Chereads / The Red Empire / Chapter 12 - VDV Airborne

Chapter 12 - VDV Airborne

A few hours after the bombardment,

another group of planes that flew at an altitude of 3000m above the ground escorted by the MIG-23 flew towards Riga.

But this time, it is formed by the Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane and comes from the east.

These are the planes of the 106th Guard Airborne Tula Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Airborne Division, more generally called the Tula Division.

One of the strongest troops in the Soviet army, belonging to the Airborne troops, VDV.

Below the transport plane, a few hundred meters above the ground, are groups of helicopters including Mi-24, Mi-8 and also Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters that carry the newly developed MBT, T-80B.

They will begin their airdrop at the designated landing zone, a place called Vangazi, which is 20km east of Riga.

There, they will first gather and change to equip with NBC (Nuclear, Bio, Chemical) protection, preventing themselves from the radiation that comes from the tactical nuke.

"Lowering altitude to 1000m."

The pilot's voice came from the radio, giving everyone on the plane to prepare themselves.

A famous Soviet army song was then played through the radio, letting all of the paratroopers in the division be able to hear it.

"Полюшко, поле,Полюшко, широко поле,"

(Field-field, field, wide field)

"Едут ли по полю герои,Эх, да Красной Армии герои."

(Heroes are riding by the field, Ah, [they're] heroes of the Red Army)

The song is named 'Oh Fields My Fields'.

However, it has a more widely known name, its original name, 'Polyushka Poye'.

Along with the song, is the voice of the the Division Commander, Major-General Yevgeny Nikolayevich Podkolzin.

"Attention to all comrade, brothers of the division."

"I am your division commander, Major-General Yevgeny Nikolayevich Podkolzin."

"Today is the day for us to prove to the Motherland and our people."

"Our training, discipline, and unity have prepared us for this moment."

"The orcs are just below us, at all of the Baltic States, killing our people"

" And we cannot let this continue. "

"We will liberate Riga with our 24th Tank Training Division comrade."

"And hold there until our reinforcement has come."

"During this process, we are going to be surrounded by millions of orcs."

"But we are VDV airborne, and we are born to be surrounded."

"Grab your weapon, for the Motherland, for the glory of VDV, for our people!"

"URA!"

Listening to what the commander said, paratroopers hold their weapons in hand tightly, and their eyes gradually become firm.

For most of them, this is the first time they go to war.

A few moments after the commander spoke, bursts of red light began to flash.

Paratroopers start standing up and start checking their gear.

"Attention, comrades! We're approaching the drop zone. Check your gear, and get ready for the jump. This is it."

"Drop zone coordinates confirmed. Approaching at 1,000 meters. Get ready for the green light."

The cargo bay doors rattle as they begin to open, revealing the sprawling landscape below.

The rushing wind fills the cargo hold.

Paratroopers inside the plane saw destroyed buildings and smoke rising into the sky. 

As the light turns green, they start leaving the plane.

"Go, Go, Go!"

Paratroopers, one by one, leap from the aircraft into the open sky.

The parachute opened like white flowers in the sky.

The song continues playing inside the plane, just like the girl in their hometown sending them off.

Except for paratroopers, vehicles and artillery are also dropped from the plane.

ASU-85 airborne self-propelled gun, BMD infantry fighting vehicle, and BDRM armoured scout car.

D-30 122mm howitzer, BM-21 rocket launcher and 120 mm mortar.

Before they drop to the ground, a rocket that is installed below the parachute thrust, making the equipment drop lightly, preventing the equipment damage due to heavy crashes on the ground.

The whole division of 8000 men was entirely sent to here.

IL-76 squadron continues its flight, leaving behind a sky filled with drifting parachutes and elite paratroopers ready to carry out their mission.

The town that was named after Vangazi, has been bombarded by SU-25 before, leaving ruins behind.

However, many of the orcs in the town survived the bombardment.

But now, they looked at the helicopters flying towards them and the white flowers in the sky in horror.

Rocket is shooting at them with the Mi-24 and Mi-8, leaving no chance for them to resist.

At the same time, some helicopters start landing, and soldiers are coming out from there.

"Quick, take down the building and cover our friendly forces, hold on until they come."

Orders have been given by the commanders.

These are air assault battalions that were newly built by Orgarkov before the war began.

They do not belong to the VDV, but instead the ground forces.

Then, the Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters also arrived and hovered outside of the town.

T-80b crew that stayed in the tank quickly unloaded their tank from the helicopter by detaching the lifting straps.

In total 40 of Mi-26 carry 40 T-80b to the battlefield.

After they finish detaching, the helicopters land on the ground and personnel of the tank battalion are also coming down from the helicopters 

They will then return to the East, bringing more BTR and BMP to here.

These are the tanks battalion that belongs to the 4th Guards Lenin Red Banner Tank Division which is also from the Moscow Military District.

The roar of the gas turbine engine belonging to the T-80B tank began to sound, heralding the arrival of this steel monster.

The Airborne division takes only a few minutes to finish their airdrop, and another few ten seconds to reach the ground.

Paratroopers that reach the ground stow their parachutes and show their unique uniform which is called 'Telnyashka'.

 A striped undershirt traditionally associated with Soviet naval infantry and airborne troops.

"Get to your vehicle, we go to War!"

The first gathered company commander gives out the order, leading his paratroopers to the town.

There are thirty thousand orcs which is a division for them, stationed in this small village which originals only had a few thousand villagers.

After the bombardment from SU-25 and helicopters, there are only more than ten thousand orcs left.

The orc's division commander failed to organize a successful offensive to kick the Soviet Forces out of the town.

Soviet fast and accurate sudden strikes give them no time to react.

Making orcs attack them chaotically, without even forming a formation.

Even though it's going to be the same whether they have formed the formation or not.

And the arrival of the VDV, making the orcs in the town has come to an end.

As the Soviet tradition, the tank columns move ahead and are then followed by the VDV BMD infantry fighting vehicle.

Infantry and paratroopers fighting beside them, avoid any orcs that try to destroy the vehicle.

The battle did not take too long, only 15 minutes.

"All vehicles, open your NBC protection, and all personnel, wear your NBC equipment."

Soldiers quickly did what the commander said, and then, sat on T-80B tank and BMD, rushing to Riga.

Meanwhile, inside Riga.

The 24th Tank Training Division also started to fight back to the ground by wearing all the NBC protection that is stored in the fortification.

With the air support provided by the helicopter groups.

After finishing bombard and sending troops to the Vangazi, they continue to fly to Riga, providing air support to them.

The city has now become ruins, most of the buildings have been destroyed by the carpet bombing before.

Maybe for some coincident, the St. Peter church survived again from the bombardment.

The last time it survived was World War 2.

Last time, the church was defended by the Soviet Forces and attacked by the orcs.

But now, the times have changed, and things have turned around.

24th Tank Training Division are attacking them through underground fortifications built beneath the church.

Soldiers are trying to break through the line formed by the orcs, but the AK-74 assault rifles are hard to penetrate the orc's shield.

Sometimes the soldier will even be killed by the orcs, throwing axes behind the shield.

Only when HMG are set up, they can continue to push forward by shooting orcs without the shield.

The underground fortification is now again surrounded by cries, and praying sounds from the citizens of Riga.

Just like yesterday when the orcs attacked them.

But Romanov was not affected by that, he continued giving orders to the troops calmly.

"Vasily, take over my position, I am going to follow our troops back to the ground."

"Romanov, it's too dangerous, you stay here, and I will go."

"Vasily, listen to my order, it is not the time for us to argue."

"Our troops are gaining great sacrifice, they need me now."

Vasily looks at Romanov silently, he understands what Romanov says.

Both of them have been partners for a long time, he understands how Romanov is.

"Understand Romanov, take care."

"No worry Vasily, I will come back safe, but, still don't forget our agreement, if I die, you will take over the command and continue to fight."

They salute and hug each other, and Romanov put on his helmet, picked up the AK he had put aside, and walked out of the underground command room without looking back.