Australian Storm 1876

  Chapter 642 A slap in the face

In the rain of bullets, the wild wolf light tank moved forward slowly, and oncoming bullets hit the steel plate, making a chilling sound of impact, as if the magic sound of death kept beating, bluffing the 60mm field gun group. The crew turned pale, they had never experienced this kind of battle.

   Bian Chunsong steadily drove the tank forward, and cast an "an la" look at the way.

  Compared with the horror scene of the lead charge in the Battle of the Kongsby Plateau, now it is the little Kiss that is encountered.

At that time, the ubiquitous artillery bombardment set off one after another powerful shock waves. The human body's stumps and blood mixed with a large amount of mud and gravel were smashed down with head and face. The light tank was like a small boat driving in the stormy sea, and could only move forward. charge.

After more than a dozen battles, Bian Chunsong has been able to calmly control everything he faces, and there is no fear for the tank soldiers, because when the enemy’s artillery fires, the person and the tank will be reimbursed instantly, without thinking at all. time.

"Oh my God... the Haqi Kesi cannons, suppressed...heavy machine gun suppression..." Captain Bian Chunsong observed from the German artillery periscope to the front of the church entrance, two French Haqi Kesi 1.65-inch artillery appeared. Immediately scared to the horror, he immediately shouted hoarsely.

  For tank soldiers, the slow firing of large-caliber artillery is not terrible, it is difficult to hit the maneuverable light tanks, and the heavy machine guns that fire wildly are not terrible, because they cannot break through the heavy frontal bulletproof armor of light tanks.

  The most terrifying thing is the small-caliber fast gun. The direct firepower of this small-caliber fast gun is extremely lethal to light tanks. As long as it hits it, it will be a shot.

The tank soldiers of the second squadron at the forefront obviously saw the great threat they were facing, and immediately gave up suppressing heavy machine gun fire in other directions, and turned their muzzle to fire frantically at the church’s front entrance. From a distance, several southern artillery soldiers could be seen. It was as if trembling in a storm, and he fell to the ground with blood.

  The crisis is resolved and it is temporarily safe.

  Bian Chunsong was trembling and carefully observed through the German artillery mirror. When the camera turned to the apartment building in the other direction, his eyes widened in horror.

   is over, and the enemy's plan to adjust the tiger away from the mountain.

Four artillery groups appeared near the rubble under the apartment building. Four French 1.65-inch quick cannons were quickly pushed out, and the shells were quickly pushed into the chamber and fired. There were a few clear cannon sounds. It was in front of you in a blink of an eye.

  Although the two sides were very close, due to the hasty launch, only one of the four shells hit the second squadron tank at the forefront. The tank was immediately blown into the sky, and the smoke burned fiercely.

  Some of the other three shells made a big hole in the wall, exploding several Chinese soldiers to the bone, and some hit the rubble and set off a rain of gravel, blocking a place of loneliness.

  On this occasion of life and death

  Several existing tanks immediately turned their heavy machine guns, trying to suppress the enemy with fierce firepower.

  But the artillery of the Southern Army also fired fiercely, and quickly reloaded the second round. After a little adjustment, another shot came.

  Three of the enemy’s four cannons fired shells, and the battery of one gun was hit by heavy machine guns, and the whole area was stained with rubble.

The hand-to-hand combat of the bayonet on this cannon was fierce and bloody. The enemy fought back with a mortal heart. Another tank of the Second Squadron was hit by the track. A strong explosion overturned the light tank to the ground, breaking the steel track. Drag out the old man like a dead snake.

  The explosion destroyed the rear door of the light tank. The blood-stained driver was thrown out, lying motionless on the stone road. Such a fierce impact would inevitably lead to multiple fractures and bleeding throughout the body, which seemed to be hopeless.

  Two light tanks were reimbursed in a blink of an eye, and Bian Chunsong was heartbroken to bleed.

Fighting continued for a month to this day. Except for the 36 tanks (including two backups) of the tank battalion, which were damaged in the battle, only 15 of them rushed all the way to Flinders Street. In order to win, too many accompany each other day and night. His comrade-in-arms paid the price of their lives, and now they are reimbursed for two more at once, how can he not make him feel heartbroken.

The second tank squadron was hit hard by artillery fire, and the outrageous Southern Army artillery was not much better. The remaining tank heavy machine guns focused on the past and fired wildly. Sparks splashed and flesh and blood flew across the scalp tingling steel. , The southern army’s artillery group was almost torn apart by heavy machine guns, and the corpses were everywhere.

this age

  Neither artillery nor heavy machine guns have reliable cover, and even steel shields are not available. Soldiers are completely exposed to operate, and their survivability is extremely low under the cover of enemy fire.

   at this point

The heavy machine gun equipped with the   Wild Wolf light tank has an absolute advantage in protection. It easily gains the upper hand in shooting with the enemy, and it can be called a weapon to suppress the enemy's firepower.

  "The second squadron retired and retired, and the third squadron went up."

  Bian Chunsong issued a semaphore command, and the second squadron with only two light tanks left to retreat. If the fight continues, the second squadron should cancel the number.

  Flinders Street is spacious enough to accommodate a troika in parallel.

The width of the   Wild Wolf light tank is much narrower and smaller than that of the wagon, so it can easily and slowly retreat.

"Camp, the sixth squadron seems to be dying, and my second squadron is almost exhausted. You have to avenge your brother!" The squadron leader of the second squadron is Lieutenant Wu Baoli. He pushed the tailgate of the car and his face was full of grief. Yelled, tears drew two clear marks on his face full of oily fume stains.

"You go down to rest first, I won't spare them." Bian Chunsong gritted his teeth and replied, pressing **** the accelerator, and the wild wolf light tank drove up with thick black smoke "Gada Gata". Behind him was dragging a 60mm field gun with a rope.

Coming to the back of the tank position of the third squadron, Bian Chunsong found a high pile of rubble and stopped, opened the tailgate to let the crew members hiding inside come out, quickly untied the tow rope under the cover of the tank, and checked. Set the artillery.

   Taking advantage of the heavy machine gun firepower to suppress the enemy, he quickly pushed out the 60mm field gun, and aimed at the enemy’s heavy machine gun position on the roof.

  The top of the bombed apartment was splashed with rubble and smoke was filled.

Although it did not hit, it caused a great shock to the opponent. When the smoke was everywhere, the 60 mm field gun was slightly adjusted to shoot Zhu Yuan, "Tom Tom Tom" fired three shots in succession, blowing up the top of the apartment building. A large area collapsed, and the enemy's heavy machine gun group also fell down and turned into a wreckage on the ground.

  The firepower of the offensive troops was so fierce that the crushing enemy could not lift their heads.

   Colonel Duan Qirui’s tactics of arranging artillery fire to clear the way immediately achieved obvious results. The 60mm field gun was powerful in direct fire at close range, and successively dropped several enemy heavy machine gun positions that had been exposed, making the southern army's resistance to misfire.

  Then, 60mm field guns began to focus their fire on the enemy’s fortified barricades, the main entrance of the church and the fortified long walls.

  Amidst the roar of cannons

  The enemy’s tenaciously defended apartment building was blasted with several large gaps, and the church’s main entrance was also blown to pieces. Only the long solid stone wall still stood tall despite blasting out a few small potholes.

  It can be seen through observation that the 100-meter-long solid wall of the Church of the Virgin Mary is not a wall, but a stone-built corridor-style building, which is very solid.

  This is a Norman style of British architecture in the early 19th century. It is known for its solidity and weight. With the power of a 60mm field gun, it can’t be beaten for a while.

  Hundreds of Confederate soldiers occupied the church building, climbed to the top of the stone covered bridge, and fired from high ground, causing a lot of trouble to the attacking troops.

  If they do not destroy them, it will be difficult for the attacking troops to move forward.

  Duan Qirui looked at his watch. It was already a quarter past eight in the morning. No matter how slow the enemy's reaction was, he should have realized that it was not good. There was not much time left for the offensive troops.

  Here is the heartland of southern whites, with heavy soldiers.

   "Has the mortar come up?"

   "Report to the sir that Major Wu Haishan has personally adjusted the artillery, but the mortar cart is behind, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to get up for a while."

"The time is urgent, I can't take care of that much." Duan Qirui's eyes appeared anxious, and after turning two laps on his hips, he made up his mind decisively; "Blow the charge, occupy the church in front and consolidate it at any cost. Now execute the order."

With a wave of his hand, Duan Qirui ordered an assault. The tank rushed forward, and the infantry followed in a swarm. After paying a considerable price, he finally occupied the 4-story apartment building and attacked the Church of the Virgin Mary. Start a fierce battle with the enemy.

   ten minutes later

  At the crossroads formed by Flinders Street and Warehouse Street, the attacking Northern Army soldiers have occupied the buildings in three directions, and they are fighting fiercely with the Southern Army soldiers entrenched in the Church of the Virgin Mary. Gunshots are endless.

   "Report to the sir, the ghost army is coming up."

"there?"

   "Assembling on the other side of the river, you may come over at any time."

At this time, the correspondent brought bad news. Duan Qirui walked out of the church with his gun profusely, put the rifle in the arms of the correspondent, and took a few steps forward and looked out through the window. .

I saw the stone bridge on the other side of the Yala River, countless black heads flashing, knives and guns like forests, countless soldiers were in formation under the command of the commander, driving horse-drawn artillery carts across the hard stone road, People shouted, and there was an atmosphere of silence.

  Just looking at it, there are no fewer than a few thousand people. I don’t know how many there are in the city streets farther away?

   "Hurry up and build barricades, order the soldiers to occupy favorable terrain and prepare for battle."

"Yes, sir."

   "Report to the mobile corps headquarters immediately and request reinforcements."

"Yes, sir."

   "Let the second battalion stop the offensive and build fortifications to confront the enemy. The architecture of this monastery is too **** good. I'm afraid I can't knock this tortoise shell without a mortar. I can only let it go."

"Yes, sir."

The messenger rushed out to execute the order. Duan Qirui took a look out along the warehouse street. A stone barricade with a height of half of the people was being formed. The soldiers were carrying sacks full of soil and piled it up, making the barricade even stronger. Thick and durable.

  As for the materials, of course they were removed from the barricades under the apartment building, and they were stacked on the front of the stone bridge when they turned around, forming a new strong barricade to block the frontal impact of the enemy.

  Mother, you still have to do your job!

Duan Qirui cursed in his heart. His independent regiment of the Railway Cavalry Division was irradiated by the peak. The total number was over 2,300, and more than 4,000 white captives were assigned to cannon fodder, but these white captives followed the large forces. It will not arrive until the evening of the day after tomorrow at the earliest.

  The soldiers are very fast, and the mobile corps are all composed of Chinese soldiers. What is needed is to open the situation with the fastest movements and the most fierce offensive. As for the casualties of soldiers, it is not a priority. How can you not die in battle!

The operation was a great success. The mobile corps of more than 30,000 troops is now flooding, and initially occupied the West Melbourne area, which is almost one-third of the weakness of the entire Melbourne core urban area. When it hit the Yarra River, the enemy's shock was undoubtedly huge.

  The 60,000+ troops of the Southern Federation stockpiled on the front defensive line became a display, no less than a slap in the face of the opponent.

  It is completely conceivable, how fierce the counterattack is after becoming angry!

  " Battalion Commander Bian, I want to discuss something with you." Duan Qirui looked kindly and invited Captain Bian Chunsong, hesitated, and still spoke.

  His attitude made Bian Chunsong a little confused, and he hesitated to reply; "Chief Duan, please make it clear that every tank battalion can do everything within its power, and there is nothing wrong."

   "Thank you Battalion Commander Bian for your full support, so that we can hit the stone bridge all the way and successfully complete the set mission." Duan Qirui organized a language, staring at Captain Bian Chunsong and said sincerely;

"I will take the liberty to ask you to call you brother Chunsong here. Everyone is dead and friendly. I will not say any kind words. The ghosts on the other side of the river have assembled a large force to prepare for the counterattack. We The vanguard forces will be under great pressure.

My independent regiment has suffered a quarter of the casualties here, and another battalion was held by the enemy in the church of the Virgin Mary. It was like saying that the meat in the mouth could not be swallowed, and another pig or a group of pigs came outside. Pig, the independent group may choke to death.

  Now we most urgently need fire support, so I want all the heavy machine guns of your tank battalion to participate in the river bank defense. I don’t know what you want? "

  "This..." Bian Chunsong hesitated after listening.

  Such a request is really excessive. The only weapon of the Sea Wolf light tank is a Maxine water-cooled heavy machine gun. If the heavy machine gun is taken away, can this tank be called a tank?

   Duan Qirui's request is equivalent to the removal of the tank battalion's force. If he rashly agrees, Bian Chunsong will eat melons if it is not good, not to mention the strong opposition from the brothers in the camp.

The   Tank Battalion, as the vanguard of the entire corps, has its own glory and pride.

  In terms of status, it is no less than an infantry regiment, or even worse.

  Even the powerful armored chariot regiment has to charge behind the tank battalion's butt. From another perspective, this is also a manifestation of status. Without diamonds, you can't take the porcelain job!

  "Brother Chunsong, you have also seen the combat environment in Warehouse Street. The section from Warehouse Street to Hekou Stone Bridge is limited by the houses on both sides, so there is little room for flickering.

  The Confederate Army on the other side concentrated a lot of artillery fire. If the tank battalion fights in this area, it will definitely suffer unnecessary losses.

  According to the current firepower of our regiment, it is difficult to suppress the opponent's artillery coverage.

  Once the enemy strikes, our manpower cannot hold the position anyway, so the key to this battle is fire support. We must give the opponent's offensive infantry a heavy blow to let the enemy know how powerful we are. "

Duan Qirui’s painstaking persuasion and analysis were in place, which made Bian Chunsong a little moved. He considered his expression and asked cautiously; "Sir Duan, we have already asked the mobile corps for help, and we have occupied favorable terrain defenses at the mouth of the river. How can it last for two or three hours?"

Duan Qirui shook his head solemnly; "Things are not viewed this way. First of all, my second battalion is staring at the enemy in the Church of the Virgin Mary. If the enemy attacking on the other side of the river is attacked inside and outside, our position will instantly fall.

  Secondly, the corps was deployed in the entire West Melbourne area. Although it controlled most of the regional situation, fierce battles were still going on non-stop. You can hear the gunshots in the city. It is not easy for any unit.

   There are 7 bridges on the Yarra River, of which there are 5 bridges in the urban area. The mobile corps must at least place a regiment next to each bridge to prevent the enemy's counter-attack.

  In addition to the battles that take place throughout the city, it is also necessary to prevent the enemy from deploying heavy troops from the defensive line to counterattack. The strength of the mobile corps is not generous, so it must be considered from the worst point of view.

  Our task is to hold on to our position, at least until dusk, and wait until the rear reinforcements arrive before the crisis can be resolved.

  In other words;

  In the worst case, we must persist until dusk without reinforcements. It is difficult to complete the task with these thousands of people in my hands, so I beg your tank battalion for support. "

"Okay, my tank battalion can transfer eleven heavy machine guns to you. The heavy machine gun team also participates in defensive operations, resolutely knocking down the enemy's counterattack momentum." Bian Chunsong is also a very decisive person, and decisively agreed. .

His answer is still very skillful. There are only 13 tanks in the tank battalion, and 14 intact heavy machine guns (the tank heavy machine guns that have been overturned are not lost). Supporting the eleven heavy machine guns cannot be regarded as disarming the tank battalion, at least The combat effectiveness of the three tanks is still retained, isn't it?

  At least, his tank battalion commander’s vehicle cannot be disarmed. This is the last persistence and glory of the tank battalion. As long as the battalion commander’s vehicle remains, the tank battalion will always exist.

Duan Qirui is a wise man with a lot of knowledge. How can he not know Bian Chunsong's thoughts, feelings of sympathy rose in his heart, and he stretched out his hand heavily and patted Bian Chunsong's shoulders and said, "Okay, courageous, yes Decisive, loyal, brother, I accept your love today. If I can survive this battle, I hope I can make Jinlan with Chunsong brother. As long as my Duan Qirui can do it, I will definitely not make Chunsong hungry. NS."

   "So I wish I did, I dare not ask you!" Bian Chunsong dropped the book bag sternly, and the two of them looked at each other and laughed.

  In this era of war of gold and iron horses, the feelings between men are warm and pure, and they are often entrusted with their lives, just like mellow and strong old wine.

  (End of this chapter)