Chapter 415: Sacking of Toledo Part I

The dust had settled after the Army of tens of thousands of prisoners had been rendered into meat paste by the Austrian artillery brigades. Many of the young and veteran soldiers gazed upon the destructive scene with expressions of both trepidation and pride. 

Fearful of what could occur if they should ever make the mistake of taking up arms against the crown, and yet proud of the military might their nation possessed. They had single-handedly wiped out an army over twice their numbers without the enemy even getting in range of firing their weapons.

Such a feat was only achieved due to the use of flares and artillery, which had a combined effect on the superstitious feudal men of the Iberian Army who genuinely believed that the Austro-Granadan alliance had somehow managed to force Angels to fall from the heavens.

If the enemy had kept their wits together, they might have been able to advance upon the first trench line and engage in melee combat with the Austro-Granadan soldiers. However, such an overwhelming display of advanced technology was no different than magic in the eyes of the primitive armies of Iberia and Christendom. Thus they were frightened to their wits and exposed their backs to their enemies, who cut them down with ease.

Berengar gazed upon the carnage that he had inflicted on this field of battle with a wicked smile on his face before stepping back into the trench line, silent as he did so. This sinister appearance led many among his ranks to believe that their King was a man of great cruelty to his enemies. After approaching the rear-trench line, Berengar laid down in his command bunker where he quickly found himself sleeping without a care in the world.

Hours passed, and morning came; with it, Berengar was up bright and early, rallying his Cavalry Forces to prepare to set off in an attempt to wrestle control of the Capital of Castile. With the main Army of their enemy defeated, Berengar did not have to worry about fighting more significant numbers as he advanced upon the city of Toledo. 

Berengar was standing in front of four Generals who had gathered before him. Generals Arnulf and Adelbrand represented the Austrian Divisions. General Ziyad was responsible for what remained of the Royal Granadan Army, and finally, General Alexej Kaspar was here to lead the Bohemian Expeditionary Force. 

The Bohemian Royal Army was equipped with apparel and armor similar to the Austrian Army; the primary difference was that it resembled the Steingaru M1917 Field Uniforms used by Austro-Hungarian Forces during the Great War Berengar's previous life. 

Of course, they were equipped with surplus weapons from the Austrian Royal Army, such as 1417/18 Rifled Muskets and 1417 12lb Field Guns. Nevertheless, they were provided with vastly superior equipment when compared with their enemies. With the quick loading tubes at their disposal, they were still capable of firing roughly five rounds a minute from the entrenched positions. 

Berengar was dressed in his field uniform, with a cavalry saber attached to his belt, along with his 1422 Service Revolver, contained within its holster. He quickly began to give the Generals their instructions as he prepared to set off. 

"While I march off and secure our victory, you will all continue to conduct warfare as we have done so thus far. Maintain a perimeter around the borders of Granada, and ensure that any army that advances on your position is met with artillery fire the moment they enter firing range. 

If the time comes that you must retreat from an entrenched position, do not be afraid to do so, the survival of our troops is the most crucial factor of this conflict. Care for each soldier under your command as if he was your beloved son, and he will follow even into the gates of hell!"

The Generals saluted Berengar as he hopped onto the back of his mount, where Berengar returned their salute; as he did so, he yelled the long-established battle cry of the Austrian Armed Forces.

"God with us!"

After saying this, he regrouped with his Cavalry, awaiting his arrival, where they set on that path towards Toledo. By the time they arrived, the Castilian King was sure to be aware of his primary force's disastrous defeat. Whether he had the stones to stay within the confines of his city and defend it had yet to be seen. 

For several days the Austrian Cavalry, followed by its attached Artillery Battery and logistics unit, trodded forth through the Castilian landscape before finally arriving at the city of Toledo. As they entered firing range of the artillery, which was roughly five miles away, Berengar gave his order to the artillery officer who had accompanied them.

"Set your men to task and focus your bombardment on the main gatehouse; I want that section of the wall brought down before my force's arrival within the proximity of your shelling!"

The Artillery officer suppressed his internal laughter as he heard such a ridiculous order; of course, the wall would be brought down before they arrived within the proximity of the shelling. With the power of the 7.5cm FK 22 field guns, the wall was likely to be brought down by a single barrage. After that, they would focus their guns on the castle within the center of the city. 

However, out of respect for his monarch, the officer merely saluted the young King and nodded his head before responding in the affirmative.

"Yes, your Majesty!"

After saying this, the Artillery battery of six field guns began to deploy their weapons. Upon doing so, Berengar issued his Cavalry to advance forth, five miles was quite a long distance, and a horse could only gallop at full speed for a distance of roughly two miles before becoming exhausted.

As such, they trotted forth towards their target while the Artillery Battery, supported by a logistics unit, began shelling the city, which was utterly unaware that the enemy had gathered in the distance.

The echo of six guns resounded throughout the air as a single battery landed perfectly onto the main gatehouse. The detonation from the six 75x200mmR shells was enough to bring it to ruin; the unfortunate men inside the gatehouse were immediately crushed by the rubble of the stones above their heads. 

Having succeeded in their objective, the Artillery officer in charge of the battery immediately fired upon the Castle in the distance, it was only after a section of its wall was brought to ruin that he ceased fire. After all, they had limited supplies and wanted to take down as many cities as possible without having to withdraw and resupply. 

After roughly an hour, the 10,000 Cavalry reached the ruined gatehouse where they waited upon the orders of their Sovereign and Reichsmarschall. Berengar did not hesitate and immediately bellowed his decree with a stern tone.

"Charge!"

With this command, 10,000 Cavalry comprised of Hussars, Uhlans, Cuirassiers, and Mounted Infantry rushed into the city with weapons in hand and ruthless intent. The path to victory was cleared by the artillery, all they had to do was cut down anyone who got in their way.

The city's few defenders were quickly cut to ribbons by the advancing Cavalry. Those who were not shot with revolvers, or needle carbines, were ruthlessly torn apart with swords and lances. The mounted infantry had dismounted from their horses and advanced into the city with needle rifles in hand and bayonets affixed as they fired upon any man clad in armor or carrying arms. 

Blood now stained the streets and corpses lie piled atop one another as the Austrian forces rapidly made their way through the city which was filled with panicked citizens and towards the castle where the King of Castile was sure to be hiding. With the castle walls brought down, it was a simple matter of rushing through the courtyard where Berengar's Cavalry quickly gunned down the royal guards of Castile. 

Afterward, Berengar stashed his blade away where he dismounted from his horse and raised his pistol, cocking back the hammer so that it was in single-action mode as he advanced toward the Castle's entrance. 

Surrounded by his royal guard, who were outfitted with Needle Carbines, Berengar pulled out a Stick Grenade where he pulled the pin before chucking it towards the front gates. The wooden doors immediately shattered into splinters as the grenade went off with an explosive blast. Afterward, Berengar and his Royal Guard advanced into the castle as the vanguard. 

The moment the smoke Cleared, Berengar saw a Knight of Castile rushed towards him with a blade in hand, yet the young monarch did not even flinch. Instead, he aimed down the sights of his revolver, which was contained within his left hand, and squeezed the trigger. In doing so, a .38 caliber projectile propelled down its barrel and into the skull of the heavily armored knight.

Blood and grey matter splattered out the massive exit wound of the steel helmet and covered the walls. While Berengar killed his opponent, his Royal Guard quickly raised their carbines and gunned down any other Knights within its entrance in ruthless fashion. The access to the Castilian Royal Castle was now secure. 

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