Thunder Strikes Back

Chapter 162 Concrete Defense Line

The driver Zalak quickly found an old disused dike behind the village, which was about 4 meters above the river level. Obviously, before the completion of the water conservancy project in Jhelum, the river would be much wider. more, the water level is higher.The concrete embankment is about 1.5 meters high and 2 meters thick.It is an excellent bunker. Driving the chariot there can completely control the river surface, only a small part of the turret is leaked.In this way, the problem of too weak body armor can be well solved.However, a machine gun company had already chosen there, and that company was tremblingly waiting to start the battle. The driver Razak drove the tank directly behind the embankment and drove the infantry away.Although the infantry were very dissatisfied, after careful study, they believed that it was obviously unwise to share a trench with these big guys who were firing artillery, so they hid behind a slightly narrower embankment in the distance.

Abad found the commander here, a battalion commander, in a village 500 meters away.Sha Fei, the battalion commander, told the sergeant that he would welcome a few self-propelled guns to reinforce his line.He was ordered to defend the 1.5-kilometer-long river bank, which is a relatively narrow area in the whole basin, and the river bank is relatively gentle.Before the sun set, a small group of Indian vanguard troops had already entered the water on the opposite bank. They paddled a small rubber boat furtively to measure the depth of a section of water and the slope of the river bank. The north side is gone.Like other garrison troops, this battalion is understaffed and has no heavy weapons. It is only equipped with some "Baktashkan" anti-tank missiles and 81mm mortars. The battalion commander is worried about the loss of communication and lack of firepower. Unexpectedly, some strange-looking big guys came by themselves, and brought exciting news that Sukkur had not yet been conquered.

At Abad's request, the battalion commander dispatched 2 signalmen to his vehicle to be responsible for the communication between his headquarters and the self-propelled artillery.

From the other side of the river, there was a shrill and exhausted roar of the engine, which was probably the sound of the diesel engine moving forward in a low gear.What plans the enemy will have will soon be known.

Several flares fell from the sky, not from the west, but from the east by the Indians.They also want to spy on the reality here before attacking.Abad led two communications soldiers out of the command post (one of them was a lineman). Seeing that the enemy was about to attack, he returned to the chariot in three steps at a time. 2 times the ideal, can not help but be encouraged.But now his car lacks grenades, only armor-piercing shells, which is a big problem.

Soon the flares on the Pakistani side were also fired towards the opposite side. The flares on both sides illuminated both sides of the bank. You could see that the waterside on the opposite bank was already crowded with infantry fighting vehicles preparing to cross the river, while the Pakistani side was just a piece of tranquility. small village.Most people are hiding in the trenches trembling, and there is no extra heavy equipment to display.During this round of mutual reconnaissance, India suffered a little loss, but in terms of morale, Pakistan suffered a serious loss.

"Watch out for their gunfire," Abad said, jumping onto the chassis and smashing the hatch hard.But he didn't get into the turret, he just stood in front of the gun and watched with a telescope. It was a bit reckless for him to do so, just because he suddenly had a sense of responsibility as a leader, which he had never felt in the first 40 years of his life. .As a veteran who has participated in two wars and destroyed the tanks of India's ace troops, he thinks it is necessary for him to stand up and boost the morale of everyone (especially the trembling infantry in the trenches). He knows it will take a little risk It's dangerous.However, if everyone sees that an old fitter can stand up straight and face the enemy's army on the other side of the river, then the implication will be huge.

The enemy's 30mm artillery and machine guns began to fire aimlessly. They weaved a dense fire net and fired mainly at the houses along the bank. Then, dense mortar shells fell on the village. Self-propelled fire launched by troops.Abad noticed that the enemy did not drop more destructive firepower, such as the howitzers he had seen in Sukkur. Obviously, this advancing force did not follow the self-propelled howitzers. This is a sign of the enemy underestimating the enemy, but Abad also experienced the power of the enemy's long-range rockets in Sukkur. He saw a salvo of a tornado destroy half of the old city. He estimated that the enemy's weapons had enough range and could definitely hit here. If there was any fear in his heart, it should be this weapon.

"Tell your battalion commander not to fire too soon," Abad said, turning to the signalman, loudly so that the infantrymen beside him could hear his composure.The communications soldier immediately called (he came with a phone and a line behind his back, which shows that he attaches great importance to these three cannons) and conveyed this suggestion.

Battalion Commander Shafei agreed, and his command post has been moved to the back of the village after shelling.His vulnerable vehicle-mounted anti-tank missile company also hid in the nearby woods.Gradually, the enemy's shelling became rarer, and the first batch of wounded in the village in front were carried out from the collapsed houses. These troops stayed in the trenches closest to the river bank and prepared to launch RPG rockets. The victims of the first round of shelling.The grunting wounded on stretchers caused a commotion as they passed the infantry.

"They are about to attack." Someone from the infantry group next to them said, it was the first time they had experienced shelling, and they were somewhat panicked.

"If they rush over, we will be finished." Someone whispered.

Abad stood aloft, listening to these defeatist sentiments in the breeze, and he knew that if the panic was not contained, it might only be a matter of time before the battle line collapsed.

"Do you know what Indian troops are on the opposite side?" The sergeant suddenly shouted, attracting all the attention.

"You don't know yet, the opposite is the 31st Armored Division, the most elite of the Indian Army." The sergeant shouted.In fact, he didn't know what kind of troops he was facing, but his method of boosting morale was the opposite of others. He would not deceive himself into saying that the enemy was vulnerable. In fact, his heart was always eager to exchange fire with the strongest enemy.

"Yes, no doubt, this is their strongest unit, everyone has a colored tiger embroidered on their sleeves, and they boast that they have never failed since 1947."

"White Tiger Master is on the opposite side?" Some people whispered together.

"Look, it's a big problem right now, the Indian blitzkrieg was successful, they were on the border yesterday morning, and now they're across the river, that's real, well trained mechanized infantry Yes. I won’t lie to you.” The sergeant continued.He has brought several apprentices in his hometown. He knows that most young people who come to the factory seem very lazy, cowardly and lack of initiative. But if you find the right way, for example, exaggerate the difficulties they face appropriately, It can also stimulate their great self-esteem.

Sure enough, the entire company's soldiers (including the young captain and company commander) didn't know what he wanted to say, but their hearts of fear were shocked by the sergeant's exaggerated words for a while.

"We have blocked the attack of the 31st Armored Division in Sukkur," said the sergeant and patted the right armor of the tank destroyer. The previous 73mm shell was hit, which shocked the crew at that time.

"Look, their 125mm tank guns are big, but we didn't lose, and they got bloody." He said proudly, and his hint succeeded in convincing most infantrymen of this huge tank It is impossible to be broken down. "Now the Indians are here and want to try their luck again, but the fact that this big river is in front of them has not changed a bit. Believe me, their armored vehicles floating on the river are the best targets, like a puddle of mud .The weapons in your hands must be able to beat them. I saw your anti-tank missiles. To be honest, I think it is a waste to deal with armored vehicles. 40mm rocket launchers are enough."

"You mean we can beat them?" asked a soldier, clutching his machine gun tightly.

"Hehe, of course. My members can testify." After he finished speaking, the gunner who poked his head out nodded at the right time.

"Listen, brothers, I can give you the infantry fighting vehicles, but the enemy's tanks are mine."

The first round of the contest did not reveal the truth. Jayer, the commander of the Indian 11th Infantry Division, walked to the riverside surrounded by his subordinates. The reaction on the other side after the shelling made him a little strange. He could hear it faintly at the beginning. The wailing of the wounded on the opposite side was soon overwhelmed by a loud voice. This person was obviously standing in an upwind or a high place and was talking about something.Jail wonders why after the shelling, there is a fool talking before the battle?But as the wind direction on the river changed, the sound became ethereal and could no longer be heard.

Lieutenant General Jayir slightly underestimated the enemy this time. He did not fully follow the order to wait for the airborne troops to act at the same time, nor did he prepare for the second round of firepower.In his opinion, this war has become a competition. Since the 31st Armored Division has given up, this opportunity to lead is his. Maybe he can go further than the 16th Infantry Division.Even if the Pakistani army kept firing flares from the rear, it did not arouse his vigilance, and his first echelon went into the water and drove towards the opposite side.

The first BMP-2 rushed into the river from the bank, and the driver obviously did not grasp the angle of entry into the water.The chariot rushed into the water from the steep slope, and before the chariot could be leveled, the river quickly rushed over the surfboard and poured into the chariot, and then the chariot quickly sank into the water. Fortunately, all the members of the chariot gathered On the hull, there were no casualties.

A flare fell just in time for Pakistani soldiers across the river to see it.

"Look, they sank by themselves. Haha," Abad said, "I told you, these chariots are very fragile on the river and sink easily! Maybe we can have a competition and see Let's see who will make the generals in New Delhi cry first, and let Almighty God witness for us."

The surrounding soldiers suddenly mustered vigorous fighting spirit and rushed to the front of the trench one after another, waiting for the enemy to fight hard on the river.

(End of this chapter)