readytorunbook Chapter 549: 1 Lose everything, move out!
Chapter 549: 1 Lose everything, move out!
The corners of Tan Zhijie's mouth rose slightly, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.
The 1st Parachute Brigade of the Nanyang National Defense Force, this "air blade" that he personally designed and poured countless efforts and resources into, is demonstrating its unparalleled delivery capability.
Each falling figure represents the Nanyang Republic's tentacles for rapidly projecting power outward.
The parachutes descended rapidly, accurately covering the designated drop zone.
Landing, rolling, releasing the parachute, retracting the parachute ropes, standing guard with guns... the paratroopers' movements were smooth and swift, demonstrating extremely high training levels and tactical qualities.
They quickly assembled in groups, moving quickly but not chaotically.
Tan Zhijie's telescope focused on a paratrooper squad that was assembling.
This elite among the elites, with luxurious equipment, also has a hint of "happy troubles":
The two soldiers were holding the iconic Thompson submachine gun with a large drum magazine. The 50-round drum magazine provided terrifying continuous water-splashing firepower. They were the backbone of the team in clearing houses and engaging in jungle encounters.
The other eight soldiers were equipped with M1 Garand semi-automatic rifles. The crisp "ding" sound (the sound of an empty magazine ejecting) was a symbol of reliability and firepower. Precise suppression within 300 meters was their responsibility.
Another soldier was carrying a unique long weapon - an NTB44C battle rifle (a light machine gun version of the G3) with an extended barrel, a bipod and a 50-round drum magazine.
This weapon uses the new 7.62x51mm bullet, and its effective range far exceeds that of the Garand when equipped with a long barrel, reaching an astonishing 800 meters.
The bipod provides a stable shooting platform and is an irreplaceable precision fire point in open areas or when suppressing enemy machine gun positions.
The last two soldiers, one of them was carrying the barrel of an 88mm recoilless rifle with some difficulty, while his deputy was carrying heavy shells and tripod.
This gun is the ultimate guarantee of direct firepower for the paratrooper squad. It can deal with bunkers, light armored vehicles and even temporary fortifications with one shot.
"One squad, three ammunition systems: .45 ACP (Thompson), .30-06 (Garand), and 7.62 new round (G3)." General Qi Quan whispered beside him, his tone tinged with emotion. "The logistics pressure is not small. Just distributing ammunition requires extra care."
Tan Zhijie did not move the telescope, his voice was steady:
"I know, Lao Qi. It's indeed a burden. But think about the environment they will face: dense rainforest, open plantations, complex urban street fighting, and possible enemy armored targets. We need them to have the most direct and fiercest firepower response the moment they land, regardless of distance, regardless of whether the target is soft or hard.
Sacrificing some logistical convenience in exchange for ultimate, immediate combat capability across the entire range is a worthwhile trade-off. Besides, once our own intermediate-power rounds are mass-produced, perhaps this problem can be resolved, but for now, this is the optimal solution."
Qi Quan nodded, he understood the Chief of General Staff's considerations.
Paratroopers are the spearhead and an isolated force. Every minute after landing is a matter of life and death. Powerful and immediately available firepower is the greatest guarantee for survival and mission completion.
At this moment, another heavier whistling sound came from the sky.
Several large and strangely shaped WACO heavy gliders broke away from the C-47's towing cables and glided down silently like giant birds that had lost power.
Their target was a relatively flat, soft patch of grass at the edge of the drop zone.
The heavy fuselage of the glider crashed into the ground with huge inertia, and the skids installed under the belly plowed deep grooves in the soil, causing the soil to fly.
The huge friction caused the fuselage to tremble violently, emitting a teeth-grinding groan.
Finally, after gliding for a thrilling distance, the glider stopped, with the nose slightly tilted up due to inertia.
"Bang!" The hatch at the front of the glider was suddenly knocked open from the inside!
An M22 Cicada airborne tank painted in jungle camouflage roared out (pictured).
It is small and light (less than 8 tons), equipped with a 37mm cannon and a coaxial machine gun, and its armor is as thin as paper, but in the eyes of paratroopers who lack heavy firepower, it is the undisputed king of land warfare.
The tracks stirred up mud, and the M22 quickly adjusted its direction and rotated its turret to provide armored cover and fire support to the gathering paratroopers.
The hatches of other CG-4A gliders (pictured) opened, and out emerged not tanks but infantry squads carrying heavy equipment:
A group of soldiers quickly pushed out a disassembled 75mm M1A1 mountain gun and began to assemble it skillfully.
This light but powerful gun will provide paratroopers with vital indirect fire support.
Another group carried the heavy 120mm mortar base, barrel and ammunition box, and quickly found favorable terrain to establish a launching position.
Other gliders carried extra ammunition, radios, and even folded-up light jeeps.
The paratroopers did not stop after landing. Under the command of the squad leader, they quickly moved towards the glider landing point.
The tank, mountain artillery, mortar teams and infantry paratroopers were like skillfully assembled building blocks, and they completed the initial combined formation in a very short time.
Without too many words, only clear gestures and brief commands, a group of combined combat groups equipped with complete light infantry firepower, direct/indirect fire support, and even armored assault capabilities quickly took shape on this land.
"Attack!" The signal flare from the exercise directorate was launched.
In an instant, the paratrooper battle group that had just completed assembly was like a tiger out of the cage. Under the guidance of the M22 tank, it launched a swift attack on the preset "enemy" defensive positions several kilometers away.
The precise bursts of the Garand, the water-spraying strafing of the Thompson, the stable and powerful medium- and long-range suppression of the NTB44C battle rifle, the roar of the recoilless rifle, the whistling of the mortar shells cutting through the air, the steady roar of the 75 mountain gun, and the crisp sound of the M22 tank's 37mm gun...all kinds of sounds intertwined together to play a steel symphony of three-dimensional assault.
Through the telescope, Tan Zhijie and Qi Quan clearly saw the paratroopers flexibly using the terrain, the infantry and tanks coordinating well, and the clear levels of firepower.
The assault group advanced rapidly under the cover of Thompson's firepower, machine gunners and riflemen provided continuous suppression and precision strikes in the rear, and recoilless rifles and tanks were responsible for eliminating strong firepower points.
The entire attack process was smooth and flowing, demonstrating extremely high tactical qualities and combined combat capabilities.
"Good!" Tan Zhijie finally put down the telescope, a satisfied smile on his face. He turned to look at Qi Quan, "Old Qi, it seems that the training of these 'heavenly soldiers and generals' was not in vain. They can chew on this tough bone."
Qi Quan also smiled, which was rare, but deep inside his smile, there was a hint of solemnity:
"Commander, the troops' technical and tactical level and fighting spirit are absolutely top-notch. On the training ground, they coordinated seamlessly, as if they were one. But..."