"Correct, but wouldn't that lead to heavy casualties? The enemy Machine Gunners aren't fools; won't they shift positions? Isn't it also dangerous for our Machine Gunners to be exposed outside?" Morin countered.
Everyone nodded. This was indeed the most common scenario in urban attack and defense, and it was where the heaviest casualties occurred.
"But what if we had Smoke Grenades?" Morin continued without delay. "Before the attack begins, we first have the Mortar Launchers fire a few Smoke Grenades at the enemy's Machine Gun position and anywhere they might observe us!"
"A blanket of thick white smoke rises, and the enemy Machine Gunners are instantly blinded! They can't see anything and are forced to shoot randomly. This is the perfect time for our Assault Squads to use the smoke for cover and quickly penetrate!"
"Also, when we shift positions, can't we use Smoke Grenades to obscure our movement? When we retreat, can't we use Smoke Grenades to block the enemy's pursuit?"
"We could even fire a dozen Smoke Grenades into one area to create chaos, leaving the enemy clueless about where our main attack is truly focused!"
Morin grew more excited as he spoke, and Kleist and Manstein's eyes grew brighter. They were all experienced officers. With just a slight hint from Morin, they immediately understood the immense tactical value contained within the Smoke Grenades. In Morin's words, this was simply a force multiplier for infantry tactics!
Seeing that everyone generally understood the use of Smoke Grenades, Morin concluded: "Regardless of its performance, having this is better than not having it! Tell all the mortar crews to conserve those Smoke Grenades; every single one must be used at a crucial moment!"
"Yes, Battalion Commander!" everyone replied in unison.
Having finished discussing the Mortar Launchers, Morin contentedly walked toward the other side of the open ground. There, a newly formed platoon-sized unit had also assembled after receiving the news. This was the Instruction Assault Battalion's 'Battalion Flame Platoon.'
The platoon consisted of sixty soldiers, most of whom were hand-picked from various engineer units of the First Army Group. A common feature among these soldiers was that many of them were professional firemen before the war.
Lying at their feet were thirty newly acquired pieces of equipment that had just been 'militarized'—Flamethrowers. This Flamethrower consisted of two backpack-mounted fuel tanks, a compressed air tank, and a firing mechanism connected to a long nozzle. It exuded a brutal aesthetic.
"Greetings, Battalion Commander!" A tall, dark-skinned Sergeant Major immediately stepped forward and rendered a sharp salute upon seeing Morin approach. He was Michael Geist, the acting commander of the Flame Platoon.
"Hello, Sergeant Major Geist." Morin returned the salute, then turned his attention to the Flamethrowers. "Tell me about this equipment."
"Yes, Battalion Commander!" Geist seemed excited. He and his partner efficiently geared up with the Flamethrower and began his introduction: "This is the Fmw14 Model Flamethrower, newly issued by the Empire. It uses specially thickened Glory Crystal Crude Oil as its fuel. The total weight is about 35 kilograms, with an effective range of about twelve meters. It can fire twenty bursts on a full charge of fuel."
Next, Geist gave Morin a brief demonstration of the Flamethrower's operation. Unlike the single-person Flamethrowers in Morin's memory, this Saxon Empire model required two people to operate: one to carry the fuel tank and one to operate the nozzle. Despite this, Morin saw it as a godsend for Street Fighting and Trench Warfare—especially since the retreating Gauls were now beginning to dig Trenches and initiate 'Trench Warfare' in this world.
Since the fuel column was propelled by compressed air, the stream of fire could curve and adhere to surfaces in fortifications and tunnels, effectively clearing internal targets. Moreover, besides direct burns, for enemies in confined spaces, the fire could rapidly consume the oxygen in the area, potentially causing suffocation.
Incidentally, Morin had also figured out how Radiant Crystal Ore was utilized in this world. The mined Radiant Crystal Ore was first crushed by a jaw crusher, then sprayed with lime to neutralize some sulfides. Following that, using a technique similar to 'dry distillation,' the crushed ore was loaded into a vertical retort. Heated to 500°C, the Radiant Crystal Ore yielded three layers of distillate. The top layer was a light oil usable as an ignition agent, the middle layer was the desired product, 'Radiant Crystal Crude Oil,' and the bottom was toxic tar. This Radiant Crystal Crude Oil was then refined through processes like 'acid washing' or 'alkaline washing' into a usable oil, which was far more potent than the diesel fuel in Morin's previous life. This explained why this Flamethrower, despite being similar in size and weight to the early Flamethrowers of the other world, had a firing capacity three to four times greater.
With the addition of this new equipment, the Instruction Assault Battalion's overall combat strength naturally received another boost. However, after the brief excitement, once they returned to the company tents, Kleist raised a very practical concern.
"Battalion Commander, the new equipment has certainly enhanced our offensive capability… but haven't you noticed that our command structure is starting to lag behind?" He pointed to the organizational chart on the field table, speaking worriedly: "Look, although we are still officially designated as a 'Battalion-level Unit,' our actual scale and complexity far exceed that of a single battalion."
"Besides the four core infantry companies, we now have a reinforced Field Artillery Battalion, a Battalion Heavy Machine Gun Company, the newly formed Flame Platoon, plus a massive transport and Supply Train convoy. Our total unit strength is approaching two thousand men!"
Manstein added: "That's right, Battalion Commander. With so many men, the chain of command lengthens, and now we also have to coordinate the artillery and Flamethrower units. There are too many intermediate steps, which can easily lead to delays and chaos."
Morin's smile gradually faded, and his expression became serious. The problem raised by Kleist and Manstein was one he had been contemplating as well. The Instruction Assault Battalion was like a product that was constantly being 'modified' by him. While its combat power grew stronger, it also became increasingly 'bloated.' The original, traditional command structure was genuinely failing to adapt to the needs of this 'Frankenstein' unit.
"You are right." Morin paced back and forth in the tent, his mind racing. He already had many ideas. "The existing organization is indeed starting to limit our combat effectiveness. We must make adjustments, allowing the Instruction Assault Battalion to fully utilize its firepower and mobility advantages, making it more flexible instead of more sluggish."
He stopped and faced everyone, proposing a bold concept he had long considered but hesitated to voice.
"I wonder if we can break away from the existing organizational framework and expand the Instruction Assault Battalion into an 'Assault Battle Group'?"
"Battle Group?" Everyone present was stunned. They had never associated their single battalion with a large-scale unit like a 'Battle Group.'
In reality, Morin intended to create a 'Combined Arms Unit.' But knowing that others might not immediately grasp the concept, he used the term 'Battle Group' as a placeholder. In a sense, a 'Battle Group,' stitched together from various units, was indeed a form of Combined Arms Unit.
"Yes, an independent, multi-branch unit capable of executing diverse combat missions." Morin spoke to the others with some excitement. This kind of planning project was always something he got deeply invested in. "Within the framework of this 'Battle Group,' we are no longer a simple infantry battalion. We can form multiple specialized companies based on mission requirements."
"For example, 'Assault Squadrons' specializing in close-quarters combat and clearing, primarily equipped with submachine guns and grenades."
"For example, 'Fire Support Squadrons' concentrating all the Heavy Machine Guns, Mortar Launchers, and Flamethrowers."
"We could even integrate the Field Artillery companies and the Supply Train transport units, forming a 'Logistics and Tactical Support Squadron' to unify artillery support and material resupply for the entire Battle Group."
"This way, the command structure becomes flatter. I, as the Battle Group Commander, only need to command the various specialized squadrons."
"The various modules can be freely combined and flexibly deployed, just like building blocks!" Morin's concept opened a new world for the officers present. They seemed to glimpse the future of the Army—no longer rigid divisions, brigades, regiments, and battalions, but flexible, efficient, and lethal Battle Groups.
However, the idea was too radical, too far ahead of its time.
"Battalion Commander, this idea is perhaps too…" Kleist hesitated for a moment before finding the right word. "Too aggressive? The General Staff would never approve this. It completely overturns the existing military system."
"I know that, of course." Morin nodded. He wasn't worried about this issue and already had his own thoughts. He knew that given the technological level of this world, achieving true 'Information-Integrated Digital Combined Arms' instantly was impossible. But Combined Arms Units could be implemented in different ways in different eras. The core concept of 'synthesis' emphasizes multi-branch coordination and aims for shared battlefield intelligence and efficient use of firepower. If traced back to its roots, this concept existed even when European nations integrated infantry, cavalry, and artillery into a single division in the 19th century. That was already a form of 'budget Combined Arms.'
Morin: "So I'm only presenting a preliminary idea. We must take things one step at a time. We are not at that stage yet, and I have many other ideas I haven't shared with you."
"Such as?" Manstein asked curiously.
"Hehe. For example, adding more heavy equipment to our Battle Group. Maybe an Armored Knight Squadron or two."
"Battalion Commander, you certainly have a grand imagination."
"Hahahahaha." The tent was instantly filled with a lighthearted atmosphere.
Morin smiled along, then said seriously: "These things I'm talking about are not just baseless fantasies. You must remember the Instruction Assault Battalion's mission is to pioneer new tactics in combat. We will proceed by adjusting as we fight with the current structure. I believe that as long as we continuously demonstrate the superiority of this model on the battlefield, what reason would the General Staff have not to approve it?"
(End of this Chapter)
The novel has already been fully translated up to the last updated chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at patreon.com/caleredhair