Capítulo 1989: Chapter 1865: Is Dorne Planning to Retreat? (2)
And those heavy equipnt like artillery and tanks, which were already few in number, inevitably suffer losses during deploynt. Without a proper logistical supply and without ample ti for repairs and maintenance… mostly, they will have to be abandoned halfway, wasted during the back-and-forth process.
Valuable and dwindling combat power is consud in aningless comings and goings. I assu the Dorne side generals must feel quite distressed. But there’s nothing they can do, because the Laines Empire can no longer be relied upon.
If they don’t retreat in ti, and once the Laines Empire unilaterally makes peace with the Great Tang Empire and chooses to surrender… their situation will beco even more difficult. By then, cooperating with Laines Empire’s railway system won’t be as easy as now; they might not even find a proper train.
“With Jade City behind us, we can’t venture too deep into Laines territory… but probably can pursue for a hundred kiloters?” A general pointed at the map marked with the red icon representing the Tang Army’s controlled area, expressing his thoughts with a slight inquiry in his tone.
“We’ll see. If the Air Force can provide support, I think we could manage two hundred kiloters.” General Eric’s gaze moved back and forth between the Tang Army’s control zone and the retreat route of the Dorne Army on the map, continuously asuring with his fingers as if estimating the pursuit distance.
He is a legitimate frontline commander, truly experienced. According to his idea, three hundred or even five hundred kiloters could also be achieved with so effort. However, in such etings to discuss combat plans, it’s necessary to be conservative and to involve other military branches to share the responsibility.
“No problem with the Air Force; both Brunas Airport and Ice Crystal City’s airport are ready for use.” Admiral Xiao Yun spoke with confidence, his tone full of absolute trust in his abilities; the Tang Army’s air power has already firmly grasped control over the airspace and can provide strong support to ground troops at any ti.
Actually, he is now the de facto spokesperson for the Air Force since recently Tang Mo promoted Air Force Commander-in-Chief Ibrahim to the rank of Air Force Marshal, making him more a symbol of the Air Force than a frontline commander. Hence, the command over the Air Force on the Eastern Continent has been firmly given to Admiral Xiao Yun.
“We have mature experience in air-dropping supplies… Moreover, the Coalition Forces in Jade City are already overwheld. Do you really think they can threaten your army’s supply lines?” Another air force general sitting beside Xiao Yun asked with a chuckle, his tone sarcastic. In his view, whether it’s the Dorne Army or Laines Army, they are now like holess dogs, posing no threat to any supply lines of the Tang Army.
In reality, bypassing cities for attack, the biggest risk for this perilous strategy is the enemy’s garrison within the bypassed city possibly flanking and harassing the attacking side’s supply lines.
In ancient tis, Nomadic Cavalry could bypass cities of agrarian civilizations and penetrate deep into their strategic regions to plunder, mainly because they could neglect their logistics supply, with the essence lying in “plundering.”
In modern warfare, bypassing cities heavily defended by enemies, it’s impossible to use the railroad and highways through the city to provide ample logistical support for continuing the advance, so under normal circumstances, few generals would make such a bold arrangent.
However, the Tang Army doesn’t really care about these issues; on one hand, the powerful Tang Army has compressed the Laines Empire garrison within Jade City so tightly that they are immobilized, and Paul cannot spare troops to counterattack or harass the Tang Army’s supply lines bypassing the city.
On the other hand, the Tang Army’s robust logistical capabilities are sufficient to sustain moving the battle line hundreds of kiloters forward based purely on field supply… The reason the Army wants to involve the Air Force is rely to extend further if necessary or to ensure a backup plan in case of unexpected incidents.
“Better safe than sorry… ha ha ha ha.” The general who proposed the pursuit of one hundred kiloters laughed in response, his tone relaxed. He knew the Air Force generals would definitely support the Army absolutely, and the Army’s so-called concerns about the supply lines were just trivial. But to be cautious, he and other staff insisted on making foolproof preparations to handle various ergencies.
“We in the Air Force don’t mind. As long as Marshal Tagg doesn’t care about the efficiency in cutting off the enemy’s southern escape route, redirecting so planes to support the Army’s advance poses no difficulty.” Xiao Yun assured, as his Air Force now has no worry about supplies and maintenance at all, having abundant resources to exert generously.
“That’s good. I’ll imdiately instruct Strauss’ troops to bypass Jade City and press forward, letting Ying An’s troops take over his current position. After traveling so far, it’s ti for Ying An’s 11th Corps to stretch their muscles.” After listening to the discussion among generals, Marshal Tagg resolutely issued new operational orders, his tone firm and indisputable.
From their position, Strauss’ 3rd Corps is the southernmost integrated ground force, naturally making it the best choice to bypass the city and head south. As for Jade City… it’s already in the wrapping-up phase; it no longer matters who enters the scene.
“Let’s leave the remaining matters to Strauss himself. Now, we can consider the troops to be deployed in the second phase.” After speaking, Marshal Tagg turned his gaze to the operations staff, calmly discussing as if it were a trivial matter.
“There’s nothing to consider. General Feng Kezhi’s 9th Corps and Hoge’s 1st Corps are pretty much enough.” A staff officer imdiately responded, clearly well-acquainted with the upcoming operational plan.
“The other troops will proceed south according to the plan while resting… In any case, His Majesty’s unification endeavor has reached the final stage; the more it reaches this ti, the more we can’t let our guard down!” Marshal Tagg glanced at the generals present, solemnly warned, aware that even as victory seems near, maintaining vigilance ensures the ultimate win of the war.
“For His Majesty The Emperor!” Everyone raised their chins and loudly chanted in unison: “Long live the Emperor!”
Given the current circumstances, it’s certain that the Laines Empire will surrender soon; otherwise, Dorne wouldn’t have decisively stopped their troops from advancing northward. At present, the Great Tang Empire only nominally faces one sole enemy, Dorne.
The closer we get to such a mont, the more we can’t rush things. Tagg decided to let the troops at least rest for ten days within Laines Empire’s territory, entering Dorne Empire at their fullest strength.
As for the other Empire of Nanla… they have been leisurely all along, never taking part in the Anti-Tang Alliance, maintaining absolute neutrality throughout.
But now the current situation is, as the war to unify the two continents undertaken by the Great Tang Empire has reached this point, how could they let the Empire of Nanla continue to enjoy its carefree existence in neutrality? Hence, it’s ti to dispatch personnel to the Empire of Nanla to see if Emperor Your Majesty is an insightful “hero.”
“That’s not our concern, let Nangong Hong and Jiang Run worry about it.” A general chuckled, casually passing the matter to the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Anyway, if negotiations don’t succeed, it’ll be up to them, the soldiers, to take over.
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