Ming Zuo

Chapter 673: Military Reform Pilot
A combat unit does not mean that it has as much combat power as it has personnel.

This statement is limited to combat units below the company level.

Even a company-level unit has a company department.

Further up, the battalion has the battalion headquarters, the regiment has the regiment headquarters, the brigade has the brigade headquarters, and the division has the division headquarters.

The higher the level of a combat unit, the larger the size of its command center.

Take a brigade of the new army as an example, its total number of soldiers is about [-].

In addition to the following two infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, an engineering battalion, a messenger battalion, and a logistics battalion, the brigade has a total of more than [-] people.

This is equivalent to greatly apportioning the combat power of the entire combat unit.

Below the brigade, there are more than [-] people in the regiment headquarters of each regiment.

In this way, the two-level combat units add up, and there are nearly [-] people who cannot participate in the front-line combat.

At the same time, due to the limited size of the regiment, the strength of the infantry battalion below is also very limited.

Zuo Menggeng proposed to abolish the brigade-level units, put the regiment under the direct control of the division, and expand the strength of the regiment. The corresponding result is the reduction of unnecessary central civilian personnel and an increase in the strength of battalion-level combat units.

Zhang Yan couldn't help being surprised when he heard that he had raised the quota of a group to more than [-] people.

"A division governs four regiments, that's more than [-] people."

Zuo Dai also said: "It's more than that. In addition to the four infantry regiments, a division must also have artillery regiments, engineering regiments, logistics regiments, field hospitals, and division headquarters. Nearly [-] people."

Zuo Menggeng asked back: "Is it not possible?"

Everyone was stunned.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that it is not impossible.

Huang Zongxi asked: "Now there are two divisions under one army, and the strength is only a little over [-]. Your division is only over [-]. Aren't you afraid that the major army commanders will sue for injustice?"

Zuo Menggeng is not afraid.

"Didn't I just say that this is an experiment, and we don't know if it will succeed or not. Besides, once the experiment is successful, wouldn't it be possible for their major troops to reap the benefits?"

Everyone laughed.

Huang Zongxi drew a diagram, which listed the relationship between establishments.

"You increase the strength of a regiment to [-], how many battalions are under it?"

Zuo Menggeng had already thought carefully.

"A regiment has four battalions under its jurisdiction, and each battalion has more than [-] troops."

Zuo Yong was taken aback.

"How many companies are there in this battalion?"

Zuo Menggeng recalled the establishment of the French army in the Napoleon era.

"One battalion has eight companies, including six infantry companies, one artillery company, and one engineering company. The engineering company has seven engineering platoons."

Everyone doesn't care about the number of establishments.

Everyone is more concerned about the military's combat capability after such reforms.

Mao Yuanyi tapped his fingers on the table.

"If a battalion has a thousand people, it can basically meet the needs of a medium-sized battle. Similarly, even without any support, a regiment can remain undefeated against tens of thousands of enemies."

He made a judgment based on the level of the new army, which was unanimously approved by everyone.

The Battle of Gaizhouwei has proved that more than [-] people in the new army can face tens of thousands of enemies, and they are the most powerful enemies.

And after Zuo Menggeng's restructuring, if there are any combat missions in the future, it will be enough to send the corresponding organization units.

Based on the calculation of six infantry companies in one battalion, it is completely possible to achieve a complete arrangement of front, flank, rear defense and reserve.

Huang Zongxi was concerned about another issue.

"According to your restructuring, if the scale of a division exceeds the current army, should the ranks of generals also be adjusted?"

Zuo Menggeng nodded.

"It's inevitable."

Liu Yiyuan also agreed with this approach.

"The commander of such a division must be at least a lieutenant general, and the battalion commander must also be a major."

The effectiveness of such reforms has not yet been tested on the battlefield, and no one knows whether they will succeed or fail.

In short, on paper, such a restructuring can make up for the shortcomings of the new army today.

Therefore, it was passed smoothly at the meeting.

In addition to its unique brand-new combat method, the First Marine Division has also become a pilot for the restructuring of the entire army.

Now that the scale of the First Marine Division is going to expand, it's time for Zhou You, the head of the training department, to come forward.

"Where will the extra soldiers be dispatched?"

Zuo Menggeng had already thought about it.

"The Second Marine Division, which is training in Dengzhou, will be canceled and merged into the First Marine Division."

The Second Marine Division is still in its infancy, and has nothing but a full manpower.

However, the basic training method is the same as that of the First Marine Division.

The two forces merged together, and there was no problem of running-in at all.

Huang Zongxi suddenly asked: "Who will be the commander of the new First Marine Division?"

Zuo Menggeng was slightly taken aback, not understanding why he asked such a question?

After all, his thoughts were fast, and he quickly reacted.

It is not to hold Tang Wenhuan accountable.

It was because Tang Wenhuan didn't have enough qualifications.

Tang Wenhuan's current position as the commander of the First Marine Division is already a super promotion, just because the First Marine Division is a brand new type of army, and everything starts from scratch, so it doesn't matter if he is young.

Once the First Marine Division is reorganized, its strength will reach more than [-], which is already more than one army.

Moreover, the rank of the new Commander of the First Marine Division is also Lieutenant General.

If Tang Wenhuan is in charge, not only will he not be able to control the situation, but he will also cause dissatisfaction among many people.

Personnel issues have never been ignored, and perhaps a single improper operation can become a big problem.

Zuo Menggeng closed his eyes and meditated, and finally said after a long time: "I personally rushed to Dengzhou to ask Tang Wenhuan's opinion."

Huang Zongxi's eyes lit up, and he couldn't praise the commander's thoughtfulness more.

The next step is to see if Tang Wenhua can figure it out.

If he can figure it out, then he will have a bright future;
But if you can't figure it out, your life will be like this.

After the discussion, Zuo Menggeng set off immediately and arrived in Dengzhou eight days later.

The Navy's Northward Detachment and the First Marine Brigade have withdrawn from Liaodong, and are now resting here.

"Commander, I didn't play well, so please punish me."

As soon as they met, Tang Wenhuan personally apologized.

A very sturdy young man, but now he is in tears.

no way.

Seeing so many soldiers sacrificed and so many people lying in the hospital, Tang Wenhuan blamed himself very much.

But hearing his plea, Zuo Menggeng changed his mind.

He dismissed everyone.

"This was originally a good opportunity to demote you and reassign the commander of the First Marine Division."

When Tang Wenhuan watched in amazement, Zuo Menggeng was very frank.

"According to your combat report, the High Command decided to reorganize the First Marine Division after research. The new First Marine Division has a total strength of more than [-] people, and the new Commander of the First Marine Division is also a lieutenant general. Someone suggested, Your qualifications are not enough and you should be replaced."

Tang Wenhuan couldn't help but get excited when he heard that the First Marine Division was going to expand its scale.

He heard Zuo Menggeng's follow-up words.

"I came here in person to try your heart. If you choose to be humble, it will benefit you infinitely; if you want to fight, you should be able to figure out what the consequences will be."

Tang Wenhuan sat silently, sweating profusely, feeling terrified.

He also didn't know how Zuo Menggeng would choose if he really wanted to test like this.

Zuo Menggeng's voice was very clear.

"I changed my mind.

Because it is an insult to test a heroic general in this way.

Whether my general lives or dies, it should be clear.

So here today, I personally tell you that the new commander of the [-]st Marine Division will be Zuo Yong, and you will be his deputy.

Do you have an opinion? "

Tang Wenhuan burst into tears and stood up high spirited.

"I will do what the commander-in-chief says. There will be no regrets in this life!"

(End of this chapter)