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

Chapter 249 The Chief of Staff, skilled in large-scale operations, has arrived!
After the light weapons allocation plan was finalized, each base area received a good share.

Chen Ming didn't care much about light weapons, as the Independent Detachment had no shortage of them at all.

In the course of battles, Chen Ming captured a large number of rifles, and the maintenance unit of the independent detachment had already been trained.

The repair force of nearly a thousand men can repair damaged rifles on the battlefield, further increasing the capture rate.

Chen Ming possessed a large number of repaired rifles.

The rifles with good performance were normally used to supplement other base areas, while those with poor performance were directly used to supplement local armed forces and militia.

As for the local armed forces within the Fourth Division, it can be said that, apart from lacking heavy weapons, their equipment is more numerous and of comparable quality than that of the former Independent Regiment.

Even a second-hand Type 38 rifle is better than the old rifles with worn-out rifling.

Therefore, of this batch of Soviet weapons, Chen Ming only kept 1,000 Mosin-Nagant rifles and about 900 PPSh-41 submachine guns.

Nine thousand Mosin-Nagant rifles and approximately 300 PPSh-41 submachine guns were distributed among the troops.

128 DP light machine guns and 32 Maxim heavy machine guns.

As for field artillery and anti-tank weapons, Chen Ming didn't allocate a single artillery piece.

They only distributed the equipment of the two original artillery battalions directly under the Independent Detachment.

Approximately 32 mortars and 12 infantry guns.

Mortars were used as infantry support firepower, while infantry guns were used to defend small strongholds and pillboxes, enhancing the development capabilities of other bases.

It wasn't that Chen Ming didn't want to distribute the large-caliber artillery, but rather that his own needs were very high.

With the Japanese Kwantung Army and the Japanese tank division in Baotou about to face them, how could they possibly succeed if they didn't have enough firepower?

Furthermore, the deployment of large-caliber artillery should follow the principle of "concentrated firepower and unified command," with clustered use being preferable to dispersed use.

During the Battle of Xinkou, the National Revolutionary Army's artillery was dispersed and was destroyed one by one by the Japanese long-range artillery.

This is a bloody lesson from history!
Clustering also allows for the pooling of technical resources to ensure reliability and reduce failure rates.

If the personnel are dispersed, where will we find so many technical personnel to distribute to different units?
If the artillery malfunctions, there will be no one to repair it.

For all the reasons mentioned above, all of these Soviet-made artillery pieces were ultimately left with the Independent Detachment.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Chen Ming directly proposed the idea of ​​an artillery detachment to his superiors during dinner.

Since the leaders are all here, it makes little difference whether we discuss it here or at headquarters.

"Sir, this is what I'm thinking. I plan to establish an artillery detachment, which will consist of three artillery battalions."

“第1炮兵大队：下辖3个营，每营3个连，每连4门炮，共36门 76mm师炮。

“第2炮兵大队：下辖2个营，每营3个连，每连4门炮，共24门 76mm师炮。

"A total of 60 76mm guns were used, which was slightly more than enough."

“第3炮兵大队（重炮大队）：下辖3个营，每营3个连，每连4门炮，共32门 122mm榴弹炮加4门150mm榴弹炮。”

"Such an artillery detachment has 96 artillery pieces, with a clear structure and distinct firepower levels, making it a decisive force on the battlefield."

Chen Ming shared his thoughts.

He planned to establish an artillery detachment, named the First Artillery Detachment of Jin-Sui-Re-Cha.

This is basically a done deal. Once Chen Ming has finished handling the aftermath, the official documents from the rear will be issued.

After Chen Ming finished speaking, everyone gasped in envy.

They never dreamed that one day they would have such a large artillery force.

"You're really something now, training three artillery battalions in one go. That's even better than the Japanese Class A divisions. I'd love to be the commander of that artillery detachment myself."

The brigade commander said enviously.

Such powerful firepower could completely suppress the artillery of the Japanese Class A divisions.

If I became the commander of this artillery detachment, I could give the Japanese Class A regiment a good go at them on the battlefield.

"Haha, if the brigade commander wants to come, I'd love to welcome him with open arms."

Chen Ming said with a smile.

The brigade commander has always been my superior. If I really become the commander of the artillery detachment, does that mean I can also experience the feeling of being a leader?
Commanding a brigade commander—the thought alone filled Chen Ming with excitement.

"You little brat, you think you can boss me around now? Huh?" the brigade commander said, squinting his eyes.

"What do you mean by command? We're like family, we can discuss things together."

Chen Ming responded with a smile on his face.

The others laughed as they watched Chen Ming and the brigade commander joking around.

Several leaders were pondering the strategic role of the organizational structure that Chen Ming had just mentioned.

After a while, Chen Ming's current direct superior spoke up:
"I personally agree to this artillery detachment, but the specifics still need to be discussed and approved later."

Chen Ming was not surprised to hear this, after all, it was an artillery detachment, how could he make a guarantee?

However, given Chen Ming's current situation, it's basically a done deal and nothing unexpected is likely to happen.

"By the way, leader, after we equip ourselves with this batch of artillery, the mountain artillery battalion that was originally replaced, as well as the more than 3,000 horses that were captured in this Chahar-Suiyuan Campaign, are to be handed over to headquarters."

"Our discipline is that all spoils must be turned over to the public. We should hand over any surplus weapons and distribute them to other units that need them."

"The original mountain artillery battalion of the Independent Detachment is more suitable for mountain warfare because of its lighter weight. I think it can play a greater role after it is handed over."

"And the more than 3,000 horses captured this time. The current cavalry detachment has enough strength, and adding more would be redundant."

“It’s quite difficult for me to raise them here, so I would like to ask the headquarters to share the burden.”

Chen Ming said with a smile.

The mountain artillery battalion mainly used mountain guns captured from the Japanese, which were lighter and more suitable for mountain warfare.

In the future, the main combat area of ​​the independent detachment will be in the three provinces of Suiyuan, Rehe, and Chahar, and even in the Northeast region.

These mountain guns were no longer very useful.

Moreover, Chen Ming also had 32 120mm mortars with a range of 5700 meters, which was not far inferior to the Japanese mountain guns.

It can perfectly replace the role of the mountain artillery battalion.

Long-range artillery includes howitzers and field guns, while medium-range artillery includes rocket launchers and 120mm mortars.

Infantry close support weapons include 82mm mortars, Type 92 infantry guns, and grenade launchers.

With such a well-developed system, the role of this mountain artillery battalion within the independent detachment seemed somewhat superfluous.

It would be better to hand it over to headquarters for processing, so that it can play a greater role.

The situation was similar for the more than 3,000 horses that were captured.

In the past, we were short of horses. Li Yunlong treasured an entire cavalry battalion so much that even the brigade commander would try to take them from us.

Now, however, Chen Ming is troubled by having too many horses.

With the cavalry detachment structure in place, three cavalry battalions are now sufficient.

In addition to a cavalry battalion of the special forces, there were cavalry units from several battalions of the independent detachment.

Chen Ming already has a surplus of cavalry units.

Even Chen Ming is considering reducing the size of some cavalry units.

This time, Xu Desheng pursued and fought against the puppet Mongol cavalry in Suiyuan, Chahar and other places, and captured more than 3,000 horses.

This gave Chen Ming another headache. They were difficult to raise, so it would be better to just hand them over to headquarters for allocation. Whether to form a supply transport unit or a cavalry detachment would be decided by headquarters.

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, the leader immediately burst into laughter.

"Okay, since you have a need, headquarters will handle it for you."

He was delighted, thinking that the brigade commander's "Wishing you prosperity" was still effective.

More than three thousand horses and a mountain artillery battalion with 16 mountain guns.

This is already a huge fortune.

Don't think that 16 mountain guns are unimportant just because Chen Ming now has one or two hundred cannons at his disposal.

Sixteen mountain guns, for our army, represented one-third of the total number of mountain guns excluding those of the independent detachment.

The God of War once said, "I would rather sacrifice an entire infantry company than lose a single cannon."

This demonstrates the scarcity and importance of a mountain gun to our army.

Before the Independent Detachment received this batch of Soviet-made artillery, its long-range artillery consisted of only these 16 mountain guns and 4 150mm howitzers.

As for the three thousand warhorses, that's enough for Li Yunlong to take down ten Wanjiazhen towns, and enough for the brigade commander to congratulate him on getting rich ten times over.

After determining how to handle the artillery battalion and the horses, Chen Ming revealed his true purpose at the dinner table.

"Leader, our Fourth Division is about to be reorganized, and the scope will suddenly expand to several provinces. We are really short of talent."

"Could you see if headquarters can provide some support to help us build up our combat capability more quickly?"

Chen Ming spoke up.

In the following period, Chen Ming planned to send a group of cadres from the Independent Detachment back to the rear for further study and training.

On the one hand, it is to raise their ideological awareness and enhance their cultural foundation.

On the other hand, it paves the way for them.

For example, Ding Wei was intercepted because of Li Yunlong's incident and was unable to return to the rear for training.

This time, taking advantage of the winter when the Japanese are unable to launch a major war, I will go back to the rear for a few months of study, and then I will promote him when I come back.

However, after sending a group of cadres to study, it is necessary to supplement them with some cadres to take over the work.

Those with deputy positions can fill in, but for positions with only primary positions, you can't just not take them.

For example, the chief of staff of the independent detachment was only Wang Dafei, and there was no deputy chief of staff.

Zhou Weiguo, the former deputy chief of staff, is now serving as the chief of staff of the special operations detachment and is also the de facto person in charge. He is definitely not going to be removed.

Therefore, Chen Ming needed an officer to fill the position of Chief of Staff, not to mention the other positions.

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, the leader pointed at Chen Ming and said with a smile to the others:

"Look, they're waiting for me here, haha."

"Now we're in a bind because we've taken their money and are obligated to feed them, so it's hard to even say no."

Everyone laughed after hearing this.

They were aware of the situation of the independent detachment, and it was indeed in need of support from a group of cadres.

Chen Ming's former direct supervisor said with a smile:

“The commander was considering your request on the way here. Look at this list.”

He handed a list to Chen Ming.

Chen Ming took the list and started looking at it.

Wow, a whole bunch of familiar faces.

"Commander, have our cadres who went to the Soviet Union for training returned yet?"

Chen Ming asked.

"Yes, some have returned. The first batch has already returned, and the second batch will arrive around the day after tomorrow."

Because of Chen Ming's actions in Chahar and Suiyuan, the benevolent father also relented, and some of the cadres who went to study returned.

After listening, Chen Ming nodded and began to select candidates from the list.

"This is good. He studied at the Frunze Military Academy and has systematic theoretical knowledge of large-scale troop operations."

"If you come, you can be my chief of staff and help me share some of the pressure."

Chen Ming took a liking to a familiar name and planned to recruit him as his chief of staff.

"This one is also good; he can serve as the commander of the artillery detachment."

"And this one, he can go to He Jianxin's office to serve as political commissar."

"Huh? Why is Zhao Gang here too? The brigade commander was willing to send Zhao Gang out, do you think Li Yunlong would be happy about that?"

Chen Ming thought to himself, then looked at the brigade commander.

If Li Yunlong were to take Zhao Gang over, he'd probably cause a huge uproar.

However, Chen Ming suddenly thought that even if Li Yunlong wanted to turn the world upside down and was more powerful than the Heavenly King, he would still have to become a good boy when he saw the brigade commander.

Speaking of Zhao Gang, Chen Ming liked him quite a bit. He wanted Zhao Gang to first serve as the political commissar of the artillery detachment, and then be promoted to director of the political department.

Zhao Gang's resume and abilities are sufficient; he is a graduate of Peking University, studied at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, and organized student movements.

Promoting him to the position of political commissar in the artillery detachment is definitely a sign of great importance.

Thinking of Zhao Gang's fate, Chen Ming felt quite sad. He was transferred from Li Yunlong's unit, and now he could protect him under his command.

Chen Ming checked off one name after another on the list before finally returning it to his former boss.

Chen Ming's former superior, upon seeing this, immediately laughed and scolded:
"So you're planning to take them all, huh? Headquarters only has this many people, and you're going to take almost them all."

Upon hearing his former leader's words, Chen Ming chuckled.

"I know that headquarters will definitely support our work with all its might. Since the leader gave me the list to choose from, I certainly can't let him down."

"Hmph, you're such a slippery little devil."

Ultimately, the names Chen Ming had circled on the list were, unsurprisingly, assigned to him by headquarters.

In short, we must provide cadres and key personnel as needed, and we must ensure that the framework of the Jin-Sui-Re-Cha region is upheld.

Chen Ming's current task is to act as a northern bulwark, drawing the attention of the main Japanese forces in North China, while simultaneously infiltrating into the Northeast.

How can we not give them more support?
When the brigade commander saw that Chen Ming had chosen Zhao Gang's name, he also had no objection.

Now that his name was on the list, he was prepared.

Having taken so much from Chen Ming, shouldn't we return something?

Otherwise, people who don't know the situation might think that Chen Ming's old boss is a mythical creature that only takes in but never gives out.

How could the brigade commander possibly admit that he was a Pixiu? He considered himself to be very generous.

If you don't believe me, just look at the Independent Detachment today. Two of the three main players came from his team.

Ding Wei and Kong Jie, aren't they both top-notch talents?
Having received so much support, as Chen Ming's former superior, I've done more than enough.

What will happen to Li Yunlong after Zhao Gang is transferred?
That idiot Li Yunlong dares to complain in front of me? He's gone too far!
The brigade commander thought to himself.

(End of this chapter)