King of Beiyang

"Commander, our cavalry regiment is organized the same as the infantry regiment? The weapons and equipment are the same too, except that we have an extra saber and an extra warhorse?" The cavalry regiment commander, Teng Yuzhao, looked surprised.

This seems quite different from the cavalry training he received in the German Empire!

"In my opinion, traditional cavalry tactics are outdated in this era. No matter how fast a cavalry charge is, it is simply suicidal when facing a defensive line composed of a large number of Maxim machine guns."

We can even put up barbed wire and lay landmines in front of the defense line.

In this case, it would undoubtedly be even more difficult for cavalry to break through the defensive line.

Of course, this applies not only to cavalry but also to infantry.

Therefore, I believe that cavalry tactics also need to be changed. Instead of the traditional cavalry charge, it would be better to switch to mounted infantry.

The cavalry regiment moved swiftly on horseback, arriving at the battlefield before dismounting to engage the enemy. They then relied on their superior firepower to strike.

Once the enemy is routed, launch a mounted assault and finish off the fleeing enemy!

Li Jingyuan explained his ideas for his cavalry force.

Teng Yuzhao seemed to be deep in thought, as if considering whether Li Jingyuan's tactics were appropriate.

"Sir, the artillery regiment consists of three artillery battalions: one light howitzer battalion and two field artillery battalions. It is equipped with a total of 24 105mm light howitzers and 48 75mm field guns."

In addition, each infantry regiment had a mountain artillery company, equipped with six 75mm mountain guns. The cavalry regiment also had a mountain artillery company. The entire division was equipped with a total of 30 75mm mountain guns.

This divisional artillery regiment is equipped with a significantly larger number of artillery pieces than many divisional units in European countries.

"This is what Zu Shengwu, the artillery regiment commander, said with emotion."

"Napoleon the Great once said that artillery is the god of war. Only by equipping our troops with powerful artillery firepower can we enable them to conquer cities and seize strongholds on the battlefield."

Whether in defensive or offensive operations, powerful firepower can not only inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, but also deal a severe blow to their morale.

Furthermore, it can boost morale and minimize casualties.

Remember, on the battlefield, problems that can be solved with artillery shells shouldn't require soldiers to risk their lives!

Li Jingyuan emphasized this point.

Perhaps because he was reborn from another time and space, Li Jingyuan also discovered that he suffered from the same fear of insufficient firepower.

Therefore, they will try every means to enhance the firepower of the troops.

If it weren't for the extremely backward roads and infrastructure of that era, and the fact that artillery needed to be pulled by horses, Li Jingyuan would have even hoped to equip the division's artillery regiment with 155mm heavy howitzers.

However, this thing is too heavy, which is not conducive to battlefield mobility.

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Therefore, the divisional artillery mainly uses 75mm field guns, while 105mm light howitzers are used as suppressive firepower.

Li Jingyuan's explanation deeply moved the generals and officers.

In this era, soldiers are nothing more than expendable resources.

Bullets and shells, however, need to be purchased with silver.

Therefore, conserving ammunition and letting soldiers fight desperately is quite normal on the battlefield.

But now, Li Jingyuan has turned the tables.

This is undoubtedly a true expression of cherishing soldiers' lives!

This made everyone even more glad that they chose to work with Li Jingyuan.

In Li Jingyuan's plan, a squad of Beiyang Marines consisted of 14 men, equipped with the improved Type 88 Commission Rifle. Later, once his own arsenal was operational, large-scale domestic production would commence.

If another large-scale military expansion were carried out, or if the Beiyang Army and Huai Army were reorganized, then the "Beiyang-made" rifles should be available.

Three infantry squads plus a platoon headquarters form an infantry platoon.

Three infantry platoons and one artillery platoon make up an infantry company. The artillery platoon is equipped with two Maxim heavy machine guns, two 60mm mortars and two 37mm infantry guns.

An infantry battalion consists of four infantry companies and one artillery company. The artillery company is equipped with four 120mm mortars and four 37mm infantry guns (planned to be upgraded to 70mm infantry guns in the future).

Three infantry battalions and one mountain artillery company formed an infantry regiment. The mountain artillery company was equipped with six 75mm mountain guns. In addition, the regimental headquarters also had a reconnaissance company, a guard platoon, and a communications platoon, etc. At full strength, the regiment had a strength of over 6 men.

Two infantry regiments form an infantry brigade.

Two infantry brigades, plus a cavalry regiment, an artillery regiment, an engineer regiment, and a supply regiment, along with a reconnaissance battalion, guard company, communications company, and field hospital directly under the division headquarters, constituted an infantry division. At full strength, the division had a strength of over 28,500 men.

This Marine Corps division is not only large in number, but also extremely powerful in firepower.

Once training is complete and combat capability is achieved, we will be able to withstand an attack from even two or three infantry divisions of the current Japanese army.

After all, in that era, a Japanese infantry division, even at full strength, only had about 18,600 men.

Furthermore, their firepower was far weaker than that of the Beiyang Marine Corps.

"Gentlemen, starting tomorrow, let's go to various places to recruit soldiers! There's a saying that good men don't become soldiers, and good iron isn't used for nails. But I hope that, starting with us, we can completely change this impression among the people."

We need to let everyone know that only truly good men join the army.

We are fighting for our entire nation and people!

Li Jingyuan addressed the crowd.

"Yes, Commander!" everyone answered in unison.

"Furthermore, the current military discipline is severely corrupt, even more despicable and brutal than bandits and robbers. But our troops absolutely cannot be like this. Therefore, I have decided to appoint Deputy Chief of Staff Wang as the head of the Military Law Department, responsible for the establishment of the military police. Afterwards, military police will be established in each regiment of the entire division to be responsible for the discipline inspection of the entire division."

Anyone found violating military discipline, regardless of who is involved, will be severely punished!

Li Jingyuan's face was filled with murderous intent.

Li Jingyuan was well aware that good military discipline was essential for building a powerful army.

Otherwise, they would become just another rabble like the other Qing troops.

"Yes, Commander!" Everyone understood Li Jingyuan's determination.

In fact, everyone can understand.

During their studies in the German Empire, the strict military discipline of the German army also broadened everyone's horizons.

The implementation of strict military discipline within the Marine Corps has also been widely supported.

Subsequently, under Li Jingyuan's orders, these generals and officers set off to recruit soldiers in various places.

First, the graduates of the military academy, and even those from previous years, were completely divided up. Even students who hadn't yet graduated joined the Marine Corps under the guise of internships.

This undoubtedly established the basic structure of the Marine Corps very quickly.

Afterwards, they went to various places in Zhili, Henan and Shandong provinces to recruit soldiers.