Utter Carnage... Thousands Believed Dead As Major Assault Blunted
Eye Witnesses Report Casualties Mounting Up On Both Sides As All-Out Attack On Centre Of The Line Brings Limited Success
Vanukean special forces looked to consolidate their position on the banks of the River Drtéréksrne.
March 4412 - Vanuku has carried out its biggest assault of the 14-month conflict with Deltaria in an attempt to seize well-defended border fortifications in the Katonid Khanate and force a general retreat.
Over the last few months, and in scenes which resemble trench warfare tactics of centuries ago, both sides have resorted to attacks and counter attacks across the heavily defended steppe in southern Jelbania. This has resulted in advances and withdrawals of just metres at a time and left local towns and villages devastated.
However, in a bid to break the deadlock, Vanuku has carried out a huge frontal attack over a 10km area in the vicinity of the devastated town of Frtoékrmjko. It had been reclaimed by Deltaria just a month ago in a bloody battle which led to the destruction of the nearby holy coronation site of the Jelbek Khans - known as the Shrine of the First Khan.
It was accompanied by secondary attacks along the entire front - which follows the course of the River Drtéréksrne - in an attempt to pin down Deltarian forces and prevent them bringing in reinforcements. The assault was preceded by a deadly artillery and aerial bombing operation in which thousands of shells and surface to air ordnance pounded the defenders over an eight hour period. In addition airborne and amphibious commando units were deployed behind the lines and in eastern coastal regions to harass enemy movements and communications and to seize bridges on the Drtéréksrne.
Devastating artillery fire was laid down by the Vanukean military before regular ground forces advanced.
More than 50,000 troops were then ordered on the offensive in the primary attack zone supported by tens of thousands more along the line. Losses as troops crossed what has now become known as the killing zone - the river floodplain between the outer ring of defences occupied by Vanuku and the second fortified sector held by Deltaria - were extremely high, according to eye witnesses.
The Vanukean advance, which made steady progress at first, was then blocked by the Deltarian counterattack tactic which utilises reserves close to the front line and has proved an effective stumbling block in slowing progress. However, the result of such action was that the Deltarians, themselves, suffered high casualties amongst the troops who surged forward in order to give defenders to their rear time to regroup.
Fighting in the Battle for Frtoékrmjko continued for several days with attacks and counter attacks on both sides becoming less effective over time. Experts say the front between the disputed Northern Khaganate and Katonid Khanate border was advanced around half a kilometre and allowed Vanuku to retake the town before before the two sides became bogged down again. In addition, the second and third lines of the Deltarian original three-tier defensive fortification network remains generally intact.
Casualties began to mount up as soldiers on both sides tried to advance through the 'killing zone'.
Despite the situation, Vanukean Defence Minister Colonel Eksandr G. Anzlék remained positive. He said: "The Deltarian force is inferior to ours. Each of these attacks is breaking down their resistance and their morale. The conflict is more attritional than we first anticipated but is not unsurprising given the level of fortifications and defences the Deltarians were allowed to build while they fooled other nations with overtures of peaceful intent.
"Nevertheless, we will prevail. Vanuku's military is honed to go the distance and we will use whatever means necessary to throw back the illegal occupiers and liberate southern Jelbania."
Behind the scenes, it is believed the Kingdom government is desperate to see a quick end to the conflict. This is partly down to the continued expansion of Jeztrid forces in the western tribal areas but also due to speculative reports that Manil II Khagan, the ruler of the Northern Khaganate, is said to be on his deathbed after suffering a series of strokes. His death would lead to a succession crisis in the Vanukean-sponosred Khaganate a situation that the government in Wiel can ill afford.