Chapter 6
The Panzer IV turned a corner of a building and halted. Hana took aim and fired at a visible E-75 heavy tank disabling it. Mako put the tank into reverse and backed the tank behind the building before a volley of shells could collide. Miho gazed at her map of the Hoja City. It was only two weeks since the Match started, and Hoja City had been in constant warfare ever since. Both sides sent in their best to capture and hold the city from the very start. It was the most capable to hold every tank either side brought and was a central area to getting around the impassable hill ravine north of the city.
Originally Saunders and Count were the ones to try and take the city. But Count took major damage almost out of the bat. The Montana Tankery academy unit of the Association Team had been the sole team from the Association to attempt the capture of the City. It was not what Miho would have done but the Association team had fewer tanks then the Federation team from the start. The Federation team already held two other CPs while the Association also held two. The last two were in the mountains and along the north plains. Neither side had found access to the mountains CP yet and the Plains CP was currently being fought over as well.
The Panzer IV came around the other side of the building and shot another E-75 disabling this one as well. Mako drove the tank forward and making it across the street out of view and clear of any shots from the rear.
"Kay, move around the skyscraper and flank the right side. But be warned they saw us and opened fire. They might expect another strike from there." Miho relayed over comms.
"Got it Miho." Came a response.
"this battle has been going on since the start of the match. Are we sure we can take it Miporin?" Saori asked.
"Yes. With the numbers against them Rivers will either be forced to flee or surrender." Miho stated.
"Knowing him he would rather push himself to defeat. He wont willingly surrender." Yukari said.
"Can't blame him. Were attempting to take away a sport he really enjoys. Montana Tankery Academy won the American High school championship six times in the last ten years." Hana said.
"Losing only to Betsy Ross Girls Academy and Uncle Sam High School." Mako said.
The Panzer IV Came around and found their school mates. Mallard team, Rabbit team, and Anteater team waited for Anglerfish team to arrive before going on their assault.
"Mallard team you follow us. Rabbit team and Anteater team go around the way we just came from and flank Montana from behind. Be warned they spotted us back there and Kay is sending her attack from the opposite side." Miho said.
"Copy." A collective response came over radio.
"Mako, brings us around to point Q14. Yukari, load skirt piercing shells. Hana, if we see the C1 Ariete take out the skirt protecting the track. Mallard team, once we do that take out the tracks and we'll move on." Miho ordered.
"Roger" Another collective response.
The Panzer IV and the B1 bis move around the left flank of the Montana group. Once they see the collective force trying to desperately hold their piece the plaza grounds they come to a halt. Yukari finished loading the shell and Hana spotted the C1 Ariete. With a pull if the trigger the shell left the Panzer IV's turret and smashed into the skirt. With their chance the Mallard team fired as well hitting the tracks and disabling the tank, though it was still operable, it would not move.
"Miho this is Kay. I spotted your group across form ours, we are beginning our attack from behind." Kay alerted.
"Roger" Miho said.
Kay and her flanking force drove around the corner and opened fire. Anteater and Rabbit teams also made way and opened fire taking down an E-75. Three more tanks were taken out before the Montana group made a mad dash for Kays team. The tanks fired and moved. They took out one Sherman but never stopped and kept driving. After a minute the rest of the group were gone, and the Federation force took the Plaza for themselves.
Cheering could be heard from over the radio. Kay was ecstatic at the victory, saying that dinner was on her tonight. Miho checked her clip board about the current situation regarding Ooarai's tanks. Leopon team was currently fixing the Porsche Tiger, due to it breaking down again, and Hippo team was taken out earlier. However, with these new rules the StuG 3 would be back out in the fight tomorrow.
"We did it. The Plaza is ours." Saori cheered.
"All that's left now is the eastern suburbs and we'll have control of the entire city." Hana said enthusiastically.
Miho sighed. This was a long fight. It lasted several hours. The Montana group had only forty-seven tanks. Yet they took out Count High's team in under an hour and still managed to keep Saunders and Ooarai back for two weeks. And even then, the city wasn't fully occupied yet. St. Gloriana was being sent to 'relieve' Saunders for a time. Saunders would remain in the city, but they needed rest and repairs.
Speaking of Miho opened the top hatch and saw Saunders girls gathering up all the Americans left behind and put them into a mass. Kay had hoped out of her Sherman and had taken charge of the effort. She was always sporty about the aftermath of a match and even was so here. Though the boys seemed to be very hostile at the moment.
"What is going to happen to them?" Yukari asked.
"We'll get a transport truck and ship them back to the base on the other side of the city. Their tanks will stay here though." Miho said.
"Wont we eventually send them to Mishima?" Mako asked.
"Yes. But right now, we can't afford that. The rules say that Captives can escape so we need people to watch over them. They could reactivate their tanks and head back to friendly lines." Miho said.
"I see." Saori said.
"Whats the situation on the other area's?" Hana asked.
"Kuromorimine is currently in conflict with the George Washington unit. They are putting up a heavy fight." Yukari said.
"Pravda thinks they found a way to the mountain town for the last CP, but they think Uncle Sam High School is there and may have to initiate in conflict." Miho said.
"So, what now?" Saori asked.
"We need to finish up here. Ooarai will continue with the attack once St Gloriana gets here. The Montana unit has only nineteen tanks left; with a fresh batch of reinforcements we should take them out for good." Miho said.
"Finally. I'm tired." Mako said.
Everyone laughed.
Maho gazed upon the central clearing of the Town Leimberg. The Washington unit was a formidable opponent and Maho could see why. They had also brought fifty tanks, but like Maho did, they split them up and sent the other half elsewhere. Currently Maho had fifteen tanks operable and Washington had seventeen. This battle was getting tiresome. She wanted to finish this and regroup for a push on the Association held southern CP. It was close enough to stay supplied from here and was in range of the town of Glendale. The Associations starting point. If she took that out the game would end and Maho would be able to go back to school. And more importantly dismantle the 'heresy' known as boys in Sensha Do.
"Commander, I've pushed the left flank forward and we're flanking the enemy. Permission to engage." Erika said over radio.
"Granted. Cause confusing and I'll bring the rest forward." Maho said.
Tank shells were being heard from the other side of town. Some of Washington's tanks were moving to their right. Some other tanks looked confused on where to go. Erika had done it.
"All tanks forward. Don't let them get away. Sweep and clear." Maho ordered.
A collected response sent the Tanks into fury. Kuromorimine's tanks drove forward rapidly and fired hitting several of Washington's tanks. Though some weren't completely disabled. Washington was retreating now. This was the breaking point.
"Their retreating. Push them back." Maho ordered.
After a successful push Washington's remaining tanks were eight. They were retreating back across the plains. Maho sighed. She finally took the town.
Maho reached for her radio and tuned to a different channel. "Maho here. We've successfully captured the CP by the Plains. Mark it down." Maho said.
"Congratulations Commander Nishizumi. Will do." A voice said.
Bellwall Academy stayed at Mishima to act as the coordination office. They kept track of all points and battle updates.
Erika's Tiger 2 parked along side Maho and she opened her hatch. "Now what? Do we wait here for reinforcements or do we move out?" She asked.
"We Wait here. Begin the round up of all the Americans you can find. If they accept captivity put them to work fixing our tanks. Leave theirs be for now." Maho said.
"Alright, will do." Erika said.
Maho thought they were doing the right. They now had more CPs controlled then the Americans. She again thought of her plan. Once Maple and Pravda joined her they could bulldoze their way straight to Glendale. It's what she wanted, but currently it would be difficult. However, Maho was the one who improved the Nishizumi style and would think of a plan for the coming campaign.