Chapter 1054: Commander
Princ.i.p.al Chen turned off the stopwatch and opened the military canteen for Ye Jian. “My inferno training is different from normal inferno training. You still need to memorize the locations of the different provinces as well as their longitude and lat.i.tude. I will also ask you about different guns and ammunition. What’s their difference, their shooting range, and many other points.”
The inferno training wasn’t just about stamina. Memory training was part of it too!
Ye Jian rested for two minutes before climbing out of the bushes. Her black eyes were s.h.i.+ning as brightly as obsidians. “I will heed your arrangements. I’ve rested enough. We can enter the next stage of training.”
“Let’s talk about maps. Since Major Xia hopes that you can command, you need to understand maps.” Princ.i.p.al Chen opened a military-used light-alloy folding table that is 50 cm long and 30 cm wide. He laid a military map on it and said in a firm and stern voice, “There are two different kinds of maps – a normal map and a thematic map. Based on their uses, you can split them into education maps, administrative maps, military maps, flight maps, etc.”
“Now, I will be talking about military maps. This will include maps of the sea and the air. During combat, the military has to use maps. The map will show the topography, surface features, and other related information.”
“The map is the eyes of the military unit. It’s a silent guide. You have to understand it all the time and must be able to draw it immediately! You need to have an adequate amount of knowledge in using and understanding the map as well as a good foundation in six other areas. That way, you will be able to complete the drawing of a topographic map.”
Princ.i.p.al Chen was well-educated and was very thorough in his teaching. His low and deep voice allowed Ye Jian to focus very quickly. She was able to digest what he said at a fast speed.
“The x and y coordinates of a military map is different from the cartesian coordinates in math. Its longitudinal line is the horizontal axis, X, and the equator is the lateral axis, Y. Look here…” He lightly drew on the military map with a pencil and asked Ye Jian to look at it clearly, “This is the horizontal axis X and this is the lateral axis, Y.”
Ye Jian absorbed this professional and hard to understand math knowledge very quickly. Princ.i.p.al Chen only needed to explain it once and give one example before she understood it.
“…The magnetic azimuth is used widely by the army, the artillery, the air force, and the navy. When drawing a military map, you must know this and accurately draw it out. For instance…”
He took out a piece of blank paper and started drawing on it with his pencil quickly. After some time, a simple military map was created.
“After you learn how to draw a military map, you still have to understand how to a.n.a.lyze a map. Combining the special features of the military unit, the mission a.s.signed to them, the condition of your enemy, the weather, and the season, you must make a comprehensive a.n.a.lysis and prediction. With a good grasp of this ability, you will be able to decide the future actions of the army.”
These were all knowledge that a commander had to know. It was also something a Special Forces soldier needed to understand.
Ye Jian listened attentively. She even got immersed!
She quickly learned the importance of drawing, a.n.a.lyzing, and using the military map to come up with the operation plan.
She also knew the huge impact topographic a.n.a.lysis had on troop mobilization. You have to know how many railways and roads the troop had to pa.s.s. If there were armored vehicles, the commander had to know the length, the breadth, and the exact load limit of the bridges they had to drive through!
You would only be able to a.n.a.lyze and predict the routes of the army, the possibility of cross-country, as well as the transport of logistics when you have a good grasp of these abilities. That was how you have the confidence to win a war!