Chapter 1747 - 1358: Bloodstained Dawn (Part 2)

The first "Short Horn" drew a subtle corrective arc in the air, accurately striking the junction of the leading tank's turret and the body.

This is typically an area where the top armor is relatively weak, and once penetrated, it is extremely likely to trigger ammunition explosions.

Hit!

There's no slow-motion penetration scene found in movies.

Only a blinding flash erupted from the impact point, followed by the entire fifty-ton steel monster being viciously hammered from within!

"Boom—!!!!"

Amidst the muffled yet soul-shaking explosion, the T-72's turret base weld suddenly tore apart!

The twelve-ton turret was lifted like a toy by the violent pressure generated by the explosion, rolling into the air several meters high, tracing a twisted arc, before crashing heavily against the left hill's rock face, scattering shards everywhere, then bounced back, rolling onto the road, completely blocking the chaotic roadway!

Thick smoke and flames spewed from the wreckage of the vehicle that lost its turret, inside which no living being could possibly survive.

The second missile almost simultaneously hit the side of the second tank, exploding into a fireball on the reactive armor blocks, metal streams penetrating the side armor, burrowing into the combat chamber.

This tank didn't immediately explode, but its turret started spinning wildly in place, rotating three or four times before suddenly jamming, with smoke mixed with peculiar flames erupting from the hatch and observation slit.

The rear escape hatch was forcefully pushed open, and a figure engulfed in flames struggled halfway out, before ceasing movement, lying at the exit like a dead fish on a fire pile, consumed by the flames.

Five seconds.

It took only a brief five seconds for the road-blocking explosion to transform the two leading T-72s into burning coffins.

The rebel convoy instantly erupted into chaos.

"Enemy attack! Highest alert!!"

"Vehicle 02 destroyed! Vehicle 03 on fire!!"

"The road is blocked! Reverse! Quick, reverse!!"

"Infantry disembark! Establish defenses!!"

The radio channel was suffused with terrified yelling.

The tanks behind furiously shifted into reverse, their heavy tracks frantically scraping the road surface, emitting ear-piercing screeching sounds.

But on such a narrow road, attempting a U-turn or quick reverse was easier said than done.

A T-72's left track smashed into a protruding rock on the roadside in the chaos, snapping with a "crack," causing the entire vehicle to tilt and slump in place, becoming yet another stationary target.

The infantry on the mechanized vehicles clumsily pushed open the troop compartment doors, tumbling out, some were knocked down by the impending rain of bullets before they could regain footing.

And the ensuing rain of bullets was devastating.

"All hands—open fire!!!"

Major Faisal's roar echoed across the general channel.

Nasur Fortress, which had lain silent all night, finally awoke amidst gunfire and explosions.

The first to engage were the four NSV "Rock" 12.7mm heavy machine guns on the upper fire points.

They were deployed within reinforced concrete fortifications, now simultaneously spitting near one-meter long fiery tongues!

"Boom boom boom boom—!!"

The deep, coherent, and powerful gunfire instantly drowned out other battlefield noises.

12.7mm caliber bullets burst from the barrels at over eight hundred meters per second, drawing bright tracer trajectories in the air, fiercely pounding the road below.

The warheads impacting on the heavy frontal armor of the T-72 tanks produced concentrated "clang clang clang" sounds, bursting into clusters of dazzling sparks, though unable to penetrate, the massive kinetic energy and sound were enough to frighten the occupants inside.

While hitting the relatively weak Aluminum Alloy side armor of BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, it sounded like "thud thud thud" penetrations, easily tearing through the steel plates, penetrating inside, leaving personnel and equipment ravaged.

As for impacting the infantry without cover...

That was the most horrific scene.

The human body appeared as fragile as paper before such caliber bullets.

Victims often didn't merely fall but were carried backward by the enormous impact, or parts disappeared or broke instantly, blood and flesh bursting into clusters of red mist in the air.

Screams were instantly drowned out by gunfire.

Following suit, the AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher, known as the infantry killer, joined the death chorus.

"Boom boom boom boom—!!"

At an ultra-high rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute, 30mm grenades showered down like hail, covering the road and the open ground on both sides.

Every grenade hitting the ground exploded into plumes of black smoke mixed with fragments and dirt.

The fragments swept fan-like, harvesting lives lacking armor protection.

The continuous explosions formed a near-impenetrable barrier.

B Company's anti-tank team launched a second wave of attack from concealed positions closer to the road.

This time, instead of the expensive "Short Horns," they used cheaper but equally powerful RPG-29 rocket launchers and Carl-Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifles.

"Whoosh—boom!"

"Bang—!"

Rockets and recoilless rifle rounds dragged short or long tails as they flew from all directions, almost directly charging at tanks and mechanized vehicles attempting to return fire or find cover.

They specifically targeted weaker spots like sides, rear engine compartments, and sighting equipment.

A BMP-2 turret was directly hit by a rocket, its 30mm cannon barrel bent, with the turret leaning to one side.

A T-72's right track was severed by a recoilless rifle, immobilizing it in place.

Meanwhile, snipers scattered at high vantage points across the fortress began their precise "roll call."