Chapter Sixty The Next Battle

  "It's great that you're back." Izat felt relieved when he saw Kusay standing intact in front of him, "How did you come back? I should arrange a grand welcoming ceremony for you."

  "Uncle," Zhang Feng said somewhat wearily, "I came back by helicopter, Shinnegan, just outside Basra on Highway 6."

  "Helicopter? Where did the helicopter come from?" Izzat was still in shock, and Zhang Feng continued: "I flew all the way from Sosangjilde Swamp, and we weren't even detected by our radar. You know what that means, right? And look at this outfit I'm wearing, and these clothes on my hands, yet no one suspected me when I entered Basra. What does that mean, uncle?"

  It was only then that Izzat noticed that the Kusay in front of him was wearing a flight suit for Iranian helicopter pilots, and his subordinates were wearing Iranian military uniforms.

  Izzat's face turned white: What does this mean? Even if the Iranians had entered Basra, they might not have reacted yet. These soldiers wearing Iranian military uniforms were able to pass through unimpeded all the way to the central hospital. Who was in charge of defending Basra today? He must be removed from his post!

  "It's out, it's out." At this time, Hades saw the operating room door open, and several doctors came out one after another, followed by a small cart.

  Above, under the white sheet was seriously injured Neil. Zhang Feng saw that the white sheet did not cover his head and felt relieved.

  "How is he, doctor?" Hades asked.

  "We've already treated his wound, transfused 2000cc of blood, and he's out of danger. The only thing is that the anesthetic hasn't worn off yet, so we'll send him to the ward to rest. Also, he needs rest, so try not to disturb him."

  "That's great, brother, although you lost a leg, your life is saved." Several lightly wounded soldiers were also watching Neil's dark face, compared to the dead companions, they were already lucky.

  As he watched the soldiers push the cart into the ward in a flurry of activity, Zhang Feng's eyes revealed a hint of sadness.

  "Uncle, this time I brought out a total of thirty-nine people, all safe and sound, only twenty-five are left." He said quietly, as if speaking to Izat, but also seemingly to himself.

  War has always been cruel and merciless.

  The eight-year Iran-Iraq War, according to official figures, resulted in 480,000 Iraqi deaths and casualties. The losses of these dozen or so people are just a drop in the ocean.

  But everyone is more than just a cold statistic, these are living human lives.

  Izzat seemed to know what Kusay was thinking, and he pressed Zhang Feng's shoulder hard, remaining silent for a long time.

  Zhang Feng was only in an instant, fell into this abyss, and soon, that confident and strong face, returned to his face again.

  "Don't worry, those martyred and wounded soldiers will be taken care of properly, they are all heroes of the Iraqi people," Izzat said.

  "Uncle, there's something I'd like to report to you," Zhang Feng said.

  "Alright, let's go to the Military District Command," Izat said.

  Southern Military Region, Headquarters, Conference Hall.

  Those who attended included senior commanders of the Southern Military Region, Izat and Commander Fatah Harad, Chief of Staff Hamid Rajeh and others. These are all core figures in the Southern Military Region.

  "First of all, let us welcome our hero back with warm applause, the victory in Susangirde Swamp is not to be forgotten," Izat said.

  At that moment, everyone applauded. In the army, besides origin, military merit is also important. This time's first achievement belongs to Kusayev. Plus he is the president's son, his future will be boundless.

  "This victory that frustrated the Persian plot, first and foremost is attributed to the bloody battle of the 35th Armored Brigade, they sacrificed half of their tanks, withstood the tribal leader's attack. Secondly, it was our air force's attack aircraft and armed helicopters that made the Persians completely lose their courage to resist. All these are related to your wise leadership and strict military discipline. Therefore, this victory is the glory of our entire Southern Military Region." Zhang Feng said.

  Not dwelling on his achievements with pride, being humble and cautious, Zhang Feng's words won the praise of everyone.

  "Come on, Abdulla, don't be modest," Izat said. "We've compiled a complete report and submitted it to the President, your contribution is the greatest."

  "This time we were able to repel the Persian attack, but in fact, we were also very lucky. However, the goddess of fortune will not favor us every time, so we must be vigilant against the Persians and prevent such a surprise attack from happening again." Izat said.

  "What does everyone think? Where will the Persians' next attack be?" Zhang Feng asked.

  Attack? Hamid said: "Kusay, although the Iranians made an unimaginable march in Susangerd, I'm afraid that's their limit. Now they've been repelled by us, what ability do they have to attack us? Now we're attacking Abadan, and we'll take Khorramshahr too."

  Looking at the somewhat frenzied Hamid, this guy can still become a lieutenant general, really is a grass bag. Zhang Feng said: "The entire limit of Iranians? Gentlemen, Iran's population is three times ours, land area is four times ours, and GDP is also several times ours. Iran's war machine has not yet fully started. What does modern warfare fight? It fights comprehensive national strength! So why can we ** at the beginning of the war? It's just because Iranians are still in internal chaos. However, facing Abadan, it hasn't been taken down for a year, and the Iranians have already begun to counterattack!"

  Hamid's face turned red and white as he listened to these words.

  "Gentlemen, we are now discussing military matters. The current movements of the Iranians are quite suspicious." The Chief of Staff intervened to smooth things over.

  "I think we should strengthen our defenses in the Susangilde Swamp to prevent another surprise attack," said a lieutenant general.

  You fool, can't you even get it right twice? The first time was a surprise attack, the second time is just asking to be killed.

  Zhang Feng finally realized that the leaders of these troops were probably not many real talents, no wonder the Iran-Iraq War lasted so long. If he had been given a chance from the beginning, he could have directly commanded the troops and fought his way to Tehran.

  The grassroots soldiers are brave, but they don't grasp advanced weapons well. The commanders at the top have a short-sighted view and lack command ability, no wonder the army equipped with modern weapons would fight like World War II's human wave tactics.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, our most dangerous place at the moment is the Abadan front line." Zhang Feng realized that it was impossible for them to find the answer by themselves.

  Historically, the Iranians, after sufficient preparation, launched a counterattack from Abadan. From then on, the situation in the Iran-Iraq War was reversed, with the Iranians attacking and the Iraqis defending, the Iraqi army constantly retreating, being thoroughly expelled from Iran, and the flames of war burning into Iraqi territory.

  Abadan? We've got Abadan surrounded now, just a bit more effort and we'll take it, the counterattack will start from Abadan? Hamid didn't think so, but he only dared to say it in his heart.

  "Our previous attack was only because of the chaos within the Iranian army and the instability of the military, but now Khomeini has taken control of the military, and under his encouragement, some fearless young people have formed a daredevil squad. Their attack on Susangerd is just a diversionary tactic, originally intended to take advantage of our panic and mobilize troops from Abadan to move north, giving them an opportunity. Although this plot was foiled by us, their main force has already quietly gathered outside Abadan, wanting to give us a devastating blow." Zhang Feng said loudly, punching the map on the table, where Abadan was circled in red.

  "Let us be fully prepared and crush Khomeini's illusions!" The overlord-like voice floated in the conference room.

  PS: Thanks for the five evaluation votes from Faxis! I'll try my best, if possible, to code out an extra chapter.

  Thank you for your great support, dear readers!

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