1245 April 5th, 2020 CE
0622 Sun 5th, 196 AE
Outside of the forest
Dirt flew up as bullets hit the ground around and on the magipanzers. 30 mm bullets punctured holes into the Stallions that were in the line of fire.
BRRRRRT
The battalion was surprised by the sudden rain of death. Magipanzers stopped in their tracks.
Various bombs and missiles score direct hits on the tops of some of the magipanzers.
<<<”Colonel Aewraek. This is Lieutenant Colonel Rohorn. We have just been attacked by human planes.”>>>
A different voice on the magiradio disrupted Colonel Aewraek’s reply.
<<<“It’s coming back!”>>>
As the A-10 Warthog started coming around again, the magipanzer formations scattered in an attempt to avoid its deadly line of fire. More magipanzers were destroyed by the hail of guided munitions.
<<<“Colonel Trakkas. This is Colonel Aewraek. My 2nd Battalion is being attacked by human planes outside of the jungle.”
“How intense?”
“They are reporting multiple tanks destroyed and the attack isn’t letting up. They seem to be using ground-attack aircraft.”
“Should we halt our retreat?”
“I suggest we try to find a way to get out of the jungle. Being stuck here doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“The only way for our magipanzers to get out of this jungle is by these roads. Other than leaving our perfectly intact magipanzers here, I don’t see an alternative to avoiding human air attacks if we try to get out of the jungle.”
“I will get my 2nd Battalion to retreat back into the deeper parts of the jungle. We will figure something out after that.”>>>
1255 April 5th, 2020 CE
0627 Sun 5th, 196 AE
Magusian Secondary Defense Line
Major General Bernart marveled at one of the American “M1A2 Abrams.” Right now, more vehicles from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Divison were pouring in
“Such a big gun! Such smooth armor! Lieutenant Colonel Parker, how is your country able to produce so much of these marvels?”
Bernart was so focused on the tank that he didn’t notice Lieutenant Colonel Parker’s sigh.
“I’m not an engineer so I’m not exactly sure. Our technology surpasses yours by more than 100 years so that’s something I guess.”
“100 years! Can you please tell me more about these marvelous magitanks!”
“As I said I’m not an engineer. And they are not called magitanks. They are 100% mechanical tanks like the ones that the Machians have.”
Lieutenant Colonel Rogers laughed as he approached them. He had been watching the conversation unfold. Even though he didn’t exactly understand what was being said, he got the gist of it.
“Don’t know much about tanks do you?”
“Nah, just don’t like answering all of his questions. He asks too much.”
“I will gladly tell him if you translate.”
“Are we setting off soon?”
“Not yet. The infantry isn't here.”
Parker turned to Bernart
“It’s your lucky day, Major General Bernart. My friend here, Lieutenant Colonel Rogers who is a commander of a tank battalion is quite knowledgeable about the M1A2 Abrams. I will translate what he says.”
Rogers coughed.
“Okay, so this is an M1A2C Abrams tank. The most modern variation of the Abrams tank. The first Abrams tank, the M1 Abrams was introduced about 40 years ago in my world by our country. It’s known as one of the best proven tanks. I won’t go too much into detail but here are some basics. It has a special type of armor that in some areas is equivalent to 1,000 mm of steel against kinetic energy. Its gun is a 120 mm cannon that can penetrate more than 500 mm of steel. Its top speed on the road is about 42 mph if I remember correctly.”
“1000 mm of steel! Is your government willing to sell us information on how to make it ourselves?”
This was something that Parker could answer.
“No, it’s even top-secret in my old world. I’m also pretty sure you lack the capability to produce it.”
Bernart didn’t give up.
“How about selling us one of these?”
“Uhhh, your government will have to ask our government about that.”
Bernart looked a bit sad whilst still sliding his hand on the Abram’s armor
A young Magusian soldier came running up to them. He saluted and presented a folded piece of paper to Bernart.
“Major General Bernart. Message from HQ.”
He opened it up and read the contents.
“Seems like we are to advance with you.”
Parker nodded and turned towards Rogers.
“Any word on when the offensive will begin?”
“An estimated 20 to 30 minutes from now I guess. The infantry isn’t that far. We will be advancing while the Air Force conducts its strikes.”
0100 April 5th, 2020 CE
0630 Sun 5th, 196 AE
M1A2 Abrams started moving onto the road and into the jungle. Most of the trees there had been burnt to the ground. LTC Rogers spoke into his radio to his armor company commanders
<<<“Stay sharp. You have permission to fire upon any suspected elf forces. The Air Force just told us that the elves are still in the jungle. None of their forces have come out on the other side. The elves also have snipers with them so don’t get out unless it’s necessary for survival.”
“Lieutenant Colonel, what do we do with the elf tanks blocking the road?”>>>
A bunch of destroyed Elven magipanzers was clumped up on the road leading out of the jungle.
<<<“Just push through them. Don’t destroy them though. Some recovery vehicles are coming to pick them up for research.”>>>
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BRRRRTTTTTT and BOOOMMMM!!!!
Tanks for the chapter
isnt APFSDS the standard shell for an Abrams? seems like overkill when HEAT or HE would be enough for the light and med tanks the elfs would have at the frontline, considering US gun and ballistics tech and elfen armor tech
The HEAT round is sufficient for even the King Tiger version. A SABOT round would probably punch through two Fortress tanks or even a Maus Tank.
For snipers they could probably use the thermograph sensors to pick them out and mow them down with the coaxial gun. Either the Abrams or the Bradley could do that.
How i do miss the sounds of a Bradley. Those were fun times.
Thank you for the chapter. I'm enjoying this story.
<<<“Just push through them. Don’t destroy them though. Some recovery vehicles are coming to pick them up for research.”>>>
Cool! How about an Abrams with a magic shield to help deflect enemy fire? Or, perhaps tanks of the future could have a magic accelerator on the barrel to push the shells to go faster?
I can dream. But, those ideas are more likely to be just fantasies. The most realistic scenario is analyzing them merely to find the biggest vulnerabilities of these enemy tanks, making it somewhat quicker and easier to take them out in future engagements - and that might be about it.
The magipanzers are basically WW2 level equivalents of the Nazi tanks, so they are just as vulnerable to HEAT and SABOT rounds. Even the King Tiger or Maus tank wouldn't stand a chance. That is, if the A-10 or Apache and Cobra choppers don't decimate them first.
@AnimeaddictionV I don't doubt that WW2 Nazi tanks are vulnerable to HEAT and SABOT rounds or that an A-10 should be able to disable them rather easily. I also have little doubt that magipanzers are meant to be similar to WW2 Nazi tanks. The question remains, though: Exactly HOW similar are they. I'd say that should be a useful question to answer, especially since the magipanzers were built by elves and function by way of magic.
Specifically, I think having US technicians study the magipanzer could help make each shot count better after knowing things like whether the top, back or sides has much thinner armor or whether aiming at a certain spot is guaranteed to cripple the engine or main gun.
Noticed towards the end of this chapter that the A-10s had to make multiple sweeps in order to destroy or disable a line of magipanzers? They were definitely doing a number on them, but it did not sound like they were instantly turning them into swiss cheese. The battalion leaders did not even seem terribly worried as they calmly radioed in about the attacks. If they were being decimated very swiftly, you'd think they would shout or use an exclamation.
"How intense?"
"They are reporting multiple tanks destroyed and the attack isn't letting up..."
I'm just saying: There should be plenty of room to destroy magipanzers more swiftly by knowing their vulnerabilities and limits. There's a good reason why militaries around the world - including the U.S. - like to treat all the important specifications and limits of military vehicles and weapon systems as vital secrets.
@Xpacetrue
Actually, it's standard procedure for A-10 pilots to make a couple of sweeps to make certain the target is destroyed. For anti-tank missiles, it's fire and forget, but for 30mm DU rounds, a couple of sweeps will almost guarantee tank sushi. Some pilots who fought in both Gulf Wars admit to making several passes over an armored column.
Besides, so far anti-tank tactics are working, so there's no reason to doubt the elven tanks aren't too different from Nazi tanks. One tank was taken out by an AT-4 rocket launcher, which is basically an upgraded Panzershrek. Very likely the Elves didn't consider the humans to have personal anti-tank weapons.
Most likely those officers who reported were probably at a distance from the destroyed tanks. If they were closer, they'd be dead.
Thanks for the chapter!
Hmmm............how long till nukes start raining down me wonders...........