Randall quickly answered on the radio: "Sir, should we go in first to confirm the enemy's situation?"
"Well... don't go in. I think the Yugoslavs retreated so neatly, don't leave us any legacy!" Li Qing was a little worried, always feeling that something was wrong.
"Isn't it possible? For these peripheral positions, their artillery firepower may not be able to cover them. It is a normal choice for them to escape." Randall thought that Li Qing was making a fuss.
But Li Qing doesn't think so. It's always right to be cautious. Knowing that after yesterday's day of fighting, everyone's enthusiasm for the spoils was excessive. Now the spoils here were easily available, but Li Qing still didn't want to take risks. After all, the team had to go around a large minefield to get here.
After about ten minutes, a truck arrived and about two squads of soldiers got out.
They searched the area and found nothing suspicious. Seeing this, the monkey yelled at Li Qing, even saying that Li Qing was too timid and cost him an opportunity to make a fortune. Li Qing was noncommittal. Maybe it was a pity, but that was it. After successfully completing the handover, Li Qing ordered supplies to be carried out.
While replenishing ammunition and fuel, the team members had breakfast at the same time. It was just nine o'clock in the morning and they were munching on field rations. Although it smelled good, their throats were already thirsty under the sun, which made this meal seem difficult. After swallowing, I could only pick up the water bottle and drink water while eating.
After breakfast, Li Qing led the team to clean up several surrounding positions. The enemy only made symbolic resistance and then retreated. In addition, several times before retreating, the enemy would detonate or blow up the existing supplies. However, the enemy was too aggressive. The orderly retreat aggravated Li Qing's suspicion, but Li Qing's battle plan did not include pursuit or occupation of positions, so everything went smoothly.
On the contrary, the monkey kept chattering, and jumped eagerly every time he saw the enemy running away, just like seeing a thief running out of his own home with his pocket on his back, feeling distressed, furious, and helpless...
They ran an unknown distance, burned an unknown amount of oil, and fired an unknown amount of shells. According to No. 178 Commander Hilmer: This is not like fighting at all, but more like performing ordinary daily training tasks - marching to the designated location, carrying out artillery fire on the target, evacuating the target to complete the occupation, and that's it. Like a drill, everything is going step by step.
Li Qing was also very conflicted. Fighting must look like fighting. What does this mean? Are you playing house with your enemies?
"There must be something wrong. The enemy has been ready to run away for a long time..." Another enemy position was empty. Li Qing had just fired a round of artillery shells, and the enemies in the position were rolling and crawling without a trace.
The monkey also felt something was wrong, as if he was a little too relaxed, and hesitantly said: "How about? Let's catch a few tongues?"
Looking at the sky, it was estimated that there was still time to remove the last peripheral position around the canyon before dark. On the way to the last target, Li Qing gathered the team members and briefed them on the rough battle plan.
"The enemies on the battlefield today are full of weirdness. I'm going to take the risk to capture some prisoners. It's best to ask some questions. This requires your cooperation!" Li Qing said to everyone.
"There is indeed something wrong, Mr. Li, please tell me how to cooperate with you!" Randall said.
"I have been observing that there are not many people in each of the enemy's outer positions. They should be two squads of troops. The previous enemies retreated too fast. This time, we have to leave some prisoners no matter what. .”
"So, our tactics need to be modified this time. We will no longer focus on artillery strikes. This time we will use encirclement tactics. We will first kill the enemy as much as possible, and then drive the enemy to the direction we want them to escape. Then we will Capture one or two prisoners as much as possible!”
Li Qing spread the march map on the ground and made gestures on it with his fingers. Everyone stretched out their heads and gathered together to listen to Li Qing's explanation.
"No. 178 and No. 403, you two vehicles, rush to the west of the position later. The distance between the two vehicles is 200 meters, keep each other visible, and cover each other when necessary. You will open fire after the third shell of the 716 vehicle explodes. Try to The enemy is driving eastward!"
"The 716 vehicle and the command tank rushed to the north of the position to conduct a frontal attack. This position is the direction where the enemy is least likely to escape. What the 716 vehicle needs to do is to fire artillery shells as quickly as possible to cause chaos to the enemy first!"
"The south side of the enemy's position is backed by a hillside. It is impossible for them to go to the hillside, which will only make them a target. Therefore, the enemy's most likely retreat direction is to the east. I will go to the east to guard their retreat and try to get this "Annihilate all the enemies together." Li Qing pointed at the map and explained the tactics. The tactics were very simple, but they also carried great risks.
"Of course, accidents may happen, so everyone must be prepared for close combat. Everyone should check their self-defense weapons. As long as the enemy is suppressed, I will provide support according to the situation."
"That's the situation. Is there anything else you want to add?"
"I think this is the only way. Everyone has been holding back today. The boring attack. The enemy must be holding back some bad ideas. Although the encirclement tactic is a bit risky, you can try it." Randall replied, touching his chin.
"Then it's settled, everyone prepares and sets off in 10 minutes." Li Qing made the final decision.
After preparations were completed, everyone dispersed and headed towards their respective directions. Just when Li Qing and his Type I-C were about to approach the enemy's possible retreat route, a loud "Boom!" was heard from the west.
Just when Car No. 178 and Car No. 403 were about to enter their predetermined positions, a large amount of sand flew up from the left side of Car No. 403. With the violent shaking of the car body, the car did not stop completely, but began to spin to the left. The tank driver stopped the car immediately.
At this time, Li Qing's voice came from the radio: "What happened?"
Eisenberg, the commander of No. 403, picked up the microphone and said with a wry smile: "This is Car No. 403. We won the lottery and hit a mine, but luckily, it was probably an anti-track mine. It's no big deal."
"Be alert, the enemy may get over there. I will rush there now. Give up the original plan now. Vehicle No. 178 and Vehicle 716 will open fire immediately after they arrive at the location to drive the enemy away. We don't need to take too much risk!" After Li Qing spoke into the microphone, he kicked the back of the monkey's seat and directed the monkey to take a detour to the west.
