102 – Winter Storm (2)
The southern part of Ukraine, facing the small inland sea, was truly a land bestowed by God. Abundant catches, vast plains and land overflowing with nutrients.
This was the reason why Ukraine was able to take its place as a “Principalty” In the international community, even though its economic and industrial power was much lower than that of other countries.
Ukraine’s food exports accounted for an astonishing 60% of the country’s total exports. In particular, it was a very important food supply for the empire, as it was difficult to cultivate due to the three adjacent Baltor countries and the rugged terrain.
But that’s why the Ukrnian region had no choice but to become the center of conflict for a long time.
At the time of the Russian Empire, the predecessor of the Soviet Empire, Ukraine was forcibly absorbed, and prior to the era of peace, the three countries fought fiercely over the effective right of the Ukrnian province.
However, in the present, when diplomatic relations between countries are established and war cannot be easily started.
It was none other than a minority who were targeting the land of Ukraine.
Azov.
Inhabitants of an archipelago consisting of small islands in the Borsunas Sea, an inland sea adjacent to Ukraine.
It is an island narrowly straddling the territorial waters of Ukraine, but it was actually a descendant of those who crossed over from the southern continent along the strait.
It is not easy for two peoples with different cultures, races, and languages to mix into one country simply because they live in close proximity.
Thus, Azov was completely freed from the control of the Ukrnian principalities and remained as a kind of armed struggle organization based in the system. In the name of the Azov Autonomous Territory and the like.
Up to that point, well, to some extent, it is possible to extenuate, but the problem is that they used to raid the southern coast to procure scarce food when winter was imminent.
On the other hand, it was limited to plundering merchant ships or occupying ports, while it also launched a large-scale invasion, even taking control of cities and parts of the southern provinces, like the Quernen War that took place more than a decade ago.
And today.
That history is repeating itself once again.
“Shoot, shoot!! Keep shooting so they don’t get close!”
“Commander! Most of the cannons are out of action! It’s a spherical cannon, not a grenade type, so it’s impossible for their armored ships!”
“How did they build ironclads!”
“I don’t know!”
Maniopol, a coastal trading city in the southern part of Ukraine, in the Kurnen region.
Dozens of cannons rained down on the city before dawn. It was an instant for the city to fall into chaos.
Although the Coast Guard and City Guard immediately declared a state of emergency and responded.
After the end of the Quernen War, almost neglected equipment could not work properly. The coastal guns, which were full of ammunition due to lack of maintenance, could not even be fired properly.
Kwaang—!! Bang!!
Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!!
The shells flying non-stop from the beach. Soaring flames and the ringing of bells ordering residents to evacuate.
Maniopole fell into chaos.
“How many Coast Guard troops are there to intercept the landings?”
“Contact lost! It seems that there is probably a fierce battle going on at the front!”
“Damn it…… !”
The head of the Maniopol Coast Guard felt as if his mind went white. He did not know how to respond, but he saw that the power of the city’s guards was extremely weak.
Not only do we not have the proper equipment, we also lack the manpower to command our subordinates on the front line.
And above all, he knew what the Azov invaders had done to the prisoners they had taken in the previous Quernen War.
All sorts of heinous war crimes such as beheading, beheading, burning, and skinning alive.
Men struggle and die from terrible torture, and women cannot die even if they want to. I’ve heard a lot of ghost stories about being raised as human meat if I were to be taken to the capital.
In the end, the head of the Maniopol Coast Guard had to make a decision. Will you remain here and continue the desperate struggle, or will you retreat while preserving your remaining forces as much as possible?
It was needless to say that the results were drawn after a short period of thought.
“Well, this is a strategic retreat. Spread the word to all troops! Retreat outside the city and join forces from the Ukrnian Army Corps South!”
“But, Captain, if that happens, the villagers will…… !!”
“If we lose anyway, the residents will meet a terrible end. Even the remaining people need to survive to plan for the future!”
The captain of Maniopole said in a trembling voice. He was clearly afraid. The soldier in front of him knew it too, but he didn’t argue against it either.
He was just as afraid of himself as the captain.
“All!! Retreat!! Abandon the city!!”
As soon as the command of the chief of the coast guard was given, the Ukrnian guards left the city they were guarding.
Only five hours after the invasion of the Azov Islands began, Maniopol fell.
***
“The southern coastal city of Maniopol and another nearby coastal city, Portmork, have completely fallen into their hands.”
“What happened to the local guards?”
“There’s no way those idiots would have chosen a do-or-die fight. The last information we heard said that they had moved north of each city and joined up with one of the infantry divisions of the Southern Corps.”
I looked at the map while listening to the explanation of the chief of staff Josef Lewandowski. Maniopol and Portmork. It is a coastal city located closest to the Azov Islands, but how did it not have any defenses?
It is not that peace has lasted for a long time.
Only 10 years ago, when the entire Quarnen region was won by an ‘armed group from the island’, it would be impossible for anyone in their right mind to neglect defense.
But the Ukrnians were insane.
“Weren’t there sentinels observing movements in the Azov Islands?”
“It must have been sunk long ago. The Army is weak, but the Ukrnian Navy is worse than that.”
“Damn it, they do all sorts of things.”
I was genuinely annoyed. His head was pounding, probably because he hadn’t been under a lot of stress the past few days.
From noble mtl dot com
“Excuse me.”
“It doesn’t matter if you set it free.”
I put a cigarette in my mouth. After lighting the fire and inhaling the smoke, the headache seems to go away a little.
“How are the Confederates moving?”
“I only heard that the 32nd Division, which was closest to us, moved and established a defensive line in a village 3km away from Maniopol.”
“It’s not a guard, but a regular army.”
“Because the Confederate Corps wasn’t too bad from the beginning.”
Should I say that I see hope in this? Still, if they had built a defensive line, they might have put out the urgent fire. I didn’t see Azov, but it must be an armed group.
‘…… But even in the original world, Afghans and Iraqs and their armed groups robbed them of their souls.’
At that time, both received support from the US military, but the situation in Ukraine is different. It is a situation that must be defeated only with the military power of the home country.
It’s a shame that they used the coastal side as their base, but if they were on land, they might have suddenly appeared with cavalry or something like that.
Originally, the rebels in Haojie are such people.
I don’t know where it came from, but as the countries around it grow, the damn thing grows with them. Sometimes, when you go later, a battalion of light tanks that you don’t even know where they came from will appear out of nowhere.
It was unclear how the koraji would be expressed in the position I fell into the world of Haojie.
hahahahahoho, it’s really amazing! It was clear that it was not something to be dismissed lightly.
The pseudo-religious organization Strigoi, which Bell Meyer is suffering from trauma right now, is also unable to completely eradicate with Ukrnian skills.
The huge pirate horde that has grown from the islands is enough to shake this tiny, weak nation.
“Anyway, Brigadier Sonny has to act as a brigade commander from now on. Command of the 8th Assault Magical Infantry Combat Team has been entrusted to me.”
“If you are the Chief of Staff, I will trust you and follow you.”
“Maybe…… It’s highly likely that it will be dropped directly on Maniopol. Unlike the arsenal or the last thief subjugation, the main focus will be street fighting in the city.”
“I guess so.”
“You will be in charge of contacting each echelon. Let’s guarantee the detailed operational command authority as well.”
“Please leave it to me.”
Chief of Staff Joseph was a person who was good at collecting information and establishing strategic tactics based on it.
Operation Imperial Night at the Limansk Arsenal would have been more sophisticated if information about the mutants had been obtained. There would have been no fatalities.
Then, as of now, how will our combat team utilize 100% of their abilities…… After delivering information in real time to Joseph, the chief of staff, to receive orders.
In short, communication was life.
“An item called a communication machine brought from the Reinhardt Empire this time. How many were there in total?”
“If you are talking about magical communication devices, there are only three of them.”
“One on the steamship Zeppelin, one on the fire support ship Enoch. And make sure you have one.”
“Okay.”
I nodded. It’s so crude that it can’t be compared to modern communication devices, and it’s only a level where communication is cut off even if it’s only 1km away in a straight line.
Still, it was necessary equipment to communicate with the airship floating in the air in real time.
“Who did you say the temporary air platoon leader was?”
“I am Roxanna Elim, second lieutenant.”
“She leaves control of her fire support ship to her. What is your proficiency in aerial bombardment support?”
“Above average. In the first place, a 57mm howitzer is not a difficult thing to handle.”
“Similarly, I’ll leave the operation of the medical platoon purely to you. So that you can take it with you to the battlefield. Lieutenant Lumia alone will have a hard time responding to a surprise attack.”
“I will keep this in mind.”
The newly expanded 8th Assault Magical Infantry Combat Team.
Newly acquired Enoch fire support airship.
Newly organized support and reserve battle companies.
I had already experienced two actual battles, but the unit’s combat power had not yet been fully verified.
“It remains to be seen whether it will be the second Quernen War or a mere local war.”
Chief of Staff Joseph muttered while looking at the vast granary beyond the bridge.
“It will be a place to be tested in many ways.”
