Chapter 1063: Bombardment Across the Border
Translator: _Min_ Editor: Caron_
Even on the northern tundra, the Finnish authorities wouldn’t be oblivious to a riot on its own soil, but they remained silent about the matter. Arrow brought trouble, and it happened on their “private territory”. Since no Finns died and Arrow didn’t seek help, why would they bother?
The local police in the town of Paltamo sent several mounted police officers around the camp. However, these police officers didn’t dare to rush in and decided to withdraw. Judging from the equipment in the hands of the refugees, it was no longer a problem they could handle.
The police chief of Paltamo immediately decided to mobilize local militia groups to increase security in the town and do their utmost to ensure the town’s safety.
It turned out his choice was correct. In less than half an hour, documents were issued and the local police were urged to do their utmost to protect the security of Paltamo. At the same time, a special force was sent to support this effort.
As for the refugee camp, it was to be taken over by the Finnish Defence Force hundreds of kilometers away.
Nominally.
Jiang Chen learned of the news through the intelligence of the Russian Security Services. The Finnish official’s silence did indeed surprise him. He originally thought that Finland would send out forces to maintain stability, but he didn’t expect their reaction to be so dull.
Carmen was likely at the military base and there must be something that couldn’t be exposed. Or perhaps he thought that the two brigades at the base would be more than enough to take care of the mess.
Regardless of Carmen’s reaction, Jiang Chen’s plan was proceeding according to plan.
Most of these refugees came from the Middle East. Many people had participated in militia training or had been recruited into the reserves. They had received basic military training. While they certainly couldn’t drive a tank, they could fire a mortar, and at least they wouldn’t direct a shell at their people.
With the second batch of equipment entering the Paltamo region from the Finnish border, Sami formed a 10,000-man-strong guerrilla force from the camp along with his rapidly accumulating prestige. With his cause as “only believers can end the oppressive rule of the pagans”, he mobilized the entire camp to pick up arms against Arrow.
Boxes of ammunition were carried onto old vans and trucks. The workers took the electric welders from the factories and welded heavy machine guns onto pickup trucks. Needless to say, this mob didn’t have any combat power at all. Under the same circumstances, there was almost no chance of defeating the mercenaries who have received training, but Jiang Chen was confident regarding the outcomes of the battle.
The reason was simple.
While they couldn’t shoot properly, they could bombard!
It was two o’clock in the morning, six hours after the start of the riot. Only 2,000 people were left to defend. The armed Sami Army was on the path to take down Arrow, to “rescue” his people from their misguided path.
The mighty army went to the tundra two kilometers outside of Arrow’s military base and surrounded the area. Under the command of several veterans, the Sami Army with shovels and hoes dug out simple artillery pits.
Hundreds of mortars and dozens of artilleries were placed. After the launch of a signal flare, hundreds of mortars ignited the tundra, and clusters of explosions covered the entire military base, completely dazing the mercenaries in their defensive positions.
Of course, the mercenaries stationed at the military base weren’t just going to bend over. While they were bombarded, all the mercenaries rushed into bunkers. At the same time, the howitzers on the military base began launching a counter-attack against the refugees based on the coordinates of the scouts’ feedback…
However, these mortars were scattered, and shells from all directions exhausted the mercenaries at the military base. Although they were better, they were simply outnumbered.
A mortar shell landed on the roof of the command center and created a hole in the reinforced concrete. Dust from the ceiling covered the face of the brigade commander, Arnold. He held the table to gain his footing while cursing out the window.
“Sh*t! Where did these bugs get so many mortars?!”
The sudden artillery caught everyone off guard. They thought these gangsters would use rifles and rush to their machine guns; they didn’t expect them to bombard the military base.
“There’s no doubt that Celestial Trade provided them with the weapons.” Holding the table and returning to the map, Sardes looked around at everyone in the room. “Look, we can’t just defend. No one knows how many shells they have because the man who supplied them with weapons is a complete b*stard. Arnold, take your people to finish them. Tell them that modern warfare isn’t only won by sheer numbers alone.”
“Roger!”
Arnold saluted, took off his intercom, and began to order his troops.
After the order was issued, the military gate opened and dozens of Hummers rushed out. Four “Puma” armored vehicles followed, rushing toward the refugees. Under Jiang Chen’s orders, Sami decisively ordered a 2,000-guerrilla squadron to block the path with anti-armor weapons.
The front line was located on the edge of the pine forest, and there were plenty of pines that were wider than the length of two people’s arms.
After encountering the refugees, the Arrow Hummer and armored vehicles immediately slowed down and used the heavy machine guns on the roof to shoot at the refugees. The mercenaries in the vehicles also jumped out and fired at the refugees taking cover.
However, they apparently underestimated the anti-armor ability of the refugees.
Just as the mercenaries fired the machine guns, various high-explosive, armor-piercing RPG warheads flew wildly in the pine forests. Although their accuracy was awful, the sheer number alone made up for it. The reaction armor on the armored vehicles was completely scrapped and only one managed to retreat intact.
Of course, the warheads still weren’t enough to take down the mercenaries. While the unexpected RPGs caught Arrow off guard, the refugees weren’t equally-matched opponents, even without the armored vehicles…
After fewer than ten minutes of fire was exchanged between the two sides, Sami already had more than 200 casualties. For Arrow, there were no more than 50 casualties. Seeing that the tide began to turn, Sami began to panic and quickly called Jiang Chen, seeking help.
“Our troops are collapsing; their accuracy is too good! It’s the first time many of our people are using guns. We can’t beat them…”
“Don’t worry, it will be alright.”
Jiang Chen’s words confused Sami.
It will be alright? Alright?
Just as he was digesting those words, the ground trembled like an earthquake and there was a loud explosion from afar. A shockwave swept through the pine forest, swept through the tundra, and even swept through his bangs.
Sami didn’t respond to what was going on; he only saw thick smoke rising from the military base. His mouth was wide open.
Standing on the hill on the other side of the battlefield, Jiang Chen watched the gorgeous fireworks. He couldn’t stop smiling.
The Alpha Special Forces succeeded.