Chapter 71: Confrontation
The 37mm machine gun is actually an enlarged version of the Maxim heavy machine gun. The ordinary Maxim heavy machine gun has a caliber of 11.43mm, and the enlarged version of the Maxim heavy machine gun has a caliber of 37mm. This kind of gun will make a "bang bang" sound when shooting, so it is also called a "bang bang cannon". It is more convenient to move than the artillery used by the British army and has great power. It is a rare heavy firepower of the Boer coalition. In the Battle of Ladysmith, the British army suffered a lot from the "bang bang cannon".
While Rock was waiting for fire support, Henry was also suffering.
"Ha, is this how you annihilated the Boer guerrillas? It seems you are very lucky. You probably met a group of real Boers." The major spoke sarcastically, looking at Henry with disdain.
Boer means farmers, and the major was using a double entendre. While mocking Henry, he was also satirizing Henry for the possibility that he was killing innocent people for credit. This kind of thing was not uncommon. The Boer coalition was originally composed of farmers, and many of them did not even have a uniform. At most, they were militia. When they put down their guns, there was no difference between the Boer coalition soldiers and ordinary Boer farmers.
The major was not done mocking Henry. He turned his eyes and saw a row of figures behind the breastwork of the starting position. He was immediately furious: "What a bunch of cowards, Captain Henry. Order your men to move forward, otherwise you and your men will be punished by military law."
In the major's opinion, Rock and his men are now afraid of the enemy and are not advancing. This would result in execution on the battlefield. The British army emphasizes courage and discipline, and any act of cowardice will be severely punished by military law.
"They are not cowards, Mr. Major. Please respect those who just died in the battle. They were also fighting for the British Empire." Henry glared at him. He had never hated someone so much.
"What the British Empire needs are fearless warriors, not timid cowards. Look at what your people have done. They have absolutely no tactical skills. Is this how you annihilate the Boer guerrillas? No one expects you to annihilate the Boer guerrillas. Please think carefully before making up lies." The major was not polite to Henry. Henry was now considered a public enemy of the military.
"I've already told you, you can go interrogate the prisoners, they will tell you everything." Henry's face flushed, he took two steps closer to the major, clenched his fists, and was on the verge of exploding.
"I will!" The major refused to give in and yelled at Henry face to face.
"Locke marked the Boer machine gun positions and told the artillery to kill them." Phyllis broke the deadlock, her voice still clear.
"Damn nobles!" The major looked at Henry with envy and muttered in a low voice.
This is the typical British person, who says one thing but acts another, cursing the nobles but the envy in his eyes says it all.
Putting aside his arrogance and prejudice, the major still had basic military qualities, and the quality of the British artillery was also good. Soon, the artillery units launched another fire attack on the Boer coalition positions according to the positions marked by Rock.
After the previous round of shelling, Rock had a general understanding of the level of the British artillery, so as soon as the artillery sounded this time, Rock and his men took the initiative to leave the breastwork and move towards the slope at the two o'clock direction.
"They are indeed a bunch of trash. They left the starting position before the shelling stopped. Even if they don't die under the Boers' guns, they will die under their own artillery fire. Stop shooting, stop shooting." The major had his own judgment of the situation and had no intention of taking the opportunity to kill Rock and his men. As soon as Rock left the starting position, the major ordered the artillery to cease fire.
Henry also didn't understand why Rock and his men had to leave their starting positions while the bombardment was in progress. This could easily cause accidental injuries. If the problem could be solved with artillery , the British would never risk human lives. Before each attack, the British artillery would conduct a fire attack for at least half an hour.
Phyllis understood a little bit why Rock did this, so she was firm: "We can't stop, we have to give Rock enough firepower cover."
The major turned around and gave Phyllis a cold look, ignoring her completely.
Unlike the controversial artillery, Rock at the foot of the mountain was in a dilemma. Rock didn't know what happened in the artillery position, but if the artillery stopped firing, it would immediately put the advancing commandos in great danger. If the Boer coalition opened fire at this time, Rock and his men would definitely suffer heavy casualties. Don't underestimate the Boer's marksmanship, they are also known as "everyone is a sharpshooter."
Fortunately, the Boers did not expect that this time the British artillery's firepower attack would be so anticlimactic. The shelling stopped just two minutes after it began, which was completely different from the previous style of the British artillery.
After a few dangerous steps, Rock led the commandos to the designated slope smoothly.
At this time, the real battle has just begun.
Rock waited for a moment to make sure the shelling had stopped, then gestured to the heavy machine gun position behind the breastwork: "I emphasize again, use the terrain to cover the advance, and always pay attention to the Boers above. If you find a Boer, kill him first, and then move forward--"
Following Rock's order, the heavy machine guns began suppressing fire, and Rock led the commandos to launch an attack from the other side of the Boer coalition position.
Thanks to the rugged rocks on the hillside, Rock and his men had no shortage of cover. Although it was safer to advance by taking turns to provide cover, the speed would definitely be slower. In the eyes of the major, all this seemed like a sign of cowardice.
"Cowards, what a bunch of cowards, damn them, they have tarnished the glory of the Imperial Army, they should all be sent to a military court." The major cursed and cursed, wishing he could rush up and force the commandos to make an honorable charge with a pistol.
"We are just policemen, not the Imperial Army." Henry was terrified. Rock and his men were in great danger. If they were not careful, they would lose everything. "What's more , they have been moving forward and have not stopped. What qualifications do you have to blame them, sitting in the bunker at the back?"
"Asshole, you're so insolent!" The major was so embarrassed by Henry's scolding that he turned around and scolded Henry back.
"You are just as much of a bastard. We are the police and should not be here. But now we have to charge on your behalf and endure the insults from you, a bastard. If you have the ability, go and take down the Boer positions. Who is incompetent?" Henry was desperate. Since he had already offended someone, he might as well offend him even more severely.
"Enough, isn't the most important thing right now the ongoing battle? Instead of arguing, why not compare and see who has killed more Boers?" Phyllis couldn't stand it any longer.
If this lady from a noble family releases her nature, she can be more exciting than any man.
