Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 368 Total Annihilation Inevitable? We'll Fight to the Death!

"We have to fight, even if it's tough!!"

"We are the Steel Seventh Company, the reconnaissance company of the 702nd Regiment, and the sharpest blade of the 702nd Regiment!"

"What does it matter if we suffer more than half of our casualties? Our predecessors were able to earn three collective first-class merits under even more difficult conditions!"

"Back when we fought the American army, the Steel Seventh Company fought until almost the entire company was wiped out and we were almost disbanded. Now we still have half of our men left, what are we afraid of?"

"Our company has stood strong for so many years because we never abandon or give up. That's why we're called the Steel Seventh Company—a company of steel, men of steel!!"

Hong Xingguo's expression was serious, and his tone was firm and powerful.

The exercise had barely begun when the entire company encountered an unexpected and unprecedented blow.

Although Hong Xingguo was also shocked and terrified, he did not expect the Blue Army to be so strong.

But as the instructor, he had to step forward and boost morale at this time.

How can morale be low so early in the exercise?

Gao Cheng scanned the area around him, taking in the soldiers of the Steel Seventh Company scattered about.

Not one of them was timid or cowardly.

On the contrary, their eyes were eager and their fighting spirit was high.

"We definitely have to fight!"

"Our Steel Seventh Company has never been afraid of anyone!"

"When I said earlier that we can't fight this combat exercise, I wasn't being pessimistic!"

"I'm just thinking, now that we've lost our heavy equipment and contact with headquarters, how are we supposed to fight next!"

At this point, Gao Cheng raised his hand and pointed out into the mountains and forests.

"We've seen drones before; the division's reconnaissance battalion has them."

"However, the drone that is launched with rocket booster is large and fast, and is mainly used to scout enemy positions and guide firing for the artillery regiment."

"Damn it, who would have thought that the Blue Army could get their hands on so many small, fast drones and launch a surprise attack on us?"

A fleeting sense of relief suddenly crossed Gao Cheng's mind.

Fortunately, the Blue Team suddenly appeared with a swarm of drones, prioritizing attacks on higher-value targets.

For example, main battle tanks, self-propelled artillery, and air defense vehicles are more valuable and threatening targets.

Otherwise, if they launched an indiscriminate attack right from the start, the Steel Seventh Company, as a reconnaissance company and at the forefront of the 702nd Regiment, would definitely be the first to be wiped out as a whole.

However, this glimmer of luck was fleeting.

The exercise had barely begun when the entire regiment, and even the entire division, had already suffered heavy losses.

The confrontation exercise, which was expected to last for several days, was decided in just a few minutes.

What's there to be thankful for?

Instructor Hong Xingguo looked around and said with a serious expression:

"The Blue Army used its superior electronic information technology to carry out communication jamming and electromagnetic suppression against us from the very beginning."

"It not only prevents our division's various units from conducting normal command and communication, but also prevents our anti-aircraft artillery and anti-aircraft missiles from intercepting our air defenses."

"Having lost electromagnetic and air superiority, we've become like meat on a chopping block, at the mercy of the Blue Army's drone swarm!"

Gao Cheng plucked a foxtail grass and chewed it in his mouth.

The current battlefield situation has completely exceeded previous predictions.

They considered creating a blue force modeled after the US military, with higher technology and more advanced weaponry.

Therefore, I have practiced counter-reconnaissance, counter-night warfare, counter-eavesdropping, and so on for a long time.

The army group also utilizes the rule that the attacking side can strengthen its support.

An air defense missile battalion and an electronic warfare company were added to the division.

who knows……

A large-scale, well-equipped, and additionally reinforced armored division.

Without any control over the enemy, they brutally crushed an entire combined arms brigade.

Instead, they were completely overwhelmed from the start.

We're now unable to communicate due to interference, and we don't dare use the backup radios we have.

Once activated, it is estimated that the Blue Team can quickly pinpoint its location and then provide precise fire support.

"No matter what, we still have to contact the regimental headquarters to report the battle damage and request instructions on the next steps."

After spitting out the foxtail grass, Gao Cheng quickly made arrangements.

In addition to sending people to contact the regimental headquarters, they quickly made use of the mountainous terrain to construct defensive and guard posts, and arranged for multiple reconnaissance teams to disperse and investigate the enemy situation.

In the event of a drone attack, scattered friendly troops can be regrouped and their strength enhanced.

After everything was in place, Gao Cheng felt like he was back in the war decades ago.

They lacked heavy equipment and sufficient supplies.

Even if they had a radio station, they dared not use it easily.

The mechanized armored reconnaissance troops were transformed into mountain infantry.

Fortunately, the Seventh Steel Company is full of top-notch trainees with excellent skills.

Even Bai Tiejun, who ranked at the bottom, would be among the top in any other company.

We really need to have a head-on positional battle with the Blues.

Gao Cheng was confident that he could wipe out over a hundred of the enemy's men.

Time passes slowly.

The Blue Army was busy with air-ground coordination, using precise firepower to eliminate high-value targets one by one, and naturally had no time to attend to the remnants of the Red Army who had scattered and fled into the mountains.

So after digging the trenches and putting up the camouflage nets, the remaining soldiers of the Steel Seventh Company were finally able to take turns eating, drinking, and resting.

"Squad leader, have you eaten enough? If not, I have another bag of rations here..."

Just as Xu Sanduo was about to take it out, Wu Liuyi pressed him down.

"Save your breath, Xu Sanduo!!"

"You think this is just ordinary daily training?"

"After training, you can get an extra meal when you get back to camp? Dream on!"

Xu Sanduo was stunned and looked somewhat bewildered.

Shi Jin laughed and said, "Once you're on the battlefield, you can't eat your fill. Eating too much will make you sleepy and affect your movements!"

"Although field rations don't contain much, one serving is enough to sustain the energy needs for several hours of exercise."

"Also, the field kitchen vehicle was attacked by the Blue Army's drone and was deemed damaged. We don't know how long this exercise will last, and we have no logistical support, so we have to be careful with our rations!"

After saying that, Shi Jin carefully drank all the glucose water in the bag.

Xu Sanduo looked around.

They noticed that, apart from the comrades on guard, those who were eating were chewing their food slowly and carefully, cherishing their rations.

At this moment, Xu Sanduo finally realized that things were not going well.

Unable to communicate, lost heavy equipment, logistical supply interrupted...

If this really is a war.

Then, let alone the Steel Seventh Company, the entire division could be wiped out.

The sudden attack caused many people to flee in panic.

Aside from weapons and ammunition, they didn't bring many daily necessities.

Even if they catch wild rabbits, mice, and dig up grass roots to eat, they can't survive for very long.

The enemy doesn't need to launch a strong attack on the position; they only need to cut off supplies and starve them for a few days to render them incapable of fighting.

Not to mention that in a real war, the enemy's bombing would inevitably cause casualties. Without medicine to treat the wounded and without timely transfer to the rear, combat casualties would quickly increase.

Thinking of this, Xu Sanduo hurriedly said:

"Squad leader, no matter how frugal we are, we don't have much food and water on us!"

"Should we hurry out and find some supplies before the Blue Army fires on us? Maybe we can hold out longer."

Before he could finish speaking, Wu Liuyi retorted:

"Easier said than done, how do we get out?"

"Once you leave this forest, you'll immediately be targeted by drones from the sky."

"Once a small drone gets very close to you, red smoke will appear above your head, which means you've been blown up!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Tiejun immediately felt somewhat unconvinced.

"Are the Blue Team's drones really that advanced?"

"We're disguised so well, how could we be discovered as soon as we leave the mountains?"

Wu Liuyi sneered, "If you don't believe me, you can go out and try it, and see if you'll be judged as dead in battle!"

Xu Sanduo frowned and said, "I read in a book that any moving object will generate heat, and with heat comes infrared thermal radiation."

"So I guess the Blue Team's drones flying around in the sky must be equipped with highly sensitive detection devices. In order to avoid being detected, they must reduce their own thermal signature."

“We don’t have that many infrared-proof camouflage nets. If we want to get out, we can only gather a lot of fresh branches and leaves to camouflage ourselves like hedgehogs in order to avoid being discovered.”

Wu Liuyi scoffed, "In broad daylight, you're covering yourself in branches and leaves and going out like that. What's the difference between that and burying your head in the sand? Are you afraid other people's drones won't be able to see you?"

Xu Sanduo quickly said, "Squad Leader Wu, I was talking about at night. If we disguise ourselves well at night, we definitely won't be easily discovered."

"Let's try to survive until tonight and then try again!"

Wu Liuyi adjusted his helmet and peeked out of the trench to take a look.

Bai Tiejun pursed his lips and sighed:

"We've been working tirelessly day and night, preparing for and training, but we never imagined that we'd be blown up like this right at the start of the competition by that tiny drone!"

Xu Sanduo interjected, "This is high technology! They used a lot of advanced information technology to disrupt our communication equipment and air defense equipment, making it impossible for us to defend against them or attack them."

Gan Xiaoning turned her head and smiled, "Sanduo is quite good. He reads a lot of books and knows a lot."

Bai Tiejun complained bitterly, "We all understand the principles, but how do we defend against this?"

Xu Sanduo shook his head slightly.

"I haven't seen any book that explains how to counter drones."

"But I think it needs to be remotely controlled by humans to fly, so all we need to do is interfere with its wireless communication."

"If we can prevent them from receiving signals and commands properly, wouldn't they become like headless flies?"

"If communication jamming fails, there are also anti-aircraft artillery pieces; concentrated fire can also shoot them down."

Wu Liuyi turned around and sneered.

"That makes so much sense, Xu Sanduo!"

"So, may I ask, does anyone in our regiment, or even our division, still have equipment capable of interfering with drone communications?"

"If this were a real battle, all of our division's anti-aircraft artillery and anti-aircraft missile launchers would be nothing but scrap metal by now, wouldn't they?"

Xu Sanduo said, "So the most important thing for us now is to preserve our strength and wait until it gets dark before we take action."

"Wait until it gets dark? It's not even noon yet!"

Bai Tiejun looked up at the sky.

"Those damn Blue Army, not only are they not playing by the rules, they're treating us like dirt! They've bombed us so badly that our supplies are cut off. What are we going to eat for lunch and dinner? Are we really going to have to eat tree bark and chew on grass roots?"

Gan Xiaoning sneered, "You can also catch mice and rabbits to make some meat, right, Xu Sanduo?"

“You’ve been in the Fifth Platoon on the Grassland for quite a while, so you should know best what kind of wild game is available at this training ground.”

Xu Sanduo honestly said, "The training ground is often used for shooting and artillery fire, which is too noisy. No wild animals dare to live here, but there are plenty of grass roots to chew on."

"Chewing grass roots?"

Bai Tiejun clicked his tongue, and said with a bitter face: