Arc of Fire

Chapter 718: Chapter 56 Cavalry Charge

July 19th, Kazarlia Army Group Headquarters.

Wang Zhong looked at the three Prosen generals being brought into the room and said loudly, “So it was you who requested to see me?”

The three generals exchanged glances, and finally, the one with the lowest rank, a Major General, responded in slightly stiff Antenese, “We wished to meet the legendary General Rokossovsky.”

Wang Zhong: “Then you’ve met him.”

The Prosen Major General asked, “Have you… been to the front? I mean during this offensive

The other two Prosen generals interrupted him in Prosenese, rattling off a stream of words.

Vasily kindly translated: “They say that ever since the offensive began, there have always been reports from the front that Rokossovsky has appeared, and the Anteans go crazy.”

Wang Zhong looked at Pavlov: “Have I been to the front that many times?”

Wang Zhong: “I think Lady Nelly could also confirm, Nelly! Have I been away from headquarters these days?”

Nelly, who was brewing coffee, looked up: “You left with Lady Emilia three times.”

Wang Zhong: “Ah, that was when we took the Pe-3 for reconnaissance. Vasily, please tell these Prosen generals that aside from scouting the skies, I haven’t left headquarters.”

Vasily immediately began translating.

The Prosen were bewildered.

The Major General who understood Antenese exclaimed, “You actually conduct reconnaissance in person?”

Wang Zhong: “Of course, an excellent commander must always ensure an understanding of the front line situation. I’ve just been doing my duty.”

Popov suddenly said, “It’s because you’ve been scouting in person that our army’s senior officer casualty rate has increased lately. Last week, General Vatutin was shot down while personally conducting a reconnaissance flight. I think it won’t be long before the High Command issues an order to prevent senior officers from flying over enemy territory.” ṙà𝐍Ỗ฿Ěș

Wang Zhong: “How can that be acceptable? Without personal reconnaissance, how can we achieve precise strikes against the enemy? Remember when we sent paratroopers and commandos to attack the enemy’s headquarters? That was the Cavalry that obtained the intelligence, I flew over the headquarters personally to confirm.”

Pavlov: “When you returned, you even drafted a layout of the enemy headquarters. I’m not denying the efficacy of your personal reconnaissance, but if the orders come from above, there’s nothing I can do, right? You can’t be the exception.”

Vasily: “The Chief of Staff seems to be quite happy about this.”

"Do I look happy to you?” Pavlov glanced at Vasily, “Oh no, you’re mistaken! I fully support General Rokossovsky’s personal frontline reconnaissance, have complete trust in the ground crew to ensure the aircraft is in good condition, and also trust Miss Emilia’s piloting skills.”

Wang Zhong was about to jest, when Popov interjected, “Enough, the Prosen prisoners are still here hanging around. Let’s fulfill their wish, then hand them over to the Judge.”

Everyone’s gaze returned to the Prosen prisoners.

The Major General who understood Antenese had been listening to the entire conversation between Wang Zhong and the others, and was now at a loss for words, looking at Wang Zhong with full admiration.

The two who didn’t understand Antenese were frantically nudging the Major General.

Vasily said in Prosenese: “Well then, you can continue to inquire about us in the cell, since your wish to meet General Rokossovsky is fulfilled. You may go now.”

Having said that, Vasily signaled to the guards.

The guards immediately stepped forward and prodded the waists of the Prosen generals with their Papashas: “Move!”

The three Prosen generals were thus escorted away.

Wang Zhong let out a sigh of relief and asked Pavlov, “So, have the tanks we ordered arrived? We won’t really have to launch an attack using Cavalry, will we?”

Pavlov: “A new Armored Army has been resupplied, but this Army isn’t a Guards unit, hasn’t seen combat; I checked the roster, only fifteen percent of the crew has combat experience. And even that figure is doubtful, not the entire crew is experienced, it includes members who have.”

Wang Zhong: “How many tanks does this Army have?”

“180 T34Ws.”

Wang Zhong: “With the Guards Eighth Armored Army, which suffered fewer losses in previous battles, we have three hundred tanks, barely a striking force.”

Pavlov: “Indeed. General Kiriyenko has always suggested that we mount an all-Cavalry attack, and he will be visiting the Army Group Headquarters today.”

"Right, I’m here.” A hearty voice came from the direction of the door.

Wang Zhong turned his head and indeed, it was Kiriyenko.

The Cavalry Admiral had donned the traditional cavalry uniform and strode in following a square walkway, speaking as he walked, “I heard you’re going to be promoted to Marshal, along with Gorky.”

Wang Zhong, “I haven’t received the news yet. Generally speaking, military promotions and the awarding of high-ranking officers don’t take place until a campaign is over.”

Kiriyenko came up to Wang Zhong and sat on the edge of the map table. “The campaign isn’t over yet? It seems to us commanders, and even the soldiers below can see, that the Prosenese are planning to run away.”

"Now there’s a mood of joy throughout the army. You might not know, but some of the lads in the Cavalry Troops are saying that this time we’re going to charge straight across the border and gallop on Melania’s territory.”

Wang Zhong, “Nonsense, the supplies won’t keep up. My plan is to liberate Argesukov this winter.”

Kiriyenko glanced at the map, “So you’re planning to cross the Dibo River in autumn? Or in winter? Crossing the river after it freezes is easy, but the ice on the Dibo River isn’t as thick as the Valdai Hills River. Be careful the enemy doesn’t shatter the bold ice with artillery, causing unnecessary casualties.”

Wang Zhong, “I plan to launch an attack in autumn. We have a month’s time to transport boats to the riverside with Dragon Tug vehicles.”

Kiriyenko, “Sailing on dry land, huh? What kind of monster product has the Federation created?”

Wang Zhong, “Before the muddy season arrives, include as much of Argesukov as possible within artillery range.”

Kiriyenko sighed, “We’re going to fire upon our own city now, the capital of your Kazaria Kingdom.”

Only then did Wang Zhong remember that he still had the title of King of the Kazarlia Kingdom. He shook his head, “I said I would return the kingship to the people. Let’s not talk about this anymore.”@@novelbin@@

"Understood.” Kiriyenko nodded and suddenly laughed, “Remember two years ago? In Loktov, back then you were a Major General? Or a Brigadier? And I was a Vice Admiral, commanding an army. Now I command an Army Group, and you already command the Front Army, soon to be promoted to Marshal.”

Wang Zhong smiled faintly, “I’ve simply… been standing at the crest of history’s wave.”

"You’re as humble as the newspapers say,” Kiriyenko patted Wang Zhong’s shoulder. “Right, I forgot the reason for coming to Headquarters. I request that my Cavalry Troops strike Orachi before the main force attacks.”

Wang Zhong, “You have to convince me. What’s the reason for doing this?”

"Do we still need a reason? My lads all want to gallop on the land of their birthplace. Half of my troops are Cossacks!”

Wang Zhong, “That’s not a sufficient reason. No one wants to return home more than I do, but I’m still sitting here, am I not? I haven’t ridden a tank across the prairies of my hometown, have I?”

Kiriyenko, “The reason is the value of swift action! The enemy is about to flee; they can’t all run towards the Central Army Group. I think it’s more likely they’ll retreat to Argesukov using this highway. By using the cavalry to cut the road and destroy their transport vehicles, isn’t this what you did during the counteroffensive phase of the Abawahan campaign?

"The infrastructure of the Nan’ant Prairie is too poor and it’s winter. We had a very tough time then; many horses starved. The cavalry turned into infantry.

"But look at the prairies of our homeland, where there is excellent pasture for the horses to feed themselves wherever they go. Just shoot some game with guns every day, and that’s enough to feed us.

"Is there a more suitable stage for the cavalry to gallop? Alyosha, forget the tanks, let us cavalrymen run. The Prosenese are now like frightened birds; once we run, we can annihilate them all!”

Wang Zhong, “You have persuaded me, but we need to have a plan

Pavlov, “We do have a plan. Deploy pure cavalry to disrupt the enemy’s communication with Argesukov and interfere with their movement towards the Dibo River defense line.”

Wang Zhong, “You have a plan?”

"I do.”

Kiriyenko, “Because I let my wife send his wife quite a bit of food and also milk powder.”

Pavlov, “That’s got nothing to do with it. Based on past battle experiences, I believe that deploying cavalry at this time would be very effective, especially when neither side has many tanks.

"We also have so many Jeeps, which can supply the cavalry.

"So, I ordered the staff to make a plan, the key is to use the mobility of the cavalry, bypass the villages where the Prosenese rear guard troops are entrenched, and penetrate deep into enemy territory.”

Wang Zhong looked back and forth between Kiriyenko and Pavlov, “Well, you two have colluded against me. Kiriyenko, tell me the truth, how confident are you? Won’t this waste our forces and cause our men to die in vain?”

Kiriyenko, “No! The enemy’s tanks and half-track vehicles have suffered heavy losses, and according to our reconnaissance reports, many enemy troops are retreating on foot. Let us go.”

Wang Zhong thought for a moment and then decisively slapped the table, “Good! You have one day to prepare, set out tomorrow, July 20. Remember, the Armored Troops and mechanized infantry will not depart until July 25. Before then, you horsemen can only rely on yourselves.”

Kiriyenko was overjoyed, “Don’t worry! Then, can I use your phone? I need to issue orders to the troops so they can be ready to strike tonight!”

"Don’t rush,” Pavlov said, “First, take a good look at the plan I’ve drawn up for you. Don’t mistake the rendezvous point with the supply convoy. I think you should set off at three o’clock in the afternoon tomorrow; there’s still plenty of daylight left, and that way, the preparations can be more thorough.”

"Yes!” Kiriyenko saluted Pavlov, his peer in rank, “See you in Prosenia!”