Chapter 553 The correct way to open tasks (two-in-one chapter)
Amid the sound of splashing water, a large section of the trench, barely one meter deep, suddenly collapsed without warning.
To be precise, it was a large area of soft soil that had been washed away by heavy rains and immediately collapsed.
Not only did Hu Biao and others spend a lot of effort to excavate this section, but the trench they excavated seemed to be half buried.
At the same time, in the trench, which had already accumulated knee-deep mud in a short period of time, a wave of turbid muddy water was stirred up by the collapsing silt, and it immediately fell on Hu Biao and others.
Hu Biao and others, who had been soaked like a drowned rat in the heavy rain, became even more embarrassed.
Suddenly, the upset Hu Biao spit out a mouthful of muddy water with a sound of "Bah~" and threw the engineering shovel in his hand far away.
It can be regarded as completely giving up the ridiculous plan of continuing to build this kind of civil fortifications in the current heavy rain.
In the surrounding positions, other members of the Central Continent team saw this and rarely took the opportunity to laugh at their commander who looked extremely embarrassed.
What's so funny? Their current situation is actually not much better.
What's more important is that these guys, who were already in a state of embarrassment as they struggled in the mud and water, had a severe headache just thinking about the next system tasks.
So much so that even laughing at Commander Hu Biao, which had always been a joy, was no longer in the mood.
By the way! This is the second time in a short period of time that this trench has collapsed.
In the final analysis, it is because of the soil conditions in the Normandy region that it is not very suitable for the construction of civil fortifications. It would be better if it doesn't rain, and I can think of some way no matter what.
However, under the current circumstances, even if Hu Biao and others mastered the most advanced trench system construction method in the world, it would have no effect at all.
By the way! I originally heard about the second phase of this mission released by the system.
At that time, the first reaction of the Zhongzhou team, including Hu Biao, was to build a complete fortification.
The main reason is that these people have already learned about a complete set of fortifications similar to the Goryeo War in many previous system missions, with complete underground tunnels, anti-gun holes, various frontal firepower points, reverse positions, traffic trenches, etc.
In actual defensive battles, what a good effect it can have.
It can be said that Hu Biao and the others relied on these fortifications many times to survive the missions of Brown Yanggou, Songhu, and Hengyang.
However, it is precisely this that has solidified the way of thinking of the Zhongzhou team.
I didn't think about it, and there was no better way.
However, whether it was luck or misfortune, from the moment trench excavation started, it rained almost non-stop, which made them realize that there was no hope.
So in the next battle, it seems that the people of the Chungju team can only rely on their flesh and blood to fight against the German armored troops without any protection.
In this way, they can basically declare the second phase of their mission and declare failure in advance.
Seeing this, Yang Dongli, who was also upset, knew that he had to think of other solutions.
For this reason, he instinctively took out a pack of cigarettes, intending to light one to calm his mood, but in the end he took out Camel cigarettes from his jacket pocket.
I just found that after this thing was soaked in water, it turned out to be a ball of paste when I squeezed it with a little force.
Immediately, Comrade Lao Yang, who was known to be calm and unfazed in times of trouble, became depressed.
However, depression is also consistent with the law of conservation of energy. Lao Yang's unlucky appearance made Hu Biao laugh heartlessly.
Even in the blink of an eye, after being poured a mouthful of rainwater, at least my mood was lifted again.
He put his hands on his waist and shouted at everyone:
"Okay, don't dig every piece of land. It's my fault. I made an empiricist mistake. There's no way to complete the civil work in this damn weather.
Now let’s go back and drink some hot porridge to warm our bodies, and we can discuss what to do next.”
At such a suggestion, everyone threw away the engineering shovels in their hands and swarmed towards the field kitchen, which had a roof made of oilcloth to prevent rain.
It can be regarded as using delicious food to soothe the manic psychology of the Central Continent team members who have been under great pressure due to difficult tasks since they heard about the system mission.
銆愯铌湡攛屾渶杩戜竴鐩ancun镤鍜鍜阒呰鍤湅涔﹁毴町鎹㈡簮鍒囨崲锛屾湕璇wedding煶鑹insert pan纴瀹夊崜鑻Rules and Regulations
umbrella
In such a weird way, everyone's emotions cooled down...
I have to say that Qingtian, the owner of a fast food restaurant, is getting better and better at cooking. The oatmeal and lean meat porridge he cooked this morning tastes quite good.
Especially when you have just been soaked in the rain and your whole body is a bit cold, eating a bowl of it can not only warm your whole body, but also relieve your anxiety.
Under such circumstances, Hu Biao, who was squatting by the stove and letting the heat bake his clothes, asked in English while drinking porridge:
"First of all, let's all evaluate the approximate size of the German armored force we need to face based on what AT saw at that time.
By the way! And what their serial numbers are, does anyone know this?"
The reason for this is that Lieutenant Don Collier and others also participated in this Zhuge Liang meeting; if they communicated in Chinese, they would not understand it at all.
By the way! What AT saw at that time was roughly as follows:
There are more than 60 tanks inside, and most of them are Panther tanks and Panzer IV tanks. There should be only two or three Tiger tanks.
In addition, there are about 10 self-propelled artillery, about 8 assault guns, more than 2 tracked and half-track armored vehicles, some anti-aircraft guns, and other heavy equipment.
In addition to the above, there are also more than 30 trucks and some three-wheeled motorcycles.
The number of accompanying infantry is about 1,200, and they are equipped with a large number of automatic weapons, which look pretty good.
Anyway, compared to the World War II German troops we encountered along the way, their morale and mental outlook seemed much better.
As for more detailed equipment models and specific troops, AT did not pay too much attention.
After all, AT at that time never thought that such a small force would be able to defeat such a powerful armored force, so they did not conduct too detailed reconnaissance at all.
After roughly understanding the situation, he returned directly to Hu Biao and others.
Hu Biao and the others had telegraphed the above information as early as yesterday, so that everyone who was left behind knew about it and there was no need to repeat it again.
So after Hu Biao asked the above questions.
Lieutenant Don Collier, the person in charge of the soldiers who knew more about the situation, was the first to give some of the answers he knew.
But before he spoke formally to answer, he first praised the cook Qingtian:
"Qing, your craftsmanship is really good. If you continue to open a restaurant in Chinatown after the war, you must remember to tell me. You will definitely have one more loyal customer by then."
When Qingtian looked reserved and said that this was just a minor situation.
It was Lieutenant Don Collier who revealed what he had learned: "This German armored unit should be the 17th "Gutz von Berlichingen" of the SS.
Panzergrenadier Division.
According to intelligence, they are a newly formed armored division in Gaul last year; most of the personnel are reserves and volunteers from the Bar area.
In the previous battle between Carentan and John's family, although they performed quite well, they also suffered heavy losses; even the division commander died in the battle, and now the flag captain takes over the duties.
So the unit that AT saw should be their remaining force. Considering the strength of the equipment and personnel, it probably belongs to the size of a strengthened regiment."
After hearing this, Hu Biao and the others finally figured out which German army unit they were about to face.
But even if they figured it out, they didn't feel much joy in their hearts; it was all because of the prefix of "SS" in this unit.
So what! In later generations, many people have been wondering whether the Wehrmacht or the SS had greater combat effectiveness among the German armies during World War II.
There is a huge debate on the above issue.
Regarding this point, a generally accepted and reasonable statement is that it depends on the specific year.
If it were in the early stages of World War II, it would definitely be inferior to the Wehrmacht. As the main military force in Germany, the Wehrmacht is naturally better in terms of equipment, training, and officer command levels.
In comparison, the SS was worth mentioning for its fanatical fighting will.
But in the later stages, the situation is completely different.
Because Mustache has always given priority to providing and replenishing various advanced equipment and high-quality soldiers for the SS troops armed by his trusted followers.
Coupled with the fact that the training and officers' command capabilities have kept up, the combat effectiveness of the SS has also become stronger.
Facing such a 17th SS Armored Division with excellent equipment, good tactical ability, and fanatical fighting will, it was certainly not the opponent Hu Biao and the others expected to encounter.
The problem is not that they don’t have to encounter it just because they don’t want to encounter it.
Facing the upcoming battle with such a force, Hu Biao and the others could only think of ways to fight in order to reduce the team's losses to an acceptable level and complete the second phase of the mission.
So, after Hu Biao swallowed the porridge in his mouth, he spoke again:
"Building a complete fortification here at the hilltop position will block the German army's plan, because of this damn heavy rain, it seems impossible.
Besides, even if only one reinforced regiment of the 17th Armored Division is left, it is still a powerful group in terms of firepower. If it is so dead, the losses must be staggering.
So I will review myself first. I was not calm at that time and acted impulsively. I admit my mistake to everyone.
Now, after some calm thinking, I feel that the best way to complete the mission is to block them step by step along the way and delay their advance.
But then the question arises, how to stop and delay them so that they can survive until 12 o'clock tomorrow? Let's all work together to see how to overcome this difficulty."
Facing Hu Biao's self-examination and questions, everyone fell silent.
Of course, it was not that they chose to pretend to be dead at such a critical moment, but they began to focus on Hu Biao's problem. Everyone was thinking about what they should do, and how should they do it themselves?
About three minutes later, Bian Po raised his hand first.
After everyone had seen it, Bianrou said:
"I studied the sFH18 150mm howitzer left behind by the Germans yesterday and found that I should be able to fiddle with it smoothly. I can surprise the 17th Armored Division by firing it after they enter a 13-kilometer range.
But I have two problems here. First, this thing requires artillery observers to help me guide the shooting coordinates in order to achieve good artillery effects.
Second point, this thing is such a big mess, so of course it cannot be handled by one person. Lao Hu, please arrange at least 6 more people for me to use this thing normally."
Bian Po's voice fell, and Zhu Ye stepped forward voluntarily.
He said: "I will be your artillery observer. Then I will use the radio to transmit the specific results of the artillery bombardment back to you so that you can make adjustments."
By the way! I also need an assistant, who will go with me?
Otherwise, the two of us might as well just keep moving forward until we encounter the German stick troops. This way, we can let everyone know where the German stick troops are and when they will arrive. It also allows us to make targeted decisions.
Some more arrangements.”
"I'll go! I'm partnering with Zhuye." Zhui Feng said this, finally deciding on a reconnaissance and fire guidance team.
As for the personnel who helped Bian Po with the 150mm howitzer, Hu Biao arranged them directly:
"Dachang, Yang Zai, Lang Qing, company commander, King Kong, Lao Hei, the six of you will follow Bian Po's command from now on and use that 150mm howitzer."
Obviously, in Hu Biao's arrangement, the personnel assigned to this artillery group were all rookies.
It can be regarded as a preferential treatment given by Hu Biao to these rookies; because the sniper operation on the way is even more dangerous in comparison.
Unexpectedly, the company commander actually raised objections to Hu Biao's obvious preferential treatment.
He said to Hu Biao: "Xiao Hu, do you think this is okay?
Yesterday, I was also on the German army's position and discovered that they actually had an M2 60mm mortar. According to the prisoner, it was previously captured from the paratroopers of the soldiers.
A 60mm caliber mortar, I think it’s pretty good to use. How about I take my son and I together to use this thing? This will be more helpful to the team.”
Faced with such a reasonable request, how could Hu Biao refuse to agree?
He even thoughtfully added: "The two of you operating an M2 mortar are a bit too busy for you; so! Ye Yu, you join their artillery team."
NEO, Feng, you two join Bian Po’s artillery crew and help maneuver that cannon.”
"Okay." Ye Yu and the other three people whose names were called all agreed simply.
But no one noticed that after hearing that Ye Yu was about to join his three-man artillery crew, the old company commander couldn't help but glance at Bai Xiang covertly, and then at Ye Yu.
It wasn't until the end that he took a look at his eldest son King Kong.
The expression on his face is a bit strange, and the exact thought contained in it can be accurately described as: No fish! No matter how much shrimp...
The arrangement of these people has opened up the chat room for the rest of the team, allowing them to come forward one by one and volunteer automatically.
Even Don Collier and other soldiers expressed their thoughts on this blockade plan.
In the end, when they drank all the large pot of oatmeal and lean meat porridge, everyone found their own operational mission.
In general, most of the people in the team are now laying as many mines as possible on the way.
Except that Hu Biao gritted his teeth and spent 300 points to exchange for 20 German sticks for Type 43 anti-tank mines, which would be planted by them along the way.
Warehouse managers will also plant a large number of bullet mines and grenade mines.
Although these things are inconspicuous, when combined with serious anti-tank mines, they can still play a great role in delaying the speed of the advance.
Think about it, if the Germans want to advance quickly with the help of armor, those simple bullet mines and grenade mines are indeed not powerful enough, but anti-tank mines will make them suffer big losses.
Once infantry is used to clear mines, their advancement speed will be greatly reduced.
Maybe we can really let Hu Biao and the others survive until 12 o'clock at noon tomorrow with relative ease.
Of course, Hu Biao and the others did not place all their hopes on the armored troops that could defeat the Germans, and just sniped and delayed them halfway.
Therefore, we should make as many preparations as possible at the hilltop position.
For example, use some big rocks and sandbags to build some firepower points; use some logs and the like to find a way to create some holes for blasting in the mountain.
Even Lieutenant Don Collier and others were assigned a task.
In view of the fact that the armor strength between the two sides is not at the same level at all, so together with the Sherman driven by Lao Yang and the others.
A total of three tanks will be on the roadside, find a suitable location to hide, and only come out at the critical moment.
In this way, after everyone finalized the above plan, they were finally no longer confused and knew how to fight the next battle.
It's a coincidence that when these people put on their German raincoats one after another, they started to take action.
The heavy rain in the sky has actually become lighter. This is somewhat of a good omen, right?