Fall Krokodil

Fall Krokodil
Date	22.XII.1733 AN –15.XV.1736 AN
Location	Duchy of Brookshire, Shireroth
Result	Temporary move of Shireroth's capital to Novi Nigrad, Encirclement of Shirekeep avoided, Start of Operation Red Shield;
Belligerents
Augustine Mansford ;	Augustin Terenov ;
Strength
Benacian Union Defence Forces Approximately 1,650,000 soldiers; Regular Infantry: ~1,400,000; ; Armored Divisions: ~150,000 personnel (including support); ; Specialized Units (Riverine Fleet, Information Exploitation Regiments, Special Task Forces): ~70,000; ; Air Force Personnel: ~29,000; ;	Imperial Forces Approximately 1,200,000 soldiers (by 1736: 2,300,000) Regular Army (Palatini Legions, Auxiliary Divisions): ~600,000; Militia and Local Defense Forces: ~590,000; Air Force Personnel: ~10,000;
Casualties and losses
; Killed in Action (KIA): ~400,000 ; ; Wounded: ~600,000 ; ; Missing or Captured: ~150,000 ; ;	; Killed in Action (KIA): ~300,000 ; ; Wounded: ~500,000 ; ; Missing or Captured: ~50,000 ; ; Civilian Impact (Shirerithian Territory): ; Civilians killed in the conflict zone: ~180,000 ; ; Civilians displaced: ~2,760,000 ; ;

Operation Fall Krokodil was a large-scale military offensive launched by the Benacian Union in 1733 AN, targeting the northernmost Circles of the Duchy of Brookshire in Shireroth. The operation represented the opening salvo of the Shiro-Benacian War, an apocalyptic struggle for supremacy in the Benacian continent. With over 1.65 million Benacian soldiers deployed against 1.2 million Shirerithian defenders in the initial phases, the campaign was among the largest military operations in recent history, making the offensives during the War of Lost Brothers seem like child's play.

The Benacian Union’s ultimate goal was to cripple Shireroth’s northern defenses, disrupt its central administration, and capture or neutralize Shirekeep, the imperial capital. While initial Benacian advances were swift and overwhelming, the operation devolved into a bloody and prolonged campaign, marked by strategic stalemates, staggering casualties, and widespread destruction for three years. When gaining a swift victory failed, the Benacians focused on creating as much havoc as possible. By 1736 AN the stalemate was shifting slowly into the favour of Shireroth, with the launch of Operation Red Shield, which threatened to cut off logistics from the main army. By the end of the year only a token force, meant to disrupt Shireroth's war effort behind enemy lines, was left for guerilla warfare (supported by Humanist collaborationists).

Strategic Objectives

The Benacian Union sought to achieve the following objectives through Operation Fall Krokodil:

Capture Schwinn Circle: Seize the vital economic and transportation hubs of Westgate and Schwinn to establish a foothold for further advances into central Brookshire.
Neutralize Maltenstein Circle: Destroy Shirerithian resistance in this strategic region to sever communications between Shirekeep and the southern provinces.
Deceive and Distract in Woodshire Circle: Launch diversionary attacks to keep Shirerithian reinforcements tied down while the main thrusts progressed in Schwinn and Maltenstein.
Encircle Shirekeep: Force the Shirerithian government to abandon its capital by threatening its supply lines and communications.

The Shirerithian strategy, in turn, relied on:

Delaying Actions: Use terrain and fortifications to slow down the Benacian advance.
Reinforcement from Overseas: Deploy reinforcements from Greater Kildare and other Shirerithian territories.
Prevention of Encirclement: Avoid catastrophic defeats in Schwinn and Maltenstein that would leave Shirekeep cut off from the rest of the empire.

Western Front: Schwinn Circle

Early Advance (1733)

The Benacians launched their offensive in Schwinn Circle by advancing along the Imperial Highway. Using a combination of mechanized infantry and armor, the Benacian forces overwhelmed local defenses at Westgate, capturing the town with minimal resistance. However, the garrison’s retreat delayed the main advance, giving Shirerithian forces time to fortify Schwinn, the regional capital.

Battle of Schwinn (Mid-1733 to Early 1734)

The fortified city of Schwinn became the focal point of intense fighting. The Benacians employed a relentless strategy of encirclement, using artillery and air power to bombard defensive positions. Shirerithian forces, including elements of the Palatini Legion, mounted a determined defense: urban combat ensued as Benacian troops attempted to breach the city's walls, encountering stiff resistance in house-to-house fighting. Despite heavy bombardments, Shirerithian forces leveraged underground tunnels and pre-planned defensive networks to slow the advance.

By early 1734 AN, the Benacians had effectively stalled, with significant casualties on both sides. Schwinn remained a contested zone, and the Benacians shifted their focus eastward to achieve a breakthrough.

Central Front: Maltenstein Circle

Crossing the Blue Elwynn (Late 1733)

The main thrust of the Benacian advance targeted Maltenstein Circle. Early operations concentrated on crossing the Blue Elwynn River, with a heavy artillery and aerial bombardment campaign targeting the towns of Pinehurst and Fairhaven: After intense fighting, including house-to-house combat, both towns fell within days. Executions, mostly as revenge for Salome's nuclear attacks, were common and tolerated, sometimes even endorsed by higher ups. As the Benacians successfully took the two towns at the river, Shirerithian forces conducted a strategic withdrawal while sabotaging infrastructure to slow the Benacians' advance.

Battle of Pinehurst Airport

As Benacian forces pressed southward, they encountered fierce resistance near Pinehurst Airport, a critical supply and logistical hub. Shirerithian defenders, reinforced by local militia, utilized entrenched positions and artillery to repel multiple assaults: after weeks of heavy fighting, Benacian forces captured the airport, but their progress toward the regional capital of Maltenstein Village was slowed.

Defensive Stand at Oakshade (early 1734)

Shirerithian forces regrouped at Oakshade, a small settlement strategically located north of Maltenstein Village. Recognizing the threat of encirclement, Shirerithian commanders concentrated their remaining forces to hold this line: Shirerithian troops used scorched-earth tactics and strategic flooding of low-lying areas to halt the Benacian advance. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced and became homeless during this period. Despite suffering significant losses, the Shirerithians managed to stabilize the front, ensuring that Maltenstein Village remained under their control.

As the Benacians closed in on Maltenstein Village, Tribune Terenov executed a daring plan. Dividing his forces into three groups—urban defenders, mobile artillery units, and a guerrilla strike force: he aimed to draw the enemy into a protracted, multi-front battle. The heart of the battle unfolded in the streets of Oakshade. Civilians who had not evacuated joined the fight, turning homes and shops into impromptu fortresses: boiling oil and flaming tar rained from rooftops as militia units ambushed Benacian soldiers in narrow alleys. In the meantime, the few Shirerithian snipers and concealed machine gun nests wreaked havoc on the advancing enemy, forcing them to clear each building room by room. The local temple of the Church of Elwynn, a stone structure in the village center, became - a bit ironically - a symbol of defiance. A detachment of Shirerithian Palatini Legionnaires, nicknamed the "Evagati Corps", held the temple for two weeks, repelling wave after wave of attackers.

Eastern Front: Woodshire Circle

Diversionary Attacks (1733–1734)

In Woodshire Circle, the Benacians launched diversionary attacks near Montran Regional Airport and the town of Eastbourne. These operations were designed to distract Shirerithian reinforcements from the main thrust in Maltenstein Circle: the attacks involved heavy aerial bombardments and small-scale ground skirmishes but were not intended to achieve territorial gains. Shirerithian commanders recognized the diversion and refrained from committing significant forces to this front, allowing them to concentrate on defending Maltenstein. This decision led to a lot of discontent between the government and Armed Forces, as it was feared that with the fall of Woodshire Circle, the enemy would soon stand before Shirekeep's southern gates. With Lichkeep recovering from the nuclear detonation from the Benacian retaliation, defensive structures to the south had been mostly destroyed and left the capital vulnerable.

Aftermath in Woodshire

Although the diversion failed to draw significant reinforcements away from Maltenstein, it inflicted severe damage on local infrastructure and civilian populations. By late 1734 AN, the Woodshire front had largely stabilized, with only sporadic skirmishes.

Benacian order of battle

Special Task Force of the Confluence

Special Task Force of the Confluence
- Operations Room
  - Planning Cell
  - Red Clover Team
    - LORKS Integration Cell
  - Nexus Liaison Team (Panopticon)
  - Target Profiling Team (Fountainpen)
  - Sensor Grid Calibration Team (LDT)
- Information Exploitation Regiment
  - Headquarters Squadron
    - Intelligence and Information Activities Troop
  - Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron
    - Patrol Troop
    - River Reconnaissance Troop
    - Electronic Warfare Troop
    - Information Activities Troop
  - Area Defence Squadron
  - Communications Squadron
  - Logistics Squadron
    - Motor Transportation Troop
    - Provost Troop
    - Catering Troop
    - Stores Troop
    - Equipment Support Troop
  - Depot Squadron
- Specialist Support Regiment
  - Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
  - 1st Cohort (Information Operations)
  - 2nd Cohort (Operational Security)
  - 3rd Cohort (Operational Support)
- 3rd Riverine Infantry Regiment (RGF)
- Riverine Fleet (MFBU)
  - 1st Riverine Division
  - 2nd Riverine Division
  - 3rd Riverine Division
- Riverine Division (RGF)
  - 1st Riverine Infantry Regiment
  - 4th Riverine Infantry Regiment
  - 5th Riverine Infantry Regiment
  - 6th Riverine Infantry Regiment
  - 7th Riverine Infantry Regiment
  - 8th Riverine Infantry Regiment
  - 7th Signals Regiment

Central Banner Group

15th Army
- IV Corps
  - 5 Pansarfördelningen
    - 27 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 5 Pansarregementet
    - 7 Infanteriregementet
    - 43 Infanteriregementet
    - 7 Ingenjörregemente
    - 7 Artilleriregemente
    - 7 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 7 Signalregemente
    - 7 Trängregemente
    - 7 Sanitetsregemente
    - 7 Garnisonsregementet
    - 27 Inspektionsregementet
  - 1st Manoeuvre Brigade
    - 1 Command Cohort
    - 1 Reconnaissance Squadron
    - 1 Dragoon Cohort
    - 15 Dragoon Cohort
    - 61 Motorised Infantry Regiment
    - 21 Area Defence Regiment
    - 1 Security Cohort
    - 1 Engineer Cohort
    - 1 Transport Cohort
    - 1 Signals Squadron
    - 1 Commissariat Regiment
    - 57 Inspectorate Regiment
- VII Corps
  - 37 Kavallerifördelningen
    - 36 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 9 Dragonregementet
    - 16 Infanteriregementet
    - 52 Infanteriregementet
    - 16 Ingenjörregemente
    - 16 Artilleriregemente
    - 16 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 16 Signalregemente
    - 16 Trängregemente
    - 16 Sanitetsregemente
    - 16 Garnisonsregementet
    - 36 Inspektionsregementet
  - 4th Manoeuvre Brigade
    - 4 Command Cohort
    - 4 Reconnaissance Squadron
    - 4 Dragoon Cohort
    - 18 Dragoon Cohort
    - 64 Motorised Infantry Regiment
    - 24 Area Defence Regiment
    - 4 Security Cohort
    - 4 Engineer Cohort
    - 4 Transport Cohort
    - 4 Signals Squadron
    - 4 Commissariat Regiment
    - 60 Inspectorate Regiment
- VIII Corps
  - 40 Kavallerifördelningen
    - 37 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 10 Dragonregementet
    - 17 Infanteriregementet
    - 53 Infanteriregementet
    - 17 Ingenjörregemente
    - 17 Artilleriregemente
    - 17 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 17 Signalregemente
    - 17 Trängregemente
    - 17 Sanitetsregemente
    - 17 Garnisonsregementet
    - 37 Inspektionsregementet
  - 7th Manoeuvre Brigade
    - 7 Command Cohort
    - 7 Reconnaissance Squadron
    - 7 Dragoon Cohort
    - 21 Dragoon Cohort
    - 67 Motorised Infantry Regiment
    - 27 Area Defence Regiment
    - 7 Security Cohort
    - 7 Engineer Cohort
    - 7 Transport Cohort
    - 7 Signals Squadron
    - 7 Commissariat Regiment
    - 63 Inspectorate Regiment

CBG establishment

Main combatant vehicle types attached to 15th Army
Formation	BK-IV	BK-VIII	BK-IX	BK-X	BK-XI	BK-XII	BK-XIII	HK-III	HK-VI	M1701	Burdock	System-2
IV Corps	24	60	18	54	90	56	225	18	36	54	24	8
VII Corps	24	60	0	18	54	112	225	18	36	72	24	8
VIII Corps	24	60	0	18	54	112	225	18	36	72	24	8

Southern Banner Group

25th Army (Gen. Augustine Mansford)
- XVII Corps (East Caverden)
  - 84 Arméfördelningen
    - 54 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 17 Grenadjärregemente
    - 34 Infanteriregementet
    - 70 Infanteriregementet
    - 34 Ingenjörregemente
    - 34 Artilleriregemente
    - 34 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 34 Signalregemente
    - 34 Trängregemente
    - 34 Sanitetsregemente
    - 34 Garnisonsregementet
    - 54 Inspektionsregementet
  - 89 Arméfördelningen
    - 55 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 18 Grenadjärregemente
    - 35 Infanteriregementet
    - 71 Infanteriregementet
    - 35 Ingenjörregemente
    - 35 Artilleriregemente
    - 35 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 35 Signalregemente 35 Trängregemente
    - 35 Sanitetsregemente
    - 35 Garnisonsregementet
    - 55 Inspektionsregementet
  - 90 Arméfördelningen
    - 56 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 19 Grenadjärregemente
    - 36 Infanteriregementet
    - 72 Infanteriregementet
    - 36 Ingenjörregemente
    - 36 Artilleriregemente
    - 36 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 36 Signalregemente
    - 36 Trängregemente
    - 36 Sanitetsregemente
    - 36 Garnisonsregementet
    - 56 Inspektionsregementet
- Uihmanz Crisco (Monty Crisco)
  - 1st Ransenari Division
    - 1st Regiment of Dragoons
    - 2nd Regiment of Dragoons
    - 6th Regiment of Rifles
    - 7th Regiment of Rifles
    - 18th Regiment of Rifles
    - 19th Regiment of Rifles
    - 30th Regiment of Rifles
    - 65th Field Regiment
    - 74th Field Regiment
    - 603rd Field Regiment
    - 6th Regiment of Artillery
    - 92nd Ransenari Gendarmes Regiment
    - 8th Engineer Regiment
    - 15th Engineer Regiment
    - 6th Signals Regiment
    - 3rd Force Support Logistic Regiment
  - 2nd Ransenari Division
    - 3rd Regiment of Dragoons
    - 5th Regiment of Yeomanry
    - 5th Regiment of Rifles
    - 8th Regiment of Rifles
    - 17th Regiment of Rifles
    - 20th Regiment of Rifles
    - 29th Regiment of Rifles
    - 54th Field Regiment
    - 79th Field Regiment
    - 266th Field Regiment
    - 5th Regiment of Artillery
    - 1st Field Gendarmery Regiment
    - 9th Engineer Regiment
    - 14th Engineer Regiment
    - 5th Signals Regiment
    - 2nd Force Support Logistic Regiment
  - 15 Kavallerifördelningen "Angularis"
    - 31 Taktiska Kommando Regemente
    - 4 Dragonregementet
    - 11 Infanteriregementet
    - 47 Infanteriregementet
    - 11 Ingenjörregemente
    - 11 Artilleriregemente
    - 11 Luftvärnsregemente
    - 11 Signalregemente
    - 11 Trängregemente
    - 11 Sanitetsregemente
    - 11 Garnisonsregementet
    - 31 Inspektionsregementet
- Support Echelon
  - East Caverden Division
    - 3rd Portage Regiment
    - 3rd (Catering) Support Regiment
    - 9th (Medical Services) Support Regimen
  - Monty Crisco Division
    - 2nd Transport Regiment
    - 4th Works Regiment
    - 6th (Electrical & Mechanical) Support Regiment
    - 8th (Medical Services) Support Regiment

SBG establishment

Main combatant vehicle types attached to 25th Army
Formation	BK-VIII	BK-XI	BK-XII	BK-XIII	HK-VI	M1701	Burdock	System-2
XVII Corps	80	0	0	450	108	90	36	12
Uihmanz Crisco	40	242	56	900	108	72	12	4

Shirerithian order of battle

Department of the Confluence

Army of the Confluence (provisional)
- 1. Corps
  - 1. Legion (H) Palatini
  - 2. Legion (M) Palatini
  - 3. Legion (M) Palatini
  - Myćiereho, 1re Dekošyre Ġuseš
    - Myćierehem ia Korenygu
    - 1rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 1re Dekošyre Tam
    - 1rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 2re Dekošyre Tam
    - 1rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 3re Dekošyre Tam
- 3. Corps
  - 7. Legion (H) Palatini
  - 8. Legion (M) Palatini
  - 9. Legion (M) Palatini
  - Tyġoryġwho, 6re Dekošyre Ġuseš (Montran)
    - Tyġoryġwhem ia Korenygu
    - 6rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 1re Dekošyre Tam
    - 6rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 2re Dekošyre Tam
    - 6rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 3re Dekošyre Tam
- 5. Corps (engaged in Alalehzamin offensive)
  - 13. Legion (H) Palatini
  - 14. Legion (M) Palatini
  - 15. Legion (A) Palatini
  - 7th Confluence Auxiliary Division (veteran)
  - 10th Confluence Auxiliary Division (veteran)

Department of the Gaudin

Ć'eleiedźak'o'azeho, 7re Dekošyre Ġuseš
- Ć'eleiedźak'o'azehem ia Korenygu
- 7rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 1re Dekošyre Tam
- 7rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 2re Dekošyre Tam
- 7rem Dekošyrem Ġusešem i 3re Dekošyre Tam