CHAPTER SIX: CORPS-À-CORPS
Part I: Passé
Once again the Salviosi
LEA-14s have proven effective as an Early Warning System and Observation Post. Our initial attempts at scouting for a landing were often met with a hasty
Charybdis response. The introduction of the
St. Thaddeus alongside the rest of their Anti Air suite has
finally diminished the
Charybdis Scourge. Our varied
Orleans-based ships began to probe and challenge their mountain fortifications. Our base
Orleans was once again able to bring heavy artillery into a battlefield otherwise without it. The
Charybdises were able to scramble and intercept the attack ships, but now had to contend with the
St. Thaddeus variant and it's pair of double-barrel 60mm autocannons. While far from perfect, the effect of the
Charybdis was also heavily diminished by our newfound ability to coordinate. While before we relied on own eyes to watch for order signals, much too slow for modern warfare, our airships have now provided themselves the ability to move and cover one another quickly in response to the enemy. This also means the anti-air airships can coordinate fire and defense of the air fleet. Their
Charybdises consistently ran into issues when attempting to take out a bombarding
Orleans task force, as getting in close meant subjecting themselves to organized fire from
St. Thaddeuses as well as the much less effective (but at least effective with some communications)
St. Maries. While the
105s are more than capable of sniping our ships, without being able to approach and use the
40's without endangering themselves the
Charybdises have turned more to a ground attack role with the weapon.
Both air forces suffered heavy losses in these early engagements as new strategies needed to be learned. Without additional support however, the
Charybdises that engaged the fleet over the strait began to run into serious issues. The all-around increase in enemy water craft since our last assault, coupled with the previously mentioned increase in aerial effectiveness, meant it was even harder to diminish our offensive capabilities before landing. Unluckily, even though we'd pounded the mountains with shells, it was still well-defended by a vast network of bunkers, tunnels, and an underground network of defenses. We were able to pound a few landing zones clear, but overall the initial impact of our artillery ships was minimized for the time being.
As
Neptune and
Nodens craft approached their designated landing zones, Salviosi
Scylla bunker guns opened fire. They put holes in the
Nodens' and managed to sink a handful of them after taking out vital components. While most were in shallow enough waters to not completely submerge, they wound up becoming obstacles for further incoming ships attempting to land at one of the very limited areas available. This slowed the invasion and made the ships more vulnerable to fire as they worked around their own wreckage or were forced to abandon landing zones entirely.
Scylla bunkers opening fire gave the
Orleans airships clearer targets and eventually their artillery began to fall effectively. Landing ships hit the shores and their hatches dropped forward. Inside were crammed as many men as possible, having replaced everything related to the
Gendarmes with more infantry. This made it all the more tragic as they attempted to approach and overcome hardened Salviosi defensive positions. Gatling weaponry covered every pass and approach, and the
Senapang and it's scoped variant really shined in the defense of the landing areas. It was nothing short of a bloodbath.
The soldiers that got close enough began launching their
Wickerman grenades out of cup launchers and towards the defenses. While not effective enough to dramatically turn the battle, it was the little bit they need to give our men hope of breaking through their lines.
A group of
Nike troops had managed to land in a cliffside trench overlooking one of the passes through the Salviosi line. They used the
Draco to great effect, shredding men in close quarters from one end and puncturing anyone who got too close with the other. These trench raiders put down a number of Sally scum before the lack of any supporting equipment caught up with them. While the
Orleans could hit a surface target, we have no means of bypassing underground obstructions - even locked steel doors proved to be obstacles. This led to the underground becoming a veritable shifting maze of ambushing Salviosi.
Landing forces managed to force a beachhead and pushed inland a bit before the attack was called off due to massive losses. As the majority of forces had no means of escape many had to choose between surrender or death. Being Abberan, most chose to fight to the death.
The Abberan invasion was repelled, resulting in an
Abberan Defeat! We control 0% of the
North Peaks.
Part II: Riposte
Combat this season in the Savannah began with a heavy rain of artillery from both sides.
The Sky Tyrant made it's presence known early on in the form of a rain of fire and ice that fell on Salviosi positions. After an extended period of relatively little movement, we dedicated ourselves to a midseason offensive. The attack made gains and began to gather steam as the enemy offered fierce resistance but were quick to pull back when we approached. We managed to roll the Salviosi back, but were finding less dead in the trenches than we expected.
Then without warning massed forces from the South Crossing launched a swift strike into the exposed and overextended Abberan flank. Even with the aid of
The Sky Tyrant and the command and communicatons center it provided, we were unable to divert enough forces to our exposed side to repel the attack. With the battle on the ground and in the air practically even in this theater, the sudden attack on an already exhausted army was devastating. Our forces parted before their thrust and by the end of the season had pushed through to the sea. A large force of Abberans is now cut off and, unless we do something drastic soon, are going to be at the mercy of the Salviosi.
Not only was our attack stymied, but an unexpected counter has left us reeling. This has resulted in an
Abberan Defeat! We now control 15% of the Savannah, losing control of the third resource node, and will lose greatly should we not do
something about our stranded forces.
Note also that it seemed to be colder this season in the Savannah than usual. While not necessarily an issue yet, you expect the frozen wastes left behind by
The Sky Tyrant may be to blame.
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This season could have gone much better. We threw ourselves at the mercy of the Salviosi in the Mountains and Savannah, and we hope this does not become a trend. Let's get back on our feet and take out the Salviosi!
Poll
3 (15%)
Author
Topic: Industrialized Warfare: Abbera Thread / 1917 A.C. Cold Season (COMPLETE) (Read 79566 times)