RM Vol 4: War – Interlude: Onset of a showdown – Edited by Yovis

RM Vol 4: War – Interlude: Onset of a showdown – Edited by Yovis

Of the three Armored Battalions attached to the Loyalist 2nd Army, 3e BCC is a Battalion using the R35 Light Infantry Tanks, while the 4e and 7e BCCs are Battalions fielding FCM 36 tanks. Each of these Battalions has 45 tanks, with the FCM 36 Battalions being two of the most advanced units of the Loyalists. Despite the hilariously lackluster capability of these Loyalist tanks from a Belkan point of view, the FCM 36 does incorporate some modern aspects in its design, such as a diesel engine and extensive use of welded sloped armor. Back in the old days when the Belkans first faced the FCM 36, they struggled to penetrate the pyramid-like protection of the vehicle. Nowadays, they will be eating such tanks for breakfast.

When the Belkans set up bridgeheads on the Meuse, news of this was late to arrive at the Loyalist 2nd Army Command. Having no radio at all to pass on the message, runners had to pass on the words physically, one officer at a time. As such, mobilization of heavily armored reinforcements for the frontline was slow. Of the three Armored Battalions of the 2nd Army, the R35 Battalion is stationed around Chéhéry and Connage while the FCM 36 Battalions are still stuck in the Artaise region. 3e BCC can't be moved unless the Loyalists wanted the Connage axis undefended, so that leaves 4e and 7e BCCs.

On the first night of Case Yellow, General Charles Huntziger of the 2nd Army wanted to mobilize the FCM 36 Battalions alongside an infantry regiment to the Bulson Artillery batteries. However, due to the rout of the last French defense line at Bulson during the night of the first and early morning of the second day, and the ensuing confusion, the approach march could not begin until noon of Day 2.

As a defensive-oriented infantry tank, the FCM 36 is designed to march with infantries, thus limiting its maximum speed to only 24 km/h. The cumbersome speed, coupled with having no radio set at all, makes emergency mobilization and coordination of units extremely slow. It takes 2 hours for the FCM 36 Battalions to traverse 2 kilometers of terrain. By dusk, the Loyalists finally reach the ridge. At this point, the Belkans have already dug in heavily around Bulson. Their Armored Fighting Vehicles are hull-down while their Panzergrenadies are behind trenches and sandbag covers. Farther behind Bulson, Panzer Divisions are also mustering up for the beginning of the Marshal's attack to establish a new line around the Chemery-Maisoncelle-Raucourt axis. Unlike the Loyalists, the Belkans dominate the night.

Before the Belkan's multi-pronged assault at the start of Day 3, however, Rommel's Mechanized Battalion must hold Bulson in the twilight of Day 2.

In Bulson, Rommel has set up a temporary command post using a Command Puma and two Humvees. Folding tables and chairs, waterproof tents, and multifunction displays... Rommel has everything he needs to direct the defenses of Bulson. Through the view of a Barracuda UAV, Rommel sees the lead elements of the Loyalist Armored Battalions coming into view of his AFVs.

"Return fire only." Rommel commands through the radio. "We don't want to spook them just yet. Let them commit to forming assault formations. That way, we will not risk making them retreat outright. Our goal is the elimination of a major chunk of their fighting power."

Heeding their Colonel's command, the entrenched Leopards and Pumas let the enemy cook for a bit. Though the Loyalists can somewhat see the Belkan positions on the high ground, both sides somehow reach an unspoken agreement, not trading shots, yet. It's as if the chivalrous spirit is still alive in the modern era of warfare. Rommel watches on through the drone's feed with mild amusement as four enemy Companies, two tanks and two infantries, form lines of attack against Bulson. The first wave of enemy attack will have 18 FCM 36s and around 400 soldiers, with their forces divided in half. One force will approach from the road to Chemery while another from the road to Maisoncelle. Ultimately, the Loyalists form two separate battlelines with infantries marching behind their FCM 36s.

Normally, they would then charge into battle, thus also clearing space for more Loyalist units behind them. However, Rommel deems that he has given them enough courtesy as is.

Since Rommel has a bird-eye view of the battlezone, he can see that the conflict is tilting massively in his favor. The enemy is completely stalled by the foot of the hills, unable to advance a single step more. However, it doesn't take long before two separate alerts come up on his command interface. Two enemy Companies are flanking Bulson due to Southeast from the direction of Raucourt. Direct South and behind the massacre zone, the Loyalists are setting up light howitzers and mortars in the hope of displacing or suppressing Rommel's entrenchment.ly

Not disturbed one bit, Rommel command. "Get QRF K-1 to intercept and eliminate the enemy's flanking force. The Loyalists are sending a Tank and an Infantry Company through the Southeastern forest. And get me our artillery on the line. I want the AMOS and the Reformist batteries to shell the enemy position and artillery to kingdom come!"

As one of the QRF prepared by Rommel set out to engage the Loyalist flanking units, Belkan and Reformist indirect-fire units started raising their barrels. AMOS carriers acquire targeting data from the UAV before setting their twin-barrel 120 mm mortar turrets to fire multiple round simultaneous impact volleys. Coordinating with the Belkan Fire Direction Center, the Reformists' 155 mm and 220 mm batteries also set up their own time-on-target barrage. Eventually, the reverberations of artillery fire echoed across the frontline, drowning out even the sound of gunfire and explosions. The AMOS carriers fire repeatedly at a rate of 12 rounds/minute with different muzzle angles and powder settings thanks to their automatic loaders. Though slower to reload, the Reformist batteries make up for the reduction in fire rate by the sheer weight of their shells.

Ultimately, numerous shells land at the same time and all over the Loyalist forces. The many earth-shaking explosions created by a combination of 120 mm, 155 mm, and 220 mm batteries have transformed the once lush terrain into something else entirely. Tanks and infantries are decimated, with the Loyalist artillery utterly erased by the Reformists' captured 220mm heavy howitzer. Charred body parts are everywhere and the ground, red by blood, is now scorched black.

By this point, the enemy has completely broken in both spirit and fighting capability. The only units that are still trying to fight are the two flanking Loyalist Companies that are intercepted by K-1. They too will soon be destroyed, however.

Rommel nods his head. Unfortunately, the enemy is not as much of a challenge as he had wished. Nevertheless, they proved to be a nice change of pace, being destroyed with extremely minimal effort from his Battalion. Now, Rommel only needs to perform post-battle clean-up duties before awaiting the arrival of the 10th Panzer Division. There's no exact number on how many assets Rommel's group has destroyed this evening, but it's expected to be the complete elimination of a Loyalist FCM 36 Battalion. This is a significant victory for the propaganda team.

On a side note, the fact that the Reformists have been able to use captured Loyalist weapons against them to such a devastating effect will probably make a headline somewhere. Quite amusingly ironic.