Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 442, Section 438: Special Agent Equipment Training in Fuping Behind Enemy Lines

Two gunship aircraft flew over the Japanese war zone in broad daylight and arrived at Fuping.

After the plane landed, Fang Wen disembarked and explained to Wu Yingzong, who had come to greet him at the airport.

"Unload all the supplies from the plane and store them temporarily in the airport warehouse. Also, arrange a training ground at the military camp for a training session on the new equipment. Ten people from the Independent Regiment and the Provisional 10th Division will also participate. The troops will be issued new equipment later."

Wu Yingzong followed his orders and made the arrangements.

Fang Wen then allowed the trainees who arrived by gunboat to rest temporarily at the airport.

He then spoke with Bai Yunfei: "When will the other trainees arrive?"

Bai Yunfei replied, "The remaining trainees are mainly from our Eighth Route Army. We sent a telegram before they left, and they are coming from nearby base areas. They should arrive tomorrow." He paused, then added, "I'll have to trouble you with the training. I need to go back and organize the summer tobacco planting and processing three months from now. If we don't start soon, the season will be over."

He was very eager, after all, the tobacco project would bring in a lot of money, which could not only be used to purchase military equipment for Taishan, but also for other purposes. This matter concerned all aspects of the base area and could not be taken lightly.

Fang Wen nodded: "Then leave the training to me, you go ahead."

"Okay, the person coming tomorrow will be brought by Xiao Zhao from the city office. I'm leaving now."

Bai Yunfei shook hands with Fang Wen, gave a military salute, and turned to leave.

At this moment, Wu Yingzong also came over to report: "The military camp has been set up. The 1st Battalion of the 3rd Regiment of the Provisional 7th Division is going to conduct field training outside the city, so we will use their camp."

"All the bedding and utensils will be brand new, not used ones," Fang Wen said with a smile.

"Commander, how could that be? Don't worry, I've already had the old items removed, and now every bed has new toiletries," Wu Yingzong replied with a smile.

Immediately, Fang Wen gathered the trainees who were waiting on the spot and led them to the military camp.

A day later, Xiao Zhao from the Eighth Route Army office in the city brought over 10 newly recruited trainees.

All those who should be present for this training event have arrived.

Fang Wen gathered everyone together.

He said with a serious expression, "Hello everyone, I know you come from different departments, but you are all veterans who have been tested in war. Therefore, you can be exempted from basic training. The main focus will be on equipment operation training. Here, I would like to clarify that this training is divided into two parts: ordnance training and special equipment training. Everyone will participate in the ordnance training, but only those with authorization can participate in the second part, the special equipment training. So, I would like to ask you before you come here whether you have received any notification about this and know what kind of training you should participate in?"

"Yes," the trainees answered in unison.

Fang Wen nodded. "Come with me."

He led 50 trainees to the warehouse on the other side of the camp.

The place was converted into a temporary teaching site, with 50 small stools inside, each with a notebook and pen for them to record their learning experiences.

After everyone lined up to enter and took their seats, Fang Wen walked onto the stage, pulled off the cloth covering the stage, and revealed the military equipment inside.

He explained, "These two are the new types of military equipment you need to master. We will now begin ordnance training."

He took out a grenade launcher and a personal rocket launcher and began explaining.

"Both weapons are produced by our Taishan Military Industry. The grenade launcher has already undergone a live-fire test in the North China Plain, and as a result, some people know its effectiveness. It is mainly used for close-range urban warfare and contact combat, utilizing the explosive effect of grenades to gain a combat advantage."

Fang Wenxian began by explaining the grenade launcher.

This weapon is mainly used for drum magazine loading, routine maintenance, and cleaning after jamming.

Because it is a fully mechanical structure, Professor Fang Wen's maintenance method is relatively simple; the most difficult part is simply replacing the entire drum.

The morning was spent teaching how to use grenades, and everyone quickly mastered the loading, firing, and maintenance of this weapon.

After a one-hour break following lunch, the training continued.

Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng demonstrated the individual rocket launcher.

After the demonstration, Fang Wen began to teach the entire launching procedure of the individual rocket launcher.

Then he looked at the trainers: "I need to find two people to test fire. Who's willing?"

Everyone raised their hands, and Fang Wen selected two people.

Because some of them were operatives working behind enemy lines, and their identities needed to be kept secret, Fang Wen didn't ask them to introduce themselves and started directly.

Under instruction, one person carried the rocket launcher on their shoulder, while another person carried the 6-kilogram rocket from behind, removed the safety pin, and loaded it.

After the launcher aimed, he pulled the trigger, and the rocket, trailing a plume of flame, was launched, hitting a large rock 150 meters away. The explosion sent sparks flying, scattering large pieces of rock, and the rock disappeared after the smoke cleared.

This power is enough to solve many problems encountered by individual soldiers.

Compared to grenade launchers, individual rocket launchers have greater tactical significance, leading some frontline trainers to think of many practical combat scenarios.

As a result, people have become even more interested in this weapon.

Fang Wen continued, "Compared to grenade launchers, rockets have a more complex internal structure and contain electronic equipment. If a malfunction occurs, my suggestion is to abandon repairs. If there is a spare rocket launcher, use it to fire; otherwise, end the operation."

These words surprised the trainers.

They, who admire hard work and self-reliance, felt that this was too extravagant.

A student raised their hand.

Fang Wen gestured for him to speak.

The student stood up and said, "Is there really no way to repair it? This kind of weapon must be very valuable. It would be such a waste to just give up after it breaks down."

Fang Wen explained, “If there’s a problem with the internal circuitry, it will definitely be something like a short circuit. The rocket launcher is sealed up, and to repair it, we’d have to use special tools to open it up and then check and replace the internal circuitry, which isn’t suitable for battlefield situations. What I’m suggesting is that we bring the rocket launcher back, and we’ll collect it periodically for unified repairs. It’s unavoidable, so don’t worry about it. What you need to think about is how to apply its power in tactical combinations to maximize its effectiveness.”

The trainees nodded in agreement. Having never received military supplies since the Red Army era, this was the first time they had experienced logistical support from the military industry, and they were beginning to adapt.

Fang Wen then continued teaching.

However, it was impossible for each person to have a bullet during the test firing, as there were no such conditions. Instead, groups of five were formed to practice with training bullets.

Training rounds are different from live rounds. The warhead does not contain explosives, but the specific gravity is the same. Therefore, the range and hit probability after firing are similar to those of live rounds, but they will not explode upon impact.

This training method lasted for two days.

All trainees mastered the standard procedures for launching and maintaining individual rocket launchers and grenade launchers.

The frontline equipment component of this training program has now concluded.

Only one-third of the participants will attend the next training session; the rest will remain at the camp until the training concludes.

Among this third of the people were personnel who were about to be sent behind enemy lines, as well as counter-espionage personnel from the base areas and Yan'an.

After the training, they will carry these supplies and the tasks assigned by their superiors into special combat.

The second phase of training began, with the trainees facing a dozen or so people.

Fang Wen pulled back the cover on the podium again.

On the stage this time were a miniature telegraph machine, a listening device, a radio detection device, and a pen gun.

He first asked, "Raise your hand if you can send a telegram." The trainees below raised their hands one after another. For someone working behind enemy lines and a counter-espionage agent, being able to send a telegram using a radio was a basic skill.

This saved Fang Wen the trouble of providing training in this area.

He took out a pocket-sized transmitter and receiver.

"This is a telegraph machine made by Taishan. It is less than one-tenth the size of an ordinary telegraph machine and can be hidden in handbags, underwear, etc. Now I will demonstrate it to you."

He waved to Gong Xiuneng, who came over and took off his coat.

Fang Wen strapped a miniature telegraph machine to his body.

The battery compartment and circuit board are integrated into a black box, which is strapped to Gong Xiuneng's waist.

The finger sleeves connected to the black box are glued to the inner pocket of the garment.

Fang Wen then had Gong Xiuneng put on a coat and give a demonstration.

"Look, if he needs to transmit information at this time, he can put his hand in his pocket, put his index finger through the small hole in the pocket, put on the finger cot, and then press down gently. He can send out Morse code just like using the telegraph key."

This is just one use of the pocket radio transmitter behind enemy lines.

Fang Wen then explained how to install the mini radio transmitter in handbags, baskets, suitcases, and other similar items.

Having a method for sending telegrams is not enough; a small telegram receiving device is also needed to assist in this process.

That thing was actually modified from a civilian semiconductor radio that Taishan was about to produce.

Simply turn on the radio and activate a secret switch inside to receive the special frequency signal from the pocket transmitter.

This kind of cooperation allows intelligence transmission behind enemy lines to no longer require two people to meet. They can simply use a pocket transmitter to contact nearby recipients at the agreed time to transmit the intelligence.

In this way, the high-risk environment of intelligence work behind enemy lines can be greatly improved, and the trainees can keep their eyes on the pocket transmitter.

Looking at their expressions, Fang Wen smiled, feeling proud that his product was being recognized.

He continued, "The telegraph is currently the best way to transmit intelligence. It's a powerful tool in our hands, but it can also cause us significant losses in the hands of the enemy. A lot of confidential intelligence on the battlefield is sent back by infiltrated Japanese spies via telegraph. That's why the Japanese often seem to anticipate our actions on many battlefields. I've discovered this myself several times over the years. Because of this, we at Taishan have also been conducting research and development in this area and have created an enemy special radio detection device. After teaching the miniature telegraph machine in the morning, we'll have a one-hour break at noon, and then continue teaching how to use the enemy special radio detection device in the afternoon."

After the morning training ended and a one-hour break following lunch, the fifteen trainees eagerly entered the classroom.

Fang Wen took out a briefcase.

He opened the briefcase, inside which was the radio detection equipment.

The top cover has a retractable cable for receiving signals.

The bottom cover houses the detection and feedback device.

He gave a live demonstration.

Carrying a box with a long antenna, I walked out of the classroom.

After the position was adjusted repeatedly, a buzzing sound came from the box.

"This is an alarm, indicating that there is a radio signal in the area, and the signal source is within 1 kilometer. Next, we need to perform location and measurement to find a more precise location."

Fang Wen operated the equipment while explaining, continuously narrowing down the detection target's range.

Finally, he led the trainees to the kitchen outside the barracks.

There, Gong Xiuneng was conducting a telegraph transmission simulation using an ordinary radio.

Through this teaching, Fang Wen showed the trainees how to quickly and effectively locate radio signal sources in the area and swiftly launch an arrest operation.

This is very important. With this equipment, Yan'an and the New Fourth Army can also have a means of preventing Japanese spies.

In this way, combined with relying on the power of the people to conduct thorough investigations, we will surely be able to expose the Japanese spies.

Day two of special equipment training.

In the morning, we had a presentation on the special agent weapon, the pen gun.

This small weapon, although it can only fire one bullet, can evade most checks and be brought into various dangerous environments, becoming a means of self-protection for intelligence workers behind enemy lines.

It can also be used in special missions to assassinate traitors and important enemy targets.

The operation is also very simple; you just need to twist off the pen tip to fire.

After learning how to load bullets and fire, Fang Wen jumped straight to teaching how to use a bugging device.

He said seriously, "This is currently the only device in the world that can obtain important enemy intelligence without the user's infiltration and without being detected. I have one requirement: it must be kept secret to ensure that it is used in the most useful missions."

The trainees' eyes were fixed on the object in Fang Wen's hand.

That's a box.

He explained, "This is the equipment I was talking about. Its principle is quite complex, so I can give you a simple explanation so you can understand it."

This is indeed a rather complex description, even though Fang Wen tried to explain it in simple language.

Simply put, this listening device is an alternative type of wire recorder.

The technical principle of wire recorders is mainly based on electromagnetic induction and magnetic storage.

When a steel wire slowly passes through a coil with varying current, the magnetic field on the wire changes accordingly with the strength of the current, thus enabling sound storage.

It was also the earliest recording device.

During playback, a magnetic steel wire is passed through another coil, and the change in magnetic force is converted into a change in current, which is then reproduced as sound through output devices such as speakers.

For Fang Wen, the listening device doesn't need a playback function; he just needs to turn it on and start recording.

Therefore, the semiconductor components inside contain a receiver used to receive radio signals of a specific frequency from the outside world.

The wire recorder inside will only start recording after a signal is received.

The recording time is fifteen minutes.

The standby signal reception time is 10 hours.

In other words, the equipment can be installed within 10 hours.

Then, you can start it with a wireless device during the period, and record for the next fifteen minutes.

Although this operation is far inferior to future technologies, it is a groundbreaking breakthrough in special agent equipment.

If used properly, it can be used to gather the intelligence you want.

To this end, Fang Wen provided the trainees with scenario hypotheses.

"For example, if an important department of the Japanese army behind enemy lines or a puppet government is preparing to hold a special meeting, the device can be placed in the meeting room in advance, and then remotely activated after the meeting begins. After the meeting ends, the eavesdropping device can be removed and the audio recordings of the meeting can be obtained."

(A wire tape recorder from the 1940s)
(End of this chapter)