Empire Conquest-Chapter 879 - 109: Encirclement Complete (Part 2)

To control the weight, and more importantly to reduce costs, prior to the D model, the BZ-68 only had frontal armor capable of withstanding 13mm bullets. The side protection could only withstand 8mm bullets, and the rear hull couldn’t even stop 8mm bullets, making it rather vulnerable.

After significant modifications, starting with the D model, the combat weight was increased to 16.5 tons, and the defensive capabilities were slightly improved. However, the side could only resist 13mm bullets, and the front could only deal with 20mm shells fired from 500 meters with additional armor plating.

In reality, this level of protection is not outstanding.

Even the latest improved model, the BZ-68H, cannot withstand the RPG-7 rocket from Western Luosha and can even be penetrated by a 40mm high-explosive anti-tank grenade.

However, its low cost overshadows all its shortcomings.

The initial model of the BZ-68 had an export price of only 60,000 Gold Yuan, equivalent to one-fifth the price of the contemporary infantry fighting vehicle, and not even a fraction of the main battle tank’s cost!

Moreover, the BZ-68 can complete about 75% of battlefield transportation tasks.

Simply put, only 25% of battlefield transport tasks need to be handled by infantry fighting vehicles, for example, to carry infantry into combat alongside main battle tanks.

With one-fifth of the cost achieving 75% operational efficiency, its cost-effectiveness ratio is exceedingly high.

Additionally, the BZ-68 is not entirely without merit.

For example, the hull can store four heavy anti-tank missiles, but they must be used by the carried infantry, requiring a few minutes of preparation before combat. Although its anti-tank capability is not as good as infantry fighting vehicles, it can still pose a threat to tanks if prepared.

During the Iran-Iraq War, especially in the early stages, the Boi army used captured BZ-68s to carry out anti-tank missions, achieving significant results. During the Battle of Abbas, the Boi army used anti-tank teams carried by the BZ-68 to annihilate an Iraqi armored brigade in an ambush. This battle led to worldwide recognition of anti-tank missiles, making them the primary weapon against tanks.

As tanks were vulnerable in the face of anti-tank missiles, it triggered the "tank obsolescence theory."

Of course, if you’re willing to spend money, you can transform the BZ-68 into an anti-tank platform.

Even the later improved models, such as the BZ-68H, had an export price under 300,000 Gold Yuan. Contemporary infantry fighting vehicles were priced above 1 million Gold Yuan, and main battle tanks over 2 million Gold Yuan, thus its price remained relatively low.

Consequently, the BZ-68 became the most widely equipped armored platform in the Eastern Group.

Although the BZ-68’s performance is not outstanding, it’s better than nothing.

In contrast, the Marine Corps relied more on the BZ-68.

For one reason: the BZ-68 has amphibious capabilities.

Using tracks for water propulsion, it can travel at 5 kilometers per hour on water. With a propeller installed, this speed can double.

The BZ-68’s popularity is due to its ability to safely transport troops to the front line.

After obtaining these armored transport vehicles, two Marine Infantry Battalions began advancing towards Basra, crossing the border by the afternoon and occupying Sefwan next to Highway 3, completing the encirclement of the Iraqi forces invading Kuwait.

Although the Iraqi forces in Kuwait were routed on the 17th, numerous stragglers remained in Kuwait, with some regrouping and slowly advancing north along Highway 3.

Lacking vehicles and not daring to use them, their progress in the desert was slow.

Since the enemy was mostly operating in small groups, ranging from tens to over a hundred, company or platoon-sized, and lacking significant heavy weaponry, the Alliance Headquarter did not assign air strikes, nor was there enough aircraft to deal with these stragglers.

Do not forget that the Tactical Air Force only had a few hundred naval ship-borne aircraft ashore.

Still, these invading Kuwait forces could not be allowed to escape.

According to the orders issued by Alliance Commander Admiral Shi Shouliang, no Iraqi forces invading Kuwait were allowed to escape; they must be completely annihilated.

This is not merely a military task but a political mission with greater significance!

Therefore, the primary task of the two Marine Infantry Battalions was to hold Sefwan and eliminate the Iraqi stragglers streaming in from the south.

There was also a more important mission.

On the night of the 20th, the 553rd Marine Infantry Battalion, having occupied Sefwan, left Sefwan and began advancing east along the border line.

According to Ding Zhennan’s arrangement, the battalion was to seize Fao Port and control the road from Fao Port to Basra.

Capturing Fao Port was essentially without difficulty.

On the 17th, the naval fire support fleet, consisting of four "Flame Sea" class battleships, had already bombarded the port into ruins with thousands of 400mm shells.

According to reliable intelligence, on the night of the 18th, the Iraqi garrison destroyed infrastructure and laid naval mines in the harbor before retreating to Basra, effectively abandoning this now indefensible and ruined port.

However, Fao Port is extremely important to the Alliance.

This is also related to the revised battle plan.

The initial plan was merely to retake Kuwait, annihilate the Iraqi forces invading Kuwait, and by extension destroy the national defense system centered on the air defense network. There was no need to capture Fao, as Daman Port in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait City would sustain the logistics support system.

To conquer all of Iraq, however, one must capture and use Fao Port.

The reasoning is simple; roads from Kuwait to Iraq will certainly be damaged in combat, necessitating a port closer to the battlefield!

Additionally, Fao is Iraq’s sole coastal port, and the road from Fao Port to Basra runs right along the Boi Country’s border.

Securing Fao Port and controlling the road from Fao Port to Basra relates to military deployment against Boi Country.

In Shi Shouliang’s words, capturing Fao Port is a warning to Boi Country, signaling its authorities not to take risks for Iraq at this time.

If actual conflict breaks out, the Imperial Army can occupy or destroy all of Boi Country’s ports just like capturing Fao Port.

Even if Boi Country’s leaders ignore this warning and persist, Fao Port could serve as a base for attacking Lowland Province in the future.

Frankly, this is also a political mission.

Of course, this mission is almost devoid of difficulty.

Marines excel in coastal operations, especially with the fire support fleet nearby for immediate firepower assistance.

Not to mention, four battleships are more than sufficient.

On land, no defensive fortification can withstand 400mm shell fire!

Previously unable to repel direct battleship fire, thousands of Iraqi officers and soldiers defending Fao Port had to retreat to Basra.

Indeed, this is why landing ships carrying dozens of amphibious assault vehicles are crucial.

In southern Iraq, particularly the two rivers mouth region, it’s mostly swampland with almost no roads, and the terrain is very soft.

Even tracked vehicles may struggle to navigate smoothly.

Comparatively, military amphibious assault vehicles are actually an ideal choice.

Amphibious assault vehicles can not only navigate directly on water but also feature wide tracks, are relatively light, and exert very low pressure while driving, making them better suited for soft, swampy terrains. In coastal areas, the most common terrain is mangrove swamps.

This is related to the Marines’ traditional dislike of main battle tanks.

To put it bluntly, were it not for a lack of choice, they wouldn’t specially develop a medium tank to meet Marine Corps’ needs, which include inland combat missions. Otherwise, the Marine Corps Headquarter would never opt for the ZT-99AL with a combat weight of 56 tons.

Without budget constraints, the Marines would prefer equipping tanks weighing 40 tons or even under 35 tons.

Thus, the Marine Corps’ solution is to procure hovercraft with carrying capacities up to 60 tons.

Eventually, because there were no vehicle movements along the way, the 553rd Marine Infantry Battalion reached the northern part of Fao Port on the 21st.

Shortly afterward, a reconnaissance team entered Fao Port and discovered that the Iraqi forces had already abandoned the location.

By the afternoon of the 17th, both units had completed their combat missions and reached the outskirts of Basra.

After encircling Basra, the mission remaining was a full assault on Iraq’s Basra, the country’s second-largest city.