Chapter 2 - The Horde
The Horde had been particularly aggressive since the end of the Scourge War. This was not, as many believe, a decision spurred by the Wrathgate Incident, but a gradual increase in hostilities over time, and political upheavals. Added to this were a shortage of vital resources such as lumber and metals, as well as a need to expand to support a growing populace, and the Horde had every reason for a spurt in aggression over Kalimdor. The days of peaceful coexistence were nearing its end - indeed, this had been obvious since the end of the Might of Kalimdor Operations in Silithus and the events of the Outland Crusades.
However, the real challenges for the Horde were more political than military. For one, the voice of reason, Warchief Thrall, had abdicated his post, for many reasons (raising a family, joining the Earthen Ring, and the like). But the paramount reason, as many knew, was that the Horde was not happy with his policy of "appeasement". Many believed he had made too many concessions to the Night Elves and to the Alliance in general for too little in return. Also, due to the combative nature of the Orcish nation, such a conduct as seen as an expression of weakness. While it had not been open, the Earthmender had slowly become unpopular within the Horde geodesic, though all respected his wisdom in allowing the faction to rebuild itself to its old heritage and prosperity.
The Warsong Clan in particular detested the pall of "stagnation" that had befallen Orgrimmar. Being a warlike and ferocious kind, they could not tolerate the arrogance of the Alliance. Many within the clan, and especially the clan chief Garrosh Hellscream, felt that the Alliance ought to be punished for daring to dictate to the Orcs as to how and where they could live. For all these reasons, or reasons very like it, Go'El the Earthmender abdicated his mantle, giving it to the Son of Grommash, his oldest and most trusted friend after the late and Honourable Orgrim Doomhammer.
Not too long after Hellscream took the mantle, there followed a radical change in Horde policy. For some, this was welcome - it was a way to bring back the glory of the old days and the old ways without the shame of Demonic corruption. For the Forsaken, it was a path to survival - of ensuring that their dark plans for the Eastern Kingdoms - to remake it in their own image - would be fulfilled. For some, this was alarming - for they were acutely aware of the formidable strength of the Night Elves and the Humans and their lack of immediate counters to their prowess. Many were divided on the issue - the Tauren the most. But all obeyed, more out of respect for the title of the Warchief than any loyalty to Hellscream.
And in the early days of the Cataclysm, their fears seemed baseless. The Horde was finding victory across Azeroth. Barring the unfortunate setbacks in Gilneas, everywhere the Alliance was being pushed back and checked. Yet, there was a sense of foreboding. For even with their victories, it was obvious that the Alliance was far from beaten. And the viciousness with which they resisted the Horde advance was considerable food for thought.
To add to the problem was the considerable friction between Garrosh and Vol'Jin. Their disgust for each other was legendary, mostly because of their divided opinions on the War and the Alliance. Vol'Jin favoured Thrall's ways, of peaceful reconciliation and defensive posturing. Garrosh favoured a more offensive approach, which greatly alarmed the Troll Warlord due to its bloody nature - a chilling reminder of Grommash Hellscream's bloodlust and how it nearly brought the Horde to ruin. The Warlord was also opposed to expansionism, since he felt the the Horde was too overstretched to deal with the Alliance on multiple fronts - the idea being anathema to several commanders in the Horde. The fact that a substantial portion of the Horde had been tied down in Northrend to obtain Saronite and other materials for the War Effort did not help the situation (this did not last long - most were recalled once the Cataclysm struck). This friction was to have a significant impact on Horde Command in the days to come.
The Tauren were mostly unwilling to fight a war. However, events had forced it upon this peaceful people, and it brought about a ferocity no one had thought was possible. Their troops were effectively shock troops, with raw force being a massive boost to their combat abilities. Added to that were their Druidic troops (organised on Night Elven lines) and they were a formidable force to reckon with. However, they had a defensive mindset, and this made their involvement until the Fourth War minimal.
The Bilgewater Cartel was not particularly interested in a brawl - for most Goblins, money is preferable above all else. Yet, their experience in using new technology, their superior Gunpowder weaponry and their willingness to experiment with new weapon and chemical technologies, not to mention their superior logistics and supply chains, made them formidable foes, and worthy allies for the Horde, which had been traditionally behind the Alliance in technological advances.
Militarily, the Horde was the strongest it had ever been. Recruitment was at an all time high, and in some cases they outnumbered the Alliance three-to-one. At the beginning of the Fourth War, the horde military situation was as follows,
Kalimdor -
= 21 Orcish Infantry Divisions, of which 6 were in reserve in Durotar
= 7 Tauren Infantry Divisions, of which 3 were embroiled in Mulgore against the Quillboar menace
= 7 Troll Infantry Divisions, almost entirely in reserve, with the exception of one Light Infantry Brigade which was assisting in the siege of Northwatch Keep, and one involved in relief efforts in the Barrens following the Cataclysm
= 4 Armored Divisions, of which two were comprised of Steam Tanks (old pattern) copied from Alliance armor captured during the Scourge War
= 6 Goblin Light Infantry Divisions, four of which were stationed in Azshara (mostly rifle troops), and two for Support and Logistics
= 1 Forsaken Light Infantry Brigade, stationed for "special tasks"
= 2 Blood Elven Infantry Brigades, comprising Blood Knights and Farstriders
= 4 Squadrons of Battle-Wyverns (total 600) as air-support
= Horde Navy of about 60 Ships of the Line (of which 20 were Troll Bomb-Ketches and 15 Goblin Dreadnoughts), with an additional 12 as a support flotilla (mostly Goblin Airships)
Eastern Kingdoms -
= 16 Forsaken Infantry Divisions, of which four were understrength and undergoing refit in Tirisfal Glades and an additional 3 in reserve
= 8 Blood Elven Infantry Divisions, stationed in the Plaguelands as reserves
= 3 Frostwolf Divisions, comprised of only Worg-Cavalry
= 6 Armored Divisions comprised entirely of Steam Tanks (old pattern), 2 of which were entrenched in Tol Barad
= 1 understrength Goblin PounderBot division in Strangelthorn Vale
= 2 understrength Goblin Infantry Divisions in Stranglethorn Vale
= 2 understrength Orcish Infantry Divisions in Stranglethorn Vale
= 2 Troll Heavy Infantry Brigades in Stranglethorn Vale
= 6 Squadrons of Dragonhawks (total 900) as air-support
= Horde Navy (Forsaken Fleet) of about 30 Ships of the Line (12 of which were Blood Elven) and 4 Goblin Dreadnoughts for support and Logistics with two Airships (troop transports)
Northrend -
= 3 Infantry Divisions (mixed faction)
= 1 Armored Division, comprised only of Fire-Mangonels (ineffective against most modern armor)
It can be seen that in terms of ground troops, the Horde was lavish. However, because of organisational differences, an Infantry Division on the Horde side was somewhat smaller than an Alliance division. Also, the theory of Armored warfare was in its infancy, which meant that the Armor was used primarily as Infantry Support than as an independant arm. This was to change greatly as time progressed. The air-support doctrine was also poorly understood at that time, which led to considerable problems in the beginning of the War, facing off as they were against the extremely well-trained and experienced Gnomish Air Force.
The Horde Navy was quite weak. It had been formed just a few months before the end of the Scourge War, and was a mostly untested force. It's only taste of action had been the Battle for the Lost Isles, where many lessons had been learnt, and the next few months would show if the lessons had been imbibed. But the message was clear - the Alliance Navy was nearly unchallengeable. The only naval powers comparable to theirs were the Goblin Trade fleets, which were infamous for their heavy armament and protection. This would prove significant in its own right.
As such, the Horde stood ready at the beginning of the War, their appetites whetted by the taste of easy victories, and tempered by some close defeats. It now was a contest of skill and willpower - for this was something they had in abundance. The combat doctrine for the Horde was simple - "No retreat, No Surrender - Do not damage, Destroy". The overlord of the Kalimdor forces, Varok Saurfang, once told his men on how to contest the Alliance -
"A true warrior of the Horde loves a fight and scorns death. A true Warrior will not think of life when he fights - one can die for the Horde only once in this life. Should you be overwhelmed, do not give up, but fight to the end. Should your enemy think you dead, surprise him and kill him, even if it means your own doom must follow. Do not leave this world without leaving behind you an enemy corpse!"
I might be adding another chapter in a day or two. So plot and watch, dear readers. Your inputs are greatly appreciated!