Empire Conquest-Chapter 779 - 61 Fierce Rivals Appear_2

To be precise, it was about blocking the gaps in the defense line, striving to hold the enemy’s advance at the second defense line.

From a tactical perspective, the 4th Infantry Division played the role of a firefighter.

Of course, if the 7th Armored Division and the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division failed to hold, it would be the turn of the 1st Infantry Division, deployed between the second and third defense lines.

Indeed, the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division was one of the division-level units in the Empire’s Army that first underwent reorganization according to Quick Reaction Force standards.

However, the "quick reaction" transformation of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division was not very thorough.

In fact, the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division was also the last to begin equipment replacement among the chosen five quick response units of the Empire’s Army military reform.

To this day, the reorganization work of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division is not completed.

Currently, the 4th Infantry Division has 4 brigades, with only 2 mechanized brigades fully reorganized, replacing tracked infantry fighting vehicles with wheeled armored vehicles that have better strategic mobility. One other mechanized brigade is still undergoing reorganization, with only 2 battalions having completed their refitting, while the sole armored brigade has not been reorganized at all.

This brigade has a total of 3 armored battalions and 3 mechanized infantry battalions, with the main equipment being 186 ZT-99B main battle tanks and 214 BZ-98A infantry fighting vehicles.

The critical point is, after the 7th Armored Division left for Boss Bay, the vanguard unit of this brigade was transferred to Atla.

Now, the deployed unit is this battalion, the 04101 Armored Battalion.

This battalion has a total of 36 ZT-99B main battle tanks, 14 BZ-98A infantry fighting vehicles, and hundreds of other combat and support vehicles.

According to the deployment, this battalion will head to the frontline after refueling in Astrakhan and will travel north overnight to participate in the nighttime reprisal operations.

The key point is here.

Although the mission brief issued by the Battle Zone Headquarter did not emphasize defeating the enemy outright, it mentioned thwarting the enemy’s offensive momentum through reprisal actions, yet with the current situation, if we cannot defeat the enemy in the reprisal actions, we cannot achieve the operational objectives.

Fundamentally speaking, we must hold Astrakhan.

Under the current circumstances, Astrakhan will be the first decisive battlefield.

That is why we must hold Astrakhan at all costs.

After clarifying the combat missions with the squadron leader and the platoon leader, Lian Mingyang went to find Zheng Zhishuang.

Even though the orders had been issued, according to unwritten rules, combat operations officially start only after the orders are given by the Frontline Commander.

At Zheng Zhishuang’s place, Lian Mingyang received the latest news.

The Bulan Kingdom had formally declared war on the Empire, launching an invasion of Scapa Bay, and the Empire’s Navy garrison forces had successfully evacuated after destroying the port infrastructure.

With this, the major nations of the West Continent Group have all declared war on the Empire.

The Battle Zone Headquarter also issued an order to hold Astrakhan at all costs, at least until September 20, to buy enough time for adjusting deployments in the rear.

While Lian Mingyang was reading the telegram, Zheng Zhishuang went to close the door.

"In the afternoon, the Air Force deployed over a dozen Reconnaissance Aircraft, only 5 returned; the rest were shot down over enemy-controlled airspace," Zheng Zhishuang said as he returned, "According to messages from the Battle Zone Headquarter, we also lost more than a dozen reconnaissance satellites."

Lian Mingyang paused, looking up at Zheng Zhishuang.

Though shocked, Lian Mingyang knew that at least Zheng Zhishuang would not joke about such a critical issue.

There was no need for jokes either.

After full-scale war erupted, both sides would immediately destroy each other’s reconnaissance satellites, weakening their strategic and operational reconnaissance capabilities.

"We have also launched actions; the Air Force and the Military Intelligence Bureau have assured that by nightfall, all reconnaissance satellites of the West Continent Group will be blinded."

"That’s definitely not enough."

Zheng Zhishuang pursed his lips and said, "Beigu Group has not yet entered the war, and we have no reason to attack, just tonight’s reprisal actions are already enough."

Lian Mingyang nodded, not saying much more.

His comment implied that Beigu Group would provide the intelligence they had to the West Continent Group.

However, any intelligence, after passing through several hands, loses its timeliness.

"According to reliable information, the vanguard units of West Luosha consist of 2 armored brigades, and one armored brigade of the Tiaoman Army crossed the Volga River yesterday."

"At what time yesterday?"

"Early morning."

"Why has there been such a delay?" Lian Mingyang suddenly stood up, appearing very angry.

It was not his fault; such critical news had been delayed by almost 40 hours. Anyone else in his position would probably have burst into curses by now.

In the span of one day, the Tiaoman armored forces could have caught up with the vanguard of the Western Luosha forces.

This meant that at the forefront, there could be as many as three armored brigades!

Given the performance of the Western Luosha Army, the West Continent Group might have already made adjustments, with the Tiaoman armored forces acting as the spearhead of the assault.

The most critical point: Western Luosha’s assault force had already advanced about 200 kilometers, suffering significant losses in the process. After passing Akhtubinsk, Western Luosha’s assault force was likely at the end of its tether, hence bringing up the Tiaoman’s armored brigades at this time to maintain the momentum of the attack was crucial for a successful capture of Astrakhan.

If it had just been one armored brigade from Tiaoman Army, it wouldn’t have been such a large issue.

The key issue was that the Western Luosha Army had likely resupplied and was following behind Tiaoman’s armored brigades, continuing to push south along the Volga River.

This resulted in having to face three armored brigades simultaneously!

"What about the aerial aspect?" Lian Mingyang controlled his emotions; after all, lashing out at his direct superior at this juncture wouldn’t solve any problems.

"This is also what I wanted to remind you of."

Hearing Zheng Zhishuang say this, Lian Mingyang immediately furrowed his brows.

"Although there is no reliable intelligence report currently, there’s reason to believe that the third Low Altitude Assault Brigade of the Tiaoman Land Air Force has reached Volgograd, and likewise, last early morning."

"You..."

This time, Lian Mingyang jumped up, pointing his finger at Zheng Zhishuang.

"I just received this news too." After Lian Mingyang sat down, Zheng Zhishuang continued: "Since the war started, our Air Force has lost several dozen tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and many of our reconnaissance satellites have also been knocked out, which is why even the Military Intelligence Bureau can’t guarantee timely provision of accurate battlefield intelligence. Moreover, if there is an issue with the intelligence, whether it’s inaccurate or not, the providing unit has to bear the responsibility."

"I understand."

In fact, Lian Mingyang had already considered this point.

Because the responsibility was substantial, tactical intelligence-related units were extremely cautious, often overly so.

According to unwritten military rules, intelligence not deemed highly reliable was exchanged privately.

This was specifically to avoid bearing responsibilities.

Although many shortcomings exist in this approach, it also has its merits, such as allowing frontline commanders to receive crucial intelligence in a timely manner.

As for the credibility of the intelligence, it was up to the frontline commanders to judge.

"Before you arrived, we had received news from Changala, you had encountered armed helicopters of the Western Luosha Air Force in battle."

"How many ’Tiger’ does the third Air Brigade have?" Lian Mingyang, without beating around the bush, directly asked.

Although it was a "Shilkha" self-propelled high-altitude gun that shot down Lian Mingyang, at that time, the main reason for his being shot down was actually those "Mi-24."

Had he not engaged with the "Mi-24," Lian Mingyang would certainly have spotted the high-altitude gun in time and perhaps could have evaded it when attacked.

"At least several dozen, maybe more."

Lian Mingyang sighed with a bitter smile, not knowing quite what to say.

The third Air Assault Brigade was the premier ace unit of the Tiaoman Air Force, stationed long-term in Western Luosha, primarily tasked with assisting the Western Luosha Army in offensives.

For this reason, the third Air Assault Brigade was the first to retrofit with "Tiger" armed helicopters.

Prior to this, the brigade was equipped with various armed helicopters, including those produced by Locke, the "Little Antelope," and the "Big Mountain Cat" jointly developed with the Bulan Kingdom. However, these were not genuinely armed helicopters and were incapable of performing anti-armor tasks.

Strictly speaking, the "Tiger" was the first real armed helicopter of the West Continent Group.

In fact, the "Tiger" was also the only advanced armed helicopter, aside from Newland Republic’s AH-64A, that could challenge the "Z-10A."

However, this helicopter had only test-flown last year and had not yet reached the mass production stage.

The sudden appearance of several dozens of such helicopters was utterly incomprehensible to Lian Mingyang.