Oh Stalingrad!
Mratnimiat!
Napoléon and Eugen stood before their army to share their plan with them.
"Attention boys!" said Napoléon. "We are about to enter Shizuoka to retake our home, to retake what is ours. Many thanks to our friends from Habsburg Boys High School for still helping us. Here is our plan: we'll divide into two army groups. One of them will enter the city at Aoki, the other one at the south at Sekibe. The medium tanks of both of the schools will lead the line. They'll be followed by the TDs. In the third row will be our French heavy tanks. The Tigers will be at the back." Napoléon saw the disappointed looks on the faces of the crews of Habsburg's Tigers. "Pardonnez moi boys, but still, your tanks are better on open fields than between houses. No worries, you'll not be left out of the fun! Anyway: the first task of both army groups will be to reach the Abe River. We are lucky, it's nearly dried currently, we can even cross through the river bed. After that the northern army group will advance following the line of the Tokaido Shinkansen. The southern group shall get through Nishiwaki, Shimojima and Oya. And after that…" The commander of De Gaulle has shown a map. "Do you see this big hilly, forested part here? You shall conquer it so we'll have high positions. The building of our school is right here between the hills and the Nagao River. The two army groups will meet there. Once we got that far most of Shizuoka will be on our hands. After that the reunited army will continue the attack eastwards. Our next destination will be the seaport. Once the harbor is ours everything is ours." Then he went silent. "I know it looks hard and it will be hard indeed. But do not forget the fruit of victory! Everyone is ready?"
"OUI GENERAL!"
"JAWOHL GENERAL!" the replies blared.
"With this Operation Joséphine begins! En avant pour la liberté!"
The second battle of Shizuoka was about to begin. They started the advance around noon. The northern army group led by Napoléon and Eugen reached the first houses of Shizuoka and they entered the city near a Buddhist shrine. They rolled across the tracks of a Shinkansen line. The first streets of the city's suburbs were empty and silent. The unit reached the Maruko River without complication. In the south the other army group which was commanded by Sora, Habsburg's vice-commander (and Nonna's cousin brother) reached the same river without problems as well. It looked like the JSF troops gave up this small slice of the city to find more defensible positions behind the Maruko.
Back in the north the first French medium tanks crossed a small bridge. After rolling a few more meters they reached a branching. Suddenly from both sides enemy shells arrived and a Somua was taken out of action.
"Damn it!" snarled Napoléon. "Forward units, what's the situation there?"
"We see four Somuas to the left and three Semoventes to the right General." said a voice from the radio.
"Keep them busy! 2nd platoon! Follow the line of the river then turn left at the Mochimune Kaido! 3rd platoon! Turn left and attack their right flank!"
As the fight continued at the branching the named platoons went to opposite directions trying to hunt down the enemy. As soon as the 2nd platoon reached road called Mochimune Kaido they immediately met the tanks of Chi-Ha-Tan. The 3rd platoon rolled through the Mizuho Park and encountered the forces of Maginot. The pliers tactic has stuck.
In the middle Napoléon decided to send in the heavy ARL 44's including his own and Habsburg's Panthers. When they reached the corners on either sides they sidescraped so when they revealed themselves the enemy shells have slipped off their armor. They fired back and destroyed a Somua and two Semoventes which caused the girls' schools to pull back. Fighting has stopped on the flanks as well. For Maginot, Anzio and Chi-Ha-Tan it was more important to save their tanks than to keep one certain point under control. If they do so they can use their vehicles again at a better place. They can even use a "hit and run" tactic. So, when the girls faced a stronger enemy unit they pulled back and they disappeared again between the buildings.
In the south situation was kinda the same. Sora's army group crossed the Maruko at three points, at a big two lanes bridge, a smaller one in the middle and Shimokawahara South Bridge near the mouth of the river. They've met with a group of Maginot's ARLs and other tanks but there the surroundings were much more favorable for TDs so Habsburg's Hetzers and Stugs, and De Gaulle's ARL V39s did a good job. Within an hour they were at the Abe River. There was a harsh fight for the bridges but the federals retreated soon.
The northern army group had to do a bit longer journey through the streets and their friends in the south had to wait three hours for them to reach the nearly completely dried stream.
At this point the first really big battle started. The sides bombarded each other from either bank of the Abe. Grenades were flying back and forth. Explosions and metallic clanking filled the air through hours. The boys tried further advances multiple times but enemy fire was too heavy to do so. They've stuck there for the rest of the day and for the night. Morning has also found them on the western bank of the river. This time they couldn't use the SPGs to chase the enemy away because in this urban environment it would create too big destruction, not to mention that the risk was too high that civilians will get hurt. It was an unsaid pact between the sides that whatever happens they'll try their best to disturb the lives of civilian people as less as possible and they'll do anything to keep them safe.
So as we mentioned a whole day of duel didn't bring any success for the confederate schools. They next two days melted away just like that as well. It was becoming really frustrating for them that they cannot do a breakthrough.
The next night Napoléon and Eugen discussed their situation.
"I message the commanding general." said Napoléon. "I'll ask for orders from him."
Kiyoshi's POV
Momentarily it was calm between the hills of Fukushima Prefecture. It was dark night. Kiyoshi was sitting on top of his Königstiger with a map in his hands when Aoto stepped to him.
"General!"
"Was ist das Aoto?" asked Kiyoshi.
"This came from the Shizuoka front a moment ago." said Landsknecht's vice-commander and he handed over a paper.
"Danke Aoto-san." said Kiyoshi as he took the message.
"Unable to cross the Abe River. Stuck on the western bank. Chi-Ha-Tan, Anzio and Maginot have strong defense line on the eastern bank. We require orders and as far as possible help from the High Command.
General Ariwa Genji (Napoléon),
Commander of De Gaulle Boys High School"
So the federals stopped in western Shizuoka? That's not good at all.
"Erich!" Kiyoshi called for his radioman.
"Yes general?"
"Contact Törni for me bitte!"
Hokkaido, Törni's POV
The headquarters of Mannerheim High School was established in the occupied building of Maple High School since the boys forced the federals out of Hokkaido. The students of the Finnish styled school were pretty lonely in the last months. Since Tsar Peter and Odin went to fight in Honshu they were all alone. They had to stay behind to secure the northernmost member of the four main islands. They were alone in the huge winter snow, they celebrated Christmas alone and they followed the news from the front alone.
That night Törni was sitting in his office (which was Maple's student council room before) doing paperwork. He heard a knock on the door.
"Enter!"
His vice-commander, Aaron came in.
"General. The commanding general wants to talk with you."
"Oh! Maybe we can finally take part in action." said Törni and he stood up. They went to another room which contained the long-range radio. "Here I am general." said Törni.
"Glad to hear your voice again my friend." sounded Kiyoshi's voice from the radio.
"Same here Kiyoshi-san. What can I do for you?"
"Not exactly for me but for our friends in Shizuoka."
"What's up with them?"
"The enemy stopped them at the Abe River and they need support."
"And how can we help with that?"
"Do you still have those nice, little toys?"
"Oh THOSE? Yes, we have them back in Otaru. We could never use them because the JSF has forbidden it."
"Well, now it's time."
"But their piercing power is not the biggest in the world." frowned Törni.
"Still it'll be enough against Chi-Ha-Tan. That will be enough for our comrades." replied Kiyoshi.
"Ymmärsi General! How shall we transfer them?"
"By plane. We cannot transport them on land in this situation."
"Copy General! We prepare our Auster V plane."
"Thanks as always Törni-san."
Otaru, Mannerheim's airport, two hours later
The runway of Mannerheim's little airport was well lit by huge reflectors. At one of its end stood an Auster V reconnaissance plan with roaring engine and rotating propeller. A student of Mannerheim named Mikael was standing beside the plane ready to take off. Out of darkness two of his fellows approached him carrying a long and wide wooden box and another smaller one.
"Is that all?" asked Mikael.
"Yes. Here are the four rifles and in this smaller box there is ammunition." replied one of the other boys.
"Thank you guys. I'll put it in the plane."
"Have a nice trip dude!"
"Kiitos boys! (Thank you.) Bye!" Mikael climbed into the cockpit, released the breaks and pushed the throttle forward. The small plane started to roll then it left the ground behind and started its journey to Honshu.
Early morning, Miho's POV
Miho was sitting on her Panzer IV on the countryside of Fukushima Prefecture looking at a map. She still wanted to do her best but she also started to have enough. Suddenly she heard quiet humming from above. She looked up. What is that small, lonely plane doing here? Wait a minute! What sign is that on its wings? A shield with diagonal blue and white stripes and a reindeer and a bear on the middle. That's the emblem of Mannerheim High School! What does this aircraft want here?
Mikael's POV
Mikael landed in the middle of the day on Habsburg's airfield in Nagoya. An AMX of De Gaulle which was sent back from Shizuoka was already waiting for him.
"Here they are boys. Use them well!" said Mikael while handing over his cargo.
"Thank you so much mate." said the AMXs commander. "You can't imagine how much we need these things."
"Anytime when we can help we'll help, don't forget this!" replied Mikael with a smile. "Have a good hunt!"
Éclair's POV, Shizuoka, next day, eastern bank of the Abe River
Éclair was suspicious. Earlier in the morning enemy fire was just as heavy as in the past days. However shortly after noon it dwindled and about ten minutes ago it stopped entirely. What made the boys to cease fire? While the federals continued shooting she observed the other bank with her binoculars. She couldn't see even the smallest signs of confederate tanks. Where did they go?
In the next second she heard the sound of steel meeting steel. But this sound was so weak… She turned her head and saw one of Chi-Ha-Tans Ha-Gos white flagged.
"What on earth? What was that?!" A moment later a Chi-Ha got disabled as well. Soon she could hear many small bullets hitting the Japanese tanks or the road near them. By the time they were awakened from the shock five of Chi-Ha-Tans tanks were out of action. "All units! Do you see anything?"
"Commandant! On the top of that building on the other side!" radioed an ARL. Éclair took the binoculars again. Really! On the top of one of the buildings on the enemy side she saw two lying figures. And another two a few houses away! And both pairs had small gun with them!
"Take cover Chi-Ha-Tan! They have some kind of anti-tank rifle!" ordered Éclair.
Confederate side
Two students from De Gaulle and two students from Habsburg were lying on their stomach on the roofs of two buildings. And both duos had one-one Finnish Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle with them. They had enough power to penetrate the armor of Chi-Ha-Tans tanks and weaken the federal defense line. The boys cheered each time they hit another vehicle. When they saw that Kinuyo's team retreating they took the radio.
"1st sniper platoon to 2nd sniper platoon. The targets are closing to you."
"Copy that." came the reply.
Chi-Ha-Tan was maneuvering between the houses. Suddenly other bullets have arrived from above destroying two more of their tanks.
"What? Where are they?" yelled Kinuyo.
"Nishi-taichō! At two o'clock!" Fukuda radioed. They saw two heads and a barrel on a roof.
"Damn you! Take this!" The Chi-Ha fired at them.
"Scheiße!" the boy from Habsburg shouted as the shell tore apart a big amount of bricks nearby them. "Isn't it forbidden to fire your main guns on humans?"
"See? They don't obey even their own rules!" his mate added. They crossed the dried riverbed last night by feet under cover of darkness and took positions behind the enemy in case the federal light tanks try to escape the fire of the other two Lahtis. "Kommandant, we would appreciate if you'd start the attack soon. Situation became very hot here!"
"No need to say it twice Kamerad! We are coming right now!" replied Eugen through the radio. Now the confederate tanks have all reappeared before the eyes of Éclair. They came out of the cover of the buildings, stormed through the mud and shallow water of the Abe at full speed and clashed with the JSF. They had to be fast for the Abe is a relatively wide river compared to other Japanese rivers and they had no cover. In mean time the TDs stayed behind and supported the attack. After a few minutes Éclair, Anchovy and Kinuyo had no choice but to retreat.
The toughest part of Operation Joséphine has begun now. The boys had to reconquer Shizuoka street by street. According to the plan the northern army group was advancing following the Tokaido Shinkansen while the southern army group was approaching to the wooded hills.
There is no need to say that it didn't go fast. Attacks and counter-attacks came one after another; some streets switched sides multiple times. The hardest fights have occurred at the Sunpu Castle Park, at the road junction of the Ishida Kaido and an unnamed road, at the Toro Park and in Miyatake District. Day and night Shizuoka was echoing due to gunfire. The insane battle was raging since two weeks now and the boys were still far away from their destination.
Yet even in this madness there were some cases of peace and humanity. Like before the sides ate lunch at the same time which became a short, daily cease-fire. During the nights patrols and scouts frequently ignored each other. But the most memorable case happened in Miyatake. The federal and confederate medium tanks were shooting each other on a road. Suddenly a CV.33 fired three single shots into the air. That was the sign when one of the sides wanted to cease the fight immediately. The guns went silent. From behind the tanks of the JSF a little girl appeared on a small bicycle. She was about 10 years old. She had a schoolbag on her bag. Obviously she just wanted to go to school. The soldiers of both sides watched her. She looked like a little fairy. And for a moment she made them to forget about where they were as she passed away near them looking at those huge, frightening tanks with an uncertain look. The heart of the boys and the girls ached as they thought about their own home their own schools and their own peaceful lives. At least this little one can live her life more or less before. Nobody fired during the whole time. The little girls disappeared behind a corner and the shooting started again.
More time passed. Slowly but surely the boys could claim more and more territory. The northern army group had a hard time around Kutsunoya, but their comrades in the south managed to cross the narrow Daiya River and were about to siege the hills. The students of Shizuoka University which was at the western side of the hills had a very exciting time as a brutal tank battle was raging near their campus. Even when they were sitting in classes they could hear the gunfire outside.
It took four days but Sora's army group has occupied the area. Operation Stephansdom was now complete. Soon the boys in the north managed to break through as well. Another four days later they were finally only a few dozens of meters away from the symbol of their campaign: the school building of De Gaulle Boys High School. The girls had to concentrate their forces there as they were attacked from two sides.
Of course the students of Habsburg understood that their friends from the French styled school wanted to lead this charge. As night was about to fall they've decided to start the attack the next day. At night Napoléon gave a speech to his friends.
"Soldats! Our home is right before us. Its loss had a huge impact on us. We had to live far away from it for many long months. We had to live together with the thought that the tyrants are possessing it. But now it's over! The rising Sun will bring us home! The rising sun will give back our school! The rising Sun will give us victory! Get prepared! For tomorrow we are going into victory!"
"YAAAAAAAYYYYY!"
Next morning
Tension was high on both sides as they were sitting in their tanks. Everyone was wondering when the first shot will be fired. Finally short after dawn Napoléon's ARL 44 sent the first shell flying and the fight started. The students of De Gaulle plunged into the battle with strong dedication. They felt that nothing can stop them this time. Their friends from Habsburg bravely followed them.
The three girls schools tried to resist but minute from minute it became clearer and clearer that they'll not be able to hold De Gaulle's school. After an hour into the attack they were forced back into the backyard. The boys in the blue and red uniform couldn't wait any longer. A small group of them climbed out of their tanks ran through the main gate and into the building with rolled up flags in their hands. They were turning their heads back and forth smiling as they were running up the stairs. Finally they got out to the roof. They went to the edge of the building, rolled the flags out and started waving them. Everyone could see it. The flag of De Gaulle Boys High School and the banner of the Confederacy of Independent High Schools were waving on top of the school. The boys cheered at the top of their lungs, the girls were in shock. It was over, they lost the center of one of their enemies.
"All units. Pull back. Take positions behind the Tomoe River." Éclair ordered in a mournful tone.
Despite the success this mission was not over for the boys. A slice of eastern Shizuoka was still on federal hands. The two generals wanted to end this as soon as possible so their soldiers can rest a bit.
"I have an idea." said Eugen.
"Go ahead friend." replied Napoléon.
"Do you see this abandoned industrial area in Yasakahigashi?" Habsburg's commander pointed on the map.
"What about that?"
"Well…"
A few hours later
The federal force was lined up on the Seishin By-Pass. They were checking their tanks when suddenly all the enemy medium tanks appeared from the Yasaka Dori. They fired a few rounds then retreated to the east when the girls' schools shot back.
"After them!" yelled Éclair.
"I hope your plan will not cost all those tanks." commented Napoléon in mean time.
"Do not worry. It will be alright." replied Eugen.
"I hope so." sighed Napoléon and took the radio. "Marcel! Prepare to begin Operation Guillotine!"
"We are waiting for your signal mon general!" came the reply.
The medium tanks rolled into the dusty yard of the industrial area they went to different directions hiding between the buildings. Two minutes later the JSF arrived as well. But they didn't see the enemy.
"Look into every corner! Find those bastards!" commanded Éclair not knowing that the medium tanks have silently left the area and the rest of the confederate force slowly encircled them while hiding in the nearby streets. Minutes of search didn't bring any success. "I don't like this…." murmured Éclair.
"Napoléon to Marcel."
"Here I am general."
"Are you ready up there?"
"The blade of the guillotine is ready to fall!"
"Aim carefully! You may start it!"
Suddenly Éclair heard the sound of any incoming shell. Then a huge explosion in the yard took two of her tanks out of action. Then another impact. Then another one. The Lorrains, Wespes, Grilles and G.W. Panthers were bombarding them from the hills north from the city.
"Get out of here! It's a trap!" In mean time the industrial area started to look like hell. The yard was full of craters; buildings caught fire and collapsed one after another.
"They would have demolished that whole place either way." smirked Eugen. When the federals got out of the area they realized that their way is blocked. They were not organized anymore and fled into different directions. Many of them got hit but miraculously the rest of them managed to escape.
After that the JSF force evacuated the remaining parts of Shizuoka. The boys occupied the sea port without fight. They've got the city back. Back in September of last year the JSF directorate stated that they are nothing more than a joke. Wonder if they are still laughing? The next city on the coast is Yokohama which is St. Gloriana's home city and the doorstep of Tokyo. However Kyousuke and Kiyoshi decided to stop the offensive on that front. The boys needed rest and they'll need a far bigger strike force to assault the capital. Until then they can enjoy the sweetness of this victorious battle.