Chapter 1468: Chapter 1385: The Counterattack of Zhang Xuan and Sun Guang

The current Tang Country 7th Corps can only rely on aircraft taking off from the Chu Territory for cover. There’s also an aircraft carrier left behind by the main fleet of the Great Tang Empire, carrying dozens of aircraft.

Upon receiving the order, Eric immediately began to consolidate forces, pulling the most elite armored division of the 7th Corps off the offensive front lines to replenish ammunition and fuel.

The 7th Corps then started to build its defensive positions and conducted some rest and recuperation. The continuously attacking troops were ordered to rest on the spot for at least 10 hours.

Switching from attack mode to rest mode instantly, the soldiers of the Great Tang Empire remained optimistic. With adequate supplies and decent hot meals, their morale was naturally quite high.

However, they soon came into contact with the attacking troops of the Qin Army, and both sides immediately felt the pressure exerted by each other.

Due to a reduction in air superiority, the Qin Country was able to mobilize more artillery with relatively low cost, posing a significant threat to the Tang Army.

The commanders of Qin Country finally saw their opportunity: the Tang Army’s electronic warfare aircraft were insufficient in number and couldn’t suppress the Qin Army continuously around the clock, giving the Qin Army more opportunities.

Meanwhile, after achieving a certain degree of communication freedom, the Qin Army deployed more artillery and shells, indeed showcasing some of their potential.

In the direction of Qingluan Port, the Dorne Expeditionary Force’s 1st Division suddenly struck, launching a fierce assault on the Tang Army’s defense line, to which the Tang Army was somewhat unaccustomed.

Having been fighting the Qin Army consistently, switching to engage Dorne’s troops with different tactics and strategies caught the Tang Army commanders off guard.

Nevertheless, the Tang Army steadfastly held their defensive line, showing no signs of retreat or collapse. Although hastily constructed, their defensive positions proved to be more robust than what the Qin Army generals had anticipated.

“They can’t be breached… Their lines are too strong,” complained the division commander of Dorne Expeditionary Force’s 1st Division to Mike Ravel and Sun Guang in the command center.

His troops were repelled every time they charged, as the opponent’s tactics were highly flexible, making them difficult to counter.

In the most promising attempt, his forces had already captured the frontline defensive positions of the Tang Army, but the Tang side immediately used a great deal of artillery to cover the lost positions, then organized a countercharge, forcing the Dorne troops to retreat.

When the Dorne forces attempted to use large-scale artillery to attack the opponent’s positions, the enemy carrier-based aircraft came out to hunt.

Even with only over a dozen aircraft, the attacking power was formidable. After suffering a loss, the Dorne side became more cautious, no longer exposing their artillery positions significantly.

Organizing a tank attack yielded a similar outcome, as the Tang Army’s anti-tank capabilities were robust, equipped with RPG-like weapons. Blindly advancing with tanks only increased casualties.

“We must attack regardless! It’s our only chance,” insisted Sun Guang, unwilling to return empty-handed after putting everything on the line.

To coordinate with Zhang Xuan’s offensive, the Dorne Expeditionary 1st Division and Sun Guang’s cobbled-together tank units had already suffered significant losses.

Mike Ravel felt a pang of regret, keenly aware of the day’s toll on the Qin-Dorne Allied Army. Dorne had lost five artillery units, 19 tanks, and hundreds of soldiers. The Qin side also had 16 tanks and two artillery units destroyed.

These numbers may not sound significant, but in reality, they were considerable. It was only the morning, and by the afternoon, losses would likely double.

“Has General Zhang launched his counterattack yet? If this keeps up, Qingluan Port is in danger,” Mike Ravel decided against persuading Sun Guang to pull back, shifting the responsibility to Zhang Xuan in the north instead.

His intent was clear: they were to draw the Tang Army’s attention for Zhang Xuan’s counterattack, playing supportive roles without depleting all their forces.

Sun Guang, a typical Qin Army commander, harbored little personal interest on the battlefield. He assumed Zhang Xuan would fully coordinate with him.

Indeed, Zhang Xuan was making efforts to cooperate with Sun Guang, with the northern Qin forces poised for the main attack.

However, the path was somewhat lengthy and preparations somewhat prolonged. Zhang Xuan was hoping Sun Guang would maneuver the Tang Army, allowing him to effortlessly flank them.

So, the current situation was: Sun Guang’s forces were attacking the Tang Army, achieving no results, while Zhang Xuan had yet to begin his offensive, marking a pre-battle calm.

…

On the western defensive positions of the Tang Army, two soldiers were eating their field rations in a foxhole. They tore open the packages containing biscuits and chocolates that provided substantial energy.

Additionally, the food included some dried vegetables and individually wrapped luncheon meat. If circumstances allowed, they could soak these foods in hot water to warm them slightly.

The Qin Army soldiers opposite them clearly did not intend to give them this opportunity. Midway through their meal, the Qin forces launched their attack.

The sentinel’s gunfire alerted all soldiers on the position. A Tang soldier, with a biscuit in his mouth, peeked out of the foxhole, spotting a Qin tank advancing toward them.

It was a Type 4 tank, unfamiliar to many new Tang soldiers in the trench because their own troops hadn’t equipped this type of tank. They had only heard about their side having such weapons but felt no affinity.

“Rocket!” a nearby anti-tank team shouted loudly, warning surrounding soldiers to stay safe. A white smoke trail then shot toward the tank, instantly penetrating the front armor of the Type 4 tank.

The tandem-warhead anti-tank rocket launcher easily dealt with the Type 4 tank clad only in steel armor, especially considering this was an unmodified early model without reinforced front armor.

The violent explosion instantly blew all the hatches off the Type 4 tank, highlighting its vulnerability: it had too many hatches, making it somewhat outdated.

Unlike other tanks, the Type 4 tank had five top hatches, excessive for a tank. While these hatches ensured the crew’s comfort in favorable conditions, they proved fragile against anti-tank fire.