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

Chapter 211 Brigade Commander: Chen Ming is always eyeing my meager resources!

Headquarters.

"Report, telegram from the Independent Detachment."

The staff officer who had previously received a telegram from the independent detachment walked into the command room once again with a telegram in hand.

"Here we go again. I bet this is Chen Ming's way of dealing with these tanks. He'll probably just expand them into a tank regiment," a commander said.

"I'm sure of it. If these tanks are disassembled, they won't be as effective as when used in a cluster."

"Chen Ming himself knows that this batch of tanks is to be placed in the independent detachment. I reckon he's already preparing for the reorganization," Chen Ming's direct superior said with a smile.

As things stand, only the independent detachment possesses sufficient armored troops and combat experience.

If the tanks were split up and assigned to other units, it's uncertain whether they would even be operational.

Moreover, tank units are best suited for battlefields with flat terrain.

Most of the other units of the Eighth Route Army relied on guerrilla warfare in mountainous areas to wear down the Japanese troops by utilizing the terrain.

What's the point of having tanks in this situation? Why not get a couple more indirect fire cannons? They could be much more effective in mountain warfare.

The base area of ​​the Independent Detachment contained many flat areas.

In addition to the strategic plan previously reported by Chen Ming, the main operations will be carried out in the northern grasslands, where armored forces will be able to play a greater role.

Whether considering technical personnel, strategic value, political priorities, or the rigidity of practical needs.

Leaving these tanks in the independent detachment is the most suitable option.

"What did the independent detachment report this time?" the boss asked.

"Telegram from the Independent Detachment: Based on the captured tanks, our unit plans to establish a special forces detachment using the captured tanks and the existing armored company. The specific organization is as follows:"

"With a cavalry battalion, a reconnaissance battalion, an engineer battalion, a maintenance battalion, an artillery battalion, an air defense company, a motor transport battalion, two infantry battalions, an armored battalion, a field medical battalion, an anti-tank company, a communications company, and a logistics supply battalion."

"Establish a special detachment to become a strategic mobile force, so as to achieve the effect of leading by example and radiating throughout the entire army."

The staff officer read the contents of the telegram word by word.

Everyone was incredibly surprised when they heard the staff officer's report on the organizational structure.

"That kid Chen Ming is trying to build a divine weapon!" a leader exclaimed in surprise.

Everyone present was a formidable individual, and their military acumen was beyond question.

They understood the various advantages of this special forces unit simply from the compilation of the telegrams Chen Ming submitted.

Using detachments to directly command battalions and brigades, unlike the traditional division/brigade-regiment-battalion command chain, shortens the decision-making cycle and allows for a faster response.

The formation of a task force across different branches of the armed forces also makes up for the shortcomings of traditional artillery, armored forces and infantry belonging to different regiments, resulting in low coordination efficiency.

Compared to traditional divisions and brigades, this type of brigade organization is more agile and allows for faster response times on the battlefield.

By grouping maintenance, transportation, and medical services together, the efficiency of support can be greatly improved.

If successfully developed, this would be an absolutely elite force capable of rapid deployment, rapid maneuverability, rapid breakthroughs, independent combat capabilities, and the execution of campaign missions.

If such a force appeared on the battlefield, the Japanese would be able to provoke even a Class A division unless they deployed a large number of aircraft.

“Chen Ming is very ambitious. He’s exploring a path we’ve never taken before. But I think this path might actually work,” one of the leaders said.

"Yes, I think so too. In the past, we didn't have the resources. The army was poor. Let alone special forces and tank battalions, we couldn't even afford a few artillery pieces."

“Now that the conditions are right, and Chen Ming also has this idea, I support him in setting up this special forces unit,” a bespectacled officer said.

"That's right. The battles on the northern grasslands are different from ours here. They have a fast-moving elite force that can play a decisive role in the battle at crucial moments."

"Such a highly mobile elite force can also move quickly when needed to support other bases and play a surprise role."

"Isn't this the kind of surprise attack the Independent Detachment launched in one night, covering a hundred kilometers, on the Japanese tank base in Jining?"

The group reached a consensus.

"However, such a highly mobile force puts a lot of pressure on logistics, especially fuel. With our current reserves, we probably can't afford to keep it up."

A leader pointed out the crux of the problem.

Everyone knows that highly mobile mechanized forces are good; they can break through quickly, are tactically flexible, and can tear through enemy lines in a short time, rapidly deciding the course of the battle.

If something has advantages, it also has disadvantages.

For such a unit, logistics will be a major problem, with fuel being the most crucial element.

With the current output of the small oil fields in northern Shaanxi, even if we supply them at full capacity, we can only supply this unit with enough oil for one week of combat per month.

The rest of the time, without captured fuel or fuel from other sources, the core armored force of this special forces unit would be unusable.

The independent detachment's current fuel reserves, including the spoils from this operation, are only enough for three months of combat.

If a unit's operational lifespan is only a few months, then spending a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources to build it would be a waste of money.

With this resource, the number of infantry units could be multiplied several times over.

If the fuel problem cannot be solved, the formation of the special forces unit will remain just a plan.

"I think Chen Ming has his eye on my coal-to-oil equipment. I finally managed to seize a batch of equipment from the Jingxing mining area, and I haven't even had a chance to enjoy it for long before he's already eyeing it."

The brigade commander said with a smile.

He seized a batch of coal-to-oil refining equipment from the Japanese in the Jingxing mining area. Just as he figured out the technical process, Chen Ming's telegram arrived.

The brigade commander strongly suspected that Chen Ming only thought of forming a special forces unit because he knew that he had this equipment.

He hadn't even sent Chen Ming a congratulatory message yet, and the sound of Chen Ming calculating his fortune had already reached him.

"Haha, I was wondering why the usually composed Chen Ming would suddenly want to set up such a special forces unit. Turns out he's eyeing what you have."

"What? Your old subordinate is in trouble now, and you, as his direct superior, aren't you going to do something about it?"

"One of the leaders said with a smile."

The leaders present were definitely keen to create a special forces unit.

They knew Comrade Chen Ming well; he wouldn't make a statement without a reason. Since he had proposed this idea, he immediately started with a detachment, rather than using a battalion as a pilot unit.

They must be confident, otherwise, if they failed, they would have wasted a huge amount of resources.

They will definitely support Chen Ming, the cadre who has brought them countless surprises, and they look forward to him continuing to surprise them.

"Sigh, forget it, I really owe him. Here, I'll send it to him when I get back, I'll deliver it myself." The brigade commander shook his head and sighed.

Although that's what he said, the brigade commander was actually very happy.

Since the cadres he mentored are doing so well now, as Chen Ming's leader, he naturally wants to give them a push.

If this unit develops well in the future and fights some amazing battles, he will also feel proud.

"Haha, it's rare to see you bleed so much money. It's really not easy to make a fortune from you," Chen Ming's direct supervisor said.

"Don't spread rumors! Do you think I'm that kind of person?" the brigade commander quickly said. Who exactly is spreading these rumors?
He is clearly a good leader who cares deeply for his subordinates, how could he be such a miser?
"Hahaha"

After headquarters unanimously agreed, the telegram was sent back to the independent detachment.

Chen Ming looked at the telegram, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"What a pleasant surprise! The brigade commander actually gave me a batch of coal-to-oil equipment, which will greatly reduce the oil shortage."

Chen Ming's original plan regarding fuel was to obtain it from the enemy by surrounding the supply lines of the Japanese 3rd Tank Division.

Second, continue the northward offensive, establish contact with the Soviet Union, and try to obtain some fuel from the Far Eastern Army.

In May 42, in order to counter the German offensive on the Eastern Front (referred to as the Eastern Front by the Soviet Union), the Far Eastern Army once again deployed ten infantry divisions and seven independent brigades.

The force numbered over 122,000, primarily consisting of armored units and elite troops.

The purpose was to support Stalingrad.

Germany's offensive is still very fierce. Although it is showing signs of weakness, it remains strong under the cover of smoke.

The Battle of Stalingrad was about to begin, and this was to prevent the Germans from capturing this important region.

The loving father repeatedly mobilized the elite troops of the Far East Army for a high-stakes gamble.

During this period, the Soviet military strength in the Far East was very weak.

At this time, if there were an independent detachment, it could have diverted the Japanese attention in the grasslands and Outer Mongolia.

It's not unreasonable for us to ask the Soviet Union for some fuel, is it?

You don't need to contribute manpower or resources; all you need is some stored fuel, and it's just fuel for a special operations team.

For the Soviet Union, this amount of money was nothing.

According to Chen Ming's original plan, the chances of getting fuel were still quite high.

In the original history, the Soviet Union did indeed transfer some captured Japanese ammunition to the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, amounting to about two hundred tons.

However, this was not free; it was exchanged for 500 kilograms of mica ore (a raw material for military capacitors) and hydrological maps of the Sanjiang Plain.

But the situation is different for independent detachments.

The Independent Detachment was an elite force capable of capturing Datong from the Japanese and conquering six cities in the north.

In terms of its function, it could definitely play a role in restraining the Japanese.

In this situation, obtaining fuel is indeed not difficult.

However, now that the brigade commander has delivered a pleasant surprise, the matter of obtaining fuel from the Soviet Union is no longer so urgent.

"Shanxi Province lacks many things, but it does not lack men who dare to fight, hardworking people, and coal mines."

"With this batch of equipment, along with supplies from the rear, and what we captured from the Japanese, the special forces can finally get started."

Inside the command center, Chen Ming looked at the telegram and smiled happily.

"The brigade commander really has some good stuff hidden away. It seems I need to talk to him more often and try to get all the good stuff he's hiding back," Chen Ming thought to himself.

He's already thinking about how to make money off the brigade commander.

In other words, the brigade commander was unaware of Chen Ming's thoughts.

Otherwise, the brigade commander would most likely be waving his whip and cursing: "Damn it, you, Chen Ming, are so rich, you've become a nouveau riche, yet you're still eyeing the little thing in my arms all day long."

"I'm ashamed to even tell anyone. Get lost, don't bother me."

After resolving the most crucial issue of fuel, Chen Ming began to gather a group of cadres to discuss how to reorganize and form a special operations detachment.

When Chen Ming presented this plan to a group of independent detachments and officers from the Fourth Division at the meeting.

The cadres had a very heated discussion.

Anyone with eyes can see that if this unit succeeds, it will become the sharpest blade, a blade that will strike fear into the hearts of the Japanese.

Who wouldn't want to be part of such a force?

"The infantry battalion must be from our First Battalion. Our First Battalion has eight infantry battalions, and both our manpower and combat effectiveness are top-notch."

"We should use our strengths where they matter most. Our First Battalion has taken over the two infantry battalions of the Special Operations Detachment."

He Jianxin spoke first.

Ding Wei looked at He Jianxin and said with a smile, "It's good that your First Battalion is good at fighting, but our Independent First Battalion is not bad either."

"In terms of experience in fighting on the northern grasslands, our Independent First Battalion is unique in our unit."

"The Japanese tank camp that was raided in Jining the day before yesterday was attacked by the infantry battalion of our Independent First Battalion."

"If we send troops who are not familiar with the grassland terrain, they might not even be able to find their way, which would be a laughing stock."

"The two infantry battalions of the special operations detachment should be organized by our Independent First Battalion."

Hearing Ding Wei's words, He Jianxin's face flushed slightly: "Is this never going to end? It's just that last time a company went to fight on the grasslands and accidentally took the wrong route."

"As for the fact that we keep bringing this up, even now..."

The troops that Ding Wei mentioned, which were somewhat unfamiliar with the grasslands, were He Jianxin's troops.

In the last battle, a company of He Jianxin's troops got lost on the grassland because they were unfamiliar with the terrain.

If it weren't for a cavalry platoon from the cavalry detachment finding this unit, it would have almost reached Outer Mongolia.

This incident became a frequent joke among the independent detachment.

The company commander was directly transferred to the mess hall by He Jianxin, who punished him by making him carry the large pot for a few days first.

If you can't even recognize the roads, how can you fight a war? You'd be better off carrying a big pot in the mess hall.

Ding Wei and He Jianxin had a heated argument at the meeting.

Normally, the two can get along well, but when it comes to fighting for combat missions, even brothers have to put aside their differences.

As for Kong Jie, he sat to the side, smoking a pipe and quietly watching the two struggle.

In any case, whether in terms of battle merits or experience and ability, he is no match for Ding Wei and He Jianxin. Under these circumstances, there is no point in him trying to seize it; he won't be able to get it anyway.

"Alright, do you think the command post is a vegetable market? We're all veterans, aren't you afraid the other comrades will laugh at us?"

Chen Ming spoke up to stop He Jianxin and Ding Wei from fighting over it.

If this isn't stopped, the two will start exposing each other's shortcomings, which could damage their camaraderie.

"Regarding the other units, there are basically no problems. The only issues are with the two infantry battalions of the special operations detachment."

"Putting everything else aside, everything in the military depends on strength."

"Next, I plan to organize a competition and assign two tasks. The unit that completes them first will get this position," Chen Ming said.

P.S.: Dear readers, I'd like to change the book's title. Do you have any suggestions? Please use your valuable suggestions to name this book.
(End of this chapter)