Mo Rufeng was able to sit on the throne of the commander of the African Expeditionary Force, of course, with his methods of being first-class. Thinking back to the beginning... the two deputy division commanders, Colonel Koch and Colonel Huo Xiaohu, tried their best to safeguard the interests of the Army Department and opposed the use of naval forces to solve the Mozambique issue. His attitude on this issue was completely different from that of the division commander.

As a result, one went to build a road and the other went to build a city.

After a long circle, Commander Mo Rufeng still wanted to use the power of the navy to completely eradicate Pan Yu's Portuguese power on Mozambique. He did not stick to the dispute between land and sea, but instead stood at a higher angle and used a global perspective to solve the problem.

Mozambique Island is a cancer that must be excavated.

Li Shuanzhu understood the idea of ​​the Master very well. The water police district under the Expeditionary Force used gunboats to block the route, which should be the primary version of the idea of ​​the Commander, and the effect was very significant.

"Mr. Commander, please forgive me for some immature opinions of humble positions."

"Brother Shuanzhu, don't be too humble, let's talk about it..."

"Ahem..."

Li Shuanzhu cleared his throat and pondered for a moment and said;

"Which is also thinking about how to solve the problem of Mozambique in private, I think that blocking the Portuguese transportation and supply routes is a great achievement.

I believe the commander also knew that the noose composed of our small gunboats was too thin and could easily be broken by powerful escort forces. This was the original intention of the commander to use the naval power to completely solve the problem.

With a lowly opinion, we can adopt the strategy of "governing the sea with land". On the one hand, we can take into account the views of the General Staff of the Army, and on the other hand, we can completely solve the Mozambique issue, which is the best of both worlds."

"By land and sea... This term is very interesting. Let's talk about it in detail." Mo Rufeng asked with interest.

Li Shuanzhu responded modestly and continued, "The so-called "using land to control the sea" strategy is mainly to use land shore artillery to control the terminals, warehouses and central key points of the Mozambique Island, forming a long-term substantial blockade, cutting off all supplies, and promoting them to surrender without fighting.

Judging from the terrain of Mozambique, about 4 kilometers away from the mainland coast, the 60mm portable field gun equipped by our army is 5 kilometers away, which can cover the Mozambique dock and fortress. If high-explosive bombs are used to block the Portuguese dock, it will have the ability to severely damage the enemy."

"Captain 1st regiment, the Portuguese's large-caliber coastal heavy artillery is not a joke. One shot can reimburse the entire infantry squad. Have you ever considered this issue?" Zheng Dagen, the fourth regiment commander, couldn't help but interject.

Indeed, the Portuguese have operated Mozambique for nearly 400 years and built it into a solid maritime fortress-type fortress.

In 1506, Portugal occupied the island, built the San Sebastian stronghold at the northern end of the island in 1508. In 1558, the San Sebastian Fort was built with stones at the northern end of the island. By the completion of the city in 1620, the Governor's Palace and the Cathedral were also built, which took a total of 62 years.

The fortress of San Sebastian is densely packed with large caliber short-barrel bronze artillery, with a number of more than 80. This intimidating coastal fortress cannot be underestimated.

Li Shuanzhu replied calmly, "Captain Zheng, please be careful not to be impatient. I have indeed considered the issue of enemy artillery counterattacks. As long as you order the shooting elements in advance, the artillery group will enter the position and quickly retreat, and fire for three minutes and then run away. The enemy's bulky shore cannon will not react in any case.

As for pre-calibration of shooting elements, two excellent gunners are arranged to set up 4 to 5 positions along the coast in advance, and the script is just used during combat.

It would be just that there was no cargo ship loading and unloading on the Mozambique Island Pier. If you dare to come, you would discipline him without going back and burn him into a sea of ​​fire.

If the policy of land-based sea control is fully implemented, the headquarters will also need to apply to transfer more large-caliber artillery, and the personnel will be mainly killed by 95mm Miss Australia artillery, and it has the ability to completely block the dock so that any of its materials will not be allowed to enter.

To bombard the coastal fortress turret, train guns above 210 mm, preferably 280 mm heavy guns, to achieve a comprehensive suppression effect."

"Smack it... OK, that's OK!"

Mo Rufeng took the lead in breaking the silence and applauded, and the other officials also applauded warmly, and the atmosphere suddenly became cheerful.

Everyone here is a general in the army. Of course, they can appreciate the power of the strategy of "using land to control the sea", which is that there is no solution.

And it is extremely feasible. The artillery regiment of the Expeditionary Force has dozens of 60mm field artillery, which can be used immediately. It can turn the Mozambique Island pier into a sea of ​​fire at any time, with a large amount of killing personnel and equipment to attack the enemy's defense confidence.

The 95mm Miss Australia artillery has a range of up to 12 kilometers and can set up mobile positions in the further inland. Although it is not as convenient to withdraw 60mm portable field guns, it is still possible to build a simple road in advance, practice it thoroughly, and run after fighting.

The concept of train cannon originated in the 1850s and was proposed by British Anderson. Of course, everyone present is familiar with this concept and there are no technical obstacles that cannot be overcome. Locomotives and artillery are both ready-made, so just modify the chassis cannon stand.

The first train gun was used in the United States. During the Civil War, in order to siege the Confederate Army (Northern Army) to bombard Petersburg, the Federal Army (Northern Army) for the first time with a thirteen-inch mortar equipped with an uncovered train. This was the world's first train gun.

The UK has equipped some train guns along the coastline. I heard that France also has them. Anyway, this is not a novel thing, and everyone will understand it as soon as they hear it.

Some railway lines should be laid for equipping the fortress of Mozambique. If it is to siege the Mozambique Island Fortress, it is enough to be about 10 kilometers long, mainly used to avoid counterattack artillery fire.

The benefits of doing this are also very obvious. The army can take full advantage of it. The navy does not need to drive expensive heavy cruisers to bombard the fortress. It is not cost-effective if it is injured by counterattack artillery fire.

After several people discussed, Mo Rufeng made the decision on the spot. "Okay, I decided so, and immediately sent someone to Xi'an Town to send a report to the General Staff of the Army, transferring two fronts and several heavy artillery to assemble the train guns. This is not only the need to attack Mozambique Island, but also the need to consolidate the fortress at the mouth of the Zambixi River. Investment once and for all. Even if the General Staff cannot provide this money, our expeditionary force will bear it itself."

The richness of this is indeed undisclosed. The African Expeditionary Force made a fortune in the Portuguese estate owners and ranchers. Let’s not talk about the cattle and sheep for the time being, and let’s not talk about the tens of hectares of fertile land for the time being. The cash and jewelry and gold for the price are as high as millions of pounds.

The only part of the property handed over was more than 1.4 million pounds.

Today, the large-scale infrastructure construction in Mozambique uses this huge amount of funds seized, such as roads, towns, and artillery, and the resettlement of disabled soldiers. The next step is to resettle Chinese immigrants, build farmland water conservancy facilities, and add some equipment to the expeditionary force (such as mosquito speedboats, seagull-class patrol ships, and the entire army has achieved mules and horse transformation), etc., which are all used.

"Chief of Staff Li, you are responsible for mobilizing the main force of the artillery regiment to move forward quickly to the coast of Mozambique Island, and organize excellent artillery groups to calibrate and shoot the various units. Once you find that a cargo ship that has escaped the net arrives at the dock to load and unload the cargo, you will immediately do it hard for me."

"Yes, Commander, I will make arrangements immediately."

"Fourth Commander."

"arrive."

"Order the main force of your unit to go forward and defend the artillery regiment nearby. Once the Portuguese finds that they wade on the water and go ashore, they will resolutely annihilate the beachhead positions. If a soldier and a soldier miss the net, you can only ask."

"Please rest assured, our department will firmly implement the order."

Chief of Staff Li Qinglong and Fourth Regiment Commander Zheng Dagen took the order one after another. Mo Rufeng turned around and looked at Lieutenant Colonel Li Shuanzhu who was standing at the moment and waiting for the order, showing a satisfied look, patted his shoulder and said;

"Don't worry, please accompany me here to wait for the arrival of the Count. No one can take away your first merit. After completely eradicating the remnants of Mozambique Island, I personally ask you for me from the Red Fort. As for now... let the brothers drink some soup and water. We can't be too alone... right?"

"After everything, according to the command of the commander, there is no complaints about the humble position." Li Shuanzhu replied with a standard military salute.

He knew that the old commander would not treat him badly. When he received the news of the koi copper and gold mine, Li Shuanzhu immediately ran to report to Deputy Commander Mo Rufeng (Shangri-La Division) and confirmed the great contribution.

From then on, it has been a long way to rise. In just over two years, it has gone through a journey that others need to struggle for more than ten years. Now the throne of the colonel and deputy commander is waving.

When Li Shuanzhu thought of this, he felt very excited and took advantage of the opportunity of the commander in a good mood and went up to ask, "Standard, I heard that the African Expeditionary Legion will be reorganized. I wonder if this is the case?"

"Oh, your news is quite informative. Who heard this?" Mo Rufeng raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

Of course, Li Shuanzhu could not betray Major Friedman Kopf, so he scratched his head embarrassedly and answered innocently. "I didn't pay much attention when I heard someone mention it during the cocktail party."

"Hahaha... I'm pretending to be a fool." Mo Rufeng saw through this simple excuse at a glance, and thought about it with his toes and knew how thoughtful it would be to say this confidential news involving the military organization in public!

He happened to be in a good mood and didn't mind sharing with his old subordinates, so he waved his hand and said, "This matter is a foregone conclusion, but it will not be made public until the end of the year. Just remember to keep it confidential.

Now that the situation in Mozambique is initially determined, it is necessary to establish the Mozambique Garrison Command. As a local force that has been rooted in Africa for a long time, the responsibilities it undertakes are very different from those of the field forces, so this move is imperative.

Field troops can use this to get rid of a lot of local trivial matters and concentrate on dealing with powerful enemies.

The reorganization of the troops is not a trivial matter, it involves a lot of problems that you leave, so I plan to start this matter until the end of the year to remove some officers and soldiers who are not suitable for the field division, so that the troops will become purer and more combat-oriented.

In recent times

Many officers and soldiers relaxed their demands on themselves. Some of them forced white Portuguese women to serve as wives and concubines, some robbed crimes, some seized land, and some killed innocent people. Don’t think I don’t know.

Your first regiment is better, but some officers and soldiers of the Second and Fourth regiments are not so good. I plan to arrange for the military police to arrest and kill a group of people to serve as a warning.

The new African field division must strictly enforce military discipline. I would rather have more recruits and young officers than keep these veterans. At that time, they will all be sent to the Mozambique Garrison Command. Don’t they like the farmland here? Then take root in Africa and make contributions!”

Mo Rufeng was a little angry, obviously because he was dissatisfied with the current chaos in the African Expeditionary Force and wanted to scrutinize it.

Li Shuanzhu knew his difficulties, but he was not easy to persuade him.

If you are not in charge of your business, you don’t know that the food, food, oil and salt are expensive.

There are many mountains in the army, and the African Expeditionary Force has drawn elite troops and strong generals. The two veteran deputy division commanders have been in military service for more than ten years. The Second and Fourth Regiments are their own old troops. It is difficult for the division commander Mo Rufeng to shout to the end.

Don't say anything else

The fourth regiment commander Zheng Dagen is the old subordinate of deputy commander Huo Xiaohu. He has been with him for more than ten years, and it goes without saying who will be heard.

The Second Regiment is the sphere of influence of Deputy Commander Koch. Now the Second Regiment is sent to supervise the construction of roads, which often occurs in the troops of senior commanders.

If we want to change this situation, we can only allow the troops to replenish a lot of fresh blood, and adaptation is a good opportunity.

This is exactly what Mo Rufeng planned secretly, and Hongbao gave strong support.

During the recruitment training in 1886, 4,300 recruits were sent to the African Expeditionary Force alone, all of which were to supplement the new forces of the African Field Division and help Mo Rufeng completely master the unit.

As for those who are disobedient, they either retire or go to the Mozambique Garrison Headquarters.

Mo Rufeng did not hide his thoughts from his confidant general Li Shuanzhu. The first regiment was his team and would definitely be brought into the field division in the future. The first regiment commander Li Shuanzhu made many military achievements and outstanding abilities. After the African Expeditionary Force was reorganized, it was a foregone conclusion that he was promoted to deputy division commander of the colonel.

Former deputy division commander Huo Xiaohu was promoted to brigade general for his merits and was appointed as the chief of the Mozambique garrison commander. He will take away a large number of officers and soldiers, mainly Zheng Dagen, the fourth regiment commander, and continue to be king in Africa in the future.

Colonel Koch would most likely be transferred back to the Whampoa Military Academy to serve as the chief of education at the division level and be promoted to the rank of brigadier general. In the future, it would probably be time to travel back and forth between the military academy and the General Staff. It would be difficult to get down to lead the troops personally and take charge of the military power of the other party.

Consider from the perspective of the owner of the Red Fort;

Nowadays, German soldiers control two of the seven division-level military units in the Army, namely Brigadier General Suvac Kopf, commander of the Dragoon Division stationed on the first line of Beilun City, Brigadier General Fritz, commander of Weiwu Division stationed in Shangri-La, and the old slutty guy, Conrad Adenner, the old German senior officer circle is quite strong.

The owner of the Red Fort would never allow German soldiers to dominate the family, which also destined that Koch would be able to obtain the coveted rank of brigadier general, but it was impossible to hold the military power alone. For German soldiers, the two divisions were already the limit.

The upper limit has been decided, no matter how hard you jump, it is useless.
Chapter completed!