Chapter 12: Volume 1 (RE) Chapter 12: Operation Westwind part 2; The Inevitable Assault
(AU: as a note, the flak artillery is not the only piece of artillery used in the Heer. Many light howitzers, heavy field cannons and infantry guns were also in use. They are sporadically distributed and in use in the many different divisions listed. While the 5th KST and surrounding divisions attacked Wallaceburg the rest of the offensive army were doing other tasks at the same time. I am just focusing on Wilhelm's division. Also I will try and make a map for greater reference. Once that is completed I will post it.)
(AU: I am sorry to the very delayed post, I lost interest in project for a while. There were also a few personal things to do. After watching a few Roman combat videos I got re-interested in making more chapters. I am going to do a huge battle after battle chapter writing thing, prepare for a lot of gore.)
One week later
The ground shuddered as the treads of hundreds of tanks, mechanized and motorized vehicles thundered across an open field bordered with 10 m tall dark brown trees.
The wheels and treads created marks on the soft soil of evidently used farmland which made up the open field.
About 2 km to the right was a small farmhouse with several other buildings.
The 7th Panzer division and 5th KST division were advancing towards the north to link up with Army Group 1.
Wilhelm sat in his modified Opel Blitz medium truck which was outfitted with chairs, tables, maps and the latest radio equipment in which his operator would use for him.
He grabbed a short distance radio which connected him to the 7th Panzer.
"General Rommel. We should be approaching the designated point very soon, please tell me when you spot the 1st Army Group."
"Affirmative."
Wilhelm put the radio microphone down and stared out the window. He could see vast lines of trucks, cars, halftracks and tanks rumbling to the point.
Andrew sat next to him in a separate chair as his flak division was also moving with them.
"Andrew, what do you think about our German army?"
Andrew picked up a pen and uncapped and capped it repeatedly.
"Its different from armies in the Kingdom. You can move so fast, eat meals so far and attack without fearing retribution. You also can see and know more than I thought was possible."
"Yes this is because we have technologies which allow for ease of communication and fighting methods forged over thousand of years of combat. It was only in the last 300 or so years in which our current ways of warfare were developed."
Wilhelm could see Andrew processing this.
"But what about magic. Surely those things you call 'planes', 'tanks', 'cars', 'guns' us magic to operate. It doesn't make sense that humans could fire bullets without magic."
"Well, as you can see. We do not use magic. We use technology developed with science and experimentation of new ideas to figure out how to harness nature to develop ourselves."
Wilhelm was speaking from his experience with technology back in his world. Internet, phone, nuclear energy, jet planes, gyroscopes. Everything which made everything easier back home, yet it still gave life more complexity.
"From what I know, elite troops from the Kingdom's army infuse magic from their bodies into their guns. This is what allows them to fire more powerful shots. We use a black powder to act as a catalyst in this magical explosion."
Wilhelm listened to Andrew explain their perspective of how guns worked. Maybe it does help but black powder interested him.
"Black powder right? Where do you get it? How do you make it?"
Andrew diverted his gaze to the wall.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that they come from barrels from the west of the Kingdom."
This was plenty of information. From that Andrew described, there are stores of nitric acid and other necessary chemical ingredients for gunpowder out west.
"What about flammable black liquid? Do you know of any?"
Andrew perked up once more and looked Wilhelm directly.
"You mean black fire? We have mines where this sticky liquid is common in the south. Besides burning it there is no other use for it."
Wilhelm could not help but contain his excitement. If his intuition was correct, he just solved their fuel crisis. The Kingdom has oil, and a lot of it.
"Hoo, this is a good thing."
Wilhelm created a mental note to notify his ministry of the discovery.
This put even more importance on their southern invasion of the Kingdom.
Before Wilhelm was able to ask another question for Andrew, the radio operator notified Wilhelm of a change.
"Sir, the vanguard of Tigers have spotted Wallaceburg. Our scouts further ahead counted about 150 enemy tanks, 75 dragons and about 30000 infantry. We don't know how many cannons or what caliber they are."
"Good work. Set up a perimeter around the closest half of the enemy castle. Their walls will force them into a siege. Leave the back open for the 12th infantry division which is moving north."
"Affirmative."
Wilhelm watched the operator and his assistant turn dials and adjust sensitive equipment.
Outside there was a large bustle, the four divisions of about 50000 total men were setting up camp about 10 km from the southern gate of Wallaceburg. Army tents, machine guns nests, artillery encampments and signal equipment; everything was being set up. Army Group 1 also set their encampment to the east near the coast where the 4th fleet could provide anti-air support.
All of the tanks were lined up in groups of 120 - 130 tanks in each battalion. Several battalions + support companies made a regiment. 3 - 4 regiments made a division. This was subject to many changes as this was not consistent.
The camp took 4 hours to build. All of the equipment was brought in trucks which made it very easy to carry the large amount of supplies and structures
Tonnes of food and ammunition were put in dumps around the camp. The headquarters which Wilhelm made his plans in was in the rear of the camp in the center of the 5th KST's camp.
The 5th KST was a 14000 man strong elite infantry unit which used motorized equipment excessively. Even if it was technically a infantry division about 40% of their unit was motorized.
Due to their elite status every soldier was armed with a StG 41, hand grenades and special black patches and Kragenspielgel. They were also equipped with light Panzer Is and IIs as well as 88 cm flak 37s for anti-tank use.
Wilhelm knew that his division was given the best equipment so they were most suited for a vanguard action when storming the gates or climbing the wall.
This however was dangerous and guaranteed to cost unnecessary casualties.
However the 7th Panzer division had new Sturm-Infanteriegeschütz 33B which was a heavy assault gun meant to destroy buildings. Originally made for 1942 it was rushed into production using the chassis of StuG III assault guns because it was expected to fight heavily fortified castles in the Kingdom. However only 3 of these tanks were available for the invasion.
One of these tanks stood in the line with Panzer IIIs and IVs with the 223rd battalion of the 7th. Wilhelm could see the stubby cannon protruding from the front casemate.
A large assembly of tanks greeted Wilhelm as he exited his command truck.
The nearest platoon of soldiers of the 5th saluted Wilhelm as he walked past. Wilhelm was heading to the field kitchen.
"Sir!"
A leutnant with a red stripe and shoulder marks greeted him.
They exchanged salutes and then he continued.
"This is the soldat's field kitchen, the officer's mess is over there."
He pointed to a large tent where the smell was significantly better than this field kitchen.
"No, I don't feel like eating fine dining. It will ruin my appetite."
Wilhelm pushed past the leutnant and entered the kitchen.
Wilhelm could see the eyes of his troops widen as they scrambled to stand to salute.
"Sit down, all of you."
Wilhelm forced them to sit. Then he joined the line for dinner.
The soldiers kept watching Wilhelm as he got the standard meal of a slop soup and bread. This soup was a mix of water, canned beef, canned vegetables and stock. The bread was just plain rye bread. They also gave black coffee with the meal which kept the soldiers awake for guard duty.
Wilhelm was going to stay up late reviewing equipment with the battalion commanders. He was also expected to inspect artillery and signal equipment which was vital to the plan.
He sat at a bench next to several KST lower ranks. They were very nervous to be so close to their leader and didn't speak.
Only one brave soldat struck a conversation with Wilhelm.
"Sir, I heard that you are engaged to a princess of the Kingdom we are invading. Is it true that she is more beautiful than Marlene Dietrich?"
Marlene Dietrich was a German born American actress who was popular in the US. She also had a significant following in Germany.
Wilhelm knew of her. She was one of the women plastered on the walls of Chloe's room back in is original world. A prominent bisexual figure and 9th most famous American actress of all time it was apparent that Wilhelm knew who she was.
"Yes, of course. My fiancee is the most beautiful."
"Do you have a picture?"
"Yes, here."
Wilhelm pulled his wallet out. Inside was a 2x2 cm image of Adriana in black and white. Her blonde hair was a light white in the image but her overall figure was perfect. There was little exaggeration anywhere.
Wilhelm knew that sharing images of loved ones was a common practice among the soldiers and participating will make them more open to him.
"Wow, what a beauty. Here, this is my girlfriend."
The soldat pulled a small picture of a young girl holding several flowers.
"Look at you lucky bastard."
The soldat blushed and put the image back in his own wallet.
Wilhelm felt the mood improving as the other soldiers showed Wilhelm their girlfriends and wives in hopes of getting a response to tell their loved ones back home 'the Kaiser praised me when I showed a picture of you'.
Wilhelm spent the next hour complimenting the soldiers and laughing with them. Many were new recruits for the KST picked just for their physical and mental ability. None really had combat experience.
This showed with their lack of discipline and overall unease being so close to an enemy castle.
Wilhelm helped to lessen this which was an important role for commanders.
After dinner he headed back to his command truck to fetch Andrew. Andrew went to the officer's mess instead of the field kitchen and arrived back earlier.
"Where did you go?"
"I was at field kitchen."
Wilhelm could feel the confusion coming off on Andrew. Why would a monarch eat with common soldiers?
But Wilhelm wasn't originally a royalty. He had sympathies with the lower ranks since in his old world he was one of the grunts of larger corporations. Even if he was still in school technically the local library was under the jurisdiction of his campus so he worked for the school while attending it.
"Anyways we will go inspect the artillery, come Andrew."
Andrew got off his chair and followed Wilhelm outside to the artillery camp which was near the furthest rear where the medical ward was.
Andrew gasped as he studied the large metal guns which were much larger than his size. Each piece needed crews of 3 or more just to operate let alone moving them. Horses or mechanical vehicles were needed just to move them.
A young man without his uniform on which only showed his white tank top was oiling the gears of a large 88 mm flak 37. The grease and dirt muddied his shirt as sweat poured despite the setting sun.
"Soldier, please explain to me what this gun is. My brother-in-law doesn't speak German."
Wilhelm called out to the soldier even though he was disturbing him.
The soldier looked up confused but quickly raced to get off the gun to salute Wilhelm.
"Jawohl. This is the 88 mm flak anti-air gun. It moves using two single-axis bogies on the front and back. How it works is a shell is placed here on the loading breech."
The soldier pointed to the flat spot on the top area of the gun which feeds directly into the main chamber.
"Then the hatch is closed. You spin this wheel to rotate and this one to raise or lower the gun."
He pointed at two sets of wheels.
"This level in the gunner's seat fill fire the gun. Watch here because a shell will be discharged."
Wilhelm translated all of this to Andrew. He still looked confused but this will change if he studies a bit more.
"Thank you for your time soldier, lets go Andrew."
The two then headed for the officer's quarters. Their tents were larger and more roomy than the ordinary soldier's tent. A small wooden/metal bed was in the corner and a larger one was in the other corner.
"You take that bed, I will be here. Wash up, we will attack tomorrow."
"Okay."
_____________
14 hours before
Wallaceburg, Esmeralda
The entire city was abuzz with activity.
There was the usual hustle and bustle of a normal Epruilan city but today there was a tense mood hanging above everyone.
In the streets people were buying food stores and spare coal at high prices. Greedy merchants who were taking advantage of the situation were charging higher and higher prices. The people still bought their items.
Soldiers were no longer lazing around in their quarters but actively walking around the city in full dress. They watched the crowds for suspicious behavior.
Tension was high since the sighting of a huge army by horseback scouts.
Everyone in the city knew that this was a well defended city.
In the harbor numerous vessels floated armed for combat. Two ships-of-the-line were also present sporting 100 cannons each. On the ramparts of the city wall were cannons and catapults filled with flammable ordnance and explosive shells.
In total the city had 12000 guards, 300 elite soldiers, 30 dragon knights, 25 ships and a hero which was dispatched from the capital.
It would not be easy to attack or siege the city as its food stores were plentiful and stored underground in a complex of tunnels from warfare decades earlier.
A three day march from Wallaceburg was another garrison of 8000 men who could reinforce the defense if necessary.
It was hidden from the public but the leadership was frightened by this new enemy they have not fought before a few weeks ago. Two armies, numbering more than one and a half million were soundly defeated.
The defeats were so costly that the entire nation lost about ⅕ of their national power. They had also angered an unknown powerful neighbor which crossed their border just a few days ago. The military leaders inside the city were astounded at how fast they approached Wallaceburg, it was at least a 7 day march from the border where the expedition force was defeated.
Inside the main castle which sat around a man-made moat was a large hall. A throne in the hall sat a small boy about 13 years of age. He is Charles Wallace, 5th prince of the Kingdom. He was awarded Wallaceburg and surrounding territories belonging to the province Wallace. Being further south than the commercial hubs up north there was not as many sources of income. It was this southern land which the invasion from an unknown force came from.
"Ah what a pain."
Charles slumped on his throne tapping the right armrest with his index finger. In front of him was a red carpet against brown wooden floor stood eight figures. Half of them were military figures and the other were important bureaucrats. Around them at each of the eight pillars in the room a guard was posted. They wore shiny metal plate armor and held staffs with a large and a smaller axe blade on the top.
"My lord, the archmage cast a detection spell and counted 30000 enemies. Moreover she was not able to detect any traces of magic coming from this large force. Our dragon knights flew scouting sorties to determine the strength of the enemy because we cannot detect their magical weapons but they found huge numbers of metal armored cannons, cannons and other strange metal objects. This is a very dangerous threat!"
A man with a long white beard and long bushy eyebrows dressed in a greenish robe who was leaning on a cane essentially yelled this at the prince. His aide who was a young female wearing a similar robe helped him keep his balance.
"Teacher, please don't yell."
"No! I have never heard of an army so large but without magic. This is magical distortion magic beyond our capabilities!"
Charles sat on his throne and listened halfheartedly to this outburst.
"Old man, shut your mouth."
The female aide quickly shut him up.
"Finally quiet. Now general William, what have you done in preparation for the siege?"
"Certainly my lord. I have ordered my men to gather as much oil, stones, arrows, bullets and wood to make barricades around the gates and assail the attackers. My ground troops lie behind the gates incase the gate is felled while my archers and sharpshooters have been stationed all around the walls. However we are short on manpower on the ground so I ask my lord to order all male civilians to join a militia to help defend, of course not on the front lines but in reserve."
Charles smiled at the general. To him even if he was trying to present himself to be better it was satisfactory.
"Of course general, I will give the order. I also will send your officer's some fine wine for their efforts."
"Thank you for your grace!"
The general shrunk back to allow someone else to speak, he had improved his image already.
A bureaucrat with a monocle on his right eye stepped forward. He wore a black vest over a white shirt with a red bowtie, a lankly but confident character.
"Yes minister John?"
"Ahem, your grace we in the ministry of agriculture have collected all of the food and supplies outside the city as your orders. Our stores can last our 75000 population about 3 months under siege. If we need to we have fast moving skippers which can travel on the Bay for more supplies. The Junta promised aid if we so desire."
"Bah, I don't need the pity from my siblings. Thank them but don't request for anything."
"Are you sure sir? We might need any help that we can get."
"Just follow my orders."
"Certainly."
John stepped back and a similar scene of people stepping forward and Charles giving his input continued.
After the last person went Charles dismissed everyone.
The guards followed the figures out of the room and shut the door.
Charles slumped even further into his throne.
A dark figure appeared in the shadow cast by his throne.
"Come out Amira."
A dark skinned woman wearing black tight robes and a hood stepped out.
"You knew?"
"Yes, your magical pulse is quite different from the average Epruilan civilian. It is very faint but I can sense it."
The woman pulled her hood back and her black hair flowed down. It covered her left eye as her hair was concentrated on their left side of her head.
"Lord Kashme assigned four more agents to help assist you in your endeavors. We will scout the enemy even better than detection magic could."
"I am happy to hear that. Now go, find more information on this new enemy."
Charles dropped his guard and adjusted his royal attire. He shouldn't be alone in the presence of foreign agents but he trusted Amira greatly.
Charles didn't notice but Amira smiled as he assigned her more tasks.
"Yes sir."
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