Chapter 94
One hour before the Prossenian forces launched their offensive.
Major Franz lowered his binoculars and praised, "The 513th Regiment is deploying really fast. As long as we successfully lure the enemy, we'll definitely achieve excellent results."
Then he turned to the other side and observed the artillery position of the 24th Armored Grenadier Division's subordinate unit equipped with PAK38 50mm anti-tank guns.
After a minute, Major Franz lowered his binoculars, "Very good. This way we can form overlapping fire zones. No matter what kind of monstrosity the enemy's new tanks are, they'll be destroyed!"
Saying that, he turned around, "We just need to pull back to the rear and wait for the Ant Army, eager for credit, to charge forward."
After walking two steps, Major Franz suddenly stopped with a new idea, turned his head and said, "Is the communications vehicle of the 15th Armored Division still here? Evacuate the personnel. Leave the comms vehicle and other vehicles here!"
As he spoke, he pointed to the ground at Hill 120.
"Make this place look like a command post!"
The Major's order was quickly carried out. The armored command vehicles originally belonging to the 15th Armored Division's headquarters were driven up the hill, while the personnel were all withdrawn, leaving only the vehicles behind.
Franz's adjutant stood nearby watching, finally unable to hold back and said, "This is practically all the radio equipment the 15th Armored HQ has. If they're damaged, there's no quick way to replace them. The command and communication ability of the 15th Armored will be severely crippled."
Franz replied, "But if we can eliminate the enemy's war hero, it'll be worth it. Think about our offensive so far*though we've met some brave resistance units, in most areas the enemy has collapsed before us!"
"Now the enemy's resistance has clearly intensified. In the encircled Bogdanovka, there are still troops fighting. The Sixth Army has to clear the enemy house by house!"
"At times like this, we must strike a blow to their morale! Whether this Rokosov is the White Horse General or the White Eagle General, we must eliminate him!"
Major Franz habitually tapped his palm with his riding crop.
"As long as the armored units complete the baiting operation, the enemy, having lost their commander, will fall into chaos. We can then seize the opportunity to capture Loktov. Once we have the railway, it'll be easy to replenish some radio command vehicles!"
In reality, after such battles, the 15th Armored Division had to stop and regroup.
Franz looked at the acting commander of the 15th Armored Division and revealed a sinister smile.
****
As soon as Vehicle 422 reached the shelter, the enemy appeared on the horizon.
Wang Zhong immediately switched perspectives to observe the enemy.
As he watched, his brows furrowed tightly, "So few accompanying infantry?"
From a normal perspective, it wouldn't be obvious*after all, from the front, the tanks blocked the infantry from view.
But Wang Zhong's overhead view could light up the enemy, making everything clear at a glance.
With so few accompanying infantry, it didn't look like they were preparing for urban 'meat grinder' combat. Rather, it felt like "we'll just throw in a few so it doesn't look too suspicious."
Wang Zhong frowned deeply.
Just then, he recalled a battle from Earth's war history*how the Third Reich once feigned retreat with armored units to lure in T34s, then ambushed them with 88mm anti-aircraft guns in direct fire mode.
Could the Prossenians be using the same tactic?
No matter what, Wang Zhong decided to open fire first. Whether the enemy was baiting or not, better to score some kills first.
So he raised his hand*but then remembered no one could see him raising it. All the T34 commanders had their eyes glued to the sights, aiming at their targets.
He could only awkwardly lower his hand and give the radio order: "Fire!"
In the next moment, all platoon leader vehicles with radios opened fire.
The other tanks followed suit only after hearing the gunfire, and half a battalion of T34s completed a salvo volley.
Shells crossed the scorched plain and struck four Type 3 tanks.
The enemy returned fire, but the T34's armor was already reliable*and now they also had sandbags for cover.
The Prossenian crews fired with great accuracy*about 80% of the shots hit their targets*but all the shells were deflected, smashing into the brick wall behind the tank emplacements.
The enemy tanks did not waver and remained in place, continuing to aim at the T34s inside the shelter.
At this moment, Vasily's voice came through the static noise in Wang Zhong's headset: "The enemy's shouting to fire another round! I have a bad feeling!"
As soon as he finished speaking, tanks on both sides fired simultaneously*it was clear the enemy's 50mm guns reloaded a bit faster.
Another three Type 3 tanks began billowing thick smoke.
Then the enemy began deploying smoke, and the infantry who had been hiding behind the tanks also threw smoke grenades to obscure the T34s' line of sight.
Wang Zhong clicked his tongue*now he was certain, the enemy was baiting them.
****
Inside Vehicle 213, the tank commander shouted: "The enemy is retreating! They released smoke to obscure our vision!"
Loader Alexei shoved a shell into the chamber, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's rush out and wipe them all out! We can drive deep and destroy their HQ, then blast their artillery positions!"
"No!" the commander shouted, "We can only charge once the platoon leader vehicles charge! They can hear the General's orders!"
Alexei pursed his lips, clearly unhappy, as if someone had snatched a medal from his chest.
****
At that moment, Wang Zhong took out a map and turned sideways, spreading it out on top of the turret.
Wang Zhong had personally surveyed the terrain from outside the city to Kalinnovka. Last night, when the Protectorate Army and engineers went out to lay mines, he had confirmed the terrain again.
Now he had a crystal-clear understanding of the area outside Loktov.
Looking at the various markings he had drawn during recon, Wang Zhong muttered, "If it's an 88 ambush, it should be here!"
A good ambush position should meet several conditions: first, excellent visibility; second, cover like trees; third, a retreat route.
Based on these three conditions, Wang Zhong quickly found several suitable spots on the map.
But considering the direction of the enemy tanks' retreat, Wang Zhong ultimately narrowed it down to three locations.
He took the map, climbed out of the turret, jumped to the ground, and ran into a house beside the shelter, picking up a temporarily installed telephone.
This house had not only a phone but also a sight scope. It was originally an artillery observation post, with two artillery cadets on duty inside.
The cadets immediately saluted when they saw Wang Zhong enter.
"At ease!" Wang Zhong casually said, then picked up the phone, "Connect to the artillery positions!"
Earlier, one gun had survived at Position A, so today Wang Zhong combined the two artillery groups to deliver a little heavy fire surprise to the enemy tomorrow.
"Artillery position?" Wang Zhong checked the marked locations on his map and read out the coordinates, "Fire at the following three coordinates... one salvo per target."
"Three targets?" the artillery operator asked after hearing the coordinates, "All three? They're quite far apart!"
No, not far at all*they form overlapping fire zones nicely, Wang Zhong thought.
Wang Zhong raised his voice, "That's right, hit all three targets!"
If the heavy artillery could take out the enemy's 88s, that would be great. Then they'd only have to worry about the 50mm PAK38s.
If he remembered correctly, the 75mm PAK40 anti-tank guns wouldn't arrive at the front until November, and those were the real threats to the T34s and KV-1s.
The artillery unit double-checked the firing coordinates over the headset, then confirmed, "We're firing now, General! But... what exactly are we hitting?"
Wang Zhong: "I suspect the enemy's anti-tank gun positions are at these locations. The enemy tanks in front are faking surrender*I believe this is a bait tactic."
The artillery unit was shocked: "You're... ordering us to fire based on a hunch?"
"No, I personally scouted these spots before*they're very suitable for setting up anti-tank guns."
If this were the game 'Steel Division', Wang Zhong would definitely position his anti-tank guns at these three points.
Just not sure if the Prossenian general on the other side would "think alike" as well.
As a military enthusiast, Wang Zhong might have missed something*the Prossenian officer corps was more professional.
But it had to be tried*no one knew how long the artillery would remain. Maybe the Prossenian air force would come in the afternoon and blow them all sky high.
Since that's the case, might as well hurry up and fire*blast those bastards!
Even if it misses, at least it shows spirit.
Wang Zhong: "Input the firing data and open fire!"
After saying that, he hung up the phone and ran back to the tank.
Gunner Alexander asked, "Why not just pursue? The enemy looks like they're at the end of their rope."
Wang Zhong: "It's a trap. The enemy is planning to ambush us with 88mm flak from behind."
"What?"
Wang Zhong continued, "Didn't you notice how few accompanying infantry there were?"
Alexander shook his head, "No, no, we couldn't see any accompanying infantry*they might've hit the ground as soon as the fighting started."
Wang Zhong reiterated, "The enemy had very few accompanying infantry! I believe this is a bait tactic. I've already called for 203mm artillery to strike possible anti-tank gun positions."
Alexander clicked his tongue, "You were so reckless yesterday*why so cautious today? Yesterday's recklessness scared you?"
"I'm always rough but meticulous!"
Wang Zhong immediately realized what he'd said: Am I Zhang Fei or something?
Just then, the sound of artillery fire rang out behind them, followed by shells whistling over their heads.
Alexander: "They really fired... Could this be a waste of 203mm shells? I heard we don't have many left!"
Wang Zhong said with full confidence, "Just wait*you'll see the enemy get a real taste!"
****
When General Franz heard the shell whistling, his adjutant dove and tackled him to the ground.
Franz cursed, "What are you doing? That shell clearly won't land here! You can tell from the sound!"
Just then, a heavy shell landed right on the PAK38 50mm anti-tank gun position, instantly sending a gun and its crew flying through the air.
Franz stared in shock at the dust cloud erupting like a torpedo explosion in water.
He quickly snapped out of it, "It's 203mm heavy artillery! The enemy has an observer team nearby!"
He made the same assessment as his junior!
But the next few shells clearly missed the anti-tank positions.
With that kind of accuracy, either the enemy observers were terrible*or they were just guessing!
Franz's scalp tingled, "That White Horse General*he must've scouted the terrain and knew exactly where to place anti-tank guns!"
This Junker noble had no reason, yet was convinced it was the White Horse General who did it.
Franz: "Have the anti-air battalion leave the position! If they were just guessing, they wouldn't only hit here!"
At that moment, the whistling came again.
The second wave of shells landed near the hedgerow on the western side of Hill 120.
Franz was even more certain: "That's also a good spot for anti-tank gun placement! Fall back! Get the anti-air regiment to retreat quickly! The third wave is coming!"
Major Franz was shouting frantically, forcing the communications officer to yell into the field phone in plain language: "513th Regiment! The General wants you to leave your current position!"
The call did have an effect*the 513th Regiment began pulling up the stakes anchoring the 88s. Even though they were already moving fast, the damn things were built to be as stiff as the Prossenians' personalities in order to stabilize the guns, so they couldn't be packed up quickly.
The sound of shells slicing through the air came again.
The anti-air artillerymen, who had just started pulling up the stakes, scattered and dove down, even the ones on the vehicles jumped off and crawled under them.
203 hit the ground!
The first four rounds were all off target, only the last one hit the ammo truck of the 513th anti-air battalion.
A fiery orange ball erupted from the ground, then morphed into a mushroom cloud.
It's just that no one in this era had seen a mushroom bomb yet*otherwise, someone would've gone mad from fear.
Major Franz stared at the mushroom cloud dumbfounded, then furiously shouted the name: "Alexei Konstantinovich Rokosov! Damn you!"
(End of Chapter)