Chapter 62 The Battle of Kursk, Part 2
A huge army marching across the plains――the Moruro Empire Battine army. Their main objective was to attack the Yamato Imperial Army, which had landed in their country, with their main force consisting of about 1,000 dragon riders.
Quantity is justice.
An immense army, so large that it seems to cover the entire horizon, charges in the direction where they believe the Yamato Imperial Army is, raising a massive cloud of dust.
As a result of their assault, they reach the forefront of the Yamato Army, the Kursk Plateau.
In a matter of minutes, they will be within range of the Yamato Imperial Army.
“Hehe, what demon lord? There’s no one here, he’s afraid to face this huge army.”
The march went so smoothly that the soldiers couldn’t help but talk about it. They simply ran across the plain, undisturbed.
A sense of relief sweeps through Battine’s Army.
They are fast approaching enemy territory. However, the demon lord does not appear. Just as they think it’s going to be okay…
“Oops, this is a big one. As expected, even I cannot handle this much.”
So far, everything has gone smoothly.
Suddenly, the demon lord appears above them. Flying over the battlefield sky, are 16 ‘Type 5 Fighter’ belonging to the Imperial Guard Air Force.
Their commander is indeed the demon lord who is feared by the Moruro people.
“It’s the demon lord! They’re coming from above, watch out!”
“What? Don’t disturb the formation? Like hell I can do that! Spread out quickly!”
The smooth advance up until now has disappeared.
The engine sound of the Type 5 Fighter is like a dreadful nightmare akin to the roar of a dragon to the people of Moruro, who have been repeatedly and harshly attacked by the demon lord.
When you hear that noise, tuck your tail and run away. Otherwise, only death awaits.
A massive army of 1,000 dragon riders and 30,000 horse cavalry was thrown into turmoil by the appearance of 16 aircraft.
Some of them went straight ahead following the initial order to attack.
Others start to meander in an attempt to avoid aerial attacks.
Then there are those who try to run away, trying to get some distance from the demon lord.
What would happen if these troops, who were originally marching in close formation, decided to move at their own discretion?
Of course, accidents will happen. Conflicts between dragon riders and other cavalry have occurred in various places, further expanding the chaos. It escalates to a point where it can’t be controlled.
They lost several dragon riders in this accident, so it is easy to understand how much they feared the Demon Lord.
But, this is ultimately their own undoing.
From here, the attack by the air squadron begins.
“Okay, gentlemen, it’s time to hunt.”
Under the command of the Demon Lord, each aircraft slowly descends. An improvised siren mounted on the Type 5 Fighter―― ‘Jericho’s Trumpet’ was blaring loudly as they began their assault on the Battine’s army.
One bombed the dragon riders with 30 kg bombs carried under the fuselage, and the other shot the riders with a 7,7 mm machine gun in the nose of the plane.
Sighting devices were still underdeveloped, and bombs were still small and low-power.
However, it is enough to cause significant damage to Battine’s army, which was accidentally crowded together.
It goes without saying that the Demon Lord was as rampaging as usual.
It is surprising that after a single round of aerial attacks, including the accidents more than 70 dragon riders were either killed in action or seriously damaged to the point of being incapable of fighting.
However, their hell is not over yet.
“The enemy is confused! Now is the perfect chance, fire!”
A simultaneous bombardment by the Mechanized Artillery of the Armored Division and the Artillery Regiment of the Marine Corps begins from the artillery positions in the rear of the Yamato Imperial Army.
Countless shells are fired from nearly 100 artillery cannons, raining down upon Battine’s army which is in chaos due to the aerial attack.
Moruro’s giant lizard shell can deflect a rain of arrows, but it does not have the strength to withstand the barrage of 75mm field guns or 105mm light howitzers.
If the shells score a direct hit, the giant lizards will explode into pieces, and even if they don’t, the fragments will still cause damage.
“Go forward, move forward!”
“No, stay back! We need to get away from this attack first!”
And even more major damage.
So much so that Battine, the general, says something very uncharacteristic of the brave people of Moruro, “We must retreat and regroup.”
But he was not allowed to escape.
From the perspective of the Yamato Empire, this is a great opportunity to eradicate the main force of the troublesome horse-riding tribe. There’s no way they letting them escape.
“They are starting to panic. Pathetic.”
“Since they don’t know modern weapons, it can’t help. After all, their opponent is that Colonel Stuka.”
On top of the Kursk plateau, about 200 Type 3 light tanks belonging to the 1st Armored Division were waiting in panzerkeil formation.
By the way, the latest model of the Type 5 Prototype Light Tank has not yet arrived at this unit. That one is being prioritized for deployment to the imperial guard.
“Alright, let’s finish this with our tanks. Sound the panzerlied. Let’s teach these savages what modern warfare is.”
Panzer forward.
Each tank unit of the 1st Armored Division, consisting of 200 tanks, advances simultaneously. Cutting into the center of Battine’s army.
Tank vs Dragon Rider.
This is the decisive battle that determines the strongest armored force in this world.
It’s a scene reminiscent of a monster movie, where a formation of tanks charges into a horde of enormous beasts.
If it were a movie, from here an exciting and fierce battle would unfold… However, the outcome of this battle is already half decided.
If Battine had been in perfect condition, he might have had a chance to win.
Though somewhat diminished by air strikes and bombardment, Battine’s army still has more than 700 dragon riders.
They were in an advantageous situation in terms of numbers against the Yamato Empire’s 1st Armored Division, which had only about 200 tanks.
Moreover, the Type 3 light tank is not a particularly high-performance tank.
The top speed is about the same as a bicycle. The vehicle weighs about 7 tons, it’s not that heavy.
On the other hand, the weight of a Moruro giant lizard is quite heavy, about 10 tons. Their speed is about the same as a horse.
If they make the most use of their weight and speed to the utmost degree and launch a desperate physical charge… It was not impossible to destroy tanks, which are modern weapons.
But that’s strictly under the assumption that Battine’s army was in perfect condition.
In reality, they were in a far from perfect situation.
“Alright, I’m going to get the lizard on the right! Machine gunner, don’t let the cavalry get close.”
“Got it!”
The machine gun in the front of the vehicle scatters bullets to wipe out the cavalry, and the 37mm tank gun crushes the dragon riders.
The half-destroyed Battine army is unable to withstand this onslaught.
Each soldier could only decide whether to flee or resist in the face of the advancing tanks…
Many soldiers chose to turn their backs and run away, shouting, “Run, run.”
A few of the soldiers exclaimed, “Oooh, don’t underestimate the king of the plains!” Then bravely drove their giant lizard to resist.
“From the left, they’re coming to attack. Each tank in the squad, fire the main gun.”
What awaited such a small group was the tank bombardment of the Yamato army.
The Moruro soldiers who still had the will to fight when they were found were crushed under the concentrated fire of the tank squad.
Unable to properly engage the Imperial Armored Division, Battine’s army began to retreat, suffering heavy losses of 500 dragon riders and 10,000 cavalrymen.
However… That is a mere rout.
“I admit my defeat. However, this Battine won’t go down without a fight.”
“Lord Battine, 100 elite riders of our Khan’s guard remain by your side. A revenge battle…”
“Hm, make a large detour around the enemy’s army. We are going after the enemy general!”
Battine had not given up on everything.
It is already impossible to reverse the tide of battle. But at least, even if it is only the enemy general’s head…
Commander Battine, accompanied by 100 of the Khan’s elite dragon riders, retreated from the collapsing battlefront. While the Yamato Imperial Army is busy hunting down the remaining forces of the Battine army, they seize the opportunity for a rapid maneuver.
Taking advantage of their unique nomadic mobility, they bypassed the Yamato forces in front by tens of kilometers, 10 kilometers behind them… They are approaching the position of the Imperial Guard, where the Führer is located.
“Your Excellency! It’s a hostile attack! Approximately 100 enemy dragon riders are approaching!”
“If things continue as they are, the anti-aircraft gun on our right flank will be attacked!”
Eryutheia makes a displeased face at the report from the maids.
It’s the beginning of the second act of the battle that would later be known as the Battle of Kursk.
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