chsdbacks Page 147
Page 147
No matter how raging the waves, no matter how unsettling the battlefield, the moment one looks up at the sky:
When the wings of the Il-2 attack aircraft graced the enemy near the coast, burying them in the sand and gravel of the beach, the enemy's desperate deaths were warmer than the fireplace in their homes.
As the Yak-9 and La-7 fighter jets followed behind those annoying flying puppets and helicopters, tearing them apart and throwing them into the sea beside the small boat, even the splashing water that hit their faces felt as refreshing as sweet rain.
Yes, this is what the enemy fears; this is what we are proud of.
This is the motherland that has emerged from four years of blood and tears!
"Hurrah!—"
Chapter 166, Section 229: The Sea and the West
[Foreword: I apologize to all readers. Due to work commitments and frequent all-night shifts, I need to take some time to recuperate. Update frequency and chapter length may decrease recently. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.]
After enjoying a few days of winter tranquility, Berlin was once again thrown into chaos by rising black smoke and dust.
Looking up at the sky, one could see the culprits who had sown the seeds of all this—a continuous swarm of black figures covering the entire firmament, flying away from the city. These bombers, born on the other side of the Atlantic, were once again scrubbing the former capital of the Third Reich with the white bristles of their engine exhaust. However, this time, the soldiers standing under the Britannian flag were not as panicked as they had been the first time.
To the east of the Brandenburg Gate lies a solemn and grand campus, which was fortunate enough to escape major damage during the World War.
Friedrich Wilhelm University, founded over a century ago, was renamed Humboldt University in the fourth year after the fall of the Nazis, a name that resonates to this day.
The Humboldt brothers, Wilhelm, the elder, was a renowned linguist, and Alexander, the younger, was a world-famous geographer. Their statues still sit in front of the main building of Humboldt University, as if protected by God, with only a slight dust of war settling on these two outstanding individuals.
But what would the two buried men think if they knew that one of the planners of a new war was hiding behind their statue?
……
"Your Highness, the American aircraft have already gone far away, and Berlin is safe."
Sassler ran into a hall in the school building. Elizabeth was leaning against the wall, flipping through a book, with Kelly beside her, her hands clenched nervously and trembling. As for this hall, an electronic map had already been placed on the opposite wall—she had ordered it to be converted into a second military conference room.
“I understand, Duke Aetias.” Closing the book, the girl walked to the map. “Well, since we captured Stralsund yesterday, has there been any other good news?”
"I'm sorry, Your Highness... According to reports from the front lines, they are currently completely unable to land on Rügen Island."
"Huh? What happened?" Kelly threw PPSh aside and rushed over. "Did they run into some kind of obstacle?"
"Ah, Your Highness, please don't be agitated." The Duke gave Kelly a wry smile, then looked at Elizabeth. "Also, the member of the Knights of Agincourt you were looking for has arrived. Shall we call her in?"
The princess nodded, and then a female officer who was much shorter than her, with long blonde hair in a ponytail, walked in carrying a laptop.
"Lieutenant Angelie Vorian greets His Majesty..."
"No need for formalities, come here." Elizabeth was quite surprised as she took her arm and led her to the table in the center of the hall.
……
"This is what we know so far." The electronic map on the wall had changed to a picture of Rügen Island as the conversation began.
"The mainland-facing side of Rügen Island is mostly flat beaches, while the other side is mostly cliffs and precipices. The Soviet army's evacuation docks were also concentrated on that side. Although the island's terrain is relatively flat overall, it has been completely armed by the enemy, and no troops can boldly advance near it."
“This…” Kelly scratched his head, “Why can’t we get to the island? Didn’t you mark the bridge to the island perfectly?”
“It’s precisely because it’s intact that we can’t get across.” Angeli paused. “If we take the bridge, the Soviets will know exactly what we need to pass through to get across—the bridgeheads. They can simply aim their artillery at those bridgeheads and fire to block us as soon as we set off. We simply won’t be able to get across. It seems like they’re deliberately trying to lure us out by not blowing up the bridge.”
"A two-kilometer-wide waterway... Hmm, we definitely can't let KMF wade across it..."
"Oh, silly boy." Elizabeth gave her brother's head a good rub.
“We didn’t bring many ships with us beforehand.” Angeli shook her head. “The Soviets basically sent all their ships to the island, or scuttled them on the spot. There were even fewer left that could carry KMFs and tanks. Well, if we put a few sampans together, we might be able to transport a vehicle or something, but I’m afraid that would only be able to be pushed across by the KMFs.”
"How about the KMF air force group crossing the airspace? I think we should be able to concentrate some of them for combat."
“Oh, Your Highness,” the Duke said, finding an opportunity to speak. “The weather is improving now, but the American air raids are putting a lot of pressure on us. You weren’t there when this was reported.”
"Oh? Is that so? Then, Lieutenant, did you attempt to infiltrate the island for reconnaissance and harassment?"
Before Kelly could finish speaking, Angelie snapped a photo onto the screen without a word.
"Last night, the Soviet army dropped more flares on the sea and into the air with their planes and artillery than the number of our Knights... Every area in the city will be shelled, and anything that appears on the sea and in the air will be warmly welcomed by anti-aircraft guns and searchlights. I'm afraid the fish in the sea slept worse than we did last night."
“So, Lieutenant,” Elizabeth pondered for a long time, “you mean that before we have enough reinforcements and preparations, we can only take Rügen Island by softening its defenses?”
"I'm sorry, but it's like this. I have a few thoughts and would like to hear Your Highness's opinion."
"Speak."
"First of all, Rügen Island is not a particularly important strategic springboard. We can completely avoid a direct confrontation. We should first deploy heavy firepower along the coast, prepare more air strike capabilities, and then scout out the Soviet defensive strongpoints and strike them. A full-scale assault on the island should only be considered after all of this is in place."
"Hmm, by the way, the commander of the railway artillery unit should have met with you by now," Elizabeth suddenly interjected. "Did they teach you anything?"
"Well, they taught us some things, such as how to make full use of indirect fire and how to observe where the enemy's artillery might be firing from, and how to retaliate as if the enemy were retaliating against us. But, uh, it's still a bit of a headache. After all, we don't have much of an advantage in just fighting firepower. The number of Canterbury cannons is limited, and the railway for the railway guns hasn't been laid yet."
"Okay... let's continue."
"Secondly, our target is the retreating Soviet troops, which is the most valuable asset the enemy currently holds. At least in my opinion, the loss of a ship full of soldiers and a single artillery piece on the island is more painful for them. Rather than attacking the island as His Highness Kelly suggested, wouldn't it be better to concentrate some air-to-air missiles (KMFs) to attack the transport convoy and escort warships? By the way, I seem to have forgotten to mention that the Soviet forces known as the 'Baltic Fleet' will be a more formidable obstacle to landing than the anti-aircraft gun network. Eliminating it before landing would be a wiser choice."
“Although I understand that dealing with this fleet would be just as costly, right?” Elizabeth smiled.
"Well, at least with the weapons at hand, the KMF's firepower is insufficient to get close enough to their line of sight, and Canterbury... I don't think the Baltic Fleet would be stupid enough to stick their noses in there."
"Well, let me think about my mobile phone. The hadron cannon on it should be able to sink a destroyer or something, right?"
“I don’t know, but…” Angelie suddenly paused in surprise, “Your Highness, you wouldn’t be thinking…”
"Wow! The new Lancelot Judgement weapon my sister just got is amazing!"
“I was just kidding.” Elizabeth turned and pushed her brother away. “Go on with your business.”
"Alright... it's nothing really, I just wanted to know how much support Your Highness can provide us?"
"More Canterbury and KMF Portman submarines should be on their way, but the railway for the railguns will take a while. But there is good news: we have leveled some airfields, and then we can move enough armed transport planes over for daily bombing. Using large-caliber rockets against warships may not be out of the question."
"It's just that the US military planes might not be able to see clearly," Angelie said, pursing her lips.
“You’re absolutely right, Lieutenant,” Elizabeth said, pulling her brother back and spanking him.
"The US military has just as many aircraft as the Soviet military, so it is necessary to treat them well—to destroy more of them and to detect them earlier. Therefore, in addition to requesting more army groups and corps, more new weapons, new and better radar is also one of my requirements."
"Yes, that's wonderful. After all, His Highness's safety..."
"You really know how to care about people, but it seems like you forgot to mention something before."
"what?"
"Navy. The Soviet army has retreated to Rügen Island, so there are no more of their troops on land. Therefore, we need to quickly send the troops westward to check if there are any more coastal ports that can be used. We can't let our warships come here in the future without even a place to dock. Duke, where are our troops?"
"Is it along the coast? It's already as far as Rostock, 67 kilometers west of Stralsund."
"No resistance encountered, right? Well then, I'll add one more order: take this to the command center for me now."
"Please say."
"Send the ferries and the like to the Elbe River, and order the troops waiting on the east bank to prepare to advance westward. Let's see what's waiting for us in the direction of the setting sun. I can't wait to see them."
"Yes!"
……
The Duke left, leaving Angelie feeling a little awkward.
"Then, Your Highness, I will..."
"You stay here with me for now."
"Huh?" Before the lieutenant could react, Elizabeth walked over and actually put her hands on her shoulders.
"You're so cute. I bet your knights' companion who's coming from Area 11 is also a very cute girl."
"This this……"
"Don't be so nervous." Elizabeth walked behind her, who was standing there motionless, and slowly touched the delicate skin on her neck with her fingertips.
"Your Highness! There are people from the south... oh?"
At this moment, two of the princess's female guards rushed in, looking somewhat bewildered at the scene—her younger brother, standing calmly to the side, was engrossed in fiddling with the Soviet submachine gun in his hand.
“No need to leave, Iska,” Elizabeth called out to the two who were about to leave.
"So, Lieutenant Angelie, Rügen Island doesn't really need the Knights' assault right now. Why don't you stay here and live with my guards, waiting for your comrade to return in glory? I'll give her a good reward, hahaha."
Angelie blushed with embarrassment and could only watch in panic as Elizabeth's fingertips traced her body from her back to her waist, then lifted them and placed them on her chest, lewdly adjusting her tie and buttons.
[Tsk, so yaoi vibes]
Chapter 167, Section 230: The Black Tide, Coming from the North Sea
As the sun rises, Rügen Island emerges from the darkness amidst the bombardment, giving some guests who need to arrive quietly a safe opportunity to slip through the air between the swarms of aircraft and the steel figures of the enemy.
A lone Il-4 bomber stood out at the island's airfield, out of place among the fighters and bombers around it, quietly waiting for the sun to rise from the direction of Moscow. Sunlight streamed through the tail and fuselage, illuminating the Soviet soldiers who were lining up to head towards the ferry and shoals on the east side of the island.
No one panicked or rushed to board those ships. A steady red rope was tied to the heart of every comrade, from private to colonel to general.
General Prokhorov, his name was too common in the Soviet army, there were too many people with the same name, but now, the lives of tens of thousands of Red Army soldiers were in his hands.
Good morning, Comrade Kojelevsky.
The VIP passenger he was greeting, who had emerged from the cabin of the Il-4, walked directly toward him.
"Hello, comrade." The colonel wiped the sweat that had accumulated in the cabin. "I'm sorry, I'm the only one in nearby Poland who can leave."
"I understand your situation. The east bank of the Oder River is probably already full of positions and bunkers."
……
The general and the colonel walked side by side beside the soldiers who were lined up to board the ship.
"Marshal Rokossovsky wants to know if you've encountered any difficulties? Could you take me there to check?"
"It's nothing. If you really want to talk about it, it's just that we don't have enough tents for all these comrades. The troop trenches are almost turning a canal into the island we're standing on. Of course, that's not a big problem."
"If only there were more boats."
"Ha, 'You can carry less cargo when you set sail, but when you return, every corner of the ship must be filled with our comrades,' that's what my naval infantry comrades told me, the Baltic Fleet commander's exact words."
"Yes, I heard that too." The colonel nodded. "But you don't seem to know where some of our ships come from, do you?"
"I didn't pay much attention to that. I was only concerned about whether the red Iron Cross on the top was the Nazi symbol, and whether we could shoot it through."
“Then look over there,” Kojelevsky said, pointing to the sea north of Rügen Island. “What’s on the other side?”
"Sweden? You mean?"
"Just as the plane landed, I saw a cargo ship from the other side of the Baltic Sea dock here. I recognize it... Comrade, do you want to know how much we paid these silent Scandinavians to get this infuriating deal?"
"Ah, I'm afraid Stalingrad will have a few more buildings whose reconstruction won't begin until much later," the general said with a wry smile. "So I have a feeling, comrade, that the flames of war might spread to Scandinavia if things get worse."
"So……"
"Comrade General! Comrade General!"
A soldier, panting heavily, ran up and suddenly interrupted the conversation.
"what happened?"
"West! West of the island! Our comrades have spotted unidentified warships approaching!"
“Warships… My God, the Royal Navy?!” Prokhorov and Kodelevsky stared at each other, their eyes wide.
"Send a telegram immediately to Marshal Zhukov and Marshal Rokossovsky! Also, notify the Red Navy fleet on the east side of the island! Get all the aircraft that can take off immediately from the airfield!"
……
The seawater lapped against the shore of Rügen Island, making a rumbling sound like the growling of a brown bear.
The general and colonel had already driven to the western sandbar, each picking up their binoculars and looking out over the sea at a cluster of dark, scattered ships—the sinister hulls, like death shrouded in black cloaks, silently dragged their heavy, massive bodies across the uneasy Baltic Sea, piercing the eyes of every Soviet soldier who witnessed it.
"Oh, this is terrible... What kind of intelligence did our Danish comrades send us earlier?"
"A total of eight ships: four destroyers, four cruisers... yeah, not one missing."
"The Royal Navy...what are they doing here? And why now of all times?!"
“The British should not have overlooked the presence of the battleship October Revolution, nor should they have underestimated the strength of the Baltic Fleet. Although there are quite a few of them, it is a bit much for them to confront us…” Kojelevsky pondered, “And this formation… no, it’s scattered like stars, doesn’t it look like an anti-aircraft formation? It shouldn’t be like this, whether it’s a fleet artillery battle or an attack on an island.”
"Yes, that means they at least don't intend to initiate an artillery battle..."