Empire Conquest-Chapter 800 - 71: Changing Tactics (Part 2)

According to the Boi War, in a complex combat environment, the greatest threat to tanks is actually infantry!

As long as they get close to the tank, a grenade can destroy it.

After making preparations, Wu Qitie finally returned to the gunner’s position.

"Hold on a second!"

Just as Wu Qitie was about to load the shells, Situ Lin reminded him.

Outside, the infantry of the western Luosha army had already crawled to within less than 1000 meters from the ridge, and didn’t advance further, hiding in place.

As expected, they were setting up anti-tank missile launchers.

Once these infantry were ready, the western Luosha armored forces would charge ahead, exposing the ZT-99B, and creating an opportunity for the anti-tank group to fire.

meters is already very close for anti-tank missiles.

Clearly, the enemy had learned from their experiences and realized that only heavy anti-tank missiles could penetrate the frontal armor of the ZT-99B.

Unfortunately, the enemy apparently didn’t understand that the ZT-99B’s infrared imaging night vision can detect not only tanks but also infantry.

As long as the night sky is clear, the observation distance for personnel exceeds 1500 meters.

Due to a lack of understanding about the ZT-99B, the commander of the western Luosha armored forces thought they could let the anti-tank group quietly ambush.

"Attention, everyone, stay as hidden as possible."

Having said that, Situ Lin picked up the assault rifle placed on the rack next to him and quickly checked it over.

If fighting breaks out, the only one who can climb out of the turret to deal with approaching infantry is the tank commander, since the driver and gunner are too occupied.

"Boss, do you think we can hold out until dawn?" Tang Xuebing suddenly asked out of nowhere.

At this, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

Wu Qitie didn’t ask or turn back; he just started shaking his leg more frequently.

When he feels nervous, he can’t help but shake his leg.

Among the three of them, Wu Qitie would be considered the most normal one. He doesn’t have any bad habits and is very conservative.

As far as Situ Lin knows, Wu Qitie, who had lived almost 27 years, hadn’t even held a woman’s hand.

"It’s really hard to say, but one thing is certain."

"What?"

Situ Lin smiled and said, "When the war is over, both eastern and western Luosha will definitely have a population imbalance; by then, many girls will be waiting for us to choose from."

"If possible, I’d like to choose 5," Wu Qitie suddenly chimed in.

This remark from him startled Situ Lin.

Having walked through the grim danger of near-death several times, even someone as conservative and introverted as Wu Qitie had loosened up now.

Situ Lin could understand Wu Qitie’s feelings.

"Attention!"

After Situ Lin’s reminder, Wu Qitie finally closed his mouth.

Outside, the sound of shells in flight could be heard.

But it wasn’t very distinct.

"Bang——"

The explosion sounded from above, giving the impression of distance.

Did the shell explode in mid-air?

However, Situ Lin quickly realized.

It wasn’t a shell, but an illumination flare!

The whole position suddenly turned into broad daylight.

"Attention, everyone, hold steady and wait for my order!"

The bright light from the flares can interfere with low-light night vision devices, but it hardly affects the infrared imaging night vision.

To the north of the position, the western Luosha armored forces had appeared, though all were more than 2000 meters away.

At this distance, even if it hits, it wouldn’t mean much.

Leading the charge were still the T-72Bs, but there were much fewer of them, divided into three groups, totaling less than 20 tanks, with wide intervals in between.

Clearly, the enemy had learned from experience.

A dense charge is akin to gifting kills to anti-tank shooters.

"Boss?"

Wu Qitie had been shaking his leg, and very rapidly at that.

Faced with such an immense threat, not being nervous would be strange.

Not to mention, the five ZT-99Bs with armor-piercing rounds did not nearly outnumber the enemy’s tanks!

"Stay calm!"

Situ Lin was also extremely tense, but he didn’t show it.

The enemy’s advance speed was not fast; it seemed they didn’t intend to take the position with a single charge, clearly trying to lure the defending tanks into firing.

Five minutes passed, and those T-72Bs advanced less than 1000 meters.

Just as they were about to pass the ambush-ready anti-tank teams, a dozen T-72Bs suddenly stopped and opened fire immediately.

However, they were only aiming at the fortifications.

In fact, almost all fire points had already been destroyed in previous battles, and the infantry defending the position was hundreds of meters back.

The reason was simple: the anti-cannon shelters were set up behind the defensive line.

Because the enemy hadn’t commenced artillery preparation, the infantry remained in the rear and didn’t take to the positions.

At this moment, Situ Lin suddenly thought of a problem and then turned the turret periscope towards the rear.

As expected, after the enemy tanks opened fire, the infantry hiding in the rear to avoid artillery had left the anti-cannon holes and were returning along the communication trenches.

Situ Lin didn’t dare to delay and immediately climbed out of the turret.

"Pavshka, Pavshka, if you hear, please respond!"

In the intercom, there was only the sound of static.

"Pavshka, this is Situ Lin, reply if you receive this!"

Situ Lin was still unwilling to give up, raising his voice, thinking that if he spoke louder, the intercom might work properly.

Pavshka is a staff officer sent by Pavlov to assist Situ Lin.

Since the frontline commander here was already killed, Pavshka became the battlefield commander and started retreating with the Eastern Luosha infantry.

Perhaps it was his order that sent the infantry back to the position!

Unfortunately, it was useless.

It was just a reserve force, using military intercoms with analog signals, not the digital radios on the ZT-99B.

If they had them, Situ Lin wouldn’t have specifically brought an intercom.

Because it operated on a fixed frequency and had insufficient transmission power, the intercom was more susceptible to interference compared to digital radios. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

What to do?

As Situ Lin climbed back into the turret and picked up his assault rifle, Wu Qitie grabbed his pants leg.

Outside, there was a rumbling sound like thunder rolling in summer.

Indeed, it came from the north.

Stunned, Situ Lin already reacted, then quickly closed the hatch.

It wasn’t thunder at all but hundreds or thousands of shells flying towards them.

Additionally, they were definitely large-caliber shells.

Suddenly, amidst deafening explosions, the ground began to shake.

The explosions came from the rear.

The purpose of the artillery barrage was clear: to deal with those infantry waiting in the rear and returning once battle commenced.

I must admit, the commanders of the Western Luosha Army finally sobered up, or rather, they put some thought into their tactics.

The ZT-99B was indeed powerful, but after the initial battle, there certainly wouldn’t be many left operable.

Additionally, the ammunition must be nearly depleted.

Thus, the threat of the ZT-99B was relatively limited.

Moreover, the anti-tank teams that probed earlier were specifically aimed at the ZT-99B, so there was no shortage of means to deal with this kind of tank.

In contrast, infantry armed with heavy anti-tank missiles posed a greater threat.

That’s why the T-72Bs fired first, luring the defenders out from the anti-cannon holes in the rear, and then covering them with artillery.

Without the infantry for cooperative battle, just relying on 5 ZT-99Bs with nearly depleted ammunition couldn’t hold the position!

Unfortunately, it was too late by the time Situ Lin realized it.

In his defense, it wasn’t entirely his fault.

Previously, the Western Luosha Army was only engaging in direct assaults, never employing cunning tactics, seemingly believing that sheer force could achieve a breakthrough.

In fact, this was inherently a major characteristic of the Western Luosha Army.

According to the Western Luosha Army, there’s nothing an RPG can’t solve; if there is, shoot another one!

In fact, this preference for brute force characteristics was the same among the Eastern Luosha soldiers, seemingly closely related to the cultural traditions of their nation.

The enemy suddenly changed their approach, playing tactical games, leaving Situ Lin unaccustomed.

Of course, it was the same for the Eastern Luosha soldiers; otherwise, they wouldn’t have rushed out of the anti-cannon holes after the enemy’s main battle tanks fired a few shots.

After the shelling ended, Situ Lin reused the turret periscope.

In the rear, it was already a sea of fire.

The enemy not only used high-explosive bombs but also incendiary bombs and other special shells, clearly not intending to let those infantry return to the position alive.

An entire battalion, about 300 officers and soldiers, just wiped out like that!