My Platoon is F**king Hopeless

Spring. The snow that had accumulated throughout the winter melted away, and green sprouts began to emerge.

This meant that temperatures were rising, which in turn made it easier for people to be active.

Historically, famous offensive operations have mostly taken place in spring.

The Ludendorff Offensive during World War I.

The Barbarossa Operation by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Interestingly, both were carried out by Germany.

Of course, it’s ironic that both offensives ended in German defeat.

Similarly, it was already a known fact among generals that spring was the best season for the Soviev Empire to wage war.

They just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

“…It’s happening much faster than expected.”

Georgi Vasiliopoulos, the infantry commander, muttered with a serious tone. Other generals reacted similarly.

While the Soviev Empire forces were openly conducting military operations in the Runetsk region,

they hadn’t yet deployed armies connected to the Runetsk region.

Most of them were still performing what the Soviev Empire declared as ‘humanitarian security maintenance and regional stability’.

Therefore, they couldn’t have anticipated that the enemy would immediately start a war.

“Where is the source of this information?”

“It’s from the Soviev General Staff. They say it’s someone recruited from the Red October faction.”

Red October.

The most famous anti-government force in the Soviev Empire, currently closely cooperating with Okhraine.

As a Korean, I don’t particularly like communist forces, but isn’t the enemy of my enemy my friend today?

Even when we first attacked the Limansk weapons factory with the 8th Assault Motorized Infantry Regiment, Red October provided significant assistance.

“But if it’s next spring, there are only a few months left!”

“That’s why I’m pushing for reforms. We need to prevent chaos when war is imminent.”

I spoke frankly about the reality.

Developing the Deusex tank quickly, boasting stronger armor and penetration capabilities than the Dvynur tank.

Massively increasing the supply of submachine guns and shotguns to the troops of the Eastern Military District.

All these measures were aimed at effectively countering the Soviev Empire’s offensive within a few months.

No matter how good a weapon is, if the user isn’t familiar with it, it can’t perform at its full potential.

We had to prevent the enemy from capturing and using our advanced weapons.

“Goddamn… How low will those empire bastards go?”

“Considering they’ve already lost two Quernen Wars, do they have any more dignity to lose?”

“Damn Soviev Empire scum.”

The generals, reading documents on the spring offensive, clenched their teeth in anger.

“Colonel Enoch, if they start their offensive in spring, are you sure your strategy is fully prepared?”

The commander of the 2nd Corps, which would form the front line if the war broke out, asked anxiously.

In fact, the intelligence I had confirmed was that the Soviev Empire would initiate a spring offensive.

Exactly what strategy they would employ was still unknown.

However, before I came here, I was known as a veteran player of “Hearts of Iron,” so I believed that the Soviev Empire army would launch a large-scale materiel offensive with what they call the ‘piercing theory.’

A massive force attacking simultaneously across a broad front.

Deploying specially organized units in three waves of mass attacks to break through defensive lines and secure strategic strongholds.

Then, using tight coordination between units to disrupt the enemy’s lines en masse—

If implemented correctly, this is an unstoppable ‘piercing tactic’ from the defender’s perspective.

However, the biggest drawback of this piercing tactic is that everyone from the lowest soldier to the highest commander must have a deep understanding of the tactics.

Just like a giant machine working in sync, each gear in this massive military machine must work perfectly without error to achieve the desired effect.

Otherwise, it would be nothing more than a suicidal attack.

Whether the Soviev Empire’s tactical understanding is high enough remains to be seen.

But judging from their recent actions near Runetsk, it doesn’t seem very high.

“Yes, it’s certainly prepared. May I turn to the next page?”

On the next page of the prepared document was a map showing the area in Runetsk occupied by the rebel forces.

Symbols and arrows representing various corps and divisions were overlaid on this map.

The generals’ faces hardened as they recognized the meaning of these symbols. It was an obvious reaction.

I flipped the board standing beside Ivan Captain. A map identical to the one depicted in the document appeared.

“There are exactly three points where the Soviev Empire could launch an offensive.”

I tapped the shield-shaped symbol on the map.

“The territory of Chernaos adjacent to the southwestern part of Runetsk, the city of Edessa in the south of Runetsk, and finally Harinov.”

“Except for Chernaos, the areas have roads built.”

“Spring is good for launching an offensive, but at the same time, thawed ground turns into muddy terrain that is nearly impassable.”

This was known as the rasputitsa period, when the frozen earth thaws and excessive moisture turns the soil into a muddy mess.

Of course, it’s not impossible to conduct an offensive in rasputitsa terrain, but the Soviev Empire, which needs to deploy large numbers of troops quickly, would undoubtedly use roads.

“Moreover, Chernaos has less swampy terrain. The mountain range crossing the Soviev mainland is relatively low, making it an ideal location for deploying many troops.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then, what is the countermeasure?”

“We need to strengthen defenses at these three points. We should build strong defensive positions, dig trenches for efficient combat, and construct tactical roads to maximize our logistical capabilities.”

First, it was about defense.

When the enemy’s offensive begins, we must actively halt their advance and wear down their combat power.

“The 8th Division, 32nd Division, and 25th Division will defend each of these points.”

Each division was one of the elite infantry divisions in the Okhraine Army.

The 8th Division was the unit where Ivan Captain once served and participated in the liberation of the Belgorod Fortress.

The 32nd and 25th Divisions were units that performed well during the Quernen War.

These three divisions, currently engaged in border defense operations, are more than adequate for the initial defensive battle.

“If these three divisions successfully hold the main enemy forces, the 1st Armored Brigade and the 3rd and 16th Divisions waiting in the rear will advance here.”

I pointed to the ‘Varden Forest’ protruding inward in the Runetsk region on the map.

“Through the Varden Forest, we will advance.”

“A counteroffensive!?”

“The Runetsk region is a significant strategic stronghold for Okhraine. Most of the defensive fortifications are intact.”

King Orlando I did not ignore the eastern front entirely. The defensive positions and fortresses created to counter the Soviev Empire’s attacks were highly effective.

These fortifications were closely linked, forming a powerful defensive line.

If the Soviev Empire army were to establish a proper foothold in such a defensive line,

even with repeated modernization and combat experience, the Okhraine Army would suffer tremendous losses.

But since the Soviev Empire is planning an aggressive offensive, there won’t be any forces defending this defensive line in the rear of the Runetsk region.

“Our War Planning Department did not just plan for a ‘defensive battle’ against the offensive.”

I continued calmly.

“Our ultimate goal is to reclaim lost territories. If we fail to quickly secure the Runetsk region, Okhraine will have to face an endless stream of empire forces, spilling blood endlessly.”

An informal military alliance with the Polania Republic has also been established.

If we can reclaim the Runetsk region blocking the path, we can surely solidify military cooperation with the republic.

“The Soviev Empire probably thinks Okhraine is merely trying to defend itself. They likely haven’t even considered forming a reserve force solely for an offensive to penetrate the forest.”

Striking the back of the careless enemy with a cold blow.

Just thinking about it felt like clearing a long-standing blockage.

“The rapid breakthrough force will capture the defensive lines at Runetsk and the Soviev Empire border. By blocking additional reinforcements and supplies, we will launch a massive counterattack using all available forces to crush the empire and regional insurgents.”

I concluded, looking at the astonished generals.

“That is the final objective of this operation.”

“This is like…”

General Georgi Vasiliopoulos trailed off, and Colonel Joseph Lebandovsky picked up.

“A storm.”

At that moment, the plan to counter the Soviev Empire’s spring offensive was set in motion.

Operation ‘Spring Storm’ was born.