Chapter 1622: Chapter 1539: Reinforcements Will Arrive Soon
In a concealed underground bunker, a Dwarf worker was frantically tightening a screw with a wrench. He was repairing a damaged Scud missile launcher, one of the few weapons left that could strike the beach occupied by the Tang Army.
"How long until it’s fixed?" The officer of the Dwarf Missile Unit impatiently eyed the parts and tools scattered on the ground, along with the seven or eight workers busily working, and asked.
"About three hours? Delivery of spare parts will take some time, but we’ll fix this thing as soon as possible," an old logistics soldier reported to his superior.
The other side of this launcher had been hit by quite a few fragments; there were craters and some penetrating holes.
A bomb nearly scrapped this Scud missile launcher, but fortunately, it only suffered some damage without being completely wrecked.
The other missile launcher of this missile unit wasn’t so lucky, it was directly hit by a bomb from the Tang Army and was completely scrapped on the launch site.
For the Ice Cold Empire, the ballistic missile unit was undoubtedly a treasured asset, a hidden trump card not easily brought out.
Therefore, these missile launchers were deployed at high-spec fortified positions with bunkers, usually hidden in underground garages, and rarely brought out.
However, due to technical limitations, the Scud missile launch process is actually very complex and demanding.
Leaving aside tasks like fueling, the missile launch site itself is a major project: the missile launcher requires a nearly flat and solid launch field. This field also needs roads for entry into the site and special areas for auxiliary vehicles to park.
Such a large launch site, with roads, parking lots, and launch areas, had no real concealment from an aerial view.
In real combat, either such a missile launch site would be far from the enemy’s strike range, or there needed to be enough cover means from our side to restrain the enemy — unfortunately, the Dwarves have neither.
The Tang Army’s naval aviation strike radius far exceeds the actual range of Scud missiles, and their ground-to-air strike capabilities are also sufficient to suppress Scud missiles.
"This is the only remaining launcher in our battalion, it must be fixed quickly... the front line is waiting for our support." The commander of the Dwarf Missile Unit spoke anxiously once again, emphasizing the importance of this launcher.
Their high-tech weaponry was limited, and the Scud was relatively powerful. If the Scud missiles couldn’t continue harassing the Tang Army’s beachhead positions, then soon more Tang troops would come ashore, putting the Dwarves in an even more passive situation.
"We are doing our best, sir." The old logistics soldier of the maintenance unit explained once again: "Without spare parts, we can’t do anything."
The bombing by the Tang Army continued, but because there were too many targets, the intensity didn’t seem exaggerated. It was precisely for this reason that this underground bunker could survive till now and still operate.
Due to the numerous targets, the Tang Army hadn’t even properly air-raided the important Dwarf port, Eternal Winter Port, so shipping operations there hadn’t been heavily affected.
...
"Good news, Dorne is willing to assist us immediately. They said they are ready to provide 400 pilots, and 200 Type 262 attack planes, 200 Type 86 fighter jets to head north to join the battle." Within the hall of Furnace Fortress, the Dwarf Minister of Foreign Affairs reported a piece of good news to Binghan the First.
Although Dorne is quite far away, the transfer speed of the Air Force is still fast enough, within two or three days, these Dornish air forces can reach the battlefield.
Ice Cold Empire’s Binghan the First’s expression softened a bit, for the last couple of days he had only been hearing bad news: Two days ago, Tang Country declared war on the Dwarves, and yesterday several positions of Steel Rampart were lost. This morning, upon waking, bad news just kept coming one after another.
"What did Suthers Empire say on this matter?" After being silent for about two seconds, he suddenly asked: "And what about Laines Empire?"
"Both countries promised to secretly support us with 100 aircraft and 100 pilots, though on paper, these pilots are considered to be from Dorne..." the Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately replied.
This was the result of his ongoing efforts; he consistently emphasized to several countries to the south the ambition of the Tang people to invade the Eastern Continent, attempting to draw these countries into the fray.
Several countries were indeed frightened, so they agreed to some of the Dwarves’ requests, condemning Tang Country on the diplomatic front, and also small-scale assistance to show support for Ice Cold Empire.
The only country still observing was Poplar Empire, the Elves continued to hold a deep prejudice against the Dwarves, and they were also reluctant to tear up the friendly alliance with Tang Country... However, Yangmu Yi also feared Tang Country’s ambitions were getting out of control, and he has already begun to waver.
This was the result of diplomatic efforts by the Dwarves; the Eastern Continent was indeed gradually uniting, trying to resist Great Tang Empire’s invasion.
However, compared to the offensive speed of the Great Tang Empire, this reaction seemed a bit sluggish. That afternoon, the Tang Army had already swept the flank of Position 4, occupying a large fortified area of the Dwarves.
Great Tang 1st Armored Division was advancing deeper into Dwarven territory, their target being the vital city "Ben" within the core area of Steel Rampart.
As long as Ben fell, from a certain standpoint, Steel Rampart would also be split in half, becoming two sections: One section was from Position 1 to Position 3 and its extensive depth area, and the other section was from Position 7 to Position 10 and its depth area.
Therefore, the upcoming outcome of whether the Dwarves can hold Ben, whether they can stabilize before the massive reinforcements arrive, seems to decide the victory of this battle.
"Where have the reinforcements arrived? Can they make it in time?" Binghan the First continued to ask.
"Your Majesty, the good news is that General Moss’s tactics have indeed had some effect; the Tang Army has too many targets to attack, and till now they haven’t paralyzed Eternal Winter Port." The Prime Minister of Ice Cold Empire stood to answer.
"Our troops can land directly from Winterless Port, so the reinforcement speed is very fast." He paused for a moment and continued: "However, I believe the Tang Army might launch an air strike on Eternal Winter Port at any time..."
"Inform Moss that he must hold out until the reinforcements arrive! The mobilization order has been issued, one million new recruits will soon be added to Steel Rampart!" Binghan the First declared, standing up from his throne: "At all costs! Drive the Tang people into the sea!"