Chapter 44: The Special Operations Battalion (Part 1)

  "Wait, what did you say? The 10th Regiment of the 4th Division's Special Operations Company... Is that the same Special Operations Company that occupied the county seat with just one company of soldiers?" Upon hearing the words "Special Operations Company", the Chairman suddenly reacted and asked the confidential staff officer.

  "Yes, Comrade Chairman. It was that special operations company, with Company Commander Zhang Hua. They were the ones who, relying on a single company of over 200 soldiers, completely annihilated two main force regiments of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army." The chief of staff replied affirmatively.

  "Bang... Good, good, great fight, showed the prestige of our Red Army... fought too well. With just one company's strength, occupied a county town, and then with just one company's strength, annihilated two regiments of Shanxi-Suiyuan Army. Really fought too well, I now really want to meet this company commander named Zhang Hua, listen to what he thinks." Hearing the reply from the staff officer, Chairman slapped the desk in front of him loudly and replied.

  "Alright, it's a great idea.... Hehe, this Zhang Hua, how come I didn't notice him before? Mr. Chairman, I suggest we agree with Huang Kecheng's suggestion and order at least one regiment to return to Puzhou for reinforcement. In that case, as long as Yan Xishan doesn't send troops, the entire Hedong region will be under our control. Moreover, having a county town in our hands allows us to purchase many urgently needed supplies..." General Peng snatched the telegram from the signal officer's hand and carefully read it before nodding in agreement.

  "Well, our old General Peng has spoken, how could I possibly disagree? Ah, right, Old Peng, regarding this special task force, how should we commend them? You see, in my memory, this special task force has already been awarded collective first-class merit twice. What's more important is that last time, we even granted them the title of 'Hero Battalion'. This time, you as the Commander-in-Chief plan to commend this heroic unit...?"

  "Lao Mao, what good ideas do you have..." General Peng nodded thoughtfully and looked at the contemplative chairman.

  "I've heard that this special operations company, although it's only a company-sized unit, has the strength of an entire battalion. Moreover, its firepower is more than what our entire division has. I think we should support and expand its size... but that's for you to decide, Commander-in-Chief. Hehe, I'm just making a suggestion." The Chairman said with a smile.

  "Alright, as long as he can fight, I agree to give him a division's quota. However, this Zhang Hua still needs to be tempered. I think we should give him a regiment's quota and call it the Special Task Regiment. Of course, in terms of affiliation, nothing will change. Also, to commend their great victory, awarding them is a must, let's give them a collective first-class merit. Old Mao, what do you think of this plan?" Peng said affirmatively. You should know that this 10th regiment of the 4th division was originally his own 3rd army's troops, and his beloved general had won a battle, how could he not be delighted?

  "I agree, and not only that, but also to give Huang Kecheng a newspaper, to support some old soldiers for the Special Task Force as much as possible. We cannot let the expansion of the troops affect the combat effectiveness of this sharp sword. I'd like to see what surprises Zhang Hua will bring us after the expansion of the troops." Chairman Mao said affirmatively.

  "Alright, it's settled then..." said President Peng with a nod.

  "Reporting to the superior, political commissar, a telegram from the forward enemy headquarters command..." Just as Huang Kecheng and Li Tianyou were anxiously waiting inside the command center, the fourth division's confidential staff officer rushed in with a telegram, saying.

  "Hurry, give me..." After hearing the chief of staff's words, General Huang Kecheng hastily snatched the telegram from the hands of the chief of staff and began to read it.

  "After consultation with the Front Enemy Command, it is agreed that your department change its combat plan and dispatch at least one regiment of troops to reinforce Puzhou County... In addition, in recognition of the great victory achieved by the Special Operations Company, a collective First-Class Merit award is granted to the Special Operations Company. The company commander Zhang Hua, political instructor Xu Bin, deputy company commander... After agreement from the Front Enemy Command, the Special Operations Company will be expanded into a Special Operations Battalion. The specific expansion plan will be discussed by the 4th Division. The division headquarters must ensure that during the expansion process, the combat effectiveness of the Special Operations Battalion is not affected."

  "Haha, Special Operations Battalion, the Chairman and Old General really have a way. Even if they don't expand, I will report it anyway. You know, at this time, the special operations company already has more than 300 people, which is already the size of a battalion. Old Huang, I think we should immediately send a telegram to Yang Yong, ordering his 10th Regiment to return and reinforce Pu County, and the division headquarters will follow..." After hearing the contents of the telegram, Political Commissar Li Tianyou was also excited, and hastily proposed.

  "Alright, I agree. Our division and the 10th regiment will return to Puzhou, while the rest of the troops will stick to the original battle plan." Huang Kecheng nodded in agreement with Commissar Li Tianyou's battle plan.

  After a big battle, the county seat of Nianpu County was exceptionally lively. Faced with the almost mountain-like supplies of Liu Shuping, the special task force of nearly 100 people, after collecting enough mules and carts, spent an entire afternoon transporting all the weapons and ammunition to the county seat of Pu County, storing them in the warehouse, waiting for the main force's inspection. With the end of the transportation, the specific results of the battle were also counted out.

  At this time, four commanders of the Special Operations Unit were surrounding the table in the unit's headquarters, discussing the achievements and losses of the Special Operations Unit for the day.

  "Lao Huang, you're in charge of logistics. How many weapons and ammunition did we capture this time?" The meeting had just begun when Battalion Commander Zhang Hua turned to Deputy Instructor Huang Zhengqing, whose face was filled with excitement.

  "Haha, Old Zhang, I'm telling you, since I joined the Red Army, I've never seen so many weapons and ammunition. In this entire battle, we captured two radio stations, four binoculars, 1465 rifles, over 240 submachine guns and pistols, 38 light machine guns, 12 heavy machine guns, and nine mortars. Additionally, there's a large amount of ammunition that hasn't been counted yet. But I made an estimate, roughly speaking, the rifle bullets, plus the enemy's logistics reserve, is around 2 million; a batch of submachine gun bullets, light and heavy machine gun bullets are about 100,000 rounds; and a large number of hand grenades, and over 900 cannonballs... Adding to what we captured in the past two days, it's enough to equip an entire division of our Red Army!" Deputy Director Huang Zhengqing said excitedly.

  "Great, too good. With these weapons and ammunition, our Red Army's equipment will be greatly improved. Old Guo, this morning's battle, the casualties of the troops shouldn't be small, right..." Zhang Hua looked at his Chief of Staff, Guo Chengzhu beside him.

  "Commander, you've underestimated the combat effectiveness of our special forces company. In this ambush battle, the troops didn't even charge forward, they just hid in their trenches and conducted suppressive fire. How many casualties could we have possibly suffered? The entire company had 21 soldiers killed by stray bullets, 8 soldiers were seriously injured. Many more were lightly wounded, but it absolutely doesn't affect the combat effectiveness of our troops." said Chief of Staff Guo Chengzhu, also excitedly.

  "Alright, each row of casualties will be replenished with the new recruits in Old Huang's hands. That should be about it. As for the new recruits in Old Huang's hands, we've just captured over a thousand prisoners, and some of them are new recruits. However, this all depends on your skills." Zhang Hua said resolutely.

  "Company Commander, don't worry about it. Mobilizing prisoners to join the Red Army is our political work cadres' rice bowl. Just watch out that I won't mobilize too many and our special operations company's temple will be too small to hold so many people." Instructor Xu Bin said with a smile after hearing Zhang Hua's response.

  "Old Xu, don't worry, we have three main forces behind us. By the way, I forgot to tell you that I sent a messenger at noon to find the main force of the regiment and report our situation. If everything goes smoothly, the main force of the regiment will come to reinforce Puzhou tomorrow. So, everyone still needs to work hard and make preparations to welcome the main force." Zhang Hua said.

  "Commander, what you said is true. The main force of the regiment will indeed return to Pucheng County. If that's the case, it would be great! I was worried about these prisoners and weapons. Now our special operations company, except for a few patrol units, has almost all become logistics soldiers. With the regiment commander arriving, we can be freed up to continue fighting..."

  "Yes, the main force of the team will definitely come, I guarantee it to everyone. So, after the meeting is dismissed, we still have to work hard..." Zhang Hua said with a smile.

  The next day at noon, in the expectation of Zhang Hua and others, the main force of the group finally appeared in their line of sight. Through the binoculars in their hands, Zhang Hua and others could clearly see that after several days of rest, the main force had increased significantly. Because many people in the team were not equipped with weapons, they held big knives and long spears.

  "Report to the regiment commander, chief of staff, the special company has successfully completed its mission, annihilating over 3,800 Shanxi-Suiyuan troops and capturing over 2,200 enemy officers. Report complete, awaiting orders from the regiment commander." Seeing the main force of the regiment, Zhang Hua and others did not hesitate at all, immediately running to the front of the regiment commander and loudly responding.

  "Alright, alright, I didn't misjudge your Special Operations Company. No, it's not a company anymore, it's a Special Operations Battalion... Let's go, we'll head back to the county town and see the results of your Special Operations Battalion. It will also give the soldiers in the rear a chance to change their clothes and broaden their horizons." Seeing the four cadres of the Special Operations Company, Regimental Commander Yang Yong was excited and said loudly.

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