THE FROST AND THUNDER
Warden Infantry engaging in the treeline around The Filament
WAR 97, DAY 79-82, SPEAKING WOODS --- The War, not yet three months old, appears to many Caovians already lost. A hint of despair has gone through the ranks, as the nation, battered from conflict, attempts to reconstitute sufficient manpower, material, and will to carry on the exhausting struggle. Hope persists, still for the children of Callahan, who's Scion overcame reverses this great and greater to deliver them to salvation, but it is unclear at present if the stunned Warden army can grasp it.
Though Warden strong-points throughout the war have proven exhausting to overcome directly, increasingly a pattern has appeared of resistance, then bypass, then encirclement, repeat. The Linn, Callum's Cape, and now its best example, Speaking Woods. Warden forces have been unable to react, leading to speculation amongst the ranks that they lack the necessary command and control to assemble prompt and effective response forces. In some cases, no attempt to reach them from outside was even tried. This apparent paucity of reserve units is troubling, as though the Colonials seem only to gain ground slowly, Warden counter-strokes have not regained this territory during periods of relative strength; Instead, it appears they been directed in set-piece, titanic offensives, such as that of the 82DK's in the Drowned Vale, which as of yet have not produced a decisive edge.
This however, appears to be changing.
Displaying innovative tactics and sheer nerve, supply lorries escorted by armoured cars broke through the Colonial lines maintaining the encirclement in the Speaking Woods, and repeatedly during battles there managed to get supplies in, considerably delaying the process of digging out the stubborn defenders. Large regimental organisation may still be missing, but this shift in tactics, even if ultimately locally unsuccessful, indicates a change in the Warden mindset, speaking to economy of force and local strength.
This is not the heroic tale of yet another pocket ground to nothing, as the region now appears only days from falling, but instead of prognosis and apparent reversal. The Colonials, now at the maximum extent of their supply train, appear to be suffering material shortages at the front, and there may exist a possibility for dramatic reversals if Warden forces can leverage their local advantage in logistics. To comment on this, opinions were sought on bot sides, Caovish forces were generally too engaged to give comment, but seemed in good spirits despite their desperate situation, and far from digging in, picked up rifles and ran headlong into the counter-attack even after the town-hall fell.
This revival of morale at the point of collapse could prove vital, if it ripples through the front. However morale amongst the Legionary forces was not in doubt, and indeed, might even be a problem in the opposite direction.
[PRESS] Edward Bloke interviewing a Colonial Armoured Car Crew.
Though they could not tally long, Colonial troops, even vehicle operators, halted consistently, and spoke jovially to press wearing the opposite uniform, not seconds from combat, about the battle. The 'NEP coalition', in conjunction with elements of the 141, they explained, were heading this attack, and went on to predict a swift victory in the war. "Our logi has been preparing for this, we can expand." Or even more simply put, "This machine won't stop, can't stop." Confidence like this may be well justified, but 'The higher boast, ' so the old saying goes, 'the harder the fall.'
Some however, perhaps more cautiously remarked on the tenacity and grit of the defenders who they had only recently extracted from the fortifications, apparently mirroring, albeit it with caution, the sentiment that Caovia wasn't finished just yet. "The defensive of Inari was well fought, and with great determination.", to which was begrudgingly added, "Desperate but persistent." Though this is a defeat for the sons of Callahan, by their foes own words, these men continued to resist courageously, and counter-attack into hopeless odds, speaks to the fight yet left in this hardy people. If their commanders can bring it out is now the desperate question, and on which, much of the war must turn.
Legionnaires, fresh from the battle of Sotto Bank, setting down their spades to give interviews
Written by: [PRESS] Edward Bloke
Published on: 11/11/2022