Chapter 211
Chapter 211
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Stockholm Conquest Operation (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
And three months later, on the plains near Visby Port in the Stockholm Kingdom.
"Starting at this moment, we will commence the operations meeting for the war against the Stockholm Kingdom. First, Olga the chieftain—no, Captain Olga, you may speak."
As the words of Commander Keitel, the Stockholm Expeditionary Force commander, fell, the man called Captain Olga, draped in a fur cloak, rose from a corner and spoke.
"I personally led one company of cavalry under my command on a reconnaissance from Visby to Lund and back. We didn't spot any Stockholm Kingdom forces along the way."
"What was the condition of the road to Lund? Were there any obstacles that could hinder movement?"
"The road is somewhat narrow, but even a large army should pass without major issues. I also roughly scouted the defenses of the fortresses along the route to Lund. They didn't look particularly well-prepared. The number of soldiers seemed low, and their armament, by Imperial Army standards, was only second- or third-rate at best."
"If that's the case, then just as Major General Jaeger said, the enemy knew in advance that we were coming this way. That's why they've pulled out everyone except the bare minimum... Excellent reconnaissance work."
Captain Olga, receiving that praise, wore a proud expression, shrugged his shoulders, and returned to his seat.
The other chieftains watching him had gleaming eyes, undoubtedly thinking something like this.
They wanted to rack up major achievements in this war to get promoted to major, rising in status to become proper high-ranking officers respected within the army.
"Major General Jaeger, do you think we should assault the castles the enemy has left with only second- or third-rate troops? Or should we just bypass them?"
Even if a castle was left with just second- or third-rate soldiers, assaulting those walls and capturing it could come at a great cost in lives and time.
That's why, during very rapid advances, it's sometimes the case to simply bypass the enemy's main defensive strongholds.
The reason is that by exposing your supply lines as a weakness to the enemy troops inside, you can move at speeds they won't anticipate and strike their flanks.
Nomads often use that to defeat their enemies piecemeal.
But now didn't seem like the time for that.
"Once our supply lines are established later, the soldiers inside those castles could sally out and disrupt them with sabotage. If the supply line gets cut even once, stable resupply becomes impossible. So, even if it costs us time, I think it's best to capture every fortress along the route."
"That sounds like the best approach. Our army numbers 110,000, but the castles along our path won't have more than 10,000 defenders at most, and not many of those."
There are historical examples of a thousand defenders perfectly repelling the fierce assaults of tens of thousands.
In sieges, the defenders can often repel far larger forces with minimal troops.
But that's only when the force disparity is three to five times. When it's ten times or more, holding out becomes extremely difficult.
Besides, even second- or third-rate soldiers aren't complete idiots. They'd know exactly why the higher-ups left them behind.
Nine times out of ten, they'll open the gates as soon as we approach, and low-morale troops won't hold the walls for long anyway.
"After capturing the castles, it would be best to just disarm all the soldiers inside and release them."
"Thinking of post-occupation public sentiment? Not a bad idea. But some of them will slip away and report our position and strength to the enemy."
"Even if they do, the Stockholm Kingdom forces won't be able to dictate our line of march. So, the only operation they could attempt with location intel is a surprise attack. Moreover, we have reconnaissance units made up of Northerners who can scout nearly twice the distance of regular scouts..."
"So, no unnecessary losses from enemy ambushes. And letting the enemy know our position means we can manipulate their movements as we desire."
Moreover, around Visby Castle where we were and in southern Stockholm, there were open plains with no obstacles except forests.
Even if we let the enemy know our position, there was almost no terrain suitable for ambushes, essential for a surprise attack, making it still difficult for them.
Thus, unless Commander Keitel insisted on charging into a fortress he'd fortified like he'd swallowed a textbook, we wouldn't have to fight on unfavorable ground.
"So, we're planning a major pitched battle on the plains like we did against Austrica last time? A frontal clash on open ground—solid thinking. Plus, we've absorbed many Northerners, so our cavalry ratio is higher than theirs, giving us the edge in every way."
In this era's warfare, the number of knights you had was actually the most important metric for assessing combat power.
But light cavalry—especially horse archers—were just as formidable.
So, with equal forces, the Reich Empire forces with 10,000 knights and 10,000 Northern horse archers held a clear advantage.
The chieftains here knew that too, and shouted loudly, seeing their chance to shine had finally come.
"We will repay the Empire's grace for saving us from Ludwig Khan's oppression and allowing us to return to our ancestral lands!"
"If you give us a chance to prove ourselves, we'll deliver results beyond your expectations!"
"Commander-in-Chief, entrust us with anything. My Olga Company will bring back the greatest victories!"
I hadn't expected them to jump in like that while the commander-in-chief and deputy were speaking, even if the conversation had paused briefly.
But since I understood their feelings, I signaled Commander Keitel, who looked slightly annoyed, to calm down.
Understanding my intent, Commander Keitel simply nodded a few times and responded with dignified composure.
"I know well of your loyalty and passion to serve the Empire. That's why I promoted you all to captain and granted you authority over 100 warriors from each tribe. However, getting this excited before we've even discussed the operation isn't wise."
In truth, command headquarters directing over 100,000 troops rarely allowed anyone below major to even attend.
The chieftains here were granted entry as a special exception due to their status as Northern tribal leaders.
"As you said, we do plan a pitched battle. But before that, I intend to give our 10,000 Northern horse archers a chance to shine first."
At those words, the commander changed his expression and asked.
"It doesn't sound like you're planning to end with a simple frontal clash on the plains. Alright, what's your idea?"
"Nothing other than a surprise attack on the enemy. And for this raid, we'll need brave and swift Northerners."
"A surprise attack? In this flat expanse? That won't be easy."
Indeed, pulling off a surprise attack in open plains was difficult and demanding.
That's why I'd judged it fine to let the enemy have a rough idea of our position, though my argument seemed contradictory.
"It's not easy, but not impossible. Because we can march at speeds at least five times faster than the enemy infantry. With proper terrain scouting and a solid plan in the meantime, we can inflict serious damage."
Commander Keitel looked at my face, sighed, and said.
"Fine. But if there's any risk of failure, withdraw immediately. Just having you lead the horse archers on reconnaissance is a huge help to our forces."
"Yes, Commander."
One week later, on a plain in Stockholm.
"Ma... no, Major General Jaeger! Stockholm's main army is spotted 30 kilometers from here. Roughly 150,000 strong, and the traitor Ishtaven's banner was there too. What are your orders?"
At those words, I replied with a smile.
"Which route do you think they'll take? We need to know that before we can do anything, right?"