Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 758: Chapter 15 Prosen’s Defense Situation

August 20th, at the headquarters of the Southern Army Group of Prosen.

Marshal Xiplin placed his marshal’s scepter on the desk, donned his monocle, and looked at the four division commanders of the Armored Divisions who had just been transferred under his command.

“It seems the Western Front has good provisions,” Marshal Xiplin joked, “It’s understandable, given that the Kingdom of Sardinia and Carolingian are famous for their cuisine.”

The division commander standing on the far right spoke loudly, “Report to the Marshal, we have not neglected our training for a moment!”

Marshal Xiplin: “You are all seasoned veterans, and you should know that training is different from actual combat! You will be facing the Antean Guards Armored Troops. They may lack training, but they are veterans forged in the fires of real combat, their experience and courage unlike any enemy you have encountered before.

“Especially the units under Rocossov. You’d best forget all the nonsense the Imperial Propaganda Minister has been spouting. Remember my words, the Anteans are formidable warriors with abundant experience and extraordinary courage, and those who have underestimated them have all gone to hell.”

The armored division commanders maintained stern expressions.

Marshal Xiplin: “Especially Rocossov’s new types of tanks, since we have not yet captured a complete tank and have had no leisure to study the wreckage, we do not know their weaknesses. The memories of the veterans who have faced them might be skewed.

“A careless approach could spell disaster.”

“Marshal, during the Carolyn Battle, we faced Carolingian heavy tanks and learned how to counter these behemoths which cannot be defeated solely with armor-piercing rounds,” one division commander said.

Marshal Xiplin shook his head, “No, you don’t understand. Rocossov and his troops are different. Even though his troops have fought many tough battles, they actually have more veterans remaining than other Antean units. So, they’re not just brave in battle but also as cunning as foxes.

“This is a fearsome enemy that the Empire has never encountered before. Moreover, I am very worried that aside from you four divisions that have just been transferred, the replenishment status of our other units is extremely poor.

“Some divisions have been replenished with only 24 tanks! Can you believe it? 24! And aerial reconnaissance indicates that Rocossov has already amassed thousands of tanks.

“Including hundreds of those new tanks that have severely beaten us before. Just with this armored strength, Rocossov could launch a very powerful offensive.”

“Marshal, sir,” said the commander of the 29th Armored Division, “we still have the Dibo River. Tanks can’t cross rivers from the bottom, and the Anteans can’t produce amphibious tanks like the Empire’s!”

Marshal Xiplin: “Do you think we can hold the beachhead? Do you know how many our infantry divisions have been replenished? As of now, it only received reinforcements for 10 battalions. They say that by September 10th, they can replenish 140 battalions, but what good is that?

“You few coming from the Western Front might not know about the attrition on the Eastern Front. Yesterday was a relatively calm day on the Southern Front, yet our forces still suffered over five thousand casualties! These are the results of enemy artillery, snipers, and nighttime river crossing reconnaissance troops!

“140 battalions, seventy thousand troops, will be wiped out in half a month! Do you think our battered infantry divisions, relying on fortifications repaired over the last ten days, can withstand Rocossov’s assault?

“Damn it, why did they replenish us with armored divisions and not infantry divisions simultaneously?”

The commander of the 29th Armored still looked solemn as he asked, “Aren’t the fortifications ready?”

Marshal Xiplin: “We had just barely escaped across the river in early August, leaving no time to repair fortifications. Moreover, since we are close to regaining Kazarlia, the local labor force has begun to drag their feet, and now, cement and various fortification materials have become incredibly scarce.” Marshal Xiplin also appeared quite helpless.

Commander of the 29th Armored Division: “Why not let the Imperial Ministry and Constitutional Guards conscript more labor?”

“They’re not afraid anymore,” said the marshal. “They mock the Constitutional Guards during arrests, saying, ‘Kill me, then when our troops reach your hometown, they will treat your relatives, friends, and children just like us.'”

The division commander of the fifteenth Armored Division couldn’t hold back anymore, “Then just kill them all!”

Xiplin said, “Killing them won’t conjure defenses; it might even make their idling worse. When I was at the Eagle’s Nest, I scoffed at His Majesty’s prediction that Rocossov would attack in September. But returning just a few days ago, I realized if Rocossov seizes this opportunity and attacks in September, we would be in grave danger.@@novelbin@@

“His Majesty believes Rocossov is trying to win by surprise. I say, Rocossov is eager to attack just to exploit the gap when we are unprepared. Without the four new Armored Divisions as reinforcements, we would certainly be easily pierced through like paper by Rocossov.”

The division commanders of the Armored Divisions stood tall and proud, “We will certainly not let you down!”

Marshal Xiplin raised his voice, “You must do so! If not, the south will collapse completely! It would expose the entire flank of the Central Army Group! Next year, Rocossov will surely opt for a right hook, driving straight from Melania to the Baltic Sea, and then it would be over–the Central Army Group and the Northern Army Group will be encircled and will only be able to retreat through the Baltic Sea.”

The commander of the fifteenth division then said, “On the train, we saw that the border between Melania and Kazarlia has already been fortified. I think it won’t be easy for Rocossov to break through from Melania.

“The defending troops in Melania, who constantly battle the Melania National Army, have rich combat experience, especially in urban warfare. It’s unlikely that Rocossov will quickly conquer so many modernized cities.”

Xiplin replied, “Remember, many of Rocossov’s troops were honored with the Guards title in the defense battle of Abawahan. They know how to fight urban battles, plus they are equipped with new assault guns designed for urban warfare—called the Ulban mega cannon! That’s quite the sinister name.”

As he was speaking, a Major General from the Asgard Knights entered the headquarters and saluted Xiplin, “Report, the 504th Independent Tank Destroyer Battalion has arrived! We are all equipped with the latest No. 4 Tank Destroyers!”

Xiplin was slightly dismissive, “Tank destroyers? I hadn’t heard about any independent No. 4 Tank Destroyer Battalion being sent to the front. I thought those No. 4 destroyers would replenish those divisions desperately in need of tanks!”

The Asgard Major General chuckled, “You must have ignored them because you thought they were just modifications of the Panzer IV chassis – seeing them as mere expendables. But these tank destroyers, armed with 70-caliber long-barrel 75mm guns, have the same firepower as the newest Leopard Tanks!

“It’s not just a makeshift solution; it will heavily damage any Anteans who underestimate it!”

The commander of the fifteenth division sneered, “This is not just a product of emergency. But a 70-caliber long-barrel 75mm gun, why didn’t they just equip the Panzer IVs with it? Tanks with turrets are much more reliable!”

The commander of the 29th division spoke, “The Panzer IVs are already heavy. With a 43-caliber long-barrel gun and additional armor welded on, the first pair of load-bearing wheels often shatter.

“I can’t imagine adding a 70-caliber.”

Another Armored Division commander added, “Removing the turret shed a lot of weight, then they inserted a 70-caliber cannon. Did the designers have a revelation? Not wasting tonnage now?”

At that moment, Xiplin raised his hand to stop the murmurings among the commanders and said to the commander of the 504th Independent Tank Destroyer Battalion, “You have been assigned to a river east of Loktov, where there’s a shallow ford likely targeted for a heavy assault. You’ll reinforce the 340th Infantry Division guarding there, and help them dig anti-tank emplacements.

“Prove that the tanks you’ve received aren’t just makeshift, and strike hard at Ante’s attacking troops there!”

“Yes, sir!” the Asgard Major General saluted and turned to leave.

The Chief of Staff of the Army Group came over and whispered, “Using the Panzer IV chassis for a tank destroyer either means we’re running behind in turret production, or our production capacity is failing to keep up, leading to rushed productions to make do.”

Xiplin shook his head, “Enough said. We just need to do our duty with the equipment we have.”