goggles equipment advantage.
The Red Army was pitch black and could see nothing, while the Blue Army with night vision goggles could see night as day; closer distance could increase accuracy and better spot Red Army warriors, further expanding Blue Army advantage.
“Report to company, First Action Group has arrived at position.”
“Report to company, Second Action Group has arrived at position.”
“Report to company, Third Action Group has arrived at position.”
The three Blue Army action groups arrived at position, and the persons in charge successively reported to Yuan Lang.
Yuan Lang raised his wrist to check the time, then looked up at the bright moon in the sky, which was just blocked by clouds, making the forest pitch black.
Knowing the timing was ripe, he decisively ordered: “Begin attack.”
With Yuan Lang’s order issued, the three Blue Army action groups all launched attacks on their respective targets under the cover of night.
“Da da da da…”
All three positions were full of gunshots; the night was about to be shattered.
The Red Army garrisoning the three highlands, even though they had received Gao Cheng’s friendly reminder in the afternoon and were sufficiently cautious.
But some tasks had to be done; sentries had to be posted on the position, no way to have everyone shrink back without showing heads.
So still in the Blue Army’s night raid, the first wave had quite a few eliminated.
“Blue Army attacking, quick, quick, conceal.”
“This late at night, pitch black everywhere, how can they see.”
“Damn it, how can the Blue Army see us?”
…
The Red Army warriors on the three positions were all in chaos, stunned by the Blue Army’s sudden attack, filled with fear of the unknown for the moment.
Each position was in chaos, a complete mess.
In this era with underdeveloped information network, the warriors did know about night vision equipment, but those were the “big lumps” mounted on 86-style infantry fighting vehicles.
All components and batteries added up were bigger than the quilt rolled on the body.
Night vision goggles that could be used and carried by individual soldiers belonged to high technology equipment newly born in the new era; grassroots units had never even heard of them.
They only knew flashlights and torches.
Even higher-level countermeasures were only briefly finding targets through flares.
Blue Army warriors saw night as day, able to clearly find their positions and open fire in pitch darkness where one couldn’t see fingers.
This truly exceeded the Red Army warriors’ understanding, completely unaware of how to counter.
Fortunately, the daytime hard work was not in vain; the dug trench fortifications played a role, allowing Red Army warriors to crouch in trenches and barely survive.
The company commanders of Sixth Company, Eighth Company, and Ninth Company saw the highlands they were defending being hit, yet powerless to fight back, not even seeing where the enemy was; this unknown fear made them particularly panicked.
They could only successively call for help from battalion headquarters.
Unfortunately.
After roughly reporting the Blue Army’s approximate position to battalion headquarters via the muzzle flames from Blue Army opening fire, and battalion headquarters reporting to regiment headquarters, the reply from the artillery company left the three company commanders very helpless.
The highlands where the three companies now were originally belonged to Blue Army control; Red Army’s artillery and tanks were all to the front.
After Red Army occupied these highlands, when Blue Army counterattacked the highlands, their position became the reverse slope of the highland.
Separated from the artillery company by a highland.
Artillery shells flying in parabolic trajectory feared most hitting targets on mountain body reverse slopes.
Because the parabolic trajectory of shells was an arc, and the protrusion of the mountaintop highland was also an arc; Blue Army on the reverse slope was completely out of artillery strike range.
The three companies wanting to counter Blue Army with artillery was simply impossible.
This also highlighted Blue Army’s brilliance!
They simply gave up their own highlands, letting Red Army take them without firing a shot or bullet, precisely to neutralize Red Army’s artillery troops.
Now artillery troops couldn’t cover Blue Army, and armored tanks couldn’t climb the mountains.
Heavy Armored Unit’s advantages were all reduced.
While the Blue Army that neutralized Heavy Armored Unit’s advantages could convert disadvantage to advantage by preemptively yielding highlands, counterattacking Red Army via reverse slope.
Anyway, the goal was to eliminate Red Army’s living forces; losing position didn’t panic Blue Army at all.
Blue Army used a clever tactic to drag Red Army on the highlands; the morning had already taught a profound lesson—not to rush out for close combat with Blue Army.
The three Blue Army highlands already successfully occupied couldn’t be handed back to Blue Army.
Couldn’t advance, couldn’t retreat.
Regiment had no way with this situation, battalion had no way either.
Fortunately, Blue Army was only attacking from a hundred meters away, no momentum of strong assault on the position; this allowed the three Red Army company commanders some breath in helplessness.
Since couldn’t beat them at night, just honestly shrink in fortifications like turtles.
Just be turtles and hold it in.
The original combat policy was steady and firm; as long as not consumed in personnel by Blue Army, the frustration was just frustration, better than being criticized by regiment.
The three company commanders all self-comforted this way, ordering troops under command to all become turtles with heads shrunk.
Thinking to just keep hiding like this, endure it and the matter would pass; once Blue Army’s bullets ran out, they would naturally withdraw.
The problem of Blue Army always attacking artillery blind spots could be solved by regiment meeting tomorrow daytime.
Just endure tonight!
However, this idea was beautiful, but the development of events was not as simple as they thought.
Yuan Lang himself personally went out; with his top combat intelligence quotient as cunning as a demon, how could he let Blue Army just drag it out.
Having the three action groups attack simultaneously was merely a warm-up.
He still had follow-ups, even ultimate moves.
When the battle continued for about ten minutes, 033 and 034 highlands had no major changes.
Blue Army still continuously attacked in the darkness, and constantly quickly changed positions, making Red Army unable to pinpoint Blue Army’s specific position, unable to effectively evade.
Trench fortifications weren’t omnipotent; some angles could be hit into.
Making the Red Army warriors on the position miserable.
Though tormented very badly, with occasional eliminations, overall still holding steady, no major mishaps.
But 035 highland had a problem!
The Blue Army originally attacking from a hundred meters away saw Red Army completely turtles not showing heads, actually pressed closer over time.
In these past ten-plus minutes, already pulled distance to fifty meters.
This distance was very delicate, because grenades could be thrown over; once a grenade rolled into the trench, warriors hiding in the trench were done for.
Though Blue Army throwing from so far wasn’t very accurate, few grenades landed in trenches.
Chance of exactly hitting Red Army warriors was even lower.
But Blue Army’s advancing momentum didn’t stop, still relying on huge advantage to continue forward, continuously closing in on Ninth Company’s position.
Fifty meters couldn’t precisely hit, but once close to thirty meters, even twenty meters…
Now Ninth Company Commander couldn’t hold!
Could only throw away face and urgently call battalion headquarters for help, requesting battalion headquarters send troops to quickly reinforce 035 highland, otherwise Ninth Company likely to lose 035 highland.
Battalion Commander heard Ninth Company situation had changed, expression instantly became extremely serious.
Ninth Company in morning’s defensive combat, due to one decision mistake by Ninth Company Commander, suffered heavy losses, now only two platoons left.
Originally the weakest strength among the three companies.
While attacking Blue Army had high technology equipment, able to see night as day at night, plus individual soldier combat effectiveness already much stronger.
If let Blue Army rush to the highland, wouldn’t that be tiger entering sheep flock?
Consequences would be unimaginable!
Battalion Commander momentarily undecided, worried Ninth Company really annihilated, also worried Blue Army playing tricks, himself making another mistake.
Could only hurriedly report to regiment, requesting regiment headquarters decide.
Regiment Commander Wang heard Blue Army counterattacking position at night, thinking a proper Armored Infantry Regiment with tanks and heavy artillery, still couldn’t hold one highland.
If position lost, it wouldn’t just be losing position.
That was losing face too!
Regiment Commander Wang was furious on the spot, eyebrows standing up; competitive he couldn’t tolerate this, immediately said must hold the position.
“Regiment Commander, should we call Chen Jun over for a meeting to discuss?” Chief of Staff frowned and said.
“No time.” Regiment Commander Wang shook head.
Calling Chen Jun for meeting and discussion would be at least half an hour later; Blue Army would have long rushed the position and eaten Ninth Company whole.
And at this moment even if time allowed, Regiment Commander Wang notifying Seventh Company had no way to call Chen Jun.
Because tonight not only Yuan Lang personally leading out, Shi Jin was taking Reconnaissance Squad formally departing to find Blue Army Command Post, Chen Jun similarly leading action.
And it was a secret action.
Secret to the point that specifics of what to do were known only to Chen Jun and the tactical platoon and firepower platoon he led; even company commander Gao Cheng was clueless.
Gao Cheng only knew Chen Jun told him he needed to go out for goods tonight, nothing more detailed.
“Go out for goods?”
Gao Cheng heard these two words and was baffled for a long time.
Even Seventh Company’s company commander Gao Cheng didn’t know what Chen Jun took two platoons out for tonight; how could Regiment Commander call people to regiment headquarters.
…
Regiment Commander thought time too rushed to call Chen Jun; Chief of Staff thought indeed so.
Time too urgent, could only simplify!
Thinking of Ninth Company’s faced crisis, Regiment Commander Wang decisively ordered: “Second Battalion Commander, I order you to immediately have reserve Tenth Company rush to support Ninth Company, must use every method to hold 035 position.”
“Yes, Regiment Commander.”
Second Battalion Commander received Regiment Commander’s order, no more concerns in mind.
Then issued instruction, having Tenth Company rush to 035 highland.
Tenth Company received order to support Ninth Company, instantly like injected with chicken blood howling, used less than three minutes to assemble troops all loaded on vehicles and pulled out.
Daytime Second Battalion’s other four companies all engaged in combat, only Tenth Company as reserve watching from behind.
Tenth Company from company commander down to warriors.
Hearts unbearably frustrated, like ten thousand cat claws scratching.
Traveled hundreds of kilometers long distance specifically to this godforsaken temperate jungle, not to sit behind watching the show.
Tenth Company also wanted to join combat, have a earth-shaking battle with Blue Army.
Now finally received combat order, and to support Ninth Company combat, immediately deploy into battle, how could it not excite entire Tenth Company.
Rushed under 035 highland in a few minutes by vehicle; armored vehicles couldn’t climb the mountain.
Tenth Company Commander decisively ordered!
All abandon vehicles switch to foot, and climb 035 highland from the side.
Why not go front directly up the mountain to rendezvous with Sixth Company on the mountain, but detour side, insert battlefield from one side?
This was Tenth Company Commander’s decision!
Tenth Company Commander deeply thought on the road; going front to rendezvous with Ninth Company completely meaningless, just following to be turtles getting beaten.
Under Blue Army’s equipment advantage seeing night as day, frontal combat was pure suicide.
Even if more numbers, couldn’t see enemy useless.
Best method was cut in from side, turn passive to active, hit Blue Army focused on attacking highland, completely undefended on side, caught off guard.
And Tenth Company Commander’s unconventional move indeed quickly took effect.
Suddenly one entire company killing out from side caught leading Qi Huan off guard, momentarily two Blue Army killed in action.
However.
He soon received Yuan Lang’s instruction, pressure on face turned to sly grin.
Immediately issued retreat order.
Ninth Company lost one platoon to take down one Blue Army; his team just entered and took down two, Tenth Company Commander momentarily triumphant.
Seeing Blue Army defeated by his tactics, turned into fleeing stray dogs.
Momentum hot Tenth Company and Tenth Company Commander impossible to miss this good chance to beat the drowning dog, make Blue Army pay heavy cost.
“Pursue, pursue, don’t let them escape, take them all out.”
“Quick, flares, fire flares.”
With Tenth Company Commander standing and issuing two orders, Tenth Company warriors full of energy pent up all day howled chasing after Blue Army.
On position Ninth Company’s warriors suppressed and frustrated all night, daytime even utterly humiliated.
Fire in hearts bigger than anyone, each turned into powder kegs.
Seeing Tenth Company’s warriors charging forward en masse, Ninth Company’s warriors all influenced, the powder kegs in hearts ignited.
Didn’t know who led the charge first, anyway followed rushing out.
Daytime suffered big loss Ninth Company Commander recalled Regiment Commander’s strict death order, wanted to stop warriors from pursuing Blue Army.
But under this sheep flock effect, people’s brains already unclear, completely controlled by adrenaline.
No matter how loud Ninth Company Commander shouted, under cover of intense gunshots, the order seemed very feeble, couldn’t call back even one person.
