Chapter 1332: 1249 was withdrawn

On the neighboring anti-aircraft position, the 40mm caliber Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun covered by camouflage netting made no sound this time, because everyone knew their range couldn’t possibly reach those huge machines flying far above in the sky.

So, like mice seeing an eagle, these anti-aircraft guns shivered under the camouflage nets, praying that their adversaries wouldn’t spot them.

“Oh my God… how are there so many.” The Qin Army soldiers digging trenches certainly saw the planes from the Great Tang Empire, and a soldier instinctively asked a question that no one knew how to answer.

When their Qin Army’s DO-17 bombers were dispatched, it was also overwhelming, and back then, they would only cheer at the sight of those slender bombers.

But when everyone saw such a magnificent formation of enemy bombers, especially a formation composed of jet bombers, the Qin Army soldiers began to feel a bit of something called fear.

These bombers were on a mission to bomb Xiajian with the aim to paralyze all airports, train stations, and factories nearby Xiajian.

Soon, these Qin Army troops at Qilun Village learned this news. Because these planes didn’t lower their altitude to drop bombs but hastily flew past and disappeared beyond the horizon.

But soon, the attack greeting these frontline Qin Army troops came: the Great Tang Empire’s large-caliber Rocket Artillery Troops began their first round of fire coverage.

Like raindrops, the Tang Army’s large-caliber rockets fell, instantly covering Qilun Village. Explosions and screams were everywhere, and the previous ease and relaxation disappeared in an instant.

These rockets have a range of about 100 kilometers, carrying warheads weighing over 150 kilograms, with the rocket body nearly 500 kilograms!

Every Tang Army rocket artillery company is equipped with 6 launch vehicles, each capable of carrying 4 rockets, and a single salvo could unleash 24 rockets onto enemy positions, which is exceedingly brutal.

This time, although the accuracy of the attack was not very good, the power of the rockets was greater, so the coverage was truly terrifying.

On the yet unfixed battlefield overturned by explosions, seven or eight soldiers were killed on the spot, and more than 30 soldiers were injured.

Compared to the infantry at Qilun Village, the Qin Army’s 3rd Armored Army nearby was hit by more shells: they were targeted by an entire rocket artillery regiment.

After a round of rocket artillery coverage ended, the entire Qin Army temporary defense line was in ruins, everyone was dusty and disheveled, and the injured soldiers cried out in agony, many even sobbing.

No one wants to fight this kind of war; they didn’t come all the way to this place to be toyed with.

Qilun Village was hit by a rocket artillery shell, causing several houses to collapse, with many ammunitions and equipment buried under the rubble.

Helplessly, a company was drawn from the soldiers building trenches to come back and help excavate those precious radio sets and other miscellaneous supplies.

While everyone was discussing whether conditions would improve, a mounted messenger brought a news that made everyone stupefied: the neighboring 3rd Armored Army seemed to be retreating.

The regiment commander was the first to disbelieve; he really didn’t think it was the time to retreat inexplicably: “Are you kidding? We walked for more than ten days, got beaten here from Xiajian, and now we walk back?”

Several battalion commanders were also upset: they were already at the border, retreated to Qilun Village, dug trenches for a whole night and day, only to continue retreating without firing a shot? What kind of war is this?

Just when everyone felt that they shouldn’t retreat, the order from the division headquarters was finally delivered. Another mounted messenger delivered the message, and indeed it was an order to retreat.

“No choice, I heard the Tang Army has broken through our flank line, and there’s a risk of us being encircled here.” That messenger wasn’t clear about the details but knew more than anyone present.

Putting it nicely, the Tang Army broke through the flank line, badly speaking, they were hit by surprise before they could even set up defenses.

“Then they must provide us with some rations at least? And say when we might get resupplied?” The regiment commander bitterly posed his needs, or rather their predicament: with rations almost depleted, it’s increasingly difficult to encounter another messenger once they leave Qilun Village.

Just think about it, the command post destroyed, new division commander’s capability dubious, once troops leave the station and start moving, they’re even harder to locate.

“I can’t say for sure on that!” The mounted messenger awkwardly replied: “I still have orders to deliver to others; if I don’t make it back to the division headquarters tonight, I might not even find it.”

With the complete collapse of the command system, once the division headquarters moves, its subordinate troops also fail to locate it. This is the issue communication breakdown brings, and when such problems accumulate, they crush the entire army.

“If you leave quickly and reach Xiajian… perhaps things will get better.” The messenger pulled the horse’s head and hurried off to the next regiment’s station.

“What kind of war is this.” The regiment commander lamented again and then immediately ordered the battalion commanders: “Go back to your stations, have the soldiers pack up quickly!”

They were all seasoned officers of Qin Country’s, naturally understanding the current situation: once decided to leave, it must be swift.

If delayed slightly, they can only guard the rear or get trapped and hunted by the following Tang Army.

“Let’s pack up here too! Get ready!” The regiment commander looked at the staff officer, his face growing somber: “Set it on fire before leaving! Leave nothing to the Tang People!”

The infantry’s retreat can be organized somewhat, since all are humans, capable of understanding orders, and provided there’s food, it won’t get chaotic. Even if hungry, walking two days isn’t impossible.

But it’ll be difficult for the neighboring 3rd Armored Army. Without fuel, these steel behemoth tanks can’t even retreat…

Beside the 3rd Armored Army, there’s also the 2nd Armored Army, and the 1st Armored Army… they all face the same challenge: lacking sufficient supplies to support a scale of armored troops for a backward retreat.

Thus, the Qin Army commander Wang Luo’s most pressing concern now is how to deliver the precious fuel congested on the roads to these troops.