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

Chapter 1188 Officially Crossing the River

Blagoveshchensk, Tsarist Russian Defense Line.

Under the dense smoke, Colonel Konovalov and Major General Smirnov nervously commanded the troops to try to disperse the smoke that blocked their vision. The engineers set up large fans to blow away the smoke with the wind direction, and arranged small explosive devices around the positions to try to disperse the smoke with the shock wave of the explosion.

"The wind is favorable," a sapper reported, "and we can clear most of the smoke in ten minutes."

However, just as their plan was about to be implemented, Otto, the division commander on the other side of the Heijiang River, had already seen through the enemy's intentions. He knew that he had to prevent the enemy from regaining sight in order to ensure the smooth progress of the crossing operation.

"Attention everyone," Otto gave new orders via the radio, "Replace high-explosive shells and blind-fire the enemy area to prevent them from forming a formation."

The commander of the rocket artillery battalion quickly conveyed the order: "Attention all units, immediately replace the high-explosive rockets and prepare to launch."

At the position, the artillerymen acted quickly. They unloaded the smoke bombs skillfully and loaded the high-explosive rockets into the launch tubes. These high-explosive warheads were filled with powerful explosives and could produce huge shock waves and fragmentation when they exploded.

"High-explosive shells loaded," an artilleryman reported, "all rockets ready."

"The firing angle has been adjusted," another artilleryman added, "the target has been locked, waiting for the firing order."

Otto looked around the position and confirmed that all preparations were complete. He took a deep breath and raised the signal flag in his hand: "Fire!"

Following the order, 180 Nebelwerfers once again spurted out blazing flames, and a huge roar resounded throughout the entire position. 1080 high-explosive rockets streaked across the sky, dragging long tails of flames as they headed straight for the enemy positions on the opposite bank.

At the Russian defense line in Blagoveshchensk, the soldiers had not yet recovered from the troubles of the smoke screen when they were shocked again by the sudden salvo of high-explosive rockets. Rockets fell one after another at an astonishing speed, explosions occurred one after another, and the entire defense line was instantly engulfed in flames.

"Quick! Take cover!" Konovalov shouted in the command post, but his voice was soon drowned out by the roar of the explosion. The walls of the command post shook violently, and dust fell from the ceiling.

At the front of the position, the Russian soldiers desperately sought cover, but the ubiquitous explosions made it impossible for them to escape. Rocket fragments swept through the trenches like a storm, tearing the soldiers' bodies apart. The screams and shouts mixed together, making people panic.

"Our defense line has been breached!" a Russian officer shouted desperately, "Their firepower is too strong!"

In the rear, Major General Smirnov tried to reorganize his troops, but the communications system had been paralyzed under heavy fire, and the chain of command was completely severed. Rocket explosions overturned transport trucks, completely destroyed supply lines, and ammunition and fuel burned in the flames.

"We must retreat!" Smirnov realized that the situation was irreversible, "Everyone retreat, quickly!"

However, the order to retreat was difficult to convey in the chaos, and the soldiers fled in all directions in the sea of ​​fire, trying to escape this hellish battlefield. The roar of rockets was incessant, and the entire defense line collapsed in this fierce attack.

On the Heijiang front, the crossing operation officially began.

Under the cover of dense smoke, the troops of the Beidi Division quickly assembled and prepared to cross the river. The soldiers lined up neatly on the river bank, waiting for orders. The floating bridge had been built and spanned the river, becoming the lifeline to the other side.

"Begin crossing the river!" At the commander's command, the soldiers quickly stepped onto the pontoon bridge and headed for the other side. Armored vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles led the way, their tracks rolling over the pontoon bridge, making a dull sound. The soldiers followed closely behind, with steady steps and determined eyes.

The river was surging, hitting both sides of the floating bridge. The soldiers carefully maintained their balance, holding their weapons tightly, ready to respond to any possible emergencies. Although the smoke screen obscured their vision, they did not hesitate at all.

"Keep in formation," a company commander shouted in the ranks, "Watch your step and move forward steadily."

At the other end of the pontoon bridge, engineers had already built simple fortifications on the opposite bank to provide cover for the crossing troops. As soon as the soldiers arrived on the other side, they quickly deployed and took combat positions, watching the movements ahead vigilantly.

Armored vehicles were deployed on the shore, their turrets slowly turning to search for possible enemies, while infantry fighting vehicles provided fire support in the rear to ensure the safety of the crossing troops.

"Quick, get into position," the commander commanded via radio, "be prepared for a possible counterattack."

On the river, the troops crossing the river continued. The soldiers crossed the pontoon bridge in an orderly manner, and the whole process was like a precise drill. Although the wind was strong on the river and the smoke was gradually dissipating, their actions were still swift and orderly.

"Attention all units," the commander's voice sounded on the radio, "Once you reach the other side, immediately deploy defense to ensure the safety of the river crossing."

On this battlefield shrouded in smoke and fire, the Beidi Division's crossing of the river was like a silent symphony. Soldiers advanced steadily on the pontoon bridge, armored vehicles stood guard on the shore, and the entire crossing process was tense and orderly.

With the last batch of soldiers arriving on the other side, the crossing operation was successfully completed. The troops of the Northern Division quickly deployed on the other side, ready for the next battle.

Heijiang front, nine o'clock in the morning.

After two hours of crossing the river, the main force of the Beidi Division had all arrived on the other side. Armored vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles were lined up in front, and the soldiers quickly deployed in various positions.

"The crossing is complete," the staff reported to Otto, "the main force of the entire division is in place."

Otto picked up the telescope and observed the battlefield ahead. The smoke was gradually dissipating, revealing the outline of Blagoveshchensk.

"Order the 34st Armored Battalion to advance along the highway toward Blagoveshchensk," Otto gave orders via radio, "the 34nd and 34rd Infantry Battalions to encircle and wipe out the remaining enemy forces from both wings."

The armored vehicle roared with its engine, and its tracks rolled over the ground, advancing towards Blagoveshchensk. The infantry fighting vehicle followed closely behind, and the soldiers stood guard behind the vehicle, searching for possible enemy situations.

"The remnants of the enemy were found," the scouts ahead reported, "about the size of a company, and they are retreating."

"Press forward," Otto ordered. "Don't give them a chance to regroup."

The armored vehicle accelerated forward, aiming its main gun at the enemy. The machine gunner on the infantry fighting vehicle was also ready for battle.

"Five hundred meters ahead, enemy position," the armored battalion commander reported, "request to open fire."

"Permission to fire," Otto replied, "to destroy their positions."

The main guns of the armored vehicles fired volleys, and the shells whizzed towards the enemy positions. Explosions sounded one after another, and the enemy's resistance was quickly suppressed.

"Keep going," Otto ordered, "targeting the city of Blagoveshchensk."

The troops of the Northern Division advanced towards Blagoveshchensk like a steel torrent, with armored vehicles leading the way, followed closely by infantry fighting vehicles, and soldiers on guard on both sides, searching for possible enemy situations.

"The road ahead has been cleared," the armored battalion commander reported, "we can continue to move forward."

"Very good," Otto nodded, "Keep up this pace, we must take Blagoveshchensk within an hour."