Chapter 248: Military Academy’s “new Tricks”
May 3rd afternoon around four o’clock.
Adding the midday break for rest and meals, Seven Zero Two Regiment, which had been marching continuously for over seven hours, finally arrived at the assembly point in Area
The director from the Military Region’s Directing Staff, who had formed the Exercise Branch, was already waiting at the Red Army’s Exercise Branch.
As guidance for the normal conduct of the exercise, and for staff work inspecting and supervising the exercise situation, the director’s role in the exercise is to link up and down.
The Red Army’s director team leader Li Hong made contact with Seven Zero Two Regiment at the first opportunity.
He asked Regiment Commander Wang to organize company commanders and above cadres for a meeting in the director team’s temporary tent to read out the relevant exercise rules and matters.
Simply put.
This is a regiment-level confrontation exercise.
The difference is that this exercise has many special settings and adjustments, adding many highlights to this ordinary confrontation.
The difficulty for both sides to win this confrontation has also been raised by one level due to these changes.
First, this area covers hundreds of square kilometers, with loess everywhere and dust filling the sky, and extremely harsh weather conditions where strong winds can arise at any time.
Conducting operations in such a vast area, a regiment’s troops thrown in really aren’t conspicuous.
Especially when the weather is bad and strong winds kick up, the loess flying sand blocks out the sky, visibility is extremely poor, and compasses and communication equipment will be interfered with.
Troops on the march, if slightly careless, may lose direction in the wind and sand.
If lucky, they just run out of the exercise area, which isn’t a severe punishment under the exercise rules; circling back can still return to the battle.
If unlucky, that’s real trouble.
Wandering blindly in the flying sand and dust, they might easily stumble into the enemy’s encirclement, not even knowing how they died.
Secondly, this exercise is essentially open deployment, with both Red and Blue sides’ position locations forcibly exposed.
Both sides know where the other’s battle flag is, clearly marked on the issued military map, no need for reconnaissance to find it.
Moreover, the regiment command post is ruled to be deployed within one kilometer around the battle flag.
This distance can only defend against artillery strikes; once ground troops advance, the regiment command post simply can’t hide.
Fortunately, the victory method is quite special, clearly carefully designed.
There’s only one victory condition.
Not destroying the opponent’s command post, nor eliminating a certain number of enemy troops, but seizing the opponent’s battle flag and delivering it back to one’s own battle flag position.
A confrontation exercise is like playing a card game where everyone knows the open cards, and the difficulty is much greater.
With both sides fully exposed, how to protect one’s own battle flag, seize the opponent’s, withstand the pressure when the opponent reinforces, and smoothly bring the battle flag back.
This difficulty sounds sky-high!
Regiment Commander Wang and Gao Cheng and others need not be mentioned; hearing these complex victory rules, everyone looked serious, feeling scalp tingling.
Even Chen Jun, with rich combat experience, frowned at these complex rules.
But this isn’t the limit.
The most infuriating part is…
This confrontation exercise organized by the Military Region has apparently aroused great interest from the Capital General Military Region, which has also gotten involved.
They’ve added a brand-new system from the Military Research Institute that has never been used before—
The guidance system!
The so-called guidance is literally as the word implies, specifically responsible for directing adjustments to the exercise rhythm in the directing staff, and adjustments during the exercise process.
In the most straightforward terms.
The directors dispatched from the General Military Region will, during the exercise, based on both sides’ confrontation situation and the specified combat scenes the leaders above want to see, randomly add various sudden plot twists.
Without prior notice to Red and Blue sides, adding all kinds of sudden accidents that could occur on the battlefield in conventional or unconventional situations.
Even if the sudden accident is unreasonable.
They must follow the director’s instructions.
For the participating troops, this is undoubtedly the most headache-inducing “big trouble.”
Everyone in Seven Zero Two Regiment, including Regiment Commander Wang, except Chen Jun, had never heard of directors, but upon hearing, they knew this thing isn’t simple.
They anticipated this exercise won’t end easily; they’re likely in for a rough time.
Chen Jun is the only one who knows the guidance system; hearing there are three directors, he could only smile wryly, feeling this confrontation will truly give him a headache.
Because Chen Jun knows very well that the existence of directors is to find trouble for both exercise sides.
The more headache-inducing for the exercise sides, the more miserably tormented.
The more excellent the directors!
These three directors from the Military Region are likely participating in a live exercise for the first time.
To demonstrate their excellent directing abilities, the three directors will definitely go all out, using all sorts of tricks to torment Red and Blue sides.
The directors want to seize the opportunity to show off, but the participating Red and Blue sides will suffer.
This exercise is destined to be full of various torments.
The experience definitely won’t be good!
But for those spectating this exercise, with these three ultimate troublemakers stirring things up, not only will the spectacle greatly increase, but participation and immersion will crush traditional exercises.
After all, traditional confrontation exercises can only be watched; spectators can’t do anything.
While confrontation exercises with the guidance system are like opening a brand-new confrontation mode, where spectators can also intervene in the exercise.
For example:
If feeling a certain army’s offense is going too smoothly, have the director add a road collapse setting to block this unit’s advance.
Forcing them, in encountering such sudden events, to continuously adapt and find methods to resolve.
Moreover, to turn it around.
The guidance system added to confrontation exercises is indeed a complete upgrade to confrontation exercises, destined to replace traditional confrontation modes.
You know, the real battlefield is unpredictable, with any sudden situations possible.
The directors’ seemingly varied torments can actually train participating troops in handling various unexpected sudden events.
Allowing troops, in continuous unending exercises, to strengthen their ability to quickly handle crises.
The stronger a unit’s crisis handling ability, the stronger its adaptability in future fast-paced combat.
The stronger the adaptability, the stronger the combat effectiveness.
Future elite ace units of our army may very well be born from the painful torments of one cunning director after another.
In a peaceful nation without war, the emergence of directors is a stroke of genius.
Although Chen Jun was very headache-inducing about the directors’ appearance, thinking of the benefits directors bring to the troops, he was still very happy inside.
At the same time, he is someone unafraid of challenges, brave in challenging to surpass himself.
Thinking of the difficulties that will appear in this exercise, his originally low-pressure, uneventful emotions toward this confrontation exercise.
Because of the addition of this guidance system, began to gradually boil with blood.
That represents excitement!
Represents exhilaration!
As an old hand who’s lived this life, few things can exhilarate Chen Jun now; encountering this today, he must fight a good battle.
After Team Leader Li finished the exercise rules and matters, he then arranged the final pre-exercise preparations—
Assigning supply materials to Seven Zero Two Regiment!
Fuel, ammunition, drinking water supplies, etc., the amounts for Red and Blue Armies are the same, ensuring fairness to the maximum extent.
While Regiment Commander Wang felt immense pressure, the arrow was on the string and had to be loosed.
He could only hold to the idea of taking one step at a time, there’s always a road ahead when the cart reaches the mountain, and order the troops to rest temporarily, with the deputy regiment commander responsible for assigning the work.
Then have the Logistics Support Company first set up the command post, gather all company commanders and above military cadres, all to the command post large tent for the pre-war meeting.
Once personnel were assembled, Regiment Commander Wang opened with a few words, and the rest proceeded as discussed in the vehicle earlier.
Have Chen Jun organize the tactical play.
After Chen Jun finished his tactical play ideas, Regiment Commander Wang asked everyone present if there were any supplements to the tactics.
With Chen Jun’s influence in Seven Zero Two Regiment, naturally no one would question his tactics.
After unanimous approval of Chen Jun’s gambit tactics, Regiment Commander Wang immediately assigned combat missions to each battalion and company, to select positions based on the assigned missions.
Organizing camp, receiving supplies, distributing supplies, building positions, coordinating with the referee group…
Various pre-exercise tasks are numerous; one afternoon definitely can’t complete them, so the exercise time was set for May 5th.
All of May 4th was for preparation.
Busy time always flies; in the blink of an eye, time came to May 5th.
7:50 a.m.
Red Army and Blue Army were both poised, ready for combat; both sides’ regiment command posts were also ready for battle.
The Blue Army regiment commander led the regiment staff department group, brows furrowed waiting for the exercise start signal.
Seven Zero Two Regiment was wary of 384th Regiment’s hard power, raising twelve points of vigilance; the pressure on 384th Regiment was even greater than on Seven Zero Two Regiment.
You know.
Seven Zero Two Regiment’s fame is resounding now, the only Red Army regiment to draw with Blue Army in Operation Sharp Sword; this battle record alone is enough to shock the entire Capital Military Region.
Not to mention it has the army’s first Pilot Combined Arms Battalion, at the forefront of modernization reform.
Hanging these two plaques on the face, even if 384th Regiment is ever so powerful, it would be intimidated, inevitably under immense pressure.
To defeat Seven Zero Two Regiment in the exercise, 384th Regiment has put in no small effort recently.
Especially 384th Regiment’s regiment commander and chief of staff; since receiving the confrontation exercise notification, they basically haven’t slept well.
Daily sleep no more than five hours, the rest of the time studying Seven Zero Two Regiment.
Trying to find a method to defeat Seven Zero Two Regiment from its various exercise confrontations and currently exposed details.
Effort pays off.
After such long research, 384th Regiment really gained quite a few insights.
Thus, all officers and warriors up and down 384th Regiment, even facing the strong enemy Seven Zero Two Regiment, have confidence in taking this confrontation.
Even more anticipating washing away the shame of miserable defeat to old A Blue Army by defeating Seven Zero Two Regiment.
Proving 384th Regiment’s treasured sword is not old.
Even under the wave of informatization reform, it remains one of our army’s strongest Armored Infantry Regiments, with the strength to defeat any strong enemy.
While in the opponent Seven Zero Two Regiment command post, everyone also has an obsession with certain victory in this confrontation.
Because only by beating 384th Regiment can the Pilot Combined Arms Battalion formally join Seven Zero Two Regiment, becoming a true part of it.
Otherwise, all efforts of the past few years may come to naught here.
Seven Zero Two Regiment truly can’t afford to lose.
Except win.
No other way.
Moreover, to maximize winning this exercise, Regiment Commander Wang specially invited Chen Jun to personally sit in the regiment command post and command.
Combined Arms Battalion’s command handed to Gao Cheng.
Steel Seventh Company led by Political Instructor Hong Xingguo, with Chen Jun responsible for remote command.
With both Red and Blue command posts strictly prepared, and over a thousand warriors below each regiment poised, time slowly reached exactly eight o’clock.
“Puff puff puff—”
At the Red Army and Blue Army command post locations, the directors simultaneously fired three red incendiary bombs.
Firelight soared into the sky.
Announcing the exercise officially begins!
“All units, listen to orders, act per plan, set off.”
Both sides’ highest commanders—the regiment commanders—issued orders simultaneously over the radio.
The units below receiving orders immediately acted according to the regiment’s formulated combat plan and their received commands.
Without knowing Seven Zero Two Regiment’s strength, Blue Army’s 384th Regiment dared not be careless.
Of its three battalions plus regiment direct subordinate companies, total seventeen companies, except four companies—Signal Company, Infantry Company, Tank Company, Anti-Aircraft Company one each, left to guard the regiment command post.
The other thirteen companies all thrown into combat, heading to their assigned combat zones.
Straight to the key passes nearby the battle line between both sides, marked on the military map.
Clearly intending to first block key routes, seal off all routes, preventing Red Army from long drive straight in.
From this tactical play, Blue Army’s opening is also focused on first stabilizing the situation.
Also steady style!
On the other side, Seven Zero Two Regiment’s tactics are gambit, play same as Blue Army also steady mainly, troop deployment methods similar.
Only compared to 384th Regiment’s iron barrel formation, almost fully defensive state.
Seven Zero Two Regiment is slightly different.
The three battalions completing infantry artillery tank reorganization, their movements similar to 384th Regiment, all pouncing to the frontline, seizing various high grounds and key passes.
Fully mechanized Heavy Infantry Regiment is the same; as long as roads are blocked and high points controlled, the opponent can be blockaded.
Out of absolute trust in Combined Arms Battalion’s strength, Red Army regiment command post’s guard forces only Signal Company, and an Anti-Aircraft Company whose role in this exercise isn’t great, serving as high cannon flat-fire medium firepower.
Regiment command post defended by only two companies, not worrying about enemy swallowing the command post in one bite, the reason is.
Confidence brought by Steel Seventh Company!
In this confrontation exercise, Chen Jun had Steel Seventh Company return to its original duty, fully converted to reconnaissance mission.
The three platoons except Special Operations Platoon all broke up and dispersed by squad.
Becoming nine reconnaissance vehicle squads using armored vehicles as carriers, quickly roaming various battlefield places, and making flexible adjustments based on each squad’s configuration.
Necessarily using this to control the entire battlefield dynamics.
And not just reconnoitering Blue Army intelligence, but also shouldering counter-reconnaissance tasks.
384th Regiment also has a Reconnaissance Company, and their regiment’s Reconnaissance Company is a regiment direct subordinate unit, with the entire regiment’s resources directly tilted.
Combat effectiveness stronger than Steel Seventh Company before reorganization into combined arms company, by more than a little.
If no deployment targeted at Blue Army Reconnaissance Company, I’m afraid Red Army Seven Zero Two Regiment’s deployments and arrangements would all be seen clearly by Blue Army.
