Alright. Back with another chapter. This is going to begin the land battles of the Terran campaign.
Let's go.
Chapter 10- Battle of Germany
In the city of Berlin, the German military high command is intently watching various screens showing the progress of Separatist landing forces. Most of C-9979 transports are coming towards Berlin. But, some are coming down around Hamburg, and some more near the northern part of the border with France. It's clear this battle is not going to just be the Battle of Berlin, but the Battle of Germany.
The Luftwaffe has been trying furiously to whittle down the number of incoming forces. However, their focus has been mostly diverted by escorting Vulture droids. While most of the Vultures have been shot down, along with a few C-9979s, most of the Luftwaffe's fighters it's already scrambled have been shot down.
"How do we stand in readiness?" Generalleutnant Jorg Kuebart, the head of the Luftwaffe, asks.
"The majority of our troops are concentrated around Berlin. The Separatist are likely sending most of their forces to Berlin specifically for that reason. Hamburg is well defended as well. My concern is the force heading for south-west. We don't have as much troops there," General Klaus Naumann responds.
"Well, with luck, we'll get some outside help. Otherwise, we may lose our south-west flank," Kuebart says.
Above ground, eyes across the city can see the C-9979s coming down outside the city limits. Many citizens feel very nervous, wondering if the defenses are going to be up to the task.
Outside the city, the German Army is waiting. Like many armies across the world, the German Army has been recruiting heavily over the last few months. The force outside Berlin shows that, as 50,000 troops wait for the onslaught. Among them are 8,000 clones.
Miles from the city, the C-9979 transports begin touching down. MTT and PAC transports come out, accompanied by plenty of AAT tanks, with a handful of Persuader-class droid tanks. A few transports also let out spider droids and Hailfire missile vehicles.
The MTTs quickly begin releasing their droids. Within a matter of minutes, the various transports have released almost 300,000 B1 and B2 battle droids and hundreds of droidekas.
In the lead AAT, the B1 assigned as the ground commander calls out, "Advance!"
In perfect sync, the droid army begins marching towards Berlin, with almost 2,500 tanks, spider droids, and Hailfires accompanying them.
To the north, near Hamburg, the C-9979s have deposited over 80,000 battle droids, along with about 700 tanks, spider droids, and Hailfires. The third drop force, near the French border, has deposited 110,000 battle droids, along with 1,000 tanks, spider droids, and Hailfires.
In Berlin, the German troops are ready. They have spent days preparing for this battle, and they feel confident despite the overwhelming numbers.
Near Potsdam, only about 2 miles from where a large portion of the droid army has landed, the Germans have prepared a trap. Using the natural landscape, they have dug a number of alcoves in the earth. Alcoves where they have hidden almost 150 Leopard and T-72 tanks, along with 20 large caliber howitzers.
In one of the tanks, a German major is watching the droids approach. "Open fire on my mark," he calls over his radio, which broadcasts to all the hidden tanks and artillery pieces.
The Germans watch as the droid army closes in. As it closes to within half a mile of the closest tank positions, the German major radioes, "Open fire…now!"
Within seconds of each other, the Leopards, T-72s, and artillery pieces open fire, concentrating their fire on the AATs and Persuaders. Over 100 AATs and 21 Persuaders explode as they are hit by heavy shells. More Persuaders are hit but only damaged.
The droids are caught off guard. And even worse, the Germans did such a good job camouflaging their tanks that the droids don't even see where the fire is coming from.
The German gunners race to reload, firing again as soon as they can get shells into the guns. More AATs, Persuaders, and spider droid begin exploding as they are hit by German shells.
It takes four salvoes from the German tanks and artillery before the droids realize where their enemies are, and begin firing back. However, the tanks are dug in enough that a number of them are simply damaged rather than destroyed.
Hailfire missile vehicles begin firing their missiles, which soar up before diving down towards German tank positions.
The German tanks and artillery continue firing despite their losses. After almost 20 minutes, the droids begin to pull back. As they do, trucks hurry forward to bring more ammunition to the tanks.
Unfortunately, the trucks give a squadron of newly-arrived Hyena bombers a good indication of where the Germans are dug in. The Hyenas soar down and begin dropping proton bombs, destroying several dozen tanks and the remaining artillery pieces.
As the Hyenas pull out of their attack runs, the droids double back and resume their march. The remaining tanks continue firing, but return fire begins destroying what few tanks are left.
Finally, the German major, counting his lucky stars that he's still alive, orders a retreat. The 29 surviving tanks retreat back towards Berlin as fast as possible. Several more are destroyed before they can get out of range of the droids.
However, their ambush, and a similar one conducted several miles to the north against the second half of the droid army trying to come towards Berlin from a different direction, cost the Separatists dearly. About half of the 2,500 Separatist tanks, spider droids, and Hailfires have been destroyed, as well as several thousand battle droids.
As the droids try and re-organize to continue their march, the Germans unleash their next assault. 24 Luftwaffe F-4 Phantoms come streaking in from the south, loaded with 500 lb bombs and rocket pods. As they approach, a swarm of vulture droids, numbering about 30, dives towards the Phantoms. Several Phantoms, along with 12 escorting MiG-29s, pull up to engage the Vultures while the rest press on. Unfortunately, a number of Vultures continue to pursue the rest of the Phantoms.
The Phantoms begin evasive maneuvers as they push north towards the droid armies. However, several are shot down before they can get within range. The few Phantoms and MiG-29s that engaged the Vultures are also shot down, but claim most of the attacking Vultures in the process.
Finally, the 12 remaining Phantoms get within range of the droid army. They dive to the attack, dropping their bombs and firing their rockets on the southern army. Passing over it, they continue north towards the northern army. Two more are shot down by pursuing Vultures before the rest can get within range of the northern army.
The Phantoms drop or fire their weapons, then loop around to engage the pursuing Vultures with their air to air missiles and cannons. The Phantoms are outmatched, and are all shot down while claiming just 5 Vultures.
However, their attacks had proven quite successful against the droid armies. Almost a hundred AATs, Persuaders, spider droids, and Hailfires were destroyed, as well as almost 1,000 battle droids.
The chaos caused by the Phantom attack is enough for the next wave. Now, the Republic takes over as 60 LAATs, accompanied by a dozen more Luftwaffe MiG-29s, head to engage the droid armies.
The remaining Vultures turn to engage the LAATs, but the MiGs fire their missiles and pull ahead to keep the Vultures off the LAATs.
The Republic gunships descend on the droid armies, firing their rockets and lasers. The droids fire back at them, destroying a number of them, but the LAATs swoop overhead and loop back for another run.
The LAATs continue to harass the droids, but the droids are relentless in their march towards Berlin.
As the droids near Berlin, the Germans and clones with them prepare to receive them. They've established barricades in the streets, and a number have taken shelter in buildings.
In a restaurant a little further into Berlin than the outer lines, Captain Rommell is waiting with a company of troops he's been assigned command of. He had arrived in Germany only hours before, when it had been determined it would be necessary to have someone with his capabilities in Europe in case of landings on the continent.
"This is it, men. It's not just our homeland at risk, but the entire world. We have to win. Losing is not an option," Rommell says firmly. The men all nod firmly.
"Take up positions," Rommell orders. The men nod again, and some walk out of the restaurant to take position in the street. Rommell joins them, a blaster pistol in one hand and his lightsaber in the other.
Almost 20 minutes later, the forward units of the droid army reaches the outer city limits of Berlin proper. The droids notice there seems to be no opposition in their path, and continue their march. Of course, they have no idea they're walking into a trap.
On multiple streets in the droid path, German soldiers and clones are hiding on the roofs of buildings, armed with plenty of grenades and RPGs, and ready for an ambush.
The first ranks of the droids march right past the ambush forces. The men watch them impatiently.
"Steady, boys," a clone says to the men around him, watching the droids intently.
Moments later, a German lieutenant colonel calls over the radio to all the men in the ambush forces, in a very calm voice, "Light 'em up."
Germans and clones alike start throwing grenades down into the streets and firing their rocket launchers. Several thousand droids are destroyed in a matter of seconds.
The men throw down more grenades before switching over to their blasters.
For almost 15 minutes, the ambush force manage to hold off the droids. At multiple spots across the Berlin city limits, German soldiers and clones alike have destroyed a little over 10,000 droids with only a few casualties.
Right as the Germans are thinking they may be able to have an easier victory than they thought, their hopes are dashed. Vulture droid reinforcements streak down from the skies, firing their laser cannons down on the rooftops. In moments, many of the ambush force are killed.
Immediately, the German lieutenant colonel who gave the order to open fire issues a retreat order. Some men remain in position to cover the retreat, while the rest try their best to escape from their current positions and further into the city. Only a handful manage to make it.
(German high command)
In the command center, General Naumann is keeping constantly updated on the status of the battles.
The battle for Berlin is still up in the air. Initial counterattacks by the defenses had been effective, but the droids are still pushing forward.
The battle for Hamburg is going much better. Initial attacks had met with heavy artillery fire and airstrikes. Due to its proximity to the border with Denmark, the Danish already had forces in the area, which had joined the Germans, and were helping to counterattack.
The battle near the French border is going worse. The German soldiers are on the run at the moment, having suffered severe damage from droid tanks and strikes by Hyena bombers and Vulture droids. Reinforcements are on their way, but they may not be enough to stop defeat in the south-west.
(6 hours later, Berlin)
"Charge!" Rommell shouts as he twirls his lightsaber, the blue blade flashing as it deflects occasional blaster bolts. The ASAT team had practiced extensively with training remotes used by the Jedi in order to deflect blaster bolts. While not as skilled in the art as Jedi were, they were proficient enough.
The battle for Berlin has been raging for hours. Despite valiant German and clone efforts to defend the city, and the loss so far of almost 175,000 droids, the droids now hold almost a third of the city. The defending force, which was 58,000 Germans and clones at the start of the battle, is now down to 33,000 men still capable of fighting.
Around Rommell, more Germans shout in defiance and charge with him, firing their blasters at the droids. Rommell starts firing his blaster pistol, until he gets close enough. Then, he quickly holsters it and lashes out with his lightsaber, cutting down every droid in his path.
The other German soldiers bellow in defiance at the sight of their leader in action, and press their attack. Droids fall one after the other, but the droids march on relentlessly.
Rommell growls to himself as he cuts down droid after droid. It seems that for every droid he destroys, three more come to take its place.
Finally, Rommell realizes they can no longer hold this street. "Fall back!" he shouts, and he and his men begin retreating down the street.
In the command center, which is in the two thirds of the city still controlled by the Germans, General Naumann is feeling very nervous. The battle for Hamburg is the only one that has gone in the Germans favor so far. He had just received word that the droids were retreating for Hamburg.
The battle for Berlin is not going very well. But the battle in the south-west, near the French border, is going very bad. The defending forces are down to just a little over 10,000 combat capable troops, and have been forced to retreat 12.5 miles from their original positions.
"We're in trouble, gentlemen," General Naumann says.
"General, we're detecting several droid transports coming down towards the eastern edge of the city," an aide says.
General Naumann's face grows even more grim. If the droids can manage to catch Berlin in a pincer movement, there will be no hope of retreat, and likely no hope of victory.
"Prepare to contact Alliance Command. We need to let them know we're probably about to lose," General Naumann orders.
"Sir!" an aide calls out.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" Naumann asks.
"Sir, radar is picking up multiple contacts approaching from the east. Identity unknown," the man replies.
There's quiet in the center for a moment, then a voice comes over the radio. "German High Command, do you copy?"
General Kuebart moves to respond. "We copy. Identify yourself," he replies.
"German High Command, this is Polish Command. Don't worry. Help is on the way," the reply comes. Everyone in the room looks around at each other, smiles beginning to break out.
Miles eats of Berlin, 14 Polish MiG-23 interceptors rocket towards Berlin at Mach 1.2 As the Floggers get within 20 miles of the city, the pilots start locking up the descending C-9979s. At a call from the lead pilot, the Floggers begin firing AA-7 and AA-10 radar guided missiles. A flurry of missiles streak through the air. After a little less than a minute in flight, and just in time, the missiles begin finding their targets. Each C-9979 takes at least four missiles, and each one begins spiraling down in flames before crashing, exploding in massive fireballs.
As the MiG-23s turn to escape, Vulture droids turn to pursue them. However, unknown to the Vultures, 15 Polish MiG-29s are approaching Berlin from a more northerly heading, keeping to an altitude of a hundred feet or less. The Fulcrums wait until the Vultures are passing them, then pop up slightly, lock the Vultures up on radar, and begin firing AA-10s at long range. A flurry of 30 AA-10s head towards the Vulture droids, downing most of them.
The Fulcrums climb towards the Vultures. Now realizing where the Fulcrums are, the few remaining Vultures attempt to close with them. However, before they can get a firing angle, the Fulcrums get within range for their AA-11 heat-seeking missiles. The Fulcrums begin launching the AA-11s, which bring down even more Vulture droids. By the time the remaining Vultures start firing, there's only 8 left.
The Vultures open fire, shooting down 3 Fulcrums. Then, they pass, and begin turning to re-engage. Unfortunately for the Vultures, the Polish pilots know how to utilize their jets' incredible agility well, and are easily able to maneuver behind the remaining Vultures. With a number of missile shots, and several bursts of cannon fire, the remaining Vultures are shot down.
As the Fulcrums establish a patrol in case more Vultures attempt to come down from orbit, the real reinforcements arrive. From the east, two full divisions of the Polish Army, numbering 30,000 troops, approach Berlin, accompanied by 100 T-72 tanks. Flying ahead of this force towards Berlin are 10 Mi-24 Hind helicopters and 18 Su-22 ground attack fighters.
In Berlin, the German soldiers begin to cheer as they watch the Hinds and Fitters fly overhead. The last of the LAATs had been destroyed over an hour ago, and the last close air support strike the Germans had managed to launch was about as long ago.
The Fitters pull well ahead of the Hinds, and begin attacking droid tanks and clusters of battle droids with high explosive bombs. With no Vulture droids to protect them, the droids are sitting ducks for the Polish fighters.
As the Fitters attack behind the droid lines, the Hinds begin their assigned task, flying in and strafing the droid lines closest to the German troops with their cannons, and blasting thicker clusters of droid with their rockets.
The German troops cheer as they watch the Hinds wreak havoc on the droids. In multiple places, the Germans spot weak spots in the droid lines created by the Hinds' attacks, and press their attack.
The droids pull back slightly to tighten their lines, and are soon able to stop the German counterattack. However, before they are able to force the Germans back again, the Polish forces begin arriving to reinforce the Germans. With the number of Terran troops in Berlin now doubled, they begin cutting down the droids in droves.
In a Munificent class frigate in orbit monitoring the droid forces in Germany, the Neimoidian captain decides he's had enough. At almost the same time as the Polish arrived to reinforce Berlin, the droid forces in south-western Germany came under heavy air attack by the French and Dutch air forces before being caught in a concentrated attack from behind by a French armored division.
Finally, the Neimoidian gives the order to retreat. Vulture droids are sent down from orbit to cover the retreat. Some of the C-9979s are destroyed before they can retreat, but most of the remaining droids are evacuated from Germany.
The Battle of Germany is over. The cost was heavy for the Terran Alliance and the Republic. The Terrans and Republic together lost over 60,000 men, 60 LAATs, and about two thirds of the Luftwaffe's combat aircraft. Yet, they had dealt massive damage to the Separatists. Between the three droid armies, they had destroyed about 400,000 droids, almost all of their tanks and heavy vehicles, and almost two hundred Vulture droids and Hyenas.
Despite the heavy cost, the Battle of Germany is a massive victory for the Terran Alliance.
And, I'll end there. I hope this chapter wasn't too rushed. I could've gone into more detail, and gone a little slower, but had I done so, this could've been two or three times longer than it is now, and I don't particularly like writing chapters that long. Chapters describing the rest of the battles will be of similar styles, showing small moments in the battle while keeping updated on the general progress of the battle. Also, for those wondering, the generals I named in this chapter were real generals in the German military at this point in history.
I hope you liked this chapter. Next one should be up within a week. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned.