Chapter 193: Things Are Looking Up

“My plan is as follows.” General Hoeppner picked up his whip and pointed toward the center of the map.

“We will use the Dragoon Regiment as our main force, meeting the enemy’s assault head-on… But our goal is not to fight them directly. We must feign weakness, fighting and retreating, to lure them into our designated killing zone.”

His whip drew a circle on the map, marking an open, gentle slope with no cover.

“Our Heavy Machine Gun Battalion will be concealed in advance on the two flanks of this area. When the Gauls pursue our Dragoons and enter this zone, the Heavy Machine Guns will open fire simultaneously from both sides, using crossfire to completely shatter their charging formation.”

“Meanwhile, our Cuirassiers will serve as the reserve force, concealed behind the central line.”

“Their mission is twofold. First, the moment the enemy’s Cuirassiers enter the battle, our Cuirassiers must immediately meet them and hold them in place, absolutely preventing them from disrupting our central position.”

“Second, when the enemy’s main force is crippled by our Machine Gun positions and their formation is in disarray, that is the moment for them to launch a counter-charge! I want them to be like a red-hot blade, piercing straight through the enemy’s heart!”

“Finally, there is our Lancer Regiment.” General Hoeppner’s whip moved to the right flank of the map as he looked at the Lancer Regimental Commander. “Your mission is, after the battle begins, to utilize your mobility to attempt a wide flanking maneuver. Our Hussars will provide you with the precise location of the enemy’s artillery position.”

“Once the time is right, I need you to stab straight into the Gallic artillery position from their rear!”

General Hoeppner’s entire plan was interlinked, bold, and precise, unlike what a traditional Imperial Guards commander might typically plan. It fully utilized their intelligence and firepower advantages, perfectly blending traditional cavalry tactics with a modern firepower trap.

The staff officers in the headquarters were fired up, and the Chief of Staff excitedly said: “The Gauls will never expect that our cavalry has so many Heavy Machine Guns hidden in our pockets!”

“The plan is good, but its execution requires extremely high coordination between all units.” General Hoeppner was not so excited; his expression remained serious. “Especially the Dragoon Regiment in the center. Their retreat must be timed perfectly—they must make the Gauls feel there is an opportunity to exploit, but they must not be actually routed. This balance is extremely difficult to maintain.”

The Dragoon Regimental Commander immediately stepped forward and declared loudly: “Rest assured, General! I guarantee on the honor of the Imperial Guards Cavalry that we will accomplish the mission!”

General Hoeppner nodded in satisfaction. “Very well.” He put down his whip, and his gaze became intensely sharp.

“Gentlemen, the Gauls have always looked down upon our Saxon cavalry, consistently viewing us as lambs waiting to be slaughtered in a cavalry duel. Today, we will show them who the true hunter is.”

“Pass on my order! All regiments, move into your predetermined positions immediately according to the battle plan! Tell all soldiers that the glory of the Saxon Cavalry will be upheld by our own hands today!”

“Yes!” A unified, resounding reply echoed through the headquarters.

The command was quickly relayed to every combat unit via signal flags and Dispatch Riders. The vast cavalry division began to move, preparing to set a deadly trap on the plain. The previously tight marching column quickly spread out to the sides, unfolding across the vast plain like a released spring.

The Dragoon Regiment, the core of the plan, was the first to detach from the main road, galloping toward the designated central position on the map. Thousands of warhorses thundered forward, their hooves sounding like thunder, their momentum astonishing.

When they arrived at the open, gentle slope, the first few squadrons did not hesitate and immediately executed the planned tactical maneuver.

“Prepare to dismount and fight!”

Following the clear commands of the officers, approximately a quarter of the Dragoons skillfully reined in their horses and dismounted. They handed the reins of their mounts to the comrades behind them, then quickly retrieved their rifles and ammunition pouches from the saddles. They then spread out in Assault Squad formations across the front of the slope, forming a dense skirmish line.

Immediately following, the four companies of the divisional Heavy Machine Gun Battalion also arrived, transported by packhorses. They did not stop on the main slope but were led by several scouts who had reconnoitered the terrain, moving into the low-lying areas and inconspicuous clumps of bushes on both flanks of the slope.

“Quick! Quick! Set up the guns!”

“Ammunition boxes! Bring the ammunition boxes over!”

“Deploy according to the ‘crossfire’ plan!”

The low roars of officers and non-commissioned officers rose and fell across the positions. The soldiers efficiently unloaded the heavy MG08 Heavy Machine Guns from the pack animals, swiftly deployed the tripods, and firmly set up the gun bodies. The Assistant Gunners and Ammunition Bearers moved boxes of canvas ammunition belts next to the machine guns, opening the lids and beginning to load.

In just over ten minutes, twenty-four MG08 Heavy Machine Guns were concealed on both sides of the seemingly ordinary gentle slope. They were carefully arranged into individual fire points, capable of forming interlocking fields of fire that created a massive and lethal killing zone.

Where did these tactical ideas about ‘pre-set crossfire’ come from? It was truly hard to guess…

These ‘hindrances,’ which traditional cavalry officers considered clumsy and severely detrimental to mobility, were now becoming the core of the entire tactical system in the hands of General Hoeppner and the new-school officers influenced by the Crown Prince. They had long realized that if the cavalry adhered solely to the ‘charge-only doctrine’ in modern warfare, they would inevitably be rendered obsolete by history. Combining the mobility of cavalry with the powerful suppressive fire of the Heavy Machine Gun was the only path for cavalry survival on the future battlefield. Today, they intended to use the blood of the Gallic Third Cavalry Division to validate this theory.

The dismounted Dragoons also coordinated with the Heavy Machine Gun positions, establishing a complete forward line of defense. They lay prone on the grass, their rifles propped up in front of them, their dark muzzles pointing forward, providing valuable cover for the deployment of the entire central position. Behind them, the majority of the Dragoon main force remained mounted, arranged in several loose lines, ready to retreat or engage in combat at any moment.

The entire central position, like a meticulously woven spider web, silently awaited its prey.

While the Saxon First Imperial Guards Cavalry Division was setting its trap in tense order, their opponents, the Gallic Third Cavalry Division, were rapidly advancing with an entirely different demeanor, charging forward with overwhelming momentum.

In the eyes of General de Moreau, the opposing Saxon cavalry were merely clumsy imitators of the Gallic Cavalry.

“Hmph. What aspect of the Saxons’ organization or tactics did they not copy from us Gauls?” General de Moreau said disdainfully to his Chief of Staff: “Even during that damned war decades ago… our Gallic Cavalry was the only branch that could gain an advantage over the Saxons on the battlefield!”

“And now, they actually dare to provoke us? They are courting death!” His words were filled with pride in the glorious history of the Gallic Cavalry and contempt for the Saxon Cavalry. This sentiment deeply infected the officers under him—especially after their heavy setback outside Charleroi City the day before.

“The General is right! We must show those Saxon barbarians what true cavalry is!”

“Exactly! Use our sabers and lances to reclaim the glory of the Third Cavalry Division!” The officers chimed in, and a fanatical atmosphere permeated the entire headquarters.

Soon, forward scouts reported that the Saxons had halted their advance and deployed into formation on a gentle slope ahead. General de Moreau raised his binoculars, looking at the vague position in the distance. He could see that the enemy Dragoons had dismounted, forming a skirmish line across the front.

“Hah! The same old trick!” General de Moreau lowered his binoculars and sneered: “Fighting dismounted to delay our charge with rifle fire? How naive! That tactic is obsolete!”

It was clear that General de Moreau was completely unaware—or rather, incapable of realizing—the terrifying hidden danger concealed behind that seemingly fragile skirmish line. General de Moreau violently waved his hand, issuing commands with great vigor.

“All units, deploy into combat formation! Horse Artillery Battalion quickly set up your position and fire a barrage on their frontal position! I want their skirmish line pulverized by our artillery fire!”

“Hussar Regiment deploy on the flanks to protect the main force! Dragoon Regiment line up in the front and prepare to charge!”

“Order the Cuirassier Regiment to pierce their defense line through the center once our Dragoons engage!”

General de Moreau’s operational plan was simple and crude, yet still bore the clear imprint of the ‘Offensive Doctrine’ in this cavalry-versus-cavalry confrontation: concentrate the main force and launch a devastating frontal charge, using absolute impact to break the enemy in one blow. He firmly believed that in the face of the heroic Gallic Cavalry, any tactics or plots would be utterly ineffective. The defeat outside Charleroi was just a momentary misstep.

As his orders were relayed, the Gallic Third Cavalry Division quickly transitioned from a marching column to a combat formation. Three Cuirassier Squadrons, like three shining blades, were positioned in the center of the formation. The black horsehair plumes on their helmets fluttered in the wind, standing out sharply. More Dragoons deployed on their flanks, forming dense charging lines.

“Advance!”

As the officers drew their sabers and pointed forward, the entire Gallic Cavalry line began to slowly press forward. The ground trembled slightly under the pounding of thousands of hooves. A bloody cavalry duel, triggered by a mistaken perception at the wrong time and in the wrong place, was about to commence.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The curtain of battle was first raised by the artillery of both sides. The Gallic Third Cavalry Division’s Horse Artillery Battalion quickly deployed, and twelve 75mm Magic Guided Cannons poured salvoes onto the Saxon slope position with an astonishing rate of fire. The shells trailed pale blue streams of light through the air, screaming as they landed in the open ground a hundred meters in front of the slope, exploding into fireballs mixed with earth and black smoke.

The explosions were continuous and deafening. The purpose of the first round of artillery fire, besides ranging, was primarily fire suppression and intimidation—to disrupt the enemy’s formation and break the soldiers’ morale, rather than seeking direct kills.

However, the power and rate of fire demonstrated by the 75mm Magic Guided Cannons surprised General Hoeppner and his staff officers on the other side.

“The rate of fire is fast! And the power is definitely greater than our 77mm Field Gun!” the Artillery Staff Officer said with a grave expression, binoculars in hand: “Captain Morin’s intelligence was completely accurate!” General Hoeppner nodded, his respect for the young Battalion Commander he had never met growing severalfold. He became even more determined to prioritize eliminating the enemy’s artillery.

Soon, the Horse Artillery Battalion of the Saxon First Imperial Guards Cavalry Division also returned fire. In contrast, the Saxon 77mm Field Guns were noticeably inferior in both rate of fire and power. The shells landing in front of the Gallic Cavalry position had significantly smaller blasts and range.

Under the cover of the artillery fire, the skirmish lines of both sides began to make contact. The dismounted Gallic Dragoons and Saxon Dragoons used the terrain to their advantage, engaging in long-range rifle fire. It was just like two infantry units fighting on a plain.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The crisp sound of rifle fire echoed across the battlefield, bullets crisscrossing the air. Occasionally, a soldier would be hit and fall with a grunt, only to be quickly dragged back by a nearby comrade. For a time, the foot-fighting cavalry forces of both sides were locked in a stalemate. Neither could force the other to retreat with sheer firepower alone.

As the central front bogged down, the Lancer Regiment on the Saxon First Imperial Guards Cavalry Division’s right flank began to move. They attempted to use their superior mobility to outflank the Gallic Dragoons’ rear. However, General de Moreau seemed to have anticipated this move. The infantry of the Bicycle Battalion and the Division’s Machine Gun Platoon quickly rushed to occupy a favorable position on the flank before the Saxon Lancers could complete their maneuver. Upon arriving, they quickly laid down their bicycles to form a defensive line and set up their Heavy Machine Guns.

“Da-da-da-da-da!”

When the Saxon Lancers charged close, they were met by a hail of bullets poured out by the Bicycle Battalion and the deployed Heavy Machine Gun Platoon. The first wave of Lancers, men and horses, were cut down in swathes. The follow-up units had to violently rein in their warhorses, retreating in disarray and dodging the lethal bullets.

The first attempt at a flanking maneuver had failed. However, after determining the general firepower deployment of the Gallic Third Cavalry Division, a look of cunning appeared in General Hoeppner’s eyes.

Meanwhile, Morin, observing the cavalry clash via the system map from inside Charleroi City, also noticed a piece of good news. The Armored Airships from Namur seemed to have completed their attack on all the surrounding forts of the Namur Fortress Cluster and were accelerating toward Charleroi. Given the information about the Armored Airship’s maximum airspeed of about 120 kilometers per hour, this meant they would soon receive powerful aerial fire support.

“Holy cow, things are finally looking up…”

(End of this Chapter)

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