Chapter 1547: Chapter 71: Siege (41)
The high-pitched sounds of commands rose and fell, rging with the heavy footsteps.
The flag bearer at the forefront of the troop proudly raised the Flying Winged Lion Banner high.
The Five Camps of Infantry of the Iron Peak County Regint strode proudly onto the battlefield.
They first used the cover of the fortress vehicles, deploying from marching columns into combat lines, and then continued advancing until reaching the foot of the hill.
By the standards of [stalwart], the other side’s formation changes were still cumberso and awkward, but it was enough to catch the attention of the officers of the “Twelfth Legion”.
According to the intelligence they had, the New Reclaid Land Rebel Army was primarily composed of urgently recruited new soldiers—commonly known as conscripts—whose training and equipnt were so poor that they couldn’t defeat even the old, weak, sickly troops attacking the Southern Front.
Yet the rebels before them were calmly deploying and forming ranks, resembling a well-trained strong army.
In the forests to the northeast side of the highland, rebel soldiers in blue-gray uniforms gradually erged from the foliage, like water seeping from stone crevices, seemingly insignificant at first but soon forming a clear spring.
They were also forming ranks.
“The enemy’s foothold is unstable!” The enthusiastic Ninth Battalion Commander, Major Jan Aquina, volunteered, “We can seize the initiative! The Ninth Battalion can lead the charge!”
“Seize the initiative?” Alda coldly glanced behind the hill where the auxiliary cavalry were tending to their wounds, then took another look at the rebel heavy cavalry waiting in formation ahead. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided not to give up the terrain advantage, “We might fall under enemy control. Wait for the rebels to attack themselves. With such a big formation, they aren’t here for a military parade.”
“One, two, three, four, five,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Hamr patrolled the edge of the highland, identifying the flags and counting them silently, “One, two, three, four, one, two, three.”
After tallying the rebel forces in both directions, Lieutenant Colonel Hamr returned to the commander, “Coming down the road are five battalions of the Iron Peak County rebels, and from the woods, four battalions of the Mont Blanc County rebels and three battalions from Thunder Group County.”
The Lieutenant Colonel licked his lips, “By looks, quite a few are missing, and the number of Hundred-n Squad flags seems off, possibly more rebels on the way. But by organization, the rebels besieging Kingsfort are all here.”
Alda nodded slightly.
Thomas Hamr had more to say, but he hesitated, internally conflicted before voicing his concern: “The rebels’ morale seems off, not like one facing a breakdown. They must have… preditated preparations.”
“I’m not blind,” Alda replied without expression, “Lieutenant Colonel.”
Thomas Hamr lowered his head and said nothing more.
Indeed, every person on the hill with sane minds and clear eyes could already see:
The advancing forces weren’t just the rebel rear-guard—how could a rear-guard have so many people and flags?
It was the main force of the rebels, their entire army;
And very likely, they were coming for [stalwart]!
Vansco Alda took out a handkerchief, carefully wiping the dust off the dals on his chest, then spurred his horse to the front of the formation, slowly passing by soldiers as he reviewed the five battalions on the highland.
“Gentlen! Originally, I intended to fight a grand annihilation battle at Silver Fish Ferry for you,” his voice echoed across the hill, filled with passion and vigor, a sharp contrast to his cold, somber deanor when facing battalion commanders, “But looking at the situation now, we’ll have to make do with this little hill instead!”
[Stalwart] soldiers shook their spears and pounded their shields, responding in a deep roar.
“Rember your honor, defend your position, and do not retreat a step! Rember! You are ‘Stalwart’! Successors of Ned Smith! Glorious soldiers of the United Provinces! The butcher bows before you! The Pretender Emperor flees before you! No one can destroy the United Provincial Big Square Formation, neither the Pretender Emperor nor the rebels! Not now! Not ever!”
[Stalwart] responded again in a chorus.
“Are you ready?”
[Stalwart] returned with enthusiastic cheers.
“Then let them co!!!” Vansco Alda drew his sword, shouting the command Ned Smith once used, “Square Formation—Face the Enemy!!!”
All United Provinces soldiers on the hillside shouted in unison.
[Stalwart] battalion commanders exchanged glances, silently nodded in farewell, and returned to their formations.
From both northeast and southeast directions, the rebels were now encircling the Twelfth Legion.
Nonetheless, “Stalwart” remained fearless—for the Square Formation was born to be surrounded.
—————–
[Three days ago]
[Reserve Officers Combat eting]
Since the quiet end of the “Montessori Tutoring Class,” this was Winters’ first ti teaching.
He specially acquired several grapevine switches—without them, Mr. Montaigne always felt his hands lacked sothing and an emptiness in his heart.
“In a nutshell, the core of Ned Smith’s military thought is [strategically offensive, tactically defensive].”
“Defense is a more powerful form of combat than offense; a pre-positioned army can often withstand an enemy force several tis their own strength;”
“Conversely, if an army recklessly attacks another enemy with similar troop strength and combat capability, they are bound to run into problems.”
“If the enemy still holds a sturdy fortress, the commander giving the attack order must surely be a fool.”
Reviews
All reviews (0)