Chapter 2933
When the Barracuda-class troop carrier was originally designed, its carrying capacity was based on the size of a full infantry company plus combat equipment. Later, it was modified many times based on actual combat experience to adapt to various arms and various combat missions. needs.
For example, a troop carrier designed specifically for artillery units is equipped with two special cranes for hoisting artillery ammunition, while a troop carrier specifically designed for cavalry has a stable cabin with ample space for transporting war horses.
However, the ship Zheng Agui was on at this time had been in service longer than the Bangui colony was established. It was already a very old model and was rarely used. Many facilities on the ship were already in disrepair. There were nearly two hundred people in the cabin. They had been eating, drinking, and eating here for so many days. All kinds of smells were mixed together, and it was stuffy and hot. It was really uncomfortable.
"Squad leader, why haven't you opened the cabin and disembarked yet?"
When Zheng Agui heard the subordinates behind him asking, he turned around and responded: "The cabin door hasn't been opened yet, so why panic! Stand in line and wait for orders, don't make a sound!"
Zheng Agui was actually at a loss at this time. He didn't know why it took so long to dock at the dock. Like these new recruits, it was his first time to participate in such a long-distance overseas mission. Although he did not vomit due to seasickness during the voyage, after staying on the ship for so many days, he really couldn't stand the environment. He was still looking forward to getting ashore as soon as possible.
After waiting for a while, the hatch above everyone's heads finally opened from the outside, and rain mixed with fishy air poured into the cabin. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, the people in the cabin cheered in low voices. As long as they could leave this damn ship as soon as possible, it didn't matter even if there was a battlefield outside.
Of course, the outside of the ship is not a dangerous battlefield, but Haihan's largest military base in the eastern part of the South China Sea. Everyone filed out of the hatch and saw several troop transport ships lined up on the pier. Troops arriving by boat from various places, like them, were landing ashore.
There were many soldiers in companies and platoons gathering on the pier. Zheng Agui made a rough estimate that the area he saw was probably more than one battalion of troops. It seemed that the place where he received the transfer order was far more than just Bangui.
"Don't stop, go forward, and gather at the dock when ordered!"
When Zheng Agui saw the company commander standing next to the gangway and commanding the troops to disembark hoarsely, he stepped forward and asked: "Company Commander, is this about to start a war?"
The company commander glared at him and responded impatiently: "Let's go, let's go, don't talk nonsense!"
Although Zheng Agui hit a snag and didn't get a direct answer, the company commander's attitude confirmed his suspicion - this errand to Manila was probably not just an ordinary transfer or training, but something to do. Participated in real combat operations.
Compared with the troops that were gathering in an orderly manner next to them, Zheng Agui's company was obviously a little timid. Everyone arrived at the dock and looked around, very curious about the surrounding environment, completely forgetting their current mission. Although the rain blocked the view at this time and could not see too far away, everyone was still whispering to each other about what they saw in front of them.
This is not entirely to blame for the soldiers' lax behavior. Many of them grew up in some remote colonial settlements. After joining the army, they were directly assigned to serve in Bangui. This was the first time they came to Luzon. the heart of the district. And seeing such a large-scale military base in front of them has greatly subverted their understanding of military camps.
Before this, these soldiers only knew that their country's military strength was very strong, but it was not until this moment that they seemed to really begin to feel it personally.
The sharp whistle sounded again, and the squad and platoon leaders quickly gathered the distracted soldiers together, kicking and scolding them, to listen to the company commander's instructions. "Take a break! We will rest at the Cavite base for three days, and then begin to perform the tasks assigned by the headquarters. As for what kind of tasks, there will be special explanation arrangements during these three days. Let me remind you again, right now This is a wartime situation, everyone, please calm down for a while. During the rest period, don’t ask about things you shouldn’t ask about, and don’t go to places where you are not allowed to go. Violators will be punished according to military law!”
The company commander's speech still did not explain the true purpose of the trip, but his stern tone made everyone present realize that the task to be carried out in three days would not be simple.
"Get your equipment, follow the team, and set off!"
As the order was issued, everyone filed away from the dock in marching order. Zheng Agui looked back and saw that the old troop transport ship carrying them had quickly left the shore and was vacating its berth for the next troop transport ship to dock.
The infantry battalion transferred from Bangui was placed on a school field about three miles away from the dock. A large number of troops gathered here in a short period of time, and it was obvious that there would not be enough barracks to accommodate various troops. The stations assigned to them were only dozens of large marching tents that had been set up in advance.
"There have been too many troops gathered here recently, so some infrastructure facilities have not yet been completed. I have prepared tools for you, so you can dig the drainage ditch yourself!"
After leading them to the station, the officer who led them immediately assigned them tasks before they even settled in. Shovels, hoes and bamboo baskets have been placed in the tent, and the soldiers can start working immediately as long as they put down their luggage.
Although the campus is relatively flat, with the current rainfall, if drainage ditches are not dug around the tent, the inside of the tent will turn into a quagmire in less than a day.
So everyone looked forward to a rest period at sea for several days, starting with the soil work. Although there will inevitably be some complaints, they are not delicate young masters. Now that the task has come, they can only copy the work.
However, the number of tools prepared for them is limited, and they can only take turns. Zheng Agui's row was in a tent, so the several classes he belonged to were rotated within the time limit of one stick of incense to ensure work efficiency.
"Squad leader, we have taken so many skyships from Bangui, why do we do this when we come here?"
Zheng Agui responded: "Ask me, who am I asking? Finish your work early and rest early. Why is there all this nonsense? Just execute the order!"
Zheng Agui was originally from a farmer's family. After his family moved from Fujian to Luzon Island, they also relied on the land allocated by the government for a living. Therefore, he grew up in the fields and was very familiar with the menial work of digging soil and digging holes. With a hoe, he took the lead and started working.
Halfway through the work, the battalion commander came to inspect. In addition to several officers from the company headquarters, there was also a very young major. The battalion commander, who had always cursed everyone he met, actually seemed a little humble in front of this young officer who was also a major, and lowered his voice to introduce the situation of his unit to him.
(End of chapter)