Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 73 Pincer Attack
Zion, Tel Aviv, Supreme Operational Command.

General Yashavishin stood before the strategic map, his brow furrowed. The Arab coalition had launched an offensive on four fronts in Zion simultaneously on Yom Kippur, and only five hours had passed, yet all fronts were already in dire straits.

On the Sinai Peninsula, Masr amassed thousands of artillery pieces to saturate the Bar-Lev Line and used high-pressure water cannons to breach the Salay Line.

At least 6,000 Masr soldiers crossed the canal in rubber boats and amphibious vehicles, and set up a large number of anti-aircraft missiles and self-propelled artillery on the riverbank.

In the northern Golan Heights, the Surya government forces amassed seven armored divisions and three mechanized infantry divisions, along with thousands of tanks and armored vehicles, and advanced to the outskirts of the capital, Damascus, using Ant's "steel torrent" tactics.

The furthest outpost, Al-Iraq, was also attacked. The Argentine 9th Armored Division crossed the Euphrates River and is currently engaged in full-scale firefight with the 45th Armored Brigade deployed in Gam.

The first problem facing General Yesavishin, the frontline commander, is the shortage of manpower.

"Your Excellency, the Premier is calling." The secretary handed over the phone.

General Yessavichen answered the phone, and Prime Minister Hilbert's voice came through:
"I know what the main problem we are facing now is. I have issued a nationwide 'general mobilization' and expect to mobilize about 25 reserve soldiers within 48 hours to make up for the lack of troops on the front line."

Your task now is to stabilize the situation and prevent the front lines from collapsing!

Upon hearing this, General Yesavishin immediately saluted: "Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

After hanging up the phone, Yeshavishin returned to the military map. At that moment, General Gorodish, commander of the Southern Military District, sent a message:

"We are prepared to seize air superiority through air power, just like we did with Masr and Surya last time, and destroy their airfields and air defenses in one fell swoop."

Yashavishin frowned: "The Arab army came prepared this time, and they will definitely take precautions against our air force."

“Yes, we are very clear about that,” Gorodish replied. “But if there is any force that can provide rapid support right now, it is the Air Force.”

And this matter has already been approved by the Minister of Defense.

Defense Minister Morda is the Prime Minister's "glove," so this matter must have been approved by Prime Minister Hilbert as well.

Thinking of this, Yesavishin didn't say anything more, only reminding him, "Yes, be careful in everything."

"How's the situation over there?"

Yeshavishen gave a wry smile: "To be honest, His Excellency the Prime Minister just gave me a direct order, instructing me to ensure that the entire front does not collapse."

Gorodish was silent for a moment, then said, "Good luck."

"It should be wishing us good luck."

Now is a time to race against time. The two frontline commanders exchanged a few pleasantries and then went off to carry out their respective command duties.

"Your Excellency, from the Al-Ilag side, the 58th Armored Brigade of Sergei has sent a message claiming that it has encountered the main force of the Shuangzhi division and is requesting reinforcements."

Dual-signaling?

General Yeshavishin looked at the military map, frowning for what seemed like the umpteenth time today.

If the information is accurate, the other side's objective should be to cut off Al-Iraq's supply lines.

This was indeed a very urgent situation, because Al-Ilag was the front line furthest from Zion, and supplies were delivered across southern Surria. The 38th Armored Division relied entirely on this road that spanned three countries and airdrops for supplies.

But you said your opponent is Shuangzhi?

General Yesavishin suddenly felt that, compared to other places, Sergei's situation seemed less urgent.

Although Zion had suffered a minor setback at the hands of Shuangzhi, most of Zion's high-ranking officers still viewed Shuangzhi as having an "immature military system and an incomplete transformation."

Moreover, Zion has only deployed less than 300 tanks to Surria, the closest neighbor, yet it has to defend against Surria's attack of 1400 T-62 tanks from the front. How can it support Al-Iraq?
The most critical front at present is the Suez Canal front. Masr's army has already penetrated deep into the Sinai Peninsula, making them a sharp blade aimed directly at the Zion defense line. With this in mind, General Yeshavishin directly replied to Brigadier General Eugene of the 58th Armored Brigade:

"No retreat! Hold the line even if you can't stop them! Troops will be coming to your unit in 48 hours. Behind you is Gaim, where the 45th Brigade is stationed. Make sure the Euphrates front is not attacked from both sides!"

Brigadier General Eugene took a deep breath upon receiving the order, and the chief of staff hurriedly asked, "What did headquarters say?"

"General Yesavishin gave us direct orders to defend Sergiad to the death."

Brigadier General Eugene looked grim: "Without knowing the enemy's exact location and being outnumbered, we can only defend passively for now."

“Then it seems that’s the only option.” The chief of staff nodded. “Fortunately, we deployed defensive echelons in advance, laid a lot of anti-tank mines and anti-tank ditches, and Sergei’s terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as we don’t take the initiative to attack, they shouldn’t be able to do anything to us for a while.”

But Brigadier General Eugene is now more worried that reinforcements will still not arrive after 48 hours.

48 hours is the limit of their ammunition reserves; beyond that, the 58th Brigade will be in danger.

"Send my order!"

Brigadier General Eugene pondered for a moment, “Establish a defensive line based on the hilly terrain around Sergiad, break up the armored forces into mobile squads of five tanks each, conceal them on the reverse slope, and ambush the enemy’s vanguard.”

Artillery positions should prioritize targeting Shuangzhi's fuel supply lines, firing three rapid bursts before immediately relocating to avoid radar lock-on.

"understand!"

The chief of staff accepted the order and immediately went to assign tasks.

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.

Provisional Headquarters of the Expeditionary Force in the Northern Border Region of Shuangzhi.

Ibrahim said, "The enemy's shelling frequency has started to decrease. They probably haven't found our position and have started to take the initiative to defend."

Have they retreated into hiding?
That's a bit interesting.

Lu Lin knew exactly how the battle would unfold if the previous timeline were followed, so he had to help Al-Irag complete the encirclement of Gaim as quickly as possible.

Brigadier General Eugene's unintentional choice was the last thing he wanted to see.

Lu Lin walked to the map and began to analyze how to take down the Tin Armored Brigade in front of him in the fastest way.

"Major General, let me lead the armored division to launch the attack!"

Bandar was eager to try: "You command the artillery from behind and help me with suppressive fire!"

The commander-in-chief is providing cover for you from behind, and you're leading the armored division to recklessly charge forward?
Lu Lin glanced at him and said, "You're dreaming."

Looking at the complex terrain of Sergei, he issued the combat order: "Bandar, you will lead the 1st Armored Brigade to hold off the artillery fire on the northern flank of Sergei."

Ibrahim led his mechanized infantry division to maneuver along the dry valley, cutting off the enemy armored brigade's connection with the Qaim forces.

Let's launch a pincer attack and wipe them out completely!

After hearing this, Ibrahim offered an optimization suggestion: "Why don't we deliberately leave an opening to guide the enemy troops to retreat towards Qaim?"

"If they dare to run, we'll immediately pursue them, annihilating the fleeing troops while simultaneously joining forces with Al-Ilag's armored division to attack the Euphrates front!"

"Brilliant!" Lu Lin immediately agreed to the proposal: "Let's do it that way!"

(End of this chapter)