Chapter 296 Eighth Route Army Artillery Academy

August 15, 1941, Taiyuan Weapon Experimental Field.

Today is the day when the research slots of the previous stage are unlocked. Huang He invited the big guys to the shooting range outside the city early in the morning to observe the power of the new weapons.

The armed guards and the tightly guarded sentries on the commanding heights all prove that this test site has extremely high confidentiality.

At the target position, Political Commissar Zhu, who came back with the infantry expert, was leading the soldiers to set up artillery positions.

Although he has not been exposed to new artillery for some time, no one would question that he is one of the most professional artillery commanders in the Eighth Route Army.

After all, he is an excellent student of the Krasin Artillery School. When he graduated that year, he got the highest score in both written tests and live-fire shooting.

The term "capable of both literature and martial arts" is almost tailor-made for Political Commissar Zhu.

When Huang He learned that this big guy came to Taiyuan for a physical examination with the deputy division commander, he did not hesitate to invite him to test the artillery.

"Director Huang! We meet again."

"I never expected that the conditions at the headquarters would be so good. There are four types of standard mortars of various calibers. When will a batch be delivered to our Shandong base? They are all armed forces of the Eighth Route Army, so you can't be partial."

"We can start the first round of test firing in five minutes. You can rest for a while."

"Okay! Thank you for your hard work!"

After a simple greeting, Political Commissar Zhu returned to the artillery position to continue the unfinished work.

The busy scene at the experimental field intensified the curiosity of the deputy commander-in-chief. He walked silently to the vicinity of the prefabricated position, ready to get closer to see what kind of surprise Huang He had prepared for everyone.

"Hiss"

"What a thick tube. It should be 120 mm by visual estimation."

"To be honest, this is the first time I have come into close contact with a large-caliber mortar. The visual impact is very strong."

Hearing this, the deputy chief of staff and his entourage also surrounded it.

That's right, today's protagonist is the "Brand Mle 1935 120 mm mortar" unlocked by Huang He with the scientific research slot.

Seeing the heavy mortar with a double-wheeled gun carriage, the thick barrel and the huge and heavy shells, the big guys showed excited expressions.

Compared with it, the 81mm mortars currently in service in the army are just like underage child laborers.

Such an evaluation is not entirely unreasonable. After all, the 120mm can be regarded as a proportionally enlarged version of the 81mm in a sense, and the two have many similarities in design concepts and details.

Although Brand's original intention of designing this gun was to add a support weapon to the regiment-level infantry unit.

But on the battlefield in North China, the appearance of the 120mm mortar is definitely a dimensionality reduction strike, both in terms of power and range.

After all, the current offensive firepower of the Eighth Route Army and the North China Front is still mainly 75mm barreled guns.

The enemy does have a 105mm howitzer, but that is a weapon that will only be equipped at the division level.

What's more, the devils have lost air superiority. Now each gun is a precious treasure that is difficult to replenish. They will not be used unless it is absolutely necessary.

After the troops have 120mm mortars, the artillery system of the Eighth Route Army Corps has taken shape, and its strength has taken a big step forward.

Facing the hot eyes of the big guys, Huang He walked to the back of the mortar and began to introduce various basic data.

"In theory, this gun can be regarded as an enlarged version of the 81mm mortar."

"Its combat weight is only 249 kilograms, and it can be disassembled into three parts during the march. The heaviest gun body does not exceed 90 kilograms."

As soon as these words came out, countless possibilities of combat floated in the mind of the brigade commander.

The weight of 90 kilograms is definitely easy for the Eighth Route Army at this stage, and it is very suitable for plain combat and mountain combat that requires mobility.

What's more, the Brand 120mm mortar also has rubber tires, which can reach a speed of 60 kilometers per hour when towed by a truck.

"Its maximum range is 7,500 meters, and the theoretical rate of fire is 10 to 12 rounds per minute. The shell weighs 17 kilograms and has a killing radius of 34 meters."

Compared with the original French goods, the model provided by the Awakening Brave Tiger system has been slightly modified. It has not only replaced quite advanced sighting equipment, but also increased the range by 500 meters.

The above data once again caused the big guys to exclaim.

Although everyone present has seen the world, everyone's reaction is not uncommon, mainly because the performance of Brand's 120mm is too amazing.

The current Republic of China is not incapable of producing mortars with a caliber exceeding 120mm. The Fengtian Arsenal and the 50th Factory of Guojian have even produced 150mm large tubes before.

It's a pity that due to reasons such as materials and processes, the above weapons are worse in indicators such as range, and the performance is often only about 70% of imported goods.

As a product of an old artillery power and the work of the ancestor of mortars, even the original version is far more powerful than the Soviet and German equipment of the same period.

After all, both weigh more than 280 kilograms, and their ranges are only 5,700 meters and 6,000 meters.

The basic data of the new gun made the brigade commander's eyes light up again,

"A range of nearly 8,000 meters? It's really an enlarged version of the 81mm mortar."

"This 17-kilogram shell must have at least 3 kilograms of charge, it's really a good thing."

Although the initial velocity of the mortar is not high, its powerful power is definitely not inferior to the Japanese 105 howitzer. Ordinary earthen bunkers can definitely be hit by one shot.

The Type 92 infantry gun and the Type 94 mountain gun can only be beaten by the heavy mortar.

If there was this thing in the Hundred Regiments Campaign, the soldiers would definitely have achieved greater results and the corresponding casualties would have been reduced.

"What is the specific power?"

With the data, everyone present is more looking forward to the upcoming test firing.

The caliber and the weight of the shells are just numbers after all. As a practical leader, I want to see the specific combat effect.

When the deputy chief of staff asked this question, Political Commissar Zhu had already completed the erection of the artillery position. A few kilometers away, a civil fortification was used as a target.

"Everyone, the live-fire test is about to begin."

After speaking, the soldiers of the artillery company began to do the last check before shooting. They erected the gun barrels and then lifted out the heavy shells for standby.

"Report!"

"Ready, ready to fire at any time!"

"Good!"

Political Commissar Zhu confirmed through a portable communicator that the target in the distant position was in place, and all staff had evacuated the scene.

"Everyone, the intended target is a semi-buried earthen bunker four kilometers away."

"The target bunker was built according to the standard structure of the devils. In order to test the performance of the 120mm mortar, the comrades also strengthened the fortification to a certain extent."

"It has three layers of cross-laid pine beams on the top and multiple wooden support columns on the bottom, which can defend against direct hits from multiple 81mm mortar shells."

"Let's get started."

The deputy commander-in-chief said.

Political Commissar Zhu ran to the gun position and personally directed the soldiers to aim.

Today was the first time that the artillery had come into contact with large-caliber mortars, and the various performances of the new weapon were unfamiliar to everyone. In order not to disappoint Huang He's trust in him, he decided to go out in person.

After confirming that everything was correct, Political Commissar Zhu signaled everyone present to open fire.

"Boom!"

The muzzle fireworks burst out, and a circle of dust was shaken up on the ground.

A moment later, a huge explosion was heard in the distance, followed by fire and smoke.

"Missed the target, the impact point is 50 meters to the right!"

Hearing the shell landing point reported by the observation post, Political Commissar Zhu adjusted the firing parameters without changing his expression, and then asked the gun crew to prepare for loading.

It is normal for a new gun to miss the first shot, and there is nothing to be surprised about.

Fifteen seconds later, another shell was fired and flew towards the target fortification.

Political Commissar Zhu is worthy of being a top student who graduated from the Artillery School. He has mastered the use of this gun after only one test firing, and the second shell hit the bunker accurately.

With the help of the telescope, everyone watched an almost invisible black spot pierce into the semi-buried earthen bunker in the distance. Then the smoke rose, accompanied by mud and broken wood.

In an instant, all the big guys, including the deputy commander-in-chief and the deputy chief of staff, were boiling.

The wood chips and dust that were blown up all proved that the solid earth bunker in the distance was completely destroyed.

One shot hit the target!

If the opposite side was really an enemy position, then the artillery bombardment just now would have killed more than a dozen devils and a solid fortification.

"Good gun!"

The deputy commander-in-chief couldn't help but applaud. The explosion just now was definitely pleasing to the eye.

"It is indeed a good gun."

The deputy chief of staff also nodded in agreement. Everyone was very satisfied with the power of the 120mm mortar. With such a brutal assault weapon, the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army will definitely be improved.

While everyone was sighing, Political Commissar Zhu took a portable communicator and began to report a detailed battle report.

"The artillery bombardment just now completely destroyed the internal structure of the fortification. Absolutely no one can withstand that shell."

Although they saw the collapse of the bunker with their own eyes, such serious internal damage still surprised the big guys, and they immediately walked towards the artillery position.

·······

After the test firing, Huang He followed the big guys to the office of the test site.

In addition to observing the new weapons, there is another major event to be drafted today. That is to establish the Eighth Route Army's Artillery Academy and select the first principal.

Nowadays, troops at all levels have successively equipped three French mortars, 50, 60, and 81. In addition to the 120mm mortars to be installed in the second half of the year and the 75mm mortars to be transferred to the regiment level, the artillery of the Eighth Route Army has begun to take shape.

The current situation seems perfect, but a problem has gradually surfaced.

That is, the training speed of artillery is far less than the output of new weapons. If this continues, the troops will face the embarrassing situation of a large number of equipment and people.

In order to speed up the training of artillery cadres and vigorously develop the artillery of the main force, the border area and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters both believe that it is necessary to establish an artillery academy in Shanxi.

In the original plan of the deputy commander-in-chief, he was going to let the artillery director of the 129th Division serve as the principal.

After all, Director Zhao has a long history. He has followed the troops to climb the snow-capped mountains and walk through the grasslands. He is a veteran who has grown up step by step from the grassroots with military exploits.

If he hadn't destroyed three firing points with three shells during the battle of Dadu River, the soldiers would have suffered heavy casualties.

Although his education level was somewhat low, he had rich combat experience and extraordinary talent. In today's special period, the speed of wild methods may be faster.

However, the deputy general staff officer had his own ideas. Director Zhao was indeed the artillery master of the 129th Division, but he spent most of his time manipulating mortars.

If it was the previous Kuhaha period, it would be understandable to let the other party serve as the principal. After all, the army only has mortars at its disposal most of the time.

But now, in addition to mortars of various calibers, the Eighth Route Army also has 75mm barrel guns and Red Arrow self-propelled rocket launchers. Even in a year or two, it will be equipped with a 155mm large-tube howitzer.

At this moment, the artillery school needs a founder of systematization, modernization and theory.

From a strategic perspective, Political Commissar Zhu, who graduated from Krasin Artillery School, is the best candidate for the principal. The position suitable for Director Zhao should be the head of the school's training department.

After everyone arrived, the deputy commander signaled Huang He to close the door, and then said straight to the point:

"Xiao Zhu, the border area and headquarters have an important task for you."

"I am planning to establish an artillery academy in Yangquan. After many organizational discussions, the superiors have decided that you will be the first principal."

"Except for the teaching materials that you need to compile yourself, all teaching aids are handled by the military industrial zone in the southeastern Shanxi base area. I have only one request for you, and that is to start classes as soon as possible! Cultivate the first batch of graduates as soon as possible!"

It is the bounden duty of soldiers to obey orders. After hearing the deputy commander-in-chief’s arrangements, political commissar Zhu immediately stood at attention and saluted and replied:

"yes!"

"Promise to complete the mission!"

Although Political Commissar Zhu agreed happily, there was still a trace of hesitation in his heart. On weekdays, he is mainly responsible for presiding over the overall coordination work of the Shandong Anti-Japanese Base Area. There are many things that cannot be separated from him.

For example, most of the national troops behind enemy lines in Shandong are Yu Xuezhong's troops from the Northeast Army.

Due to the existence of Political Commissar Zhu, the Shandong Eighth Route Army and the Northeast Army have always maintained good cooperation, and there have been almost no friction incidents between the two sides.

If he comes to Shanxi and becomes a principal, it is very likely that his previous efforts will be in vain.

Seemingly sensing the other party's concerns, the deputy general staff officer said very considerately:

"We left you and Lao Xu in Shanxi, and we must have thought about who to send to Shandong to take over."

"Don't worry, the headquarters will not keep you in school as a teacher. Desperate War Fox asked me to give you a message. He said that there is an artillery marshal in the north, so you will definitely be the artillery marshal of our Eighth Route Army in the future!

"Besides, as the principal of the Artillery Academy, it's certainly not too much for you to arrange a few practical training sessions for the students."

"Okay! It's better to be respectful than to obey!"

Looking at the two people enjoying themselves, Huang He said silently in his heart:

"Principal Zhu, there is no shortage of artillery in the army now. You no longer need to go to the battlefield to seize weapons in person. The current situation is very good, and no enemy has the right to let you go to the battlefield in person!"

Another difficult person to calm down