# XV: The Counter-Attack explained — The Airlords of Han

> Chapter companion for The Airlords of Han by Philip Francis Nowlan.

## What happens

The American forces face a grave situation as Han armies advance from the north and southwest, equipped with new atomic projectile weapons. Jim Hallwell, commander-in-chief, plans a defensive withdrawal, but Anthony Rogers and Wilma argue for an aggressive attack. They are permitted to lead the Wyomings in a diversionary assault. Rogers deploys his troops, uses a radio-scrambling broadcast to disrupt Han communications, and coordinates air-ball scouting with rocket artillery. Despite heavy losses, the Americans inflict damage. Rogers ultimately hands command to Wilma and leaps into the fray himself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Technology and Warfare

The chapter details the use of atomic projectiles, radio-scrambling, air-ball scopes, and swoopers, highlighting the technological arms race between the Americans and Hans.

### Resistance and Rebellion

The American Gangs, historically oppressed, seize the chance to fight back against the Hans with aggressive tactics and discipline.

## Character check-ins

### Anthony Rogers

Leads the Wyomings in a diversionary attack, devises tactical plans, and ultimately joins the front lines.

### Wilma

Co-leads the attack with Rogers, takes command when Rogers goes to the front.

### Jim Hallwell

Commander-in-chief of the American army; decides on a defensive withdrawal but permits Rogers's diversion.

### The Hans

Deploy new atomic projectile weapons and a large, dispersed force; their communications are jammed by the Americans.

### The Americans

Fight with discipline despite frustration; use jumping belts, ultronophones, and air balls to counter the Han advance.

## Key lines

> The news which caused me to change my plans was grave enough.

The intelligence I received was so serious that I had to alter my strategy.

_Rogers acknowledges the severity of the Han threat._

> Our suggestion was to divide the American forces into three divisions, with all the swoopers forming a special reserve, and to advance with a rush on the three Han forces behind a rolling barrage.

We proposed splitting the army into three groups, holding the swoopers in reserve, and launching a rapid assault on the Han columns under a moving artillery screen.

_Rogers and Wilma advocate for an offensive rather than a defensive withdrawal._

> Our heterodyne or 'radio-scrambling' broadcast had gone into operation, emitting impulses of constantly varying wavelength over the full broadcast range and heterodyning the Han communications into futility.

We activated a jamming broadcast that sent out signals on every frequency, rendering the Hans' radios useless.

_The Americans use electronic warfare to disrupt Han coordination._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_airlords_of_han_se/chapters/xv-the-counter-attack
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_airlords_of_han_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_airlords_of_han_se/chapters