Zygus Qamil

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Zygus Qamil

Map Zygus Qamil.png
Type: Defensive line
Built: January 2010 - August 2010 ASC
Construction materials: Concrete, steel

In use: August 2010 - present
Controlled by: Kildarian Defence Forces
Battles / wars: None yet

Soldiers deployed: 85,000

The Zygus Qamil (English: Eastern Wall) is a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defences, which Kildare (Shireroth) constructed along its borders with Antica, Holzborg and other nations.

The Kildari established the fortification to provide time for their army to mobilize in the event of attack and/or to entice (most importantly) Antica to attack via a neutral Natopia (and so go to Audentior and Apollo City) to avoid a direct assault on the line.

The construction of the defenses began in January 2010 and ended in August 2010.

Features

The specification of the defences is very high, with extensive and interconnected bunker complexes for thousands of men. There are 57 main forts, 120 smaller forts and 467 casemates between, with over 250 kilometres of tunnels. Artillery is coordinated with protective measures to assure that one fort can support the next in line by bombarding it directly without harm. The largest guns are therefore 135mm fortress guns. Larger weapons are to be part of the mobile forces and are to be deployed behind the lines.

The fortifications did not extend through Audentior, which was believed to be safe from attacks. However, fortifications have been made around Apollo City and Apolytown.

There was a final flurry of construction in 4022 ASC with general improvements all along the Qamil. The final Qamil is strongest around the important industrial / administrative regions of Apollo City, Destrykara and Blackrock Nua, while other areas are in comparison only weakly guarded. The Qamil in Kitanus Fields, for example, is less defended and fortified because it borders unclaimed land which belongs to no nation.


Organization

Some bunkers at the Antya River.

Although the name "Zygus Qamil" suggests a rather thin linear fortification, the defence line is quite deep, varying in depth (i.e., from the border to the rear area) from between 10 to 20 kilometers. It is composed of an intricate system of strong points, fortifications, and military facilities such as border guard posts, communications centers, infantry shelters, barricades, artillery, machine gun, and anti-tank gun emplacements, supply depots, infrastructure facilities, observation posts, etc.

These various structures reinforced a principal line of resistance, made up of the most heavily armed fortresses or major defensive works.


From the front and proceeding to the rear, the Line is composed of:

  • Border Post line: This consists of blockhouses and strong houses which are often camouflaged as inoffensive residential homes, built within a few metres of the border, and manned by troops so as to give alarm in the event of sneak or surprise attack as well as delay enemy tanks with prepared explosives and barricades.
  • Outpost and Support Point line: Approximately 4 kilometres behind the border, a line of anti-tank blockhouses is intended to provide resistance to armoured assault sufficient to delay the enemy so as to allow the soldiers to be ready at their battle stations. These outposts covered major passages within the principal line.
  • Principal line of resistance: This line began 9 kilometres behind the border. It is preceded by anti-tank obstacles which were metal rails planted vertically in 5 rows with heights varying from 0.70 to 1.40 m and buried to a depth of two meters. These anti-tank obstacles extend from end to end in front of the major works across hundreds of kilometres, interrupted only by extremely dense forests, rivers, or other nearly-impassable terrain.
  • Infantry Casemates: These bunkers are armed with twin machine-guns and anti-tank guns of 37 or 47 mm. They could be single (with only one firing room in only one direction) or double (two firing rooms, in 2 opposite directions). These generally had 2 floors, with a firing level and a support/infrastructure level that provided the troops with rest and services (power generating units, reserves of water, fuel, food, ventilation equipment, etc.). The infantry casemates often have 1 or 2 "cloches" or turrets located on top of them.
  • Small Fortresses: These small fortresses reinforce the line of infantry bunkers. It was generally made up of several infantry bunkers connected by an underground tunnel network to which were attached various buried facilities, such as barracks, electric generators, ventilation systems, mess halls, infirmaries, and supply caches. Their crew consists of between 100 and 200 men.
  • Large Fortresses: These fortresses are the most important fortifications on the Zygus Qamil, having the sturdiest construction and also the heaviest artillery. These are composed of at least six "forward bunker systems" or "combat blocks", as well as two entrances, and are interconnected via a network of underground tunnels that often featured narrow gauge electric railways for transport between bunker systems. The various blocks contain necessary infrastructure such as power stations with generating units, independent ventilating systems, barracks and mess halls, kitchens, water storage and distribution systems, hoists, ammunition stores, workshops, and stores of spare parts, food, etc. Their crews ranges from 500 to more than 1000 men.
  • Observation Posts: These are located on hills that provided a good view of the surrounding area. Their purpose is to locate the enemy and direct and correct the indirect fire of artillery from the artillery fortifications as well as to report on the progress and position of key enemy units. These are large reinforced buried concrete bunkers, equipped with armoured turrets containing high-precision optics that are connected with the other fortifications by field telephone and wireless transmitters.
  • Telephone Network: This system connects every fortification in the Zygus Qamil, including bunkers, infantry and artillery fortresses, observation posts, and shelters. Two telephone wires are placed parallel to the line of fortifications, providing redundancy in the event of a wire getting cut. There are places along the cable where dismounted soldiers could connect to the network.
  • Infantry Reserve Shelters: These are found between 500 and 1000 meters behind of the principal line of resistance. It are buried concrete bunkers designed to house and shelter up to a company of infantry (200 to 250 men), and had such features as electric generators, ventilation systems, water supplies, kitchens and heating, which allow their occupants to hold out in the event of an attack. They could also be used as a local headquarters and as a base from which to carry out counter-attacks.
  • Flood Zones are natural basins or rivers that could be flooded on demand and thus constitute an additional obstacle in the event of an enemy offensive.
  • Safety Quarters: These are built near the major fortifications in order to make it possible for fortress crews to reach their battle stations within the shortest possible time in the event of a surprise or sneak attack during peacetime.
  • Supply depots.
  • Ammunition dumps.
  • Heavy rail artillery. This is hauled in by locomotives to predesignated locations so as to support the pre-emplaced artillery located in the fortresses, which was intentionally limited in range to 10-12 kilometers.


Propaganda

In contrast to the weak lines in the north, the propaganda about the Qamil makes it appear a far greater construction than it is. Illustrations show multiple stories of interwoven passages, and even underground railyards and cinemas. This reassured allied civilians. This, however, doesn't mean that the Qamil is weak. Tactical places (border with Antica, important cities, etc.) are very well protected.