Chapter 20: Completely Unharmed
The so-called super-caliber mortar shells are just mortar shells that are larger than the caliber of the mortar tube, also at the cost of sacrificing range and accuracy (but still much better than the "heartless cannon", although the "heartless cannon" is cheaper). In exchange for a significant increase in power, the independent division used 82mm super-caliber mortar shells this time, which are even larger than the ordinary shells used by the 120mm mortar. Its power can be imagined. Moreover, since the independent division captured its first 82mm mortar, Hu Weidong had the ordnance factory stop all other work and produce it with all its might, and now there are dozens of shells stored up. Of course, compared to the more numerous and powerful "heartless cannon", it also played a role in "adding insult to injury".
In fact, these two weapons, although seemingly powerful, have obvious drawbacks. The pathetic range alone is a fatal flaw. If the enemy has bullets or shells to detonate the ammunition, the consequences are unthinkable. At this point, the great power becomes a disadvantage instead.
Among them, the "unconscionable cannon" was particularly troublesome. Ordinary artillerymen couldn't use it, and only specially trained engineers could install and launch it. Because if there was a slight mistake in the operation process, it would lead to disaster. Fortunately, Hu Weidong had been recruiting talent for the engineering troops since his militia days. After capturing Xingguo County and obtaining many gasoline barrels and explosive packs, he immediately conducted emergency training for the selected flying thunder artillerymen. Now, after nearly a month, the dozens of engineers responsible for launching the "unconscionable cannon" today were all calm, careful, and meticulous, without any mistakes, proving the saying "forethought is forearmed".
Actually, even so, Hu Weidong was still a bit worried. After all, no matter how hard the engineers trained, it was still a bit short of time in less than a month. For this reason, during the day, he did not let the "heavy artillery" troops enter the front line positions. Only after discovering that the enemy had not sent troops to seize the position did he secretly deploy them to the relatively forward trenches at night. In the process, in order to cover up the movement on the position, they even launched a surprise attack at night, unexpectedly increasing the "heavy artillery"'s achievements...
Even with such careful preparation, after all, it was the first time using it, and the enemy's strength was so powerful, Hu Weidong's heart was also tense to death at one point. The calm performance in front of his subordinates was just a pretence to comfort the troops. Fortunately, the "heavy artillery" did not disappoint and made great contributions, and Hu Weidong finally breathed a sigh of relief, secretly complaining, "When we have real heavy artillery in the future, we won't need your help again..."
Due to the low morale of the defending troops, which had been crushed by the artillery fire of the Independent Division, coupled with their absolute superiority in numbers, the casualties of the Independent Division's soldiers who entered the county seat were not significant. They killed over a thousand enemy soldiers and captured six thousand (even the most stubborn army, once dispersed, can also be easily defeated, see the number of Japanese troops captured at Nomonhan). The losses on their own side were less than a thousand, with only a little over three hundred deaths, which was undoubtedly another complete victory. As for the spoils of war, it was even more delightful for the Independent Division, as a batch of supplies originally intended to be transported to Xingguo had been temporarily stranded in Yongfeng County due to its fall, and before they could be transferred, they were seized by the Independent Division. Furthermore, since there were many troops stationed in Yongfeng County, mostly elite forces, the spoils of this battle were much richer than the previous one...
"Reporting to the superior, our army has captured more than 12,000 rifles, over 3,000 pistols, most of which are twenty-rounds, more than 1,100 various submachine guns, more than 170 light and heavy machine guns, 61 mortars, 36 mountain guns......more than 900,000 tons of grain, more than 30,000 sets of uniforms......", the soldier excitedly said, his saliva almost spraying onto Hu Weidong's face......
But Hu Weidong, who was immersed in ecstasy, didn't think much of it and only asked, "How can there be so many mountain cannons?"
"In the arsenal we collected 12 guns and received 24 from the surrendered White Army artillerymen." The communications officer replied loudly.
"Could it be that not a single enemy cannon was destroyed? How is this possible?", Hu Weidong couldn't help but feel some surprise, this luck was also too good to be true.
"They actually all say that they can't bear to blow it up, this is really...... Don't they know that if the big cannon falls into the enemy's hands, it will soon be used to attack their own troops?", He Huzi walked in with a mixture of laughter and tears.
"It's indeed very strange, it seems like they've always been this way throughout history, whether it's against the devils or the Liberation Army, no wonder they're called 'Transportation Chief'......", Hu Weidong also agreed in his heart, but with a soft tone of mockery said, "This shows that they don't even consider us as enemies, He Lao you must put in more effort and convert them all into our soldiers."
At this time, He Huzi's face sank, and he asked, "Little Hu, this battle has worried me to death. In fact, the enemy in the city is much stronger than us. How dare you take the initiative to attack the city? And you directly incorporated so many captives into the sequence to participate in the battle, aren't you afraid that they will turn against us on the spot?"
"The enemy's strength is strong, if they come out to kill, we can only retreat with one way to go, but they are unexpectedly shrinking back. I'm just trying out the effect of my new weapon. Of course, this is like incorporating prisoners into the troops before the war, it's all about risking everyone's lives, but if we develop in a steady and orderly manner, we will only be consumed by the enemy's superior forces and find it difficult to grow stronger. Rather than that, I think it's better to take a risk, wait until the team is strong enough, then we have the capital to seek stability." Hu Weidong immediately explained to He Huzi the conditions and precautions for applying the "immediately capture and supplement" strategy...
"Firstly, our military officers need to care for and respect these captured soldiers, share their joys and sorrows with them, and show concern for them in daily life. This will have a profound impact on the White Army soldiers who have long suffered from beatings and exploitation by their superiors. Secondly, our political ideological work must be in place. If it weren't for Comrade He being in charge of this aspect, I wouldn't have been able to make them change their minds within one or two days. These two conditions are what the White Army lacks, so only we can achieve 'capture and replenish' quickly turning the White Army into our own soldiers, while they cannot do the same. However, just having these two is not enough, the most important point......" Hu Weidong's tone suddenly became more serious, "is that we must win battles, one victory after another!"
"I see, no wonder you can pull together such a large team in such a short time...", Hei Huzi sighed, he finally understood the hardships and dangers hidden under the brilliant military achievements of Hu Weidong since his uprising, the independent regiment was equivalent to him risking his life again and again with the determination of "if not successful, then die"
