Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1182: Tiger Crossing the River

Half an hour later, in the airport auditorium.

Hundreds of pilots lined up neatly, their flight suits still bearing traces of battle, but victory gleamed in everyone's eyes.

Li Haman strode onto the podium and looked around at the soldiers in front of him.

"Soldiers," he said in a loud and powerful voice, "Today, you have demonstrated the strength of the Chinese Air Force with your actions! In just one morning, you destroyed two major Russian air bases in the Far East, paralyzed their air defense system, and cleared the way for our army's crossing of the river!"

"Thunder Squadron," Lee Hamman turned to the bomber pilots, "Your bombing is precise and powerful, destroying the enemy's military facilities completely!"

"Sword Formation and Long Sword Formation, you performed outstandingly in the air battle, shot down dozens of enemy planes, and effectively protected our bombers!"

"Flying Swallow Formation and Ta 34H Squadron, you have demonstrated superb tactical qualities and successfully suppressed the enemy's anti-aircraft firepower!"

"Destroyer and Hornet formations, your low-altitude assault laid the foundation for the success of the entire operation!"

There was warm applause in the auditorium.

"But soldiers," Li Haman changed the subject, "this is just the beginning. Next, we will provide continuous air support for the ground troops' crossing of the river. I believe that with the combat effectiveness you have shown today, you will be able to complete this glorious mission!"

"Bring glory to the Chinese Air Force!" the pilots shouted in unison.

"Go and have a rest," Li Haman said with a relieved smile, "We have a new mission at 34 pm."

The pilots saluted and left in an orderly manner. Li Haman looked at their backs, feeling full of pride. This young air force is growing at an astonishing speed, allowing the world to witness China's strength.

Heijiang Front Command, 12 noon.

Division Commander Otto stood in front of a huge combat sand table, and the battalion commanders of each regiment of the Beidi Division had all arrived. On the sand table, the course of the Heilongjiang River was accurately restored, and the enemy positions on the opposite bank were clearly marked.

"Fighters," Otto's voice was deep and powerful, "the Air Force has cleared the anti-aircraft and anti-tank fire on the other side for us. Now, it's the turn of the Northern Division to show its strength."

他用指挥棒点向沙盘：&34；第9、10、11装甲掷弹兵团将作为第一波渡江主力。工兵营立即开始组装浮桥，准备重型装备渡江。&34；

&34；装甲炮兵团，&34；奥托转向炮兵团长，&34；你们的188门火炮将在渡江前进行30分钟的火力准备。重点是敌军的预备队集结区和可能的反冲击路线。12门雷神之锤重炮由我直接指挥，用于压制敌军的纵深攻事。&34；

&34；第5、第6装甲团准备第二波渡江。720辆装甲单位分批通过浮桥。记住，一旦登陆就要快速展开，为后续部队抢占立足点。&34；

"Armored reconnaissance battalion," he continued, "you must infiltrate the enemy two hours before crossing the river using rubber boats to scout the enemy and point out the direction for the main force."

"The anti-aircraft battalion was deployed on the high ground on both sides of the crossing point to cover the crossing troops. The assault gun battalion and the rocket artillery battalion were ready to support the strong points that might be encountered at any time. The 34 Nebelwerfer rocket launchers were mainly used to create smoke screens. "

&34；后勤保障方面，&34；奥托环视着支援部队的指挥官们，&34；500辆欧宝运输卡车要保证弹药和补给的及时输送。医疗营在渡江点南北两侧各设立一个野战医院。炊事营确保渡江前所有部队都能吃上热食。&34；

&34；通信保障，&34；他特别强调，&34；124座加密电台要确保各部队之间的通讯畅通。任何情况下都不允许出现通讯中断。&34；

"Finally," Otto's voice became more serious, "I require all armored units and artillery to complete camouflage within 34 hours. The engineering battalion will cooperate to build false positions to mislead enemy reconnaissance."

&34;Schedule: At 14:00 today, the engineering battalion began to build the pontoon bridge.

At 16:00, the reconnaissance battalion infiltrated.

At 18:00, the artillery began fire preparation.

At 18:30, the first wave of river crossing began.

At 20:00, the armored forces began to cross the pontoon bridge.

All crossings must be completed by 22:00. &34;

Otto turned to his deputy: "Derran, make sure all troops are in place on time, especially the engineers and scouts."

"Understood, Commander." Deputy Commander De Lan nodded and quickly wrote it down in his notebook.

"Hilem," Otto said to the chief of staff, "you are responsible for coordinating the liaison between the various units and ensuring the smooth flow of information."

"Yes, division commander," Chief of Staff Himmler replied, "I will personally supervise the operation of the communication system."

"Any more questions?" Otto looked around at his commanders.

&34；报告师长，&34；第10装甲掷弹兵团团长举手，&34；是否需要携带额外的穿甲弹？&34；

"No," Otto shook his head. "The Luftwaffe has already destroyed their armor. Each tank can just carry a standard ammunition configuration. Use the space saved to carry more fuel."

&34;Got it!&34;

"Well," Otto said at last, "everyone, the Northern Division has been invincible in the past battles. I believe you will be able to create another glory in this crossing of the river! Disband!"

"For victory!" the commanders shouted in unison, then quickly left to arrange their tasks separately.

Blagoveshchensk, the temporary command post of the Tsarist Russia.

At 11 o'clock in the morning, the Tsarist Russian commanders were nervously studying countermeasures. After the air raid last night, Blagoveshchensk's defense system suffered a heavy blow, and the commanders looked tired and anxious.

"We must redeploy our defenses," said Colonel Konovalov, the defense commander, marking the new defense positions on the map. "The enemy is likely to launch a river crossing attack this afternoon."

"But our anti-aircraft firepower has been almost destroyed," a staff officer said worriedly, "How to stop their air support?"

At this moment, the communications officer rushed into the command post: "Report! The 34th Motorized Infantry Division has arrived at the outskirts of Blagoveshchensk and is gathering and waiting!"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Colonel Konovalov's eyes: "Great! The arrival of this unit is just in time."

Soon after, Major General Smirnov, commander of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division, walked into the command post and saluted Konovalov: "Comrade Colonel, our troops have assembled on the periphery and are ready to go into battle at any time."

"Major General Smirnov," Konovalov shook his hand, "your arrival has restored our confidence."

"Don't worry," Smirnov said confidently, "our troops are well-equipped and in high spirits. We will deploy anti-tank guns and mobile anti-aircraft firepower at key locations to ensure that the enemy's armored forces cannot easily cross the river."

"Very good," Konovalov nodded, "We need to set up multiple layers of defense along the river bank and use the terrain advantage to stop the enemy."

"Our engineers have already begun constructing fortifications," Smirnov added, "and at the same time, we will set up camouflage positions on the river bank to confuse the enemy's reconnaissance."

"What about communications?" Konovalov asked.

"We have brought the latest encrypted radios," Smirnov replied, "to ensure smooth communications between the various units."

"That's great," Konovalov smiled, "With your support, we are confident that we can hold this line of defense."

The atmosphere in the command post gradually became lively, and the commanders threw themselves into the new deployment. The arrival of the 27th Motorized Infantry Division injected new vitality into the Russian defense.

"Everyone, pay attention," Konovalov ordered, "Act immediately according to the new deployment plan. We must let the enemy know that Blagoveshchensk is not so easy to break through!"