79: New mission, fighter squadron

As for why Lin Zhi wasn't bold enough to take down the entire H City, it was because it was completely impossible.

Taking it down means effective control and occupation.

Compared to regular infantry units, the systematic configuration of the Combined Arms Battalion allows it to quickly break through localized threats in a zombie city—this is its unique value.

The essence of taking down a zombie city is “full-area clearing + long-term control,” whereas the Combined Arms Battalion is designed as a “Tactical Assault Unit” and cannot cover the requirements of such complex missions.

Overall, a Combined Arms Battalion is a 'Core Assault Force,' not an 'Independent Siege Unit.'

One must know that based on Yan Country's national conditions.

A small city has a population above 200,000 but under 500,000.

A medium city has a population above 500,000 but under 1 million.

A large city usually has a population of around 1 to 5 million.

A megacity has a population of around 5 to 10 million.

A supercity, such as those in high economic zones, has a total population of over 10 million.

Never mind the area covered by the city; just looking at the zombies these people have turned into is enough to make one's scalp tingle.

Even if Lin Zhi's current subordinates each had nine rifles, they would likely break their guns before making a difference.

And H City happens to be considered a medium city, with a normal population of around 700,000.

With the strength of just one battalion, Lin Zhi could not hope to take down a medium city.

And the tactical positioning of the Combined Arms Battalion is not meant for this purpose.

Of course, forcing an entry into the city is not impossible.

The Combined Arms Battalion has enough strength to take a corner of the city and hold it as a stronghold.

But this would consume too much of the Army's combat power, inevitably resulting in casualties, which would greatly impede Lin Zhi's strategy for rapid development.

At this time, the "Encircle the Cities from the Countryside" tactical strategy was highly suitable.

Within the scope of H City, the nearly two hundred subordinate towns, taken individually, could not pose a threat to the combat power of Lin Zhi's Combined Arms Battalion.

By constantly whittling away at these towns, he could strengthen his forces and obtain more system rewards.

Then, eventually taking down the entire H City would not be an impossible dream.

Realizing this, Lin Zhi nodded and made up his mind.

He immediately called over the Battalion Commander of the Combined Arms Battalion.

The commander of the Combined Arms Battalion was a middle-aged man with the rank of Major, looking imposing and spirited.

Lin Zhi immediately ordered him to command the main force to set off and move into the Songshan Town Survivor Base.

Immediately afterward, the massive force of the Combined Arms Battalion was seen turning around on the winding but wide asphalt road and heading toward the Songshan Town Base.

Lin Zhi did not linger for long either; he got into a dongfeng mengshi armored vehicle, left the Armory, and also headed toward the Songshan Town Survivor Base.

After more than half an hour.

The entire Combined Arms Battalion had moved into the base.

At the same time, Lin Zhi pulled out a Reinforced Infantry Platoon from the Infantry Company, totaling over forty soldiers, to serve as security personnel for the Armory.

It was then that Lin Zhi realized his military rank had actually been promoted from Major Battalion Commander to Colonel Regimental Commander.

I have to say, the feeling of being granted a rank out of thin air was quite satisfying.

Lin Zhi just smiled, not taking it too seriously.

As night fell, just as Lin Zhi was preparing to rest.

The system's voice rang out, right on schedule.

[Congratulations, Host, you have completed the second stage mission. The stage mission has been updated. Please check it immediately!]

[Third Stage Mission: Increase the number of survivors in the Survivor Base to 2,000 people! Simultaneously occupy 50 towns with a minimum population of 10,000!]

[Current Mission Progress: Number of Survivors (544/2000), Towns Occupied (5/50)!]

[Third Stage Mission Reward: Fighter Aviation Squadron! Medium Military Airport and its Logistics Personnel]

"Fighter Aviation Squadron?"

When he saw this reward, Lin Zhi's breathing hitched.

In the Air Force, a brigade unit is equivalent to an Army battalion.

And a Fighter Aviation Squadron, equipped with 8 to 15 fighter jets, would include the legendary Fifth-Generation Fighter—the J-20!

Therefore, the combat power of a fighting unit like the Fighter Brigade is simply unimaginable!

Lin Zhi immediately became excited.

It seems completing the system mission is an urgent matter!

...In the time that followed.

Lin Zhi immediately led this Combined Arms Battalion force and began sweeping the towns within H City's boundaries.

The combat power of the Combined Arms Battalion was extremely strong, with complementary branches of service.

For this occupation mission, they didn't even need the type 99a main battle tank as a preliminary fire bombardment unit.

Previously, Lin Zhi had no other specialized units to substitute, so he had to use the tank's main gun for support.

However, a Combined Arms Battalion comes equipped with an Artillery Company.

It is equipped with eight 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, with a range of 27 kilometers, and multi-directional firing is enough to cover the area of most towns.

It also includes a subordinate Mortar Platoon, carrying Self-Propelled Mortars and 82mm Rapid-Fire Mortars.

As well as a Rocket Artillery Platoon, carrying four Type 11 122mm Rocket Launchers, with a range of 40 kilometers.

Such a configuration is nothing short of explosive.

At the same time, Lin Zhi didn't need to worry about obstacles like destroying buildings.

After all, only five percent of humanity survives worldwide now, and destroying these buildings won't affect future housing situations if the survivor base population grows too large.

After accurately marking the locations of survivors and supply reserves like supermarkets and granaries.

The Artillery Company only needed a single round of shelling.

The town, which had previously been barely recognizable.

Immediately became scarred and devastated, filled with broken walls and ruins, a terrifying sight as if it had been thoroughly plowed.

Following closely were over a dozen type 99a main battle tanks, plus a dozen Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and hundreds of armed personnel coordinating their advance into the town for rescue and final zombie clearing operations.

The type 99a main battle tank was quite dominant, practically crushing low-rise buildings directly.

The town, originally full of ruins and lacking roads, was forcibly paved with a clear path by the type 99a main battle tank for the infantry to advance.

In just one day.

The Combined Arms Battalion led by Lin Zhi achieved abundant results.

They successfully took down 10 towns, rescued 340 survivors, and gained countless supplies.

However, Lin Zhi did not let the troops rest.

They fought almost non-stop, only taking brief breaks.

A short week passed.

Lin Zhi finally led the main force back to the Songshan Town Survivor Base for rest and reorganization...