On the gun emplacement, a lieutenant was practicing the operation with seven or eight cadets. Because it is in a bunker, the space is limited, and the practice is relatively simple. The lieutenant first randomly reported a set of data, and the trainees were busy adjusting the shooting target. After the adjustment is completed, the lieutenant will check it to see if it is qualified. Of course, training methods like this are just convenient for novices to get on the road, and if you really want to practice to the level, you have to pull into the field and shoot two shots.

Because there were not many people, Zheng Weiguo and the others were discovered by the students as soon as they entered the bunker. According to the latest military regulations promulgated by the 41st Group Army, troops are not allowed to greet their commanders during training, so as to ensure that the training can proceed normally. However, with these three bigwigs present, the soldiers still looked very reserved, and even the lieutenant was a little nervous.

The lieutenant was still calm at first, but when he saw Political Commissar Cheng asking, he was so busy standing up and saluting: "Report to Deputy Commander Cheng, this is a Japanese-made Type 91 105mm field gun!" ”

The Japanese-made Type 91 105 mm field gun was specially developed by the Japanese army because of the lack of power of the 75 caliber artillery, although the firing range did not increase, but the projectile weighed 32 kilograms, which was more than twice that of the 75 field gun, and the power can be imagined. After the 918 Incident, some elite divisions began to change their outfits, but they were not popularized until the end of the war.

Political Commissar Cheng was a little happy when he heard this, and asked, "Didn't you say that only the elite of the Japanese army had it?" Aren't we equipped now? Ha Luha, we're also elite now. Then he asked, "How many of these guns do we have?" ”

The lieutenant hurriedly replied, "There are five of them." ”

Political Commissar Cheng smiled: "Okay, it can be organized into a heavy artillery battalion." "He saw that there were not many students here. Then he asked, "Why are there only a few of you, and the others?" ”

The lieutenant replied awkwardly: "Report to Deputy Commander Cheng, there are only nine of us in our artillery team at present. ”

Political Commissar Cheng was stunned for a moment, turned to Director Guo and said, "Ah, Lao Guo, isn't this a little too little?" Although he didn't know much about artillery, he was not a layman in military affairs, and at a glance, he knew that this kind of cannon with nine people would definitely not work. According to the logistical supply capacity of the 41st Group Army, at least one artillery platoon must be arranged.

Zheng Weiguo said: "Is the artillery crew, transshipment and ammunition supply trained separately? ”

Director Guo shook his head with a wry smile and said, "No! According to your requirements, Commander, our artillery units are trained according to the mode of one specialization and multiple abilities. It's just that there aren't enough people right now. Artillery crews and cadets can only give priority to seven-five caliber field artillery. There is really no way to do heavy artillery. Even if you don't come to inspect today, Commander, I'll have to come to the door for help. ”

Artillery units have high requirements for the cultural level of soldiers, resulting in a very narrow range of soldiers. Even in a well-educated area like Jizhong, it was difficult to raise enough troops for a while.

Zheng Weiguo nodded in understanding. He asked again, "Hmm." I'll figure out how to solve the problem of manpower. It's just that why don't you give priority to 105 caliber field artillery? ”

Political Commissar Cheng hurriedly said: "Yes? ”

Director Guo only said four words. Zheng and Cheng were silent - there were no shells. Of course, it was not that there were not a single shell, but that there were too few captures. The number of holdings is less than one base. Tactically, shells below a certain base are not enough to work.

Someone must ask, isn't it meritorious for a certain unit to have only one shell left? Well, this is the case, but it all happens in low-intensity battles, which is impossible in artillery battles. What Jizhong needed now was weapons that could sustain the confrontation with the Japanese army. It is clear that the 105 caliber field gun does not meet the requirements.

Can you produce it yourself? Of course you can, but it will take time. At present, the Ping'an County Arsenal has begun to trial produce 75 mm caliber mountain artillery shells, but the firing rate of the fuse is not high, and it has not yet been mass-produced. The mountain artillery shells have not yet been solved, and the heavy artillery is even more distant. However, Zheng Weiguo has already ordered a batch of fuzes from Germany, which will be ready for production after arrival.

After this blow, everyone's mood was not high. The group continued to walk forward with their heads bored, and the four gun positions of the first company were all Japanese-made 105-mm field guns, but the fifth gun position was obviously not a 105-caliber gun, but a 150-mm howitzer with a thicker barrel. There are not many cadets on this gun position, and it is estimated that the situation is the same as that of 105 caliber field guns.

Director Guo explained: "There was a 105 caliber field gun that was faulty, so it was mothballed. From here all are 150-mm howitzers. ”

Political Commissar Cheng glanced at it and said suspiciously: "Hey, why is this thing so old?" It doesn't feel as good as the 105 caliber field artillery just now! ”

Director Guo nodded and said: "This is a Japanese-made 38-year-old 150mm howitzer, a grandfather's artillery, and we have captured a total of two." Don't look at it old, the power is still quite large, and the projectile alone weighs 72 pounds! ”

Political Commissar Cheng was surprised: "So heavy! ”

The weight of the shell increases by an arithmetic level, and the lethality increases by a geometric or even exponential level. So don't look at the weight of only twice as much as a 105-mm field artillery projectile, the power is at least four times more. Not to mention Political Commissar Cheng, even Zheng Weiguo was slightly moved when he heard it.

Director Guo smiled: "Yes, the power of such a heavy projectile can be called terrifying. Moreover, the cannon body is also relatively light, just over 4,000 catties, which is only 500 catties heavier than the 105-caliber field gun just now. ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Well, it's really light for a 150mm howitzer." So how far is its effective range? ”

Director Guo said regretfully: "This is its biggest weakness, it is only more than 6,000 meters, and even the 75 caliber field artillery can't compare, and its survivability is worrying!" ”

The performance of the 38-mm howitzer of the 150-year model is indeed very average. When World War I broke out suddenly, the Japanese Army suddenly found that it did not have a heavy artillery that could hold up the scene, so it hurriedly copied one from Germany. It is not surprising that a premature baby like this is born with a congenital deficiency.

Interestingly, at the end of World War II, due to the high cost of new howitzers, the Japanese army reproduced many of these antique cannons and equipped them with troops.

Political Commissar Cheng couldn't help but ask: "We haven't seized anything new?" I remember when you came back you saw a cannon with a barrel as thick as this one. But bigger than this iron guy. ”

Director Guo smiled and said, "Yes, what you said should be the Taisho 4-year 150mm howitzer, and we also captured two." Come with me, two commanders! ”

From here, there are several sentry posts to go through, and the level of vigilance is significantly higher by a level. Director Guo explained that the first few cannons were the treasures of the 41st Group Army, so the protection measures were raised to the highest level. As soon as I entered the bunker, I heard the fighters inside shouting the trumpet, and they were busy.

Director Guo explained: "They are practicing entering positions and transferring. "For the Jizhong artillery, which lacks air protection, it is very important to quickly enter and transfer positions, otherwise they will not want to survive the Japanese artillery fire.

Political Commissar Cheng glanced at it happily. I found that there are many students here. He teased: "Lao Guo, didn't your artillery team here take care of the 75 field artillery?" ”

Director Guo said with a smile: "This kind of good thing naturally can't be cherished by itself!" Even if I take four 75-caliber field guns, I won't change them. ”

Zheng Weiguo asked, "Then how far is its range?" "Controlling the enemy but not the enemy, so in addition to flexibility, Zheng Huzi also attaches great importance to the range of firearms.

Director Guo said: "The maximum effective range can reach 8,800 meters. ”

Zheng Weiguo thought for a moment. said: "Compared with the 38-year Type 75 field gun (maximum range of 8350 meters), it is not a loss. However, it was changed with 38 (improved gun carriage. The firing range has increased by more than 2,000 meters), Type 90 (maximum range of 13,890 meters), Type 95 (maximum range of 10,700 meters) and other 75-caliber field guns, which are still inferior! ”

Political Commissar Cheng said: "Yes, one inch is long and one inch is strong. The difference between you is a few thousand meters, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to confront the Japanese field artillery troops! ”

Director Guo explained: "Field artillery belongs to the category of cannons, with flat ballistics and an advantage in range, so it is inappropriate to compare the range of howitzers with field artillery. ”

Political Commissar Cheng hurriedly said: "Then where is the advantage of our howitzer?" ”

Zheng Weiguo interjected: "It should be ballistics and power." ”

Director Guo smiled: "The commander is right! More than 10,000 meters, that is the limit range of the Japanese 75 field guns, and it is difficult to hit the target at this distance. And our 150-mm howitzers are different, as long as the shells are bombarded within an approximate range, the powerful shock wave is enough to make the opponent incapacitated. ”

Moreover, the maximum elevation angle of the Taisho four-year 150-mm howitzer can reach 65 degrees, and it can be completely hidden in the fortifications to bombard the enemy. At this angle, even if the position is within the range of the field artillery, it is difficult for the enemy to return fire with the field artillery. ”

Political Commissar Cheng said happily: "So powerful! ”

Director Guo smiled: "There is something more powerful, the two commanders, please come with me!" ”

After walking a little further, a behemoth appeared in front of everyone's eyes. It is indeed a behemoth, and the cannon barrel alone is 4.7 meters long, which is taller than two Yao Ming.

Political Commissar Cheng said in surprise: "Ho! What kind of cannon is this? Bigger than a 150mm howitzer! ”

Director Guo said: "Our king of kings, the Japanese-made Type 92 105mm field cannon, is the most powerful heavy artillery of our army at present, and it is also the longest-range artillery of the whole Chinese and Japanese armies. ”

The Type 92 105mm field cannon was the longest-range army 4-inch cannon in the world at that time, with a range of more than 18 kilometers without the use of long-range shells such as sub-caliber shells and rocket extended-range shells, which is very far even now.

What is even more rare is that this artillery also maintained a fairly high level of accuracy and power. It was used by the Japanese army as a 120-ton heavy tank gun in the late stage of World War II, specializing in bombarding Allied heavy tanks.

Political Commissar Cheng said excitedly: "Ho, good guy! When was this shipped back, and why didn't I see it the last time you came back? ”

Director Guo explained: "This one was towed back by a truck, and the time was relatively early. ”

At the beginning, the 97th Army seized a large number of supplies on the side of the Yellow River, and Zheng Weiguo was worried about the Japanese bombing, so he ordered some of the materials to be transferred to southern Hebei in advance. This Type 92 105-mm field cannon was rushed at that time. This decision proved to be very correct and quite timely, because shortly after the rush to the port, the area around the ferry was subjected to a massive air raid by Japanese aircraft.

Zheng Weiguo was also very happy, with this play, the Japanese army's artillery group would have to be more leisurely. As long as the artillery unit was allowed to determine its position, it could be put to death thirty miles away.

"Is this shell enough?" Political Commissar Cheng looked at Director Guo with a blank eye, for fear that the word "not enough" would pop out of his mouth.

Uh, what's the saying? What are you afraid of! Director Guo smiled helplessly: "Of course it's not enough." However, as soon as ...... political commissar Cheng heard the word "not enough", his heart was about to rise to his throat, if he hadn't heard "but" behind him, he would have to spurt blood on the spot.

Director Guo smiled, and then said: "Lao Cheng, don't worry, I haven't finished my words yet!" ”

Political Commissar Cheng hurriedly urged: "Less nonsense, say it quickly, say it quickly!" ”

Director Guo adjusted his appetite before he uttered the truth: "Although there are not many shells, it is not impossible to save a little use!" ”

Zheng Weiguo quickly understood what he meant, the most powerful thing about this long-range cannon is not power, but deterrence. As long as the Japanese army knew that our army had such a sharp weapon in hand, their artillery would not dare to advance rashly, thus gaining valuable time and room for maneuver for the soldiers and civilians in the base areas.

Director Guo also explained: "Although we currently lack special artillery shells, there are still some shells for 105 caliber field artillery, which are enough to pose a threat to the Japanese artillery." ”

Some of the shells of the 105-caliber field artillery were captured in the Taiyuan military station, but unfortunately they didn't pay much attention to it at the time, and most of the shells were dismantled by the arsenal and converted into mortar shells. Because at that time, even 75 field cannons were a rarity, who would have thought that such artifacts as field cannons would be captured?

Zheng Weiguo was puzzled: "Can the shells of the 105-caliber field artillery and the 105-caliber field cannon be universal?" ”

Director Guo explained: "The projectiles are actually almost the same, but the cannon is more fully charged, anyway, it is divided into shells, and skilled artillerymen can directly get started." ”

Artillery shells are divided into fixed and split loads, and the difference is whether the propellant and the projectile are loaded together. Small-caliber artillery generally uses fixed ammunition to facilitate an increase in the rate of fire. Large-caliber (generally more than 105 mm) artillery mostly uses split loading shells, because the shells are too heavy for one person to carry anyway, and the split loading is conducive to adjusting the propellant at any time.

Zheng Weiguo and Political Commissar Cheng understood why Director Guo wanted to temporarily give up the 105 field artillery. If you have a big meal to eat, who still eats instant noodles? Compared with the field cannon, the field artillery is simply weak.

Political Commissar Cheng was more careful, and asked curiously: "Lao Guo, you just said that wild artillery also belongs to the category of cannons, so why is there such a big difference between the two?" The caliber is still the same! ”

Director Guo explained: "The Type 91 field gun focuses on field combat, that is, maneuverability, so the weight is only more than 3,500 catties; The Type 92 cannon focuses on suppression, pays more attention to the firing range, and the total weight is as high as more than 7,500 catties, so the power is naturally extraordinary. ”

Political Commissar Cheng exclaimed: "More than 7,000 catties? My goodness, no wonder I have to pull it by a truck! Then he asked, "How many doors do we have in our hands for this treasure?" ”

Director Guo smiled: "Now the Japanese army has less than twenty doors in their hands, how many more do you want?" Just this one, if it weren't for the Japanese army dispatching an independent field heavy artillery wing, we wouldn't want to see it! ”

The Type 92 field cannon was successfully developed in 35 years, so it has not been installed in large quantities so far. Being able to equip this artifact before most Japanese soldiers can be regarded as shit luck for Zheng Huzi and them.

Political Commissar Cheng was a little disappointed and said, "Ahem, it's only one!" It's broken, and there's even a spare one. ”

Director Guo hurriedly said: "Phew, phew, what crazy are you talking about!" Unlucky, unlucky. He also explained to Zheng Weiguo: "In fact, we also have a cannon, which is of the 14th year of Taisho type, and the firing range is only more than 15,000 meters, so we keep it for backup." ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "It seems that we have gained a lot in the first battle of Lanfeng!" The artillery affairs are all handed over to you, and you can see how you distribute them! ”

Director Guo was a little moved, and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your trust, commander." Then he asked, "What about the source of soldiers?" (To be continued......)