The Winter Offensive of 1931

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Ashinaran Royal Army has been consolidating forces at Le Troi for several months. While Franerre has been fighting at Tarafan and Dorville, Ashinara funneled in troops and supplies, and most importantly, two new advanced technological weapons never before seen on this continent - aeroplanes and tankettes. Since Ashinara had a very limited number of them, and no ability yet to produce new ones, only purchase them from abroad, it was important to take any and all necessary steps to maximize their effectiveness while minimizing chance of loss for any reason outside of combat.

By late Fall 1931, around half a million Ashinaran troops, most of them Light Infantry, have amassed in the Le Troi region. The Le Troi Fortified District, as Ashinaran official reports have dubbed it, has been completed thanks to the effort of both Ashinaran soldiers stationed in the area and Tafatu civilians employed to help construct the defenses, over the last couple months, with trenches, large ditches protected by wooden caponiers, and even a few concrete bunkers, both on the surface with firing holes and underground to take shelter from artillery. This would be the last fallback line for the Ashinaran military should the future fighting turn against them and force them into retreat. If it ever comes to this, just as Le Troi has been their baptism of fire, it shall also be their last stand.

But now it was time to actually do something. Winter would start in just about a month. The Royal Army had begun it's march Eastward, to Tarafan, where it will rendezvous with Tafatu and Franerri armies, from where they'll start their march on Juaz. Special carts were built by the Army Engineers to transport tankettes without wearing down their parts or wasting fuel, while improvised airfields would be constructed at each large city stop for the aeroplanes to quickly move around the country.

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General Omani and the rebel army had long settled into Tarafan rebuilding the town, assisting the Frannerre in establishing defenses and restocking on supplies. "Be sure to keep a flow of wagons from Le Troi, I don't want our supply lines compromised" the general told his officers. Omani was a former UST military commander who retired to his native Tafatu after years of service, his defecting to the rebellion greatly helped in the organization of its military and training.

He was waiting for the arrival of the Ashinara and Frannerre forces for this planned Winter offensive. It would be risky, marching the entire coalition out but word had already traveled that the UST defeated Frannerre forces in the East. "Ferville, that's where we need to head toward next." the city had declared neutrality in the outbreak of the war, not taking a side and trying to keep the war away. It was the heartland of Tafatu and home to several farmers that were selling to both sides. Not only that, but Ferville was networked to hundreds of villages and towns. The entire UST agricultural state was bound to this one city, if the coalition took Ferville it would severely harm the UST food supply for the following year. It was likely that the UST hadn't made a move to seize the city outright to prevent the flow of food from stopping or because the Frannerre had delayed them.

"We have to take Ferville, their neutrality ends this winter."

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Riders on the fastest horses were sent forth ahead of the army. Arriving in Tarafan, they have passed General Omani a note from General Lishenko:

Frontline Directive #12

To the highest ranking commander of the Coalition forces in the city of Tarafan.
Requesting an immediate construction of a basic airfield on the North side of the city. The airfield must have the following:

-A flat runway no less than 60 yards wide and 300 yards long, with surface of compressed soil.
-Parking area no less than 100 yards wide and 100 yards long, with surface of compressed soil, with a path no less than 60 yards with surface of compressed soil connecting it to the runway
-No less than 4 storage warehouses with gates wide enough to accommodate horse-drawn carriages.
-Chainlink, wire and/or barbed wire fencing around the facility, with guard towers at all corners, and one guard tower in the middle of each side of the fence.

The above facilities shall be instrumental for victories in future battles.


Signed,
Commander of the Ashinaran Expeditionary Force,
General Lishenko

Meanwhile, the main force has set out from Le Troi. The soldiers would be able to afford rest in Tarafan, so the commanders had no qualms with having the soldiers march an exhaustive 8-10 hours a day, making their arrival happen within just about a week. The army would rest for 4 days before setting out in the direction of Ferville.

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Omani had his people begin work on the airfield, it would take some time, likely the remaining fall season if not early winter but Omani employed thousands of civilians and soldiers to have it built.

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The Franerri Army of 110,000 Heavy Infantry, 1,100 Artillery, 10,000 Carabineers, 10,000 Dragoons, and 6,500 Special Infantry support squadrons would join the Ashinaran and Tafatu armies in marching on Ferville

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As the Coalition forces settled in Tarafan for their several days of rest before continuing their march, a Company (100) of Sich Riflemen (Dragoons) commanded by Captain Dirka, who's exploits during the Battle of Le Troi have began to spread among the soldiers, has been set forth to scout the defenses of Ferville.

Meanwhile a 500 Light Infantry, accompanied by 100 Heavy Infantry with 15 machine guns, have been formed into a separate unit to act as the airfield's security detail and personnel. While the airfield was still being constructed, they would join in the construction to speed it up.

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Omani's force had grown considerably with volunteers pouring in, "Another 100,000 have joined us, mixed lot of men and women. The entire country is now up in arms for the rebellion." an officer commented, Omani shook his head. "Until Ferville joins us we're not ready to finish the fight." The large rebel force was preparing for the liberation of their country. 400 field guns recovered from Le Troi were brought up, farmers from all over contributed horses giving them a large makeshift cavalry force.

Omani's forces had grown to 300,000 conscript infantry, 400 field guns, 10,000 dragoons.

[aimway921]

Lishenko would convene with other commanders, offering to send a spearhead force consisting of 20,000 troops towards Ferville as they were waiting for the scouts to report back, while the rest of the army would remain in Tarafan as a reserve. If there would be enemy resistance in Ferville, it would be best that they wouldn't know the true size of the Coalition army, and thus if some of them retreat to Juaz, they wouldn't be able to warm them of what's truly coming.

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"I disagree," General Tauroneo said, "It would be best if the whole army marches. We already know the dangers of underestimating the Union. If Ferville has any considerable defenses, it's unlikely those 20,000 men will be able to take the city. Even if they do, they may prove vulnerable to Union reinforcements while they wait for the rest of the army to arrive. It's best we march with the whole army, meet any Union troops who may be in the city with a show of force so large they may surrender outright if the don't have comparable numbers. With any luck, we may be able to press directly onwards to Juaz and take the city before the Union has time to prepare any defenses once they do hear of our army."

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"Ferville will have some militia, maybe a small army to defend the city but they aren't looking to defend in a straight fight. We need them to join the rebellion and cut off food imports to the South. I agree with General Tauroneo, we should march as one to the city to force talks."

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"Very well then," Lishenko concluded. "Spread the word amongst your men. Ashinaran Army shall move out tomorrow morning. With any luck, Ferville will be under our control on the same day as we arrive at it."

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With the course of action agreed upon, the entire Coalition army began the march to Ferville.