Chapter 499: st Division Organization

After handling the equipment matters of the South China Freedom Army, Jiang Anguo summoned Lin Yi, Zhuge Mingliang, and the commanders of the main forces, and went to the headquarters to hold a military meeting, the core of which was to clarify the complete organization of the st Division.

After expansion and integration through many battles, the st Division is long no longer of its original size; now its manpower is ample and its branches are complete, and it urgently needs a clear organizational plan, specifying each unit's duties and consolidating combat power.

When Mandalay launched its counter‑offensive, Jiang Anguo only drew three Infantry Regiments and the Tank Regiment for coordinated operations.

The st Division's organization is still very chaotic, and there is no coordination among the various branches.

It is almost entirely relying on terrain and allied cooperation to conduct operations against Mandalay.

Very unreasonable, but there is no other way.

At that time, Jiang Anguo simply had no time to adjust the operational organization.

He had just returned to Mandalay and organized this major battle; fortunately, the Expeditionary Force won.

Inside the headquarters, a huge military map was spread on the table, and Jiang Anguo stood before it.

His gaze swept authoritatively over everyone present, and he began slowly, his tone firm and clear: "Today I have gathered you to clarify the official organization of the st Division; from now on, each unit shall perform its duties and cooperate in combat, and we must forge an elite division to guard every inch of the land we control."

When his words finished, Jiang Anguo picked up the organization list on the table and read aloud one by one: "The st Division commands three Infantry Regiments, a Tank Regiment, an Artillery Regiment, and seven directly subordinate battalions; the specific organization is as follows.

First Regiment, 3,578 personnel, regiment commander Tie Quan, responsible for frontal assault operations, serving as the division's core strike force.

Second Regiment, 3,578 personnel, regiment commander Hu Dali, undertaking flank cover and flanking maneuvers.

Third Regiment, 3,578 personnel, regiment commander Yang Zhi, focusing on defensive deployment and rear guard, fortifying the Defensive Line."

In fact, combat works like this: one regiment handles the main attack, another handles the flanking, and a force is kept in reserve.

Lin Yi stood aside, holding paper and pen, quickly recording the organizational details; hearing that the Third Regiment's manpower matches that of the First and Second Regiments, he frowned, and after Jiang Anguo finished reading the organization of the Infantry Third Regiment.

Lin Yi could not help but ask: "Division Commander, the First and Second Regiments are responsible for assault and flanking, their manpower is sufficient and reasonable, but the Third Regiment focuses on defense; is a strength of 3,578 excessive?

After all, rear guard and defense do not require so many troops; perhaps a portion could be transferred to the Anti‑Tank Battalion or Reconnaissance Battalion to strengthen front‑line combat capability."

Zhuge Mingliang heard this, gently shook his head, and took up the thread: "Deputy Division Commander Lin, I actually think the commander's arrangement is quite appropriate.

The terrain in northern Burma is complex; our controlled areas are scattered, the rear supply line is long, and there are indigenous armed groups and remnants of Japanese forces roaming nearby. The Third Regiment not only must guard the division's rear but also protect the supply line's safety and defend various positions, so a strength of 3,578 is not excessive.

If troops are transferred, it would instead create gaps in the rear; should the enemy ambush the supply line, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Zhuge Mingliang makes a valid point," Jiang Anguo nodded slightly, agreeing with Zhuge Mingliang's view, and then continued reading the organization.

"Tank Regiment, commander Zhang Bing, 1,000 personnel, subordinate to two Tank Battalions; each battalion fields 24 T-34 tanks, a total of 48 tanks, responsible for armored assaults, breaching enemy defenses, cooperating with infantry units, forming the division's 'steel blade.'"

At present, the st Division's Tank Regiment is the main assault force, tasked with frontal breakthroughs, after which the following infantry advances.

Lin Yi heard this, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and then raised another question: "Division Commander, the Tank Regiment has 1,000 men and 48 tanks; is the manpower‑to‑equipment ratio reasonable? Tank operations require infantry to provide covering fire against enemy anti‑tank weapons; should the Tank Regiment be assigned an Infantry Company dedicated to guarding and covering the tank units?"

Zhuge Mingliang thought for a moment, then added: "Deputy Division Commander Lin has considered this thoroughly, but I think an extra Infantry Company is unnecessary. Among the 1,000 men of the Tank Regiment are already armored troops, maintenance crews, communications personnel, and guard infantry, sufficient for coordinated tank operations. Adding an Infantry Company would instead create redundancy; better to leave the surplus troops in the Infantry Third Regiment to strengthen rear defense."

Jiang Anguo could not help but admire Zhuge Mingliang's learning ability.

Jiang Anguo nodded, his tone even, saying: "Mr. Zhuge is absolutely correct; the Tank Regiment's manpower allocation already meets the needs of coordinated operations, and no extra infantry is required.

Next is the Artillery Regiment, commander Jiang Sanpao, 1,200 personnel, equipped with 24 105mm howitzers, responsible for long‑range fire support, suppressing enemy positions, and opening attack routes for infantry and tank units."

"Twenty‑four 105mm howitzers, that firepower is sufficiently strong!" a spark of excitement flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.

The Artillery Regiment's 1,200 men must operate the 24 howitzers and also handle ammunition transport and artillery maintenance, so the manpower is indeed somewhat strained.

After all, operating a 105mm howitzer is complex; each gun requires multiple soldiers to work together, and insufficient manpower would affect fire‑support efficiency.

The main point is that to operate these field guns, sufficient logistical supply is needed.

However, there is no need to worry about that; the st Division is already a mechanized force.

"Division Commander, Deputy Division Commander Lin, this manpower configuration has been meticulously calculated."

Zhuge Mingliang smiled and explained, "Each of the 24 howitzers is staffed by 40 soldiers for operation, loading, and aiming, totaling 960 men; the remaining 240 are assigned to ammunition transport, artillery maintenance, and position guard, perfectly meeting the Artillery Regiment's operational needs, with neither excess nor shortage of personnel."

Jiang Anguo nodded slightly, continuing to read the organization of the directly subordinate battalions: "Anti‑Tank Battalion, 550 personnel, equipped with anti‑tank guns and anti‑tank rifles, specifically tasked with countering enemy armored forces and curbing enemy tank offensives.

Communications Battalion, 470 personnel, responsible for communications between the division headquarters and all units, ensuring orders flow smoothly and battlefield information is transmitted promptly.

Reconnaissance Battalion, 500 personnel, conducting deep reconnaissance of enemy positions, gathering intelligence to provide a basis for operational decisions."

Lin Yi, while recording, said: "The Reconnaissance Battalion's 500 men are sufficient to cover all the areas we control. However, the dense jungles of northern Burma make reconnaissance difficult; should we equip the Reconnaissance Battalion with some lightweight communication equipment to improve reconnaissance efficiency and safety?"

"That's an excellent suggestion," Jiang Anguo said approvingly, glancing at Lin Yi, "I will have a batch of communication equipment sent and issued to the Reconnaissance Battalion to ensure the reconnaissance mission proceeds smoothly."

"Next, Engineer Battalion, 500 personnel, responsible for constructing fortifications, erecting bridges, clearing mines and obstacles, providing engineering support for unit operations.

Transport Troops, 580 personnel, responsible for material transport and casualty evacuation, ensuring logistical supply for the troops.

Medical Troops, 240 personnel, responsible for treating the wounded, sanitation and disease prevention, reducing non‑combat casualties among the troops.