The South Touli War

[Greywall]

Battle of Tarafan, South Touli
Winter of 1930

Charles Kendaya was out of time, his rebels weren't ready, his agents hadn't returned from Frannerre yet and the Fifth Army was on him. The leader of the Tafatu rebellion was in the middle of the chaos as hundreds of citizens panicking evacuated North away from the approaching army, "get all our non-critical personal out of here, any soldier without a weapon is useless too get them out of here." His rebels were armed poorly, muskets, hunting rifles smuggled in, a few old guns stolen from Union troops and old bows and arrows the Tafatu used to hunt with. "We're absolutely fucked here, we gotta buy time but there's no way." Charles was overwhelmed as his people-built barricades to the south side of town, arming themselves and pointing to the green valley below the hill where the town was propped. They had the high ground but lacked the proper arms. 

"Sir!" a rebel officer ran over to Charles holding a letter, "We got sanctuary in Le Troi but we have to have time to move everyone, and you need to go too sir!" Charles looked around, there was no way he could leave now. His people were shattered and scared, but if he stood with them a fight would be had, they needed only time. "I'm staying, for now." he pulled out a T-73 revolver and began checking it and inspecting it. "Make sure the people on the barricade have what they need. How many here?" the officer was scrambling for a response, "Maybe a thousand can fight, five if you let some be unarmed." Charles shook his head, "No, get them out. We need guns, there's only a few of us right now but we can hold for a bit." Charles made his way to the barricade as the officer ran off barking orders at anyone not going to the Southside. 

Charles arrived around several Tafatu wearing the yellow arm band that signaled their allegiance to the rebellion, "Everyone! I know you're scared! I know this is not what we planned, but such is war. We must hold here as long as we can, the Fifth Army is notorious, they'll rape women and children, they'll not take prisoners. Fight like you would the devil! Fight for Tafatu and her children and her freedom!" the scared row of fighters jeered and yelled at the words of their leader, but it was clear they were still very much shaken. Charles went to the makeshift barricade and looked out through what were a few chairs and tables from a nearby cafe, he saw them, the banners of the UST and heard the unmistakable shouting of the Union Army. "Are they coming?" Charles looked down, he felt despair at who he saw asking, a young boy no older than 14. "Are they coming sir?" Charles was heartbroken, "They're coming, be brave." he fought the tears that wanted to roll down his face, how did it come to this? How did his late years in life become embroiled in a war? The cruelty of the Union was known, but this was far from what he knew, even in his own time within the Union Army. "Sir, i'm counting at least five thousand." said a rebel on the upper level of the barricade, pointing a hunting musket downrange, "no there's alot more than that" muttered Charles. 

The tension continued to build, more and more Union troops situated themselves several hundreds of yards away preparing for the assault. "What if they try to surround us?" asked one rebel. "They won't" Charles said, he knew they wanted to ransack the town. With the Union banknote being virtually useless, they received payment in other methods. A rider on horseback left the grouping of Union troops and approached waving a white flag, "hold fire! His come to talk terms!" Charles shouted, the rider came up to the barricade wearing the blue of the Union Army, his horse was rather annoyed likely from being overworked but he treated it harshly to comply. "CHARLES KENDAYA! Come and hear from General Taronki." Charles climbed to the top of the barricade, he knew if they wanted, they'd just shoot him with a sniper, but they needed him alive. Okeena wanted to make him an example, to kill him slowly and in public. "Charles Kendaya?" the rider asked not knowing what he looked like, "I am" Charles responded. The rider curled a smile on his face, "The Fifth Army is here to take you in Kendaya, you and your rebels, surrender now. The men will be put to work in the mines until they expire, the women...well we'll use them til they expire as well." one of the rebels being a woman pulled back the hammer on her rifle wanting to kill the rider but held herself back from her emotional response. "You come down, you'll be escorted to Noscovo, you'll write letters admitting you're wrong to have started this stupid rebellion and accept the judgement of the Union government." the rider shifted in his saddle rather confident. "Those are not terms I am willing to accept" Charles said, the rider wasn't fazed, "then you and everyone in this town...will die." Charles bellowed, "we'll see about that". The rider turned back and rode off chuckling.

"Fucking asshole-" before the rebel could finish Charles now having adrenaline and his body move as if it weighed nothing began telling them "This is it, get ready! They're coming" he pulled the hammer back on his revolver and in unison the rebels prepared. Shouting from the Union side intensified, several rebels kept looking down sight waiting for them to march forward, once they got in range, they had the advantage for a moment being in cover. Until the horrid sound of artillery guns going off broke that alluded hope, "INCOMING TAKE COVER!" Charles shouted as artillery shells rained down on the town, shells exploded taking chunks of the barricade and killing several rebels at once. Many rounds went over the defenses and into town striking still evacuating citizens and rebels who couldn't fight. Charles knew what they were doing, they wouldn't waste expensive shells all day, as the artillery guns fired the enemy infantry were moving forward. "Get on your feet! fire through the barricade!" some got up and began firing wilding through openings in the barricade hitting a few Union infantrymen. The artillery strikes ceased; Charles now covered in dust shouted "back on the barricade! They almost on top of-" too late, the Union troops were scaling the barricade, he fired from his revolver striking one in the head killing him instantly as the rebels fired at the Union troops at the top of the hastily built barricade. 

Gun fire was exchanged back and forth, the rebels simply could not win, "FALL BACK!" Charles was shouting he was reloading his revolver having killed three men more. They fell back to the center of town into the market, it was thankfully empty, most of the citizens and noncombatant rebels were almost all out. "Hold here! Check your flank!" Charles fired from behind a fruit stand he pushed over with four others; they had been lucky with some hunting rifles. "Don't stop firing!" the rebs held the market against a sea of blue uniforms but the brutal hellfire from their rifles was just too much killing several rebels. "Shit!" Charles knew they couldn't hold, they had to fall back to the residential district, the last part of town. "Fall back!" Charles shouted, his rebels were being slaughtered, amid the gunfire he could hear Union troops jeering and laughing. It was a game to them. Any wounded left behind were bayoneted or shot, the residential district had a stone wall that divided the town, the rebels lined up along it. Charles saw the grim results, he already lost more than half of what was at the barricade. "Reload! Get ready! Don't Shoot till I tell you!" he had to try a volley, anything they didn't buy enough time. 

The rebels were ready this time, the Union troops broke rank overconfident in their performance charging down the open street into the stone wall area. "FIRE!" the loud thunder of an organized volley sheared through the Union infantry dropping dozens of them. A feeling of relief swept over the rebels but Charles wouldn't let them get set, "Muskets reload! Rifles fire in between shots get ready for another volley!" The Union troops were stunned, the grouping of them stumbled over the dead and slipped over the blood and the tried to get set to fire under constant fire. "AIM! FIRE!" another volley rang out cutting down more Union troops. "Goddammit" one Union soldier cried out, Charles saw there was no real other way to get to them. They could hold here, at least for a moment. Union troops stopped charging. "Reload! Reload what you have!" Charles reloaded his own revolver, but he felt the cotton at the bottom of his jacket pocket, "no..." he was out of ammo. Five rounds and he was out. "Sir, i'm about out of ammo," said a rebel. He had to make a choice, fire the last of the ammo and take their chances or leave now, the Union made his decision for him. The unmistaken bugle call rang out and the shouting of men drowned the town as hundreds if not thousands of Union troops mass charged their position. "FIRE AT WILL!" Charles opened up his revolver along with wild firing from the rebel line, Union soldiers dropped dead but didn't faze the others "RUN! RETREAT!" Charles and the rebels had no choice, they ran as fast as they could as Union fire cut down rebels from behind.

Charles ran into the nearby forest, his revolver in hand but now useless. He unit was down to a few dozen, bullets kept tearing at him and the retreating rebels striking bodies and trees. Some rebels with what little ammo would shout, "GO! I'll hol-" only to be cut down immediately. Resistance was futile. Charles felt the hot burning sting of a bullet entering his left leg, "AGGGGGGHHHH" he fell down gripping his wet bleeding leg, two rebels picked him up "get to the creek!" Charles struggled to say. He was profusely bleeding and needed medical treatment. They reached the creek and Charles pointed to a depression that formed an indention into the side, "In there!" they took him in there and began putting pressure on his leg, "we gotta get the bullet out!" Charles quietly told them "No leave it in! just get something to tie my leg up to slow the bleeding." They tore some of their clothes and made a torniquet. Once they finished, they fell silent at the sounds of Union troops shouting near them, "Where are they! FIND THEM!" Charles' heart was beating but at this point he was exhausted. The Union troops were getting closer, random gun shots would be heard when they found other rebels followed by the occasional cheer as if they downed a beast. 

Clear and loudly, they heard some Union troops over them "Gotta find that prick, Captain is offering first dibs on anything in that town for him" they were thankfully impatient and didn't bother to look for the trail of blood in the creek bed. They wandered off looking, "We stay here til night fall, then we reach Le Troi" Charles was now feeling it, what happened, he lost thousands. His two comrades were broken, they didn't just lose, they were massacred. With no help the Union would just stomp them out. "Please Aniyah...come back with help."

The first battle between rebel Tafatu and the Union Forces was a divisive victory for the UST. Over 1,431 Rebels were killed with 621 Union troops killed. The Tafatu rebellion was already on the verge of collapse. 

[Greywall]

Siege of Le Troi
Winter 1930 Touli

Fifth Army of the UST Army
100,000

-50,000 standard infantry
-50,000 light infantry
-200 field artillery


Tafatu Rebels
180,000

-50,000 standard infantry
-20,000 light infantry
-110,000 conscripts 
-60 field artillery

The rebels were dug in deep, their rifles and field guns aiming at the swell of blue assembling South, as if the situation couldn't get worst snow began to fall. Some of the rebels forgot it was dead of winter with their adrenaline pumping. But the Union soldiers didn't, they were ready to get warm again, by burning the city. 

The UST troops split their army into three columns South of the city, light infantry would lead the charge behind a volley of artillery strikes at the forward defenses. As artillery guns fired onto the trench lines the light infantry moved forward their rifles lowered with bayonets equipped. The artillery strike ceased causing the infantry to start shouting into a charge, the rebels however had sufficient cover. "FIRE!" a deadly volley of fire ripped into the Union infantry who were stopped, several remained in the open firing into the trench missing almost every time. Rebels would pop up, fire, hit a soldier and duck back down to reload their single shot rifle. The light infantry brigades were stalling, but the rebels decided to unleash their deadliest weapon, their own field guns. "FIRE" the field fired into the open field holding the light infantry, the light infantry companies were butchered as the heavy rounds tore them down. Desperate screams of men with their bodies torn asunder drowned the gunfire, "maintain fire!" rebel commanders ordered, the light infantry then fell back. Their losses heavy and the initial assault ineffective. Rebels began shouting and celebrating, it was the first taste of victory they had since rising up. 

The Union command were furious, the light infantry were immediately reorganized for another attack, but this time the Union ordered their artillery to fire without stopping. Union guns pounded the rebels lines, "RETURN FIRE!" Rebel artillery guns fired back startling the Union forces, Captain Yakando was sincerely shocked, "The fuck is this bullshit!?" for several hours both sides exchanged artillery fire but the Union had the advantage of more guns doing more damage. "Goddammit, prepare another fucking assault." Shouted Yakando, the light infantry mentally prepared as they were to be sent back to the trench line. After another half hour of slamming the rebel lines the light infantry charged again, only to be met with more rifle fire. The open field was just too open for the Union infantry. The light infantry exchanged fire for half an hour before retreating again. "Whose in charge of the light infantry!?" Yakando shouted, a man in a clear officer uniform began to raise his hand before Yakando shot him in the head with his revolver, "Fucking cowards! We should have them by now!" the Union artillery barrage once again resumed. 

The rebels returned fire but they knew they couldn't match the Union long as the ammunition for their artillery was already low. Union troops were ordered to dig in ditches and defenses, if they couldn't storm the city outright they would lay siege. "Have a rider go South, tell them at Juaz we need a shipment of artillery ammo and possibly reinforcements. Might need the goddamn 3rd Army." Riders would be sent with messages, Yakando was furious, he wanted another Tarafan but the rebels were fighting much harder here. Rebel artillery strikes would get lucky striking Union troops from time to time but Union artillery was nearly on point hammering the trench line and some rounds going back to hit buildings. 

The first phase of the Siege had both sides exchanging artillery fire.

Union losses sustained - 6,453
Rebel losses sustained - 1,345

[aimway921]

The port of Kyograd was bustling with activity. For the first time in decades, the ports of the nation were flooded with soldiers boarding ships. The standing army of Ashinara counted over 200,000, and her Generals were counting that it would be more than enough to achieve victory without the need to mobilize the reserves. Just in case, however, they were at a moment's notice ready to announce mobilization. For now, soldiers, cannons and machine guns were being loaded onto transport ships. A few that were already full have already set sail. They were headed towards the Franerri coastline, from where they shall board trains and head further South - the the city of Le Troy, where eyes of the Toulian nations shall soon converge.

First wave expected to arrive in Le Troy in 2 weeks:

-1,000 Special Infantry
-2,500 Heavy Infantry
-2,000 Dragoons
-1,000 Carabineers
-75 Field Artillery
-50 Mortars

[callmedelta]

Franerre was mobilizing. In the city of Saint Parsson, 200 kilometers north of the Union’s border, 10,000 Dragoons, 10,000 Carabineers, and 1000 Special Infantry support staff would be redeploying to the border and ready to cross when the order was given. The cavalry had brought enough arms with them to arm 5000 Tafatu rebels. 20,000 Heavy Infantry units, 200 artillery pieces, and 1000 Special Infantry support staff from the border with Elenria would be redeployed by train to Saint Parsson, both expected to be in position by the week’s end.

On the other end of the Union’s border, 20,000 Standard Infantry units and 100 artillery pieces from the Galatea Line on the Galran border were being redeployed south, also expected to be in place by the week’s end. Active reserve units of conscripts from the interior of Franerre were called up to replace them manning the line.

[aimway921]

"Look at this!" Petro called over his comrade. The soldiers were huddled around a cafe at a Franerri train station. While they were waiting for their turn to board the train to go south to Tafatu, they had about 30 minutes of freedom - and a few coins of pure silver to spend. The second soldier - a fox, wearing the purple-gray uniform, loaded with field gear and a rifle slung behind his back, come up to the fox dressed in the same uniform and loaded with the same equipment calling her. Petro was already chewing on the croissant he just bought. "You should absolutely try this, Gdynia! They are so sweet and soft! I promise, when I get back home and return to my family's bakery, I will get the recipe for this and spread this deliciousness across our island!" Petro, who was just 20 years old, has served in the Royal Army for almost 2 years now. If not the the war, he'd be going home in a few months. But who knows, maybe the war will last only a few months.

The first wave will arrive in Le Troi in 1 week:

-1,000 Special Infantry
-2,500 Heavy Infantry
-2,000 Dragoons
-1,000 Carabineers
-75 Field Artillery
-50 Mortars



The second wave will arrive in Le Troi in 2 weeks:

-500 Special Infantry
-5,000 Regular Infantry
-3,000 Heavy Infantry
-2,000 Dragoons
-500 Carabineers

[Greywall]

Siege of Le Troi
Winter 1930 second phase



Union forces finally broke through the front line defenses, the fierce artillery strikes forced the rebels to retreat into the city. "All infantry divisions get in there!" Yakando ordered, a good 40,000 mass of armed men marched under the cover of constant artillery fire. The Union artillery adjusted to aim deeper into the city wildly hitting buildings, rebel troops took what wounded they could to the center of the city near the main hospital, but it was already overflowing. Several barricades to clog up Union advances were lined up with rebel firing lines that opened fire on advancing Union troops. Union forces kept rank even in the open street with shoulder-to-shoulder volleys. Gunfire would be exchanged back and forth for several hours as urban fighting flooded all the Southern districts of the city, over time Union infantry finally broke their old dated tactics to fight behind cover as several casualties were sustained from rebels firing from behind cover. 

"Maintain heavy fire at the inner ring of the city" called out an artillery commander, heavy rounds from the aged cannons began to pulverize and destroy buildings containing rebel sharpshooters and fighters. The Union forces didn't care about colleterial, they needed the city to fall. Union infantry were slowly pushing into the city, rebels simply didn't have the firepower needed to hold the barricades. The strongest point of defense would be around the hospital, encircled by the city itself it had several large barricades, the last of the rebel field guns that could be recovered were drawn back but they only had a few shells. "We're losing the city! They're going to take it!" said one rebel, "Not today they are!" a truck drove through the main plaza of the hospital where several rebel soldiers were positioning themselves, on the back was a stolen Union Gatling gun. "They'll come right up the Southern corridor, once they top the barricade, they'll find the fuck out!" the soldier loaded the gatling gun, pointing it at the main Southern barricade where several rebels were already firing at advancing Union soldiers. 

Charles Kendaya was inside the hospital, trying to get the wounded civilians out. "We gotta move these people" he said to the nurse who helped him earlier, "move where? Some of these people can't go anywhere." Charles was overwhelmed and angry, "we have to try! The Union will shoot this hospital up!" they slowly started moving wounded through the Northern entrance away from the advancing forces of the Union Army. "There's a bank several blocs up, we can put them in the vault the-" a loud eruption struck the hospital as Union artillery had moved from their original position to target the central plaza of the city. Shell strikes randomly hit all over, hitting unfortunate rebels and pulverizing some of the barricade defenses. A sharp bugle came followed by the shouts of charging infantry at the Barricades, "here they come!" rebel troops fired rapidly at the charging horde, bullets exchanged between both sides taking equal victims. Rebels struggled to reload their Berdan rifles under the severe pressure, it was already a difficult rifle to load and reload but the Union was applying pressure to break them. 

"Running out of ammo!" "They're scaling the barricade!" "We need reinfo-" rebel defenders were cut down rapidly as Union soldiers quickly took the barricades. Rebels quickly retreated back to the hospital, where several carts, cars and furniture would be used for cover before they had to unfortunately fall back into the hospital itself. Union soldiers climbed over the barricade jeering only to be met with hellfire. "GO TO HELL YOU FUCKING PIGS!" the rebel soldier unloaded the Gatling gun into the Union soldiers shredding them apart and dropping their lifeless bodies below. Rebel rifle fire sustained where the gatling gun came short putting consistent fire at the advancing Union troops, as the Gatling gun reloaded the field guns would fire their last precious shells. "This isn't enough, we need more!" a rebel shouted, trying to pull his jammed bolt back. "It'll have to be" he turned to the voice and there stood Aniyah holding a Frannerre Ilucil Modèle 1915, from behind her were some rebels who couldn't fight due to a lack of weapons. "Sustain your fire! They're not taking this plaza!" Aniyah shouted and fired her rifle along with the rest, compared to the poorly maintained Berdan rifles the Modele rifles had smoother pull bolts and fire much quicker. The Gatling gun began firing again forcing the Union troops to use the other side of the barricade for cover. 

In a prolonged fight the Union forces could last longer, but Union commanders were impatient. The second wave of 55,000 were sent to surround and cutoff of the city from the North, if they wanted to fight a long drawn out battle, they would get it. The Union Army would also be able to encircle and outflank the rebels, likely what they should have done in the beginning. At the day drew on consistent rifle fire would be exchanged across the city with the majority of the fighting being in the center of the city. 

Second phase of the siege, Union forces seized control of the Southern district of the city and are slowly encircling the rebels. 


Union losses sustained - 7,934
Rebel losses sustained - 6,543
All rebel artillery nearly destroyed

[callmedelta]

Marshal Zelgius’ desk was a mess, the scattered paperwork a reality that came from trying to move from his offices in Pareau to Ft. Marson, closer to the front. He didn’t exactly have the time to organize it either, in fact it always just seemed to pile up more. A knock at the door heralded another message. It was Generals Ranulf and Tauroneo, breathless. Ranulf slammed the letter down on Zelgius’ desk, another on the stack of paper that now completely consumed the surface of the desk. It was a report from the front. Franerre was out of time, the Union had moved on the rebels in Le Troi.

“Tauroneo.” The breathless man managed a salute. “You’ll be commanding the forces on this front. Get a message to the cavalry to move out. The infantry are to move out from Saint Parsson and follow after them. Get a telegram to General Lex in the East, he’s to begin his march too. Renault will stay here and help me plan and coordinate our strategy.” Both men nodded, solemn.

~

The 20,000 cavalry units and their support staff on the border are given the order to move on Le Troi, the 20,000 infantry units, their artillery, and their support staff at Ft. Marson further back were to march after them. In addition, the 20,000 infantry units on the eastern border and their artillery were to move to Do’rville and ascertain the situation there.

[aimway921]

First engagement of the Ashinaran Royal Army with the Union Army of UST
Winter 1930, second phase of Siege of Le Troi

1st Ranger Regiment: 1,000 Special Infantry
3rd Infantry Regiment: 1,250 Heavy Infantry
5th Infantry Regiment: 1,250 Heavy Infantry
19th Dragoon Regiment: 1,000 Dragoons
14th Dragoon Regiment: 1,000 Dragoons
11th Carabineer Regiment: 1,000 Carabineers
2nd Field Battery: 75 Field Guns
1st Experimental Battery: 50 Mortars


The column of Ashinaran soldiers marched south, headed straight for Le-Troy.

"SIR!!!" A Cavalry man was riding at full speed towards the front of the column, where General Lishenko was. This was a scout. "SIR!!! Enemy forces west of us, headed straight for us! 40,000 troops!"

"Dear god..." Lishenko thought. "Have they heard of our arrival?"

"SIR!!!" Another voice called. This was another scout, this one riding from the East. "Sir, 20,000 troops are marching right at us! They will be here in less than 2 hours!!!"

A total of 60,000 enemies marched at his column. Lishenko only had 6,500, and that's including the cavalry. 10 to 1 odds. He had to make a decision quickly.

"COLONELS, TO ME!" The General cried out. 8 foxes on horseback quickly joined him.

"Vershevsky, take your Rangers and face the East flank. Take the 1st Experimental with you. Go about a quarter mile and meet them with hellfire."

"Yes Sir!" two of the officers replied, and rode off to their men. A minute later a whole block broke off from the column of infantry and started moving Eastward.

"Fedinsky!" The General meanwhile addressed the other officer. "You and Bobrenchenko take your infantry and face our West flank. Have your machine guns rain lead on the enemy."

The two officers rode off in a similar fashion. Soon a much bigger portion of the column moved West.

General then faced the remaining officers. "Nerchenko, Kerpach, take your Dragoons East and West repectively. Envelop the enemy from the North and hit them as soon as they start retreating. If they don't... Listen for our bugle, we'll charge forward if the situation gets hopeless. Mahno - take your Tachankas North and South. Cover our flanks with machine gun fire. Keep the rest behind the infantry, and give them support. Bunchuk, Station the artillery here, have 60 guns facing west and the rest - East. MOVE!"

All the officers directed their men as ordered. The foxed moved unusually quick. The front of the column has heard the scouts loud and clear, and passed on the word to the rest of the troops. Everyone new, if they don't move it, they're dead. In just 30 minutes the column was deployed, units facing in two directions. Many soldiers made what little cover they could in the absence of time - most could only prepare prone shelters. Machine gun and mortar crews, having several soldiers working on a single emplacement, managed to dig shallow foxholes complemented by breastwork parapets - they provided barely any more protection than the prone shelters most soldiers dug. But at least they were no longer completely in the open, and at least somewhat concealed behind the few inches of dirt they dug up, tucking their heads into the grass. By the time most were done, the officers could already see the swarm of blue jackets headed towards them through the binoculars. 2 miles... Still out of reach of the artillery. 1 mile... Just a little bit closer. Half mile. Almost... Quarter mile. By now the Union soldiers could be seen with the naked eye as a blurred block of blue - and that's with Ashinaran vision being sharper than that of humans. 400 Yards...

The tension was broken by a loud and long whistle. This was the signal. Machine guns sprung to life. There wasn't a lot of them - just one for every 50 soldiers - but when you had a whole regiment, that number was impressive. Along with the machine guns, the riflemen opened fire. Tearing through the Union troops, a hail of rapidly repeating bullets was unleashed. In the East, 20 seconds in, the first mortars opened up. This was the first test for them on a real battlefield - would they hold up to the task as their designers promised? Mortar shells were at first falling too short, or too much to the side, but eventually they found their marks.

10 Tachankas rushed the flank. Getting into the left side of the force attacking from the West, they have turned around and opened up their machine guns, forcing the two UST divisions into crossfire.

[Greywall]

Siege of Le Troi

Winter 1930 second phase

Union forces in the North trying to encircle the city marched from two deployments, one east and two divisions west. The divisions were 15-20 thousand each, once they reached the North linking up they would press their advantage to slowly encircle the rebels at the heart of the city. Many of the infantry were hopeful, the end of the war was coming at last. 

Then scouts saw something, "Sir! There's a deployment up ahead!" the division commander would give a puzzled look, "Impossible. Rebels?" the scout shook his head, "Never seen anything like them, looked like...fox men...they were digging in. They've seen us." The divisions quickly became aware of the foreign force but did not recognize it, likely because no South Touli had ever met an Ashinaran. They had clear orders, remove them. 

The divisions would spread their infantry out into an assault formation, bayonets equipped, and bullets chambered. As they approached the enemy it felt like an easy task, they would be enveloped quickly. Then the machine guns hit, within seconds the first lines were mowed down, "Return fire!" Union troops opened fire in the open as their comrades were butchered by repeating rifles and machine guns. 

West

The West had greater numbers, they surged their forces forward forming firing lines at the Ashinarans, but it wasn't enough to counter the machine guns. Their sheer numbers could still take them but the arrival of the Tachnakas changed that, as the horse drawn wagons rode by and opened fire into the West's flank it forced them into a cross fire. "What the fuck!? IS THAT!?" cried one Union soldier. A volley of rifle fire would fly at the Tachnakas from several hundred rifles striking what they could. With casualties too heavy and their position compromised the division commander ordered a retreat back to the artillery line. 

East

The mortar rounds and machine gun fire completely stunned the Eastern division. Like the Western division they were caught in the open and attempted to press on the Ashinarans but were met with the disadvantage of them having better weapons and some cover from the dugouts. The Eastern division overwhelmed also withdrew back to the artillery line. 

Back at the main line the arrival of the encirclement divisions angered Union commanders but reports of fox men entering the area and attacking them concerned the commanders. "It sounds like the damn Ashinara...what are they doing here." Yakando said angerily. "More importantly why did you fall back?" the division commanders explained they had better weapons and despite their numbers their troops were wavering at how quickly the Ashinara cut down their fellow infantrymen. 

"Send riders to Juaz, we need the 3rd Army after all." Yakando had a feeling this was only the beginning, "If Ashinara is here, then so is the Franerre. Prepare our battle line." 


Union losses attacking Ashinara: 4,323

[aimway921]

Siege of Le Troi

Winter 1930 second phase

Ashinaran losses repelling Union attack: 289


The hail of bullets was overwhelming. Both coming in and going out, but the Ashinaran soldiers were protected by the mounds of earth they dug up. Their enemy, meanwhile, was wide in the open. Suddenly, someone cried out. "THEY'RE RETREATING!!!"

"CEASE FIRE!" The officers yelled, the commanded being passed down the battle line by officer and soldier alike, silencing the rifles and machine guns. Someone played a signal on the bugle. This was the signal artillery crews were waiting for. A few guns fired ranging shots at the retreating mass of Union soldiers. As soon as they had them pinned, the rolling thunder emerging from 75 barrels of 70mm artillery emerged, lobbing shells into the UST troops until they got out of range - which would be about a quarter mile away from the infantry positions. As soon they were out of range, the Dragoons sent to the flanks before the engagement began emerged. Taking pot-shots at the retreating soldiers, they have accompanied them for several, until they noticed the main UST force in the distance and retreated.

The main Ashinaran lines quieted down. General Lishenko looked over his soldiers through the binoculars. He had to make a quick decision on what to do next. Without missing a beat, he gave orders to the cavalry messengers to distribute then next plan of action amongst the commanders.

"TO THE CITY, DOUBLE TIME!" The soldiers quickly packed anything they may have dropped - mainly their shovels - and lined up for a quick march. Meanwhile two messengers were sent under a white flag at full gallop to the city to inform the Tafatu fighters that help is coming - and to not shoot at the Ashinaran troops about to march into the city from the North.

About 30 to 40 minutes, the soldiers, pacing at a slow jog, have reached the first buildings of the city. They have made it. General Lishenko asked to be taken to the Tafatu commander to brief him on the situation, as well as letting the Tafatu commander know that they have just repelled an encirclement attempt while on their way here.

[callmedelta]

General Tauroneo’s horse strode through Le Tori’s north gate. His force of 20,000 cavalry had been mostly free from attacks, thanks to his Ashinaran compatriots, though they had seen a few small ambushes. It had only delayed them slightly, and he had left a force of 1,000 Dragoons to assist the Ashinarans in securing their flank, but Tauroneo was glad to finally be in the city. The combat appeared to have entered a lull with the setting of the sun, though the sporadic pop of rifle fire and the smoke from several fires could be seen coming from the city’s south side. That did not bode well.

A pair of haggard looking soldiers were manning the inside of the gate. As the General got closer, he saw one of their arms was in a sling, the other leaning heavily on the wall due to a bandage around his leg. “Where is your headquarters?” Tauroneo asked in commons. Both men continued to stare at him. The General called over an aide who knew Tafatu and relayed his orders. The man with the sling excitedly began to give directions to the aide, while the other still looked on, blank.

Continuing through the city, the General was astounded at how crowded the place was. Women, children, men old or disabled, spilled out into the streets from the overcrowded buildings. The stench of filth, blood, and death persisted through the air, too pungent to be from the fighting across the city. Tauroneo had only one thought on his mind. Pareau had vastly overestimated the state of the Tafatu rebels.

General Tauroneo strode into the Tafatu’s command center, his height, broad frame, distinctly Franerri blue officer’s uniform, and impressive facial hair all combining to draw the eyes of everyone in the room. “Where is the commander of the forces here?” Tauroneo asked in commons, his voice booming through the room.

[callmedelta]

General Lex stood upon a hill, overlooking the city of Do’rville from the north. It seemed to be in rebel control, at least, but there was almost no one there. There were no trenches constructed outside the city, no patrols sweeping for enemy troops, and there were barely even two brigades in the city, if that. Lex mounted his horse, the officers walking on foot behind him, just as their conscripted men did.

The sight of Lex’s army soon caught the attention of the rebels as it crested over the hill, a small contingent coming out to meet them as the army drew closer to the city. Lex dismounted, leaving his reins to an aide as he strode forward to meet the rebel commander. “You, you’re from Franerre?!” the man asked, almost as if he didn’t believe the sight before him.

“Are you the commander of the rebels here?” Lex asked.

The man nodded. “Xavier Danyan, at your service.”

Lex nodded. “How’s the situation here?”

“Most of the army is in Le Troi, with Commander Kendaya,” Xavier answered, “The Union’s army followed them. If they’re defeated at Le Troi, that may be a death blow for the rebellion.”

“Don’t worry,” General Lex answered, “We have 10,000 soldiers at my command here, and Pareau has sent 40,000 to Le Troi. Your rebellion isn’t over yet. Someone, get me a map!” Lex bellowed. Both his aides and Danyan’s began searching for one, the latter finding it first. Lex looked at it for a minute before making his decision. “1,000 men will stay here and help fortify the city. The remaining 19,000 of us will rest here for a day and resupply, then move onto the crossroads at the south, where I’ll leave another 4,000 men to fortify it. 15,000 of us will move to flank the UST in Le Troi. With luck, we should be there before too long.”

[Greywall]

Siege of Le Troi phase 3
Winter 1930

Rebel forces


The rebels were under constant attack, holding by the skin of their teeth onto the main plaza, the bitter cold of the Touli winter didn't make things easy either. Charles Kendaya was overseeing people being evacuated from the main hospital to the North when he saw a rebel officer run up, "Sir, you're not gonna believe what's happened!" he informed Charles that the Frannerre and Ashinaran militaries had arrived and routed three divisions trying to encircle them, and they wanted to meet him. "Bring them here." said Charles


General Lishenko and General Tauroneo were brought to Charles Kendaya, "I can't believe you actually came, how many have you brought with you?". As he discussed with the foreign generals, Aniyah was trying to keep the rebel front together, "hold steady everyone! Just a little longer!" The rebel advantage was their cover provided from the makeshift fortifications, but the Union was still using the barricades beyond that to prevent taking heavy losses, Aniyah knew they couldn't last as they would eventually run out of ammo.



Union forces

Union infantry divisions were reorganized and preparing for a full charge into the center of the city, "We're ending this charade. Now." Yakando said, "Bayonets, fire from cover and kill everything to be safe. We'll sort the corpses later." Over 70,000 Union infantry made their push into the plaza and flowing overflow companies to flank the center of the city. Hundreds to thousands of Union soldiers would begin to pour into the plaza, while receiving rebel fire their sheer numbers would be simply too much. 10,000 infantry would remain behind with the UST artillery batteries to hold a defensive fall line. 

Union Riders would arrive in Juaz after riding for several days, alerting the 3rd Army of the intervention of Frannerre and Ashinara, it began its slow assembly of 100,000 troops positioned here to support the Fifth Army's march on the rebels. Riders would be sent further South to alert Veneshy to request the raising of the Union Army, it would take another month or so but the Union could field up to 600,000 infantry into the North. The issue was logistics, troops could be brought up but the UST never used its large army in this capacity before and with supply lines being drawn by carts and what few trucks they owned. If the supply line was hindered at all it would be a problem. The 3rd Army would begin its march to Le Troi to reinforce the Fifth, the Southern reinforcements would come up to force the invaders out and counter invade Frannerre if possible. 

Union losses this phase: 321
Rebel losses this phase: 546

[callmedelta]

General Tauroneo quickly ordered his Dragoons into the city, ordering them to take up defensive positions with the rebels. There wasn’t much time to pick and choose the best positions in a hectic battle like this. “We brought enough guns and ammunition to arm 5,000 men, but it is clear to me that Pareau has vastly underestimated the scale of this operation. We have another 20,000 infantry with artillery and Gatling Gun support inbound, but even they may not be enough. You there!” Tauroneo shouted at one of his commanders. “Get a small group of Caribeeners and send them back to Saint Parsson, 40,000 troops and 5,000 guns isn’t enough to hold this city. We need more reinforcements from Franerre.” The General turned back to Kendaya. “My Caribeeners don’t have enough room to maneuver in this city. I propose they strike west and secure a corridor in case we need to retreat, but you know the tactical situation here better than I.”

[aimway921]

Siege of Le Troi, phase 3
Winter 1930

Central Plaza

"We have bought 3 Infantry Regiments and 3 Cavalry Regiments, along with 2 Artillery Batteries. This is, however, just our first wave, more will come in the coming weeks." Lishenko continued discussing the situation with Kendaya and Tauroneo, while giving out orders to his troops based on the information he was receiving.

"THEY HAVE BROKEN THROUGH!!!" Someone shouted.


Vershevesky did not wait for the General's order. He ordered his Rangers (Special Infantry) to meet the Unionites. Some have run into the surrounding buildings and set up machine guns on upper floors, unloading into the enemy. One Lieutenant took the initiative, and had his platoon hurl a hail of grenades into the mass of the enemy, while light mortarmen began chuck mortar rounds into the crowd. About a dozen explosions rung out over a matter of seconds.

A separate unit of almost 200 Heavy Infantry, their officer having his sword drown, with a fierce battlecry commenced a Banzai charge. Their rifles with long bayonets acted almost like swords attached to a spear, they slammed into the Union troops in a fight to the death.

"We need to get the hell out!" Mahno, who somehow made it though the chaos to the generals in the hospital. "Get the civilians and our soldiers out of the plaza! Then we can decimate this whole place with artillery!"

"Right, pass down the order!" Lishenko responded rather quickly. "Have all the streets leading out of the plaza barricaded and blocked. Set up machine guns to prevent them from charging the barricade. Once everyone is evacuated, send a runner to the artillery to mix all the enemy soldiers with the cobblestone." He then turned to his Franerri comrade, General Tauroneo. "We can handle the Northen side, and maybe part of the Western side. Can you handle the rest, including moving around the UST forces to block off even the streets to the South, locking the enemy in the Plaza?"

Meanwhile a soldier runner has been sent to the artillery battery that positioned itself just outside the city, along with the orders to get ready to rain down hellfire onto the plaza as soon as a new runner brought word that all friendlies and civilians got out.