“The first thing we need to consider is creating an integrated force that covers land, sea, and air. More specifically, a force dedicated solely to amphibious operations.”
“Isn’t that something the Special Response Brigade can handle alone?”
“What is the current composition of the Special Response Brigade?”
“Three mobile battalions, one 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit… and one special mission support battalion.”
“All units under our brigade are primarily infantry. Conducting an amphibious operation with only infantry has its limitations.”
Originally, before engaging in urban warfare, it was absolutely necessary to launch an all-out bombardment.
This so-called “preparatory fire” would suppress enemy morale and greatly facilitate our forces’ entry.
However, since we need to deploy troops inside Fort Morok, we cannot rely on the artillery units of the Southern Corps for assistance.
Therefore, we also require separate artillery support for the landing and assault forces.
Given the restrictions imposed by the aftermath of the Maniopol assault operation, we must expand the number of personnel who will directly land and engage in combat at the port.
One brigade simply isn’t enough. We have gathered corps-level forces, and it’s awkward to just leave them idle.
“And I believe this operation shouldn’t end merely with the recapture of Fort Morok.”
I looked at Joseph Lebandovsky. He nodded silently, apparently agreeing. Only Lumina, the staff officer standing between us, tilted her head as if she hadn’t fully understood what was being said.
“So… what you’re saying is…”
“Advancing south. We should take this opportunity to completely crush the Azoff forces.”
“Excuse me?!”
“They were the ones who brought ironclads and annihilated our Western Fleet. How can we be sure they won’t come back in a few years with airships like us?”
“Captain Enok Revendale makes a valid point, Lieutenant. It’s not that Okhraine hasn’t tried to eliminate the roots of Azoff—it simply couldn’t.”
In any civilization game, if you fail to quickly remove enemy encampments near your city, the hostile units spawned there will relentlessly h*rass you.
The same applies to reality.
If you hesitate to launch an aggressive offensive while citing various reasons…
No one can predict what butterfly effect it might cause months or even years later.
If you think Azoff’s National Liberation Front, which has already conducted a preemptive amphibious assault and occupied our city without provocation, will suddenly reform and join our side…
That’s a thought only an idealist with their head in the clouds could entertain.
We must not leave behind any future threats.
Especially when it concerns national security.
Reflecting on why I failed in my previous life, I realize that excluding all possible threats is the only true path.
“If they’ve dared to invade our territory, they should have been prepared to have their own land taken from them.”
I tapped the map lying on the table with my finger, pointing at the Azoff Islands.
“Isn’t that right?”
*
The two-day deadline Sony Chepelin had mentioned passed. The generals commanding divisions and regiments under the Southern Corps gathered at the command headquarters.
Enok Revendale, a captain, stood at the front holding a pointer, facing numerous chrysanthemum flowers and stars on the shoulders of the assembled officers. Joseph Lebandovsky, a key planner, stood beside him.
Some officers who hadn’t heard much about Captain Revendale or doubted his capabilities wondered why a mere captain held the pointer instead of a lieutenant colonel.
It might seem like a dismissive glance, but Enok Revendale wasn’t someone who cared about such trivial matters.
And anyway, since the corps commander had approved it, who could dare question that decision? Even if slightly dissatisfied, it was unavoidable.
Thus, Enok slowly scanned the faces of the gathered officers, committing them to memory, before finally speaking.
“So… I will outline the plan for the Fort Morok recapture operation and the Azoff Islands invasion operation.”
“Good, go ahead… wait a moment.”
General Georgi Vasiliopoulos, commander of the Southern Corps, widened his eyes in surprise.
“??????”
Did I hear that wrong? The eyes of the gathered generals widened in shock.
Soon, murmurs began to spread throughout the room.
“An invasion operation on the Azoff Islands?”
“You heard it too? I did as well.”
“It seems my hearing is failing.”
Amidst the growing unrest, Sony Chepelin, who had been briefed earlier, along with General Kinbell Lezantsev of the 32nd Division and his subordinate officers, maintained their composure.
After all, the main attacking force for this operation would be the Special Response Brigade and the 32nd Division.
“The invasion operation on the Azoff Islands. You heard correctly.”
As Enok firmly confirmed, a white-haired general abruptly stood up and shouted.
“What nonsense is this?! How do you plan to attack the Azoff Islands?!”
It was the division commander of the 51st Division. However, Enok Revendale remained calm despite the two-star general’s outburst and continued to state his opinion.
“We’ll discuss the Azoff Islands invasion operation later. First, let me explain the plan for capturing Fort Morok.”
“Y-you… Are you ignoring my rank as a brigadier general?!”
“General Rops, please listen first.”
Feeling he had been disrespected, the 51st Division commander turned red in the face and shouted, but quickly quieted down after Georgi’s mediation. Despite this, his expression remained discontent.
“First, to recapture Fort Morok, the navy, our Special Response Brigade, and the Southern Corps must each perform different tasks.”
“The navy?”
“Wasn’t the Western Fleet completely annihilated?”
Georgi’s question was exactly what Enok had hoped for—the essence of this operation.
“The Western Fleet only needs to provide support.”
When the city’s recapture involves naval cooperation and the Western Fleet is only required to provide support, many officers’ eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
At that moment, the young captain gleamed with determination and continued.
“For two days, we’ve thought long and hard about how to reclaim the city with minimal losses.”
It was true.
Sony Chepelin, Joseph Lebandovsky, and even the entire operations staff of the 32nd Division had thoroughly considered it.
But no matter how much they thought about it, directly assaulting Fort Morok like they did with Maniopol had an extremely low probability of success.
The reason the previous city recapture operation was so successful was entirely because they had the advantage of information.
Another reason was that they intentionally created escape routes for the enemies, luring them into those holes and eliminating them—a strategy known as the “rat hole tactic.”
It wasn’t because the enemies were stupid and we were exceptionally strong.
Even Bella Meyer can’t save someone who gets shot in the head or heart.
Had the Azoff 2nd Regiment really fortified the city hall defenses more robustly, chosen to fight to the d*ath, and launched aggressive defensive battles…
Without a doubt, the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Combat Unit would have reached a point where immediate reorganization was necessary.
Even in a victorious operation, a 5% casualty rate occurred, and suffering over 20% casualties was quite common.
Since a unit is considered “annihilated” when around 20% of its total strength becomes combat ineffective…
This meant the combat unit might already have been judged as wiped out.
Moreover, this time, we couldn’t even use the rat hole tactic.
The chances of a surprise attack by storming Diabolus and quickly seizing the port were slim, and the morale, strategy, and discipline of the forces occupying Fort Morok were undoubtedly far more organized than those in Maniopol.
Deploying the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Combat Unit in such a situation?
That would essentially be ordering them to commit s*icide.
If even one person survived, it would be a miracle, yet sending elite troops to certain d*ath under such leadership would be better served by the officer putting a g*n in their mouth and pulling the trigger for the good of the country.
Additionally, amphibious operations are notoriously difficult compared to separate operations conducted on land, sea, or air.
They are almost akin to operations where a nation throws every available resource it has into the fray, with questionable chances of success.
Operations like the Normandy Invasion and the Inchon Landing.
Historical amphibious operations all involved mobilizing nearly every available soldier in a desperate, high-stakes battle.
Failure could result in catastrophic losses from which recovery might be impossible, but success could dramatically shift the tide of the war—high risk, high return gambling.
Consequently, the number of troops landing directly on beaches or ports must be enormous.
There must be precise and extensive bombardments to weaken the enemy’s defenses.
Simultaneous attacks must open multiple fronts to prevent the enemy’s defensive forces from concentrating in one place.
But currently, Okhraine has nothing prepared.
The navy capable of transporting the landing force is almost completely annihilated.
The crucial bombardment of urban areas—preparatory fire—is impossible.
Without transport ships, how could there possibly be battleships equipped with heavy firepower to deliver barrages?
Though Enok is aboard Diabolus III, what good are three 57mm howitzers?
After much deliberation, the conclusion reached was:
“We will capture two ironclads belonging to the Azoff National Liberation Front.”
