Arc of Fire

Chapter 646: Chapter 88 “A Decent End to Everything” (Extra 34/81)

December 21st, Eagle’s Nest.

The Supreme Command Department of Prosen continued to hold a strategy meeting.

"So, what are your thoughts on Ante’s new tanks?” the Emperor looked at everyone present in turn, “The front line says they’re immune to all our main anti-tank guns, and in the end, they were barely stopped by the 105mm anti-aircraft guns. But we have less than a thousand of those in the whole army.”

The President of the Imperial Academy of Sciences said, “We are researching

"Don’t talk about things that will take one or two years to develop. I need something that can be brought to the front line right now for emergencies!” the Emperor interrupted the old scientist’s words.

The President and several other doctors present looked at each other, and at that moment, General Ma Qi, the Armored Corps Director, raised his hand: “Your Majesty, we do have an emergency product that can be deployed immediately. It uses the Panzer IV chassis, equipped with a 105mm anti-tank gun with a 52-caliber barrel, and two prototype vehicles have already been manufactured.”

"Oh?” The Emperor perked up, “Where are they now?”

General Ma Qi: “Both vehicles participated in the Barbarossa campaign, one was damaged, and the other was transported back to the Krupp Factory, possibly placed in the exhibition hall.”

The Emperor: “Start producing it immediately! Ante’s new tanks are mostly not yet mass-produced, we must produce them first, and send them to the front line, this time we can catch them by surprise!

"Also, the Panzer VI, which was sent back for redesign, should not be equipped with the 88 gun anymore, we have the 105 gun ready, use that!”

"Er Ma Qi hesitated, but still said, “The new plan for the Panzer VI, if we extend the 88 gun, should also have better armor-piercing capabilities. Also, the long 70-caliber 75 gun on the Panzer V that is being tested should also

"Since we have the 105mm anti-tank gun, then improve on the basis of the 105mm!” the Emperor interrupted the Armored Corps Director.

General Ma Qi yielded: “You’re right, with only minor modifications to the production line, we can begin producing the Big Macs. When tested on the battlefield previously, many flaws were discovered, so the Krupp Company improved the design but did not continue to manufacture new prototypes. I think we can go straight to producing new prototypes.”

The Emperor: “That’s what we’ll do, this time we must seize the initiative. Also, how effective is the use of the new magnetic anti-tank grenades?”

Celtic Marshal and Marshal Bryan both looked troubled.

The Emperor: “If you have anything to say, speak up.”

Marshal Bryan: “The new grenade is too heavy, and to attach it to a tank, it can’t be thrown. Soldiers have to carry something so heavy up to the tank, attach it, then pull the fuse and run away… it’s too demanding for the soldiers.

"Front-line soldiers would rather use simple and reliable incendiary bottles instead.”

The Emperor and the designer who came up with this device both stiffened.

The designer: “Are you actually saying that this is worse than a crude incendiary bottle? This is an advanced weapon that uses a concentrated explosive warhead! We previously tried to fire concentrated explosive armor-piercing bullets with a rifled gun, only to find the results very unsatisfactory.

"Because rifled guns cause the projectile to spin, when it hits the armor, the spin creates all sorts of relative states, so the effect of the concentrated explosive warhead on piercing the armor is also very random.

"That’s why we designed a magnetic head so that the warhead could explode in a more stable state relative to the armor, and reliably penetrate the designed thickness of the armor!”

Marshal Bryan: “I don’t understand the technical details, but the front line says it is not effective. They also say that the Anteans, when they capture these, don’t use them at all, they never use them; they would rather throw incendiary bombs.”

The designer’s face turned red: “This… this is their

The Emperor: “If the front line says it’s ineffective, then you need to improve the design. So far no other country in the world seems to have adopted the concentrated explosive warhead, it’s a great opportunity to showcase Prosen’s technological strength! Make sure to seize it.”

The once arrogant designer now nodded vigorously in agreement.

The Emperor: “At present, the front line has confirmed a total of only eight new heavy tanks and new assault guns, which can only play a localized tactical role, and there are reports that shooting at the tracks and the turret rings is effective, we’re not completely without a way to deal with them.

"Now, the issue is how to hold Shepetovka.”

Marshal Bryan: “Shepetovka has many permanent fortifications built by the Anteans when they held it; unless the Anteans can mass-produce that type of new assault gun, it’s basically impossible to take Shepetovka.

"I can’t quite understand the motivation behind Rocossov choosing this place as a target.”

After a whole day of discussion yesterday, Bryan, Kyle, and other senior officers of the Empire had come to accept the conclusion that Rocossov planned to attack Shepetovka, or rather, they pretended to accept it.

"Of course, it’s to catch us by surprise,” said the Emperor, his lips curling slightly upwards. “Everyone becomes complacent, he’s been dizzy from his string of deceits, becoming paranoid, and out to trick us with unexpected moves. This time he’ll hit a wall, and with that, his myth will shatter!”

After the Emperor finished speaking, he laughed, and everyone followed suit with a laugh.

Once the laughter died down, the Emperor continued, “Of course, we need to be careful not to be tricked by his feinting forces into losing Bolsk. We also need to act fooled, so I plan to draw the 11th Army Group back from the A Army Group to set up defenses in Bolsk.”

Marshal Bryan’s smile froze, “What? Withdraw an entire Army Group? Do we still plan to attack the mountain passes then?”

The Emperor replied, “It’s winter now, and the snow has blocked many areas in the mountains. The enemy’s Mountain Corps will have a harder time with supplies, so they won’t launch an attack at this time.

"As long as we set up defenses along the mountain ridges, we can wait and launch a new summer campaign next year, allowing us to take control of the White Sea coastline.”

The generals looked at each other.

The Emperor added, “And the 11th Army Group has been fighting since the coastal battles began; it’s time for them to rest. With them covering Bolsk, even if Rocossov sends his entire army there, it’s unlikely he’ll completely succeed in taking it.”

Celtic Marshal remarked, “That’s true, but doesn’t this mean we are now on the defensive on two fronts? We just haven’t moved the headquarters’ reserve troops toward Bolsk.”

The Emperor said, “Isn’t this the safest way? Or do you have better ideas?”

"I have no objections to this plan. But… the 11th has indeed taken heavy losses and has not received sufficient reinforcements. If Rocossov does throw that left hook, can they really hold?” Giles expressed his concern.

The Emperor thought for a moment, then said, “Then let Xiplin command his old troops! He couldn’t rescue the Sixth Army Group; this time, let him redeem himself—I mean, if Rocossov indeed throws that left hook.”

Giles still looked worried, “Even if we send a competent general over, a good chef can’t cook without rice. We should at least send him some fresh troops, even one division would be helpful!”

The Emperor didn’t answer his old friend, but Celtic Marshal spoke up, “All the divisions newly formed in the second half of the year in the Empire have already been sent to the front. The remaining divisions are still in training. The High Command has the last division; if we send that out, Prosen will truly have no troops left for battle.”

The Marshal did not continue; to continue would be to spell out “total mobilization” between the lines, which would be a bit too impolite for an Emperor insistent on not calling for total mobilization.

The Emperor’s face grew dark, “We could draw an Armored Division from the Western Front to the Eastern Front and place it under Xiplin’s control. However, we cannot afford that risk. If the Allied Forces land in Carolingian, they could directly threaten our homeland. No, I cannot take that risk.”

Silence fell over the meeting table.

At that moment, everyone felt the utter difficulty of the situation.

The Emperor suddenly stood up, sighing, “Two months ago, our forces were advancing triumphantly, victory seemingly within easy reach, the enemy crumbling, defeated.

"At that time, I even flew to the front myself, met with Admiral Fred, saw the soldiers who had distinguished themselves in battle, and took an oath with them.

"The image of such vigorous life and burgeoning growth is still before my eyes. And now, just two months later, Nan’ant has changed—has it become the burial ground of the Empire?”

Celtic Marshal and Marshal Bryan exchanged glances.

The highly favored General Moochi and Duke Meyer, Marshal of the Air Force, were both bowing their heads in silence.

The Emperor continued, “Ever since this Rocossov appeared in our battle reports, the Empire has been defeated by him, time and again! He is the absolute worst! And yet, none of you outstanding National Defense Army officers have been able to beat him!

"One by one, you have all become his vanquished foes! You can’t defeat even the very worst, and you’ve disgraced the entire Prosen military education system!”

Giles spoke up, “Your Majesty, our successive defeats are not entirely due to Rocossov’s merit. In fact

Even Giles didn’t dare to continue.

—In fact, perhaps the Empire of Prosen’s defeat had been destined from the moment the attack on Ante commenced.

The Emperor turned his head to Giles and said, “I know what you’re trying to say. Stop mentioning these pointless matters and start thinking about how, under the current circumstances, we can bring this to a dignified end.”

The generals all keenly noticed that the Emperor no longer aspired for victory.

His goal had now shifted to “ending all of this with dignity.”

At that moment, a feeling of sorrow struck everyone present, including the Emperor himself.

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