Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1695 - 766: Codename: "Cunning Wizard"!
Capítulo 1695: Chapter 766: Codename: “Cunning Wizard”!
May 7th, afternoon, at the frontline command of the Italian “Sniper” brigade.
Luca Bertolini stood with his back to the entrance, facing the large map of the war zone on the wall, his shoulders tense.
Actually…
He knew this was a trap.
The Mexicans’ clumsy provocation was obvious.
But… there’s no choice.
The wind has changed.
His father’s exhausted voice from a secure phone call last night still echoed in his ears: “Someone in the parliamentary military committee has submitted an inquiry, demanding an explanation for the tactical mishap in the Komodo River Valley and the subsequent passive avoidance of battle. Luca, our family is under pressure.
Someone wants to use your failure to bring us down.”
“You need to occasionally make a stance.”
Everyone has political rivals!
Everyone has opponents!
Humans’ greatest advantage is infighting; it’s the same for everyone.
Stance.
The word left a bitter taste in his throat.
He’s not an idiot; he’s read military history and knows how many fools have lost troops through reckless actions for the sake of “stance.”
But now, he’s not just a military commander; he’s also the standard-bearer of the Bertolini family in the North American war zone. The standard cannot fall, nor can it be tarnished.
“Report!”
The voice of the operations staff officer interrupted his thoughts, “Initial assembly of the battalions is complete, and the reconnaissance company has moved out.”
Bertolini turned around, taking a deep breath to calm himself, “Issue orders according to the ‘Trident’ plan, prepare for a limited offensive.”
The “Trident” plan was a counterattack strategy he had privately simulated with several core officers during the turtle-like defense. The core idea was: even if forced to attack, maximize formation flexibility and reserve depth, never stepping into unknown quagmires.
“Specific deployment.”
He walked to the sand table, speaking in a calm yet undeniable tone, “Lead with the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion as the main assault vanguard, supplemented by a platoon of ‘Centaur’ tank destroyers, an engineer platoon, and a front observation group. Mission: advance along Highway 73 northeast toward the predetermined target ‘Alpha Point’ hill. Do not exceed a speed of 5 kilometers per hour, and establish temporary defensive nodes every kilometer. Upon encountering any scale of enemy forces, immediately halt, call for firepower, and do not leave the artillery cover without explicit orders.”
“The 2nd Sniper Battalion will serve as the operational reserve, following three kilometers behind the main force, maintaining mobility, and ready to provide support or cover in the main assault direction or flank as needed.”
“The brigade’s direct units, remaining armored vehicles, and remnants of the 1st Battalion will hold the current core position, ensuring absolute security of retreat and supply lines. Without my order, even if the sky falls, do not leave the established position one step.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the present officers. “Communication is key; activate the backup encrypted channels, keep the main channel silent. The electronic warfare team will remain operational throughout, monitoring enemy communication interference and abnormal signals.”
A major asked, “Colonel, if the Mexican main force appears, should we switch to defense according to the plan, call for air and artillery support, and retreat?”
“No.” 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Bertolini shook his head, pointing his finger to a complicated woodland area further beyond “Alpha Point” on the sand table, “If the enemy’s main force is indeed drawn out and entangled in our predetermined ‘Alpha Point’ engagement zone, that’s our opportunity.”
He looked at the intelligence officer, “Contact Colonel Durand of the French forces on the right flank. Use the direct secured line between us to inform him that my unit plans to launch a limited attack on the Mexican army in front of us tomorrow morning, progressing along the Highway 73 to ‘Alpha Point’ area.”
“Considering that the enemy may reinforce this area or seek breakthroughs from our flanks, request that the French Foreign Legion forces apply pressure on their facing enemy positions, conducting a diversionary attack at or shortly after the same time. Once our attack makes progress, we can form a preliminary east-west advance posture, compressing enemy maneuver space.”
He deliberately used conservative terms and characterized the action as a “limited attack,” primarily because he knew that French assistance would be very limited.
“Tell Colonel Durand,” Bertolini added, in a flat tone, “the Italian army will not remain shelter-bound; we also crave victory!”
On the same evening, at the command of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Parachute Regiment.
Colonel Durand listened to the communications officer’s report, rubbed his chin, and revealed a playful smile. “Bertolini, that plucked rooster, finally wants to flap his wings a bit to prove he’s not a hen?”
He looked at his Chief of Staff, “Humph, translated it means: I’ve been humiliated by the Mexicans with lingerie, need a fight to restore my face, but scared to death inside, so please, from the standpoint of allies, help me keep an eye on the flank, and maybe make a move too, don’t let me take all the hits alone.”
The Chief of Staff also smiled, “How should we respond? Cooperate with them?”
Durand walked to his operations map, looking at the Italian-planned axis of attack.
He was familiar with that area’s terrain, intercrossed with hills and woodlands, the road conditions being average, not suitable for large-scale rapid maneuvering, but conducive to ambushes.
“Cooperate, of course, we should cooperate,” he said leisurely. “But not according to their rhythm. Tell Colonel Bertolini, the French Foreign Legion appreciates the ally’s initiative; our forces will carry out a platoon-sized armed reconnaissance and fire clearance action at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, one and a half hours later than the Italian plan, in our battle line’s ‘Beta’ area, to constrain the enemy and probe their defensive weaknesses. We wish our Italian friends success in their efforts.”
