266: Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-Four Landing 266: Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-Four Landing Among the group, aside from Li Jinfang, who boarded the ship with the Instruction Platoon, the others were to travel to Bosaso by vehicle, speeding along the coastal route to maintain coordinated support with the convoy at sea.
Transporting troops by ship was in fact not very safe, especially when people, equipment, and ammunition were all crammed on board, making them vulnerable to catastrophic consequences in case of an attack.
Moreover, although the soldiers could march the hundred-plus kilometers from the fishing village to Bosaso, it would take too much time, and these troops, most of whom had only one month of training, wouldn’t retain much combat effectiveness after such a long march.
To ensure safety, two sedans led the way at the front to scout, ready to send back timely notifications of any incidents, allowing the naval convoy to immediately dock and facilitate troop landing.
The journey was smooth, encountering only a small fishing village on the way, which the convoy simply circumvented and then rejoined the fleet.
Beyond the two sedans scouting twenty kilometers ahead, all remaining vehicles were towing a Type 63 rocket launcher each, with two pickup trucks each towing two rocket launchers.
This showcased the advantage of the lightweight Type 63 rocket launchers; using the Skull Gang’s limited transport capacity, it would have been quite difficult to move heavy equipment with the troops otherwise.
Gao Yang and Glolov rode in an off-road vehicle at the back of the convoy, which was convenient for monitoring any issues with the vehicles towing the rocket launchers.
However, there were no problems along the way, and both the convoy and fleet progressed without incident.
Because the waves near the shore were relatively high and the fishing boats were fully loaded, slows by towing speedboats, the fleet’s progress was slow, taking over five hours to cover the distance of 120 kilometers, and still not having arrived by 2 p.m., having set out at 9 a.m.
“Scout Car One reporting, we have reached an area five kilometers away from Bosaso, no trace of the enemy detected, landing possible, repeat, no trace of any persons, landing possible, over.”
After quickly checking the GPS, Gao Yang saw they were twenty kilometers from Bosaso and fifteen kilometers from the reporting vehicle in the front, with about ten kilometers to the intended landing site.
They would arrive in less than an hour at their current pace.
The Skull Gang’s fleet was carrying personnel, not a professional landing force, so landing ten kilometers away from Bosaso was already a risky limit.
Gao Yang commanded through the radio in a deep voice, “Scout Car One, spread out and pay close attention to any abnormalities, report immediately if anything occurs, watch your safety, over.”
“Scout Car One, roger that, over.”
After communicating with the scouting cars, Gao Yang continued, “Scout Car Two calling Scout Car Three, ten kilometers away from the parking area, be prepared to disembark, over.”
What was referred to as Scout Car Three was not actually a car but the fleet.
Even though the radios used by Gao Yang’s team had strong encryption capabilities, it was still better to be cautious with open calls.
Lee’s voice soon came through.
“Scout Car Three received, prepared to disembark, over.”
After notifying Li Jinfang, Gao Yang made one final check of his equipment inside the vehicle and double-checked his HK417 rifle on the rear seat.
Although he had checked it numerous times, it was always good to check a few more times when there was still time before a big battle.
Golov was checking his machine gun too.
Although he was responsible for directing the gunners rather than fighting on the front line, as an old soldier, keeping his weapon in top condition at all times had become instinctual for Glolov.
Gao Yang and his team were about to split up and fight separately for the first time, without the trusted companions they were used to.
This made them feel somewhat uneasy.
If possible, Gao Yang would have preferred to have Glolov and the other four with him, rather than the larger number of Instruction Platoon or regular army soldiers.
No matter how numerous, they couldn’t provide Gao Yang with a sense of security.
The vehicles in Gao Yang’s convoy sped up and reached the landing site ahead of the fleet.
Upon seeing the convoy arrive at the location indicated on the GPS, Gao Yang immediately ordered, “Scout Car Two has entered the parking area, everyone disembark.”
After the convoy stopped, Gao Yang quickly jumped out of the vehicle and shouted, “Rabbit, take your men and establish a defensive perimeter.
Big Dog, get your men to ready the rocket launchers.”
The troops the vehicles carried were mainly snipers and marksmen, with only one artilleryman responsible for the rocket launchers.
Responding to Gao Yang’s loud call, Cui Bo led the snipers to quickly set up a perimeter, while Glolov directed the gunners to unload the rocket launchers from the vehicles.
For safety reasons, although the launchers were loaded with rockets, the rockets were not fitted with fuses.
Now, the separate fuses had to be attached to the rockets.
While Glolov directed the gunners to arm the rockets with fuses, Gao Yang went over to Cui Bo’s side.
Gao Yang held a stack of maps of Bosaso in his hand, all of them satellite images taken by Google Earth, which Uriyangko had printed out for him.
Although they were not military maps, they provided an intuitive and detailed understanding of Bosaso’s terrain.
Unfortunately, due to the long-standing conflict in Somalia, no one was going to create Baidu Street View for Bosaso; otherwise, having Google Street View of Bosaso would have been perfect.
Since the mission involved force reconnaissance, they would advance through the least defended areas and had not set any particular target to seize.
However, he had marked several main passages and entrances with red pen and labeled them with their respective numbers.
After reviewing the map, Gao Yang pointed to a corner and said in a deep voice, “Rabbit, we’ll be breaking in from the northwest corner.
There are some large tanks here, not sure what they’re for, probably an oil refinery.
There are walls and shrubs and the like, so pay close attention to this area when the time comes.
Provide cover for the troops assaulting Route One.
I’ll take the marksman team and focus on the area south of Route One.”
Cui Bo replied gravely, “Understood, Brother Yang, be extra cautious.
My heart’s always uneasy when we’re not together.”
Gao Yang patted Cui Bo on the shoulder and said solemnly, “The priority is to keep ourselves safe.
Retreat if necessary, but we absolutely can’t leave our people buried here.
After this battle is over, we’ll withdraw.
Be extra careful.”
After speaking with Cui Bo, Gao Yang walked over to Frey and said gravely, “You, leading the rocket launcher team, are actually in the most dangerous position.
Remember, no playing the hero, no showing off.
Stay put, be careful.
Got it?”
Frey laughed, “I have no intention of showing off.
Those who stand out get knocked off the fastest.
I get it, don’t worry boss, nothing will happen to me.”
Gao Yang looked at Bruce, who, before he could say anything, chuckled, “Boss, I handle logistics.
I’m staying in the back; how could anything happen to me?
You should be careful.
I wouldn’t want to operate on you, so it’s best if you just forget I’m here.”
Gao Yang smiled faintly and said solemnly, “Regardless, be careful.”
After patting Bruce on the shoulder, Gao Yang opened the dust cover on his scope, lay down next to Cui Bo, and started scanning for distant targets through his binoculars, intently waiting for the fleet to bring in the people.
Half an hour passed when Bruce suddenly said, “They’re here.”
At that moment, Lee Jinfang’s voice came through the earpiece.
“Visual confirmation, third convoy has arrived at the parking lot, safe journey.
Now beginning to disembark, over.”
The speedboats detached their ropes from the fishing boats and rushed one after another toward the shore.
Once the soldiers disembarked from the speedboats, they quickly assembled with their respective platoons.
Soon enough, various platoon leaders ran to Gao Yang’s side to report their units were ready and awaiting orders.
Following Gao Yang’s command, they all moved to the areas he had designated to wait for further instructions.
The mortar and rocket artillery of the artillery platoon were also brought ashore, but the mortars remained disassembled and would not be put together until they reached the battlefield.
Contrarily, the rocket launchers could be immediately assembled and dragged forward by the soldiers, ready to fire at any moment.
After about half an hour, all personnel and equipment had landed, and mortar shells and rockets had been loaded onto cleared vehicles.
Additionally, ten speedboats were tasked with transporting the ammunition.
Should there be a shortage, they were prepared to deliver more ammunition to the nearest coast to the combat area on command.
Once everything was in readiness, Gao Yang shouted, “Instruction Platoon, as the vanguard, advance in combat formation to the designated assembly point and establish defensive positions.
Move out now!”
Lee Jinfang led the Instruction Platoon at the forefront.
They advanced toward Bosaso in skirmish lines by squad, waiting for the Instruction Platoon to set out for about ten minutes before Gao Yang waved his hand and ordered loudly, “All units, move out!”
With the Instruction Platoon paving the way, the rest of the troops could concentrate on moving quickly.
The entire force, over a thousand strong, marched in silence, exuding an aura of lethal seriousness as they headed toward Bosaso.
Gao Yang did not march with the main force but instead rode in an off-road vehicle alongside the troops.
Bruce also joined him in the vehicle.
If it weren’t for Glolov and a few others needing to command their own units, they would have also ridden in the vehicle, which was specifically at their service.
Leading the way, Lee Jinfang sent a report back, “This is Instruction Platoon.
We have sighted enemy barricades, no combat engaged yet.
We estimate there are two enemy machine-gun positions, number of personnel unknown.
Awaiting instructions.” (To be continued.
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