75: Chapter 75: 99A's Night Raid - Can You Handle It?
"He County it is!"
Li Yunlong roared in his booming voice; he could hardly wait!
The others echoed in succession: "The Brigade Commander's analysis is spot on! He County it is!"
"Let's use He County to get some practice!"
"Brigade Commander, please issue the orders!"
...
Seeing no objections, the Brigade Commander nodded and continued: "With the target set, the next step is concrete combat preparations!"
"First, send out all reconnaissance companies! Within two days, I want to see a detailed defense map of the county town! The Japs' barracks, command post, ammunition depots, supply depots... everything must be clearly marked for me!"
"Second, the combat staff must immediately draft a detailed attack route based on the reconnaissance intelligence. The tank assault paths, infantry follow-up routes, and artillery fire support areas must be specified down to every intersection and every building!"
"Third, logistical support must keep up! Ammunition, fuel, food, and first-aid supplies must be stored and distributed according to the standards of a high-intensity battle!"
"Fourth, communication must be absolutely smooth! A reliable network of contact must be established between units, and between the front and the rear..."
"Fifth..."
The Brigade Commander arranged everything item by item, with meticulous detail.
Finally, with a burning gaze, the Brigade Commander looked at every cadre present: "comrades, although we possess unprecedentedly powerful weapons, we must never let that make us underestimate the enemy!"
"A Japanese regiment is not made of mud, and even a dog will jump over a wall when cornered!"
"We must leverage our equipment advantage and push our preparations to the limit to achieve the greatest victory with the smallest cost! Do you understand?"
"Understood!" everyone shouted in unison, the sound shaking the roof tiles.
"Good! Everyone, move out!" The Brigade Commander waved his hand.
As the order was given, the entire Independent Regiment quickly sprang into action!
Shen Wang was not idle either; his task was simple: to teach them how to fire the cannons!
Within two days, they had to master the 99A attack system!
...
Time flew by.
Three days later, a thick stack of detailed combat plans lay on the table in front of the Brigade Commander.
On the map, every platoon's attack route, firepower allocation, and reserve position were clearly marked.
The Brigade Commander, Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, and others gathered around the table for the final simulation.
"The reconnaissance company reports that the Jap regimental headquarters is in the old county government office, the barracks are in the east and west, and the supplies are in the south..."
"The 14 tanks will split into two routes, using their night vision advantage to strike directly at the east and west barracks and the regimental headquarters, taking out their command hub and ability to assemble!" Zhao Gang added.
"The 107mm rocket launcher company will be in preset positions outside the city. Once the tanks succeed, they will immediately provide covering fire on the remaining enemy firing points on the city walls and potential reinforcement routes!"
"The Anti-Aircraft Battalion will deploy on the high ground to guard the sky!"
...
The attack plan was repeatedly simulated.
Finally, the Brigade Commander slammed his fist onto the table.
"The plan is thorough and feasible! Pass on my order: tonight at midnight, we execute on time! Codename — Thunder!"
"The entire regiment is to enter Level 1 combat readiness immediately!"
As the order was passed, the atmosphere in Yang Village tightened to the limit.
Kong Jie and Ding Wei had already returned to their respective defense areas according to the plan, responsible for intercepting potential Japanese reinforcements from other directions and supporting the Independent Regiment's operation.
Taking a county town is just the beginning; no one knows what chain reaction it will bring.
We must be prepared for the Japs' crazy counterattack!
Soon, night fell.
However, there was no sign of sleep at the Independent Regiment's station.
The soldiers were full of energy, sharp-eyed, and quickly completed their assembly under the moonlight and sparse lights.
Looking around, this was a reborn troop!
Most soldiers held shiny new type 56 submachine guns, with bulging magazine pouches on their waists.
The machine gunners carried heavy Type 56 light machine guns, looking murderous.
Some soldiers carried US-made 60mm or German 81mm mortars, forming artillery teams.
The most eye-catching was the rocket company formed by 50 sharpshooters picked from the entire regiment!
Each with a 40mm rocket launcher on their shoulder!
Standing there, their momentum was simply off the charts!
The Brigade Commander, Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, and others stood in front of the formation, looking at the reborn troop, feeling a surge of pride!
That's not even counting the 14 99A tanks!
Shen Wang had said during his spare time these days that while other weapons might be brought later, these 99As were likely all they would get.
Unless he drew more, Shen Wang wouldn't exchange for 99A tanks; they were too expensive!
Of course, Shen Wang also mentioned there might be other tanks, but their performance would be much worse than the 99A.
So these 14 99As couldn't be counted as regular combat power.
But even without the 99As, looking at these soldiers equipped with type 56 submachine guns, Type 56 light machine guns, 60mm mortars, 81mm mortars, and 40mm rocket launchers, it was absolutely terrifying.
Never mind the Japs' Class A units; even Little Mustache's Central Army Group would be worth a fight!
"comrades!"
The Brigade Commander walked to the front of the formation for the final mobilization.
"Tonight, our target is He County..."
"We must use the steel guns in our hands to tell the Japs — the land of China is not somewhere they can come and occupy whenever they want!"
"Use the Japs' blood to pay tribute to our fallen compatriots!"
"Use a hearty victory to tell the people of the whole country that the Eighth Route Army has the ability to defend our home!"
"comrades! Do you have confidence?"
"Yes!!!"
"Yes!!!"
"Yes!!!"
...
The Independent Regiment was already raring to go under Li Yunlong, and after the Brigade Commander's mobilization, they were practically on fire!
"Good!"
The Brigade Commander waved his hand forward.
"All units, move out according to plan!"
"Boom—!!"
The 14 99A main battle tanks moved out first!
Followed by dozens of transport trucks loaded with infantry and ammunition.
These transport trucks were naturally exchanged by Shen Wang; now, he only had a tiny fraction of his military merit points left.
But fortunately, after tonight, there would surely be a big harvest of military merit points!
At this moment, Shen Wang was sitting in the 99A leading the way.
Originally, the Brigade Commander firmly disagreed with Shen Wang going to the front line, but Shen Wang had tried very hard to convince him.
Actually, sitting in the 99A was safer than being anywhere else!
The convoy sped through the night, the roar of the engines sounding particularly harsh in the mountain wilderness in the dead of night.
Soon, the unit arrived below He County.
The city gate was tightly closed.
About a squad of Japs were guarding the city gate.
At this time, these Japs were all dumbfounded!
Through the night vision device, Shen Wang saw it clearly!
Dumbfounded?
Being dumbfounded is exactly right!
A 99A conducting a night raid; no one can handle that!
Immediately after, Shen Wang picked up the walkie-talkie and said: "Regimental Commander Li, it's your turn!"
On the other end of the walkie-talkie, although Li Yunlong didn't know why Shen Wang had set such a bizarre slogan, he still followed the agreement, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"Fire—!!!"