in2ebook Chapter 450: Mobile Battalion Expansion
Chapter 450: Mobile Battalion Expansion
Li Yunlong was now also very worried that the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army would stab him in the back, so there was also the Yongji Yellow River Bridge in the south of Pingshun, where Dai Anlan's 6th Armored Division and Kong Jie's 5th Armored Division were stationed respectively.
If these two divisions are removed, there are only five armored divisions left that can conduct active defense to the north.
"How about this, we will temporarily expand the armed police force, organize the militia, and strengthen the defense force of our base."
"Well, make preparations in advance. I also suggest that we discuss with the Eighth Route Army and temporarily hand over the guarding of Yongji to them. Then we have a garrison regiment at Fenglingdu and a garrison regiment at the Yongji Yellow River Bridge. Even if the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army fall out, we can still hold out for a while."
Li Yunlong walked to the front of the map and poked at Pingshun.
"There shouldn't be any problem over in Pingshun. We have two garrison regiments in our military and industrial fortresses, plus armed police forces and militias, and our aviation division in the air. We should have no problem resisting a division of the Japanese."
"Well, then all seven of our armored divisions can be mobilized and fight the Japanese with real weapons!"
"Okay, then let's split up. I'm familiar with the Eighth Route Army, so I'll be in charge of contacting them. Mengzi, you'll be in charge of expanding the militia and armed police force, and then call Lao Zhao back as well!"
"Row!"
At twelve o'clock in the middle of the night, all armored divisions were on standby.
The 7th Armored Division camp in the south of Pingshun was brightly lit and bustling.
Dai Anlan, who received the order, has ordered each regiment to prepare and be ready to set off at any time.
The Pingshun Armed Police Force, who were on guard at the periphery, looked at the bustling military camp with envious expressions.
"Battalion Commander, when can we equip ourselves with artillery and trucks?"
"What do you want those things for? Our mission is to keep an eye on the courtyard of the independent column and attack small groups of enemies. We don't need those things!"
"Commander, it's not me who wants it! It's the brothers below who are jealous when they see the armored divisions go out with armored divisions, tanks, and artillery, while we don't even have many cars!"
The battalion commander knew the complaints of his brothers. They all said that the armored division was the regular army, and their armed police force was a second-line force.
“It’s just a different division of labor!”
As they were talking, dozens of armored vehicles led a long convoy of cars and drove over.
A young officer quickly jumped down from the first armored vehicle.
"Excuse me, where is Captain Wei Changping of the Pingshun Mobile Battalion?"
Battalion Commander Wei immediately went to meet him.
"That's me. Who are you?"
"Reporting to Captain Wei, I am a staff officer of the Independent Column's General Staff. I am under the order of Chief of Staff Wang to deliver these thirty armored vehicles and one thousand militiamen to you! By the way, announce the order!"
When Wei Changping heard the order, he immediately closed his legs.
"Order: Pingshun Mobile Battalion will be expanded into Pingshun Mobile Regiment from today, responsible for the garrison mission of the entire Pingshun area! The specific list of cadres will be submitted by your unit to the Independent Column Headquarters for approval."
The staff officer handed the order to Wei Changping and saluted.
"Now I have to call you Captain Wei. The Chief of Staff asked me to bring you a message. Please make sure to integrate the troops. I'm afraid there will be a big battle next!"
"Yes! Comrade Staff Officer, have all our mobile battalions been upgraded?"
"That's not the case. Only those mobile battalions in the periphery have been upgraded to mobile regiments, such as Jincheng, Linfen, etc!"
Wei Changping was so excited that he wanted to jump up and down. Jincheng and Linfen were big cities, while Pingshun was just a small place. After all, it was the center of the independent column!
"Please tell the Chief of Staff that the Pingshun Mobile Regiment will definitely live up to its mission!"
After seeing off the staff officer, Regiment Commander Wei Changping walked to the front of the armored vehicles, touched the high-quality armored vehicles, and liked them from the bottom of his heart.
"Hey, you just said we didn't have armored vehicles or cars, but they're coming soon? And the artillery, I think it will be here tomorrow!"
Wei Changping's guess was correct. The next day, Zhang Wanhe from the logistics department of the independent column completed the equipment of a standard regiment.
All mobile battalions that were in contact with the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, the Central Army and the Japanese were upgraded to mobile regiments, which were composed of: an armored infantry battalion, two infantry battalions, a reinforced artillery company, and several directly affiliated units, with a total strength of more than 2500 people.
Wang Meng was so busy that his feet were hitting his head, and Li Yunlong was not idle either. He arrived in Yan'an with more than 10,000 semi-automatic rifles, more than 500 mortars, 2 million rounds of bullets, and more than 50,000 artillery shells.
"Look what I brought you?"
The boss took one look at the weapons list and his jaw dropped.
"Everyone says that you, Li Yunlong, are a person who only eats and does not poop, but I didn't expect you to be so generous. I'm afraid this gift is not accepted in vain, right?"
"You are so smart. How can a Monkey King like me escape from your Five Finger Mountain?"
"Stop trying to fool me! Tell me, what's the matter?"
Li Yunlong chuckled and told him everything about the Japanese troops' invasion.
"This is the situation. The Japanese are well prepared this time and are coming with great force. I estimate that our independent column will have to push all its troops to the front line, so that we can barely hold on!"
The boss came to the front of the map and saw that the situation was indeed not optimistic.
"Okay, we are still a family after all. The support of the independent column is left to our Eighth Route Army. If the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army dare to have bad intentions, we will teach them a lesson!"
"Oh, I feel relieved after hearing what you said! Then we will go back. The independent column still has a lot of things to do!"
After Li Yunlong finished speaking, he returned to Qingyang along the same route and then took a plane back to Pingshun.
As soon as Li Yunlong landed, he met Zhao Gang, who was in a hurry, at the airport.
"Old Zhao, you are finally back. The rice noodles from Yunnan are so delicious, right? They make you unable to walk, right?"
"Hey, Lao Li, I just had a few good days in the country, and you called me back! Yunnan is developing well. The Sichuan Army and the Tiger Regiment have expanded to more than 4,000 people. I think they can be directly integrated into an infantry division soon!
The guerrillas are also developing well, and now we conservatively estimate that there are more than 2,000 of them!"
After hearing this, Li Yunlong patted Zhao Gang's shoulder with satisfaction.
"Old Zhao, everyone says you are a talented businessman. I didn't believe it before, but now I admire you from the bottom of my heart. If I hadn't pulled you back from Yunnan, you would probably have been able to create three armies right away, right?"
"It's not my credit. If you hadn't provided me with funds and supplies continuously, I wouldn't have been able to raise such a large team even if I talked my mouth off!"
This is true. Apart from anything else, only when you fill your stomach can you have the strength to fight, right?
"Old Li, let's go back to the military fortress first. We have something to discuss!"