Sword of Light: Humanoid Self-Propelled Artillery

Chapter 239 Night Raid
For example, the armor thickness of the frontal turret of the Chaffee tank was only 38 millimeters.

The armor thickness on the front and sides of the vehicle is only 25 millimeters.

Such armor thickness can only stop bullets from its own M2 heavy machine gun; it can't even withstand slightly stronger anti-tank rifles.

So it goes without saying that it can penetrate a 50mm anti-tank grenade.

Wang Gensheng still has quite a few of these anti-tank grenades, more than a thousand in total, but they haven't been used much in the anti-defense war since they were put into service.

After all, apart from his elite troops, Lao Jing's remaining forces were reluctant to equip themselves with tanks.

Therefore, it naturally lost its ability to be used. Of course, not to mention Lao Ji's troops, even the Japanese didn't have many tank units. Precisely because of this, after Wang Gensheng developed the anti-tank grenade, he didn't encounter many opportunities to use it.

Of course, the more crucial point is that the main threat now is not tanks, but the artillery fire threat from the two clusters.

As soon as this side occupies Dawangzhuang, the artillery fire from Shuangduiji will immediately come and bombard it. When the relief troops occupying Dawangzhuang are bombarded and confused, the other side will immediately counterattack and retake Dawangzhuang.

Even though every member of Wang Gensheng's marines was equipped with three-piece bulletproof suits, they still couldn't withstand the shockwave damage from the explosion of a large-caliber howitzer shell.

So Wang Gensheng thought for a moment before saying:
"We think a night attack is better. First, a night attack can effectively reduce the enemy's visibility. And most importantly, a night attack will make Huang Wei's artillery less effective. After we take Dawangzhuang at night, we can build anti-artillery fortifications, so we won't have to worry about the artillery bombardment from Shuangduiji!"

At this time, Li Yunlong was still the Lion Commander. How could Li Yunlong possibly report on matters concerning the Second Field Army?
Although Wang Gensheng's forces are currently small, he is still a naval commander in the Liberation Army, directly under the command of the General Headquarters. In terms of rank, he is naturally no match for the commanders of the four major field armies, but he is at least on par with the commanders of the column. Moreover, given the scale of Wang Gensheng's navy's development and its importance in the future, it is not impossible for his rank to rival that of the four major field armies.

So Li Yunlong's current idea is very simple: to have Wang Gensheng talk to the Second Field Army commander, who is also Li Yunlong's old commander, to change the battle plan and turn the daytime attack into a nighttime raid.

Therefore, Li Yunlong immediately pretended to frown and said:
"But launching an attack during the day to capture Dawangzhuang was an attack plan set by the Second Field Army commander..."

As soon as Li Yunlong said this, Wang Gensheng immediately understood the meaning behind it: Li Yunlong was just making him, the naval commander, the one to stick his neck out!

Even if he gets scolded, it will be Wang Gensheng who gets scolded, not Li Yunlong. However, in order to ensure the success of the attack and reduce casualties, Wang Gensheng rode his horse to the Second Field Army's command post without saying a word.

Wang Gensheng arrived at the Second Field Army headquarters, saluted the Second Field Army commander, and said:
"Where is the old lion chief busy?"

When the Second Field Army commander saw that it was Wang Gensheng, he was immediately puzzled and asked:

"Now that you're the Navy Commander, why aren't you training your navy at the beach? Why are you running around here? My place is full of old-timers' army soldiers, not warships for you to bomb!"

It was obvious that the old lion chief had also learned about Wang Gensheng's sinking of five of Fei Laoji's warships during the Battle of Tashan.

After all, Wang Gensheng's achievements had been reported to the high command of the Liberation Army.

Wang Gensheng smiled and said:
"I don't have any old medaka warships, but I have old medaka tanks for me to blow up! That's why I'm here to blow up tanks!"

As soon as Wang Gensheng finished speaking, the old lion chief waved his hand and said, "Alright! Alright! Stop beating around the bush, just say what you want to say!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Gensheng's expression also turned serious, and he said:
"Old Lion Chief, I've come to ask if we can change the plan to capture Dawangzhuang to the night. The casualties from attacking Dawangzhuang during the day have been too great! We were immediately bombarded after taking Dawangzhuang, and the soldiers on the position didn't even have a chance to build anti-artillery fortifications! Let's attack tonight! I will personally lead the Marines to attack tonight and I will definitely take Dawangzhuang for you!"

"Do you think you can take Dawangzhuang by personally leading the Marines in an attack tonight?"

Sensing the lion chief's somewhat disbelieving tone, Wang Gensheng reiterated his assurance:
"Don't worry! I, the old lion chief, have even captured Yoshio Shinotsuka alive, let alone just Dawangzhuang! As long as we can limit Huang Wei's artillery fire at night, we will definitely take Dawangzhuang!"

Regarding Wang Gensheng's suggestion, and considering Wang Gensheng's past achievements, the Second Field Army commander nodded in agreement:
"In that case, let's do as you suggest. We'll suspend the attack on Dawangzhuang for now and launch a surprise attack at night! We'll take Dawangzhuang in one fell swoop!"

"We guarantee to take Dawangzhuang tonight!"

After saluting, Wang Gensheng left the Second Field Army headquarters!

After leaving the Second Field Army headquarters, Wang Gensheng went to make preparations, but this time he did not bring his M2 heavy machine gun.

Because this was a battle of attrition, specifically an attack on the trenches, the M2 heavy machine gun was not very effective.

In fact, the best way to deal with trench warfare is still with grenades. If you throw a grenade into the trench, the soldiers won't be able to escape.

After all, for heavy machine guns that cannot turn corners, grenades are more suitable for attacking.

Therefore, upon returning, Wang Gensheng said to Li Yunlong:
"Old Li, Chief Lion has agreed to the night attack plan. I've sworn an oath to him that we'll take Dawangzhuang tonight. However, trench warfare isn't suitable for firearms, so get me ten thousand grenades! Don't tell me you can't!"

Li Yunlong patted his chest and assured Wang Gensheng:
"That's no big deal. After wiping out Chu Yunfei's 89 Lions last time, I have more ammunition than I can count! Let alone 10,000 grenades, I can squeeze out 100,000 for you."

What Li Yunlong said this time was not a lie. After all, since the Third Field Army successfully wiped out Huang Baitao's army group by blocking Chu Yunfei's Eighty-Nine Lions last time, the Third Field Army had not fought any major battles.

The attack on Xuzhou was supposed to be a major battle, but unfortunately, Du Yuming, seeing the situation was not going well, simply led three corps and fled.

So there weren't any major battles, and Li Yunlong's Second Lion ammunition was naturally plentiful.

After receiving tens of thousands of grenades, ensuring that every Marine had at least ten, Wang Gensheng then said to Duan Peng:
"Have the soldiers come and collect their grenades. Then get ready, get ready. Each of you should carry at least ten grenades. When we attack tonight, just unleash the grenades. Make sure every trench in Dawangzhuang is covered with grenades!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, Duan Peng immediately began distributing the hand grenades!
Wang Gensheng was very confident in the Marine Corps' grenade-throwing skills, and he could guarantee that the grenade would be thrown into the basket from a distance of 60 meters.

(End of this chapter)