allonlinenovel Chapter 271: Intense Battle
Chapter 271: Intense Battle
Lieutenant General Bovis Yeneumans frowned, his gaze fixed on the map, as he pondered the current battle situation. Time was running out, and every decision depended on the outcome of the entire battle.
He turned to the Chief of War and asked with concern, "How is the defense on both sides? Are there any major enemy moves?"
The Chief of Operations quickly walked over to the map, pointing at it and reporting in detail: "In the direction of Farwaniya, the Chinese troops following behind seem to have added one or two tank divisions, but they have been successfully contained by the 7th Tank Division and the 17th Armored Division. At present, they pose no threat. In the direction of Yebashiyah, our troops have occupied important strongholds such as the airport and port, and are engaged in a firefight with the US 7th Army. With the lightly armed troops of the 7th Army, it is almost impossible to break through our defenses and reinforce Kuwait."
The Chief of Staff nodded and then asked, "Does that mean we still have time before the main enemy force from Basra arrives?"
The Chief of Operations replied affirmatively, "Yes, the main enemy force in Basra will take at least a day to arrive. We must use this time to break through and capture Kuwait. Then, we must quickly turn to eliminate the US 7th Light Army to the west, return to defeat the Chinese forces in the direction of Farwaniyah, and finally engage in a decisive battle with the enemy from the direction of Basra."
However, Lieutenant General Paulius Yeneumans wasn't as optimistic as the others. He knew full well that the battlefield was fraught with uncertainty, and any detail could drastically alter the course of events. He spoke gravely, "Two key factors constrain us now. First, we must seize Kuwait as quickly as possible, particularly the port of Kuwait. This is a crucial support point for our subsequent operations. Second, General Hoepner's ability to withstand the counterattack of the US Fifth Army is crucial. While he possesses a large number of heavy tanks and tank destroyers, his forces are limited. Facing an enemy force more than twice our size, any failure would mean all our previous efforts would be in vain."
The Chief of Staff agreed with him and proposed, "We must go all out to attack Kuwait Harbor tonight. If we can't take it, we'll concentrate our firepower tomorrow to destroy the port, then occupy Kuwait City and be prepared to hold out. We'll fight a war of attrition with the US and Britain. Without the supplies from Kuwait Harbor, they won't be able to hold out for long."
Lieutenant General Bovis Yeneumans agreed and nodded, "Let's do this. As long as we hold on to Kuwait, the US and UK will lose most of their supplies in Iraq. I think they'll be forced to retreat towards Saudi Arabia in less than two weeks. Accept their surrender."
Lieutenant General Paul Wes Yeneumans pondered for a moment, then decisively issued an order: "Inform all units to launch an all-out attack on the port of Kuwait tonight. At the same time, strengthen the defense in the direction of Yebashiyeh to ensure that the US 7th Army cannot break through. In addition, pay close attention to the enemy's movements in the direction of Basra and be prepared to respond to their attacks at any time."
Before nightfall, the Germans quickly adjusted their deployment. It was the Prinz Eugen Division that spearheaded the attack on Kuwait City. An artillery regiment also provided fire support. The Germans shifted their main forces toward Kuwait Harbor, disregarding the port's surrounding facilities. Dozens of 150mm towed rocket launchers and Type 41 and 42 rocket launchers unleashed a torrential barrage of intense firepower on the port's perimeter.
The deafening roar of the explosion echoed through the sky, and the flames shot up like a dragon of fire, illuminating the entire port of Kuwait as bright as day. The reserve troops, which had just arrived to reinforce the defense, collapsed instantly under the sudden German bombardment. Fortunately, the 17th Division, arriving from the airport, arrived in time to secure the position and gather the scattered troops, thus stabilizing the front and forcing the planned counterattack to be temporarily suspended.
By this time, the original commander in charge of the city's defense had disappeared, presumably killed in the German bombardment. Pu Zhengsong, who arrived with the 17th Division, promptly assumed command. As a Lieutenant General and a renowned Allied general, the remaining American and British forces were fully convinced of his command.
Pu Zhengsong then cleverly reorganized the various units, fully utilizing some tanks that had been stationary, using the ruins of buildings as cover to stealthily maneuver back to important road intersections. Numerous rocket launchers and anti-tank rocket launchers were urgently assembled to form the main force in resisting the German attack.
As expected, after the Germans destroyed numerous buildings with overwhelming force, an attacking force, primarily tanks and assault vehicles, immediately surged forward. Without the shelter of numerous buildings, the German attack became remarkably smooth. Behind the tanks and assault vehicles followed a platoon or even a company of German grenadiers. These German grenadiers were well versed in such devastating battles, having experienced these life-or-death struggles daily in the Soviet Union. They handled such operations with ease.
As the attacking force, in the pitch-black night, the German army actually drove the American and British troops who were hiding in defense out of their positions like a flock of sheep, and then shot them one by one.
Pu Zhengsong was helpless at this time and had to expose some of his crucial firepower in advance. While destroying some of the German troops, the loss of heavy firepower disappeared at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Pu Zhengsong roared at a regimental commander of the 17th Division: "How is the demolition team prepared? When can they take action?"
The regimental commander was also anxious with his face flushed, "Commander, we need time, time!"
Pu Zhengsong was furious: "I don't have that much time to give you. Listen to me, I don't care how prepared you are. In 10 minutes, I want to hear an explosion. Cut off the German troops in front of me!"
Ten minutes later, the German front was suddenly engulfed in a torrent of explosions. Pu Zhengsong personally led his assault team, charging forward like a tiger descending a mountain, engaging the dazed Germans in a thrilling close combat. Unbeknownst to Pu Zhengsong, to carry out his 10-minute demolition plan, a platoon of engineers had braved death, charging into the position without hesitation, detonating the explosives without hesitation. Half of the soldiers were killed in the blast.
"Da da da——", "Tu tu tu——", "Bang bang bang bang——", "Boom boom boom——"
Amidst the crackle of gunfire, explosions, and the glow of flames and smoke, a group of brave figures quickly rushed towards the German troops. As they harvested their lives, men continued to fall from the ranks. Those who were able to stand up resolutely rushed forward again, while those who could not, their bodies and blood, melted into the ruins of the city...