267: Chapter 265 Slightly Weird Huh 267: Chapter 265 Slightly Weird Huh Since it was a firepower reconnaissance mission, Gao Yang didn’t order the troops to deploy fully.
They were to start the attack from Target Point One to test the enemy’s firepower strength.
The Skull Gang was outnumbered, but they possessed ample heavy artillery.
So, Li Jinfang led the Instruction Platoon to halt at a distance of one thousand five hundred meters away from the roadblock, preparing to launch an attack under the cover of artillery fire.
Gao Yang reached the front line and crawled next to Li Jinfang, lifting his binoculars to take a look.
They were currently positioned near the coast, in the northwest corner of Bosaso.
A road led directly to the downtown area of Bosaso, where the Mokadi Faction had set up a roadblock and established a machine gun position on both sides of the road.
“Has the enemy always been like this?
Neither retreating nor receiving reinforcements?
No reaction whatsoever?”
With the approach of a formidable enemy, under normal circumstances, the enemy would have already reacted.
What puzzled Gao Yang was that through his binoculars, everything seemed calm, and not even a shadow could be seen on the enemy’s machine gun positions.
“It’s indeed quite strange.
The enemy has spotted us and fired at us with heavy machine guns, but the shooting didn’t last long.
Also, there are no signs of reinforcements on their side.
What are they up to?
It’s way too calm,” replied Li Jinfang, visibly confused.
Even though he knew Gao Yang was even less clear about the situation, he couldn’t help but ask what Gao Yang thought the enemy was planning.
Gao Yang was also perplexed and hesitantly said, “Well, perhaps the enemy is hiding to avoid artillery shelling that could possibly happen soon, planning to enter their positions once we’re within range.”
Li Jinfang shook his head and said, “That doesn’t make sense.
They should at least leave someone to observe.
It’s nonsensical for all of them to hide.
Moreover, we’re already here; even if the enemy is slow-witted, they should be sending reinforcements by now.
What good are just two machine gun positions?
Could it be that the enemy wants us to go in and fight a street battle?”
Gao Yang nodded in agreement, “It’s very possible.
Street fighting would be disadvantageous for the deployment of our heavy firepower, plus they’re more familiar with the terrain and have the advantage in numbers.
If I were them, I would definitely choose street fighting too.
Damn, urban warfare is tough.
Never mind, let’s bombard them first and see what happens.”
After speaking, Gao Yang immediately ordered, “Big Dog, start with a few rounds of artillery to take out the enemy’s machine gun positions first.”
The troops were already in position, and the artillery was ready to fire.
Upon Gao Yang’s command, Glolov also gave the order, and twelve mortar shells soared into the sky, descending upon the enemy’s machine gun positions.
More than a dozen shells landed on the machine gun positions.
Although the Skull Gang’s artillery skills were nothing to boast about, they were quite accurate within visual range.
Over half of the shells hit where they were supposed to, but after a series of explosions and the dust had settled, there was still no movement at the enemy’s machine gun positions.
The heavy machine guns hadn’t fired, and no one was seen moving around the positions.
Everything was eerily quiet, as if it was a drill by the artillery, not a real battle.
Facing this eerie scene, Gao Yang completely lost his temper and spitefully said, “Damn it, it seems the enemy is either incredibly patient or determined to fight a street battle.
We have no choice.
Move up!”
Li Jinfang immediately shouted, “First Platoon, advance to within five hundred meters of the machine gun position and check the situation.”
The three squads of the First Platoon stood up, formed a skirmish line, and ran crouched toward the machine gun position.
Gao Yang then firmly said through the walkie-talkie, “Big Dog, keep an eye on the flanks of the enemy machine gun position to see if there are any hidden positions.
If discovered, cover them with fire immediately.
We absolutely cannot allow the enemy to form a crossfire.”
“Big Dog understands.”
Li Jinfang and Gao Yang each held a pair of binoculars, anxiously watching the Instruction Platoon’s first squad initiate a feint attack.
However, an incredibly eerie scene unfolded: the first squad wasn’t met with any resistance and easily ran to a stop just five hundred meters in front of the machine gun position.
“Reporting, no enemy detected, do we take over the enemy machine gun position, please advise!”
Li Jinfang was thoroughly confused; at that moment, he stopped overthinking and shouted loudly, “Occupy the machine gun position.”
Upon the command, Li Jinfang said to Gao Yang, “You stay here and watch.
I’ll take the Instruction Platoon over to have a look.
Carrying on like this won’t do.
I suspect the Mokadi Faction is planning to get us into urban combat.”
Gao Yang spoke in a deep voice, “Let’s go together.
I’m not a real lieutenant colonel; sitting in the command center waiting for news is not my forte.
I need to be at the front and see for myself.”
After speaking, Gao Yang voiced his frustration, “I had planned to engage the Mokadi Faction outside the city first, but they’re not playing by the book.
This doesn’t make sense.”
Li Jinfang gave a wry smile, “It would be strange if the enemy would cooperate with our plans.
This is war, and there’s no such easy bargain.
Yet, it’s still strange.
Our position is completely exposed; launching an attack in this terrain is precisely where heavy casualties are most likely to occur, and the enemy just gave up?
Alright, the first squad has taken the machine gun position.
Let’s see the situation.”
“Reporting, the first squad has secured the machine gun position.
Sirs, I think you should come and see.
The situation here…
is very odd.”
After exchanging glances, both Gao Yang and Li Jinfang smiled bitterly and soon after, Li Jinfang ordered, “All units of the Instruction Platoon, follow me up.”
Gao Yang then said via the walkie-talkie, “Big Dog, cover us.”
Gao Yang followed the main force of the Instruction Platoon straight to the machine gun position, where the first squad had already taken over and moved the sandbags to the other side, redirecting the machine guns towards the city area.
In other words, the Instruction Platoon had established a bridgehead without firing a single shot.
Gao Yang and Li Jinfang didn’t enter the machine gun position fortified with sandbags.
The nearest building to the machine gun position was about one hundred meters away, and looking into the city, they saw nothing but a series of metal sheds.
There were very few brick-and-mortar buildings, and they could faintly see people darting past in the distant streets.
After observing the situation inside the city, Gao Yang spoke softly, “It seems the enemy does want to resort to urban warfare, but these look like makeshift houses.
Even in street fighting, wouldn’t this be disadvantageous to the enemy?”
Li Jinfang’s face was a mix of frustration as he said, “Forget it, if it’s forced reconnaissance by combat, it’s unlikely to be without casualties.
No matter what they plan to do, we just need to force their tactics out in the open.
First squad, provide cover; second squad!
Clear all suspicious targets within the buildings three hundred meters on both sides of the road ahead!”
The second squad immediately dispersed into the urban area.
After entering the building zone, the third squad split into three groups by squad, one squad staying on the road while the other two moved left and right into the shanty area made of metal sheds.
The one left on the road was the first squad of the second platoon.
They advanced directly for three hundred meters and established defensive positions on either side of the road.
However, the two squads that entered the shanty area remained silent throughout.
(To be continued.
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