After observing for a while, Zhang Zilan put down the binoculars.

Compared to this side, the battle at the bridgehead on the north bank is a small fight.

In order to capture Victory Square, the rebels deployed four battalions of troops, dozens of tanks and fighting vehicles, and also took control of all the streets and buildings in the square.

In addition, the rebels have spread out to both flanks, capturing the building in the southwest corner and the bright avenue in the northwest corner.

The defenders retreated to the east of the square, making their last standing.

When the rebels outflanked, the defenders would be on their backs, and at that time they would have to die here except to retreat and abandon Victory Square.

In fact, the rebels have not attacked from the front.

In addition to the fact that the defenders still have enough firepower and there is no shelter in the square, it is also related to the tactical intentions of the rebels.

That is, the rebels intend to annihilate the main forces of the defenders here.

A frontal assault will only cause the defenders to retreat and continue to fight the rebels.

Outflanking from both flanks and launching an attack would encircle the defenders on the east side of the square, and then take the city, at least most of the city, in one fell swoop.

How long can the defenders hold out?

Zhang Zilan didn't think much about it, and after getting into the turret, he closed the captain's cabin door.

Because there were several rebel tanks on the bridgehead position on the north bank that had not been completely destroyed and could still be repaired, Zhang Zilan left a few Pakistani operatives to help Choka repair those tanks, and then use those tanks to fight the rebels.

For this reason, Zhang Zilan sat in the position of tank commander.

Although he is not a tank soldier, he has been mixed in Saudi Arabia for two or three years, and Zhang Zilan has some understanding of this kind of American tank, and he is proficient in operation.

In addition, during his service in the Huaxia Special Forces, Zhang Zilan mastered the technique of driving a tank.

Of course, at that time it was the tanks of the Huaxia that were driven.

What's more, the other three operatives in the tank are all from Pakistan and have previously served as instructors for the Saudi army in Yemen.

Like Choka, they have long mastered the ability to drive M1A2 tanks.

If there is any problem, the main thing is that the M1A1 is not so advanced, but it does not prevent these operatives from piloting this tank.

"We enter from the west and first sweep the enemy on the bright avenue, giving priority to the destruction of the enemy's armored forces."

When Zhang Zilan gave the tactical order, the driver started the tank, the loader opened the bolt, and the gunner activated the fire control system.

"Battle queue, follow me!"

With Zhang Zilan's order, the tank under his command rushed out first.

Two streets away, there is an intersection guarded by more than a dozen government officers and soldiers.

Because it was too far from the battlefield, it was not attacked by the rebels.

When you pass through the intersection, you enter the battlefield.

"Keep your distance and don't give the enemy a chance to fire!"

Only a few periscopes were used by the commander, and the field of view was very narrow, but fortunately, it was daytime and the visibility was not very bad.

"Two cars in a team, fire when you find a target!"

The four tanks split into two teams and advanced along the avenue from north to south.

Not long after, the first target appeared in Zhang Zilan's field of vision.

"Ten o'clock direction, distance 2300, infantry fighting vehicles, 830 armor-piercing shells!"

The commander has an independent laser rangefinder and is able to obtain the necessary fire control parameters, but it is limited by the fire control system and cannot directly control the tank gun beyond the gun commander.

"Reloaded!"

Before the loader could shout, Zhang Zilan heard the sound of the bolt being closed.

"Aim and fire!"

As he spoke, Zhang Zilan kicked the gunner with his toes.

This is a small action commonly used by tank crews in battle, alerting the gunner operating the tank gun and ensuring that the gunner knows that the commander has given the order to fire.

"Boom-"

As the tank gun roared, the M830 high-explosive armor-piercing projectile whizzed out of the muzzle.

Almost at the same time, the M1A1 in the back also fired a shell, aimed at a wheeled armored vehicle following the infantry fighting vehicle.

Three seconds later, that M2A3 turned into a ball of fire.

"Turn left ahead and rush over."

The tank immediately accelerated and rushed into the alley ahead.

Although they were victorious, they knocked out a rebel infantry fighting vehicle, and the wingmen were brave enough to knock out the armored vehicle, but after the cannon fired, their whereabouts were already exposed.

"Stop, reverse...... Stop! ”

Without waiting for the tank to stop, Zhang Zilan operated the turret to turn to the left.

On the left is a building, the residents have long since fled, the door on the first floor is open, and in Zhang Zilan's position, he can see the square through the window and the gate.

The rebels had already spotted Zhang Zilan and them, and the muzzles of at least four M1A1s had turned around.

"Armor-piercing bullets!"

"Reloaded."

Zhang Zilan didn't say much, opened the hatch and drilled out, and then instructed the gunner to control the turret and aim the muzzle at the door opening on the first floor.

"Aim and fire!"

"Boom-"

As soon as Zhang Zilan retracted, the gunner pressed the fire button.

"Reverse, reverse at full speed!"

Although his ears were ringing, Zhang Zilan did not dare to delay, and fired four smoke bombs while ordering the reverse.

A few seconds later, the wall to the right of the tank fell.

Not knocked down, but by shells from rebel tanks.

If it hadn't been reversed, Zhang Zilan's tank would have been hit by armor-piercing shells, and several walls of the building were obviously unable to block armor-piercing shells.

Because smoke grenades were fired, the rebel tankers thought that the government tanks would rush out of the alley.

Having poured out, the tank continued to advance south.

Already targeted by the rebels, Zhang Zilan did not let the tank stop and fire.

At this point, the wingman who was following followed, but on the other side of the avenue, with the muzzle pointed south, providing cover for the long car.

To the east, two more tanks were put into battle in time to catch the rebels by surprise.

Although no battle scenes were seen, judging by the sound of explosions in the distance, at least one of the rebel tanks was hit by armor-piercing shells.

By this time, Zhang Zilan had successfully attracted the attention of the rebels in that direction.

The distance of the battle was still around 2,000 meters, and the buildings in the city were so dense that neither side had the ideal conditions for firing.

Four tanks is not much, but it is enough to contain the rebels on the Bright Avenue.

Threatened by tanks, the rebels did not dare to continue to advance towards Victory Square, and even abandoned the Guangming Avenue that they had already controlled, and began to adjust their deployment.

At this time, on the other side of the battlefield, the counterattack has also begun.

On this side was Tie Hu, along with ten four-man combat teams and four anti-tank teams led by him.

The key is that the building must be recaptured, otherwise the rebels will be able to condescendingly suppress the government forces on the east side of the square and cover the advance of the ground forces.

Tiehu and the others were already in place, and Zhang Zilan's counterattack in the north was the signal for the start of the operation.