February 2nd, 1933 - Outside of Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan - 0800 Hours
First Sergeant Harold Graham - 9th Ranger Regiment, 109th Mountain Infantry Division
The continuous hum of B-15 bombers and I-17 fighters filled the cold morning air as they flew inland and towards the town of Petropavl in probbing raids and bombing runs. The men of the 9th Ranger Regiment had started a camp about a mile outside the town of Petropavl as their brothers in the 10th and 12th Ranger Regiments aswell as the 5th Airborne Division were pushed out by a high concentration of artillery. Ever since D-Day, bombers had been pounding the town in hopes of loosening the Kazakhi grip on it. They had no where to go, as the mountains surrounding the town were teaming with Veritasian troopers, prepping for an ultimate takeover. Nevertheless, the Kazakhi troops wouldn't fight any less savagely. They had more to loose, and had the advantage of defense, but the Veritasians had the high ground.
No roads from the hills led into the town, so the possibility to getting tank support into the fight was second to impossible. Instead, massive amounts of infantry would be involved. Men from the 109th and 120th Mountain Infantry Divisions and the 2nd, 1st, 9th and 5th Airborne Divisions had set up defensive positions around the town and were getting ready.
Enemy forces were estimated at a total of about a division, or 8,000 soldiers. At least thirty 90mm and two-hundred and twenty 20mm artillery guns were spotted since the invasion, as well as a one single huge 850mm railgun which had been stationed at the towns main railstation of Kyzylzhar, or Station No. 1 as the Veritasians called it.
Support for the Veritasians was high. Fighters were stacked up from 1,000 to 30,000 feet around the area of Petropavl. Close air support could be given immediately. The mountain divisions had also set up gliderborne artillery guns around the mountains, so artillery fire mission was a possibility.
All Graham could do was look at the town with his issue of binoculars. He could see entire squads of winter-troopers moving machine guns to several mosques and shacks on the edges of the town. Hardpoints were obvious; company commanders were paying close attention to their movements. At the same time, Graham attempted to have a breakfast of stove cooked canned beef and gravy and buttery cracker. It was surprisingly decent.
"Alright company, gather around."
Captain Lewis, the C Company, 9th Regiment commander, waved his troops down to a gorge-like area in the hill. "We're going to make our move... at 0900 Hours. We're the first wave. We're hitting the hardest point in their defense, so indulge me."
The men around him began to sit on their helmets and rub their hands on their winter gear. Captain put up a large map of the city on a rock formation.
"We're hitting the southern end of the town. We have to charge down three hundred yards of open territory and enter the town with force. There are no cement emplacements, but they've got those houses well defended. On our side, they have a machine gun in almost every window."
The Captain pointed on the northern end of the town. "A and B Companies will hit the north end of the town, while D and E hit the west and F the east. We're trying to funnel them through the main road through the only path out of the valley."
Private Stuart raised his hand. "Sir, we're gonna let them get away?"
"No. All last night, we had the 'Devil Dogs' wire the road and surrounding area with anti-personnel and vehicular mines. It's about a mile thick, so their is no way that they can get through. Meanwhile, our squadrons of I-17 fighters will hit them. Item Company is in reserve for our end of the attack."
"Support sir?"
"260 Degrees of coverage from the hills for 150mm artillery fire. We have this place completely canvased with fighters, so we will have a continuous supply of air and artillery support."
Graham rose. "What if we fail?"
"Then we will fall back to point Alpha-1 in the mountains. The I-17's will cover us. If it is a universal retreat, a squadron of B-15's will be dispatched to bomb the town."
"And that 850mm railgun sir?"
"That's our secondary objective. Primary is to take the mosque at center of town."
"Yes sir."
"Mission in 45 minutes. Get ready. Dismissed."
