GBP Chapter 308 Actual Combat
Chapter 308 Actual Combat
Over the past few days, Yang Hong has focused his attention on the tactical use of helicopters. To protect the pilots involved in the experiment as much as possible, he's racked his brains. He summoned the commanders of all the divisions and corps of the 112th Army to his office, where they've spent several days together, watching the pilots' flight training and discussing combat plans for favorable terrain.
God rewards hard work, and opportunities always come to those who are diligent. Just now, a battalion-level unit of the 112th Division, operating in a valley in the Puglia region, accidentally breached a vital German line of communication, forcing the Germans to deploy a heavy tank unit in an attempt to recapture the crucial transportation point. The mountainous terrain in this area was not suitable for the Germans to deploy heavy troops, giving Yang Hong and his team the opportunity to ambush this German heavy tank unit.
Of course, the 5th Army Group was unable to mobilize heavy artillery fire, which is why the Germans dared to use heavy tank forces, primarily King Tiger, Ferdinand, and Jagdtiger tank destroyers, to attack. The Germans also knew that the Chinese, without heavy firepower, posed little threat to their tank forces, and their chances of retaking the key points were very high. Therefore, the Germans did not organize much air support, and even had very few air defense units, completely relying on these heavy armored vehicles for a breakthrough.
Yang Hong and his men, not wanting to miss this fleeting opportunity, immediately ordered the headquarters' special operations battalion to seize the high mountains on either side of the ambush site, demanding they suppress the German air attack at all costs. Twelve helicopters were then dispatched, each carrying only four 12mm heavy rockets. They quietly flew toward the ambush site and the surrounding temporary bases, awaiting the arrival of the heavily armored German forces.
The weather was exceptionally good that morning, with only a slight breeze in the mountains and the sun shining brightly. The dense forests and low clouds in the Italian mountains provided the best cover for the helicopter.
A heavy armored regiment from the German 144th Tank Corps was moving along a rugged mountain path. Its bulk and slow pace made it resemble the slow crawling of a swarm of ants, seen from the hillside. Commanding this operation were Major General Gao Xun, Chief of Operations of the 5th Army Group, and Brigadier General Li Jilai, Commander of the 112th Division of the 128th Army. Recognizing the significance of this battle, the two men personally accompanied the army's special operations battalion to the mountainside, calmly observing the German movements and the deployment of anti-aircraft weapons within their lines.
"Old Li, I think it's time. Captain Luo's snipers and long-range firepower have locked onto the German anti-aircraft weapons. The time and location meet the conditions for the planned operation. I think we can notify the aircraft to take off."
"Minister Gao, I also think it's time. We can't miss this opportunity!"
After hearing Brigadier General Li's answer, Gao Xun gave instructions to the communications staff officer beside him.
“GOGOGO!” Lieutenant Colonel John, in charge of the temporary aircrew, shouted to his men to leave the area around the aircraft. The pilots, formed from the joint Sino-US test team, formed two by two, launched their aircraft, filed into the air, and flew in a goose-shaped formation towards the ambush point.
The German commander, Colonel Mayusko, constantly urged the crews to move faster. He had a premonition that something was wrong and hoped the troops would quickly reach the attack point, seize the strategic point, and then hide. He believed that it was unwise for heavy tank units to fight in such a mountainous area. However, he could not resist the order from his superiors and could only hope for good luck, arrive quickly, and complete the attack mission.
As the huge engine sounds rang out, Gao Xun and others knew that the fleet had arrived. In order to create chaos for the German army, he did not hesitate to order the ambush mortar unit to open fire and ordered the special operations battalion to start attacking the German anti-aircraft firepower!
"Boom, boom, boom!" A large number of mortar shells exploded in the German ranks. These shells posed no threat to the German heavy tanks, but they caused great damage to the accompanying armored vehicles and supply trucks, instantly disrupting the German ranks and formations. Colonel Mayusko directed the counterattack while shouting orders to each crew to break through and advance quickly.
At that moment, a number of unidentified low-flying objects suddenly appeared from the woods on the mountaintop. They had large propellers on their heads, making a loud, piercing noise as they rushed towards the German convoy. Mayorsk watched the objects approaching, unable to determine what they were. When he saw the large rocket tubes under their fuselages, he realized something was amiss and shouted, "Beware of enemy UFO attacks! They have heavy rockets!"
"Boom--", a helicopter launched a rocket first. At a distance of one or two kilometers, the rocket accurately hit a Ferdinand tank destroyer that was turning. The 120mm rocket with a special armor-piercing warhead immediately tore through the tank's thick armor and tore it apart easily!
Then, a large number of rockets whizzed in. Although not every rocket hit the target accurately, these pilots who had been trained many times still destroyed most of the German heavy armor, including Colonel Mayusko. A large number of German tank elites were eliminated, so that later, German tank crews fled from the tanks in panic and fled in all directions.
Gao Xun and others on the mountainside saw the opportunity and immediately ordered the ambush troops to attack on all fronts, eventually wiping out the elite German heavy tank troops.
Pictures and battle reports were quickly reported to the Allied General Headquarters. Twelve helicopters, while remaining intact, destroyed 12 German heavy tanks/tank destroyers with 48 rockets. Yang Hong and others even managed to pull back some of the damaged German tanks, and some undamaged tanks were also driven back by them. This was a considerable gain for the Chinese army!
"Gentlemen, tell me what you think," Eisenhower said to a group of senior officials who were looking at war reports and photos.
Weimade took off his glasses, glared at the jubilant Yang Hong, and before Marshal Mountbatten could speak, he was the first to speak: "Gentlemen, the effect is obvious. The helicopters are very effective against the German heavy armored forces. The problem now is that the helicopters have poor protection and are equipped with limited weapons. They still have many shortcomings in large-scale combat. I am afraid they can't help us for the time being."
Wei Maide's words were very pertinent, and all the senior generals present, including Yang Hong, agreed. For a moment, everyone whispered to each other, and no new responses were given.
Wei Maide was clearly still reeling from the coffee incident. He looked at Yang Hong questioningly and said in a deep voice, "Little guy, you're in charge of directing the experiment. Tell me what you think!"