Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 462 The Partial War Between Russia and Iran (Part Two)
As time passed, both Russia and Iran intensified their troop deployments. Due to the terrain, both sides could only resolve their conflict through mobile warfare. Russia, in particular, relied on its massive military strength.

Iran, on the other hand, relies on advanced weaponry. Both its artillery and muskets are significantly superior to those of the Russian army. In particular, Russia doesn't possess a single machine gun.

With the strong support of the Shah, Iran's military industry began to catch up with Prussia's, especially with the artillery developed in cooperation with Krupp and the needle-fire guns developed in cooperation with Dreiser being deployed in the army.

Take, for example, the Thunder Rapid-Fire Cannon developed by Iran's First Military Factory. This cannon has a 75mm caliber and a rate of fire of 8-10 rounds per minute, twice as fast as other artillery. It can quickly strike enemy artillery positions.

Furthermore, Iran has constructed over 1200 kilometers of railway in the Caucasus region, connecting major cities and ports. In contrast, Russia's railway network in the Caucasus remains only a theoretical plan. With only dirt roads and mule tracks available for troop movement, Iran is able to transport troops much more quickly.

Both countries' troops are being mobilized and concentrated at the front lines, although there has been no conflict yet. However, both sides know that this is merely the calm before the storm.

Plechev, who was guarding Nogesky, could also sense this. However, as a soldier in the Russian army, he possessed extremely high loyalty to the country and the Tsar.

Following the outbreak of conflict in Central Asia, his unit spent three days fortifying the position. The entire position consisted of three lines of defense, distributed around Nogeskiy, protecting the border town from an Iranian attack.

The Plechev post is located in an open area, allowing for surveillance of the entire region from a single sentry post. Especially now, with the threat of war looming, it is crucial that someone be stationed here to monitor Iranian movements at all times.

However, observing the situation could be tedious at times, and his comrade couldn't help but say, "When will the Iranians start fighting? This is too unbearable."

"How should I know? It should be soon."

“These Iranians are despicable. I will show them what I’m capable of with my gun.”

Another person immediately said, "We've developed so rapidly over the years, we're completely different now. I'm not afraid of those Iranians at all. Besides, those despicable Iranians occupy so much of our territory. If it weren't for the government's consideration for peace, we would have already dealt with them. These Iranians are ungrateful and dare to provoke the Empire. Just wait..."

"stop"

Plechev suddenly interrupted his comrade's incessant chatter.

"what happened?"

"Is there some kind of sound?" Plechev asked seriously.

What's that sound coming from?

"Do not talk."

Plechev quickly raised his binoculars to observe the movements in that direction. He saw a large, dark mass of cavalry advancing towards them. It seemed these Iranians were about to attack.

"Oh no, the enemy is attacking!" Plechev exclaimed inwardly, then immediately shouted down to his men, "Report this to the general immediately! The enemy is attacking. They're all cavalry, and there look to be tens of thousands of them!"

Everyone immediately retreated. The sentry post's role was to provide early warning, not to engage in combat, so their actions were perfectly acceptable.

This cavalry force was a joint effort by Chechnya and Czerkia, intended to test the strength of the Russian defenses.

The enemy attack also put pressure on the Russian general Kerstenv, who was stationed in Nogesky.

"We will have reinforcements tomorrow. But before that, we need to hold off the enemy's offensive."

Plechev lay prone at his firing position in the first trench, his cheek pressed against the cold butt of his rifle. Through the dissipating fog, he saw undulating black lines appearing on the horizon—not a simple cavalry charge, but a mixed force of light cavalry, camel riders, and Cossack traitors, their loose and flexible formation clearly an adjustment made in response to Russian artillery fire.

A deafening roar of artillery fire erupted, and shells rained down like a storm. But the effect was far less than expected: these mountain people from the Caucasus were already accustomed to maneuvering through artillery fire. They quickly dispersed into smaller formations, some even dismounting to advance in skirmish lines. Even more terrifying were the camel riders mixed in with the ranks; those Bactrian camels draped in blankets carried Iranian-made Nadir machine guns, their spitting fire instantly suppressing the Russian infantry positions on the right flank.

"The enemy is closing in, charge!"

On one of the positions, a Russian officer looked at the approaching machine gun and loudly gave orders.

Several stern-faced suicide squad soldiers leaped out of their positions with explosive packs and ran towards the machine gun camels.

"Pah, pah, pah"

After a burst of gunfire, three Russian soldiers fell into pools of blood. The machine gunners also spotted these threatening targets and turned their guns to eliminate them first.

Using suicide squads in this way is extremely damaging to the defending side. To qualify as a suicide squad member, one must first have a resolute will to die, and also possess extensive combat skills. These individuals are typically the backbone of their units, the core of maintaining the morale of the entire force. But against the enemy, they can only expend their own lives and ammunition.

The Russian left flank collapsed first. The recruits from St. Petersburg had never seen such a ferocious enemy; after several severed heads were thrown into the trenches, the entire defensive line began to crumble. Kerstenf had to send his last Cossack cavalry company in a counter-charge to barely stabilize the situation. But everyone knew this was only a temporary respite—the main Iranian infantry had not yet appeared, and the Russians had already used more than half their ammunition.

At midday, an eerie calm descended upon the battlefield. The Iranian cavalry abruptly halted their advance and began patrolling the perimeter. Experienced veterans immediately recognized this—they were waiting for heavy weapons to be in place. Sure enough, an hour later, the outlines of field guns dragged by mules appeared on the distant horizon; the heavy artillery had arrived.

"Retreat to the second line of defense!" Kerstenf finally made the difficult decision. The Russian army began an orderly retreat, but the rearguard soon suffered annihilation. The shells landed precisely on the retreat route as if they had eyes. An entire infantry company was covered by artillery fire while crossing the open ground, and when the smoke cleared, only twisted guns and mutilated limbs remained on the ground.

As the sun set, the first line of defense around Nogeskiy had been raised with Persian flags. But instead of continuing their attack, they were busy consolidating their positions. Kelstenf stood on the church bell tower, observing the enemy's movements through binoculars—the Chechens were rummaging through the trenches for valuables from the Russian corpses, while further away, more troops were gathering.

(End of this chapter)