Chapter 4 Western Expedition
After reporting the specific matters, Cheng Feng led the remaining personnel of the 8th Company to strengthen the position on the 581 high ground. The surface of the position, which had been subjected to intense artillery bombardment, was all sandy soil and basically could not be used to construct field fortifications.
Shortly after the connection with the command post was established, several large transport helicopters and planes marked with a red cross flew to the front line in armed helicopters, hovering in mid-air, and the transport planes unloaded the materials needed for the construction of fortifications, including steel beams, quick-drying cement, small excavators, prefabricated command posts, shelters, medicines, and supplies.
Randomly arriving engineers also started building fortifications. The medical helicopter took away the wounded, and under the roar of the helicopters, 581 suddenly became a large construction site.
The high ground, which was quickly battered into a cratered expanse, soon transformed into a modern permanent fortification with machine gun nests, command posts, troop shelters and over a hundred U-shaped steel pillboxes in front of the modern machinery. This scene is not what a battlefield should look like, perhaps this is what modern warfare looks like.
Modern warfare is like this, apart from burning money, it also burns technology. When have you ever heard of building fortifications on the front line with excavators and cement? And I haven't seen such finished products made of reinforced concrete for shelters and command centers either. In the past, weren't they all just dug out with a few soldier shovels?
At the command post location, a "type" command post is built with original wood or other things, and then covered with about one meter of mud. Generally, soldiers can only dig out several cat ear holes to defend against artillery.
Such a luxurious engineering corps had never experienced it even in the actual combat exercises before, but at this moment, Cheng Feng felt much more solid and peaceful in his heart, muttering to himself "Brothers, this time we won't be like in 1962, fighting and then retreating. Just looking at the structure of this permanent defensive fortification, we can hold on for a long time. It's worth risking our lives, brothers, take a rest".
This piece of land that was lost for nearly a hundred years is now under our feet, with the five-star flag fluttering in the wind, as if it has found its mother after being scattered for many years. The honor and pride fill the chest of the wind. It's an honor to witness such an event.
Unfortunately, it was not recovered by peaceful means, but at the cost of cruel war and life! His gaze turned to the direction where the Indian military officers and soldiers were buried, which was a small hill. He led the brothers of the 8th Company to bury all the bodies of the Indian military officers and soldiers who died in battle on the 581 high ground together.
If there were no war, everyone could live to see all this. How wonderful it would be? Although the Indian army is our enemy, and in war there is no mercy, but if these dead Indian soldiers also witnessed this moment with us, what a good picture it would be.
No one likes war, because no one wants to die in this desolate and barren land. They all have their own families, with parents, brothers and sisters, children, just like that, one morning, a few hours, how many families lost their children, wives lost their husbands, children lost their dads.
War is really cruel.
Cheng Feng had just brought the canteen to his mouth for a drink of water and hadn't even had time to tear open his combat rations when Communications Specialist Little Wang ran up to him, saying "Director, Battalion Commander is looking for you," as he handed over the earpiece.
"Beep beep" the radio crackled, a call from the battalion command center. Cheng Feng grabbed the headset and shouted "This is Cheng Feng, this is Cheng Feng, commander please instruct".
"Cheng Feng, how many of you are left now? Can you still continue fighting?"
"No problem, Company Commander, our company still has 35 men left, although most of them are wounded. But you know that as long as one man is left in the company, we can continue to fight, and the soldiers' desire for battle is very high."
"That's good, I knew you and your troops are all right. The previous commander sent 300 veteran soldiers to us, and I left 100 of them for the Eighth Company. These are all capable fighters, and they will be added to your company."
"Also, I'll give you another anti-aircraft company. The handover will be handled immediately and the 7th Company will take over. From now on, you will share the responsibility of being the battalion commander with your political commissar, while you appoint a deputy battalion commander yourself. You can also choose platoon leaders from the remaining soldiers. Any questions?" The regimental commander continued to ask.
"Thank you, Commander. No problem, but apart from personnel, we need to replenish some equipment. In 581, our communication equipment was almost completely destroyed. I urgently need liaison materials and assault rocket launchers, please arrange for resupply." Cheng Feng replied.
"Alright, I'll send someone to reinforce you immediately. And I'll also assign a staff officer from the Nanjing Military Region to assist you, this kid is an all-around military expert and will be of great help to you, that's why he was specially assigned to your unit by the military region. You just make sure to keep him safe, even if everyone else in the company dies, he can't die!" The battalion commander continued, "No! You also come back alive for me!" The battalion commander added sternly.
"Also, you will continue to move south this afternoon. You are now less than 100 kilometers away from Da Wang, but it's all mountain roads. The enemy situation ahead is still unclear. You must arrive at Area 5 by tomorrow morning at 0900, take control of the surrounding 388 high ground and hold on until the main force arrives."
"In addition, the 9th company will be on your right flank, following closely behind you. Meanwhile, the vanguard will coordinate with a tank company to ensure your safety. Remember, try not to get entangled with small groups of enemies along the way and directly infiltrate into the designated area. I'm waiting for your good news."
"Alright, I guarantee completion of the task." Cheng Feng replied firmly with a military salute.
"But who is this kid? Is he that awesome?" Cheng Feng's shoulders relaxed as he chuckled.
"Listen to orders, don't talk back!" The battalion commander chuckled.
"Also, your old man has been waiting at the front line since early morning, and he didn't even eat breakfast. He only went to rest after hearing that you're still alive. Kid, don't think that your old man just wants to use you as a gun and send you to the front lines, so fight well and come back soon." The battalion commander whispered.
He put down the phone, sat on the ground with a hesitant expression, took out a self-heating can, pulled and pressed it to let the can heat itself, then took out dry rations and chewed them in his mouth, seemingly not very tasty. He thought of past events.
That was 4 years ago, after graduating from university, Cheng Feng originally wanted to continue reading for a master's degree, the exams were all passed, just short of reporting, but in the last two days before leaving, he was kept back by his family's old man.
No matter how much Feng Cheng made a fuss, Old Master's determination to let Feng Cheng join the army did not waver in the slightest. He believed that only by joining the army could he repay his country and be a real man. Finally, with a military cap on his head, a military uniform on his body, and a backpack on his back, Feng Cheng was kicked into the army by Old Master.
Under the dignity of his father-in-law, Cheng Feng felt that it was simply unreasonable to say that he had to be a man by being a gunner. Fortunately, Cheng Feng's unyielding personality since childhood allowed him to hold back and work hard, crawling and rolling, and in just four short years, relying on his own sweat and efforts, he became the instructor of Hero Eight Squad. It can also be said that he did not lose face for his father-in-law who was a military commander.
