novelAbuy Chapter 800 Television-Guided Weapons: Soldiers of This Era Didn't Believe
Chapter 800 Television-Guided Weapons: Soldiers of This Era Didn't Believe
The Fifth Military Sub-district of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region operated in areas including present-day DT City and eastern SZ City in Shanxi Province, the mountainous areas of Hunyuan, Lingqiu, and Fanshi, the Sanggan River basin, bordering the Japanese stronghold in Datong to the north and the Wutai Mountain base area to the south.
The Fifth Military Sub-district directly faced a large Japanese force in Datong and was also Fang Wen's direct partner in this military operation.
After receiving support from his report in Yan'an, Fang Wen flew to the military sub-district's liaison location: Dongye Town.
On the banks of the Hutuo River outside Dongye Town, a group of soldiers were welcoming Fang Wen's arrival.
Seeing the red flags waved by the soldiers below, Fang Wen determined the landing location, then adjusted the nose of the plane and landed steadily on the Hutuo River.
The plane slowed down by taxiing on the river, then turned around and taxied to the riverbank.
The hatch opened, and Gong Xiuneng threw the cable forcefully toward the riverbank, shouting, "Tie it to a tree!"
The soldiers on the shore took the cable that was thrown to them, pulled it together, and tied it to the tree trunk.
After securing the aircraft, Gong Xiuneng climbed onto the aircraft's buoy, placed a plank on the shore, and was the first to step onto the plank to get ashore.
Afterwards, Fang Wen and Zhou Pomen disembarked together, leaving only the two of them on the plane to wait.
The officer led the soldiers over.
He saluted Fang Wen and said, "Mr. Fang, thank you for the weapons and equipment produced by Taishan Military Industry. With them, we have achieved great success in our battles against the Japanese army."
Fang Wen was most interested in his own equipment, and immediately asked, "We're preparing to collect data on Taishan Military Industry's equipment in grassroots operations. Could you tell me about it?"
"Of course, Mr. Fang, please come with us to town, and we'll talk as we walk."
Along the way, the officer talked at length to Fang Wen about their experience using the Taishan military equipment.
"Mr. Fang, to be honest, before we received the equipment from Taishan, we could only passively defend against the Japanese army most of the time, especially their armored vehicles and tanks. Our old-fashioned rifles couldn't penetrate them at all, and our soldiers had to fight desperately with explosives." The officer slowed his pace, his tone becoming more serious. "But since we were equipped with Taishan's individual rocket launchers, the situation has been completely different. Last month, we ambushed a Japanese transport convoy in Lingqiu County. We destroyed all three Japanese armored vehicles with just four rockets, without sacrificing a single soldier. This was something we wouldn't have dared to dream of before!"
Fang Wen listened attentively, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "We repeatedly tested the power of the rockets during development, and specifically optimized them to counter the armor thickness of Japanese armored vehicles. Did you encounter any problems during use? Such as launch errors or insufficient range?"
“Almost none!” The officer quickly shook his head, his tone certain. “The rockets are exceptionally stable. Even when fired from steep mountain slopes, they rarely misfire. The range is also more than sufficient. They hit targets within 100 meters every time. Moreover, the scopes you provide are exceptionally clear and can accurately lock onto targets. They are very easy to use.”
Zhou Pomen, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "How was the feel of using the grenade launcher? Did the blast radius and power of the grenade meet the requirements of actual combat?"
The officer smiled and replied, "Grenade launchers are suitable for urban warfare and mountain ambushes. Last month, we launched a surprise attack on a Japanese stronghold in Hunyuan County. We fired grenades at the breach in the bunker, and they went straight into the breach, creating a sudden, devastating explosion. The Japanese soldiers inside were completely stunned. Our soldiers took the opportunity to rush in and blow up the gate. In less than ten minutes, we had taken out more than twenty Japanese soldiers in the stronghold. Moreover, the blast radius of the grenade is just right; it can destroy the target without accidentally injuring our own men. It is more flexible than hand grenades in close-range combat."
Another officer mentioned the compressed instant rations at Mount Tai.
With deep feeling: "In the past, the biggest headache in field operations was the supply problem. The dry rations we brought wouldn't last more than a few days. Once we ran out of food, the soldiers could only eat tree bark and dig up grass roots. I never expected that the compressed military rations in Taishan would be so convenient. A small piece can last for most of the day, and the taste is also good. They are also lightweight to carry. Since last year, we have been carrying this kind of military rations when we go out to fight."
Fang Wen couldn't help but ask, "Have you ever eaten military-grade canned meat?"
"There's meat too?" the officer asked in surprise.
Fang Wen laughed and said, "Yes. Britain and Germany are at war in Europe now, and the sea routes are cut off. The British can't transport beef and mutton back home, so the prices have dropped drastically. I imported a lot of beef and mutton from Australia and made it into canned meat to supplement your nutrition. However, the current production is limited and it is not enough for the entire army to use. But by the second half of the year, the production capacity will be sufficient, and then you will all be able to eat military rations with meat."
Fang Wen's words pleased the two officers who came to pick him up.
They continued to add their own comments.
"We can manage without meat. Compressed rations are a lifesaver for us in the field. Last time we were hiding and waiting in the field, unable to find food, we survived entirely thanks to compressed rations. The soldiers all say that with this stuff, they no longer have to worry about running out of food in the field. And your battlefield first aid medical kit, the bandages, hemostatic drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs inside are much better than the herbal medicines we used before. Many wounded soldiers have had their lives saved thanks to this first aid equipment, reducing a lot of casualties."
"The walkie-talkies and air defense radar at Mount Tai were a huge help to us. Before, communication between our units relied entirely on messengers running errands, which was slow and easily intercepted by the Japanese. With walkie-talkies, we could communicate in real time, quickly relaying orders even when separated by several kilometers, making our coordination much smoother. Now, the Japanese are playing guerrilla warfare against us; they can't catch us at all. Even if they circle around, we can ambush them again. The air defense radar is even more powerful. Every time Japanese planes approach, the radar gives us an early warning, allowing us to take cover in time and avoid Japanese air raids. We no longer have to passively endure bombings like before."
Fang Wen felt increasingly fulfilled as he listened to the feedback.
Over the years, he has devoted a great deal of energy to the research and development of military equipment, hoping to provide anti-Japanese soldiers with better and more practical weapons and equipment and reduce their sacrifices. Now, hearing these affirmations from actual combat, all his efforts have been worthwhile.
"If you are satisfied, it means our equipment development was worthwhile," Fang Wen said with a smile. "We will continue to optimize the equipment and use better and more advanced weapons to strengthen your combat capabilities and drive the Japanese devils away as soon as possible."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Fang!"
As they spoke, the group had already entered Dongye Town.
Dongye Town is small, with simple mud-brick houses on both sides of the street. Occasionally, you can see soldiers in coarse cloth uniforms patrolling, full of vigor.
In a large courtyard in the center of the town was the temporary command post of the Fifth Military Sub-district of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. Two soldiers were on guard at the gate. When they saw the officer leading Fang Wen and others over, they immediately saluted and let them pass.
Upon entering the courtyard, one finds several simple wooden tables and a huge topographical map of Datong, Shuoxian, and the surrounding areas hanging on the wall. The map is marked in red with Japanese strongholds, patrol routes, and the controlled areas and activity range of the Eighth Route Army, making it appear very detailed.
Several officers in military uniforms were discussing something next to the map. When they saw Fang Wen and his group enter, they all stopped what they were doing.
"Gentlemen, this is Mr. Fang Wen, sent from Yan'an and also the head of the Taishan Group. He's here to discuss the surprise attack on the Datong Black Lead Factory. Mr. Fang, these are the leaders of our Fifth Military Sub-district. This is Commander Zhao, and this is Political Commissar Wang." Fang Wen shook hands with the two: "Commander Zhao, Political Commissar Wang, I am Fang Wen. Thank you for the Fifth Military Sub-district's support for our operation. I'm here to discuss the operational plan for the surprise attack on the Datong Black Lead Factory in detail, and I hope we can work together to take it down."
Commander Zhao replied, "Mr. Fang, you are too kind. Taishan Group has provided us with so much excellent equipment, which has helped us win many battles. We are extremely grateful. The surprise attack on Datong Black Lead Factory is a major event that benefits the country and the people, and it is also an important task for our Fifth Military Sub-district. We will definitely cooperate with you fully and do our best to complete this operation."
Political Commissar Wang added, "Mr. Fang, we have received instructions from Yan'an and are aware of the importance of the black lead factory to the Japanese military industry. Starting last night, we conducted a detailed reconnaissance of the Japanese defense deployment at the Datong black lead factory, and inquired with various units to understand the situation, and collected some important intelligence."
Fang Wen felt a sense of relief. With the full cooperation of the Fifth Military Sub-district and the intelligence they had gathered, the success rate of the surprise attack had increased even further.
Immediately, everyone sat around the map, and an advisor explained it to Fang Wen:
"Mr. Fang, according to our understanding, the Datong Black Lead Factory is located in the west of Datong City, next to the Japanese army's barracks. The factory is surrounded by two layers of barbed wire, and the area around the barbed wire is full of landmines. There is a sentry post every fifty meters, equipped with a heavy machine gun, making the defense very tight. Inside the factory, there is a small Japanese squad of about fifty men, along with two heavy machine guns, responsible for the defense of the factory."
He paused, then continued, “These arrangements are to prevent outsiders from infiltrating and to stop the factory workers from escaping. In addition, the Japanese army has a regiment in Datong City, and if the lead factory is attacked, they will arrive to reinforce it within half an hour. Our military district has already formulated a plan to contain the Japanese reinforcements, and we are prepared to set up ambushes, lay landmines, and dig trenches on the routes that the Japanese reinforcements will inevitably take, to slow their march and buy you time to seize the factory and transport supplies.”
Fang Wen listened attentively, while gesturing for Gong Xiu to unfold the map he had brought and compare it with the map of the military sub-district, marking key points on the map with a red pen:
"Commander Zhao, Political Commissar Wang, thank you very much for the intelligence you have gathered. Our plan is for my special forces team to parachute in by plane, land on the west side of the factory, quickly take control of the factory gate and warehouse, and annihilate the Japanese defense forces inside the factory."
"As for your plan, I can add that while the airborne operation is underway, our air power can also cooperate with you to intercept the Japanese forces in Datong."
After a pause, Fang Wen looked at Gong Xiuneng.
Gong Xiuneng quickly took out several models from his backpack.
Fang Wen held up the model and explained, "We will provide these weapons to counter the Japanese army's interception."
The first model is a landmine.
"This is a Taishan directional mine, detonated remotely. Considering that the Japanese army has armored units, we will provide both anti-tank mines and infantry mines. Both types of mines are quite powerful and have been tested in actual combat. They will be airlifted over in a couple of days, and we will provide training for them."
The second model is an aerial bomb.
Fang Wen continued to explain: "The aerial bombs used in Taishan have evolved over the years and now come in many types. For this operation, we will use napalm incendiary bombs, asphyxiation smoke bombs, and cluster shrapnel bombs. Since the range of the air strike cannot be precisely controlled, we advise ground troops not to move too far forward before the air strike."
The commander and the political commissar exchanged a glance. Once upon a time, this kind of overwhelming firepower attack was the Japanese’s forte, but they never thought that it would be their turn now.
But the firepower strikes Fang Wen mentioned were not limited to these.
After the air raid and landmines, Fang Wen took out a model of the Taishan Storm rocket launcher.
"This is our Taishan Storm rocket launcher. Compared to previous models, it has undergone significant improvements. The current model has the capability for directional and precise strikes at fixed distances. In other words, as long as it is positioned at a predetermined firing location, it can achieve precise hits within a 5-kilometer range through its own television-guided aiming control system."
The people in the room were all veterans who had led troops into battle.
They are quite knowledgeable about weapons.
A precise hit within a 5-kilometer radius is a truly terrifying claim.
After all, even with a 4x optical sight, the effective hit range of a rifle in this era is only 700 meters.
Even infantry guns capable of high-precision straight-line aiming cannot exceed 1000 meters.
Even the longest-range weapons, whether mortars, mountain guns, or howitzers, are all probability-based weapons with a wide coverage range.
No one has ever dared to say that a shot within a 5-kilometer range can hit its target precisely.
Commander Zhao asked, "Mr. Fang, what do you mean by 'precise hit'?"
Fang Wen replied, "The hit range is within 20 meters. Since the Taishan Storm rocket launcher has changed its firing aiming mode to television guidance aiming, the rocket will adjust its trajectory control during the flight after it is launched. Therefore, even if there is a hit deviation during launch, it can be adjusted after launch to make it hit the target accurately."
Fang Wen casually mentioned a military technology that had never appeared before.
For soldiers, this description immediately evokes images of real-world combat effects.
One of the staff officers blurted out, "How could a shell possibly curve? That's just a swordsman story by Huanzhu Louzhu!"
Fang Wen was stunned, not expecting that there were people in the army who had read the serialized novels written by Huanzhu Louzhu.
In Huanzhu Louzhu's novels, the swordsmen of Mount Shu can control their flying swords to fly and turn at will to hit their targets. Such a fantastical plot attracted many readers in this era to read his serialized version in newspapers.
He replied, "Master Huanzhu, I know this person. He was a screenwriter for a movie I invested in. You're talking about his novels, right? That's completely different from my technology. This is science, military technology achieved after countless studies."
Although he clearly stated the authenticity of the television guidance technology, this military technology, which only appeared in the 60s, was still not recognized by soldiers in the early 40s.
In response, Fang Wen could only use actual combat to prove the truth of all this to the traditional soldiers. (End of this chapter)