Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 155 Bandar Has a Clever Plan

Unfortunately, Commander Shmuel, who was directing operations on the west bank of the Zion-Hashim Valley, was in a much worse situation than Prime Minister Hilbert had imagined.

Since Shuangzhi's firepower coverage is still ongoing, he is not even clear about the situation at the front, but based on experience, the enemy will certainly not choose just one beachhead as a breakthrough point, and he must make the worst-case scenario plan.

Just then, the phone rang at headquarters. It was General Yeshavishin calling, who went straight to the point: "Shmuel, the general command may be unable to provide you with the originally planned support troops."

General Yeshavishin then explained the tactics discussed in the meeting to Shmuel, saying, "You should understand what this means. Once the enemy's supplies are cut off, you can not only defend passively, but you can also organize your forces to launch a counterattack."

Shmuel remained silent for a few seconds before finally revealing the truth: the front lines were already embroiled in fierce fighting.

Upon learning that the valley defenses had been breached, Yesavishen was shocked: "What? How is this possible!"

Shmuel: "That Amir on the other side is very cunning. He first launched a precise barrage of fire on our valley defense points, then sent out his main force to feign an attack to draw attention, while actually using the cover to pave a road at the bottom of the valley."

He stopped mid-sentence, as if he were making excuses.

Jesus Wissen fell silent after hearing this.

“It’s not your fault.” After a moment, the Zion commander sighed. “You’re not the only one. All the other colleagues who have fought against Amir say he’s a cunning opponent.”

Yeshavishin paused for a moment: "But your most urgent task now is to plug the gap in the defensive line and prevent it from turning into a rout! I will immediately transfer an armored division from Jerusalem to support you. In the meantime, you must remain nailed to the valley and not retreat a single step!"

The defenders of Jerusalem were originally prepared to launch a flanking attack, but now they are forced to engage in frontal assaults, which will result in significant losses.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Commander Shmuel answered in a deep voice and hung up the phone.

After receiving support, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief and then issued the order: "Immediately contact all lost positions on the front line to restore communication and understand the specific situation. Also, notify the 8th and 12th Mechanized Brigades to be ready to fill in the gaps at any time!"

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.

Lu Lin looked up and saw that the once azure sky was now filled with black smoke and intertwined flight contrails, while more Mirage IIIs were rushing towards them, trying to break through the coalition's ground air defense network.

The air raid sirens around the command post never stopped.

He could understand that they were too close to Tel Aviv; they were like a torch approaching a "hive," attracting countless wasps to launch a frenzied attack.

Fortunately, their air defenses were quite solid, and both sides suffered losses in several rounds of combat.

Flames woven from M163 "Vulcan" missiles stretched into the sky from all directions, and black smoke rose from all sides. After a moment, Lu Lin withdrew his gaze, no longer focusing on the aerial battlefield.

"Commander, according to the intelligence sent back by Major General Bandar, in the first wave of the offensive, we have already established three secure landing sites on the west bank of the valley!" the staff officer reported.

OK!

Lu Lin's eyes lit up, and he immediately issued the next operational order: "Dispatch all engineering units to immediately reinforce the already cleared paths and build hardened roads that can accommodate heavy equipment as quickly as possible."

Simultaneously, the air defense battalion was ordered to advance first, followed closely by the artillery group, to set up artillery positions on the reverse slope of the valley to suppress the enemy's assembly area and second defensive echelon, clearing obstacles for the next offensive phase!

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.

On the west bank of the Hashim River, amidst the chaos of the battlefield, three Zion Chieftain tanks formed a fragile triangular defensive formation, relying on a reverse slope and pre-dug bunkers.

They were a tank platoon. Platoon leader Evie's tank, numbered 1A, was in the center, while the crews of the other two tanks were newly recruited soldiers.

Opposite them was a hilly area with almost no cover, and several kilometers away, a dozen M60A1 tanks were rushing towards them.

"We're on the reverse slope, so the people on the other side can't see us. Make good use of this advantage."

Evie ordered over the radio: "Keep your guns steady and wait until you are about 2000 meters before firing."

"1B received."

"1C received."

Evie ordered his gunners: "Ready at 2000 meters, load armor-piercing rounds, target the lead tank."

The loader pushed the projectile and propellant charge into the breech: "Loading complete!"

Through his binoculars, Evie could see the billowing smoke rising from the other side. He silently calculated the approximate distance, then shouted, "Fire!"

The gunner repeated, "Fire!"

As the gunner pressed the fire button, a bright flame burst from the muzzle of the 120mm main gun. Immediately afterwards, the tank, weighing tens of tons, was jolted back half a step by the enormous recoil, and dust billowed from under the tracks.

Through the binoculars, Evie saw the first shell land about five meters to the left of the lead M60A1.

He shouted again, "Ballistic to the right, correction 2.5! Distance 1500 meters!"

"Correction 2.5! Distance 1500 meters!"

"Reload!"

"it is good!"

At the same time, two other Chieftain tanks driven by new recruits also opened fire, and several shells landed in front of the tanks opposite, causing the ground to explode like a fountain.

Since everyone was on the same wavelength, Evie could hear the recruits cursing and began to recalibrate the angle.

On the opposite side, Shuangzhi's tank force had clearly also noticed the danger and began to disperse to find cover.

However, the vehicle at the very front clearly underestimated the terrain and plunged headfirst into the anti-tank ditch that Zion had prepared in advance, instantly getting stuck.

"Fire!" Evie roared.

The 120mm main gun roared again, this time hitting the M60A1's turret squarely. With the black smoke from the explosion, the opposing main battle tank was instantly reduced to burning scrap metal.

"1A hits".

Evie immediately directed his crew to reverse.

At that moment, he noticed that 1B on his right was still firing from the same spot, and he could hear their excited exchange over the radio—it turned out that one of their shells had hit the track of an M60A1, and they were now preparing to reload and deliver a fatal blow. "1B, take cover," Evie warned.

Upon hearing the order, the driver of tank 1B immediately retreated down the slope, leaving the commander with no choice but to abandon his plan to finish off the enemy.

But it turned out that Evie's choice was correct. Just as 1B was retreating from the high point, a high-explosive shell landed on the slope directly in front of it, creating a large crater.

"We have too few tanks. We need three tanks that can keep firing continuously."

Evie warned over the radio: "If any of our vehicles becomes inoperable, we will have to abandon this line and retreat!"

"1B understands."

"1C understands."

After a brief exchange, Shuangzhi's attack was temporarily halted. Then, the engineers attempted to build a makeshift bridge, but this action was immediately met with machine gun fire from Evie.

Through the binoculars, the commander of the 1B tank breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the Shuangzhi engineers taking cover from the strafing. It seemed that these anti-tank ditches were effective not only against the Surya, but also against the Shuangzhi.

"Ha! They're not that great!"

Tom, the gunner of 1C, shouted excitedly on the radio. The recruits' initial panic had been replaced by the excitement of destroying the enemy vehicle.

"Stay focused, pay attention to where they are preparing to build the bridge, and strike them with concentrated force."

But Evie, a veteran, didn't relax at all; he knew this was just the beginning.

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.

"Anti-tank ditch?"

Major General Bandar, who was commanding at the front, soon received news that the vanguard had suffered a setback.

The scouts reported: "Zion has dug anti-tank trenches specifically for T-62s and M60A1s. These trenches are over four meters wide and three meters deep. If we dare to charge through them, the tanks will get stuck vertically in the trenches and won't be able to move."

Bandar pondered for a moment. Last year in Kudapah, these anti-tank ditches caused the armored onslaught of Surya's forces. Zion's 177th Brigade relied on these anti-tank ditches and point-fire tactics to achieve an astonishing 1:8 exchange ratio.

The best way to deal with anti-tank ditches is to send engineers out at night to fill them in, but let alone wait until night, now every minute the enemy reinforcements are getting closer to them.

Bandar pictured the M60A1 stuck in the anti-tank ditch, and suddenly a brilliant idea struck him.

"However, doing it this way might get me scolded to death by the lieutenant general."

He touched his chin, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"I can't control that much anymore!"

He immediately issued the order: "Order the M113 infantry fighting vehicles of the 3rd Armored Battalion to be loaded with sandbags and charge at full speed into the anti-tank ditch! Self-propelled artillery and the remaining tanks to provide concentrated fire support! Cover the entire area with smoke grenades!"

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.

Evie heard the roar of engines coming from afar again.

"Is it an M113 this time? Are they trying to carry infantry and force their way through?"

But the surrounding area is all vast plains, with no cover whatsoever.

Gunner Tom's excited voice came through the radio: "Hey! They've gone mad! They can't even get through with tanks, and they're still trying to rely on infantry fighting vehicles? When they're forced to stop by the anti-tank ditch, I'll send them straight to meet their God!"

However, as expected, the M113 did not slow down at all; instead, it accelerated at full speed and headed towards them.

"wrong!"

The experienced Evie instantly understood the enemy's intentions, a chill running down his spine: "They're planning to use M113s to fill the trenches! Aim at those armored vehicles! Quick!!"

Chieftain 1A's gunners received orders to fire first.

Unfortunately, the M113 was too fast, and the explosions that landed around them did not stop their advance.

It was too late for Evie to fire a second shot. Dense smoke grenades were fired from behind the M113, and a thick wall of smoke quickly spread out, obscuring the view.

"They rushed into the smoke!"

"1C cannot see the target!"

A brief silence fell over the battlefield.

Although he couldn't see the field of vision, Ivy could already imagine the scene of the M113 crashing into the anti-tank ditch.

His Adam's apple rolled.

The M113's length is just over four meters, which corresponds to the width of the anti-tank ditch. Although the vehicle's height is less than the depth of the ditch, it is still enough for the tank to "use leverage" to climb out of the anti-tank ditch.

Evie had considered this method of filling trenches, but the problem was that it was too "brutal." No unit would be so extravagant as to use perfectly good armored personnel carriers as consumables just to fill in ditches.
He seemed to hear the sound of tank tracks rolling over the aluminum roof of the M113.

In fact, he hadn't misheard.

The next second, an M60A1 tank crossed the anti-tank ditch and burst out of the smoke!

Its front end is raised high, like the forelegs of a warhorse!

"Fire! All fire!" Evie yelled into the radio.

But it was too late. Behind that M60A1, more than a dozen Shuangzhi tanks also crossed the anti-tank ditch. The moment their front bumpers hit the ground, their cannons spewed out angry flames!

Shells rained down on the slope in front of them, forcing the tank platoon to retreat.

Despair filled Evie's eyes; their defensive line had collapsed at this moment.

(End of this chapter)