bookrandom Chapter 272 Counterattack
Chapter 272 Counterattack
After a night of fierce fighting, at great cost to both sides, the Germans were unable to penetrate the ruined outer areas of Kuwait Harbor. Fighting also raged in Kuwait City, with the clashes centered around the city's central government buildings, particularly the modern Kuwaiti Security Bureau. Despite repeated German bombardment, the towering structure remained standing, a stark contrast to the surrounding ruins. The Germans left no fewer than 1000 bodies and dozens of armored vehicles in the area, effectively crippling the elite SS-Waffen-SS Division. The Hohenstaufen Division, meanwhile, suffered significant damage in the fighting toward Kuwait Harbor, losing more than half its troops. This was unprecedented in the Soviet-German War.
Using the cover of the overnight battle, the US Navy landed an Australian light armored division from Kuwait Harbor. They would join the daytime counterattack from Kuwait. Meanwhile, the heavily armored 28th Army landed at Mudaira Shoal in Kuwait Bay, weaving along the coastline to link up with the 34th, 43rd, and 44th Divisions in Farwaniyah and set up an ambush. They awaited Kuang Zhengqi's order to deliver a decisive blow to the 7th Tank Division and the 17th Armored Division, then penetrate the main German offensive outskirts of Kuwait. Since the 28th Army commander was new and unfamiliar with the battlefield, Zhang Lingpu naturally assumed command.
So he joked with Du Weihan, commander of the 28th Army: "Old Du, today I, a Major General, command you, a Lieutenant General. Don't blame me, it's my fault that you were transferred to the 7th Army. My own son has become my nephew. No one can compare to my direct family!"
Du Weihan suddenly knocked Zhang Lingpu on the head, his eyes revealing a hint of anger, and he muttered, "You kid, why are you talking so much nonsense! I let you take command, and you dare to be so arrogant in front of me? I'll have to have a good talk with Commander Kuang one day and transfer you to the 28th Army as the army commander. It just so happens that I've been the army commander for a long time."
Lieutenant General Du Weihan, currently Deputy Commander of the 7th Group Army and Commander of the 28th Army, will soon relinquish his concurrent command of the 2nd Group Army, according to Kuang Zhengqi's plan. Pu Zhengsong's limited experience means he can only serve as Deputy Commander or Chief of Staff at best. Kuang Zhengqi values Du Weihan's steadiness and, at this point, considers him the most suitable candidate.
Zhang Lingpu was naturally aware of this; after all, he was Kuang Zhengqi's direct subordinate. He quickly changed his tone, a flattering smile plastered across his face: "Oh, my dear brother Du, Commander Du, please don't transfer me out. I was hoping to make a name for myself under you."
Du Weihan rolled his eyes at him and said, "Isn't this exactly what you want? I'm the deputy commander of the 7th Army Group, and you're the commander of the 28th Army. We're a perfect team. It's settled. After this battle, I'll go find Commander Kuang."
"No, no, no! My Uncle Du. If you transfer me to the 28th Army, and if you are promoted to the 2nd Army Group one day, what will you do without me as your follower?" Zhang Lingpu said anxiously.
Du Weihan laughed at Zhang Lingpu's words. He scolded him, "Don't try to play tricks on me, kid. Without you around, I really would have a lot less fun. You're still a follower, why don't you become a eunuch?"
Zhang Lingpu was enraged by Du Weihan's word "eunuch". His face flushed instantly and he said anxiously, "My Lord Du, please be kind. I am the commander and you are my subordinate. For the time being, you must obey me. If you don't want me to serve you, forget it. At least you must obey my orders now."
Du Weihan was too lazy to continue arguing with Zhang Lingpu. He waved his hand and said impatiently, "Commander Zhang, Commander Zhang, just give the order as to how to fight."
Zhang Lingpu knew that while joking aside, business was of the essence. He quickly laid out his plan with Commander Du. His plan was to wait until daybreak and lead the 34th, 43rd, and 44th Divisions to directly confront the German 7th and 17th Divisions, while the 28th Army would flank and attack Bovis Yeneumans from behind. He was very familiar with Commander Kuang and Commander Pu, and they must have already prepared a counterattack, waiting for the 28th Army to strike from behind.
Du Weihan agreed with Zhang Lingpu's plan, but he was worried about the lack of manpower under Zhang Lingpu. After all, the 34th, 43rd, and 44th Divisions had suffered heavy losses in the Iraq War, with their strength now less than half. Furthermore, the 44th Division had lost more than half its original strength in a single day. Although they were called three divisions, their actual strength was only slightly greater than that of a fully staffed division. Their opponents were the German 7th and 17th Divisions, veterans of North Africa with years of experience.
Zhang Lingpu understood the meaning in Old Du's eyes. He said calmly, "Brother Du, don't worry about me. It might be a bit difficult to defeat them, but I'm confident I can still contain them, prevent them from reinforcing that old man Bovis Yeneumans, and prevent them from escaping. Unfortunately, I'll still have to rely on your help to eliminate them later!"
Du Weihan nodded cautiously, then turned and went back to his own troops.
Just as the Germans concentrated their artillery fire, preparing to launch a devastating bombardment of Kuwait Harbor, Kuang Zhengqi, who had preemptively prepared, had a resolute gaze. His command resounded across the battlefield like thunder. Hidden heavy artillery, coastal artillery, and battleships opened fire simultaneously, raining down shells on the concentrated German artillery.
Suddenly, flames shot up from the German positions, and the deafening roar of explosions continued. Mushroom clouds, one after another, seemed to burst through the heavens, tinting the entire sky red. Paulus Yeneumans and other German commanders stared with wide eyes, stunned. They had never expected to be subjected to such intense Allied artillery fire.
In the chaos, the German lines were completely disrupted, and their planned bombardment of Kuwait Harbor was thwarted. Even more terrifying was to come: an unidentified Allied force suddenly appeared behind them like a ghost. This mysterious force was well-equipped, especially with heavy tanks, primarily the M6A2. Like steel behemoths, they roared towards the German rear.
The German auxiliary forces proved vulnerable to this fresh force, and their lines were quickly penetrated. The German attacking groups engaged in a chaotic battle within the city were also met with a deliberate counterattack by the Allies. These fresh forces, appearing from nowhere, were like a sharp sword, swiftly dividing and encircling the German forces that had entered the city. The Germans were thrown into disarray, fleeing in all directions, seeking a chance to escape.