Operation Korak prema Srbinu (Oflay vs. Orthoria)

[omega]

Hristov Hill was a cursed battlefield, the senior officership realized. Forever destined to be nothing more than a mass graveyard for all sides of a given conflict, no matter who won and who lost. Today, however, the Orthorian military would show the Oflyan splitters exactly what would've happened to them if the Empire hadn't fallen into civil war.

With the airplanes once more leaving the battlefield, all artillery could once more refocus on firing at Oflyan backlines. And as punishment for his prior insubordination, the officer who had ordered his unit to fire on aircraft was now carted off to the frontline, alongside his entire artillery unit, and given the order to start shelling the enemy's command structures. Or, at least, the area they suspected the command structure was located in. They'd be exposed, they'd be vulnerable, but if they accomplished their goal, it would lead to an even swifter victory.

Wind conditions were still laughably unfavourable, meaning that the deployment of the remaining reserves of chlorine gas was out of the question. In yet another daring, if somewhat reckless move, defensive machine gunners were ordered to advance alongside the standard infantry as the last three trenches now joined the counter-offensive on the Oflyan lines, leaving only the fort's defenders themselves as the last line of defense for the vital railway behind them.

History would judge Soll for his actions this day. Whatever the verdict, he'd have served his nation proudly.

[Greywall]

Casualties

Oflya: 1,100 conscripts, 200 light infantry, 300 standard infantry, 50 armored cars, 30 tankettes, all landships, 30 light tanks, 20 medium tanks
Orthoria: 450 standard infantry, 2,000 light infantry, 20 field guns, 30 armored cars, 10 tankettes, 6 landships, 30 howitzers, 80 mortars

[Greywall]

The bloodiest day in the battle resulted in thousands dying, Kovac was no longer waiting on air power demanding the planes be properly rotated or the crews arming and refueling them be shot. The Ofylans were now on the defense, their push completely stopped by Orthorian firepower and resolve. With the shelling of his personal encampment it revealed Orthorian artillery guns allowing counter batteries to finally damage them but forced the General to relocate in the middle of a massive battle.

This lapse in command sent the entire front into madness, large firefights carried out with melee breaking out when squads weren't pulled back. Kovac knew it was no longer sustainable and with no word from Verak, he began ordering a large shelling of the near front. He had to withdraw from Hristov Hill.

[omega]

It wasn't hard to see how a battle this large and this chaotic would make the General Staff lose track over parts of it. So focused were they on the details and particulars of this sudden offensive, that the front's shelling could not be anticipated in any meaningful amount of time. It was, therefore, up to the veterans of the Civil War to protect the troops and keep them safe from the Oflyan artillery. The overall assault had been slowed down, but not entirely stopped - squads and units brave enough to charge through the artillery, or smart enough to charge through the gaps in the shelling, pressed on. Conversely, all others sought cover and shelter, only re-emerging once the worst of the shelling had passed.

The artillery officer pushed to the frontlines was still alive, somehow. Most of his unit was dead, however, and so were most of the artillery guns. What little he had, however, he kept using, providing counter-battery fire for the troops still advancing toward Oflyan lines. But alas, even his ammunition hadn't been spared - therefore, his own effectiveness was halved yet again. And in the chaos of the shelling, no resupplying effort would ever dare go anywhere near his position.

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Casualties

Oflya: 550 conscripts, 50 light infantry
Orthoria: 500 light infantry, 200 standard infantry, 20 field guns

[Greywall]

"Where is Verak!?" General Kovac was shaken harshly over another day of no word from his allies. He was taking losses he could not sustain anymore, the offensive breaking down meant falling back to occupied Orthoria and yielding to the Orthorians. It also meant pulling Ofylan troops out of Western Pomaz. He sent a final letter to Verak, detailing he would pull all Ofylan troops from Western Pomaz if they did not send aid. 

Ofylan combat troops simply couldn't put a dent in the Orthorians, their artillery would be the best weapon against the larger force. Ofylan aircraft finally made another run, dropping bombs and strafing enemy infantry battalions near the front. Giving much needed relief to the Ofylans.  Morale was dropping fast, if Kovac didn't make a decision soon his forces would make it for him. 

Ofylan forces struggle at Hristov Hill