Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 497 Deterioration
On the afternoon of November 11, the second day after the failed night attack counterattack by the defenders of Hume Tower Fortress, the Han army launched an attack on the Malshan fortress group. Two Yangwu-class cruisers, two Yongxing-class cruisers, and four Sea Lion-class gunboats were lined up on the water, heading towards Malshan, and firing shells at the same time.

The sound of the exploding shells could be heard over ten miles away. Even at the main position of the Hume Tower Fortress, the Taksa Fortress Group, several kilometers away, the continuous roar could be heard.

"After the enemy occupied the Libona Mountain position, they strengthened their heavy weapons such as artillery and heavy machine guns. If they continue to attack, the casualties among the soldiers will be too great, which may cause the army's morale to be unstable."

A group of middle and senior military officers of the Republic of Brazil stood in the operations command room, discussing response plans.

"Continue to request troops and ammunition assistance from Asuncion, and continue to launch counterattacks on Mount Libona. However, if we launch an attack from the north of Mount Libona, we can only deploy two to three thousand people at a time. As for the mountainside road leading to the top of the mountain, it can only accommodate three to five hundred people at a time. If we continue to send more troops to counterattack, it will easily become a war of attrition and a war of attrition, and the effect of the attack will be limited."

"Our army can continue to transport troops to the Malshan fortress group through the passage at the foot of the mountain to make up for combat losses, while the enemy can transport troops and weapons to the Libona Mountain position through the southern passage. Moreover, based on the analysis of the combat situation of the Malshan fortress group today, the caliber of the enemy's warships and guns is not 120 mm as we estimated a few days ago, but 150 mm or even larger. If the enemy warships continue to launch saturation bombardment and the Malshan heavy artillery position is destroyed, then it will only be a matter of time before Malshan falls."

"Continuously adding soldiers to the Malshan position through the refueling tactic can delay the time it takes for the enemy to capture the position, but it cannot effectively hold the position. In addition, the refueling tactic will cause huge casualties among soldiers. It is acceptable to hold out for two or three days. If the time is prolonged, even if we finally hold the position, I am afraid that our troops will be almost wiped out. What's more, the soldiers are not made of steel. They have flesh and blood and can feel pain. If the casualties are at most 40% to 50%, the army will probably collapse."

"

"How can we sustain 40% to 50% casualties? There are only a few thousand elite troops left in the country, such as the 3rd Regiment of the 2nd Army Division from the imperial era. The troops we have now cannot withstand 40% to 50% casualties. If the casualties are 30%, the morale of the troops may collapse."

"The president and the high-ranking officials in Rio de Janeiro boasted that the Americans would intervene within a month and the war would end peacefully. Now, after a month and a half of fighting with the Orientals, there is still no sign of the Americans. If possible, I really want to stand in the government hall of Rio de Janeiro, grab their collars, and ask them if they have drunk too much wine and can only talk nonsense!"

"Not only is there no news from the Americans, there is also no news from Guaira Port and the Navy. According to the last military intelligence report, the Han army is gathering troops and preparing to launch an attack on Guaira Port. The Navy also has plans to go south along the eastern line of the Han country to carry out harassment operations. Why is there no follow-up news after a week? Don't you feel that it is abnormal?"

"According to the normal frequency of reporting battlefield military information every four days, there should be news."

Major General Miller, commander of the Brazilian Army's 5th Division, also felt a little confused.

"Perhaps the war was so intense that there was no time to pass on the war situation report."

"It's possible."

Major General Miller pondered for a moment, still a little worried, and turned to look at Davis, the commander of the Second Division of the Brazilian Army.

They discussed: "Should we privately send someone to Guaira Port to find out the situation? If the battle at Guaira Port doesn't go well, we can be mentally prepared in advance."

"Wouldn't it be against the rules to do this?"

Davis hesitated.

"No, we are also concerned about the battlefield situation. If the news of Guaira Port is cut off by the Han army, we can get the news in advance, which will be beneficial to both Humeta Fortress and Asuncion."

Major General Miller finished speaking, with a look of regret on his face: “It’s a pity that there are no cables laid in Paraguay, otherwise, it would be much more convenient to directly ask General Rodriguez and Rio de Janeiro about the relevant situation.

Moreover, with the wired telegraph, the transmission of war information, the coordination, mobilization and combat command of various troops are more convenient and faster. "

"According to the feedback from the frontline troops, the Han army is equipped with wireless telegraph.
The effective signal transmission distance is 50 to 100 kilometers.

The wireless telegraph was a new gadget that was easy to carry. It could be placed on a horse-drawn carriage and taken with the troops as they moved.
Even though the transmission distance is much shorter than that of a wired telegraph, it is much safer and faster than sending messengers to deliver instructions."

"Radio telegraph is very useful on the battlefield. For example, if two positions within 100 kilometers of each other are blocked by the enemy, the commander can make real-time adjustments based on the development of the war by using radio telegraph to report the battle situation."

"The Han army's new weapons and equipment are increasing like magic, becoming more and more advanced. Fighting such an enemy is simply a torture."
"bang bang bang"

Major General Davis, commander of the 2nd Division of the Army of the Republic of Brazil, slammed the table and stopped them, saying, "Enough. The Han army does have an advantage in manpower and weapons and equipment. This situation cannot be changed in a short time. We still have to make up our minds how to deal with the Han army's attack and defend the fortress." Major General Davis's words played a certain role, and the topic refocused on how to recapture the Libona Mountain position and firmly hold the Mal Mountain Fortress. Unfortunately, until the evening, everyone still had not discussed a suitable response plan.

"General Davis, report the situation at Fort Humeta to Asuncion and let General Santos make the decision."

Major General Miller, commander of the 5th Division of the Brazilian Army, said helplessly.

"It can only be this way."

Davis sighed and ordered, “First, send someone to inform Admiral Santos of the general situation of the Humeta Fortress, and then organize troops tonight to launch a final counterattack on Mount Libona.

Colonel Evans of the 1st Regiment of the 2nd Division was also ordered to withdraw two battalions of troops to make up for the loss of personnel at the Marsh Hill position.

There was a gloomy scene in the Asuncion front headquarters. The guards, attendants, and officers walking back and forth in the corridor were all very cautious and nervous, fearing that they would accidentally anger General Santos and be scolded.

This morning, Santos received calls from President Fonseca and Field Marshal Peixoto. The president directly rejected the withdrawal request, and although Peixoto did not directly reject it, his reply was also ambiguous, "When the situation is irreversible, we can make a decision on the spot."

Recalling the content of Szapetto's reply, Santos smiled bitterly.

"How come the Marshal has become just like those politicians, becoming smooth, hypocritical and irresponsible."

President Fonseca does not want to take responsibility for the failure of the war and is unwilling to issue a retreat order. Marshal Peshoto does not dare to do so either, and he does not want to take responsibility for the failure of the war. You all are unwilling to take responsibility, so do you want me and 10 soldiers of the Republic who are risking our lives on the front line for the fate of the Republic to take responsibility?
Santos was disappointed with Peixoto and frustrated about his own future.

No one wants to take responsibility, everyone is gambling, but everyone's chips and interests are different. The impact of the war on the marshal, the president and Santos is also different, and the consequences of winning or losing are also different.

The president is a politician, and Marshal Peixoto is also a half-politician.
Only Santos considers himself a relatively pure soldier. He cares more about the troops under his command. The troops under his command are the foundation.
From his point of view, if the situation collapsed, he would be the one most affected. After all, he was leading troops on the front line in Paraguay. If he knew that he would be annihilated if he defended the city of Asuncion, he might as well retreat with his troops. At least he could preserve the vitality of the Republic and the lives of the soldiers. As long as he could preserve nearly 10 Brazilian main forces, there would be a certain chance of turning around for both his personal future and the future of the Brazilian Republic.

Compared with the Han State, the Republic of Brazil is a weak country. It is certainly satisfying to bet 10 main forces, but if it loses, the consequences will be disastrous, and the Republic of Brazil may never recover.

Santos is not a gambler, and he will not use his own life or the lives of 10 soldiers as chips to participate in a huge risky gamble.

Moreover, although Marshal Peixoto did not show due responsibility in the Paraguayan War, his orders also left a glimmer of room for maneuver. If the situation in the Paraguayan War really collapsed to the expected point, whether for his personal life or the future and destiny of the country, he would definitely make the most rational choice.

With a decision in mind, he felt more relaxed and the anger that had been pent up in his heart dissipated a lot. Just when Santos was about to drink some tea to quench his thirst, he heard a piece of news that made him angry.

"A bunch of useless idiots and trash. Are Miller and Davis out of their minds? They can't even make decisions on the spot?

When you encounter trouble, you push it to your superiors to solve it?

"Does the boss have to solve all the problems? Then what are they for?"

Santos glanced at the cup that was just before his mouth, and his anger rose uncontrollably. He threw the cup to the ground fiercely.
He shouted angrily, "Go tell those two bastards Miller and Davis!
I will send them 3000 men at last, and ask them to abandon the outer fortresses, concentrate their forces, and recapture Mount Libona at all costs. Mount Mar must also be defended!"

Santos vented his anger and continued to give instructions: "Send another team of military police from Asuncion to assist. Any unit that disobeys orders will be subject to battlefield discipline on the spot!

Go and tell them exactly what I said!"

(End of this chapter)