Chapter 209
"Report!"
Just then a soldier came hurriedly.
"Speak!"
"A transport convoy arrived at the back mountain, saying that the weapons and equipment you purchased have arrived."
"Great!"
Lu Zhixian looked overjoyed and said with a smile: "Let's put aside the matter of the 358th Regiment for the time being, let's go and take a look at the newly arrived equipment!"
...
Just a moment.
Everyone came to the back mountain.
As soon as they walked to the open area at the entrance, they saw a lot of artillery parked there.
Compared with various infantry guns or howitzers in the past, these artillery in front of them were actually placed on armored vehicles. Their overall appearance was like a tank, and they were all tracked and armored, but the middle of the tank was a closed environment, with heavy armor on all sides, while these self-propelled artillery in front of them were all open, just like a truck, with several empty seats in the back row, and in addition to the heavy steel plate on the front, there were positions for artillery and heavy machine guns, which looked really majestic.
M7 self-propelled artillery, also known as "Pastor"
"Self-propelled artillery!"
Zhou Weiguo and a few others exclaimed.
"Captain!"
The newly appointed chief of staff Chen Feng said with great admiration: "You are so amazing that you can even get a self-propelled artillery!"
"What is a self-propelled artillery?"
Wu Qianli, who was standing next to him, was full of curiosity.
Chen Feng took a deep breath and explained: "The so-called self-propelled artillery is an equipment that integrates the artillery with the chassis of the same body. Isn't it extremely troublesome to transport and transfer heavy artillery like in the past? They either need to be towed by trucks or ox carts, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive and extremely troublesome. But if it is this kind of self-propelled artillery, there is no need to consider mobility. It can enter and exit complex terrain at any time like a tank, and naturally it can provide powerful firepower output at any time!"
"So powerful!"
Sun Desheng and others present were greatly surprised.
"Old Chen is right!"
Lu Zhixian nodded, and at this moment the system introduction sounded in his ears, and he said: "These are the latest M7 self-propelled artillery produced by the United States! These artillery are all equipped with M2A1 105mm howitzers and equipped with the chassis of M4 Sherman tanks. The total weight is about 23 tons. The gun is 6019mm long and can attack targets up to 10.5KM away. Its overall speed is not slow, with a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour!"
In the official history, this classic self-propelled artillery was officially equipped in 1942, but it doesn't matter if the system is produced a little earlier.
"What a powerful performance!"
Everyone present was also very excited.
Lu Zhixian smiled and said: "In the past, our howitzers and other heavy artillery, although powerful, are quite troublesome to move. If it is just a defensive battle, it is okay, but what about a pursuit battle? These heavy weapons basically can't keep up with the pace of the advancing troops! However, these self-propelled artillery can move freely. Each self-propelled artillery is a mobile artillery platform, and the pressure it puts on the enemy is absolutely unimaginable."
"Then it is almost the same as tanks!"
"Not exactly the same."
Zhou Weiguo shook his head and said with a smile: "The main guns carried by most tanks are within 75mm caliber, and the devil's small tanks are only 37mm. The power of their artillery is naturally limited, and the caliber of all self-propelled artillery is almost 105mm, which is undoubtedly more powerful. Compared with tanks responsible for close-range assaults, these self-propelled artillery can provide long-range heavy output, and can also enter the battlefield at any time to cover infantry breakthroughs. The two are naturally different."
"So that's it!"
Everyone understood it.
Wu Qianli also praised: "So tanks are like sharp knives on the battlefield, and these self-propelled artillery are the real killers."
"You can understand it that way."
Lu Zhixian showed a hint of approval.
"Captain!"
At this time, Yang Zhihua was just like seeing a newly married young wife, and said excitedly: "With these self-propelled artillery, our heavy artillery battalion will definitely be more powerful!"
"Old Yang!"
The others over there were immediately unhappy, and hurriedly said: "Don't think I can't hear your little thoughts, the self-propelled artillery commander hasn't said it's for you!"
"Humph!"
Yang Zhihua was naturally unconvinced, and immediately retorted: "Of course the 105mm caliber heavy artillery belongs to our heavy artillery battalion! Even if it is really given to you, will you use it?"
"Old Yang!"
Lu Zhixian smiled and said: "In theory, these self-propelled artillery should belong to the armored battalion."
"Ah!"Yang Zhihua's mood suddenly waned when he heard this.
Lu Zhixian smiled and said: "But at this stage, our armored forces are not complete enough, so let's transfer your heavy artillery battalion for the time being!"
"That's great!"
Yang Zhihua's face instantly turned from gloomy to bright.
...
A few days later.
The temporary base of the 358th Regiment.
"Report!"
Chief of Staff Fang Ligong hurried to the main house and said anxiously: "Commander! I just received news that the Japanese troops stationed in Heyuan County suddenly left the city three hours ago and are heading towards our base. The Japanese troops who came this time are about one battalion of troops, and the third regiment of the fourth mixed brigade of the Imperial Army is leading the charge. This third regiment is less than ten kilometers away from the base of our second battalion!"
"Humph!"
Chu Yunfei sneered at the map and said: "What kind of unit is the fourth mixed brigade of the Imperial Army? A bunch of rabble, with nothing to do except bullying the common people! How dare they come to wipe out my 358th Regiment?!"
"Commander!"
Fang Ligong said in a deep voice: "This Imperial Army is naturally not a concern, but after all, There is also a group of Japanese soldiers following them. In the past six months, our 358th Regiment has been attacked by the elite Japanese soldiers. We have suffered heavy losses. Except for the first battalion, the remaining battalions are less than half of their peak strength! In my humble opinion, we should choose to avoid their attack! "
"How can this be possible?"
Chu Yunfei was furious when he heard this and said, "It was fine with the elite Japanese soldiers in the past, but now my 358th Regiment has encountered a puppet army and is it necessary to flee in panic? Pass my order, order the front position to open a gap to let the enemy's third regiment in, and then order the second battalion to seal the gap to prevent the Japanese soldiers behind from coming up, and then order the remaining battalions to surround and eat up the enemy's third regiment. "
"Yes, commander!"
The signalman next to him quickly took the order.
Chu Yunfei sneered and said in a deep voice: "In the past six months, my 358th Regiment has been traveling around and has been chased crazily by the devils. Now this shitty Imperial Army dares to shit and piss on me, Chu Yunfei. Do they really think that my 358th Regiment is a soft persimmon?!"