novelSusiti 23. Supplementary troops
23. Supplementary troops
The reorganization of the Second Battalion is gradually taking effect. The neat tents have replaced the messy and muddy ones of the past. The soldiers are wearing brand-new uniforms, and their steps are becoming more and more orderly when they are training in formation. The former listlessness and numbness have been replaced by a spirit of vigor and determination.
Dugan personally supervised the training every day, from basic drills to gun shooting and close-quarters bayonet fighting. There were some things that Dugan himself didn't know, but with Joffrey and Tom carrying them out, they were able to start the battle smoothly.
Dugan, relying on his connections, requested a large amount of live ammunition from quartermaster Lieutenant Colonel Smith, ostensibly for live-fire training.
这个时代，英军线列步兵每年的射击练习量为30发实弹、60发空包弹；英国轻步兵每年射击练习为50发实弹、50发空包弹；英国线膛枪兵每年60发实弹练习。
French linear infantry receive a total of 50 rounds of live ammunition and blank ammunition training per year.
Prior to 1806, Prussian line infantry did not fire live ammunition; their marksmen fired 35 live rounds per year.
The amount of live-fire training he's done is more than what students get during military training.
However, in this era, it was already quite remarkable for a British soldier to achieve this amount of training every year.
Ordinary troops simply cannot obtain this much ammunition; Dugen was able to do so entirely because he had connections in higher places.
Since learning about Dugan's background, Lieutenant Colonel Smith has granted the 2nd Battalion's every request for supplies. Rations, weapons, and medicines have been delivered to the camp in a steady stream, improving the soldiers' meals and providing proper medical treatment to the wounded, which has boosted morale.
Dugan's prestige in the 2nd Battalion was also gradually increasing. The soldiers knew that their commander could provide them with enough to eat and wear, and that they would receive their meager 6p pay on time, so they were naturally motivated.
Colonel Stevenson sent people to inspect the camp several times and was very satisfied with the condition of the 2nd Battalion.
Dugan knew that with only the remaining four hundred or so soldiers, it would be difficult to hold the town of Omarachi and deal with the Marata guerrillas' attack. He had been hoping for news of reinforcements, but he never expected that what awaited him was another problem.
Early that morning, Dugan was supervising the soldiers' training from a high platform in the camp when a chaotic sound of horses' hooves came from afar. A messenger rode up at full speed, dismounted, ran straight to Dugan, and stood at attention to salute.
"Major Dugan, news has come from regimental headquarters that the troops transferred from Bangalore have arrived at the regimental headquarters. Colonel Stevenson orders you to go to the regimental headquarters immediately to receive the troops and await further instructions."
"They're finally here." Dugan was overjoyed. "They're not greenhorns, and they're not Indian soldiers, are they?"
"No, they are all British veterans," the messenger replied.
"Finally, it's here." After days of anticipation, Dugan immediately instructed Lieutenant Joffrey to continue supervising the training. Then, he took Tom, mounted his horse, and galloped towards the regimental headquarters.
Along the way, Dugan was filled with anticipation. He thought that with the new reinforcements, the Second Battalion's strength would be replenished, and the chances of holding Omarachi would be greatly increased. If he could also promote the anti-guerrilla warfare tactics, he might become famous in India.
Then, through her brother Megan's connections, she let the old man in London know that she might be able to return to London sooner.
The lively Nina and the sexy Scarlett have only been hooking up for a short time, and their relationship is still quite fragile. It's unknown whether she's slept with anyone else during this time.
While Dugen was lost in thought, the two arrived at the regimental headquarters.
Dugan went straight to Colonel Stevenson's tent, bowed, and said, "Reporting, Colonel, Dugan Connby, acting battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion, has come to receive reinforcements."
Colonel Stevenson's face was not very smiling, and his expression was somewhat solemn. He pointed to a handwritten order on the table and said in a heavy tone, "Dugan, the troops have indeed arrived, a total of six hundred men. They were originally the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment. This is Major General Wellesley's order, which clearly instructs that the remnants of the 2nd Battalion of the 94th Infantry Regiment under your command be merged with the remnants of the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment that have come as reinforcements, to form a new 2nd Battalion of the 94th Infantry Regiment. You will still serve as the acting battalion commander and will be under unified command."
"The remnants of the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Infantry Regiment?" Dugan's expectations instantly plummeted. He quickly picked up the warrant, glanced through it, and spoke with disbelief in his voice.
"Colonel, I heard that the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment recently suffered heavy losses in battle with the Marata guerrillas near Omarazi, with almost the entire unit wiped out. That's why our 94th Infantry Regiment was transferred here. Why are they being added to our battalion now?"
Colonel Stevenson sighed helplessly and shrugged. "The front lines are short of manpower right now. Major General Wellesley can only consolidate the remnants of the various regiments and concentrate his forces for defense. Although the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment suffered a crushing defeat, it still has more than 600 men. After merging them, your battalion will have more than 1,000 men. Besides, they are all British veterans, which is better than Indian soldiers, isn't it?"
Dugan was speechless. He finally understood that this reinforcement was not a timely help, but rather another hot potato.
Like them, the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment was a remnant that had suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Maratha guerrillas. The soldiers were bound to be just like the 2nd Battalion of the 94th Infantry Regiment back then, with low morale, lax discipline, and possibly even psychological trauma from the crushing defeat.
What's even more challenging is that the two remnants came from different regiments, were strangers to each other, and might even have had disagreements. After the merger, how to integrate the troops, appease the soldiers, and rectify military discipline would be another major problem.
Dugan originally thought that with the addition of troops, the reconstruction work could proceed smoothly, but he did not expect that what awaited him was an even more arduous challenge.
"There are always more solutions than problems." Dugan put away the order. "Understood, sir. Obey orders and proceed immediately to take over the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment."
Colonel Stevenson nodded: "I have faith in your abilities. Dugan, there will inevitably be conflicts when two remnants merge. As for supplies, I will have Lieutenant Colonel Smith fully cooperate with you. Report to me immediately if you encounter any difficulties."
"Thank you, sir!" Dugen saluted, then turned and walked out of the tent.
Tom, following behind him, noticed his preoccupation and asked in a low voice, "Major, what's wrong? Is there a problem with the reinforcements?"
"It's the remnants of the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment," Dugan said gravely. "They suffered a major defeat not long ago in Omarachi, a similarly disastrous defeat to our battalion. Now we have to merge the two remnants."
Tom frowned upon hearing this: "That's troublesome. The two teams don't know each other and have both suffered crushing defeats. I'm afraid they'll be difficult to manage."
"It's a troublesome job, but we have to do it." Dugan mounted his horse, his tone firm. "Let's go, let's take over the troops. We need to see first what kind of force this remnant of the 72nd Infantry Regiment really is."
The two rode their horses at full speed and soon arrived at the temporary assembly point near the regimental headquarters.
From a distance, more than 600 soldiers stood sparsely on the open ground, wearing uniforms covered in mud. Many of them were injured, and their eyes were full of dejection and numbness, just like when they first arrived at the assembly point of the 2nd Battalion of the 94th Infantry Regiment.
There were no orderly ranks in the ranks; the soldiers gathered in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, their voices filled with complaints and despair.
A haggard-looking man in a captain's uniform slowly stepped forward and bowed as Dugan approached: "Major, I am Captain Horn, the company commander of the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Infantry Regiment. I have come here with the remnants of my battalion, 600 men, under orders from Major General Wellesley. Please take command, Major."
Dugan nodded slightly. "Captain Horn, from today onwards, the 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Infantry Regiment will officially merge with the remnants of the 2nd Battalion of the 94th Infantry Regiment to form the new 2nd Battalion of the 94th Infantry Regiment. I will serve as the acting battalion commander. Your original organization will remain unchanged for the time being. I am Dugan Connby."
Captain Horn nodded: "Yes, Major! I obey orders." He had originally thought that he would be demoted after being reassigned, but Dugan still made him the company commander, which made him feel a little more at ease.
Dugan said to Captain Horn, "Call all the officers here."
"Yes, sir." A moment later, Captain Horn and four other officers jogged up to Dugan.
"Infantry Captain Silva." A bearded man saluted Dugan.
"Infantry Captain, Arsenal." A tall, thin man saluted.
"Cavalry Lieutenant, Beckham." A man with a trowel-like face saluted.
"Lieutenant Quartermaster, Cook." A short, stout axle-wielding man saluted Dugan.
Dugan was furious when he saw Lieutenant Cook. "If you hadn't said you were a quartermaster lieutenant, I would have thought you were a cook."
Dugan poked Lieutenant Cook’s belly with his riding crop in disgust. There was a large, foul-smelling patch of oil mixed with some unknown substance on his uniform.
"Damn it, how many days has it been since you guys showered?" Dugan covered his nose. "And where's your lice powder? Where's your razor? Who gave you permission to grow beards this long?"
The officers were speechless.
After a moment of silence, Captain Horn spoke up: "Major, we haven't showered for three months. As for the lice powder and razors you mentioned, we've never seen them on the list of supplies we received."
"..." Dugan was speechless. He sighed and continued, "From today onwards, you are all members of the 2nd Battalion, 94th Infantry Regiment, just like us. I will provide you with ample supplies and proper medical care, but I will also train you rigorously to help you regain your dignity as soldiers. As long as we are united, we will surely wash away the shame of our crushing defeat!"
After instinctively taking a few steps back, Dugan said to Lieutenant Cook, "Lieutenant Cook, go to Lieutenant Colonel Smith and get 600 new uniforms. Burn all your old ones." Dugan poked Cook's fat belly with his riding crop again. "Especially you, Lieutenant Cook, don't come back to see me until you've cleaned yourself up."
"Yes, sir. But, sir..." Cook said in a muffled voice, "I just went to Lieutenant Colonel Smith's office, but..."
"Go again, and say that Major Dugan Connby sent you." Although Dugan didn't have severe mysophobia, he couldn't tolerate Cook, who reeked of all sorts of disgusting odors, for even a second longer.
"Immediately, now, right now..." Dugan practically roared the order.