Sword of Light: Humanoid Self-Propelled Artillery

Chapter 210 Chu Yunfei's Integrity
It's important to understand that before the advent of individual walkie-talkies like the early mobile phones, combat command relied heavily on the tacit understanding between commanders due to limitations in communication technology.

In the midst of a large-scale, chaotic battle, efficiently coordinating multiple armies is a tremendous challenge. However, with the invention of radio and wired telephone, senior commanders can learn about the combat situation at the regimental and battalion levels more promptly, but regimental and battalion commanders still find it difficult to grasp the real-time dynamics of the company and platoon levels.

However, all of this changed significantly during World War II, especially with the widespread use of mobile phone-like individual walkie-talkies by the U.S. military, which greatly enhanced the operational flexibility of frontline troops.

The soldier walkie-talkie, unlike a high-powered radio, is known for its short-range communication capabilities, typically covering only a few kilometers.

Nevertheless, their small size and light weight make them ideal for company and platoon-level combat units. They are responsible for maintaining contact with higher commanders, coordinating with neighboring units, and promptly reporting reconnaissance or encounter situations to higher command, thereby assisting higher command or neighboring units in making rapid operational adjustments.

Soldiers using handheld walkie-talkies offer significantly improved efficiency and timeliness compared to the previous reliance on messengers, while also ensuring reliable communication and making the accuracy of information transmission readily apparent. From a modern perspective, walkie-talkies are undoubtedly a communication tool as convenient as walkie-talkies.

In the field of walkie-talkie technology, the United States has always been a global leader. Although countries such as Germany also launched their own related equipment during World War II, American products were clearly superior in terms of technical performance, portability, and equipment penetration.

Walkie-talkies and mobile phones, these two communication tools each hold a unique place in history. As a powerful communication tool on the battlefield, the efficiency and timeliness of walkie-talkies were particularly important during wartime, providing strong support for the rapid transmission of information.

The "Big Brother" mobile phone, on the other hand, represented the rise of mobile communication. It not only broke through geographical limitations but also closely connected people, becoming an essential part of modern life. Although the two differed in function and application scenarios, they jointly promoted the development of communication technology, bringing unprecedented convenience to human communication and connection.

The rise of the mobile phone began in 1928 when a small company called Galvin Manufacturing Company was founded in the United States. It started by manufacturing car radios with a registered capital of only 565 US dollars and five employees.

However, with the company's name change and development, it gradually emerged as a globally renowned brand, Motorola. In the 1930s, Motorola firmly established itself in the electronics market, accumulating a strong technological foundation.

Ultimately, before the outbreak of World War II, the company successfully developed the SCR-536 walkie-talkie, a device often mentioned in movies. Its size was an enlarged version of the "big brother" mobile phone, and it became a powerful communication tool on the battlefield.

This walkie-talkie, weighing only 2.3 kilograms, was quite remarkable for the technology of the time. Its operating frequency was set at 3.56 MHz, allowing for a communication range of around 15 kilometers. While this range might be reduced to 200-300 meters in dense forests, it was still sufficient for platoon-level units, as they primarily needed to maintain contact with nearby company or battalion headquarters.

This walkie-talkie was a unique innovation of the United States at the time, and what was remarkable was that it cost only thirty US dollars per unit. A total of 130,000 units were produced during World War II, making an important contribution to the victory of the war.

These walkie-talkies were widely used in the military, with each platoon equipped with one to ensure smooth communication between platoon-level units. The company headquarters also had a walkie-talkie to maintain contact with the platoons. Artillery platoons were equipped with two walkie-talkies, reflecting the importance of artillery communication needs.

On the other hand, when the company command needed to communicate with higher command, it would use the backpack-mounted SCR-300 communication equipment. This equipment was significantly heavier than a walkie-talkie, with a total weight ranging from 14.5 to 17.5 kg, depending on the battery capacity. Due to its greater power and correspondingly longer communication range, it was widely adopted by infantry companies. During World War II, approximately 50,000 SCR-300s were produced, making a significant contribution to communication support during the war.

During World War II, while the individual skill level of US infantrymen did not have a significant advantage compared to the armies of other major powers, they repeatedly won island-hopping campaigns. Besides superior weaponry and naval and air support, the role of walkie-talkies cannot be overlooked. Walkie-talkies enabled troops to operate more flexibly, promptly calling in artillery or air support, thus turning the tide of battle at crucial moments. These small walkie-talkies served not only for convenient communication on the battlefield, but more importantly, they facilitated the guidance of artillery fire, for example, when an infantryman encountered a heavily fortified machine gun bunker during an assault.

At this point, artillery support needs to be called in. If the first shell misses its target, the frontline soldiers holding walkie-talkies can tell the artillery how much it has deviated, whether it has deviated to the left or right, so that the artillery can strike more accurately.

At this moment, Chu Yunfei, holding a large mobile phone, could naturally command tens of thousands of people in the entire Lion Army, because Chu Yunfei's 89 Lion Army had also been equipped with mobile phones at the platoon level, just like the Mimi Army.

However, to Wang Gensheng's surprise, Chu Yunfei was quite principled. Instead of issuing the surrender order as Wang Gensheng had instructed, he spoke into the walkie-talkie:
"All warriors of the Eighty-Nine Lions, the Lion Command has been captured by the enemy. Now, as the Lion Chief of the Eighty-Nine Lions, I order all warriors of the Eighty-Nine Lions to launch an attack on the command post. Do not worry about my personal life or death!"

No sooner had Chu Yunfei finished speaking than Duan Peng snatched the walkie-talkie from his hand, then pointed his submachine gun at Chu Yunfei and said:

"You want to die, don't you!"

Chu Yunfei, however, responded with a disdainful expression:

"To die on the battlefield is a soldier's fate, and it's better than being a disgraceful prisoner!"

In response to Chu Yunfei's words, Wang Gensheng smiled and said:
"That's the spirit of a soldier! I, Wang Gensheng, admire it. But some things are beyond your control."

After saying that, Wang Gensheng took the walkie-talkie from Duan Peng and said:

"Eighty-nine Lions warriors, your Lion Chief Chu Yunfei and the senior officers of the Lion Group are now in my hands. You'd better be careful when you attack, don't blow up your Lion Chief, or you'll be in big trouble!"

After saying that, Wang Gensheng told Du Yiman to send a telegram to Li Yunlong, instructing him to send troops to attack.

Wang Gensheng then began to have the members of the assault team set up defensive positions under Chu Yunfei's command, in preparation for any possible attack.

After all, Chu Yunfei's words just now would definitely send someone to rescue them.

(End of this chapter)