Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 520: Battle Situation

On January 1, the U.S. Expeditionary Fleet was divided into two groups. The main fleet headed for Ilheus, and the other fleet consisting of more than 17 ships, together with more than 30 Brazilian Republic troops transferred from Tinare Island, continued to sail south, heading directly for the port of Belmonte.

On January 1, with the artillery support of the American Expeditionary Fleet, the defenders of Ilheus launched a counterattack and recaptured a total of seven positions. The offensive of the Brazilian Imperial Army was successfully contained and the front line was pushed back to the outer defense area.

On January 1, after half a day of continuous shelling, the Brazilian Imperial Army remaining in the port of Belmonte was defeated. More than 20 Brazilian Republican troops successfully landed and occupied the port, and then followed and attacked the retreating troops, killing and capturing more than 4000 enemy troops.

On January 1, three US warships appeared in the waters off the coast of Salvador, the temporary capital of the Brazilian Empire, causing great panic. More than a dozen Brazilian Imperial Navy ships that had evacuated to the Salvador military port were dispatched urgently. After several hours of confrontation, the three US warships took the initiative to disengage and headed for the southern waters.

On January 1, the Brazilian Empire's Minister to the United States lodged a solemn protest with the White House, demanding that the US government explain and apologize for the expeditionary fleet's intervention in the Brazilian Civil War and its aggressive attack on the Brazilian Empire's army.

On January 1, the British government urgently summoned the US ambassador to the UK to severely condemn the US interference and aggression in Brazil's internal affairs! It demanded that the US expeditionary fleet immediately stop all war actions in South America, otherwise the United States would suffer comprehensive sanctions from the British Empire.

The United States' direct military adventure of brutally interfering in the Brazilian civil war once again exacerbated the tension in South America. At the same time, Eber's troops, who were blocked on the Ilheus line, also received a retreat order from the rear government.

"General, American warships are sailing in the coastal waters of the Empire. The Imperial Capital and the communication channels between the frontline troops and the rear may be threatened and attacked by the American fleet at any time. In order to ensure the safety of the Imperial Capital and the frontline troops, Her Majesty the Queen and the Military Committee order you to suspend all combat missions and withdraw all troops back to the country."

A colonel from El Salvador personally handed the document with the seal of the Military Council and the signature of Queen Isabella to Heber.

"The troops evacuating from Belmonte Port are only 60 kilometers away from the frontline. If the troops march at full speed, they can complete the 60 kilometers in just one day. I cannot evacuate at this time, otherwise, all the sacrifices made by the frontline troops in the previous month will be in vain."

Eberle was unwilling to give up the nearly 3 troops evacuated from Belmonte, and said firmly: "The Republican rebels suffered heavy losses under the continuous attack. If it were not for the intervention of the US fleet and the reinforcement of the landing troops, they would have collapsed long ago. Give me another half a month, no, just ten days. Within ten days, I can take Ilheus. As long as we eliminate nearly 4 enemy troops on the front line of Ilheus, not only can all the evacuated troops be saved, but the situation of the unification war can also be fundamentally reversed.

The American expeditionary fleet cannot land, and the number of army troops accompanying the fleet is only 5,000 to 6,000 people, which cannot pose a threat to the imperial army. "

"General, the Queen and the Military Council have ordered an immediate retreat, and I have no authority to change that order."

"Enough! I know the situation on the front line best. I will convey the decision of the front line to Her Majesty the Queen and the Military Committee. The two armies are intertwined and the fighting is fierce. It is impossible to execute the retreat order!"

Eberl's face turned pale and he said in a decisive tone.

"General."

"Guards, escort the colonel away."

Eberl did not give the other party a chance to continue persuading him. He waved his hand and ordered the guards to forcibly pull the officer who delivered the message out of the command room.

"Everyone, the American fleet has traveled thousands of kilometers to intervene in the civil war of the Empire. It is impossible to maintain long-term combat and supply. The army troops accompanying the fleet are only 5,000 to 6,000 people. After a week of fighting, I believe everyone has some understanding of the combat effectiveness of the US Army. In addition to the advantages of standard weapon performance and naval gun firepower, the combat quality of individual soldiers is on par with the Imperial Army, and even lower than the old-fashioned troops such as the First and Second Divisions of the Imperial Army. There is nothing to be afraid of the Americans. You all just need to hold on for a while, withstand the sacrifice, and drive the US landing troops back to the sea. As long as the US landing troops are repelled, the remaining garrison troops will lose their fighting faith and collapse backwards."

After sending off the officer who brought the message, Eberle turned around and looked at several trusted generals gathered in the command room. He encouraged them, "After a week of fighting, the landing American troops have suffered at least 1000 casualties. In order to avoid the threat of the US fleet and reduce casualties, the focus of the frontline attack must be changed. General Carlos, Colonel Sanel, move your troops to the western defense line. Tonight, cooperate with the Fourth Army Division and the Fifth Militia Brigade. Launch an all-out attack on the enemy forces in the west, strive to achieve a breakthrough within three days, and take the lead in opening up a land communication channel with the evacuated troops in the west."

"Yes, General."

The two officers answered in unison.

"Everyone, the army is our foundation. Among the 3 troops evacuating from Belmonte Port, many are familiar friends and relatives. For them and for the future of the empire, we must endure casualties and sacrifices, defeat the enemy, and open up a land route to Belmonte."

Eberle was worried that refusing the order of the rear government to evacuate would cause division among his trusted subordinates, so he explained emphatically, "I completely understand the general's decision. Any imperial soldier with a conscience will not abandon his comrades who have fought bravely for the empire."

"Abandoning 30,000 friendly troops and evacuating alone is a cowardly act and will also discourage the soldiers fighting on the front line. I oppose the order to evacuate alone."

"There is still hope of saving the war. Even if we evacuate, we must first escort the 30,000 troops behind Ilias. Abandoning 30,000 elite troops and evacuating directly is completely irresponsible."

Several trusted subordinates spoke up and agreed with Eberle's decision.

"Don't spread what happened today to avoid affecting the morale of the troops. After you go back, hurry up to transfer and deploy the troops. At 9 o'clock tonight, launch the attack on the western defense line on time."
On the evening of January 1, the reorganized Brazilian Imperial Army launched a fierce attack on the defenders from the west. At 25 a.m., the defenders could no longer hold on and requested support from the U.S. landing forces. At 2 a.m., more than 4 U.S. Army troops were urgently transferred to the western defense line. After a night of fierce fighting, they managed to stabilize the front line. For this, the reinforcements also paid the price of more than 2000 casualties.

On January 1, the rear government again sent representatives headed by Lieutenant General Garrincha and former Army Commander Marshal Garcia to the front line to convey the retreat order to Eber.

"Marshal, General Garrincha, we have already contacted the troops behind Ilheus. The closest point between the two sides is less than 10 kilometers. We only need to make more efforts to rescue the troops from the enemy's encirclement. I can't give up at this time."

Eberle looked at the white-haired, wrinkled-faced Marshal Garcia and explained respectfully.

"Admiral, the troops evacuated from the Belmonte front are the elite of the empire. Her Majesty the Queen and the Military Committee are also unwilling to abandon them. However, the empire is currently at its most critical moment. For the survival of the empire, some choices must be made."

Marshal Garcia remained silent, and Army Lieutenant General Garrincha, who was standing next to him, took the initiative to persuade him.

"El Salvador's safety is of course important, but the 30,000 troops behind Ilheus are equally vital to the empire! General Garrincha, do you know what the impact would be if 30,000 elite troops were abandoned and surrounded and annihilated by Republican rebels? It would be the collapse of people's hearts! It would be the destruction of the belief in loyalty to the empire! I will never allow this to happen!"

Eberl looked excited, staring at Marshal Garcia, and said sincerely: "Marshal, ten years ago, the empire was divided. Under your inspiration, thousands of the most loyal soldiers gave up their property and land in Rio de Janeiro, risked their lives, and escorted Her Majesty the Queen and the ministers of the empire to El Salvador, restoring the empire's rule over the northern region. Now, 3 brave soldiers have penetrated deep into the enemy's rear for the cause of the empire's unification. Under the enemy's front and back attacks, they still did not give up fighting. The imperial soldiers are willing to pay the price of their lives for the unification of the empire. Is the empire going to abandon its most heroic soldiers just because of the threat of the American fleet? Please tell me the answer."

"Admiral Eberle"

Garrincha was about to persuade him, but was stopped by Garcia.

"I'll give you three more days. During these three days, regardless of whether the rescue is successful or not, the troops must follow the evacuation order."

Marshal Garcia's cloudy eyes were filled with grief and fatigue, and he spoke slowly.

"Thank you, Marshal!"

Eberl saluted Garcia solemnly and turned away decisively.

On the evening of January 1, according to the agreement, the Brazilian Empire's army on both sides of Ilheus concentrated all light and heavy weapons and launched a fierce attack on the western front at all costs.

At three o'clock in the morning on January 1, the Brazilian defenders and the U.S. Army that assisted in the defense could not withstand the heavy casualties and were defeated, resulting in several gaps in the western defense line.

On the morning of January 1, the two forces successfully merged.

On January 1, 29 besieged troops evacuated to the northern side of Ilheus. Under the threat of the US fleet, the front-line troops of the Brazilian Empire, whose logistics transportation routes were intermittent, also took the initiative to break off contact with the defenders and retreat to the rear.

(End of this chapter)