Chapter 84
While the tank crew was busily removing limiters and painting tactical numbers, Wang Zhong said to Alexander: "Gather all platoon commanders of the tank regiment."
Excluding this ceremonial tank, the total of 24 T34s made up six platoons - hardly enough to be called a tank regiment in the severely understaffed Ant Army, though it was indeed organized at regimental level.
Soon all the regiment's officers gathered around Vehicle 422 which was being repainted.
The regiment's original commander Lieutenant Colonel Kobov saluted Wang Zhong and immediately said: "I must remind you, General, sir, except for these specialists transferred from the Armored Training Corps, the rest of us are only really good at washing vehicles."
Wang Zhong frowned, doubting his hearing: "Washing vehicles?"
"Maybe painting vehicles too. See how all our tanks have beautiful parade coatings, even with white rims on the road wheels."
Only then did Wang Zhong look down at the road wheels - indeed they had those circular white rims that would look impressive in formation.
But on the battlefield this would only make enemy blood splatter more visibly - wait, that might actually be useful.
Wang Zhong: "The circles are well painted indeed. They'll leave clearer blood trails when running over enemy corpses, which could intimidate the enemy."
"Are you serious?" Lieutenant Colonel Kobov asked with a frown.
"Dead serious. The current situation is..."
The lieutenant colonel interrupted again: "General! Most of us can't possibly hit the enemy because we haven't adjusted the gun sights' mil markings or range since leaving school."
"We're not even sure about accuracy because these tanks' gun sights haven't been maintained at all since being issued to us."
Wang Zhong: "What about the cannons?"
"Those were maintained because we sometimes demonstrate live firing for His Majesty, so they can fire."
"How can you demonstrate live firing without adjusting the gun sights?" Wang Zhong grew more puzzled.
Lieutenant Colonel Kobov looked skyward: "That's because we only fire blank rounds during demonstrations, with preset explosives creating the hit effects."
Wang Zhong thought: Holy crap, you fools dare deceive the emperor like this? Doesn't the Ant Empire have laws against deceiving the throne?
Then Warrant Officer Alexander interjected: "Actually if we advance within 300 meters, even unadjusted gun sights can hit targets without adjusting mil markings. Just put the crosshair on target and fire - even monkeys could do it."
Wang Zhong: "Acceptable."
He picked up a branch and began drawing diagrams while explaining:
The current situation is this: the enemy's first wave has entered the village and is locked in combat with our forces. Their second wave remains stationary on the open plains with no signs of committing yet.
I suspect their commander judges the second wave unnecessary for now.
"We'll exit the village via the southeastern road, then flank the enemy forces on the plains."
Wang Zhong glanced up at the flag now hanging from the communications antenna: "Follow this flag during maneuvers. Remember - when you see the vehicle ahead turn right, immediately turn right to face the enemy."
"Can you execute this maneuver?"
Wang Zhong was genuinely concerned they might mess up formation changes and cause chaos.
History was full of inexperienced troops being destroyed during formation changes.
Lieutenant Colonel Kobov spoke up: "If you mean formation changes, we're quite proficient. We're a ceremonial unit. We could even perform a V-formation switch for the enemy."
"That won't be necessary," Wang Zhong quickly waved his hand. "A simple line formation will do. After formation, we'll stop every fifty meters to fire one or two salvos, prioritizing closer targets. Don't fear - our frontal armor is superior! Our firepower guarantees enemy destruction."
Indeed, the T34 held overwhelming advantages over Prossenian tanks of this era.
Though not as absolute as the KV, the 50mm guns on Type IIIs would struggle to penetrate a T34's frontal armor.
Especially since these were early-model 50mm guns without the later long barrels - in future games they'd be nicknamed "candy launchers" for their armor-piercing shells being as effective as candy pellets.
Wang Zhong continued: "When the enemy realizes they can't effectively threaten our front, their fighting spirit will drive them to attack our side armor."
They'll engage us in close combat, relying on experience and superior tactics to win.
"Remember then - their Type IV tanks weigh only 18 tons, Type IIIs just 15 tons, while we're 32 tons. In collisions, the enemy will suffer more!"
After speaking, Wang Zhong looked at the platoon leaders: "Any questions?"
All six shook their heads.
Their faces were pale.
Then Wang Zhong recalled gunner Alexander's assessment of the original crew they replaced: "Drunk all day without discipline."
Clearly, these men were sober today - hence their timidity.
If only he had experienced tankers to replace them. But Wang Zhong had none.
He waved: "Return to your units and ensure every tank commander understands the plan! We depart in ten minutes! Dismissed!"
The platoon leaders ran off anxiously toward their units.
Alexander: "I don't recommend fighting these men on open plains."
"Trust me," Wang Zhong said, "urban combat is more complex. These men would be killed by experienced Prossenian infantry with grenades, Molotovs, even bayonets - climbing tanks to stab through open hatches."
Alexander looked serious: "Are Prossenians that determined? Capital newspapers claim they only rely on equipment with poor fighting spirit."
The usually silent Grigori suddenly said: "Because those journalists never bayonet-fought Prossenians on battlefields. We have. We know their quality."
Alexander: "I see."
Then driver Belyakov announced: "Finished, Warrant Officer, General, sir."
Alexander: "Please inspect it."
Wang Zhong nodded and approached this "ceremonial tank."
The tank's coating was entirely parade-style, with white-rimmed road wheels looking imposing yet offering zero concealment on plains.
The tactical number on the turret side had been changed to 422, with a white horse added after the last digit.
Wang Zhong: "The white horse?"
"You're the White Horse General - even the enemy calls you that - so I painted it," Belyakov shrugged.
Wang Zhong nodded, finally observing the flag on the reinforced antenna - now more than half stained red.
Its bullet holes and smoke burns gave it a uniquely battlefield beauty.
Wang Zhong admired his new vehicle. Though the T34-85's large turret with stubby 76mm gun looked oddly proportioned, he still loved this new ride.
To him, this was his Gundam, his true Getter, his iron-clad hero.
Suddenly remembering old man Rezenov who'd introduced this flag, Wang Zhong asked the surrounding Protectorate Army: "Where's Elder Rezenov?"
"Fallen," they replied. "He led us to retrieve your remains. That flag probably still bears his blood."
Wang Zhong fell silent, then gritted his teeth: "I won't make him regret leading that charge. Never."
At this point, my life no longer belongs solely to me.
Never had Wang Zhong understood Wang Changling's frontier poetry so deeply - though he now stood on foreign soil in another spacetime.
Through countless battles my armor's worn, not till Loulan falls will I return!
Wang Zhong vaulted onto the tank, telling Grigori: "No need to guard me. Help the parish priests organize the Protectorate Army! Regroup at brigade HQ after battle!"
Grigori saluted and left.
Standing on the tank, Wang Zhong shouted to the lingering crowd: "Fellow villagers! Women and children, proceed immediately to the station! A train just arrived will evacuate you rearward!"
Women may stay to join laborer camps helping fortify positions! But children must leave!
Men follow the parish priests! Veterans step forward to become squad leaders! Today we fight the enemy to the death!
"Ura!"
"URA!" came the deafening response.
He then climbed into the tank, urging Alexander: "Quick! Battle stations!"
Alexander climbed in through the right turret hatch. The loader and driver took their positions.
Noticing the driver carrying a hammer, Wang Zhong asked: "Why the hammer?"
"For turning. Need it to move this left control lever. Common issue in this T34 batch," the driver explained.
He'd read about this in many memoirs!
While mentally complaining, Wang Zhong donned his headset and throat mic: "Hear me?"
All four crew members responded: "Heard!"
"Forward!"
With a crisp "clang," the engine roared to life, gradually accelerating.
Needed hammering for gear shifts too!
As the tank picked up speed, people scrambled to clear the road.
Wang Zhong quipped a line from The Wandering Earth 2: "Belyakov, are you pedaling a bicycle? So slow!"
The engine roared angrily, the tank lurching forward violently - the sudden pushback nearly throwing Wang Zhong from the turret.
The 32-ton behemoth charged down streets, its wind blowing off a girl's headscarf.
Everyone cheered: "Charge, General!"
"Defeat them!"
Wang Zhong stood tall on the "observation seat," feeling the wind through his hair as Alexander Yefimovich had described.
At such moments, one's spirits naturally soar.
The headset's static seemed to transform into the classic tune Grassland, Oh Grassland.
The other 24 T34s followed closely behind Vehicle 422.
The speeding tanks' dust cloud resembled a cavalry charge.
But there were no hoofbeats, only tracks crushing helmets.
Thus the formation charged out of Loktov, flanking toward the enemy's Second Wave.
----
Major General Randolph noticed massive dust rising from the village: "What's that? An Ant cavalry charge?"
Adjusting his binoculars, he looked toward the dust.
He only saw a red-flagged tank leading the dust cloud, everything behind obscured.
Unlike the other Ant tank crews Major General Randolph had seen these days, this tank's crew wasn't cowardly hiding inside the turret-yes, like almost all armored troops, the Major General believed the Ant people didn't stick their heads out due to cowardice.
On the turret of that tank with tactical number 422, an officer stood tall with his head held high, as if he was reviewing troops.
Hmm?
Major General Randolph carefully verified this tank's tactical number.
422?
And a white horse?
Randolph: "It's the White Horse General! He's left the city in a light tank! Kill him quickly!"
The Major General naturally assumed this tank was the same as the hundreds of light tanks the 15th Armored had already destroyed on their advance.
"Second Wave, turn your guns! Destroy the enemy light tanks leaving the city, kill or capture the White Horse General!"
----
From his overhead perspective, Wang Zhong judged their position was about right. The enemy had reacted and was turning-for now, only individual vehicles were turning, but once the whole formation adjusted, it would be troublesome.
After all, he only had 24 T34s, and their training level was so low.
Wang Zhong gave the order: "Turn right 90 degrees!"
Clang!
The sound of the hammer hitting the control lever was indeed crisp.
The tank immediately turned right with a drift.
Then another clang as the turn stopped.
The tanks following Vehicle 422 immediately turned as well.
Lieutenant Colonel Kobov hadn't been boasting-these parade specialists were professional when changing formations, instantly transforming the column leaving the city into a line.
Wang Zhong: "Advance 30 meters, let all vehicles shake off the dust cloud."
The dust kicked up during the charge would interfere with shooting; moving forward could leave it behind.
Thirty meters passed in a flash, and before Wang Zhong could give the order, Belyakov hit the brakes.
Taking advantage of the gun barrel's sway, Wang Zhong shouted: "Turret left 5 degrees, target number 112! It has antennas-it's a command tank!"
Aiming was almost instantaneous. The muzzle blast from the 76mm gun blew away all the surrounding tall grass.
The shell hit the front of that Type III that had just finished turning.
The Type III didn't catch fire or explode, but the commander climbed out of the turret and leapt to hide in the grass beside the tank.
Of course, from his overhead view, Wang Zhong saw clearly-this shot had gone straight through the observation port, wiping out the entire crew except the commander.
After Vehicle 422 fired, the others opened up with a cacophony of shots.
Wang Zhong watched the shells bounce across the grassland as if they weren't firing 20th-century modern cannons but muzzle-loading artillery from the line infantry era.
Still, two found their targets.
The enemy tanks' formation was poor, blocking each other's fields of fire-only the northernmost tanks in the formation had good visibility.
They fired.
Almost all the armor-piercing rounds were aimed at Wang Zhong!
In the blink of an eye, three new dents appeared on Vehicle 422's gun shield.
One armor-piercing shell hit the front hull and ricocheted skyward.
More armor-piercing rounds landed all around, throwing up dust that covered Wang Zhong's face.
Damn, good thing it's a T34, or I'd be dead already.
Wang Zhong: "Anyone injured?"
"No!" the four replied in unison.
"Armor-piercing round, load!"
Without waiting for Wang Zhong's order, the second shot was fired-the command tank's wingman exploded, its turret flying into the air.
The other tanks fired too; the second volley was much more accurate, clearly these parade specialists weren't so stupid as to not adjust their fire.
Four more enemy tanks burst into flames.
The enemy started moving, drastically adjusting their formation, apparently planning to overwhelm these mere 25 "light tanks" with numbers.
Wang Zhong: "Keep moving, don't let them complete their formation adjustment. Charge to 300 meters to ensure better accuracy! We have the armor advantage!"
With another clang, Vehicle 422 raced forward again.
----
Dimitri shouted: "Look! Our tank force is attacking!"
By now, the defensive line had fallen back to the forward command post. Yegorov personally manned a machine gun, firing wildly outside.
Hearing Dimitri's shout, Yegorov picked up binoculars he hadn't touched in an hour to look into the distance.
"It's the General! I knew it was him the moment I saw that 422, with the white horse painted on it!" Yegorov shouted excitedly. "Charge! Those are our T34s, the newest models! Let them have a taste!"
----
Major General Randolph stared in shock at those "light tanks."
These things seemed invulnerable-the main guns of the Prossen Empire's Type III tanks, specifically designed for tank-to-tank combat, could only scratch their paint!
By now, the intelligence officer had finished flipping through the enemy armored vehicle identification manual issued by High Command and reported loudly: "They're the enemy's newest T-34 tanks!"
Randolph: "Don't just give me the model! How do we deal with them?"
"The manual says the rear engine compartment is weak, as is the area above the side road wheels."
"Notify the troops immediately!"
But by then, the radios were already full of exclamations from Second Wave commanders.
"We can't penetrate it at all!"
"It's charging right at me!"
"Try HE! Try HE!"
"Aaaah!"
In this chaos, though the communications officer was shouting at the top of his lungs, no one heard him.
----
Vehicle 422 was the first to break through the enemy tank formation. Wang Zhong was certain Alexander had hit two more enemy tanks while moving.
Through his overhead view, he saw the other tanks still engaged in melee with the enemy.
The enemy was in disarray, some hysterical, while the parade specialists, realizing the enemy couldn't penetrate their armor, gained tremendous psychological advantage and fought even better!
At least 20 enemy tanks were burning on the grassland, with another 30 or so motionless-in Wang Zhong's view, they'd already lost their highlight.
Then Wang Zhong suddenly noticed several armored vehicles parked to his front left, one with an unusual number of antennas.
Looking closer, beside the antenna-covered vehicle stood a particularly well-dressed man with red collar insignia-looked like a general.
A bold idea formed in Wang Zhong's mind: less than two kilometers away-decapitation strike, now!
Wang Zhong: "Turn left 45 degrees!"
Clang!
The tank turned.
Alexander spotted the target through the gun sight: "That looks like the enemy command vehicle!"
"Exactly! Charge! Take their commander and standard!"
----
Randolph lowered his binoculars and took a step back.
His adjutant reacted quickly: "The enemy's coming for us! Guard tanks!"
Prossen armored divisions had four tanks (a platoon) assigned to guard the division HQ, plus a guard battalion.
The guard tanks immediately advanced, forming a line 100 meters in front of the command vehicle.
First volley!
The only armor-piercing round that hit sparked harmlessly off the enemy's armor.
The enemy suddenly stopped, clearly trying to catch the Prossenians during reloading.
A shot came in-the guard platoon leader's tank was hit. The crew bailed out, shouting: "Saniteta! (Medic!)"
The tank platoon's second volley succeeded in making the target's exposed head duck down.
The enemy's return fire set the platoon's second tank ablaze.
The enemy seemed intent on picking off the guard tanks one by one from left to right!
The remaining two tanks moved, splitting left and right to flank the enemy.
But the third shot came, and the one veering right immediately stopped, black smoke pouring from its engine.
The last tank abandoned its flanking attempt and charged straight at the enemy-only to take an armor-piercing round head-on.
----
"Got them! Load HE!" Wang Zhong shouted. "Target: the enemy general! Fire!"
(End of Chapter)