A Peaceful Land of the Orcs (4.11)
The Red Army judged that constructing a pontoon bridge would be impossible.
For such engineering work, not just any part of a river would suffice. The flow needed to be gentle and the width manageable with standard equipment. However, in nature, these conditions rarely aligned—broader rivers tended to have slower currents. Thus, there were very few suitable locations.
The Red Army’s 1st Grenadier Division, stationed in the capital, was intimately familiar with this training ground. They knew only one spot where a pontoon bridge could feasibly be built. Yet that location was too far from the main road, rendering the transport of bridge materials by wagon impossible. The riverbanks were perpetually muddy, and heavy wagons would sink. Confident in this analysis, the Red Army dismissed the possibility.
The Blue Army’s 7th Grenadier Division, however, overcame this challenge through sheer determination. Not only the engineers but also the grenadiers themselves participated in dragging the materials approximately 800 meters manually through the mud. Guided by engineers, the grenadiers, many of whom were farmers or ranchers, were accustomed to physical labor and difficult terrain.
Hailing from the northern regions, known for their limited crop variety, they were also used to surviving on minimal provisions. They doubled their rations in their "bread baskets" and astonishingly completed the task by evening.
Afterward, they executed a wide flanking maneuver to attack the Red Army’s positions from the sides.
The Red Army noticed the move, causing a major panic in their command headquarters. Half of their forces were committed to defending the key road junction, leaving them vulnerable.
On a side note, the Orcsen military doctrine distinguishes between "envelopment" and "flanking" maneuvers. While both involve bypassing the enemy, they differ significantly. Flanking, as seen in this exercise, aims to achieve tactical objectives. Envelopment, on the other hand, is a strategic operation covering greater distances, such as cutting off retreat routes or targeting supply depots deep in enemy territory.
"The northern soldiers are truly formidable..."
Gustav, who had stepped out of the tent, approached Dineluth and the others to update them on the situation. Staring toward the distant east from the hill, he noted that while the river was visible, neither the constructed pontoon bridge nor the Blue Army's flanking maneuver could be seen due to the vast expanse of the training ground and its forests and undulations.
But the outcome seemed inevitable.
"What are you saying? The King himself is from the north. Besides, the Great Eagles have also provided significant aid this time."
This was the response from High General Schwerin, who was accompanying King Gustav.
"Your Majesty. My King, if I may speak bluntly: the General Staff worries too much about logistics. Our soldiers are equipped with two days' worth of rations. With that, their rifles, ammunition, and some medicine, they can go anywhere. After all, it takes more than a bullet or two to kill us."
"... Indeed.”
"Roads and railways are convenient, but situations arise when they're unusable, and sometimes we must take extreme measures. While we deeply appreciate your considerations, extreme efforts can only last two to four days. As commanders on the front, we must never forget that. Dragging along an overly long tail hinders movement."
In Orcsen military terminology, "dragging a tail" referred to cumbersome logistics impeding mobility.
Schwerin’s argument was clear. While the construction of the pontoon bridge and the subsequent flanking maneuver were certainly extreme measures, the Blue Army would likely continue their operation with a nighttime assault, giving the Red Army no chance to recover. They would strike the Red Army’s positions from the sides and rear, securing the bridge and the junction. Once in control of these critical infrastructure points, supply lines could be reestablished.
It was a reasonable approach.
Military operations sometimes demanded such extreme efforts. The Orcsen tradition of leveraging the Orc race’s remarkable endurance for mobile warfare complemented their focus on firepower.
To Schwerin, however, the King's and General Staff’s idealistic emphasis on logistics seemed impractical and overly cautious—a "tail" that hindered maneuverability.
"I agree with you. I do not believe our logistics to be perfect. No endeavor by Humans or any living beings can achieve perfection. Yet..."
Sniffing the air as if sensing something, the King glanced at the sky, where twilight's first hues touched the eastern horizon. He looked around before murmuring.
"Schwerin, it seems... tomorrow will bring rain."
"... What did you say?"
What do you think about this chapter?
