NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: Advances
Erzurum is exposed, and the Russian Army didn't hesitate to take this opportunity to encircle it and fire Artillery from all sides for one hour as hundreds of thousands of shells rained down.
Currently the entire Russian Army partaking in this war numbers in two million.
This was a response to the growing number of Ottoman troops who now number in five million on all fronts combined.
As loyal men they are once the bombardment stopped on the city, Russian Urban combat specialists entered the city.
The Russian Urban Fighters are a specialized branch on the Army. They specialize in Urban Warfare as the name of their branch states.
Ten Thousand of these special troops entered the city as they began clean up operations and finding any civilians who didn't escape when the Army reached the city.
Some would say that this is inhumane, but those very men and women forget what war is. They, who criticize the soldiers who follow the leaders orders and the leaders who gave out said orders when they tend to forget why they live in peace and didn't experience a bullet going through their body or having their house blown up.
These very people were quickly silenced as their criticism fell on deaf ears.
As the Russian Urban Fighters cleared street per street, house per house, they found civilians who didn't make it out in time and rescued them while taking injured Ottoman soldiers to custody.
Those who fought back got to experience what a bullet through one's brain feels like.
Some got unlucky and had to endure pain as they chocked on blood.
But it all ended the same anyways, they all died in the end.
*BANG BANG BANG*
"TAKING COVER!"
As the Russians escorted civilians out they got ambushed by Ottoman men who didn't surrender.
"This is is Team-J we are taking on heavy fire! We have civilians with us, we need support!"
The radio operator screamed into his radio.
"This is HQ, we got your signal, send in coordinates for Artillery support."
The Radio Op send in the coordinates of the hostile troops as the civilians hid behind the Russians.
*Static*
"Coordinates locked, incoming Artillery barrage."
As the Soldier screamed for everyone to take cover whistles can be heard as the Ottomans looked up only for them to be blown up a moment later.
*BOOM BOOM BOOOM*
After a minute that felt like an hour the bombardment stopped. One man peaks out as he saw nothing before him.
The Buildings the enemy used to shoot at them from are gone, reduced to ruble as bits of humans can be seen scattered everywhere.
Mother's hugged their kids and picked them up as the Russians lead them out the city.
The most effective way to fight a Urban war is not to even participate. Just blow everything up and clean what's left, if anything even is left.
And so Erzurum has fallen, and the Ottoman forces had to retreat. Taking advantage of this, the Russians brought more men in and supplies as they keeps going in deeper.
-Outskirts of Jerusalem-
The British who learned from their Russian partners employed Artillery encampments. But there is a big problem.
Jerusalem
Yes the problem is Jerusalem, a Holy and Ancient city. They can't Fite the Artillery there as that would destroy to much of the city and receive backlash from everyone across the World especially the Vatican.
So the British had a plan, cut of the defenders of Jerusalem from the rest of the Ottoman Empire and watch them surrender.
While that happens, the Artillery targets anything outside the city.
So the plan came to action.
*BOOOM*
*BANG*
*KRRRRRR*
The British Army advanced further inland as they surrounded Jerusalem and keept pushing a bit more as to secure point.
And so the city is encircled.
Days pass as the city begins to starve, then it all broke down when the civilians rebelled against their own troops.
"So the Russians captured Erzurum? Can't believe a Saintess is leading this war on their side."
The General spoke up as he got the message of what happened on the Russian side. To say he was amazed was an understatement.
*BUNG*
A trooper entered the Generals comand room as he said a message.
"Sir! The people of Jerusalem have risen up against the Ottomans!"
The General smirked, this is good.
"Order our men to enter the city and assist our new friends."
"Understood."
The British Army advanced inside Jerusalem as the city is in chaos.
The Ottoman defenders couldn't fight back as they were occupied fighting the rebelling civilians.
Hours later the Union Jack is seen flying high on the tallest building.
-With Anastasia-
With the city in their hands the Army advanced deeper within Ottoman territory.
As Anastasia looks as a map before her she suddenly gets an idea.
"Everyone I have I idea that will cripple the Ottomans to the point of no return."
The Generals and Michael within the comand tent stopped what they were doing and listened to her.
"As you know, the Ottoman Empire is a multi ethnic nation. And here, live almost no Ottoman Turks, it's all populated by Assyrians, Kurds and Arabs. So we instigate a rebellion and have them revolt. Once they gain ground we and the British will have an easier time to advance within their lands."
Anastasia pointed at what used to be Babylonian, Assyrian and Byzantine territory.
Then she pointed at the Arabian Peninsula.
Everyone listened to her as she continued.
"Once the Balkan fronts closes, they will attack Constantinople, this gives us the chance to attack Ankara where the Sultan probably will retreat to. Once we get here the war is won."
The Generals and Officers thought of what Anastasia said.
"Your Highness, I agree to your plan, the faster this war is over the less men will have to die."
Michael spoke out as Anastasia nodded at him.
"I agree as well."
"I concur."
Everyone agreed to her plan.
"Alright, now we advance towards our next target. Have our men ready."
""Yes your Highness!""