Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 113 The fight begins

"We now have a mixed armored division, a mechanized infantry division, an air defense brigade, and a heavy artillery brigade."

Standing before the military map, Lu Lin was analyzing the disparity in strength between the enemy and himself: "In the southwest, a complete armored division is assembling in Sergiad and Zion. Although the designation has not yet been confirmed, reconnaissance reports indicate that it is at least a complete armored division. Meanwhile, the enemy's 45th Armored Brigade and Kurdish Armored Division in the north have completed their deployments, and scouts have also discovered traces of infantry division movements."

Shuangzhi's armored division was modeled after the United States' "light division" organization, which included two combat commands (two brigades). Each combat command had two tank battalions, one mechanized infantry battalion, and one artillery battalion. When fully staffed, it had 180 tanks and about 5000 personnel.

The armored divisions in Zion are generally referred to as "combined combat groups," consisting of two to three armored brigades, plus a mechanized infantry brigade, an artillery brigade, and various support units (air defense, reconnaissance, engineers). An armored brigade contains three armored regiments, each with forty tanks, and some are also equipped with motorized units, with a strength of 6000 to 8000 personnel. The organization is flexible and falls into the category of heavy divisions.

A moment of silence fell over the operations room.

Lu Lin looked around at everyone and said his opinion: "Our most important task right now is to avoid being attacked from both sides, to buy as much time as possible, and to hold out until supplies and reinforcements arrive."

Ibrahim immediately responded: "I have ordered the engineering corps to lay anti-tank mines along the Sergiad Highway and deployed tiered anti-tank teams."

At the same time, we can request air support to focus our attacks on Zion's supply lines. By slowing the enemy's advance in the southwest, we can concentrate our forces to eliminate the Kurdish armored division in the north.

Bandar interjected: "But our armored forces are at a clear disadvantage. In the previous rounds of fighting, the exchange ratio between the M60A1 and Chieftain tanks was close to 2:1, and even against Centurion tanks, it could only barely achieve 1:1! In open terrain, our chances of winning a head-on battle are not high."

"Who said we were going to take the initiative?"

Lu Lin pointed out the key point directly: "We are indeed anxious, but Zion is even more anxious than us. They know very well that once the United States or Ant's reinforcements arrive, what awaits them will be a continuous war of attrition. At that time, their supply line of more than 500 kilometers will become a fatal weakness."

Lu Lin then positioned his command baton across the middle of the line between Sergiad and Ghanam, creating a barrier: "So even if we successfully block Sergiad's armored division, the 45th Brigade and the Kurdish armored division to the north will definitely launch an attack."

"The 45th Brigade's armored forces have already been crippled by us, and the Kurds mainly rely on light tanks. Once they show a weakness, our opportunity will arrive!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sergei, 210th Division, Zion.

Leading an armored division composed entirely of reserves made Lieutenant General Laden feel like a kindergarten teacher.

In the first 48 hours of the war, Zion completed a nationwide mobilization, gathering more than 350,000 troops, but this also resulted in uneven quality among the troops.

Fortunately, Zion has a universal conscription system, and many soldiers are veterans who have experienced the Six-Day War and even the Suez Canal War. Although their condition has declined, they are at least stronger than the enemy.

Thinking of this, Lieutenant General Laden couldn't help but smile bitterly. Who would have thought that during World War II, European countries competed to see whose troops were more elite, but on the Middle East battlefield, they became a contest of who was the worst?
"report!"

The staff officer strode into the tent. "The Shuangzhi Air Force has begun airstrikes on our supply lines. The 7th Armored Company encountered a pre-prepared minefield on its way, losing two tanks and one infantry fighting vehicle, and suffering several casualties."

His adjutant laughed and said, "This Major General Amir is clearly different from other Arab officers. He knows to target our supply lines and attack them. You can tell he's using his brain in this war."

Arab armies are notoriously rigid, prone to launching armored group charges and often sending their own troops to their deaths.

During the Six-Day War, Zion forces would incorporate captured Arab tanks into their own forces, and sometimes after the battle, they would find that their number of tanks had actually increased.

"After all, the population size is there, and even inferior races will always produce one or two smart people."

Lieutenant General Laden took the intelligence very seriously: "Since the Prime Minister and General Yeshavishen have both mentioned his name, we must do everything we can to nip this potential threat in the bud before it grows."

“That makes sense.” The adjutant nodded in deep agreement.

"Notify all units," Lieutenant General Ladan said after a moment's thought, "to switch to a steady advance tactic. All armored units must maintain mutual support distance."

He walked to the map and pointed to the mark to the north: "Contact the Kurdish 'Spear of Freedom' armored division and the 45th Brigade, and have them immediately put pressure on the Shuangzhi defensive line to deplete their defensive strength. We must win this battle quickly!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Hitt, 45th Panzer Brigade Command.

Major General Cohen was standing in the makeshift command tent, discussing the battle plan with Kurdish commander Lieutenant General Diyar Balek, when a phone call came in from the 210th Division.

"What?" Lieutenant General Dial frowned, his voice filled with obvious dissatisfaction: "We clearly agreed to launch an attack together, so why are we being sent as the vanguard to wear down Shuangzhi's firepower?"

"Aren't we still here?" Major General Cohen frowned as well, his tone hardening. "Don't forget, Balam is now occupied by Shuangzhi, and your oil can't be transported out. We still have to fight!"

Lieutenant General Diar looked reluctant.

These ungrateful bastards!
Major General Cohen cursed inwardly. The Kurdish armed forces were almost entirely equipped and trained by Zion, yet here they were haggling with him.

At the same time, he couldn't help but resent Lieutenant General Laden in his heart. Wasn't this pushing him to the front line as well?

It's true what they say: a higher-ranking official can crush you.

Lieutenant General Dial's eyes flickered. He silently stared at the Zion Major General before him, and finally nodded slowly: "Yes, you're right, we still have to fight."

Major General Cohen breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, this guy wasn't so stubborn.

Lieutenant General Diyal picked up the radio and ordered the frontline troops: "Pass on my orders—"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

From Ghanam to Hit, the defensive position of the 2nd Company of the 17th Mechanized Infantry Regiment. Corporal Abdul is piling up sandbags, while Platoon Leader Khalid is observing the distant direction of Hit through binoculars—they are now only 150 kilometers away from Hit, and if the enemy were to launch a charge, they could rush up to them in one fell swoop.

At that moment, Khalid saw dust rising from the horizon, gradually merging into a vast expanse. He kicked Abdul beside him and shouted, "Get ready! The enemy troops are coming!"

The anti-tank team immediately got ready, driving a jeep behind the bunker with an oversized gun barrel on top of it—an M40 recoilless rifle.

Meanwhile, the demolition team was also ready; they had laid anti-tank mines and explosives on the road.

After all, anti-tank mines can be triggered by mine-clearing plows, but explosives cannot.

Tactical debriefing meetings are now popular in the military. I heard it's a habit that came down from above. This way of summarizing experiences in real time is very popular with soldiers, and some people who come up with good ideas may even get rewards or promotion opportunities.

"Let them get closer before you fire," Platoon Leader Khalid ordered.

He noticed that the enemy's armored forces were advancing at an unusually rapid pace, with centurions leading the charge. Now, the veterans of Shuangzhi who had been on the battlefield knew the appearance of these tanks like the back of their hand.

"It's Kurdish troops!" Abdul grinned, his face showing no fear, but rather a hint of excitement.

The successive victories have given the soldiers at the grassroots level of Shuangzhi enough confidence that they are not afraid to face even Zion's main force.

Not to mention these underlings of Zion.

Unlike the Zionist army's cautious reconnaissance formations, the Kurdish forces launched a direct wedge-shaped charge.

The lead tank column opened fire the moment it spotted the trenches. Main guns roared, coaxial machine guns spat fire, and bullets churned up trails of dust at the front of the position.

They were completely unaware that they had entered a minefield.

Khalid ducked and silently counted in his mind, and then the explosion came as expected.

A Centurion tank burst into flames with a loud bang, and the tank crewmen, engulfed in flames, tumbled out of the turret hatch.

"Demolition Team!"

The explosions shook the plains, and another Centurion truck was blown upside down, its road wheels still spinning in the air.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish vanguard had already crossed the marker.

"Fire!" shouted Platoon Leader Khalid.

The anti-tank gun hidden behind the bunker opened fire, and the 106mm armor-piercing rounds, with a penetration depth of 400mm, slammed into the target, just exceeding the thickness of the Centurion's frontal armor. Almost as long as it hit the target, it would completely disable the tank.

To be honest, the Kurds' combat skills are not even as good as those of the Arab army.

Before receiving aid from Zion, they didn't even have a regular army.

The gunner in charge of operating the M40 was having a blast. Is this what it feels like to stomp on newbies?

The Kurdish forces, having been dealt a heavy blow, finally reacted and began firing smoke grenades for cover, while simultaneously sending sappers to clear mines.

However, Shuangzhi's defensive positions were multi-tiered, and were not just equipped with infantry trenches and anti-tank weapons.

"Calling artillery positions," Khalid grabbed the radio, "Initiate fire coverage at the designated coordinates, focusing on their infantry!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the command center, news came that the front lines had been engaged in combat, and Lu Lin was pacing back and forth in front of the battle map with his hands behind his back.

"Why don't you sit down and rest for a while? My eyes are getting dizzy from looking at all this," Ibrahim advised.

“I can understand how he feels right now,” Bandar said. “It is true that a commander cannot always know the situation on the front lines.”

In fact, Bandar was right by accident. Although Lu Lin's eagle-like field of vision had a wide range, it was not without limits. At least, he could only learn about what was happening 50 kilometers away through battle reports.

"Why don't you call a tank and go check out the front lines yourself? It's not far anyway," Bandar suggested half-jokingly.

As soon as he finished speaking, all the officers in the command post stared at him, their eyes filled with warning.

Bandar cleared his throat awkwardly: "I was just saying."

Just then, a piercing crackling sound came from the radio. The communications soldier quickly picked up the phone, and a moment later turned to report, "Major General!"

Lu Lin abruptly stopped in his tracks: "What's going on?"

"The Second Company reports that ammunition is running out and requests urgent supply support!"

"Great!" Upon hearing this news, Lu Lin's tense shoulders visibly relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face: "The fact that they need shells means they not only held out, but they also won! Well done!"

(End of this chapter)