Conquer Europe from the West

Chapter 155 Airship Attack
There was no need for the commanders to issue orders.

Before the Cossack cavalry, with their black, mist-like figures, could even emerge from the white fog, the Empire's bullets were already loaded.

Machine guns, rifles, submachine guns, carbines, and even the 77mm and 105mm artillery that had just completed their salvo preparations all opened fire without needing to aim.

For the first time, infantry were able to eliminate former army aces in such an efficient and swift manner on their way to the front. Modern artillery could stun those initially fierce warhorses with just one bombardment, leaving them paralyzed on the ground or even scared to death on the spot.

But that's not all.

However, a group of skilled or incredibly lucky Cossack cavalrymen managed to pass through the invisible metal wall and successfully approach the soldiers who had not yet fully retreated to safety.

However, they will only end up like their comrades.

All the soldiers who couldn't evacuate in time were assault troops equipped with submachine guns. They only needed to pull the trigger, and the MP-14 would take care of the rest.

More piercing and tragic cries than before echoed across the entire battlefield.

A corner of the battlefield.

Rein would occasionally reload his shotgun with new ammunition and fire 12-gauge shotgun shells one by one at the Cossack cavalrymen who were still unaware of what was happening on the front lines and were rushing forward to their deaths.

But his mind was already on the Eighth Cavalry Brigade in the distance, as well as the cavalrymen from the Ninth Army.

Based on the images on the map, it appears that the cavalry units of the 8th Cavalry Brigade and the 9th Army were intercepted by Cossack scouts from the Imperial 1st Army, who were prepared in advance, during their charge.

Although these cavalrymen, armed only with bolt-action rifles and pistols, possessed a certain advantage, they were ultimately unable to suppress the imperial cavalry due to the complexity and unpredictability of mounted combat.

Although they were certain of victory in this war, the recurring disappearance of friendly forces icons made Rein realize that his troops would never be able to replicate their previous excellent casualty ratio in this war.

Immediately, as the last Cossack cavalryman who still dared to charge forward was mercilessly mowed down by machine gun fire, the battlefield, which had been filled with deafening shouts, finally fell silent.

Commanders led by McQuay and Brinkman immediately ordered the troops to continue advancing, while senior commander Ryan met briefly with Kenneth and the battalion commander of the Second Battalion.

"The Imperial First Army's defensive line is well-constructed, but they haven't committed enough troops to the front lines..."

The second battalion commander had a regretful expression on his face. Rein keenly noticed that the command sword in his hand had somehow been replaced by the sword of a major-level Imperial cavalry officer.

Rein naturally wouldn't have any ulterior motives towards the Second Battalion Commander because of this, but he still took a second look before speaking: "They must have found out that we transferred cavalry units from the Ninth Army, so they came up with the tactic of having the frontline soldiers move back to intercept our cavalry, while their elite cavalry would charge in groups to buy time for the rear."

This is information that Renn saw on the map. Although it is unclear who specifically gave the order, it is essentially correct.

Kenes remained silent. His warhorse was injured and, although still able to move, it was uncertain how long it could last.

This kept him busy changing horses, and coincidentally, there were still quite a few usable warhorses on the battlefield.

Ryan saw through his little scheme, but did not stop him.

"Go and get a different horse first."

Seeing that Kenneth's horse was becoming increasingly difficult to move, Ryan could only say, "If we can't find it, we still have motorcycles."

"Yes."

Without hesitation, Kenneth dismounted and ran toward his temporary adjutant.

Raine didn't look at him, but continued to look towards the front line, focusing her attention on the map.

Part of the 8th Cavalry Brigade has already broken through and is now accelerating towards the main force.

The Ninth Army has not yet been able to break out because they are fighting a Cossack cavalry unit of regimental size.

These cavalrymen, almost entirely composed of reserves, clearly felt immense pressure from their Cossack identity. Many forgot they could keep their distance and fire with rifles, instead drawing their sabers and engaging the Cossack cavalry in fierce combat.

This choice, which played right into the hands of the Imperial Army, immediately plunged them into an even greater crisis. The Cossack cavalry's blades were so fast that Rein didn't even have time to assess how many cavalry he would lose in a single engagement.

Beside him, the second battalion commander first climbed up a high mound, and after confirming the situation at the front line further away, he immediately returned: "It seems that the Empire has its own ideas. It looks like this battle can only end in mutual destruction."

The second battalion commander was a smart man. He knew very well that the soldiers' physical strength was insufficient to support them to reach the rear of the battle line, and he also knew that the soldiers would soon need to enter a state of rest and recuperation in order to ensure that the limited forces would not be wasted on the front line.

There was no other way; more than three-quarters of the troops attacking the First Army were borrowed from the Ninth Army. Even if the Ninth Army had no objections, the Second Battalion Commander had to consider Rein's position.

Raine understood the Second Battalion Commander's meaning, but he did not want to give up the precious opportunity to attack when he had already occupied three trenches on the front line.

There are two main reasons.

First, with all the main forces of the Eighth Army except for the Third Reserve Division having left, Rein must do everything in his power to ensure the safety of the Insterburg front.

Secondly, the Imperial Army has too many troops. If a conservative strategy is adopted, Rein cannot guarantee how long his current forces can withstand an army group's charge.

after all.

Having a large number of people can sometimes be really helpful.

Especially in the current situation.

However, if they continue like this, the troops really can't hold out for much longer.

The assault company and the second battalion's soldiers had enough weapons and ammunition to support them in carrying out one combat mission. Now, most of the soldiers' ammunition was running out, and if they wanted to continue fighting, they would likely run out of ammunition and supplies.

However, retreating too early would also greatly boost the morale of the Imperial Army.

It might even lead some commanders of the Imperial First Army to decide to pursue them.

This is not a good thing.

However, Renn didn't have much time to think.

However, he was very clear about one thing—frontline operations required commanders to have the determination to make immediate decisions and the unwavering will to complete their missions.

Regardless of the outcome, a more appropriate decision must now be made regarding the current operational objectives and tactical requirements.

"After the troops occupy the fourth trench, they should immediately withdraw and organize a counterattack based on the Empire's front line and support trenches."

Without much thought, Renn quickly made a decision. He couldn't just stand by and watch the Ninth Army's cavalry be completely wiped out in the battle against the Cossacks.

Upon hearing the order, the second battalion commander immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that Rein would subconsciously use the cavalry of the Ninth Army as cannon fodder, but now it seemed that he wouldn't.

However, Ryan's orders also put him under considerable pressure. The Second Battalion was short of ammunition; the high consumption of 9mm ammunition and personnel shortages meant the battalion couldn't hold out on the front lines for long.

Based on training and military exercises, the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion and the assault company can only hold out for about 15 minutes at most. If it goes on any longer, some units will inevitably run out of all their ammunition and will have to withdraw from the battlefield.

"I'll go and inform the troops."

Shaking off the jumbled thoughts in his mind, the second battalion commander abruptly pulled on the reins, causing his warhorse to turn towards the front lines.

But Ryan stopped him directly, saying, "Wait, let someone else handle this. You have more important things to do."

"Something more important?"

The second battalion commander didn't understand what Ryan meant, but Ryan immediately said, "You go back to the camp immediately and have Colonel Schmidt send his airship to the front. The next battle will be left to them."

"Should we hand it over to Schmidt's fleet?"

The second battalion commander was stunned for a moment by Raine's order, but he immediately remembered the modification work that the Wave-class had undergone before. Without even responding, he whipped the horse's rump and galloped wildly toward Insterburg.

Looking at the second battalion commander, Ryan felt no reassurance.

The distance between the front line and the rear is a full twenty kilometers, and even at the fastest speed of warhorses, it would take about an hour.

This is not a very long time.

Although the battlefield where the cavalry brigade was located was less than eight kilometers from the front line, they basically lost their combat capability after rushing across that distance at full speed.

The Cossack cavalry may have had better horses than the Empire, but the final result wouldn't have been much better.

For an ordinary soldier to advance eight kilometers in an hour is simply a pipe dream.

Even if the Empire's ammunition has been almost exhausted, the firepower network that the nearly 10,000 troops can build is far beyond what the soldiers of the First Army can withstand.

With a tug on the reins, Ryan rode forward and stood beside McVay, who was busy directing the troops: "How are the troops?"

"We can still advance, Colonel!"

McQuay glanced at Ryan, stopped giving orders and switched to gestures, his voice filled with doubt: "But why haven't the cavalry returned yet? We only saw half a squadron return just now, and we haven't seen the rest of the main force yet."

"They ran into Cossack cavalry and may not make it back."

Raine spoke calmly.

"Isn't that the end of the world?"

McVell was startled, but he didn't actually show it: "Don't you need us to organize troops to support them?"

Ryan shook his head: "I sent Schmidt over."

"A wave-level? So early..." McQuay's tone was tactful, but there was clearly something more to it.

“It won’t be exposed,” Ryan immediately dispelled McVay’s doubts, adding, “Besides, even if it is exposed, it’s still better than Insterburg being taken over by the Empire.”

"really."

McQuay nodded heavily, then spurred his horse away, shouting, "I'll go organize the troops to build a defensive line right away!"

Ryan watched McVeigh's retreating figure with great satisfaction.

This kid's performance today is much better than before in Ostend and the Vosges Mountains. Back then, Ryan could only entrust some minor command tasks to McVay because he was clever enough.

But ever since the Battle of Verdun, McVeigh has been like a different person. He can respond quickly to whatever Ryan wants to do and manage everything perfectly.

"Is it because you were in the General Staff Department in episode five?"

When Ryan recalled his experiences in Verdun, this was the only thing he could think of.

But that's not important to him right now.

Warhorses galloped across the front lines, the bitter air flowing past their noses, and a light drizzle began to fall from the leaden sky.

Under Ryan's orders, the troops of the 2nd Battalion and the assault company were quickly moved into the interior of the reserve trench by McVeigh.

These young soldiers quickly pulled out their entrenching tools and began modifying the Imperial Army's reserve trenches to a size suitable for counterattacks.

Dark black and slightly gray damp soil and mud were thrown out of the trenches, and some simple sandbags were piled up on the high ground. Before long, more than a dozen machine gun positions were completed.

Among the soldiers from the Ninth Army, some of the more astute individuals immediately took over the task of building trenches, while the rest scurried through the trenches, collecting all the weapons and ammunition they could find.

During this period, cavalrymen would occasionally break through the enemy lines, crossing the battle line after a frantic dash and heading straight for Insterburg.

However, these cavalrymen numbered less than one-tenth of the Ninth Army's support force.

Look at the map.

Originally there were more than four thousand cavalrymen, but now there are only a little over three thousand left.

If we include the three hundred or so who just returned, that means at least four or five hundred cavalrymen have been lost.

However, the troops of the Ninth Army Group and the Eighth Cavalry Brigade maintained their fighting spirit and did not flee.

Conversely, the Cossack cavalry, having diverted a significant number of their forces to the front lines, were beginning to show signs of decline.

Even with other cavalry units assisting them in the battle, they still found it difficult to sustain the fighting.

Just then, Brinkman appeared beside Renn: "Colonel, the troops are all arranged, as for the cavalry division..."

"They still have some difficulties, but it shouldn't be a big problem."

Ryan briefly reassured Brinkman, because she was the one who wrote the telegram requesting reinforcements from the Ninth Army, and it was also signed by her: "Organize the troops to prepare for battle, and prepare the signal flares to contact the cavalry. Colonel Schmidt will be here soon."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)