bayedsolid Chapter 300 Machine Guns Against Cavalry
Chapter 300 Machine Guns Against Cavalry
More than ten thousand soldiers marched out in neat formations for one or two kilometers, with dozens of four-wheeled carriages parked in front of them, each carrying a general-purpose machine gun. The dark muzzles of the guns were aimed straight ahead.
In the gaps between the carriages, mortar teams were already at their positions. The team members were half-crouched, their eyes fixed on the front.
Zhang Da Kui stood at the very front, with the chief of staff and several guards beside him.
"Haha, these idiots! Do they think it's an ancient cavalry charge?" Zhang Da Kui exhaled a puff of smoke and laughed loudly.
About two miles away, four or five thousand cavalrymen, in tight formation, were slowly advancing and gradually accelerating as they charged toward them.
Zhang Da Kui shook his head and raised his right hand, waving it sharply.
"Boom boom boom boom..." White smoke billowed from the high ground on both sides. Dozens of shells were hurled at the Mongol cavalry.
"Boom!" A cannonball exploded in the charging cavalry, instantly turning two warhorses and their riders into a pile of minced meat.
More than a dozen riders nearby also fell to the ground, and shrapnel from the bullets hit men and horses within dozens of meters. The cavalrymen, oblivious to the danger, continued their charge, completely unaware that blood was gushing from their horses' bellies.
Shells rained down on the charging Mongol cavalry, creating empty shells. But these empty shells were quickly filled by cavalry charging up from behind.
The cavalry charged with incredible speed, and the cannons only managed to fire three rounds. After abandoning several hundred cavalrymen, Chechen Khan's Mongol army advanced to within about a mile.
"Fire!" a lieutenant colonel ordered, then waved the red flag in his hand.
"Boom boom boom..." Dozens of mortars roared in unison, the sound so loud that the air seemed to tremble.
The gunners were completely focused, their eyes fixed on the muzzle. As soon as the shell left the barrel, they skillfully and quickly put another shell into the breech.
Explosions erupted one after another within the Mongol army ranks, flames soared into the sky, and smoke filled the air.
Although mortar shells are slightly less powerful than artillery shells, they have the advantage of extremely high rate of fire and large numbers. The rain of shells made it impossible for the Mongol army to defend against them.
The renewed barrage of artillery fire threw the already chaotic Mongol cavalry into complete panic.
Under this unprecedented attack, they were thrown into chaos. Their horses neighed, riders cried out in terror, and the reins were torn and twisted in the confusion.
These Mongol soldiers, who had grown up on horseback and were used to fighting on the grasslands, had never seen such a battle before. Their usually proud mounted archery tactics were rendered useless under this intense artillery barrage.
Some Mongol soldiers tried to rein in their frightened warhorses and charge toward the direction of the artillery fire, but they were thrown to the ground by the blast wave from the shells after only a few steps. The men and their horses fell heavily into the mud, their fate unknown.
Many more Mongol troops, like headless flies, wandered around in circles, completely out of command, colliding and trampling each other.
Zhang Da Kui observed the battlefield situation expressionlessly, taking in the Mongol army's disarray. A slight, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he turned to the messenger officer beside him and said:
"Pass down the order: maintain the bombardment rhythm and don't give them a chance to breathe!" The messenger received the order and relayed it.
Behind them, in the cavalry formation, the soldiers gripped their rifles tightly, watching this scene with excitement on their faces.
The new army cavalry were alright, but the most excited were a small squad of Solon cavalry on the side. They never expected that war would be fought like this, and they all stared in astonishment, their mouths agape.
Before Zhang Da Kui set out with his troops, he had specifically persuaded the three Solon tribes to surrender. After the imperial court agreed to exempt them from taxes for three years and provided them with a batch of money and grain, the three tribes readily submitted to him.
Only then did Zhang Da Kui realize that the renowned Solon Tribe had dwindled to a mere 30,000 to 40,000 men. The Qing Dynasty was ruthless!
Zhang Da Kui didn't make things difficult for them, only symbolically conscripting two hundred cavalrymen to participate in the battle. These men were natural-born warriors, best suited for reconnaissance and leading the way.
Seeing the surprised looks on Soren's faces, the officers and soldiers of the Second Cavalry Division beside him gave a wicked smile. This is nothing! You'll see what a massacre is just around the corner!
Only a minute or two had passed, and the Mongol cavalry, which were no longer in formation, had closed to within two or three hundred meters.
With the enemy within reach, the remaining Mongol cavalrymen, their eyes bloodshot, gripped their bows, arrows, sabers, and other weapons tightly. Although a small number of them carried rifles, they clearly preferred to use traditional weapons.
"Rat-a-tat-tat..." The heavy machine gun on the carriage crackled merrily, dozens of tongues of fire sweeping towards the charging Mongol army. In an instant, the air was filled with sharp whistling and scorching heat.
The Mongol cavalry at the forefront were instantly overwhelmed by the powerful machine gun fire, horse and rider alike. Before they could even utter a cry of terror, they were pierced by merciless bullets and crashed heavily to the ground.
Seeing this, their comrades behind them could not retreat. They could only let out even more passionate roars, urging their warhorses to continue charging towards the barrage of fire.
Those horse-drawn carts loaded with heavy machine guns now resembled an impregnable fortress. The machine gunners, their faces grim, steadily controlled their guns, their eyes burning with fanaticism.
Their fingers rhythmically pulled the triggers, bullets raining down, creating lines of death among the Mongol cavalry.
The Mongol cavalry's formation became increasingly chaotic under the intense fire. Some horses were hit in the legs, their front hooves buckled to the ground, throwing their riders far away.
Some cavalrymen had to pull the reins desperately to avoid bullets, causing their horses to rear up and neigh in pain.
However, despite heavy casualties, the Mongol cavalry did not give up their charge. The fighting spirit of the nomadic people was completely ignited in their hearts. They firmly believed that as long as they broke through the defense line in front of them, they could deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
Seeing the rows of elite warriors falling, Dorji felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He was also filled with immense regret. His father had only sent him with five thousand men to harass and delay the advance of the Chinese Empire's army.
He took it upon himself to teach the Chinese army a lesson, but little did he know that the enemy's weapons were so powerful! His well-trained cavalry suffered heavy casualties before they could even touch the enemy.
Dorji's face was filled with anxiety and resentment as he watched his warriors fall one after another in the hail of bullets, his anger burning like a raging fire. He roared and waved his long sword repeatedly, trying to boost the morale of his soldiers.
Zhang Da Kui revealed a cruel sneer. These fools have lost their minds! With weapons and tactics like these, they dare to rebel? Ha!
On the battlefield, the roar of heavy machine guns, the shouts of Mongolian cavalry, and the neighing of warhorses intertwined, creating a cruel and tragic war song.