105: Chapter 102 Countdown

January 15th, Tehran.

The Supreme Defense Council convened again to review the final plan for the Battle of Basra.

Bani-Sadr sat in the head seat, his expression solemn. He had accepted the title of Commander-in-Chief, but Reza knew that his confidence in this campaign was insufficient.

"Your Highness," Bani-Sadr said, "Your plan requires forty thousand men. The total force we can mobilize now is three hundred and fifty thousand, but most are still in training. Those who can be deployed into battle before the end of January do not exceed sixty thousand."

"Sixty thousand is enough," Reza said. "I only need forty thousand. The remaining twenty thousand will serve as reserves."

"What about the deployment scheme?"

Reza walked over to the map.

"The 1st Division, twelve thousand men, will be responsible for attacking the Fao Peninsula. The 2nd Division, twelve thousand men, will be responsible for attacking Basra from the south. The 3rd Division, eight thousand men, will be responsible for a feint in the north to divert the Iraqis' attention. The 4th Division, eight thousand men, will serve as the general reserve, deployed within Iran, ready to enter the fray at any time."

"When does it begin?"

"At the end of February, after the rainy season ends. The specific date will depend on the weather."

Bani-Sadr was silent for a moment, then said, "I approve. But on one condition—the offensive must begin before March 15th. After March 15th, the weather gets hot, and tanks won't be able to move in the desert."

"Understood."

January 20th, Pump Station.

Reza returned to the Pump Station to inspect the frontline combat readiness.

Sadiq had further reinforced the defenses of the Pump Station over the past month. The density of the minefields had increased to three mines per ten thousand square meters, the anti-tank trenches had increased from three to five, and the firing points had increased from forty to sixty.

"Your Highness," Sadiq said, "the Pump Station is now made of iron. Even if the Iraqis attack with two divisions, they won't be able to break it."

"I don't want you to just hold the Pump Station," Reza said. "I want you to strike out."

Sadiq was stunned for a moment. "Strike out?"

"Yes. Once the Battle of Basra begins, the forces at the Pump Station will be responsible for pinning down the Iraqis' southern defense line. You don't need to occupy any cities; you just need to make the Iraqis think you're going to push through."

"How do we make them think that?"

"Small units making frequent sorties, hitting their patrols, blowing up their supply lines, and harassing their rear. The more noise the better, make them think our main direction of attack is south of the Pump Station."

Sadiq nodded. "Understood. Feint to the east while attacking the west."

On January 25th, Karimi intercepted a piece of important intelligence.

A brigade of the Iraqi Republican Guard had been transferred from Baghdad to Basra. This brigade was equipped with sixty T-72 Tanks, forty BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, and twenty self-propelled guns; it was one of Iraq's most elite units.

"The Republican Guard," Hassan said, "Saddam Hussein's personal army. The fact that he's moved this unit to Basra shows he's starting to take this seriously."

"If he's taking it seriously, then we must take it even more seriously," Reza said. "The Republican Guard is no ordinary unit. Their level of training, fighting will, and equipment are a notch above regular troops."

"Can our troops win?"

"They can. But not in a head-on fight. In a head-on fight, our troops have no advantage. We must use MILAN missiles and Anti-tank mines to deplete their armored strength, and then use ambushes to wear down their infantry."

"Who will be responsible for dealing with the Republican Guard?"

"Rezai," Reza said, "his 3rd Brigade of the Revolutionary Guard is equipped with the most MILAN missiles. Have them set up ambushes along the Republican Guard's reinforcement route, take out their vanguard, and force them to a halt."

January 30th, Ahvaz.

More good news came from Fatima's factory.

The technical data for the Mirage F1 had arrived. French military transport planes had delivered crates full of technical documents to the Ahvaz airport—forty crates in total, weighing three tons.

"Is this data enough for us to build the Mirage F1?" Hassan asked.

"Not enough," Fatima said, "but it's enough for us to understand the working principles and maintenance methods of the Mirage F1. In the future, if we can get our hands on engines and radar, we can build the rest ourselves."

"Where will we get the engines and radar?"

"Buy them from France. Or buy them second-hand from other countries."

Reza said, "Do what we can first. As for the engines and radar, I'll handle that."

February 1st, Pump Station.

Reza stood on the rooftop, looking at the distant Iraqi positions.

Three months ago, the Iraqis were still five kilometers away from the Pump Station's perimeter. Now, they were twenty-five kilometers away. Three months ago, Iran's forces were only two thousand strong. Now, the strength at the Pump Station exceeded fifteen thousand.

The change was immense.

"Your Highness," Karimi walked up to his side, "Rashid has arrived in Paris. He and his brother are safe."

"Good. Tell him the money has been transferred to his Swiss account."

"One more thing," Karimi said, "the Soviets have contacted us again. They want to meet with you one more time."

"When?"

"They suggest mid-February, in Turkey. Not within Iranian territory."

Reza thought for a moment and said, "Agree to it. But the meeting time must not exceed one day."

"Are you really going to meet the Soviets?"

"I must. If I don't meet them, they'll think I'm dodging them. If I meet them, they'll think I'm seriously considering cooperation. I need them to think I'm someone they can deal with, because I really might need their weapons in the future."

"What about Ayatollah Khomeini's side?"

"What he doesn't know, doesn't need to be dealt with."

February 5th, Reza held the final pre-war meeting in Ahvaz.

Attending the meeting were Hassan, Karimi, Rajai, Rezai, Sadiq, Fatima, and Rafsanjani, who had rushed over from Tehran.

"February 20th," Reza said, "the offensive begins."

"Where do we hit first?" Hassan asked.

"The Fao Peninsula. In the early hours of February 20th, the 1st Division will depart from the Pump Station, head south along the eastern bank of the Shatt al-Arab, and attack the Fao Peninsula. The goal is to take the peninsula within twenty-four hours."

"What about the 2nd Division?"

"After the 1st Division takes the peninsula, the 2nd Division will use pontoon bridges to cross the Shatt al-Arab and attack Basra from the south. The goal is to enter the city within forty-eight hours."

"And the 3rd Division?"

"The 3rd Division will begin a feint on the morning of February 20th, launching an attack on the outer positions of Basra from the north. Make plenty of noise to make the Iraqis think our main direction of attack is in the north."

"And the 4th Division?"

"The 4th Division will be the reserve, deployed north of the Pump Station. Wherever a problem arises, the 4th Division will move in to fill the gap."

After listening, Rafsanjani said, "Your Highness, this plan carries great risk."

"All offensive plans carry risk," Reza said. "The key is to keep the risk within an acceptable range."

"What if the Fao Peninsula cannot be taken?"

"If it cannot be taken, the campaign fails. That is why I am using the best unit to attack the Fao Peninsula—Rezai's 3rd Brigade of the Revolutionary Guard. They have fought at the Pump Station; they have experience, morale, and equipment."

Rezai stood up and gave a military salute. "Your Highness, the 3rd Brigade of the Revolutionary Guard guarantees the completion of the mission."

Reza looked at him and said something that everyone present would remember: "It's not a guarantee to complete the mission; it's a must. The success or failure of the Battle of Basra depends on those twenty-four hours of yours."

After the meeting ended, Reza kept Hassan behind alone.

"Hassan, there is one thing I am entrusting only to you."

"What is it?"

"If, during the course of the campaign, our communications are cut and the command system is paralyzed, you are to take over command."

Hassan was taken aback. "Me?"

"Yes. You are the person I trust most. If I am no longer here, you must continue the command."

"You won't be gone."

"On the battlefield, anyone can be gone," Reza said. "Be prepared, but I hope it won't be necessary."

On February 8th, Reza took out that deep blue notebook and wrote a line on the newest page:

"Twelve-day countdown. February 20th, the offensive begins. The Fao Peninsula, Basra, and then Baghdad. Not a single step can go wrong."

He closed the notebook and walked out of the room.

In the night sky, the stars were very bright.

Tomorrow would be a new day.