Reich Marshal of the Belkan Reich

RM Vol 4: War – Chapter 10: Case Yellow (Day 3 – Oops?)

Most Allied anti-tank weapons are either ineffective or obsolete against modern Belkan armor. This fact was proven when a Class-B Puma shrugged off a frontal shot from the rare 47 mm APX anti-tank gun of the Ustian Loyalists. Supposedly, the 47 mm APX is the best anti-tank gun the entire Allied forces has in its inventory. Yet, as evidenced by the astounding progress of the Belkans on all fronts, even the Allies' best is not enough to stop the iron tide. The Allies will have to bring out something bigger than 47 mm, something along the line of 75 mm or even 105 mm and 155 mm howitzer to destroy Belkan vehicles.

Using light and heavy artillery pieces to counter tanks isn't new. Born out of necessity in World War 1 during the emergence of land ships, this tactic is drilled into each artillery crew well into the contemporary era. Due to their defensive doctrine, Ustian Loyalists ensured their artillery could be used in a direct-fire engagement to a deadly effect. While the composite armor of a Belkan Leopard is impervious to common AT weapons, a direct hit from a 105 mm gun may cause a mission-kill on the MBT. In comparison, a hit from a 155 mm howitzer may even destroy the Leopard in the most unfortunate case. On the battlefield, a weapon's effectiveness can sometimes be decided with a dice roll.

If the Belkans attack the Connage axis, there's only one possible approach if they're to set out from Sedan. The Loyalists know this and have positioned their light and heavy artillery along the Connage axis, entrenched in the woods. These guns have a good field of fire in the avenue of approach and can dish out extremely fast and heavy shelling when Belkan armors are spotted on the horizon. To avoid a situation where these makeshift yet potent AT positions can be brought to bear against the 1st Panzer Division, the Belkan Air Force mobilizes a large contingent of its ground-attack aircraft. Deploying from Forward Operating Bases near the Central Maginot front, the 23rd Attack Group launches all 32 of its A-1 Skyraiders in two Squadrons.

At first, the Skyraider was designed to be a cheaper way to modernize the Naval Aviation and Air Force of the Reich to an acceptable standard. Yet, when the F-1 Phantom and AV-1 Harrier have been field en masse, the A-1 Skyraider seems a bit redundant. It's not as fast nor is it as powerful as the other aircraft in air-to-air warfare. Thus leading to it being singled out whenever a QRF is needed from an airbase or a carrier group. Yet, the Skyraider does have its strengths, enough that the Reich keeps the production line of the propeller-driven aircraft going. The Skyraider has excellent maneuverability at low speed and carries a large amount of ordnance over a considerable combat radius. It has a long loiter time for its size, compared to much heavier subsonic or supersonic jets. The aircraft is optimized for surface attack and is heavily armored against enemy interception fire. The Skyraider is also very easy to work with and maintain, with pilots and aircrews commenting that: 'If you can't handle a Skyraider, then you better go back to kindergarten. All of these pros make the aircraft perfect for deployment in low-intensity areas, additional force projection, long hunter-killer patrols, and Close Air Support. The latter of which has given the A-1 Skyraider a surge in popularity in the first couple of days of Case Yellow. Whenever a JTAC calls in for fire support in a constant hot zone, the aircraft that is almost certain to respond is the Skyraider. Owing to its lengthy air time, the Skyraider has grown to be a familiar and respected sight over a battlefield in the eyes of the Belkans and Reformists. In a way, the Skyraider is the living epitome of old but gold. As the last huzzah of propeller fighter craft in the Reich's service, it has somehow grown to be more than it ever meant to be.

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Enough digression, however. The flight from the FOBs to Sedan isn't that long even with their turboprop plane. Soon enough, the 23rd Attack Group arrives above their intended AO. Already briefed and planned, the Attack Group contacts their local air controller.

"This is AWACS Long Caster." A confident voice greets the Skyraider pilots. "Some of you may know me, but for some that don't, I will introduce myself. I, and by extension we, are the best damn AWACS crew out there. So I vow on scout's honor that your sortie on this ungodly early morning hour will end with a victorious bang. Don't ask me how a carrier-based AWACS operates this far inland because frankly, I don't even fucking know. Guess we are just that good for the job. Anyway, let's focus on our tasking, shall we?"

As the Skyraider pilots grow increasingly amused by the nonchalant boastfulness of the AWACS operator, a datalink is established between them and the E-22 of Long Caster. Near instantly, the HUDs of the Skyraiders are lit up with new battlefield information, courtesy of the impressive sensor suite of the AWACS. A long sip of something can be heard on the comms, coming from none other than Long Caster himself.

"Ah, much better." Long Caster comments before saying. "Your primary targets are the entrenched artillery along the river Bar, marked with a helpful bright red TGT by yours truly. Douse them in holy fire then move on to the secondary targets which are enemy garrisons in the three towns of Chéhéry, Connage, and Chemery. Minimal enemy anti-air in the AO but fly low and slow enough, someone will be stupid to bring their machine gun to bear. The weather is dark because it's only two fucking in the morning. It's windy and there's a chance of raining meatballs so keep that in mind and don't kiss the trees. In fact, use your Daisy Cutters and blow away their top cover. That way, your ordnance and yourself won't get caught in the canopy. Other than that, fly tight and safe and keep your head on the swivel. Now if you will excuse me, I need to finish my cappuccino and biscuit."

So that's the famous diner in the air in action, the man sure is chill and relaxed in a hot zone if not anything else. After making sure their targeting data is good all around, the 32 Skyraiders split their task. As requested by the primary objective, one Squadron of the 23rd Attack Wing will strafe the enemy positions first. They're to prioritize known enemy anti-air installations and to cut down enemy forest cover. After that, the last Squadron will swoop down to deliver the killing blow. Now that their tactics are modified and understood by all, the first of the Skyraiders dive low and fast and commit to their attack run. Understandably, the propeller sounds of the Skyraiders are a telltale sign of an air attack. As such, the Ustian Loyalists immediately punch each other awake and run for either covers or their fighting positions. Searchlights are activated, however, before they can be directed at the incoming aircraft, the Skyraiders strike first.

Pulling the trigger a group of Skyraiders unleash a withering hail of 20 mm and 30 mm shells on the anti-air installations along the Connage axis. As the explosions and fragments are showering the sites, the Skyraiders unleash some special care packages to silence them for good. Rockets zip through the air before slamming, exploding in numerous white flashes on the ground. Unguided as they might, the rockets are fitted with white phosphorous warheads. These deadly chemical compounds burn bright, melting men and metal alike.

Now that the immediate threats are taken care of, the rest of the Skyraiders are spurred into action. As the initial planes egress to make another pass on other targets, the next wave of Skyraiders flies above the Loyalist artillery positions. Illuminated by ambient lighting and the clouds of white phosphorus, the warbirds detach multiple bombs from their pylons. Instead of dropping straight down at high velocity, these 500 kg bombs have deployable special high-drag tail fin units. In this configuration, a bomb is referred to as a Snake Eye. Each tail unit has four folded fins that spring open into a cruciform shape when the bomb is released, slowing the bomb by increasing drag, thus allowing the delivery aircraft to safely pass over the target before the bomb hits it. This is a necessity because, in low-level bombings, the delivering aircraft can sustain damage from the blast and fragmentation effects of its own munitions since the aircraft and ordnance arrive at the target almost simultaneously. Since the Skyraider platform has to fly regularly on these missions, Snake Eyes has become somewhat of a trademark of the aircraft. On this particular occasion, however, the Snake Eyes are also equipped with fuze extenders. As the bombs gently touch the ground and the tree canopy with their fuze extenders, they instantly detonate above ground. The chains of explosions cut down large swaths of trees either at the base or are chest height. The air is filled with smoke, bomb fragments, and wood chips flying everywhere. Since the Snake Eyes went off in a manner akin to airburst munitions, the blasts were volatile enough that some of the spooked Loyalist soldiers and artillery crews were made casualties even in their entrenchments. You can't expect trenches to provide top protection similar to that of a bunker, unfortunately.

Regardless, the bombs did what they were intended to do, elimination of the tree canopy. The reduction in visibility, the ashes from all the bombs exploding, and the air being filled with burnable sustenance are just bonuses. Things that are quickly utilized by the last wave of Skyraiders. As the sounds of beating propellers can be heard overhead, some Loyalist soldiers look up to see glimpses of metallic canisters being dropped on their heads. That is the last thing they see before the entire forest, running all over the Connage axis alongside the river Bar, lit up like a volcanic eruption.

The bombs are filled with a mixture of kerosene-based fuel with a lower concentration of benzene. The mixture also contains an oxidizing agent, making it more difficult to put out once ignited, as well as white phosphorus for added lethality and vista. Understandably, the bombs' detonation ignites not just themselves but the plethora of readily available flammable material. Wood chips, fallen trees, and even artillery munitions... All are combined to create an early 4th of July if you're an American on Ustian soils. The burning mixture is so widespread and bright, that one can even mistake it for lava. Fortunately, the river Bar somewhat stopped the burning flame from reaching the other shore. However, munition cook-offs from all the artillery pits provided a visible hazard, threatening even the nearby towns as the explosions seemed to enlarge the fire even further.

As for the soldiers and weapons from three Loyalist Infantry Regiments that were deployed in that burning forest... Well, they're more well-cooked than normal at this point. It's a macabre sight, seeing screaming, burning men running for the river, only for the flame to still stick onto their skins and burn even as they sink to their death. Dying instantly is a blessing. Surviving for a second longer is a curse.

Ultimately, the windy conditions on the early morning of Day 3 decide to fan the fire even further, quite literally so. As a distance thunder rumbles across the air, the winds shift and pick up speed. The air seems to kick up as gusts of powerful winds kick the burning sparks beyond the shores of the river Bar. The winds, carry along with them the searing heat, and ashes, spread to Chéhéry and Connage. Some of the quick-witted Loyalists scream to get firefighting equipment even before all of them can register what's about to befall them. Unfortunately, the warning comes far too late as, already, many buildings, built with flammable material for roofings, are set ablaze. The burning embers carried by the winds have preyed on this new source of fuel, further spreading anarchy amongst the Loyalist ranks. Already, Chéhéry and Connage are forced to divest their attention from upholding their defense to pick up a bucket and run for the river. There's little to no coordination among their ranks. At this point, they fall back to their instincts and hope for the best. They weren't trained for this, after all. It's a miracle that not many of them book it and disappear.

As Chéhéry and Connage start fighting the fire, the 1st Panzer Division has already crept up closer to them amid all the chaos. Truly, these Loyalists can't just get a break from the Belkan boogeyman, can they?

On a side note, there was a town, putting a major emphasis on 'was' here, on the other side of the river Bar... Right, the flame swallowed it, literally. Omicourt was right next to the forest, a mere stone's throw away. It's no surprise that the fire could just hop and devour the entire densely packed town in little to no time at all. The town wasn't a bombing target per se, so at least the Loyalist soldiers and whatever civilians that were there did have ample time to run away. Only a fool would still stay in their house when a sea of fire raced at them like Hell opening its gate.

Regardless... Oops? Omicourt really wasn't a major target to destroy or anything. It literally got swept up in the heat of the moment, pun intended?