July, 1903
The defensive lines were shabby, but they served their purpose. The Republican line was now secure and would continue to be as the trenches were improved. Many of the divisions had marched throughout the night, and upon arrival, immediately began digging. There would be rest when the left and right divisions were connected. Overhead, the planes flew non-stop to keep the pressure up on Bakir and any advancing forces looking to exploit the rapidly closing gap. The artillery pieces weren’t to far behind. The loss of the two motorized division was a real blow to the Fifth Legion, who now had to rely solely on teams of horses to pull their big guns…but at least they had them. The urgency to take Bakir was felt by all. The entire invasion hindered on capturing this one city. With more divisions pouring in and with word of two more Legions arriving to help, it was bound to happen. But the Army had to do something to tilt the balance back towards the Republic. What that exactly was, was still unknown. Until then, there would be no offensives. They would wait and hold the line. Bakir sat within eyesight (and more importantly, artillery range), black smoke billowing from it. The remains of the Republican trenches were now a faint outline in the dark sand that had swallowed them. Many of the soldiers were uneasy, as they felt that what had happened to the two divisions would happen to them.
Polis
July, 1903
The 3rd Fleet had been hit the hardest during the surprise attack by the Pillow forces. While there had been suspicion the Pillow government was supplying the Comeristan forces, no one thought they would get directly involved…at least not yet. The exact number of ships lost was still unknown, but it was safe to say the 3rd Fleet was no longer combat effective. What ships remined would be forced to sail home, leaving the 4th to shoulder the burden until they would be reinforced with the 1st Fleet. The news of the surprise attack and the bloody battle was quickly telegraphed to Polis where the President was briefed. Despite the fact that Pillow lost multiple ships in the battle as well, it was clearly a naval defeat for the Republic. If the Republic ever hoped to establish itself on the ocean, their ship building process needed to be sped up…
President Barrow instructed the Navy to conduct inquiries into speeding up the ship building process. This included using welding instead of rivets. The Navy was given one week to craft a report for the President. In the meantime, the various ship building companies contracted out to build the new ships were instructed to increase the number of shifts. “Each ship is to be worked on 24/7 without delay. 10,000R will be paid for every month that is taken off the final complete date.” President Barrow met with people from military, the Senate, and the private sector to discuss ways to bring the full might of the Republican economy and manufacturing into the war. It was well known that the Republic held that land advantage over Comeristan and Pillow. It took far less time to send supplies and reinforcements then it did for the Pillow government and it was through this advantage that the Republic would win the war. Short of nationalizing the economy, businesses were given military contracts to begin switching over manufacturing to aid in the war effort. Guns, ammunition, trucks, artillery, medical supplies, boots, clothes, etc. were set to be manufactured at an incredible rate. The Senate approved additional funds to be given to the RAF for experimental research. Both Houses of the Senate unanimously declared war on Pillowlandia, citing the disgusting use of surprise attacks on another nation as well as giving military aid to Comeristan. Public approval reached 90% across the Republic.
One week later
The ragged defensive lines had been transformed into formidable trench systems that stretched for dozens of miles in either direction. Barbed wire covered the land in front of the trenches, bodies tangled in it from a few desperate attacks by the Comeristan army garrisoned in the city. Since the moment the artillery was in position, Bakir was under fire. Roughly two million shells had been fired into the city, reducing it to rubble. Overhead, the planes continued to fly. Bombing missions were occurring every other hour. The roads coming into Bakir had been destroyed as had the few remaining rail lines. The city was now essentially cut off from outside support. The two additional Legions and the 2nd Air Wing had arrived a few days prior, yet there would be no attack. They would continue to hold their position until the time was right. Behind the Republic line, teams of engineers were finishing up the repair work on the last few miles of the roads as well as bringing the old Comer rail line up to standard. Supplies would be no issue for the ARA. At the request of the Daily Republic News, both the Army and the Air Force released some photos from the Siege of Bakir. The images shocked both the Republic and the world.
The Navy reported to President Barrow and the War Department that welding was a viable replacement for rivets when building ships. They requested permission to try the new technique on a series of destroyers before they moved onto the dreadnoughts. The request was quickly approved. The Army also reported that the delivery system for Project Candid had been perfected and they were in the final stages of the protection phase. Once complete, it was estimated that 20,000 units could be created and shipped within a week with training taking another three days. Projectiles were currently being manufactured. July 28th was the date for the second offensive to capture Bakir.
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