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A pause in military operations.
Officers inspect vehicles to be ready and move out to the frontline
to plan the further actions.
- Two tanks here, two there. Attack will start here with three groups by two tanks.
- Four tanks will attack here.
- One tank will stay behind for fire support and as a reserve.
It is very difficult to determine where the militants are within all of these buildings.
A lot of underground passages ease their movement and makes troops' task harder.
Observers search for sniper positions and undiscovered firing points.
A militant recoilless gun position has been here just recently.
We're moving to another building to plan the actions from all directions.
- This building must be taken quickly.
- One tank will come from the left and will fire from behind the fence.
- But it will be open and must be covered from all sides.
- Will attack with two groups here. 3-4 tanks your way and mine. Starting at the same time.
- From there where the burned trees are.
- Yes, all clear! Will do so, good plan!
Corps interaction plan is formed immediately for infantry, tanks and artillery.
The first task is to force militants away from nearby buildings
and to press them into a narrow plot between main forces and the house taken by the advance group.
Militants are to be destroyed by tank fire supported by infantry then.
All of the potential threats are thoroughly estimated,
dangerous vectors of possible counterattacks and the most important targets are identified.
- Safe infantry movement is imperative!
- They will move from this house into that one, then towards there, then attack the next house.
Reinforced concrete ruins fill the places where militants have blown up buildings while retreating.
Commander reminds the crews of the most important thing before the fight:
- Watch each other. Remember, you are not fighting alone.
- Each one watches the neighbour. Keep both eyes open.
- First one covers the second who covers the third who covers the first.
ZPU-4 and Shilka anti-aircraft cannons prepare for the fight.
Tankmen equip their vehicles.
Fire-fighting and medical machines move out to duty positions.
Crews that will not take part in the fight today anymore
pass the ammo to their comrades.
Vasily Pavlov, Igor Nadyrshin, Victor Kuznetsov, Marat Musin. ANNA-News, Syria.