Mercenary's War

Chapter 2437 - 2413: Scaring People

War is fought with logistics. Tanks, planes, artillery, cars, and even the smallest battlefield units, infantry, all depend on logistics for their effectiveness.No matter the vehicle or aircraft, without fuel, they are just a pile of scrap metal. Whether it’s artillery or a single soldier, without ammunition, they are worthless—a simple truth.

An individual soldier can only carry so much ammunition, and once exhausted, they rely on logistics to resupply, not to mention the heavier equipment which has greater power but demands even more from logistics.

To operate five self-propelled artillery, a large amount of fuel must be prepared. The 2S19 weighs 44.5 tons and consumes about three hundred to four hundred liters of diesel per hundred kilometers on the march. During combat, fuel consumption jumps, with at least six hundred liters per hundred kilometers.

Sweden released data showing that during realistic combat training and exercises, German-made Leopard 2 tanks consume nearly a thousand liters per hundred kilometers, with a single liter covering only a hundred meters.

Five self-propelled artillery only make an artillery company, requiring at least twenty accompanying vehicles for a long-distance raid. A flatbed trailer is needed for transport, ammo trucks must carry enough rounds, and tankers must supply fuel, since no Houthis logistics unit is available at the destination. Satan has to take all necessities personally to the border.

Although the Houthis Armed Forces have acquired some heavy equipment, they’re still fundamentally reliant on light infantry tactics, only suited for guerrilla warfare compared to Saudi Arabia.

Satan cannot provide logistics support himself and relies on the Houthis. But Houthis cannot even support an artillery company, revealing limited assistance.

Anxious, Gao Yang went to find Salim, expecting the Houthis Armed Forces to meet his needs. But Salim’s delayed provision of urgent supplies indicated they were skirting the issue, angering him.

Though filled with complaints, upon seeing Salim’s flustered demeanor, Gao Yang couldn’t chastise him. He lowered his voice, discontent, "Brother, what’s going on? I’m urgently heading to the Northwest Border, but there’s no flatbed or tankers?"

Salim took several breaths before replying hurriedly, "We have tankers now—six in total, four small and two large. Small ones hold five tons of diesel each, the large ones twenty tons of gasoline, enough for now. But for flatbeds, only two have been found. Please wait, I’m trying to find more."

Gao Yang nodded and asked puzzled, "Why is that? Sanaa City isn’t small; aren’t there any large flatbeds?"

Salim smiled wryly, "Really can’t find them! Cars are numerous in Sanaa City, but flatbeds for forty or fifty-ton self-propelled artillery are nowhere to be found. We had some but all are sent to Aden. I sent many to search and just found two, forcibly requisitioned."

In Huaxia, large trucks are everywhere; no one finds them novel. In Yemen, few large trucks are seen as roads can’t accommodate them easily, with medium ones around thirty tons showing up more often. But Gao Yang barely spotted any fifty-ton capable trucks.

Seeing Gao Yang’s impatience, Salim urgently whispered, "We’re all in a hurry. Abdullah was angry due to lack of suitable trucks. But there’s a solution; trucks will arrive tomorrow for sure."

Gao Yang hesitated to fully trust Salim’s promise and asked, "Where are the trucks found?"

"Iranian-used large flatbeds. Abdullah discussed with Said, who agreed to lend three flatbeds, but they’re in Dhamar and will depart tonight to arrive by morning."

After discussing artillery matters, Salim lowered his voice, "The intelligence you gave me today, is it accurate?"

Gao Yang smiled, "Rest assured, absolutely accurate."

Exhaling deeply, Salim said, "I handed the intelligence to Abdullah. He’s very pleased, seeing your willingness to provide it as a sign of your country supporting us with intelligence."

Gao Yang nodded, "Indeed, that’s how you should interpret it. More intelligence will be provided later."

Salim was thrilled; intelligence support was significant assistance Russia could offer, exciting many in the Houthis Armed Forces.

"Wonderful, intelligence aid is invaluable. Today’s intelligence was crucial. But may I ask, can we get strategic-level intelligence? Like, will Saudi Arabia deploy ground troops, and when?"

Looking at Salim, Gao Yang whispered, "I thought you urgently needed combat intelligence. Doesn’t Iran provide strategic intelligence?"

Salim replied softly, "They do, but Iran’s intelligence lacks value. Saudi Arabia is wary, and frankly, Iran’s intelligence work is poor."

Iran’s attempts at intelligence and confidentiality are weak—illustrated by frequent assassinations of key nuclear scientists.

After serious contemplation, Gao Yang finally whispered, "Alright, I can tell you, Saudi Arabia will definitely launch a ground attack. They aren’t just assembling troops for show; a full-scale offensive into Yemen is underway."

Whether Saudi Arabia will deploy ground troops, even they’re deliberating. Yemen maintains assumptions, with Abdullah and Salim stressing themselves gray. Still, Gao Yang confidently claims Saudi Arabia is resolved to launch ground warfare.

Gao Yang’s definitive conclusion shocked Salim, making him lose his voice, "Really?"

"Really!"

Salim took several deep breaths before quietly asking, "Can it be confirmed? I mean, is there enough evidence for Saudi Arabia’s ground assault, and is there a timetable?"

Sighing, Gao Yang replied softly, "If it couldn’t be confirmed Saudi Arabia would deploy troops, why am I going to the Northwest Border personally? I can’t give you evidence now, since I only received the final decision, not detailed proof. But I assure you, Saudi Arabia will attack with ground troops!"