Empire Conquest-Chapter 773 - 59: Rise to the Challenge
The Bulan Kingdom waged war unannounced, and the impact was most evident on the battlefield of Boss Bay.
When Ding Zhennan received the news, two carrier battle groups that were previously operating in the East Continent Heart Sea, near Cyprus, had already been redirected towards Alexandria. Although, according to the adjustments made by the General Staff Department, these two carrier battle groups would remain in the East Continent Heart Sea to ensure the sea route from Alexandria to the Mo Sea, accurately speaking, to the Bosporus Strait, was unobstructed in order to continue the transportation of supplies through maritime routes to Chains Land Bridge and Novorossiysk. Yet with the current situation, these two carrier battle groups definitely couldn’t continue their bombing mission over Iraq.
The absence of two carrier battle groups was no small matter.
Even if the General Staff Department had assured that another carrier battle group would be dispatched to the Mua Sea soon, it was too far to quench the immediate fire.
Do not forget, the Air Force is shifting its focus toward the Northwest War Zone.
Can the war still be fought?
Or more appropriately, can it proceed according to plan?
Ding Zhennan went straight to Shi Shouliang.
"The General Staff Department has made adjustments and will soon dispatch the Fifth Marine Division here." Shi Shouliang had anticipated Ding Zhennan’s visit and was prepared. "The operations will still proceed according to plan, but we won’t enforce strict requirements on casualties and consumption any longer; we fight in the manner of a massive conflict, that is, a Global War."
"But..."
Shi Shouliang raised his hand to interrupt, and after Ding Zhennan closed his mouth, he continued, "The Bulan Kingdom has already declared war on us, and the Newland Republic will move against us sooner or later. The Global War has erupted. According to the assessment above, we probably only have half a year’s time."
Ding Zhennan took a deep breath and then nodded.
"In a few hours, the two chambers will pass the war authorization bill submitted by the Grand Secretary, then formal war mobilization will officially commence. However, completing the mobilization will take some time. According to the higher-ups, our mission is to end the battle here before mobilization is complete."
"End it!?" Ding Zhennan suddenly stood up, his expression one of utter shock.
Shi Shouliang was calm, nodded, and after that, said, "There’s already enough evidence to suggest, in a few months, things will kick off on the Southern Subcontinent."
Upon hearing this, Ding Zhennan sat back down, but then quickly resumed his composure.
Clearly, this was not surprising at all.
"State what you need now, so I can report it to the higher-ups."
"Both divisions of the Army have to stay, and we need to ensure that logistics supplies are abundantly available. If possible, we also need the combat troops of our allies to be deployed in position."
"None of these are issues, and the Gaoju Kingdom’s Armored Brigade will be deployed here within the week. As for Bakistan’s forces, don’t hold your breath for now. If fighting really breaks out on the Southern Subcontinent, it’s already lucky enough if Bakistan can withstand the Fanluo Army’s offensive and hold out until our reinforcements arrive."
"We still need another week to complete the preparations for the offensive," Ding Zhennan did not dwell on the issue with Bakistan, given the reality of the situation.
The flames of war on the Southern Subcontinent would inevitably be ignited by Fanluo Country declaring war on Bakistan.
With Bakistan’s military strength, holding out for a few months would be a miracle, so at this critical juncture, they certainly wouldn’t send troops to Boss Bay.
Shi Shouliang nodded and promised, and Ding Zhennan had nothing more to say.
In fact, Ding Zhennan knew that Shi Shouliang was merely executing orders from above and that the current situation was beyond any individual’s control.
The Global War had erupted, or rather, was in the process of erupting.
In the face of the historic torrent, everyone is so insignificant they can be completely ignored.
"There is one more thing," Shi Shouliang finally said as Ding Zhennan was about to walk out the door: "Once the fighting here ends, I will return to the Northwest War Zone to take up the post of Commander. We will need a young and promising Chief of Staff. Considering your performance, you are undoubtedly the right man for the job."
Ding Zhennan was stunned at first, but then nodded and left the Commander’s office.
The special meaning of Shi Shouliang’s words couldn’t be clearer. Ding Zhennan also understood that if he couldn’t fight this war well, it was just empty talk.
Would this war be easy to fight?
If it proceeded according to the original plan, indeed, there wouldn’t have been any difficulty to speak of.
Unfortunately, that’s no longer possible!
In a week’s time, the ground war will commence.
By then, how many troops will be available?
The Empire’s two Armored Divisions, two reinforced Armored Battalions of the Marine Corps, one Armored Brigade of the Gaoju Army, and at most a few additional divisions and brigades from countries like Saudi Arabia.
Of course, those who will be charging at the front lines are the aforementioned two divisions, one brigade, and two battalions.
The total strength of these troops is at most 50,000.
On the other side, they have an army of a million!
Although the regular force of the Iraqi Army only numbers over 200,000, even including the Republic Guard, it amounts to only 400,000. However, Iraq has already completed war mobilization, and approximately 600,000 Reserve Forces have been organized into armies, as well as a militia of a scale equivalent to the Reserve Forces.
Even without considering the militia, the Iraqi Army has 22 divisions and 18 Independent Brigades, with total manpower around 800,000.
Of course, the Iraqi military will not concentrate all its troops in the south; they must leave sufficient forces to defend the Capital Baghdad and the northern oil city of Kirkuk.
