Chapter 3000: Southern and Northern Wars (Ⅱ)

However, to Vassar’s surprise, his combat plan was strongly opposed by Sir Helena Drake for clear reasons:
The Far East Navy traveled north to Freeport along the east coast of the New World, and had to pass through the waters controlled by the Feizhen Eighth Fleet, the Hao Fleet. On the way, it was likely to be intercepted by the Hao Fleet and a fierce naval battle broke out.
In such a battlefield where time and location are at a disadvantage, even if the Far East Fleet is able to repel the Hao Fleet, it will inevitably suffer huge losses. The damaged ship cannot find a place to shelter on the coast under the control of the Fijian military. If you continue to sail northward with the damaged ship, it will inevitably slow down, and will attract more Fierce warships in the future. This route is equivalent to a "suicide road"!
Ms. Helena is very clear about how many possessions she has. The Far East Navy can only take advantage of the fact that the fleet deployed by the Feizhen Navy in other waters is temporarily unable to escape, and after all, she will do her best to defeat the Hao fleet!
Conversely, if the two sides start a chasing battle on the vast sea and continue to consume them, the first to collapse must be the Far Eastern Fleet, whose total tonnage is far inferior to that of the opponent.
To put it bluntly, Ms. Helena has only one chance, no matter if she wins or loses, she can buy and sell with one hammer!
That being the case, of course she had to choose a time and battlefield that was as beneficial to her as possible to fight with the Howe fleet, rather than to venture northward for a long distance according to Vassar's plan, and give the initiative to General William Howe.
In Ms. Helena's view, the Pique Bay, where the Port of Leiden is located, is obviously more suitable as a duel field for the fleets of both sides than the Bay of Asa where the Port of Midgard is located.
If the Far East Navy can defeat the Howe Fleet in Peak Bay and temporarily control the sea power on the east coast of the New World, it can assist the Green Corps in attacking Clayton Harbor, annihilate the main force of the Earl of Winthrop, put down Alfheim, and obtain one With a stable rear, Midgard's Clinton Corps is not a concern.
Prince Colofa also agreed with Ms. Helena's point of view.
The Canaan Air Force is now stationed at the Continental Army positions outside Leiden, and it is certainly more convenient to fight nearby than to fight long distances.
On the other hand, if the city of Leiden is smashed first, the supply fleet from the port of Kaos can directly enter the Pique Bay, establishing a safe and convenient maritime transportation line, which is conducive to providing a stable for the Continental Army's subsequent northward operations. Logistics supplies.
In summary, the Prince of Colofa believes that Midgard is not the most important strategic goal at present. In contrast, the southern capital of Leiden Port has more strategic value.
George Vassar acknowledged that the two allies are justified, but "South and North" or "North and South" is not only a strategic policy, but also involves the North-South opposition and factional struggle within the Continental Army. It's hard to say anything.
Taking into account these factors outside the military level, for the sake of maintaining the unity of the troops, Vaasa still hopes to fix the north first, and then solve the enemy in the south.
However, the two parties in the tripartite talks have determined to implement the strategic plan of "first south and then north". He also knows that the Continental Army can only survive today without the strong support of the Far East and Canaan. It is a bit ugly, and there is no foreign allies to send money and food. , Guns and reinforcements, the Continental Army was slapped to death by Earl Winthrop two years ago, and there was no chance to see the dawn of victory.
Since you are leaning on others, you have to make mistakes, and this world is so realistic.
Vassar knew exactly how much his "commander-in-chief" had the right to speak. In the end, he accepted the opinions of Ms. Helena and Prince Colofa, and determined the "south first, then north" combat plan.
The coalition's plan of action is this:
The Far East Navy was responsible for breaking the blockade of the Howe Fleet on Peak Bay, cutting off the sea line of communication of the Winthrop Corps, and putting it into a desperate situation.
At the same time, Vassar led an elite infantry division to support the Green Corps. With superior forces, he besieged Leiden Harbor and forced Earl Winthrop to surrender.
The army's long-distance attack not only has to march swiftly, but also requires secrecy, which is too difficult.
General Vigraf suggested using airships to transport troops by air, and immediately agreed with Vassar, Helena, and Colofa.
The newly developed "Blast Class" magic airship developed by the Far East Military Factory has a load capacity of up to 1,000 tons.
There are currently only ten "Blast Class" enchanted airships in service. After Ms. Helena asked His Majesty the Emperor for instructions in the reception room, her cold face showed a smile, and she turned her head to tell Vassar and others good news:
"Your Majesty has authorized me to dispatch all ten new magic airships to transport troops for the Continental Army!"
The air transport team composed of ten "Blast-class" magic airships can transfer a full infantry division with equipment to Alfheim in just one day.
On the evening of April 24, Vaasa left General Magni as the commander of the Northern Continental Army, plus the Assafite Corps in Shizhu Town led by Hakan Walsung. A total of 20,000 horses were sitting in Freeport, and he led 10,000 elites. The troops, taking advantage of the night, set sail in an airship.
On the morning of April 25, the airship fleet landed on the outskirts of Greenmouth on the northern coast of Scimitar. The Air Force cooperated with the Army to raid this fishing port town with only more than 300 Fijian soldiers guarding it, and captured it in less than an hour.
In the afternoon, Thrud Wallsung personally drove the Green Ice Colossus and teleported directly to Greenmouth Town to join the Southern Corps commanded by General George Vassar.
After a short rest, the Vasa Corps marched southward with the Cyan Ice Colossus, and regained the lost ground along the route where Earl Winthrop invaded Alfheim. Wherever it passed, the Feizhen garrison and the royalists fled watching the wind.
Just a week later, on May 3, the Vaasa Corps launched a counterattack against Prince Port.
The Feizhen troops defending the city were only 2,000, and even if the militias organized by the royalists were not counted as 5,000, the fighting spirit of the defenders collapsed as soon as they saw the towering green ice giant outside the city. General Sa sent envoys to persuade the surrender, and the defenders raised the white flag.
On the morning of May 5th, General Vaasa led his troops into Prince Port, where the city gates were wide open, and the residents of the city greeted each other in the street, cheers were thunderous!
The news of the restoration of Prince Port quickly spread to the southern towns, and the majority of Alfheim compatriots were deeply encouraged!
Especially those large southern manor owners who were deeply enraged by the "Abolition of Slavery Act" learned that General Vassar led the troops back. They were all overjoyed and spontaneously raised livestock, food, grass and other military supplies and sent them to the barracks to reward their own children.
On the road from the southern towns to Prince Port, the mules and horse caravans transporting military supplies can't be seen at a glance, and they are in an endless stream from morning to night.
The Vassar Corps rested in Prince Port for a week, and continued to move south after replenishing its supplies.
On the afternoon of May 24, the two regiments of the Continental Army, the north and south, joined forces outside Leiden in victory!