SFS Chapter 356: Battle for Chittagong (8) Tanks, attack!
Chapter 356: Battle for Chittagong (8) Tanks, attack!
The Chaffee tank under Li Mingcheng had been specially modified and equipped with a large antenna and a high-power radio, specifically to serve as his command vehicle.
The tall antenna swayed gently in the breeze, ensuring that Li Mingcheng could command the entire battle group at any time and contact the general command headquarters in the rear.
The motorized infantry battalion also completed its combat readiness simultaneously with the armored forces of the People's Army.
They all boarded the Lynx assault vehicle. The mobility of this improvised emergency vehicle on the great plains had been proven in the battle to liberate Pegu, and now, they would once again show their prowess on the South Asian battlefield.
All the tanks have been warmed up and the camouflage nets have been removed. Considering that the enemy this time is the John people, who have more armored vehicles than the Japanese, Li Mingcheng specifically ordered each vehicle to increase the proportion of armor-piercing ammunition in its spare ammunition.
All motorized infantry also carry the latest RPG. This disposable barrel, which looks like Hans Panzerfaust and a bit like the Russian RPG-2 in history, is now the new favorite of all infantrymen of the People's Army.
If it is equipped with an armor-piercing warhead, it can shoot tanks; if it is equipped with a personnel-killing fragmentation warhead, it can hit people.
It is really a must-have item for home travel and silencing people, and is jokingly called the infantry's personal artillery by the Anmin Army.
Direct artillery support forces are also in place.
Six M44 155mm self-propelled howitzers were scattered behind the position, with their thick muzzles raised high, ready to accompany the assaulting troops and pour firepower to the front line at any time.
Although his commander was only an artillery captain and was not able to ask for instructions on an equal footing with the battalion commanders due to his seniority, he still stayed in his command vehicle, waiting for Li Mingcheng's orders.
"Report to the commander, all troops are ready."
The two armored battalion commanders and the motorized infantry battalion commander stood in front of Li Mingcheng's command vehicle at the same time, and the three majors stood at attention and saluted together.
One of them added calmly, "Friendly artillery will open fire at 11:10 to clear the mines, barricades, and enemy front-line positions on the road ahead. Please give the order!"
Li Mingcheng adjusted the soft hat on his head and raised his hand to salute in return, his movements quick and decisive.
He looked down at his watch and saw that the hour hand had pointed to 11:05. The time for battle had finally arrived.
"Very good. As soon as the cannon sounds, we'll be off."
The three battalion commanders stood at attention, waiting for his next instruction.
Li Mingcheng stared at his officers, speaking slowly but with undeniable determination:
"After breaking through the frontline positions, don't linger. Leave the task of expanding the breakthrough to the infantrymen following behind. Our mission is to advance north along the road, penetrate deep into the enemy's territory, then break through eastwards, all the way to the Hada River, and give them a huge crush! Do you understand?"
"I understand! Give him a big punishment!" the three majors answered in unison.
Then the motorized infantry battalion commander asked uncertainly, "Are we going to ignore those Ansars on the coast beyond Mount Harvey on our left flank?"
Li Mingcheng hummed softly, and the map immediately appeared in his mind. "That's the mission of the friendly forces. The enemy on the other side of Mount Harvey is separated from us by an entire mountain range, so they are not our target for the time being. No need to worry about them."
"Now, each of you return to your command posts."
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A few minutes later, deafening artillery fire sounded from behind Li Mingcheng, and the entire ground seemed to tremble.
A 105mm artillery regiment and a 155mm artillery regiment directly under Bai Minghui, as well as half of the Katyusha rocket artillery regiment used by the Russians to pay off their debts, all opened fire at the same time.
The next moment, large-caliber grenades mixed with rockets fell one after another on the armored force's attack path, instantly setting off a cloud of fire and smoke.
Immediately afterwards, a violent gust of air surged up, and large pieces of soil and debris were blown into the sky. The artillery fire of the Anmin Army tore through the battlefield, and the shock wave swept across the entire area.
Neither the buried mines nor the erected barbed wire or chevaux de frise could survive such artillery fire.
"Tanks, attack!" Li Mingcheng suddenly raised his hand and swung his right fist. His voice was transmitted to the entire armored force through the throat intercom.
The tank in front immediately moved into action, its tracks roaring and crushing the ground, its engine roaring at full speed, and its exhaust pipe spewing thick smoke.
Li Mingcheng's M24 Chaffee command vehicle also started quickly. The driver stepped on the accelerator, the tank shook violently, the tracks engaged the soil, and rushed forward at an extremely fast speed.
The antenna on the car body and Li Mingcheng, with half of his body exposed, were shaking slightly due to inertia.
On the radio, the battalion commanders reported:
"The 134th Battalion understands!" "The 138th Battalion understands!" "The 129th Motorized Infantry Battalion, move forward!"
The driver of the M24 immediately shifted into forward gear. Li Mingcheng felt his body tremble, and then the tank under him suddenly rushed out.
Although there were only two armored battalions and one motorized battalion, the entire armored force advanced forward like a torrent amid the roar of artillery fire and the roar of engines.
Thick smoke and dust rose from the tracks and tires, the earth trembled, and the scene of thousands of troops galloping was unfolding on this South Asian battlefield.
This armored assault force formed a standard wedge-shaped attack formation, with the Sherman with a high-penetration 76mm long-barreled gun leading the way in the center.
This high-velocity artillery has a straight trajectory and is easy to aim. When using the M62 capped armor-piercing projectile, it can penetrate 105mm homogeneous steel armor at a distance of 1500M. It is a weapon developed by White Eagle specifically for the Hans Tiger heavy tank.
Li Mingcheng placed them in the front specifically to hunt down enemy armored targets from a long distance.
Behind them were the Shermans equipped with 75mm short-barreled guns, and on both wings were the more maneuverable M24 Chaffee tanks, which were not only responsible for guarding the flanks, but also for using their high speed and maneuverability to make flanking attacks and strike enemy positions at critical moments.
In front of the armored force are support-type Lynx vehicles equipped with M2HB heavy machine guns or 105mm recoilless guns, which are responsible for fire reconnaissance and clearing possible hidden enemy positions in advance.
Behind them are transport-type Lynx vehicles carrying infantry and advancing with them. These infantry will quickly get off the vehicles after the battle begins, clear the enemy's remaining firepower points, and ensure that the assault formation will not be disturbed.
(The engine horsepower is relatively low, so the original Lynx cannot transport troops with heavy weapons and ammunition, and vice versa)
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At the forward observation post of John's 36th Infantry Division, Corporal Paul leaned against the bunker boredly, staring at the gray horizon in the distance.
The new recruit from York Harbor had been here for a while. The entire front line was silent, as if the war was far away from them.
The friendly 50th Armored Brigade had long since relaxed its vigilance. Near noon, some soldiers even started to eat. Occasionally, Paul could hear the sound of a harmonica coming from the trenches in the rear.
Suddenly, Paul felt the earth beneath his feet shake.