Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 195 Taking Over Command, Strength Earns Respect

As it turned out, Chen Mo's judgment was very astute.

This kind of matrix triangular assault formation is very slow in actual combat, only 20 kilometers per hour, which is really poor in armored warfare.

When they rushed into the training ground, which was still two kilometers away from the training ground, amidst billowing smoke.

Because the surrounding terrain was too flat, the two companies had already entered each other's field of vision.

"Reporting, Company Commander, we've spotted the Second Company!!"

"understood!"

Gao Peng responded, then grabbed the binoculars, bent over, and walked to the side of the infantry fighting vehicle. He opened the top window on the right side of the vehicle, put his feet on the seat, and stretched half of his body out to observe the situation ahead.

Seeing this kind of performance.

Chen Mo opened his mouth, intending to make a few sarcastic remarks.

But in the end, he didn't speak, because it was 1999, and various combat systems weren't that mature yet.

If this were in later generations, the moment Company Commander Gao's head popped out, he would probably be shot down by the enemy sniper squad.

The fact that he dared to stick his head out meant there wasn't a big problem, so Chen Mo simply ran over and stuck his head out of the window at the top.

Dust and heat hit us in the face.

The strong smell of diesel fuel filled his nostrils, and the sudden sensation made Chen Mo feel somewhat uncomfortable.

He had to shield his eyes from the dust several times before he finally got used to it.

Gao Peng, who was lying on the side observing with binoculars, noticed Chen Mo's actions and grinned, saying, "A scholar is a scholar, kid. You're no good when it comes to fighting. Just watch how I beat the Second Company down."

"Leading troops into battle is a technical skill; you still have a lot to learn."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo did not respond.

At this moment, they were less than two kilometers away from the location of the Second Company. Chen Mo could clearly see with the naked eye that the Second Company's tanks had blocked the entrance to the training ground.

Five of the tanks had their engines running at low idle speed, with their turrets pre-aiming. Judging from this posture, they intended to destroy one-third of the tank's armor in the first salvo.

"Company Commander Gao, the Second Company is ready for battle. Shouldn't we take countermeasures?"

Chen Mo stared at the direction of the Second Company for a long time before looking at Gao Peng.

"Don't worry."

"Old Zhao is a complete idiot when it comes to fighting. Even if you gave him the guts, he wouldn't be able to fight." Gao Peng scoffed at this, then bent down and shouted into the cockpit, "Order: slow down the mobile formation again, close the distance between tanks, and spread out laterally by about a kilometer."

After the order is issued.

Gao Peng raised an eyebrow at Chen Mo and said, "You don't understand, Xiucai. It's useless for them to be well-prepared for battle. As long as our assault formation is compact, it won't be easy for the front to be breached."

"I know very well how much knowledge Old Zhao has."

The "Old Zhao" that Gao Peng mentioned should be the company commander of the Second Company.

Chen Mo also admitted it.

This kind of triangular matrix attack, if the formation is compact, is indeed not easy to break through from the front.

But what about from the side?

Those tanks from the Second Company have wheels too, you know. They can move on their own; they don't just stay stationary.

not to mention.

Pei Shuaijun was also in the Second Company. Although he had never served at the grassroots level, as an officer specializing in armored communications, he was at least much better at thinking than the Second Battalion's headstrong command approach.

The distance between the two sides is getting closer and closer.

1.6 km 1.5 km 1.3 km
In a Type 96 tank exercise, the effective range of the ammunition was only 1000 meters, and the hit rate at this distance was extremely low.

As the distance between the two parties continued to shrink, it began to close steadily.

It looks like a major battle is about to break out.

Just when Chen Mo thought that the Second Company was really going to go head-to-head with the First Company and engage in a tank dogfight,

Rumble.
Four tanks suddenly appeared on the left side of the triangular matrix assault formation, accelerating and beginning to maneuver.

The billowing smoke stretched across the ground for hundreds of meters, obscuring the sky and the sun, an unstoppable force.

The Second Company has the same organization as the First Company, with nine tanks in total. Five tanks are parked at the entrance of the training ground for pre-aiming, while four tanks are maneuvering around the area. Judging from their posture, they are aiming to seize the actual superior firing position as soon as possible.

At the same time, the five tanks parked at the entrance of the training ground also moved, and began to actively close the distance between the two sides.

The battle situation changed suddenly, with tanks moving in front and on the flanks.

This left Gao Peng, who had been full of confidence, dumbfounded.

The advantage of a matrix assault is that it is not easy to break. The triangular formation can overwhelm the enemy from different directions.

But if a tank suddenly appears on the flank, that would be bad news.

wrong.

Since Chen Mo didn't have a telescope, and no one provided him with such equipment, he couldn't see clearly with the naked eye at all.

The left flank 2nd Company not only has four tanks, but also two infantry squads, supported by two armored vehicles protected by the tanks.

Moving synchronously.

This is the second company attempting to attack the flank armor of the triangular matrix; the enemy's main force is on the flank, not the front.

Depend on! !

After understanding the other party's intentions.

Chen Mo grinned, thinking, "Damn it, I can't see clearly without binoculars."

Gao Peng, that blockhead, stared at the binoculars for a long time, but what was he looking at? How could he make such a big oversight when he knew the organization of the Second Company?
I really don't know what the purpose of those two eyeballs is.

seriously.

Chen Mo really wanted to slap Gao Peng on the back of the head. No wonder the records of failures in the armored forces' exercises always seemed so inexplicable.

Can't this be anything but inexplicable?
These junior commanders had no ability to adapt to changing circumstances. They would charge forward in whatever manner they were initially deployed, without caring about the casualties along the way.

It would be strange if they didn't lose.

"Company Commander Gao, the enemy has already launched an attack from the flank. Shouldn't we adjust our deployment?"

"There are only five tanks in front. We can't use the entire company's firepower to target this small enemy and expose our flanks."

"what?"

Gao Peng was clearly caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the convoy on his flank.

He just finished speaking.

The first and second company's forward firepower hadn't even entered firing range yet.

Boom boom boom.
The Second Company fired the first shot, unleashing the terrifying power of its Type 96 high-powered engine, sending waves of heat through the air.

Although it didn't hit its target, the shells exploded all around, and the air was filled with the strong smell of gunpowder.

"Company commander, the enemy has opened fire. Requesting permission to return fire!"

Inside the cockpit, the shouts of the communications soldier could be heard.

Upon hearing the question, Chen Mo turned to look at Gao Peng, who scratched his head and bent down, saying, "Speed ​​up, close the distance, and take out Old Zhao's five tanks for me."

"Eat my ass, this isn't chess."

Chen Mo finally couldn't listen anymore. The Second Company was so eager to open fire from the front, obviously in order to lure the First Company into the battle and prevent them from paying attention to the flank fire.

They even ate five of their tanks. After you finish eating them, the flank firepower can break through the matrix formation.

If our firepower is cut off, what's the point of fighting?

"What do you mean?" Gao Peng was caught off guard by Chen Mo's sudden rebuke and was somewhat bewildered.

"Company Commander Gao, I'll be in command from now on!"

Chen Mo jumped off the chair, ignoring Gao Peng's expression, and stood directly inside the armored vehicle, shouting, "Order! All personnel prepare! Reduce advance speed!"

"Speed ​​up and turn left, change the team formation to echelon, and take out the enemy's flanking firepower."

this.
The communications soldier was somewhat bewildered to see an unfamiliar lieutenant giving orders.

It's important to understand that both sides have already transitioned to mobile warfare, and slowing down further would be extremely dangerous.

After all, a slow target is easier to hit than a fast target, right?
"Company commander?" The communications soldier was a little stunned; he didn't know whose orders he should follow.

"The main force is on the left, we can't leave the left flank undefended." Chen Mo stared intently at Gao Peng.

After all, Gao Peng was the company commander of the first company. If Gao Peng did not agree, Chen Mo would not be able to take over the command.

Fortunately, Company Commander Gao wasn't too rigid; after a brief moment of thought, he had figured it out.

"As the scholar said, everyone accelerate and turn left, changing the formation to a trapezoid, and take out the flanking firepower on the left flank."

"Yes!"

Once the orders were given, the communications officer immediately began making calls.

If Chen Mo had commanded from the beginning, he would never have moved in this formation. But now, it all depends on how the Second Company reacts.

The First Company truly lives up to its reputation as a veteran unit.

After the order is issued.

The mixed mechanized formation, which stretches for 1,000 meters, completed the transition from a horizontal to a vertical formation in less than 40 seconds.

The convoy began to accelerate away, abandoning the enemy in front of them.

The problem is, the Second Company can't just stand by and watch the enemy shift their focus like that, especially since they're changing formation right now.

Inside the Second Company's command cabin.

Company Commander Zhao Liyun snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with a bright light.

"That old Gao has gotten smarter, huh?"

"Order! Team A, 12 o'clock position, assault!"

The A team of the Second Company consisted of five tanks that were originally parked at the entrance of the training ground, intended as bait to lure the enemy into an attack.

Now that the enemy has turned to the left flank.

These five tanks then naturally became the firepower for an attack from the enemy's right flank.

With Zhao Liyun's order, the Second Company's Tank Team A charged straight ahead, the steel beasts weighing tens of tons roaring forward.

Continuously closing the distance.

Boom boom boom! ! !
Another round of artillery bombardment.

Hearing the commotion outside, Chen Mo snatched the binoculars from Gao Peng's hand, then climbed halfway out of the tank and peered into the distance.

When they saw the enemy tanks accelerating towards their own echeloned column, they realized that the enemy tanks were speeding towards them.

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.

Five tanks? You think you can cut off my center line?

After assessing the situation.

He jumped back into the vehicle and ordered, "Order! Tank 3rd Platoon, carrying armored vehicles 1 and 2, cease movement and hold off the enemy at 3 p.m."

"Use the remaining firepower to fire freely and wipe out the enemy's flanking forces."

This time, the communications soldier did not hesitate.

The order was relayed immediately.

fighting!

A sudden burst of power!

But the most intense fighting was directed at the flanking group.

Because the 2nd Company was responsible for the flanking maneuvers, which involved a long distance, and was accompanied by two infantry squads.

In this situation, it is absolutely crucial not to try to bring the two sides closer together.

Otherwise, the enemy's combined infantry and tank forces would exert tremendous firepower suppression on our six tanks.

boom! boom! boom!
The ground is shaking.

The 125mm smoothbore tank gun roared as it fired its shells.

Team A of the Second Company was not far from the First Company to begin with, and they just sped up again.

They ran right into the three tanks and two infantry squads that Chen Mo had left behind.

Infantry anti-tank guns are ineffective against tanks at long range, but they are effective at close range, once they are within 300 meters.

The power of combined arms warfare is multiplied. Second Company Commander Zhao Liyun never expected that Gao Peng, usually so dense, would suddenly have such a breakthrough.

He watched helplessly as his team's five tanks were engulfed in a massive cloud of smoke and fire in a single encounter.

Chen Mo's armored vehicle was one of those that remained stationary. Through the windshield, he could see that the enemy's five tanks were obscured by the smoke.

I knew the opportunity had arrived.

There was no need for any communications soldiers; Chen Mo ran to the command post himself, grabbed the communicator, and shouted, "This is the command post!"

"Order! Tank 3rd Platoon, Tank 1st Tank, fire support for enemy vehicle 2, lateral distance 680 meters, 14 o'clock position, ready! Fire!!"

boom!
Chen Mo ordered the tanks to fire.

in the carriage.

Mechanically replicated shell casings slammed into steel plates, and a new round of combat began.

Boom boom boom! ! !
The three tanks of the third platoon of the company kept firing, gradually changing from blocking from the spot to actively approaching.

Several anti-tank soldiers, under the cover of three tanks, reached a suitable distance, knelt on the ground, and pulled the trigger.

Missiles, trailing white flames, rained down on the five tanks of enemy group A, as if they were free.

In an instant, white smoke began to billow from the sensors used in the exercise.

The enemy's five tanks originally intended to cut off Chen Mo's middle lane, but unexpectedly, the commander was temporarily replaced.

Chen Mo used three tanks and more than twenty infantrymen to destroy the enemy in the blink of an eye.

First round of combat: Company 1 suffered 0 casualties, Company 2 had five Type 96 tanks completely out of commission.

But the battle is not over yet.

Although the enemy's Group A firepower has been eliminated, the four tanks that had just outflanked the enemy, along with the two infantry squads, have not suffered any damage.

now.

The two sides continued to close the distance, and the tanks fired their guns with great force, but because the distance was still more than 700 meters, it was difficult to guarantee the hit rate.

The battle continues.

However, under Chen Mo's command, their side did not lose a single soldier, while the enemy lost more than half of their armor.

Inside the armored vehicle, the way the communications soldier, including Gao Peng, looked at Chen Mo was different.

This is the respect earned through ability.

Fighting a war may seem easy, but when an order is given, the commander often only has a few seconds to process it.

If a mistake is made, the situation in the battle will be completely different.

At this moment, Gao Peng truly realized that the scholar's abilities were definitely not what he had previously thought; he was just lucky and good at talking.

Gao Peng took two steps forward, intending to say a few words to ease the tension between the two.

But before Gao Peng could speak...

Chen Mo grabbed the communicator again and ordered, "Three tank platoons, one equipped with armor and two with armor, flank and intercept the enemy."

"All infantry squads immediately board the vehicles, open the sunroofs, and throw smoke grenades to block the enemy's vision."

"Heavy firepower group, take advantage of the opportunity to advance to the edge of the smoke and eliminate the enemy infantry formation."

"First platoon, second platoon, suppressive fire, and coordinate with flanking maneuvers."

After giving his orders, Chen Mo tossed aside the communicator and sat down in the armored vehicle without saying another word.

Because he knows.

As long as the first company follows his orders, even if the second company has great abilities, it can only delay the enemy for a little longer.

Defeat was inevitable.

Since the enemy company only had nine tanks in total, and five of them were already gone, they didn't have much energy left to fight.

that's the truth.

As Chen Mo issued his order.

The first and second platoons of tanks in the first company began to accelerate and fire without regard for battle losses, constantly closing the distance with the flanking fire of the second company.

Due to the intense artillery fire, the two infantry squads of the Second Company had no chance to board the vehicles for cover and could only keep their firing distance by using the tanks as cover.

But will Chen Mo give them a chance?

Obviously not.

The third platoon of tanks from the flanks also bombarded the enemy's four tanks from different directions.

The Second Company was already unable to withstand the attack.

Meanwhile, the two infantry squads that reloaded onto the vehicle were caught in the crossfire as the enemy was blasted into a panic.

Two armored personnel carriers accelerated and approached, and more than a dozen soldiers opened the windows on the top of the vehicles and threw smoke grenades outwards as fast as they could.

Smoke billowed up.

This made the battle situation even more chaotic.

But the soldiers of the company didn't care about anything else. They opened fire from the machine gun ports, the heavy machine gun ports in the middle, and the grenade launchers on the top of the infantry fighting vehicle.

They carried out a massacre targeting the soldiers of the Second Company.

Da da da! !

Da da da! !

The squad's heavy machine gun unleashed a barrage of fire, creating a defensive fire network.

These things couldn't penetrate the tank's armor, but they managed to keep the infantry squad of the Second Company from even peeking out.

While the infantry were suppressing the enemy, three tank platoons continued to close in.

The significance of combined arms operations lies in disrupting the enemy's defenses during a massive armored assault.

After that, nothing unexpected happened.

The 2nd Company's infantry was suppressed and unable to protect their own tanks, while the tanks' visibility was obscured by smoke grenades, leaving them with insufficient firepower.

The battlefield quickly shrank to a radius of 400 meters, leaving only the last four tanks of the Second Company.

One by one, they exploded.

All personnel killed!

The company lost three tanks and a total of 19 infantrymen, including 10 infantrymen in a squad.

We traded one-third of our casualties for the complete annihilation of the enemy.

Until the final battle damage results are available.

Chen Mo sat in the armored vehicle, staring blankly outside, showing no joy of victory.

I don't know if it's because the scene is too small to allow them to perform well, or because this isn't their own troops.

In short, this was his first time commanding armored forces in combat, and after a victory.

Chen Mo was not as excited as he had imagined.

A Type 63 armored vehicle, with the number 4104 painted on it, has its doors opening from the rear.

Gao Peng jumped off the vehicle with an incredulous look on his face. He stared blankly at the soldiers of the Second Company nearby, all of them with white smoke rising from their bodies.

Even Zhao Liyun, the second company commander, had a face as black as the bottom of a pot, standing in the distance with resentment and cursing.

Company Commander Gao had defeated the Second Company before, but never so decisively, so thoroughly, and so satisfyingly.

"Company commander, we won! Haha, even the Second Company couldn't beat us."

"If we're talking about which company in the Second Battalion has the strongest combat power, it has to be our company."

After the battle ended, a platoon leader from the company ran over excitedly, took out cigarettes from his pocket, and offered one to each person nearby.

He seems to be in a good mood.

Brigade Commander Wei Jin'an and Director Luo Yaowu also arrived in military vehicles, smiling broadly at Gao Peng.

In fact, throughout this battle, their reaction, tactical arrangements, and subsequent performance were all impeccable.

Even though the Second Company arrived at the training ground first and made all sorts of preparations, they were still completely outmatched by the First Company.

"Heh heh, your name is Gao Peng, right? You played pretty well."

Wei Jinan straightened his back and praised him with a happy expression.

"Brigade Commander, I..." Gao Peng's face was flushed. He was happier than anyone else after winning so many games.

But I wouldn't admit to directing it.

"Damn it, have some backbone! The brigade commander was praising you." Liu Hongyun saw his company commander acting so coy even after winning a battle.

He was immediately enraged and kicked her as well.

"No, Battalion Commander, I'm not in command this time." Gao Peng patted his clothes that had been kicked.

to be frank.

He was already in his fifties or sixties, and it certainly took a lot of courage for him to admit, in front of his superiors and his subordinates, that he hadn't been in command.

"If you weren't in command? Then who was?" Liu Hongyun was taken aback.

"It was the scholar who was in charge when the formation changed from a matrix to a tiered system."

"It can be said that the scholar was in command throughout this entire operation."

Gao Peng pointed to Chen Mo, who had been standing at the back of the crowd since getting off the armored vehicle.

It would have been better if he hadn't pointed it out.

Point your finger.

The entire group of cadres who had gathered around froze, thinking, "Damn it, this is the guy we were just about to beat up!"

What's going on? You were having such a good fight just now, but it turns out that it was that bastard Xiucai who was giving the orders the whole time?

Let alone a series of them.

Even those who came from the Second Company had the same constipated expression on their faces.

The atmosphere at the scene was somewhat tense.

Many people turned their attention to Chen Mo. No one doubted the company commander's words, because the cadres present knew almost everything about Gao Peng's command style.

In the past, we have never fought so cunningly. The Second Company prepared its tactics, but it was beaten so badly that it had almost no chance to fight back.

Wei Jinan was also speechless for a moment.

He had originally wanted to show off in front of Luo Yaowu, but how could he show off now?

One of our privates, who had only been at the Army Academy for a few months, already possessed command abilities surpassing those of our company commander.

Is it that he doesn't know how to train people, or that he doesn't know how to recognize talent?
On the contrary, the political commissar always thought highly of this kid.

"Were you the one giving the orders just now?" Luo Yaowu turned to look at Chen Mo.

"It was just a small test."

Chen Mo chuckled, his expression utterly irritating.

Upon hearing this, the people around him, who had been in shock, all turned their heads to look elsewhere.

Damn! I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone this shameless.

"Just a small test, huh? You think the entire Second Battalion can't withstand your small test?"
A group of cadres looked disgusted and didn't want to see him anymore.

Luo Yaowu, however, was in a very good mood.

He wasn't afraid of soldiers' arrogance, but he was afraid of those who were arrogant despite lacking ability. Chen Mo's command this time had truly given him a pleasant surprise.

"Old Wei, arrange for the troops to return to camp. Let's discuss the follow-up matters."

After saying that, Luo Yaowu ignored the reactions of the people from the Seventh Brigade, called Chen Mo, and took a military vehicle back to the camp.

A group of officers from the Second Battalion were left alone to face Wei, whose face was grim.

They all had their heads hanging down.

Ugh, I'm going to get yelled at again.

However, this time they didn't blame the scholar; that's how it is in the army.

You can criticize, but when someone is better than you, can you still criticize them?

Damn it, I've lost my confidence.

(End of this chapter)