Chapter 322.2: Even The Weather Is On Our Side!

While the flooding and mud did indeed affect the movement of tanks to some extent, their impact was even greater on propeller aircrafts.

The New Alliance's propeller aircraft mainly relied on visual observation for bombing and firing. The weather's influence on aircraft combat efficiency could not be ignored.

Clearly, the enemy had also realised their weakness, so they had chosen to bide their time.

After several consecutive defeats, those marauders had become much more cautious in their tactics. It was possible that Vanus was right. They had replaced their frontline commander.

They were about to face not the usual bunch of simple-minded bandits but the former Army's Division Commander, Dillon.

Regarding the enemy's personnel changes, although Chu Guang was cautious, he was not overly concerned.

While the enemy strengthened their defences, Chu Guang's players had also been busy. On the southern side of Pinewood Forest Valley's position, there were not only densely-dug trenches but also a large number of steel anti-tank obstacles.

These anti-tank obstacles consisted of three L-shaped metal bars connected by rivets and bolts. Once assembled, they formed a three-dimensional triple cross shape. Even if hit directly by a shell, they were hard to completely destroy.

This anti-tank weapon, known as the Czech Hedgehog, had once covered the beaches of Normandy and the streets of Moscow.

In less than a week, Steel Plant 81 produced 500 sets of anti-tank obstacles, which were transported to the frontlines via railways.

Although 500 anti-tank obstacles were not enough to cover a kilometre-long battlefront, when combined with trenches and other anti-tank traps, they would still pose some trouble for enemy tanks.

In addition, the players also prepared numerous surprises for the marauders of the Bonechewer Clan.

Many of these unconventional ideas were so imaginative that even Vanus could not help but be astonished.

Could humans really come up with such ideas?

"... It's been cloudy for the past few days. I wonder when this rain will finally come."

"The day of the final battle is drawing closer."

Looking at the towering pile of documents on the table, Chu Guang leaned back on the sofa, stretching his index finger lightly over his fatigued and tense brow.

All the preparations had been completed.

The Burning Corps had managed to secure enough preparation time for the frontline, and other divisions had also made use of this time to fortify the southern defences of the Pinewood Forest Valley to be impenetrable.

However...

The opposing side insisted on waiting for a heavy rain before initiating the final battle, which was something Chu Guang had not anticipated.

According to his initial expectations, the opposing side would launch an intense assault on the New Alliance's positions as soon as their preparations were complete. And that would, most likely, be by the end of the month.

Yet, to Chu Guang's surprise, the newly appointed commander seemed even more cautious than he had imagined.

Especially given the recent days of overcast weather.

The majority of the Goblin Corps’ pilots were novices who lacked experience in combat during rainy weather. If the Fang Clan managed to wait out until the torrential rain came, it would undoubtedly add a lot of variables to the battle situation.

Furthermore, these marauders prepared a whole bunch of eccentric anti-aircraft weapons.

It would be great if there was a way to force them out of their bunkers...

While resting with closed eyes, Chu Guang pondered. At that moment, a thought suddenly struck him and he sat up abruptly from the sofa.

Just a moment ago, he came up with a pretty good idea. Although it was a bit risky, it was still better than letting the enemy have the upper hand.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Holding the mouse, Chu Guang whispered softly, "Since you guys are so stubborn..."

"Then I'll lend you a hand!"

...

At the northern position at Pinewood Forest Valley.

From the high ground to the forest at the foot of the mountain, the position stretched nearly 2 kilometres with crisscrossing trenches and densely packed shell craters.

The standoff had lasted for over half a month.

In that half-month period, the New Alliance unleashed over a thousand shells towards the Fang Clan's position. Even just 10 minutes ago, the New Alliance's rocket artillery subjected the Fang Clan's position to a volley of fire.

However, that volley of fire did not inflict many casualties on the marauders stationed there.

A week prior, they already dug sufficient trenches and bunkers. Apart from the occasional unlucky ones getting blown up, in most cases, they would already be inside their holes before the second round of shelling arrived.

Compared to the dense fire coverage, those marauders hunkered down in the trenches were actually more afraid of the New Alliance's mortar fire.

Those blue gophers were not just cunning. Every time they patrolled the area, there was an unexpected shot, catching them off guard and making them unable to defend themselves.

Standing on the battlefield that had been ploughed through by shells over and over again, Dillon, holding binoculars, gazed towards the south with a furrowed brow. "Anti-tank obstacles..."

Upon hearing those words, Bear Fang froze. "What's that?"

Dillon did not speak, and Tumen standing beside took over. "A type of fortification that hinders tank advances... I didn't expect their steel production to have reached such levels of surplus."

Upon hearing that it was just defensive work, a hint of indifference immediately appeared on Bear Fang‘s face.

"Heh, fortifications? No matter how sturdy, they were nothing but rubble before our treads!"

His confidence was not entirely baseless.

On the route from the central to the southern parts of River Valley Province, the Fang Clan went through battles of various scales, totalling more than a hundred of them.

No matter which battle it was, the moment they unleashed those chunks of iron, despair was deeply etched on their opponents' faces.

No matter the type of cover, it was as flimsy as paper in front of the 100mm main cannon.

And all they needed to do was one thing, fire while advancing, shooting down the disorganised survivors, watching those cowardly scavengers scatter like underdeveloped cockroaches.

And now, not only have they deployed tanks, but they also gathered all the tanks of the entire clan! They even equipped each tank with 2 modified anti-aircraft trucks!

Thinking that a few steel bars could stop them was simply a dream!

Dillon did not refute Bear Fang's words.

Although in his view, those marauders driving the tanks were like monkeys picking up rifles. They could not even unleash half the strength of Conqueror 10, but the capability of the equipment itself was enough to make up for their shortcomings.

They prepared 27 tanks for the battle, nearly 50 anti-aircraft trucks, and 5,000 light infantry.

The battle would completely shatter all the forces deployed by the New Alliance on the northern front. Soon, the industrial district of Dawn City would fall into their hands.

By then, they would completely sweep away the obstacles heading south, and the plains of the River Valley Province would come under the dominion of the Bonechewer Clan.

Now... They were only waiting for a heavy rain.

"A few anti-tank obstacles are not to be feared. Even if they bury a circle of anti-tank mines at the foot of the mountain, it won't stop our armoured spearheads from piercing their defences. I'm just worried that they have other cards up their sleeves..." Dillon handed the binoculars to Tumen standing beside him while speaking.

Looking at his subordinate, he continued, "Send 2 reconnaissance teams up there later to take a look and mark the positions of the anti-tank obstacles. We'll use that information when formulating the battle plan."

"The day of the decisive battle is getting closer and closer, it might be today, or it might be tomorrow. From now on, every step we take must be cautious!"

Taking the binoculars, Tumen stood at attention and said seriously, "Understood!"

Dillon nodded and turned to walk towards the direction of the trenches.

However, at that moment, a cool sensation suddenly touched his nose.

Unconsciously, Dillon raised his head and saw pea-sized raindrops falling one by one from the sky, hitting his hat brim and shoulders.

The weather in May could change at the drop of a hat.

The raindrops, as big as peas, became denser and denser. In less than a minute, the battlefield was engulfed in a torrential downpour.

A look of surprise appeared on Dillon's face, followed by sheer delight.

Rain! The rain is finally here!

Standing beside him, Bear Fang’s reaction was even more enthusiastic. This burly man spread his arms wide excitedly and burst into hearty laughter while looking up at the sky.

It was as if he was adding to the excitement of this pouring rain.

"Hahaha!"

"It seems even the weather is on our side!"

There was only excitement in his eyes.

Disregarding the rain on his face, he looked at Dillon beside him and shouted in excitement, "What are we waiting for? While those blue gophers’ planes turn into rain-soaked flies, let's drive our tanks onto their faces and grind them to pieces!"

Dillon did not speak but instead stared at the sky intently. His thoughts raced.

With the thickness of the dark clouds in the sky, once this rain started, it probably would not stop for some time.

While the ground had not yet turned into a muddy mess from the rain, now was indeed the best time to launch an attack...

Although the plan was crucial, sometimes timing was even more critical.

Without further hesitation, Dillon immediately took off the radio hanging on his shoulder and pressed the button.

At the same time, 5 kilometres away in the mountain hollow, the amplified voice from the loudspeakers resounded above the busy marauders who were making preparations.

"Attention all units! Activate Plan Number One! Everyone, grab your gear and proceed immediately to the designated battle positions!"

"Bring out all our tanks, armoured vehicles... Every operational vehicle, roll out!"

"The moment of decisive battle has come!"

"It's time to teach those wretched gophers a profound lesson!!"

...