Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

"Come up with a plan as soon as possible."

Wei Hongjun thought for a moment and said, "Some of our local militias need more training. I think we should select some of these veterans who can't go back to the battlefield and send them to the militia to serve as instructors and train our militia. We should also consider this."

"it is good."

Li Shiping nodded.

After discussing the issue of wounded soldiers, Wang Qiuyun said, "If we want to restore our strength now, we must complete the main regiment's staffing as soon as possible.

Everyone, what's the best way?"

"Commander, Political Commissar, I believe that in order to quickly restore the combat effectiveness of the main force, the most direct and simplest method is to incorporate the local forces into the main force. Most of our local forces in the Eighth Column have a certain military foundation. Moreover, during this local sweep, many local forces performed very well. I believe that they can be incorporated into the main force, and then the local forces can be reorganized by selecting a group from the militia. If the militia is not enough, then we can only recruit soldiers from the base area.

Chen Zhonghe opened his mouth and put forward his suggestions.

Wang Qiuyun was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked Wei Hongjun, "Old Wei, what do you think?

"I think this method is feasible. Previously, we have always supported the main force in supporting and developing the local forces. Now that the main force has suffered heavy casualties, incorporating the local forces into the main force is also a feasible solution. Moreover, many wounded soldiers will soon return to the army, and when the time comes, we can draw some of them from the returning wounded and sick to support the development of the local forces. This kind of flow between the main and local forces is a good thing for the development of both the main and local forces."

What is the main force and what is the local force.

Under different circumstances, they can be transformed into each other. Wang Qiuyun nodded and said, "In this way, the Xuanzhuohuai base, the Changwanshan base, and our Shengxian base will all prioritize replenishing the main force. Before the wounded return, the 16th, 18th, 19th, 25th, 34th, and 35th Regiments must be restored to % of their original strength to ensure the combat effectiveness of the main force."

Wei Hongjun nodded, supporting Wang Qiuyun's approach.

However, Wei Hongjun added, "We will select company and platoon-level cadres from the main force who performed outstandingly during this anti-mopping-up operation to reorganize the structure of each county brigade. A county brigade is organized at the battalion level, with four companies under it. Each district brigade is organized at the company level. We will select a group of squad and platoon-level cadres from the main force to form new district squads. Six to eight district squads are ideal for each county. Because the former county battalions and district squads will be added to the main force, the base area will need to conduct a recruitment campaign. Comrades Li Shiping and Chu He will be responsible for this."

"Yes."

Wang Qiuyun saw that Wei Hongjun had completed his replenishment, so he continued to ask, "Restore the main force's numbers, reorganize the county brigade and district squad, and will we have enough weapons and ammunition?"

Chapter 266: Dealing with the Puppet Army

"During this anti-mopping-up operation, our 2790th Column lost about 1660 long and short guns of various types, and damaged about 1. We lost one heavy machine gun and nine light machine guns. We damaged three heavy machine guns and 9 light machine guns. We also lost five mortars and 3 grenade launchers. We damaged seven mortars and 22 grenade launchers."

Losing weapons in war is a very common thing.

The proportion of weapons lost in defeat, and weapons damaged during the war, was enormous. During this counter-mopping-up operation, the Eighth Column alone lost over 4400 rifles, 35 light and heavy machine guns, 12 mortars, and 36 grenade launchers. With this amount of weapons and ammunition placed in other Eighth Route Army units, it would have been enough to form a -man force.

But this is also because the Eighth Route Army cherishes the weapons in their hands very much.

Therefore, they would rather fight to the death than to protect the weapons in their hands. Otherwise, the Eighth Column would have lost even more weapons in this counter-mopping-up operation. Although the Eighth Column suffered heavy casualties this time, the loss of weapons cannot be said to be very serious.

"Many of the weapons lost by the troops were actually recovered by our other units, and some local people also hid their weapons. After the anti-mopping-up campaign ended, many people donated these weapons to our troops. There are about 1100 long and short guns in this collection."

Why the Eighth Route Army attached great importance to base area construction.

That's why.

The weapons lost by the Eighth Route Army during the battle would be quietly collected by the local troops and the people in the base area.

"As for these damaged rifles and short rifles, the arsenal said quite a few can be repaired.

"it is good."

Both Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun were very satisfied.

In this case, the loss of long and short guns this time was only more than 2000.

"During this counter-mopping-up operation, the Eighth Column's units captured a significant amount of spoils. In their ambush of the Japanese 11th Independent Mixed Brigade, the Column captured 4 mortars, 21 heavy machine guns, 427 light machine guns, 39 Type 314 rifles, 114 pistols, and horses. During the First Guard Regiment's blocking operation, they captured Type rifles."

"The 18th Battalion of the 451th Regiment, the Cavalry Battalion, and the New 26st Regiment ambushed Heishan Village and seized 7 Type 29 rifles, 9 pistols, 22 heavy machine guns, 4 light machine guns, mortars, grenade launchers, and flat-fire cannons."

The Chadong Detachment's Cavalry Regiment ambushed a Japanese puppet army transport squadron and seized 32 Type 118 rifles, 4 Hanyang rifles, four pistols, and three light machine guns. During the anti-mopping-up campaign, the 3th and 16th Regiments, as well as local forces from the Xuanhuai base area, engaged the Japanese army 18 times, seizing 74 Type 166 rifles, 336 Hanyang rifles, 74 pistols, two heavy machine guns, 2 light machine guns, two mortars, and seven grenade launchers.

"During the anti-mopping-up operation, the Ninggao Town Detachment eliminated 19 bunkers and seized 547 Type 36 rifles, 3 pistols, 26 heavy machine guns, and 26 light machine guns. The Chadong Detachment eliminated 1286 bunkers and seized 79 Type 7 rifles, 47 pistols, heavy machine guns, and light machine guns."

The 34th Regiment annihilated the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army and seized 947 Type 474 rifles, 2142 Zhongzheng rifles, and Hanyang rifles.

There are also 9 heavy machine guns, 32 light machine guns, 4 infantry guns, and 8 mortars."

During the entire anti-mopping-up campaign, 3970 Type 474 rifles, 2596 Zhongzheng rifles, 258 Hanyang rifles, 32 pistols, 169 heavy machine guns, and 29 light machine guns were seized. There were also 30 Zheng-style cartridge cases, 4 mortars, 4 flat-firing cannons, and infantry guns.

Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun have some similarities.

This time, all the major units of the Eighth Column fought desperately to kill the enemy, and the 34th Regiment captured the most spoils. The 34th Regiment finally decided to avoid the Japanese army and rushed thousands of miles to attack the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army, which was an amazing harvest.

The Fourth Army of the North China Security Army collapsed directly, and most people chose to surrender.

All the weapons and ammunition of the Fourth Army fell into the hands of the 34th Regiment. More importantly, the weapons, ammunition and logistical supplies of the 34th Independent Mixed Brigade stationed in Wanping also fell into the hands of the th Regiment.

The spoils of war captured by the 34th Regiment in the first battle were greater than those captured by other units of the th Column. They even had four infantry guns.

"Let each unit take a count and see how many weapons they will need next."

Hearing that they had enough weapons, Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun felt relieved.

If after a counter-mopping-up operation, there was a shortage of guns, then the recovery of the base would be very difficult. It was not easy for the Eighth Route Army to seize weapons and ammunition when fighting behind enemy lines.

It should be said that the weapons in the hands of the Eighth Route Army were all snatched from the enemy by the Eighth Route Army soldiers at the cost of their lives. For the Eighth Route Army soldiers, guns were more important than their own lives.

Unless absolutely necessary, he will never give up the gun in his hand.

At present, the troops still have enough guns. Especially since they fought two annihilation battles and captured enough weapons. With people and guns, the troops can recover.

"continue."

"Commander, Political Commissar, we have about 2700 puppet prisoners in our hands. What should we do with them?

Li Shiping raised the question about the puppet army prisoners.

This counter-mopping-up operation, particularly the 34th Regiment's attack on the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army, resulted in the capture of a large number of puppet troops. If it were just a few or a few dozen, it would be easy to handle, and the lower-level troops could handle it themselves. But now, with over 2700 puppet troops captured, this was beyond the capacity of the lower-level troops to handle.

So these prisoners were sent to the column.

Now these prisoners are all in Beiling Village. Because the anti-mopping-up operation just ended, this issue has not been dealt with in time. It just so happens that this column is holding a meeting to discuss what will happen after the anti-mopping-up operation.

So the issue of puppet troops was also raised.

Wei Hongjun turned to Chu He and asked, "What are the results of educating these prisoners? Are there any among them willing to join our Eighth Route Army?"

Educating prisoners is a tradition of the Eighth Route Army.

It should be said that since the Red Army era, every time a prisoner was captured, they would be educated before being released. This has been very effective. Many members of the current Eighth Route Army were previously prisoners of the Red Army. Many of the founding generals of the People's Republic of China were also former prisoners of the Red Army, who were then educated and recruited into the ranks. During their time in northern Shaanxi, the Red Army also captured a large number of Northeast Army troops.

At the time, the Central Committee specifically targeted these captured Northeast Army soldiers for education. As a result, not only did a large number of Northeast Army officers and soldiers join the Red Army, but even some Northeast Army generals came to accept the Red Army's principles. The Xi'an Incident, which ultimately occurred, was also influenced by the instigation of these Northeast Army officers and soldiers.

This is also the case today.

Whenever the Eighth Route Army captured Japanese prisoners, they would send them to study classes, and this was especially true for captured puppet troops.

"Since these prisoners arrived at Beiling Village, we have been organizing people to educate them. Some of them are willing to join the Eighth Route Army, and some are graduates of the North China Military Academy. But overall, the number is not large.

"Approximately how many people are there?"

"Currently, there are approximately 530 people who have confirmed their intention to join our Eighth Route Army."

"530 people?"

Wei Hongjun nodded slightly, and was generally satisfied.

The combat effectiveness of the North China Security Army is very poor.

But their poor fighting ability is not because they have no fighting ability.

The officers of the PLA's North Korean Security Force are all graduates of military academies and have learned basic infantry tactics. Their soldiers have also received basic military training. If their fighting spirit is strong, they will be a formidable force.

The reason why their fighting ability is poor is because they have no will to fight.

They served as puppet soldiers, but they only served to eat food and did not want to be die-hard traitors. Therefore, they would never fight to the death on the battlefield.

However, as long as they joined the Eighth Route Army, Wei Hongjun had a way to improve their revolutionary consciousness and combat effectiveness.

In later history, many people believed that it was easy for puppet army prisoners to join the Eighth Route Army. Some even wrote novels in which prisoners were directly converted into the Eighth Route Army. Some even described a unit composed of a large portion of prisoners, and the unit's combat effectiveness was still very strong. In reality, it was not that easy.

Not only was the percentage of puppet army prisoners joining the Eighth Route Army low, but even if they did join, the Eighth Route Army would not have directly sent them to fight in the battlefield. It was even more impossible for them to carry out important missions when the proportion of prisoners was more than half.

Aren’t the Eighth Route Army cadres afraid that these prisoners who have never received training or education will be shot in the back?

In fact, absorbing and reforming prisoners are both major projects.

From educating them, recruiting them, and then training them, ensuring their complete trust and support for the Eighth Route Army, and finally integrating them into the ranks, this process takes time and requires the unremitting efforts of the Eighth Route Army's political cadres. This process takes at least three months.

Wei Hongjun was very satisfied that more than 500 people were willing to join the Eighth Route Army.

Chu He explained, "Through these prisoners, we've gained a deeper understanding of the North China Security Army. Most of them don't want to be traitors, and many don't even want to take up arms and fight. But they all have concerns. They were conscripted men under Qi Xieyuan's baojia system. So they dare not disobey orders, fearing that disobeying orders will affect the safety of their families. After our education, many of them promised that they would never fight against the Eighth Route Army again."

Qi Xieyuan's idea was wrong from the moment the North China Security Army was established.

He wanted to train his own officers, but most of the educated young men, even though they had attended the military academy he founded, at least knew the difference between honor and disgrace, and no one wanted to be a die-hard traitor.

The same goes for the soldiers under his command.

They were all conscripted men. How could such people risk their lives for you? In fact, Qi Xieyuan's idea of ​​building a regular army was not wrong. But in the context of the Anti-Japanese War, his idea was wrong.

If it were during a period of warlordism, Qi Xieyuan's approach might have been very effective. During wartime, everyone was just soldiers, earning food and not serving anyone. However, during a national war like the Anti-Japanese War, people's mindsets would change drastically. After all, being a traitor carries a very bad reputation.

As a result, although the North China Security Army was trained and equipped as a regular army, its combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the traitorous armed forces such as the guards and security forces formed by some traitors using ruffians and scoundrels.

"Lao Wang, I mean it's almost time to let him go.

"Yeah. Staying here would be a waste of our food.

Wang Qiuyun nodded.

Wang Qiuyun looked down on the puppet army's limited combat effectiveness. It would be better to recruit soldiers from the base area and train these new recruits. Wang Qiuyun didn't really care whether they joined the Eighth Route Army or not. Wei Hongjun smiled, understanding Wang Qiuyun's thoughts.

Wang Qiuyun was a military officer, and his main concern was how to train the troops and how to lead them in battle. But Wei Hongjun couldn't just consider the current situation.

The Eighth Route Army and the puppet army would have many dealings in the future. So Wei Hongjun told Li Shiping and Chu He, "We don't force them to join the Eighth Route Army. As long as they don't act like diehards and bully the people, then all other issues will be easy to resolve." The North China Front Army is short on manpower, and no matter how poor the combat effectiveness of these puppet troops is, the Japanese will have to continue using them. This means the North China Security Army will expand in the future. If these people are released, they might continue to join the North China Security Army. If they have a favorable impression of the Eighth Route Army, then this will be advantageous to us in future battles.

Except for those who are willing to join our Eighth Route Army, let everyone else go."

"it is good."

Li Shiping nodded.

Wei Hongjun said to Han Weiguo, "The Political Department should see if there's any way to develop some insiders among these prisoners, especially those who graduated from the North China Military Academy. Currently, our Eighth Column's intelligence capabilities against the Japanese are still too weak. We currently judge Japanese movements based on changes in transportation like trains and cars, as well as the flow of logistical supplies. This intelligence efficiency is too low. If we can find some mid-level officers in the North China Security Army as insiders, then our ability to gather intelligence on the Japanese will be greatly improved. Furthermore, if there are some mid-level officers within the North China Front Army who can serve as insiders, in future battles, they could suddenly turn the tables on the battlefield and perhaps even change the course of the war. Therefore, this work is very important."

"The Political Department will find a way."

"Ah."

The Eighth Route Army still lacked insiders in the Japanese intelligence agencies.

Intelligence capabilities are relatively weak.

It is much easier to break into the puppet army system like the North China Security Army than to break into the Japanese intelligence system.