Empire Conquest-Chapter 794 - 68: Splitting into Two Groups (Part 2)
Under these circumstances, almost two-on-one, 14 "Z-10A" were still lost, 8 of which were shot down by the "Tiger" helicopter’s "Northwest Wind" missiles. Despite having a twofold advantage in strength, the "Z-10A" only achieved more than ten combat results.
It is evident that the air combat performance of the "Z-10A" is indeed mediocre, at least having little advantage in front of the "Tiger" helicopter. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
If encountered with the "Tiger" helicopter again, the prospects are not optimistic.
Don’t forget, Tiaoman Army dispatched a Low Altitude Assault Brigade, whereas previously at most one battalion was encountered, and two battalions have yet to engage.
The key point is that even if the Western Luosha low altitude assault force is not defeated, it cannot hold out and must rely on the Tiaoman Army’s low altitude assault brigade.
The probability of encountering the "Tiger" helicopter again is extremely high!
But right now, there’s simply no time to worry about it.
Zheng Zhishuang fulfilled his promise by sending transport helicopters with anti-tank missiles, but not TY-1, probably not anticipating another air combat.
Of course, it’s uncertain whether there will be air combat now.
After completing the inspection, Lian Mingyang issued operational orders.
This time, the task was anti-armor, and with no TY-1 available, each helicopter carried 8 anti-tank missiles and 2 rocket launcher pods.
When dealing with fixed targets within 1000 meters, rockets are actually more effective.
Approaching 2:50, Lian Mingyang took the lead to lift off.
At this moment, on the northern defense line.
Although only 1 of the 3 sent infantry fighting vehicles returned, with the other 2 being discovered by enemy anti-tank teams while attempting to approach and then destroyed by anti-tank fire, this cost was of tremendous value as it uncovered the enemy’s operational deployment.
Apparently having suffered setbacks, the enemy simultaneously gathered forces on the western and eastern ends of the defense line.
Based on this, Pavlov and Situ Lin both concluded that the enemy would attack both ends of the defense line simultaneously and would likely focus on the east.
The reason is simple, the main defense of the Eastern Luosha Army is on the west, guarding the southbound highway.
Thus, when the enemy attacks, they would choose to assault from the east, circle to the south of the defense line, and then turn west to assault.
If they could enclose the rear of the defense line, a breakthrough would certainly be achieved.
Furthermore, they could potentially annihilate the Eastern Luosha Army in that direction.
Because of this, it was decided to have the previously withdrawn low altitude assault troops return.
However, the key is still on the ground.
Although Pavlov didn’t emphasize it, Situ Lin is well aware that with two-thirds of the forces already deployed, the Eastern Luosha Army cannot reinforce the east nor bolster the eastern section of the defense line, leaving only the armored forces under Situ Lin’s command to rely on.
For this reason, Situ Lin made a two-pronged plan.
First, keep a tank company on the western side of the defense line, but positioned further back.
According to Situ Lin’s plan, after the enemy’s artillery preparation passes, this tank company would charge up to the position, acting as a mobile anti-tank firepoint.
Of course, the primary task is to deal with the enemy’s tanks.
If the previous judgment is correct, and the attacking forces are from the Western Luosha Army, then the ZT-99B can rely on advanced infrared night vision to gain a substantial tactical advantage and destroy the enemy’s tanks with pinpoint accuracy at distances over 2000 meters.
Previously, in the Volzhsky counterattack, the Eastern Luosha Army had severely dealt with the Western Luosha Army’s armored forces using the ZT-99AG.
The T-series tanks of the Western Luosha Army must be within 1000 meters, even 800 meters, to detect the ZT-99B with active infrared night vision.
This disparity in engagement distance is enough to determine the outcome of the battle.
Situ Lin also left one tank platoon in the rear as a tactical reserve team to ensure any gaps on the defense line could be promptly plugged.
The remaining tank company, two mechanized infantry companies, and the security platoon followed Situ Lin to the eastern end of the defense line.
Currently, the security platoon has only 4 tanks, as one has been supplemented to another company to replace the tank destroyed by anti-tank missiles during the counterattack.
Consequently, Pavlov also handed over command of the eastern defense line to Situ Lin and specially sent a regimental staff officer for coordination and command.
On the eastern side of the defense line, Situ Lin’s defense deployment was equally straightforward.
All infantry from the two mechanized infantry companies were incorporated into the tactical reserve team, stationed behind the defense line, fighting alongside the Eastern Luosha reserve troops.
The main task of the two companies’ infantry was anti-tank missions.
This arrangement was to compensate for the Eastern Luosha Army’s lack of anti-tank weaponry.
The mechanized infantry companies’ fighting vehicles were also left in the rear, but they were tasked with providing fire support, using machine guns to target enemy light armored targets.
Strictly speaking, they were to suppress the enemy’s long-range firepower, such as heavy machine guns, to provide cover for the forward infantry.
The tank company that followed was tasked as mobile anti-tank firepoints, similar to the western side.
The guard platoon stayed behind the defensive line, with Situ Lin directly commanding, for the mobile unit.
According to Situ Lin’s assessment, the Luosha Army from the west would invest enough armored forces here, at least one battalion, if not two.
The reasoning is simple: they must break through this line in one go, no more delays.
If delayed until dawn, unpredictable variables could arise.
Don’t forget, the Empire’s Air Force’s "Attack-9A" mainly operates during the daytime, and a squad can take out an armored battalion in one sortie.
If this position isn’t taken by night, it’s even more impossible by day!
Moreover, after the breakthrough, the breach needs to be widened to let the rear units catch up.
By expanding the front width, it’s possible to more effectively avoid the opponent’s key defended areas, thereby allowing tactical maneuvers to deliver their proper value.
That’s why Situ Lin pulled out the four ZT-99Bs from the guard platoon to act as a firefighting team.
Because they were already exposed and had severely damaged the Tiaoman forces in the initial battle, all tanks of the 04101 Battalion were dispersedly deployed.
However, the enemy’s artillery barrage was clearly intensified before the attack.
Just past 3 o’clock, the preparation fire arrived.
Even after retreating to about 5 kilometers behind the defensive line, they were still within the enemy’s artillery barrage range, and both the intensity and density of the shelling had increased significantly.
Before the first rounds landed, Situ Lin climbed into the tank.
His ZT-99B was concealed in a temporary tank shelter, essentially a pit just big enough to fit a ZT-99B, with a depth of over 2 meters. Railway sleepers were placed on top, unable to block large-caliber shells, but they could cause large-caliber shells to detonate prematurely.
As long as they weren’t hit directly by a shell, the crew inside the tank wouldn’t be in life-threatening danger.
This time, the enemy adopted a gradually advancing barrage bombardment.
As the shells rained down, even a 60-ton main battle tank shook violently, feeling like an earthquake.
"Haha..."
"Sweet Dumpling, why are you laughing?"
Tang Xuebing suddenly burst into laughter, and sitting behind him, Wu Qitie asked, giving him a nudge.
Since he was half a body height taller, Wu Qitie’s right foot reached forward to nudge Tang Xuebing’s shoulder.
Actually, such a design had special uses.
Simply put, in case of a malfunction in the on-board radio and similar equipment, simple body actions could be used to convey battle information.
Decades ago, during the last great war, tank crew members often used such methods to communicate.
"Don’t you think the west Mao is using this method to celebrate our impending victory?"
"The battle’s just started, who knows if we’ll survive to the end, did your brain get waterlogged?"
"Indeed, it’s like setting off firecrackers."
After Situ Lin said this, Wu Qitie finally understood.
The explosion sounds inside the tank were actually somewhat like Chinese New Year firecrackers, just deeper, like big fat fireworks.
The bombardment ended quickly.
"Head?"
"Don’t rush, wait a bit!"
Situ Lin gave a reminder, then ordered the other tank commanders before opening the hatch and climbing out of the tank.
The night sky was clear, but no stars were visible, only smoke.
The shelling lasted less than ten minutes, and the barrage advanced quickly, hardly pausing.
This usually means another round of shelling is coming!
Soon, there was a whistling sound in the air, that of shells in flight.
However, the sound came from the south.
A reprisal from the East Luosha artillery?
Yet, the sound was clearly different.
Situ Lin didn’t react at first, then he realized, what flew over his head weren’t shells, but more powerful rockets.
The East Luosha Army’s long-range rocket artillery finally made its voice heard!
