Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 114 The Last Cavalry
Behind the Kurdish positions, looking at the burning tank wreckage and scattered soldiers in the distance, Major Saladin put down his binoculars and strode towards his command vehicle.

"Assemble the reserves," he told his adjutant. "I will lead them myself."

The adjutant opened his mouth: "But sir, the staff officer in Zion said..."

"To hell with the Zion strategist!" Saladin whirled around, staring into his adjutant's eyes. "The Kurds are capable of handling their own problems!"

Major Saladin participated in the Mahabad Uprising and the Mustafa Uprising. He participated in every Kurdish resistance and uprising movement in the past two decades, dedicating his life to the independence and liberation of Kurds.

As a Kurd, he possessed the same pride as the scimitar at his waist.

The young soldiers in the reserve lined up silently, and Saladin adjusted their equipment one by one, not forgetting to give each of them a heavy pat on the shoulder.

“Remember, we are not fighting for others!” His gaze swept across the faces of these young men of his own people. “We are fighting for the future and hope of this nation, for the land and dignity that have been taken from us. May the glory of Amalik be with us!”

And so, the Kurdish armored column regrouped, led by Saladin himself. He was directing an AMX-30 when an engineer ran over to report: "Sir, the minefield ahead has not been cleared yet."

"We will not attack from the front; instead, we will use our high mobility to launch a flanking attack from the side and find a weak point in the defense to break through."

Major Saladin said, "Just like in Baghdad, the Arabs rely heavily on sights. If we can quickly get behind their lines, we can catch them off guard."

The Kurds' tactic caused considerable trouble for the defenders of Al-Iraq. At the time, Al-Iraq was equipped with T-62 tanks and a few T-55 tanks. These tanks had a design flaw: insufficient electric motor power. The electric motor used in the T-62 had an output power of only 4 kilowatts, while the Chieftain had an output power of over 7 kilowatts.

Moreover, Ant's designers seemed to believe that the T-62's main gun stabilizer hydraulic system was the top priority, so they allocated a large portion of the remaining power to it, which resulted in the T-62's turret rotating extremely slowly.

On the Kurdish side, a large number of AMX series light tanks have been adopted. As the fastest imported tank in the entire Middle East, the AMX-30 has almost abandoned all armor in order to reduce weight, which is a typical example of the French approach.

Combined with highly mobile motorized units, their main strategy is "hit and run." With a movement speed of over 60 kilometers per hour, plus the cover of smoke grenades or night, they can easily approach the Arabs' infantry trenches or anti-tank positions, followed by a barrage of grenades. Sometimes, they will even deliberately use their tracks to crush the trenches.

But what Major Saladin didn't expect was that this time he was facing not the Arab armies in the battle reports, but the Shuangzhi, which was completely different in terms of tactics and weaponry.

At Lu Lin's request, the forward positions were arranged into a multi-layered, in-depth defense system. The first line consisted of light anti-tank teams equipped with machine guns and anti-tank rocket launchers. The second line consisted of fixed firing points composed of anti-tank guns such as the M40 recoilless rifle. At the same time, engineers also laid mixed minefields on the front and sides. If any enemy forces attempted to concentrate their firepower to break through, the rapid reaction force would quickly fill the gaps.

The Kurdish armored forces were still holding the line on the main battlefield. In Centurion tank crew number 177, Lieutenant Zod placed the anti-tank position of the Twins on the crosshair of the sight. The telescope was equipped with a simple ballistic reticle and was compatible with APDS ammunition for the L7 gun. After confirming that everything was correct, he shouted "Fire!"

The Centurion, weighing over fifty tons, was pushed back half a meter by the recoil, and a ball of orange-red fire burst from the muzzle of the 105mm main gun, its trajectory drawing a spiral vortex in the smoke.

Lieutenant Zod stared at the trajectory of the shell, but he saw the anti-tank vehicle on the opposite position inexplicably begin to retreat. The shell drew a slightly downward arc in the air and flew past the position.

"Damn it!" Lieutenant Zod lost his composure and cursed angrily. What kind of shitty luck is this!
"Reload!"

He shouted and began looking for a new target.

However, Lieutenant Zod made a very serious mistake: the tank did not move after firing, and the firing also exposed the position of the 177 crew.

Lieutenant Zod peered through the scope of his MK.3, but what he saw this time sent chills down his spine: an M40 was pointing its dark gun barrel at him.

Immediately afterwards, a flash of light appeared at the muzzle of the cannon.

A blazing white shell flew against the trajectory of the bullet in his scope, its trajectory perfectly matching the target's.

Immediately afterward, to Lieutenant Zod's despair, the centurion's turret was hit. The anti-tank gun landed right in front of him, the shell piercing through the armor and shattering the sight.

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.

Major Saladin, who commanded the light armored forces, had already outflanked them. Based on his past experience, Arab soldiers liked to wait in their trenches with anti-tank rocket launchers in hand as their tanks approached.

"Remember the coordinates, we're going to run them over!" Major Saladin ordered over the radio.

So the mobile force began firing as it weaved through the gaps in Shuangzhi's position, like Mahabad cavalry galloping across the desert. The assault team didn't encounter any landmines along the way and quickly broke through the first line of defense thanks to its high mobility.

At this moment, Major Saladin also spotted the M40 recoilless rifles lying in ambush on the hillside. The thick, black barrels resembled oversized "anti-tank sniper rifles." It was these anti-tank weapons that caused heavy losses to the Kurdish armored forces.

"Attack from the flank, don't give them any angle to fire," Major Saladin clenched his fist. "Let these dual-race people see what Kurdish cavalry really are!"

Because the smoke grenades on the battlefield were so dense, Major Saladin could not make out the situation on the main battlefield. His original plan was to use firepower to contain the enemy on the main battlefield, and then let them carry out harassment and surprise attacks.

However, the Kurdish equipment troops had already been forced into a passive defensive posture by the anti-tank firepower of the two nations, which ironically made their flank force more conspicuous.

Suddenly, a tank unit appeared in front of them, unleashing fierce firepower.

This is Shuangzhi's support force. An armored personnel carrier was hit by the main gun of the M60A1 and burst into flames on the spot.

"Throw a smoke grenade!"

Facing the enemy's main tank head-on, Major Saladin remained remarkably calm: "Remember the method we used against the Al-Iraq. Use our agility to flank them and attack their tanks from behind!"

But his plan was quickly thwarted. Major Saladin had just given the order over the radio when the command vehicle he was in suddenly felt weightless. The violent impact caused a cut on his forehead from the periscope, and blood flowed out immediately.

Smoke grenades exploded around him, providing cover for his teammates. Major Saladin struggled to open the hatch and peek out, only to find the tank had plunged into a hidden ditch with sharp metal stakes stuck in the bottom.

This was a "V"-shaped anti-tank ditch set up by Shuangzhi, and it was even specially camouflaged. "Get out! Prepare for defense!" Saladin kicked open the hatch and was the first to jump out.

The AMX-30 is like a warhorse that has been leashed, its right track still spinning in vain, unable to break free, its engine roaring angrily but in vain.

Just then, a scout's report came over the radio: "Sir, enemy infantry spotted on the right!"

Saladin immediately retreated into the turret, preparing to retaliate using the coaxial machine gun of the main gun.

He saw Shuangzhi's anti-tank infantry peeking out of the trench, but instead of getting closer, they threw grenades and smoke bombs at the tank's suspended chassis.

With several violent explosions, the engine's roar ceased, but fortunately, no fire was caused. Saladin nudged the driver, only to find that the man's body slumped to the side, revealing a small, translucent hole in the front of his armor.

Meanwhile, the armored forces of both sides were engaged in a melee. An AMX-30 pushed its horsepower to the limit, trying to use the terrain and cover to get around to the side of Shuangzhi's tanks and attack their weaker armor.

They had used this tactic many times in the Kikurk oil field and the Baghdad battlefield. The commander of the 101 crew ordered an emergency stop and aimed, but to their dismay, the opposing Shuangzhi crew was also taking advantage of their emergency stop, and their turrets kept rotating with their trajectory.

Then the M60A1 opened fire.

The high-explosive shell tore through the AMX-30's frontal armor, which was only 50mm thick. The crew inside didn't even have time to escape before the entire tank exploded and then burst into flames from the inside out.

Saladin heard someone calling his name outside the tank, then the hood was opened, and several blood-stained hands dragged him out of the vehicle.

"Sir, the enemy was prepared, their firepower is too strong!" said the adjutant, who was covered in blood.

Saladin looked around and saw only burning armored vehicles and fallen soldiers.

The Kurds have very strict military discipline. To prevent the Arabs from being "overwhelmed by a single charge," the Kurds will execute all fleeing and deserting soldiers on the battlefield.

This strategy was very effective when facing the Al-Iraq, and it could boost the morale of the soldiers to some extent.

Saladin underestimated his opponents; they were facing a true elite force, far inferior in terms of skill, firepower, and tactics.

They lost this battle.

"Have the remaining vehicles assemble, gather the smoke grenades, and prepare to evacuate," Saladin said to his adjutant. "Tell them it's my order."

He tore off his own epaulets and handed them, along with his scimitar, to his adjutant.

The meaning is self-evident.

The adjutant took the curved sword, his hands trembling slightly.

"I'm entrusting the future to you."

Saladin originally wanted to say something like "the heavy responsibility of national revival" or "national liberation," but he stopped himself when he was about to speak.

Those who remain in the past should not become a shackle for the next generation.

He saw the RPG in the infantryman's hand, his eyes lit up, and he said, "Leave this for me."

Upon hearing this, the soldier quickly handed it to him, saying, "I've already pulled the safety, so you can just fire directly."

"Thank you," Saladin said.

The soldiers were somewhat flattered.

"Hurry up and leave, or it'll be too late," Saladin said impatiently, waving his hand.

All the soldiers, including his adjutant, saluted him and then quickly left the battlefield.

"The crown will eventually fall to the ground, just as the sun will eventually set in the west."

Saladin shouldered the rocket launcher, looked at the M60A1 firing on the hillside, and charged forward with all his might.

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.

The soldiers of Shuangzhi were stunned. They saw an officer covered in blood charging alone toward their position, roaring in a language they couldn't understand.

The M40 gunner hurriedly turned the gun barrel around.

“Fire!”

The 106mm shell whistled out and struck Saladin squarely in the chest.

His body was torn to pieces in the explosion, with blood, flesh, and fragments of his uniform raining down.

(End of this chapter)