diymy Chapter 96: Signing a Military Pledge!
Chapter 96: Signing a Military Pledge!
In Da'an Village, Zhang Dabiao had already led his battalion to break camp and withdraw.
Only Wang Yousheng's Fifth Battalion remained in the village.
As for why it's called the Fifth Battalion and not the Fourth Battalion?
It was because Li Yunlong felt that the number 'four' was unlucky, so he simply skipped it and directly formed the Fifth Battalion of the Independent Regiment.
Zhao Gang advised Li Yunlong not to engage in such superstitious practices, but Li Yunlong retorted that Zhao Gang did not understand military matters.
In this matter, Li Yunlong had another unpleasant encounter with Zhao Gang.
In the end, Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang separated. Li Yunlong was in charge of the combat operations of the regimental headquarters' directly subordinate units, while Zhao Gang was responsible for evacuating the civilians in the independent regiment's jurisdiction.
In other words, Zhao Gang will not have much of a chance to participate in the battle this time.
Wang Yousheng also felt indignant on Zhao Gang's behalf, since Zhao Gang was not afraid of fighting, while only the simple-minded regimental commander Li Yunlong thought he was just a pretty-faced scholar.
It seems Zhao Gang didn't get a chance to impress Li Yunlong during this sweep...
At the training ground at the village entrance, more than 300 men from the Fifth Battalion of the Independent Regiment had formed three ranks and assembled there.
Wang Yousheng stood in front of the crowd, looking at the three company commanders lined up in front.
Company Commander: Zhang Shan (First Company Commander), Wang Xikui (Second Company Commander), Wang Gensheng (Third Company Commander)
Wang Xikui was originally a soldier in the 4th Company of the 2nd Battalion. Later, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion as a squad leader. After the Battle of Liuchen Village, he became a platoon leader. As for why he was promoted so quickly, it was naturally because he killed a lot of Japanese soldiers and had excellent marksmanship.
Now Wang Xikui has also been specially promoted to company commander.
Needless to say, Wang Gensheng was a skilled grenade thrower and a veteran of several years. Not to mention, on the night he sneaked into the Japanese No. 7 pillbox, it was only because of his bayonet that he restrained Sakurai So, giving the new recruits a chance to practice their swordsmanship.
Zhang Shan, this kid came from the logistics department, and he already had many years of command experience.
Among the entire Fifth Battalion, the three of them were considered veterans, and Wang Yousheng was very decisive in entrusting the new recruits to their leadership.
Wang Yousheng shouted, "Comrades, we have received the latest intelligence: the Japanese have begun to mobilize troops and are approaching our base area. They are estimated to arrive in the next day or two."
"The commander's mission for us was to fight independently, which meant that if we saw any weak points in the Japanese blockade, we should attack them, and if we could break through the blockade, we should."
"But I don't want to do that!"
"Why? Because I'm afraid you're new recruits! That you'll be too scared to charge into battle when you see the Japanese guns!"
As soon as Wang Yousheng finished speaking, every soldier in the ranks was startled.
Damn it, what is Battalion Commander Wang saying? Why is he belittling us to the point of being worthless?
New recruit Lü Ermang retorted, "Battalion Commander, that's not nice to hear! How can we not be good? If the Japanese dare to come, I'll be the first to chop off their heads!"
"That's right!" New recruit Chen Xiaoliu echoed, "Battalion Commander, you're underestimating us!"
The other soldiers responded enthusiastically, each looking as if they were ready to fight Wang Yousheng.
Wang Yousheng smiled faintly and said sternly, "Alright, you're all making such a fuss. If we really get to the battlefield, anyone who deserts or disobeys me will be the first to be shot. Of course, words are meaningless; do you dare to give a written guarantee?"
"A pledge of military authority?"
"What's there to be afraid of! Come on!"
"That's right! The battalion commander underestimates us. We joined the Eighth Route Army to fight the Japanese devils and avenge our fallen fellow villagers!"
Without wasting words, Wang Yousheng took the opportunity to say to the three company commanders, "Did you hear that? They're all so arrogant. Alright, give each of them a pledge right now."
"yes!"
The company commanders had no objections.
At this moment, everyone started writing their names on the pledge, as if they were signing a death warrant.
Wang Yousheng nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the soldiers' disdainful gazes.
He did this to boost the morale of the Fifth Battalion and to lift the soldiers' fighting spirit against the Japanese.
After all, this was his first time serving as a battalion commander, and he had almost no experience in command.
Although the soldiers were all convinced, when they actually got to the battlefield, all sorts of situations would arise. For example, when some new recruits saw Japanese infantry charging in formation with tanks and armored vehicles, they would be at a loss and their minds would go blank.
Wang Yousheng is doing this to intimidate his soldiers. He now has a cheat code and knows the Japanese attack route perfectly well. He's just afraid that his own soldiers won't understand.
Soon, the pledge was drawn up.
The military order reads as follows: All soldiers of the Fifth Battalion who desert will be shot on the spot, and those who disobey orders will be shot on the spot!
Then, in the large blank space below, are the names of the soldiers.
Of course, this also included the three company commanders.
Wang Yousheng wasn't worried about the rule against deserters, because he believed that these patriotic young people would not desert.
However, these new recruits all have national and personal grievances, and once they are on the battlefield, they are easily influenced by subjective factors. They only care about charging up to kill the Japanese and ignore the orders of their commanders.
For example, some new recruits, seeing their comrades killed by the Japanese, would rush out of their positions in a fit of rage to seek revenge.
This is clearly irrational. If one person violates military orders, another will follow suit, and the entire position will be in chaos with no tactics. How can we fight a war like that?
Don't think that war is as simple as two opposing sides standing on opposite sides and firing shots. A positional war requires tactical changes, flexible offense and defense, and can last for three days and three nights.
Of course, Li Yunlong was an exception; he always liked to disobey military orders.
But the premise is that Li Yunlong is a veteran of more than ten years and a regimental commander.
Li Yunlong has accumulated invaluable combat experience through countless battles. He is able to accurately seize opportunities in various battlefield situations and, through the application of his personal tactics, always manages to create some unexpected surprises.
Most of these new recruits lack this quality. Even if they disobey military orders, they can only be dealt with after the battle. Now, the military order states that "violating military orders" will result in immediate execution, which naturally greatly enhances the binding force.
Therefore, the main purpose of the military order is to restrain the combat mentality of new recruits.
Because his next battle orders will shock everyone!
"Commander, everything's signed. Now you can assign us tasks!"
General Zhang Shan presented the order.
Wang Yousheng glanced at it and said, "Zhao Shitou, take this military order and keep it safe!"
"yes!"
Standing next to Wang Yousheng, Zhao Shitou accepted the military order. Indeed, he had now become a communications soldier in the Fifth Battalion.
Seeing everyone staring at him with resolute expressions, Wang Yousheng said, "Comrades, the regimental commander's order is for us to set up defenses in Wanjia Town and cover the evacuation of the people from the villages around Wanjia Town. Wanjia Town is backed by Mashun County. If the Japanese want to carry out a large-scale mopping-up operation, they will definitely come from Mashun County. Therefore, our task is arduous."
"We are not afraid!"
"good!"
Wang Yousheng continued, "Second Company and Third Company, your mission is to advance into the Japanese-held area, harass the enemy from the front using guerrilla warfare tactics, draw enemy fire, and cover the retreat of the villagers."
"The 1st Company will follow me to attack the Japanese supply train. Damn it, this time our 5th Battalion must fight with spirit and show our friendly forces how our 5th Battalion fights!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers responded in unison.
But the three company commanders were dumbfounded.
What is the battalion commander doing?
A single company dared to attack the Japanese supply train? Are they crazy?
Not to mention that the Japanese supply trains were hard to find, even if they were found, they would be protected by the Japanese combat troops behind them.
Once a battle breaks out, a company of soldiers could be wiped out in an instant.