Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 207 The First Blitzkrieg!

After arriving at Chen Ming's office, Zhou Weiguo knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Reporting, Zhou Weiguo is reporting for duty!"

"Well, sit down."

"Yes."

Zhou Weiguo pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Chen Ming.

"How is our tank crew training going?" Chen Ming asked.

"Now, after this period of training, our armored company is ready for battle and we guarantee that we can make the Japanese cry for their mothers on the battlefield."

"In addition, we seized a lot of fuel from Datong, and the training has been intensified recently, resulting in the training of many new tank crews."

Zhou Weiguo reported.

They seized a considerable amount of fuel and two tanks from Datong, bringing the armored company's total tank count to thirteen.

Originally, there should have been eleven tanks, but Zhou Weiguo and the maintenance company soldiers he trained managed to salvage two more tanks from the wreckage of the destroyed tanks in Datong.

So now the armored company has thirteen tanks, which is a normal-formation armored company.

"Yes, you've worked hard. The temperature has risen recently, and tank training is quite tough. We can appropriately reduce the soldiers' training time. We can't let them ruin their health," Chen Ming said.

“Yes, I understand. Currently, the armored company’s training is mostly scheduled in the morning and afternoon,” Zhou Weiguo nodded and said.

A large amount of oil was seized a few days ago.

With enough fuel finally available, the soldiers of the armored company worked overtime to improve their skills.

At an air temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside the tank could reach 50-60 degrees Celsius, and the Japanese tanks had insufficient ventilation.

The conditions inside the tank were unimaginable; several soldiers had suffered from heatstroke, and one even contracted heat exhaustion.

In later generations, the chances of surviving heatstroke were slim, let alone during this period.

This was the armored company's first non-combat casualty.

In order to improve their skills in fighting the Japanese, the soldiers disregarded the harsh conditions and their own circumstances, thinking only of sweating more and killing more Japanese soldiers on the battlefield to protect their homeland.

Chen Ming supports this idea, but as the military commander of a unit, he also needs to ensure the well-being of his soldiers.

At the very least, there should never again be a situation where the best soldiers, instead of sacrificing themselves on the battlefield, are killed because they want to train hard to fight the Japanese.

"Besides asking about the armored company's situation, I also want to tell you something else," Chen Ming said, handing the intelligence Ding Wei had sent to Zhou Weiguo.

Zhou Weiguo picked up the intelligence report and began to read it. After putting the document down, he had a clear understanding of the situation.

"So? More than thirty tanks, it's really getting on my nerves. What are your thoughts?" Chen Ming asked.

"Heh heh, the Japanese have delivered an armored regiment to us!"

"If we can capture these tanks, we'll have nearly fifty tanks. Then we can form an armored battalion and storm into the grasslands, letting the Japanese taste our armored forces."

Zhou Weiguo said with a smile.

"Haha, that's what I think too. The Japanese are our transport captains. Whatever they have, we can have too."

"They want to use tank divisions against us? They're dreaming."

"I've got this batch of tanks. Even the Heavenly King himself can't stop me!" Chen Ming said.

Then, Chen Ming brought out a map and pointed to a place name.

"Ding Wei's telegram says that the Japanese tanks are expected to be transported to Guihua within a week."

"We took Datong not long ago, and now the Japanese in Datong are like frightened birds, heavily guarded, making it difficult for us to find an opportunity."

"But Guihua is different. Last time we launched a feigned attack on Guihua but failed to take down the Japanese troops there."

"In addition, Guihua now has the first batch of Japanese armored units. After passing Datong, our control will weaken, and the Japanese will be more likely to lower their guard and give us an opportunity."

"Therefore, I decided to have the armored company, the cavalry detachment, and Ding Wei's unit work together to launch another surprise attack in Jining."

"Leverage the high mobility of armored and cavalry units to catch the Japanese off guard."

"We expect to end the battle within 36 hours and return to our base, giving the Japanese no time to send reinforcements."

Chen Ming spoke up.

Since Datong was captured by the Independent Detachment, the Japanese have increased their vigilance around Datong to the highest level.

Lacking fuel and aircraft, the Japanese concentrated their efforts, sending planes to conduct reconnaissance every day to prevent the Independent Detachment from launching another major attack.

However, the Japanese were also aware that although the Independent Detachment had captured Datong, it had also suffered considerable losses and needed a period of rest and recuperation.

According to intelligence obtained by the Japanese intelligence department, the Independent Detachment is currently conducting large-scale recruitment and training, and the troops have been dispersed.

There shouldn't be any large-scale wars in the near future.

The Japanese formed the 3rd Tank Division at this time, wanting to train in sync with the Independent Detachment.

Once the independent detachment has finished its repairs, their 3rd Tank Division will also be able to form combat capability.

At that time, the 3rd Tank Division and the Independent Detachment can be used to form a standoff and deal with the pressure from the Independent Detachment.

The Japanese had good intentions; the Independent Detachment was indeed no longer capable of launching a large-scale battle like it had done in Datong.

Even a god would find it difficult to maintain combat effectiveness if a unit is engaged in continuous combat without rest for an extended period.

The main task of the independent detachment now is to rest, recruit soldiers, and integrate the gains to form a stronger combat force.

However, small-scale battles are certainly not a problem.

A special task force was temporarily formed, consisting of an armored company, a cavalry detachment, and a part of Ding Wei's unit, to launch a blitzkrieg.

A force of approximately 1,800 men was mobilized over a distance of 100 kilometers.

By directly utilizing the high breakthrough capabilities of armored units to tear apart the Japanese defenses, Ding Wei's main infantry force inflicted casualties on unarmored units, eliminated the Japanese troops, and then transported the tanks back.

Throughout the entire operation, including travel time, Chen Ming spent a maximum of 36 hours.

In 36 hours, even if the Japanese discovered they were under attack, it would be impossible for them to send reinforcements in time.

Mobilizing such a small number of troops is not difficult given the current situation of the independent detachment.

"Guaranteed to complete the mission!"

Zhou Weiguo said firmly.

Chen Ming's nickname of "Ever-Victorious General" was well-deserved. Zhou Weiguo looked at the map and thought about the battle plan he set, but found no problems.

Even if he discovers a problem, Zhou Weiguo might only think that he might have missed something or failed to understand the leader's strategic intentions.

This is the prestige that Chen Ming has accumulated through countless victories; it's almost become a personality cult.

Chen Ming was very troubled by this, and he often told his cadres not to engage in personality cults.

He is human too, and he makes mistakes. We must be realistic and not be influenced by subjectivism.

Next, based on this general direction, Chen Ming and Zhou Weiguo discussed in detail how to carry out the specific tasks in the operation.

Zhou Weiguo is most skilled in armored mobile warfare.

Everyone has their own area of ​​expertise. In this regard, Chen Ming mainly referred to Zhou Weiguo's opinions and did not offer any further insights, focusing primarily on learning about mechanized warfare. The consequences of playing the piano haphazardly were vividly demonstrated by the battalion commander.

After the plan was finalized, Chen Ming issued orders to the armored company, Ding Wei's unit, and Xu Desheng's cavalry detachment.

Ding Wei's unit was ordered to send a battalion of 700 men, the cavalry detachment to send a battalion of 500 men, plus an armored company, for a total of 1,800 men in a special task force.

Zhou Weiguo, in his capacity as deputy chief of staff, commanded the special operations team.

The troops were assembled quickly, completing their gathering and concealment north of Huai Ren in just one day.

One of the cavalry battalions did not remain in the Huai'ren area, but stayed west of Liangcheng, about fifty kilometers from Jining.

As for the mechanized troops, based on Zhou Weiguo's suggestion, Chen Ming placed them north of Huai'ren, about eighty kilometers from Jining.

To ensure the surprise of the blitzkrieg, the Independent Detachment's direct reconnaissance battalion was ordered to scout ahead and prepare for the task force.

Three days later, news came from Ding Wei's unit.

The Japanese tanks have been transported to Jining and are currently undergoing repairs there.

To be fair, the Japanese were quite resourceful; they managed to secretly transport the second batch of tanks to Jining right under the noses of the Independent Detachment in Datong.

If it weren't for the intelligence personnel left behind by Chen Ming after the capture of Jining, and the fact that the Japanese had relaxed their vigilance slightly due to the smooth journey, it would have been a different story.

The tanks that Ding Wei had been closely monitoring were indeed transported to Guihua.

"Pass on my order: bring my tank battalion back!"

Upon receiving the intelligence, Chen Ming immediately issued the order.

It's 5 p.m. now, and it will be dark soon.

Nighttime was the domain of the Eighth Route Army; the Japanese dared not transport tanks at night.

Otherwise, without aerial reconnaissance, the Eighth Route Army could have destroyed the tanks at night, and the entire fleet might have been lost.

During the daytime, the Japanese had planes to conduct reconnaissance, making it difficult for large Eighth Route Army units to escape detection, thus ensuring greater safety.

If anything goes wrong, the transported tanks can become an armored force and break through the Eighth Route Army's defenses to escape.

After the order was given, the task force stationed in the Huai Ren area immediately set off according to the route planned by the reconnaissance battalion.

The plan was to maneuver 80 kilometers over eight hours after dark, storm the Japanese tanks' position in Jining before dawn, capture the tanks, and drive them back.

Eighty kilometers in one night is an impossible task for infantrymen who rely solely on their two legs.

However, for mechanized units, fuel-powered operations have greater sustainability, so while the task is still difficult, it is not as challenging.

As darkness slowly descended, a special unit moved swiftly through the night.

Armored vehicles, tanks, cars, and tractors formed a long line, speeding towards Jining.

The soldiers were in high spirits and full of confidence.

After all, they had already captured Datong, let alone Jining.

This time, their detachment's armored company was also involved, an armored unit that was previously only available to the Japanese in combat.

This is a battle that will bring wealth!

We've survived the hard times of the past, and now that we're prosperous, why should we be afraid of the Japanese devils?
The soldiers in the armored company were even happier, including many newly trained tank crewmen.

If we could take down the Japanese tanks, it would mean they could also fight in tanks.

The current situation in the armored company is that there are far more personnel who can drive tanks than there are tanks.

Many newly trained tank crew members are unable to drive tanks due to a lack of equipment and can only be used as maintenance personnel.

Are tank soldiers even tank soldiers if they don't have tanks?

Now things are looking up. Jining has more than 30 tanks. If they can get them back, they can finally have their own "first wife".

The task force moved quickly along the route scouted in advance by the reconnaissance battalion, and no unexpected incidents occurred during the operation.

At 5 a.m., the task force finally arrived in the Jining area.

"Comrades, Jining is just ahead. Our tanks are stored there. Once we take it, we can drive them back."

"The armored company will lead the charge, with the infantry battalion of the 1st Independent Battalion following behind. Once the enemy's defenses are breached, the Japanese infantry will be annihilated immediately."

"The cavalry battalion will conduct guerrilla warfare in the vicinity to contain the Japanese reinforcements in Jining City."

"Time is limited, let's finish this quickly so we can go back for lunch!"

Zhou Weiguo said this in front of several cadres.

"Yes, sir! Take over the Japanese tank position and go home for lunch!"

"Pass on my order: Attack!" Zhou Weiguo issued the order to attack.

The armored company soldiers immediately charged toward the Japanese tank base, the roar of engines shattering the pre-dawn tranquility.

The Japanese sentries were initially puzzled when they heard the rumbling sound in the night. Why were there vehicles? The tank unit wasn't training.

But then he realized something was wrong.

The sounds were getting closer and closer, as if they were coming for them.

"Something's up! Assemble!"

The Japanese sentries immediately issued a warning.

However, this was the time when the Japanese soldiers were at their sleepiest, making it extremely difficult to quickly assemble and organize a defense.

The speed of an armored force's assault is no joke.

Just as many Japanese soldiers were being woken up by the whistle and preparing to assemble, the armored company had already stormed into the Japanese base.

The defenses surrounding the Japanese tank camp were completely ineffective and were easily breached.

Barricades, barbed wire, trenches, and bunkers did not stop the tank units from advancing.

The outer defenses were designed for infantry and cavalry, without any consideration for armored forces.

After all, the Japanese never expected that the Eighth Route Army would be able to deploy armored units to deal with them.

As soon as the Japanese soldiers came out of the barracks, they saw tanks with cannons pointed at their foreheads.

No? Me, an infantryman, being asked to fight a tank 1v1?

The Japanese soldiers, who had just assembled, were completely bewildered. They had just gotten up when a tank was blocking their door and knocking on it. How could they fight in this situation?
As expected, the Japanese soldier was crushed into a pile of mangled flesh by the tank.

The armored company tore through the Japanese defenses and stormed into the Japanese camp, while Ding Wei's infantry battalion followed behind.

An attack was immediately organized, divided into multiple units. One part covered the tank unit's attack, while another part attacked in other directions to clear out the Japanese infantry.

Having lost its outer defensive chain, the Japanese tank camp had no ability to resist the elite independent detachment soldiers.

After all, they are not field infantry units, and their combat effectiveness in close-range infantry combat is limited.

The Japanese infantry company stationed there, along with a large number of tank crews, and the logistics and supply troops were quickly wiped out.

The situation has become one-sided, and the Japanese have absolutely no chance of turning the tide.

(End of this chapter)