Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 234 "True Loyalty" (Part 1)

The piercing air raid sirens blared across the skies above Haifa.

Like stirring up a hornet's nest, countless fighter jets hastily took off from the Ramat David Air Base to retaliate against the Arab raid and seize air superiority.

What awaited them was the SA-6 air defense missile system deployed by Surya in Hamana, as well as a variety of mixed, low-rate-of-fire anti-aircraft guns.

Tracer rounds soared into the sky, and the piercing roar of fighter jets echoed from time to time beneath the clouds. People on the ground looked up and could see the contrails and flashes of anti-aircraft missiles intertwining in the air, illuminating the entire city in a flickering light.

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.

Soon after, Gorodish was escorted to the new city defense headquarters by a group of fully armed soldiers. Police Chief Mehtner and his subordinates walked towards Gorodish and saluted him.

After a brief greeting, Gorodish asked, "Why didn't you go to the previous city defense command post? What happened?"

Chief of Staff Mechtner reported with a somber expression: "Our previous city defense command was bombed, and Commander Ido, along with his staff officer Sanio and operations chief Deli, all... were killed in action."

Gorodish was stunned.

Mechtner added, "Judging from the traces at the scene, the enemy most likely used a 203mm heavy howitzer. The former command post is now just a large shell crater."

203?

Precision bombardment?

Upon hearing those words, Gorodish got goosebumps instantly, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

The police and city defense officers present might not understand what this meant, but he, an instructor who had dealt with Arabs countless times on the front lines, knew all too well that this terrifying decapitation ability to use a large-caliber heavy artillery as a sniper rifle was practically a defining characteristic of him.

Chief of Staff Menachem was still asking for instructions: "General, what's our next step..."

"I must move immediately!"

Gorodish abruptly interrupted him, his voice firm and unwavering, "Take me to the Air Force underground command! Now!"

Standing to the side, Ira—the lieutenant colonel of the General Staff reconnaissance team—could hardly believe his ears. The first clear order from this general, whom he had painstakingly found and who was one of the top figures in the military, was to run away again.

Chief of Staff Mechtner attempted to explain: "General, we have complete communication and command facilities here. You can command the entire city's police and defense forces from here..."

But he was interrupted again when Gorodish asked a new question: "Do you have basements here? The kind that are protected from bombing?"

Upon hearing this question, even the Chief of Staff found it somewhat absurd. "Uh, although... although there aren't any dedicated bomb shelters here, our location is extremely well-hidden, and the building is a sturdy reinforced concrete structure. Please rest assured, it won't be that easy..."

"You don't understand at all!!"

Gorodish suddenly roared out of control, his face turning bright red: "You have no idea what you're about to face! He'll hit me right on the head! Then your heads will go with mine!"

These words silenced the entire command center instantly.

Many young police officers who had recently enlisted were filled with astonishment. They were full of enthusiasm and ready to defend their country, but they never expected that the first reaction of the supreme commander would be like this.

Lieutenant Colonel Ira opened his mouth, but then hesitated and stopped.

"Return to Lamat David Air Force Base immediately!"

Gorodish pointed sharply at Ira, as if he had foreseen it: "You, Lieutenant Colonel Ira Ben-David, I hereby appoint you! You are now to replace the fallen Ido! You have been promoted to colonel! You are in full charge here! The rest of you, follow me!"

After saying that, he turned and strode out without waiting for anyone's reaction.

Chief of Staff Mechtner paused for a moment, glanced at Ira, who was frozen in place, with a complicated expression, and then quickly followed Gorodish.

Behind them were a large number of armed police officers, many of whom were veterans and truly elite. The originally crowded office area was suddenly mostly empty.

Era stood alone, a complex mix of anger, shame, and immense pressure churning within him, which he suppressed with sheer willpower.

He finally raised his hand in the direction the general had left, and gave an extremely solemn and standard military salute.

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.

Gorodish was sitting in an armored car heading towards the air force base, with Chief of Staff Mechtner sitting beside him.

Hearing the sirens blaring throughout the city, along with the faint smoke and shouts, and considering that they still didn't even have a grasp of the enemy's size, Gorodish frowned deeply.

"General, currently in a narrow strip of land 20 to 30 kilometers north of Haifa, my Fifth and Sixth Armies are engaged in fierce fighting with the Surya Army Group and the Shuangzhi Expeditionary Force."

The military staff reported: "Judging from the situation, the entire region has become a mess. Both sides are currently engaged in a high-intensity war of attrition. The specific casualties and changes in the battle lines will probably not be clear until dawn."

Gorodish felt a chill run down his spine; four entire army groups!
If you really think about it, the number of troops deployed by both sides is more than the entire population of Haifa!
Mechtner advised, "General, my suggestion is that we must immediately organize the evacuation of the city's residents to the south..."

"no!"

Gorodish abruptly interrupted him, “Evacuating the residents now will only cause panic throughout the city! The flow of refugees will instantly block all roads, how can our army be mobilized? Issue my order—all residents must stay at home and are strictly prohibited from going out! Anyone who dares to go out on the streets without permission will be punished for treason!”

The first half of these words conformed to military logic, but the second half revealed a harsh and inhumane tone.

Chief of Staff Mechtner hesitated slightly, but nodded and said, "Understood."

He then relayed the order via the vehicle's radio.

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.

Meanwhile, on a side road in the east of the city, Lieutenant Zafield of the Shuangzhi Mechanized Infantry Brigade was leading his squad to infiltrate towards the city center radar station.

Just then, a convoy sped past on the main road. Despite the distance, Zafield immediately recognized that those vehicles were different from the others.

The vehicle had a heavily armored body and a special paint job; it was definitely not an ordinary civilian vehicle.

"Platoon leader," one of the team members also noticed the anomaly, "those vehicles..."

“I see it.” Zafield’s heart skipped a beat. “Change course, let’s follow it and see.”

“But we still have a mission,” another team member reminded us.

“The radar station’s target won’t run away,” Zafield said decisively, “but my gut feeling tells me that there’s a big shot in that car!”

The team members exchanged glances and finally nodded.

They quickly changed direction and, under the cover of darkness, quietly followed the train convoy.

---

As Gorodish's convoy entered the gates of Ramat David Air Force Base, his tense nerves finally relaxed slightly. This was his territory, and the sturdy fortifications and tight defenses gave him a long-lost sense of security.

"General!" Brigadier General Hamish, the Air Force Operations Chief who had been waiting at the entrance of the command building, greeted him.

Gorodish nodded slightly to his subordinates, then glanced warily at the sky and said directly, "Go to the underground command post immediately!"

The group quickly crossed the base and arrived at the entrance of an air-raid shelter hidden on the side of the mountain.

The heavy reinforced concrete gate slowly opened, revealing a downward-sloping passage. They abandoned their car and continued on foot, deeper into the brightly lit tunnel.

After passing through three gates, we finally arrived at the command center, located thirty meters underground.

Only then did Gorodish feel completely at ease. He immediately set up a temporary staff and began to listen to reports.

"Currently, the units that can be mobilized include the 11th Armored Division of the 5th Army and the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division of the 6th Army, which are currently moving into the city," the Chief of the General Staff reported, pointing to the map. "In addition, our 803rd Heavy Artillery Brigade outside the city is ready to fire."

All eyes were on Gorodish, waiting for him to make a decision.

Under the glaring lights of the command center, Gorodish's expression was unusually serious. After a moment of silence, he issued the order: "Order the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division and the 11th Armored Division to immediately move towards Ramat David Air Base and establish a defensive line there."

Before he could finish speaking, a deep, rumbling sound came from overhead, causing dust to fall from the top of the command post. Gorodish instinctively shrank back, his nerves tightening again as he had just relaxed.

"Artillery fire? We've been artillery fire?"

Chaos erupted in the command center. Gorodish grabbed the dedicated telephone on the table and connected to the ground sentry: "This is Air Force Command! Report the ground situation!"

The phone rang with the sounds of intense gunfire and a soldier's urgent report: "General! We're under attack! The enemy is attacking the base!"

"What?" Gorodish's heart pounded. "The air force base has been attacked?"

"Just how many enemies have infiltrated?" a staff officer murmured incredulously. "Why are we the ones being surrounded in Haifa?"

Chief of Staff Mechtner was still standing there, stunned, until he was jolted awake by Gorodish's roar: "What are you still standing there for? Immediately organize your men for defense!"

The chief of staff suddenly realized what was happening and immediately led the police force out of the underground command post.

Brigadier General Hamish approached with a worried expression: "General, I'm afraid the police alone won't be able to hold off the enemy's elite troops."

Gorodish was well aware of this. He took a deep breath and asked, "How much manpower do we still have that we can mobilize?"

“There are still two thousand air force personnel at the base,” Hamish hesitated, “but most of them are logistics and civilian staff, and their combat capabilities are probably not even as good as the police.”

Gorodish was struggling internally. These were the backbone of his carefully cultivated air force, his lifeblood, but the current critical situation did not allow him to think too much.

"Arm all personnel immediately!"

He finally made up his mind: "Their mission is to buy time and hold out until the armored forces 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.

The tank's engine roared deafeningly, and with a loud bang, the barbed wire and concrete barriers surrounding the Ramat David Air Base were smashed open. The M60A1's tracks rolled over the rubble and pushed forward under the fire of the defensive line.

"Forward! Forward!"

Al-Khali stood inside the armored command vehicle, watching the battlefield through the observation window.

Faced with elite army troops, Zion's hastily armed defenses were no match and were quickly routed.

The tanks' main guns easily destroyed the roadblocks, while armored vehicles provided cover for the infantry's steady advance.

Faced with the relentless crushing force of the tracks, the resistance line crumbled.

The heavy machine guns on the armored vehicles spat fire, and bullets swept across the fortifications like scythes. Several policemen who tried to retaliate with rocket launchers were shot down by snipers before they could even get their footing, their bodies convulsing in pools of blood.

What made the Zion defenders even more desperate was that the enemy seemed to be surging in from all directions. They could not only not stop these people's advance, but even their own safety seemed like a pipe dream.

"Clear the left wing!"

"Right-wing suppression complete!"

Shuangzhi's mechanized infantry brigade advanced swiftly and steadily, like a hot knife through butter.

The police officers defending the outside retreated step by step, unable to form an effective defense at all. They subconsciously began to shrink their defensive line and retreat into the air-raid shelter.

“You might actually be right. Judging from their appearance, they really do have a big fish,” Al-Harry said approvingly to Zafield beside him.

“Let me lead the men,” Zafield gripped his rifle tightly. “I’ve been fighting alongside the Marshal for so long, and I still haven’t received the King’s Medal.”

"can."

But Al-Khali then reminded them: "But remember, the victory belongs to us, but the glory belongs to 'Gibrill'."

Zafield replied solemnly, "That's only right."

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.

Meanwhile, in the chaotic city defense command, newly promoted Colonel Ira Ben-David is facing a predicament even more suffocating than the enemy forces outside the city.

He immediately contacted the channel of the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division, whose commander was Brigadier General Waltz, whom he knew well.

“Ira? I heard you’re in charge of the city defense forces now.” Brigadier General Waltz’s voice was slightly distorted, but still clear.

“Yes, the city needs support now. I request that your unit quickly move closer to me, using the headquarters as a base, to jointly eliminate the enemy troops that have infiltrated the city and stabilize the situation.” Ira spoke quickly, with an air of unquestionable authority.

After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the channel, Division Commander Waltz sighed: "I'm sorry, but we have just received direct orders from General Gorodish to immediately assemble the entire force at Lamat David Air Base and establish an outer defensive line."

"Assemble at the air force base?"

Era could hardly believe his ears, his voice rising involuntarily, "What about Haifa? What about the civilians and the troops still resisting? Everyone's going to protect Gorodish, who will protect this city?!"

"I'm sorry." The division commander's voice was low and helpless. "We are soldiers, and obeying orders is our duty."

Ella helplessly loosened his clenched fist, looked up at the ceiling where dust had fallen due to the tremor, and was overwhelmed by a huge sense of helplessness.

Behind him was a group of young police officers whose eyes held expectation, yet whose inexperience was undeniable.

"So how many men do you have under your command right now?" The division commander hesitated for a moment before asking.

Era glanced back at the young faces and replied, "All told, 170, most of them are police."

There was another silence on the communication channel, with only the crackling sound of electricity audible.

Finally, based on their past relationship, Division Commander Waltz said, "...How about this, I'll transfer two mechanized infantry battalions to you in the name of the reserve force, but that's the limit of what I can do. The rest is up to you."

"Thank you."

Yila breathed a long sigh of relief; this was truly a godsend.

He hung up the call and immediately bent down in front of the map, whereupon the officers behind him surrounded him.

"Just now, our reinforcements arrived. The two divisions drawn from the front have entered Haifa, and at the same time, Division Commander Waltz of the Fifth Army has agreed to provide us with support. Now, two brigades are converging on us."

A young policeman said, "Colonel, the enemy's firepower density in the city seems to have decreased, which suggests that they may not have that many troops."

Elah nodded approvingly: “You’re right, the situation might not be so bad.”

He felt a little comforted to see the fighting spirit rekindled in the eyes of the young people.

He then continued, "Now we need to immediately control the main roads around the government square and establish blocking positions in the industrial zone."

His finger moved quickly across the map. "We must control every transportation hub in this city, making it impossible for the enemy to move an inch in Haifa, and turning this place into their graveyard!"

"Understood!" the young officers responded in unison, their voices regaining their strength.

(End of this chapter)