The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 153: (2) March of the Devil

Countless monitors installed at the rear JGSDF encampment on the trench front displayed real-time images from UAVs of the 250.000 advancing Lemurian Army soldiers. The Lemurians, relentlessly bombarded by 155 mm howitzers, presented a scene of sheer devastation. Adding to their plight, ground attacks were being carried out by Rekkū anti-ship and Yatagarasu recon drones, which had completed their sweeps of enemy transport ships and were dropping JDAMs on them.

By the time the Lemurian Army had approached within 5 kilometers of the 1st Trench Line, they had suffered at least 50.000 casualties, including armored vehicles. The incessant explosions echoing back to the rear encampment were the ominous "sounds of death." Yet the JGSDF had no intention of showing mercy. The Lemurians were an aggressive race that initiated unilateral attacks and mercilessly ravaged soldiers and civilians alike.

Several years had passed since their arrival in this alternate world, and the general consensus—including the JGSDF—was that "violence must be countered with greater violence to protect what needs safeguarding." This understanding diminished public aversion to combat operations.

"The enemy's momentum shows no signs of waning."

Major General Doi of the JGSDF stood with arms crossed, observing the numerous monitors in front of him. Although the enemy forces were still out of visual range and beyond the effective range of tank guns, he did not take the situation lightly.

Memories of a recent Earth conflict lingered in his mind, where outdated weapons had overwhelmed their state-of-the-art counterparts through sheer numbers and actually won. Although no further clashes occurred at that time, it served as a stark reminder of the power and peril of numerical superiority. This battle bore eerie similarities.

'Even at the lowest estimate, the Lemurian Army's weaponry matches the mid-to-late Second World War era. That alone is a considerable threat, and we've only managed to take down 50.000 of them so far... Will we make it in time?'

The JGSDF leveraged its advanced C4I systems to integrate reconnaissance data from multiple UAVs and instantly disseminate precise enemy positions to rear encampments, vehicles, and units. AI-driven algorithms swiftly projected enemy movements, enabling timely attacks that inflicted massive losses on the Lemurian forces.

The areas traversed by the Lemurian Army had become hellish wastelands strewn with corpses, yet nearly 200.000 soldiers pressed forward.

Doi was troubled. Though confident in their ability to repel the enemy forces, he feared the 1st Trench Line might be breached. He aimed to minimize casualties on both sides but knew it was imperative to halt the enemy advance and crush their morale completely.

His attention shifted to armored vehicles approaching from the rear, separate from the infantry and landships.

'Those look reminiscent of the Soviet Union's barrier troops. Otherwise, they wouldn't resort to killing their own scattered or immobilized comrades.'

Doi speculated that among the 200.000 enemy troops, many were advancing to escape the terror of the barrier troops trailing behind.

"The moment the enemy is halted by tetrahedral tank obstacles or barbed-wire fences is our opportunity. Launch an all-out attack and eliminate the barrier troops at the rear. If the fear pressing from behind is removed, the entire thing may collapse."

It was an unpleasant scenario to witness, but Doi suspected that without coercion, the Lemurian soldiers lacked the morale to advance. Although this strategy was speculative, it was worth attempting.

"Sir, preparations for the second phase of the operation are complete."

"Hm? I see... Once the target area is reached, commence the drop immediately. What's the margin of error on the scheduled operation time?"