Chapter 81: Hit the Mark!

Keluobo touched the metal surface on the mortar.

"LeGrW36 model 50mm mm Mortar, good stuff, Officer, may I try it?" Keluobo asked earnestly.

From here Jiang Anguo understood that Keluobo truly knew this mortar, and as for his skill, only a test would reveal it.

That round face showed Keluobo's sincerity; earlier the medical staff reported to him, and this kid was the most voracious.

The Doctor told him to eat small frequent meals, but he still snuck food privately.

"Of course, it's for you to test, do you see that hill?" It's more of a small mound than a hill.

Keluobo nodded, gave a thumbs‑up, and glanced, "Officer, about four hundred meters away."

Jiang Anguo said, "Can't tell, you're still very professional. Fine, at this spot I'll give you five shells; if you hit the target with even one, I'll let you join my Artillery."

Keluobo got excited; this kid was a born Artilleryman—eating, sleeping, just firing.

Unfortunately, back in the 93rd Division, artillery couldn't be so abundant; even these five shells had to be used sparingly.

Keluobo also had bad luck, being hit by stray fire from a Little Devil.

Keluobo immediately jogged forward, took up the howitzer, "Officer, the German mortar is convenient, light, two people make a team; the only drawback is its short range—just five hundred meters—but that's not a big issue."

Meng Fanle, after hearing this, also felt that this person had something to his credit.

Jiang Anguo smiled, saying nothing.

Instead, he lifted his binoculars and looked; Keluobo had already adjusted the mortar's position.

"One shot, test fire," Keluobo muttered to himself.

The sound was also heard by the people behind.

Bang.

Thud.

The distant hill was instantly struck by a mortar round; of course, the 50mm mm Mortar's firepower is limited.

Jiang Anguo raised a thumb, "Impressive."

"Officer, may I fire the remaining shells?" Keluobo said eagerly.

"Sure, go ahead," Jiang Anguo said.

All four shells hit the target, but not in one burst; after each shell was fired, Keluobo made slight adjustments.

Jiang Anguo roughly understood the principle: after each shell, the mortar shifts slightly, requiring adjustment.

"Hehe, Officer, the German mortar is good, its accuracy sufficient, but its firepower is a bit weak and its range too short," Keluobo analyzed.

Jiang Anguo also noted the issue; at five hundred meters, though light, the insufficient firepower and short range are problems of this mortar.

Platoon‑level support weapons still need a more powerful mortar.

"You make a good point, Meng Fanle, record it; it's a solid suggestion. Anyone with ideas can report them to their direct Officer," Jiang Anguo said to the Meng Fanle behind him.

Lin Yi had other matters, so Meng Fanle took over Lin Yi's duties.

"Keluobo, can you operate a field gun?" Jiang Anguo asked.

Keluobo frantically nodded, "Yes."

The yearning in his eyes; he had just seen a 105mm howitzer, but its power is a bit too great, so Jiang Anguo dared not fire casually near Lashu.

Once the superior above withdraws from Lashu, the area will be Jiang Anguo's domain.

"Yan Ping, go fetch a 75mm field gun," Jiang Anguo said.

Yan Ping's specialty is artillery coverage; his skill exists, but likely can't match Keluobo's precision.

Keluobo's five mortar shells all hit; this is no rookie work, it's a true Artillery Human-shaped Positioning Device.

Soon, a 75mm Keluobo field gun was pushed over.

"Good, good, good," Keluobo said three times, almost hanging his body on it.

Jiang Anguo lowered his head and stared; Keluobo's saying 'good' didn't mean it truly was, as Keluobo's earlier comments on the 50mm mortar made him realize the 75mm field gun also has an issue: it's too heavy.

It seems later they'll need to switch to American equipment; in a moment they'll return to check the field gun's performance data.

"Yan Ping, prepare five 75mm shells for Keluobo," Jiang Anguo said.

Jiang Sanpao's specialty is Artillery; this trait is very moderate, using various guns and studying all of them.

At this moment Jiang Sanpao, leading his men, was setting up the Artillery positions on South Hill, the Five Company position, which was too far back but had the advantage of being able to shell enemies entering Lashu directly.

Lashu's terrain has mountains on east and west, with a single road running north‑south.

The southern railway and highway form a gateway; once the enemy comes through, Jiang Anguo's positions and barracks on the western hill can conveniently shell the incoming foes.

When Jiang Anguo chose the camp, it wasn't random; upon first entering Lashu he had studied its topographic map, which is why he selected this spot.

Another reason is that this spot can guard against enemy ambushes; if they come via the Small Road, they'd be a lamb entering a tiger's mouth.

Keluobo was ready, looking at Jiang Anguo.

Jiang Anguo nodded, and Keluobo began loading, "One round loaded, complete."

"Fire."

Of course, a field gun needs crew support; Keluobo had a field‑gun team assisting, while the gun's elevation had to be handled by Keluobo.

This time the target was a hill two kilometers away.

Keluobo's 75mm field gun has a range of 9,000 meters, so two kilometers is no issue.

Boom, the first shell fell a bit short, striking the front edge of the slope and creating a small crater.

After a slight adjustment, Keluobo fired the second shell just thirty seconds later; this time it perfectly hit the slope.

"Good," Jiang Anguo shouted.

This precision, Shi Xiaomao is the one who eats artillery in this bowl of rice.

Meng Fanle also believed in Shi Xiaomao's ability; this kid's artillery skills are impressive.

Since the 75mm field gun is fine, the 105mm howitzer is also a piece of cake for Shi Xiaomao.

Jiang Anguo was very satisfied; even among these wounded soldiers, they are all talents!

The next three shells also all hit their targets.

"Hehe, it's been a long time since I fired so many shells," Shi Xiaomao said with a grin.

This actually isn't a funny matter—poor, we really have no way.

It's not just the artillery; shells are also extremely scarce for the Chinese Army, and there's no way to provide you with training shells.

In just this short span, Shi Xiaomao fired ten shells—something that earlier units wouldn't even dare imagine.