Chapter 30: Planning the Formation of the Storm Assault Team

The final days of the defense of Ostend are hardly worth detailing. The German army was merely stalling for time, allowing the more heavily fortified positions further back—such as Blankenberge and Zeebrugge—to successfully install 280mm and even 305mm coastal defense batteries, ensuring that the battleships of the Britannians could no longer wreak havoc on the coast.

Lelouch’s reconnaissance cavalry company was not suited for holding the line in the trenches, so they focused primarily on fire observation, guiding targets for the rear artillery. The grueling work of holding the line and absorbing damage remained the responsibility of the various infantry regiments of the 6th Division.

In the German army of 1914, having a reconnaissance cavalry company handle fire observation was relatively rare. At this time, artillery observation was inherently primitive and crude. Only during protracted siege warfare was there time to conduct sustained observation; if the initial salvos missed, observation posts would carefully observe and photograph the results, then send the information back by fast courier so the rear artillery could adjust their fire. This entire process could take several hours. Even radios were rarely used; the division’s reconnaissance company had only one low-power radio, reserved strictly for critical intelligence, not for trivial matters like whether the previous volley fell short or over.

Even this was considered the peak of communication modernization for the era. If one looked at the Russian army on the Eastern Front, let alone the divisional reconnaissance companies, even regimental and brigade headquarters lacked radios; only the division headquarters possessed one, and just a single unit at that. By the same token, if artillery of this era encountered a newly emerged enemy long-range battery, it would take hours to pinpoint the enemy’s position, adjust coordinates, and return fire. Thus, after opening fire, long-range batteries could remain stationary for three hours without fear of counter-battery fire. Unless they stayed put for half a day, they were unlikely to be targeted.

In other words, the "rapid spotting and rapid counter-battery" tactics found in the later stages of World War II or beyond did exist in this era, albeit at a much slower pace. What a modern army could counter in 15 minutes might take an hour or two in World War II, and perhaps half a day in the early stages of World War I.

However, with Lelouch’s intervention—combining the common knowledge he had acquired as a military enthusiast in his past life with the practical experience gained on the front lines—he quickly devised small methods to accelerate the response speed and rhythm of the artillery operations, achieving significant results in just a few days.

All of this was also thanks to the serendipitous expansion of his unit. While other divisional reconnaissance companies were typically equipped with only one radio, making it impossible to conduct flexible reconnaissance, relay real-time multi-point intelligence, or adjust artillery fire, Lelouch had a combined force of an original cavalry company and a signal platoon. His unit had more radios and more personnel trained in communications. Furthermore, thanks to his rapport with others, he was able to borrow additional radios from Colonel List of the 16th Regiment. Consequently, he could equip every artillery observation post with a radio, increasing response speeds several times over.

During the defense of Ostend, Lelouch’s flexible command provided the friendly artillery with more real-time observation data, slightly improving the speed of counter-battery fire against enemy positions. The entire reconnaissance company received several commendations from superiors, and those subordinates who had initially doubted Lelouch were forced to acknowledge his abilities after witnessing his performance firsthand. With both the divisional commander and the artillery regimental commander praising the company, the soldiers felt a sense of collective pride. The two-hundred-man reconnaissance cavalry company was now firmly under Lelouch’s control.

Lelouch himself compiled his observations and insights, intending to organize them once the fighting concluded.

***

It was November 6th.

A week had passed since the naval battle. By the calendar, the deadline for the 12th Division to hold Ostend had arrived. After tonight, the troops were authorized to withdraw at any time. Of course, if the tactical situation allowed, they could continue to hold on and bleed the enemy further.

That morning, everything went smoothly. The fire observation teams, trained by Lelouch for several days, functioned well and provided significant support to the friendly artillery. At noon, another enemy offensive was repelled, leaving hundreds of tan-clad corpses strewn before the lines. Indeed, the enemy uniforms had shifted from the blue coats and red trousers of the French to the tan uniforms of the Britannians.

A week earlier, when the enemy counterattacked Nieuwpoort, the main force was French; now, the assault on Ostend had been turned over to the Britannians. This was because the French had suffered such heavy casualties during the "Race to the Sea" that they were effectively spent. In the history of the world, the French had lost 200,000 men in that campaign. With Lelouch’s influence, the three Belgian divisions in the Nieuwpoort area had been annihilated, and the French had suffered additional losses. It was estimated that French combat deaths had exceeded 230,000, with over 20,000 of those deaths directly or indirectly caused by Lelouch’s actions, including losses from German naval shelling at Dunkirk and Nieuwpoort.

Therefore, after the French exhausted their final strength to take Nieuwpoort, they reached the outskirts of Ostend only to find themselves at the end of their tether. Subsequent offensive tasks were handed over to the Britannians. For the last three or four days, the enemy units Lelouch faced had all been Britannian. Even the port of Dunkirk, though on Frankish soil, had its defense transferred to the Britannians, who deployed their own naval ground crews to manage logistics and transshipment of supplies for the front lines.

***

As the midday offensive subsided, soldiers on both sides took time to eat and rest. Lelouch’s command post was located in a reinforced temporary bunker on a hill southeast of the city, co-located with the division’s artillery regiment to ensure that radio intelligence from the front could be relayed to the artillery for rapid fire support.

Lelouch allowed his duty officers to rotate for meals. Just as he left the bunker to get food, an acquaintance called out to him:

"Captain Lelouch! I have some extra supplies, care to join me? Thanks to your men, our observation efficiency has been so high these past few days that our battalion's counter-battery performance has improved significantly."

Lelouch turned to see Major Wilhelm Gustav Keitel, commander of the artillery regiment’s cannon battalion. Over the past few days, Lelouch had grown familiar with the artillery officers, including Colonel Dulles, the regimental commander, and this major. The artillery officers liked him because he improved their efficiency, especially the cannon battalion, which relied on long-range fire to neutralize enemy artillery.

Lelouch was happy to associate with Major Keitel. "I would be honored."

Major Keitel handed him two bottles of champagne and some oil-paper-wrapped pan-seared steaks made from aged beef. Lelouch didn't eat alone; he took the food and drink back to his bunker to share with his trusted subordinates, such as Klose and Schweinsteiger.

To avoid unwanted attention, the major had wrapped the oil-paper packages in a layer of old newspapers. Once the group was seated, Lelouch had Klose slice the steaks. He glanced at the newspaper and saw a major headline.

"Why is this *The Times*? Isn't this an enemy paper? Where did it come from? And look at the date—it's five days old."

Major Keitel popped a bottle of champagne, biting the cork with his teeth, and muttered, "I heard the division commander had them brought in. Several copies were distributed to each regiment to boost morale. The arrogance of the Britannians in this paper is laughable."

Lelouch read carefully. The newspaper, published in London five days ago, claimed that the Britannians had already captured Nieuwpoort and Ostend. They were boasting of a victory that hadn't yet occurred—Ostend was still in the hands of the 12th Infantry Division, which wasn't scheduled to withdraw until after nightfall.

"How shameless. And they even write that 'the Royal Navy lost nothing but four pieces of obsolete junk that were already scheduled for decommissioning.' They don't mention the auxiliary ships they lost or the men who died!"

Lelouch read the enemy's reports, which included the earlier naval battle; they truly only admitted to losing "obsolete junk." However, the division commander had marked the paper with red ink to show the actual results: 4 enemy pre-dreadnoughts, 6 light cruisers, and 11 destroyers sunk; 2 battlecruisers, 1 light cruiser, and 3 destroyers damaged. At least 8,500 enemy sailors were killed or captured, with 1,500 rescued as prisoners of war.

The headcount was credible, based on standard crew complements for enemy ships. Even an obsolete pre-dreadnought like the *Hood* required 880 men for coastal bombardment; the others carried at least a thousand each. Light cruisers required three to four hundred, and destroyers at least one to two hundred. With no control over the coastal waters, the survival rate for those who went overboard in winter was abysmal—likely over 80 or 90 percent.

The paper, however, contained some valuable information. Lelouch read: "The Royal Navy has been enraged and has recommissioned a number of pre-dreadnoughts that were previously in reserve, which are larger, more advanced, and more heavily armed than those previously sunk. In just a few months, the Channel Fleet will be stronger than ever!"

To boost morale, the report listed the "dreadnoughts" being refitted, including eight of the *Majestic*-class ships built at the turn of the century. They claimed these eight would replace the four lost, boasting that for every ship the Germanians sank, the Royal Navy would return with two more.

Lelouch couldn't help but admire their audacity. "They dare to report this; it shows how determined they are to take Ostend. They've already boasted of victory, and if they fail, at least a few ministers will have to resign. To save face, they’ve even disclosed sensitive military information, giving us a clearer picture of their strength."

"However," Lelouch continued, "we have no need to sacrifice the lives of our entire division for their pride. The coastal defense guns are nearly gone anyway."

Major Keitel filled his tin mess kit with champagne. "Indeed, the 210mm guns were destroyed by enemy ships last night. The remaining 150mm fortress guns will certainly be finished today. They’re fixed, so we can't take them; we’ll fight until they’re destroyed and then pull out. I hear the *Majestic*-class ships will join the bombardment soon, with Beatty’s battlecruisers providing cover to prevent Admiral Hipper from picking off more 'soft targets' from Antwerp. Ostend cannot be held. But I have news—the coastal fortresses at Blankenberge and Zeebrugge are fully deployed, and the 305mm guns are in place. We can withdraw tonight!"

Lelouch finished his champagne, thoughtful. "Once we reach Zeebrugge, our defensive phase is over. It will be time to plan for the counterattack on the Ypres Salient."

Major Keitel nodded. "Definitely! Once we reach Zeebrugge, they won't be able to advance another inch. With the 305mm coastal guns, their ships cannot provide fire support. We can hold the line with rotating units, and we’ll finally get some rest."

Lelouch had an idea. "Major, I have a thought. Would you be willing to co-sign a proposal with me? I've summarized some new tactics from our cooperation these past few days. I want to suggest that the High Command form a specialized assault team for future offensives that can call for fire support more efficiently. We need to adapt our defensive coordination for offensive operations, and I need your expertise."

Major Keitel, seeing Lelouch’s potential, agreed enthusiastically. "Of course! If we can contribute to the Empire by sharing our success, how could I refuse?"

***

The afternoon battle saw the Britannians once again met with stubborn German resistance. By the second half of the night, with the retreat route east of Ostend secure, the German troops withdrew in batches to Blankenberge and the nearby inland city of Bruges.

The withdrawal was smooth. When Ostend was abandoned, it was essentially a pile of rubble already smashed by Britannian naval guns. The only consolation for the Britannians was that they finally occupied the city their *Times* had claimed they held five days ago. The cost of this face-saving victory was astronomical; the Britannian troops were utterly exhausted and unable to advance further.

Upon reaching Blankenberge, Lelouch immediately began drafting his report, incorporating his lessons on reconnaissance-artillery coordination and his ideas for "Stormtrooper" tactics, hoping to influence the upcoming Battle of the Ypres Salient.