Chapter 38: Post-War Summary

  The arduous defense battle finally won, the battle lasted for more than three hours, annihilating two Japanese infantry battalions and one machine gun battalion with a total of 537 people. One Japanese lieutenant colonel was killed, three captains and several lower-level officers were also killed. 13 cars were destroyed and 5 were captured. 12 Type 92 heavy machine guns, 14 Type 96 light machine guns, approximately 480 rifles, 10 grenade launchers, and countless ammunition and other combat materials were seized.

  While achieving great results, the Chinese "Divine Eagle" anti-Japanese special operations team also paid a heavy price. A total of 178 soldiers were killed and 214 soldiers were injured to varying degrees, with more than half of their ammunition consumed.

  This battle created multiple records for the Chinese "Divine Eagle" anti-Japanese special operations team since its establishment. The first time to engage in a positional warfare with the devils, the first time to encircle and annihilate the enemy, the first time to conduct multi-branch joint operations; the most enemy troops annihilated, the most casualties suffered, the highest rank of Japanese military officers killed, the largest amount of booty captured, etc.

  The first and second battalions of the "Divine Eagle" suffered the heaviest losses due to continuous attacks by the devils, with 63 people killed in the first battalion, 59 people killed in the second battalion, and 11 people killed in the machine gun platoon.

  After this battle, the Japanese army had almost no defensive forces between Chuzhou and Dingyuan, and "Divine Eagle" won a vast strategic development space with its own strength.

  After the war, the busiest place outside of the logistics department was the field hospital. For several days in a row, Wu Qing, who was both the director and the only doctor, had been tirelessly performing surgeries on the wounded. The hospital was severely short-staffed with nurses, so "Divine Eagle" urgently recruited many local women to temporarily take on nursing duties at the hospital. He Chunxiang also put aside other tasks and worked alongside Xiaojuan to train and work together. However, all of this was still not the biggest problem - the most critical issue was that the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs had increased dramatically and was approaching the bottom line of inventory!

  Chen Jifan ordered all troops to rest in place. He and the deputy regimental commander devoted themselves fully to treating the wounded and preparing supplies.

  As deputy battalion commander, Zhong Dingcheng did not directly participate in the battle this time, but instead fully guaranteed the logistics of the troops at Xiao Wangzhuang. However, Chen Jifan deeply understood that using a champion who had participated in the "Elena" International Scout Competition in this way was somewhat humiliating for him.

  "Lao Zhong, the fight is over, but I still feel uncomfortable in my heart. I don't know what it is specifically, I want to have a good talk with you." Chen Jifan said sincerely to this deputy regimental commander who had been working hard on their way back from the hospital.

  "Yes, the scene in the hospital tells us that we are still very fragile. The troops' supplies and personnel reserves can't withstand this kind of big battle. If the devils send a few more squadrons or if they have artillery and aircraft, we'll be at a disadvantage. Xiaowangzhuang may already be in ruins." Zhong Dingcheng took over the conversation.

  "So I think it's necessary to have a thorough review of the entire army after the war, summarizing the gains and losses from this battle against the devils. First, I want to summarize the inadequacies in my command this time." Chen Jifang didn't seem to be joking.

  Zhong Dingcheng saw the serious look on the camp commander's face, thought for a moment and said: "Not only in military affairs, but also in politics, logistics and other aspects, we need to make a summary. Old Chen, to be honest, I feel more and more that one thing."

  "What's going on? Don't be mysterious, just say it." Chen Jifan couldn't help but be curious.

  "Let's talk about it when we get back to the camp."

  After the two arrived at the camp, Zhong Dingcheng expressed his feelings. He said that without the support of the common people, it would be impossible to lead a team to resist Japan. To gain the support of the common people, simply shouting slogans and distributing a few dollars like in Xiao Wang Zhuang was not enough. Only by establishing a government in the activity area could they mobilize all forces to resist Japan through institutional or legal means to the greatest extent possible. And "Divine Eagle" would become the guarantee for the existence of this government.

  To put it simply, Xiaowangzhuang is no longer a base but just a foothold. All the food for the troops has to be bought from the local people.

  "Wait a minute, Old Clock, you said that the team's food doesn't rely on buying from the common people, does it rely on looting?" Chen Jifan asked with a puzzled face.

  "Haha, Old Chen, when did you become so humorous? I mean to say, if we establish an anti-Japanese government, while protecting the common people, we can also collect military rations from the people in our jurisdiction at a ratio and organize militia reserves as a source of troops for us. This is the long-term plan."

  "Extract military rations, extract military rations", Chen Jifan repeated to himself several times, then suddenly looked up and said, "Old Zhong, you're not being honest with me, this idea definitely didn't come from you, whose idea is it?"

  "I knew I couldn't fool you. How could a scout like me come up with these ideas? It was your student from Wuhan who came up with this plan, he wrote me a letter, look, it's here." Zhong Dingcheng handed a letter to Chen Jifan.

  Chen Jifan took the letter without reading it first, but said confidently: "I know this person, his name is Li Xiangtao, the 'Tao' in '韬略'. When I was in Wuhan, this kid told me that he would say something like this. I dare to conclude that he is either a party member or an active applicant for party membership. Alright, next step will be done according to what he said."

  The two then went on to discuss the future plans of Shenying, the source of their weapons and equipment, as well as how to deal with the two parties. Of course, these are all afterwords, the most important thing is to hold a summary meeting immediately, and implement it layer by layer from top to bottom.

  The summary meeting of the "Divine Eagle" operation was held in the ancestral hall of Xiaowangzhuang, with participants including company and platoon commanders, as well as liaison officer Li Tao, Dean Wu Qing, Wang Jicai and others. In addition, the regimental headquarters also invited Su Nianhong and Li Xiangtao to attend as observers.

  Comrade Chen Jifang spoke first, after listing the battle achievements and casualties of our side. He pointed out with a heavy heart that the inadequacy of this operation plan was the direct cause of the relatively large number of casualties on our side. Firstly, the supporting role of artillery was not fully utilized, and the position of artillery could not adapt well to changes in the battlefield situation; secondly, there was insufficient psychological estimation for new recruits going into battle. Although the enemy's combat effectiveness is strong, if the plan and command were more thorough, it would still be possible to reduce casualties.

  The squad leader came up and made a self-criticism, how could everyone else still hide and conceal? Below was first a moment of silence, followed by the start of mutual whispering.

  Song Guanhu stood up from his chair and said: "The captain's words are excessive, I have a different opinion."

  Song Guanhu's move to break the deadlock immediately drew everyone's attention, and they all wanted to see what surprising views this company commander who had made great contributions would have.

  Song Guanhu pulled his belt and continued to say: "Fighting will result in casualties, I think everyone knows that. Our first and second companies are responsible for the front-line defense, so we have more fallen comrades. But when we were the National Army, facing the attack of three enemy regiments, it's not just about casualties, our two companies would have been wiped out long ago. However, this time we suffered less than half of the casualties and annihilated the enemy, isn't that a victory? So I truly admire the battalion commander and his men. Ah, I'm telling you, Battalion Commander, don't blame yourself."

  Song Guanhu's words resonated with many cadres present, including liaison officer Li Tao. This was Li Tao's first personal experience of the Chinese "Divine Eagle" in combat, and the huge victory made him eager to rush back and tell Commander Sun Liren about it. What concept are three squadrons of devils? Anyone who has fought against the devils knows that, but the "Divine Eagle" achieved a glorious victory with less than half the casualties, which would have been touted as a heroic achievement in the National Army, with newspapers and radio stations singing its praises. By now, they would probably be holding not a summary meeting, but a celebratory banquet for promotions. However, this battalion commander who had directed the battle with such determination was the first to conduct self-criticism, leaving Li Tao deeply moved.

  "Director Chen, I think Captain Song is absolutely right. This time we were able to defeat the enemy and win, first of all thanks to your planning and command, secondly due to the bravery of our soldiers who fought with their lives on the line. With such a small price to pay, we were able to annihilate the stubborn enemy. To be honest, I really can't see what the battalion commander has to reflect on." Li Tao couldn't help but speak up.

  Chen Jifan's expression changed, and the atmosphere was about to shift. He said seriously: "Not bad, this battle we won, it's a big victory, if we put it on Chiang Kai-shek's desk, maybe the appointment certificate of the regiment commander will come down, everyone here will be promoted..."

  Chen Jifan's words made everyone laugh loudly.

  "But we won, did the devils leave? The devils are still in Chuzhou, Dingyuan, and still killing and burning on our Chinese land. What if the devils come again? What about a battalion, a regiment or even a division? What about the devils' cannons, planes, and tanks? Can we still sit here laughing at that time?"

  No one laughed again after that.

  Before summarizing, I want the whole army to understand two things: first, why we are fighting! Is it for wealth, for promotion, or to thoroughly eliminate the invaders? Second, what do we rely on to fight, is it by sacrificing lives or relying on the tactics and command of our soldiers? Chen Jifang was being serious.

  The crows and sparrows made no sound. Especially Song Guanhu and Li Tao seemed even more embarrassed.

  Zhong Ding Cheng saw the atmosphere was not right, so he quickly mediated by saying: "The regiment commander didn't mean anything else, just hoping that the troops would conduct a good combat summary and draw lessons from it. First Battalion Commander, is there nothing in your battalion worth reflecting on during this battle?"

  "Yes! Of course!" Song Guantou said as he stood up.

  "Well, then tell me, what are you dissatisfied with on the battlefield, and what is it that satisfies you most?" Zhong Dingcheng continued to ask.

  "Since the deputy battalion commander said so, I'll also let it out and get rid of our continuous ugly affairs," Song Guantao said with a sip of water. "What's most unsatisfactory is the problem with new recruits. No matter how much they're trained, once on the battlefield, they all become cowards. And the grenade launcher, damn it! Please punish me, two battalion commanders, for not fighting well and causing many brothers to die in vain."

  "Are there such problems in other troops?" Chen Jifan asked.

  "Yes!" they replied in unison.

  "Essentially, it's because our establishment time is too short and the warriors' training time is insufficient. To improve combat effectiveness in the shortest possible time, we must summarize gains and losses from the battalion to the soldiers, learning warfare through warfare. The devils won't give us much time, so I command:"

  They all stood up at once.

  "From today on, all units must seriously carry out the summary of this battle after training. Soldiers report to squad leaders, squad leaders report to platoon leaders... and so on, and it should become a habit in the future. Within three days, each company and battalion directly under the regiment must write a report and submit it to the regimental headquarters. Any questions?"

  "Here!" It's Song Guanhu again.

  "Speak!" Chen Jifan said irritably.

  "Reporting to the two battalion commanders, I'm not very good at recognizing characters and won't be able to write a report!"

  "Then come to the headquarters to dictate, I'll organize it. Dismissed!"

  Three days later, each unit submitted their reports as ordered. Chen Jifan and Zhong Dingcheng carefully sorted them out and categorized them.

  1. In terms of new recruits' training: Strengthen the training of tactical actions such as shooting, bayonet fighting and physical exercise; strengthen the psychological quality training of new recruits; strengthen the tactical coordination training between old and new soldiers; strengthen ideological education for new recruits.

  2. The use of artillery and coordination with infantry: Strengthen the mobility, timeliness and accuracy of artillery; strengthen information communication between scouts and artillery.

  Third, the issue of special warfare team's weapons: Since all assault teams are equipped with assault rifles, the special warfare team only has shotguns, 38 big covers and military knives, hoping to strengthen firepower.

  Fourth, logistical issues: The logistics personnel are severely insufficient, and as soon as the war starts, the transportation of ammunition and supplies will be delayed; there is no stable supply of food and materials to support the development of the troops.

  Fifth, intelligence issues: Without intelligence, every time it is a passive response to battle, and if attacking, it is even more impossible to find a clear target.

  Sixth, communication issues: As each unit will be stationed separately in the future, communication must be strengthened. Fortunately, the devils came a bit slower this time, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable; during wartime, communication between various units must be strengthened.

  Seven, medical care issues: There are not enough doctors, and the number of nursing staff is pitifully small, requiring training and strengthening; there is insufficient stockpiling of medicines and equipment, and no plasma reserves at all (no way to preserve them).

  Eighth, the problem of mobilizing the masses: The extent of mobilizing the masses is not enough. It is suggested to first organize village defense leagues and then try to establish anti-Japanese democratic political power.

  Nine, terrain problem: narrow and deep, unfavorable for deployment and rotation.

  Ten, Military Merit Incentive Issues: A military merit reward mechanism must be established.

  "Good fellow, this summary is indeed full of problems. Old Chen, take a look, every sentence makes sense." Zhong Dingcheng said excitedly.

  "Intelligence, military merit, hospital, training, communication, let's solve them one by one in this order."