281: Chapter 279: Sniper Versus Spotter 281: Chapter 279: Sniper Versus Spotter Skull Gang’s front line was forced to shrink back entirely, their offensive momentum broken by the enemy’s mortars and further suppressed by the concentrated firepower that followed—a situation occurring just as the Mokadi Faction’s defense line was on the brink of being breached.
And what had guided these scattered soldiers of the Mokadi Faction to achieve all this, was merely a single mortar, just one.
Dealing with the enemy’s mortar was difficult, and by comparison, finding the enemy observers seemed to be a more feasible solution.
After all, a well-hidden long-range gun required both a skilled gunner and a good observer.
No matter how accurate the gunner, without sight of the target, it was for naught; and even if an observer could report the shooting elements most precisely and anticipate the enemy’s actions quickly, if the gunner was too slow or couldn’t accurately deliver the shells to the designated location, then all was in vain.
Given that the mortars were hidden behind buildings and out of gun range, the chances of taking them out were slim.
Yet the enemy’s observers had to be on the very front line and needed a clear line of sight to the street corners from where Gao Yang and his troops were attacking.
To take out enemy artillery observers, first, their hiding spots needed to be identified, and this was a skill that an exceptional sniper should possess.
Although he was pushed back after just a brief appearance at the street corner, Gao Yang managed to identify several likely hiding spots for the enemy observer in that brief time—knowledge he had gained from Fedor during their time in Libya.
Gao Yang pulled out a satellite map and quickly marked five spots with check marks and then circled three more locations.
After finishing, Gao Yang urgently said, “This is from memory, but it should be accurate.
The check marks indicate where the enemy observers are most likely hiding.
Though these spots are not high points, they offer a good vantage over the whole street.
The remaining three points are the tallest buildings which the enemy, if experienced, is unlikely to choose as they would be too conspicuous.
But we cannot overlook these secondary targets.
Big Dog, can you immediately bombard these marked spots with artillery?
I believe the enemy observers should be at one of them.”
Glolov looked at the map and immediately shook his head, saying urgently, “No, it’s impossible for our artillery to hit these spots without revealing themselves.
To pinpoint the targets you marked, whether using mortars or rocket artillery, they would need to be brought to the street corner to see the locations plainly.
Also, we don’t have the fire control data for this area, so we can’t provide bombardment without an observer’s guidance.”
Human comparison can be infuriating.
Gao Yang was now certain that the enemy gunners belonged to some unnamed Mercenary Group with unknown numbers.
Looking at the proficiency of their gunners compared to his own was like night and day—a vast chasm of difference that couldn’t be described as anything but astronomical.
But there was no point in blaming anyone, since they had never genuinely operated mortars, and the students they taught couldn’t be much better.
Li Jinfang urgently said, “The fastest method now is to use artillery against theirs.
Can we concentrate our firepower and bomb the potential hiding spots of their mortars?”
Glolov still shook his head, “No, the enemy is using 2B14-type mortars, I’m too familiar with their sound…
The model is definitely correct.
This type of mortar has a range of about four kilometers.
Our mortars have a range of less than one and a half kilometers and the enemy’s position is certainly concealed within buildings or fortifications, making it impossible for us to use our mortars or rocket artillery for suppression.”
The 60mm mortar was light and could be positioned and ready to fire quickly, so when Gao Yang and his men were considering mortars, the 60mm type was at the forefront of their minds.
What Uriyangko had delivered to them were part of the 60mm series—a family of mortars which included the Chinese-made Type 63 60mm mortar.
Over the years, China had extensively exported and supported this type of small artillery, which could be found all over Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
No one knew where Uriyangko had sourced them from, but all the mortars that Skull Gang received were second-hand Type 63s.
Although the light artillery was very convenient during Skull Gang’s mobile operations, playing to the strengths of infantry companions, their inadequacy in range became starkly apparent when it came to suppressing enemy artillery.
The Type 63 mortar was a good piece of equipment, especially well-suited to Skull Gang’s style of armament—fitting their profile to a tee.
But now, the Type 63 mortars were of little use in the current situation.
After slamming his fist in frustration, Gao Yang said urgently, “Since we can’t suppress with artillery, then let the snipers take over.
I’ll try to locate the enemy observers myself and see if I can take them out.”
Taking out important targets like the enemy observers and weapon operators is one of the primary duties of a sniper.
Determined to enter the fray himself, Gao Yang said into the radio, “Rabbit, we’re encountering precise enemy shelling.
We need to find their artillery observer.
All snipers make this the top priority.
The enemy is likely mercenaries, well-equipped and probably Caucasian.
Do not spare any targets fitting either of these descriptors.”
“Rabbit received, encountering extremely precise enemy shelling.
I’m currently searching for the enemy observer, no discovery yet.”
“Understood, the enemy is formidable, extremely formidable, we must be careful.
Rabbit, it’s very likely that the enemy is a sniper as well.
Be extremely cautious!”
Feeling that placing the two best snipers together was somewhat of a waste, Gao Yang had dispatched Cui Bo to a position on another flank.
Originally, Gao Yang intended to call Cui Bo back since Cui Bo had a large-caliber sniper rifle, and forming a sniper team with him would be more effective.
However, after receiving Cui Bo’s reply, Gao Yang abandoned that idea.
Within Cui Bo’s reply, the words “extremely accurate” told Gao Yang that Cui Bo’s position was also under mortar bombardment, and Cui Bo’s location was at the other end, indicating that the enemy had at least two or more observers.
Cui Bo needed to stay and deal with the observer on his side, so Gao Yang had no choice but to proceed alone.
Having resolved to go it alone, Gao Yang said in a deep voice, “Big Dog, I’ll try to take out the enemy’s observer.
If I manage to do that, you move the artillery forward as quickly as possible, sparing no expense.
Toad, get the Instruction Platoon ready for another charge.
Once we break through the enemy’s line of fire, disperse and attack from all directions; this will minimize the threat from their mortars.”
After he finished speaking, Gao Yang stood up, surveyed the building complex under their control for a location with a good field of vision and firing range, and quickly chose his spot.
Patting his HK417 rifle in hand, he said solemnly, “It’s all on you now, don’t let me down!”
Gao Yang muttered to himself as he began to set aside his shotgun and all the shotgun shells, as well as the satellite phone, indeed anything that might hinder sniping and wasn’t essential.
He left all this behind so as to move as light and ready as possible.
Only after all these preparations did Gao Yang head alone at a brisk pace toward the position he had selected.
The reason he abandoned all non-essential equipment was that many artillery observers were snipers, and even if the observer themselves wasn’t a sniper, there was a good chance a sniper would be accompanying them.
Gao Yang already knew his enemy was no ordinary opponent, and considering that among the enemies he might face, there could very likely be snipers, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Frey ran over with Gao Yang.
Although the Skull Gang had already taken over this area, it was not yet completely secure.
Frey’s assistance in the sniper mission was to ensure that Gao Yang had no concerns about his rear.
Gao Yang ran into the building he had chosen.
It was a two-story house; despite the intense ongoing fight, the inhabitants had not left, and the door was wide open.
This was a sign from the local residents that they held no ill will towards the Skull Gang and would not resist.
Once inside the house, Gao Yang saw no one in the yard and went straight to the second floor but didn’t go up to the roof.
Upon seeing a room with its door open, he walked right in.
The room was disordered, but it was clear it was a bedroom.
Although simply furnished, it was free of any weird and offensive smells.
Gao Yang approached the window and looked out.
After confirming he could see at least three of the target spots he had selected, he signaled to Frey and said in a low voice, “Hold this place.
If the owners appear, tell them to leave.”
After that, Gao Yang positioned himself slightly behind the window and started using his binoculars to scout out where he believed the enemy observer was most likely to be.
The enemy might be camouflaged or hiding inside a house, just like him.
Locating the observer would not be easy.
Gao Yang scrutinized the areas of interest diligently, looking for anything unusual, but after carefully examining two spots, he found nothing.
When he shifted his attention to the third spot, he quickly had a breakthrough.
In a room in a three-story building, he saw what seemed to be a person crouching behind a window, a piece of white clothing visible and a walkie-talkie in their hand.
However, upon closer inspection, Gao Yang noticed the person was black, dressed in local garb typical of the region.
Although he could only see the top of a head, Gao readjusted the focus and decided that the figure was not the target he was looking for.
After hesitating for a moment, Gao Yang still picked up his rifle.
Although the black individual was probably not the target, their commanding appearance was tempting enough to make Gao Yang consider taking the shot.
Besides, he wanted to try and lure out the enemy sniper.
Of course, Gao Yang wanted to draw out a mercenary sniper, as for the Mokadi Faction, they didn’t have snipers.
(To be continued.
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