616: Chapter Six Hundred and Nine: The Initiative 616: Chapter Six Hundred and Nine: The Initiative Gao Yang now controlled an armed helicopter, and with it, the initiative on the battlefield.
In combat, being able to act freely according to one’s own intentions and maintain initiative is crucial.
Whether it was fighting as a small team or commanding a large army in this battle, victory only came after seizing the initiative.
If one starts with the initiative, it can be turned into victory, whereas if one starts without it, a way must be found to take control of it.
Sometimes, the balance of initiative may change over a single piece of equipment.
Before the armed helicopters arrived, Gao Yang’s team was passive, even though they had the advantage in numbers and strength, but the British had tanks and had laid minefields, leaving Gao Yang without a way to counterattack.
The British, despite some losses, could attack or defend at will, and leave whenever they wished.
However, once the armed helicopters arrived, the British could only hold their ground and were forced into a position of dead defense, losing even the chance to attack or retreat.
The impact of armed helicopters is significant, but it would be logical to think that having only two wouldn’t provide a decisive advantage since the ammunition they could carry was limited.
After engaging in battle, they couldn’t just annihilate the enemy in an instant.
If it were a true military force at war, facing a disadvantageous situation, they would still charge forward, ready to sacrifice lives for the initiative.
That’s normal.
The problem lay with the British, composed mainly of mercenaries and pirates—who would attack at all costs?
Even if the ammunition from the helicopters was depleted and the remaining forces were sure to annihilate the enemy, who would be willing to be the sacrificial pawn?
Nobody is a fool; no one is willing to exchange their life for others’ victory, so the British had no choice but to wait helplessly enclosed within Gazaley City, and the initiative swiftly shifted into Gao Yang’s hands.
The dilemma now facing Gao Yang was how to deal with the minefields outside of Gazaley City.
Justin said he could definitely obtain a map of the minefield, but it required time, and Gao Yang didn’t know if he could wait for it.
The initiative on the battlefield stemmed from having armed helicopters while the enemy did not, but Gao Yang knew the British helicopters were also en route.
If the enemy’s helicopters arrived, the initiative might change hands again, so he needed to deal with the British before their helicopters could arrive.
While maintaining complete control of the initiative, Gao Yang consolidated several key command tasks to discuss how to launch a comprehensive assault next.
Sitting on a seat made of ammunition boxes and looking at the map in front of him, Gao Yang’s brows were furrowed as he pondered how to break through the enemy’s defenses.
Gazaley was already encircled, and Gao Yang could attack from any direction, including from the sea.
Yet, the issue remained the minefields.
With landmines present, even if he hardheartedly ordered his soldiers to attack regardless of casualties, it was doubtful whether the soldiers would comply.
An amphibious assault might be feasible.
Gao Yang was considering this option, as Gazaley was almost built along the coast, with only about a hundred meters from disembarking to the scattered buildings.
It was unlikely that the British had mined the beaches, and even if they had, the depth of field would not be vast.
However, with an amphibious attack, the other three directions couldn’t provide support, and success was far from certain.
If Gao Yang had a mine-clearing vehicle, even just one, he would dare to force his way into Gazaley.
Unfortunately, at the moment, he had no means of clearing mines.
Gao Yang did have control over two safe routes; he remembered very well the paths the enemy tanks and armored vehicles had taken.
There were no mines on these two safe routes.
The problem was the enemy would surely have heavily fortified these exposed routes, and forcing entry would come at a high cost.
After pondering for a while, Gao Yang slammed his hand on the ammunition box and said, “We’ll attack from both angles simultaneously, from the sea and the known safe passages.
What do you all think?”
Glolov, standing beside Gao Yang, nodded and said, “We have no choice but to do so.
We have artillery and armed helicopters for fire support; even a forced assault could succeed!”
Uriyangko was also present.
As an arms dealer, especially as a pilot who would directly engage in combat, he needed to understand the overall plan and his responsibilities.
Looking at the attack points mapped out by Gao Yang, Uriyangko smiled and said, “Why insist on a forced assault?
That will cost many lives.
I have a better idea, such as delivering two mine-clearing vehicles or simply using heavy artillery to level Gazaley.
If you want, I could immediately get you 122mm and 152mm cannons.
Of course, using human lives to fill in would definitely be cheaper, as in Somalia, nothing is cheaper than a human life.”
Uriyangko was right—everything was valuable in Somalia, except for human life.
Gao Yang didn’t want to sacrifice lives; given a choice, he would definitely opt to spend more money to save lives.
But the problem was, he wanted to win this battle even more.
Gao Yang sighed and said, “I know you can deliver cannons, and I’d like to just level Gazaley, but I’m worried we won’t have enough time.
If the enemy’s helicopters arrive, we will lose our advantage.”
Uriyangko laughed, “Don’t worry, although you didn’t mention it, I have brought anti-air weapons.
They’re on our ship, both anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.
Even if the British deliver armed helicopters, you don’t have to worry too much.”
As an arms dealer, Uriyangko certainly hoped the conflict would escalate further so he could sell more goods, but Gao Yang couldn’t let Uriyangko dictate the terms and progress of the battle.
If he did, the end of the war would never come.
Shaking his head, Gao Yang said gravely, “Forget it, I’d better just finish this fight in the normal way.
Our supply ship will arrive today, and your ship will too, so I’ve decided—we launch the general offensive tomorrow.”
Polovich smacked his lips and said, “Actually, I have a better idea.
Why don’t we wait for the British ammo ship to arrive before we attack?”
Gao Yang’s face darkened instantly.
Polovich was being too frivolous.
To wait until the British ammo ship arrived before attacking—whose weapons were stronger would be up for grabs.
To attack then would be suicidal.
Gao Yang didn’t need to take Uriyangko and Polovich’s advice into account, so he decided to act as if he hadn’t heard Polovich.
Just as he was about to order the Skull Gang to prepare for the general offensive, he heard Polovich say, “Don’t get me wrong.
I’m not saying we should wait for the British to receive their weapons before we start the fight, but why don’t we attack after their ammo ship has arrived?”
Gao Yang couldn’t help but ask, “Is there a difference?”
Polovich nodded and said, “Of course, my thinking is this: since you control the sea, why don’t we hijack their ship after it arrives?
You know, the helicopters that Djo Malthael is sending aren’t prepared for combat.
They bring the helicopters, you seize them, and then I can buy them at a high price.
Plus, since this is an act of war, not piracy, the British will still have to compensate Djo Malthael for the loss of the helicopters, and you won’t need to worry about Djo Malthael’s retaliation.
How good is that?”
Gao Yang was tempted for less than a second before shaking his head, “Impossible.
The risk is too great, and the British aren’t cut off from their fleet.
They will definitely warn the helicopter-delivering ship to be careful.
The chance we successfully hijack the ship is too small.”
Profiting from war was normal, but Gao Yang didn’t want to give up the initiative he had fought hard for over a low-probability gamble.
Polovich was an arms dealer who was primarily interested in making money.
In contrast, Gao Yang focused on how to win the battle.
Making a profit on the side would be great, but not at the expense of greater goals.
The British were now surrounded in Gazaley City, but they certainly wouldn’t just sit and wait to die.
Reinforcements were sure to come; otherwise, allowing all those people to die in Gazaley would be an unbearable loss for the British.
The only question was when they would arrive.
Gao Yang didn’t even have time to snatch opportunities, much less waste time trying to steal some items.
If it weren’t for the lack of ammunition and the helicopters being out of ammo, he would have wanted to attack immediately.
Once his mind was made up, there was no need to discuss further.
Gao Yang immediately said to Uriyangko, “Once your fuel and ammunition arrive today, prepare to move out as quickly as possible.”
Uriyangko nodded and said, “Of course.
We’ll be ready as soon as we arrive.
We’re just waiting for the ship now.”
Gao Yang nodded.
The timing of the offensive depended on when the logistic ships arrived, and since he couldn’t set a time yet, he didn’t say more.
He just turned to Zhou Zhou and asked, “If the ship brings the ammunition, how long will it take for you to be ready?
Do we need to move the position forward?”
Zhou Zhou had been present the whole time, but he had been silent, just listening to others.
When Gao Yang addressed him, Zhou Zhou nodded and answered, “The ammunition is just a matter of unloading from the ship and then distributing it.
If there’s no interference, it won’t take long.
As for the position of the artillery, it would be better to move it forward.
The mortars have enough range, but being closer means we can respond more promptly and fire more accurately.
Now that we aren’t worried about enemy attacks, we can definitely move the position forward.”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “Good.
Artillery matters are your responsibility; I won’t ask further.
Just let me know when you’re ready.”
Just then, Gao Yang’s phone rang.
He stepped away to look—it was Justin calling.
After walking a bit further and answering the call, he heard Justin’s urgent yet satisfied voice, “I know the distribution of the British minefields!”
This was an unexpected boon.
Knowing the enemy’s minefield distribution meant that Gao Yang now fully held the initiative.
(To be continued.
If you like this work, we welcome you to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian.
Your support is my greatest motivation.
Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)