Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 899: Chapter 22 Attack_3

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The newly formed Vistula Army Group Command in Prosen, Commander Admiral Steiner was awakened by a phone call.

Generally, an Army Group Commander should at least be a General, but Prosen’s Generals and Marshals were either dismissed due to “incompetence” or trapped in the “Armed Prisoner Camp” surrounding Kebao, and refused to return, leading to Steiner becoming the Army Group Commander.

This position was originally to be given to General Hawke of the Melania Occupation Army, but he declined, citing being “busy suppressing the Melania uprising” as the reason.

Meanwhile, Marshal Mendel, who excelled in breaking through the encirclement of his old unit, the 9th Army Group, has been sent to the Western Front to face the fierce attacks from the Allied Forces.

Now, Admiral Steiner, with the rank of Admiral, faces the Ante’s million-strong army who are currently resting and reorganizing at the frontline.

Under his command are: first, the fully structured 9th Army Group—however, both its personnel and equipment are severely understaffed and urgently need replenishment; second, the less complete 2nd and 3rd Army Groups; third, the newly formed 33rd Army Group—primarily composed of recruits.

Even if these units were in good condition, resisting the Ante’s massive army remains an arduous task.

Fortunately, the Anteans had just concluded a large-scale campaign, and they, too, need rest and replenishment.

According to the intelligence Admiral Steiner received from the High Command, he is about to face an attack from a hastily assembled Ante battle group.

The Emperor believes that these are the elite forces assembled by Rocossov, and as long as Admiral Steiner can severely damage this group, the next major offensive from the Anteans can be postponed until May next year.

In private, the Celtic Marshal told Admiral Steiner that the High Command thinks this might be the Anteans putting on a show in response to international pressure, and even if they attack, it’s likely just a probing offensive.

Steiner personally leans towards the High Command’s opinion.

After all, he personally went to Plowsonia to meet the Emperor, and felt that the Emperor had already become—hysterical.

So, when woken up, Admiral Steiner was somewhat angry: “Damn it! The enemy is just probing the defenses, no need to panic!”

The Army Group Chief of Staff replied loudly: “No, General, our units have been subjected to extremely intense artillery bombardment, and our telephone lines have been cut.

“This appears to be a massive attack.”

Reluctantly, Admiral Steiner got out of bed, given that the enemy had commenced shelling; as the chief officer of the troops, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to remain asleep.

While getting dressed, he asked, “Have any units recently reported increased enemy reconnaissance activities?”

“No.”

Admiral Steiner: “How can that be! If there was going to be an attack, there would definitely be intensive reconnaissance.”

Chief of Staff: “The Air Defense units reported frequent aerial reconnaissance by Pis-3s.”

Admiral Steiner: “You know the limited effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance, right? Think about the blurry photos brought back by the Air Force’s Nightingale reconnaissance planes. No, before an attack, there will definitely be task groups sent to capture prisoners; we surely have many missing officers and soldiers.

“Bring the list of missing personnel; the units with the most missing might indicate the enemy’s main attack direction.”

The Chief of Staff immediately turned to give orders.

Admiral Steiner, having dressed, sighed heavily: “Rocossov’s encirclement indeed hit us hard.”

“What?” The Chief of Staff turned around.

“Nothing, give the orders.”

Fifteen minutes later, Admiral Steiner entered the map room of the Headquarters, and a staff member came over with documents: “The missing personnel have been checked, and the numbers are almost the same as usual, conforming to our losses during stand-offs on other fronts.”

Admiral Steiner sneered: “As expected, the High Command’s assessment was correct, they’re merely putting on a show to account to the allies. What’s the latest situation in the capital? The latest report should have arrived, right?”

“Delivered at three o’clock,” immediately replied the Chief of Staff, “The Asgard Knights’ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armored Divisions have already been committed, the 36th Grenadier Division joined the battle yesterday, and within the combat area, the Asgard Knights now number more than fifty thousand, with another fifty thousand National Defense Army soldiers. The police and National Guard have also committed three divisions, fifty thousand personnel.”

Admiral Steiner: “One hundred and fifty thousand to suppress an uprising. Isn’t that a bit too much? At least move the Armored Division to us, since we are under attack.”

Chief of Staff: “You said it was—”

“I said it’s a probing attack, but an attack is indeed happening, and what is the Armored Division doing suppressing a guerrilla in a city?”

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“Tank!” Helman turned back and shouted, “Retreat quickly! The tank gun is about to fire!”

The next moment, a shockwave hit him from behind, knocking him to the ground, as a shower of debris and sand rained down.

Helman was left with ringing ears, and his head ached terribly, as if a pair of invisible hands were pressing hard on his skull.

He turned around and looked through the hole created by the tank gun out onto the street.

The coaxial machine gun on the turret opened fire, the bullets whistling past the prone Helman, hitting the guerrilla fighters trying to pull him up.

“I’m fine, go quickly!”

Before Helman finished speaking, a voice rang out amidst the machine-gun fire outside the window: “Melania will surely be liberated!”

Then came the sound of an explosive charge going off.

The machine gun fire abruptly ceased, and Helman stood up, staggered out of the room, and waved to the guerrilla fighters coming to support: “Retreat!”