Chapter 87: Forest Bloodbath Part :4
Uppum Forest,
On the Vijayanagara front, after the successful operation to destroy the Dutch artillery, General Yogendra was very happy. But as he remembered the cannons he had seen earlier, he shuddered as he could practically feel the thick iron heaviness in them, representing their superior power compared to their own. He was sure that if the Dutch had managed to reach the capital, no walls would be able to withstand their might, and he was sure they would collapse under their bombardment. Even this thought sent a chill down his back. "Fortunately, his royal highness has the foresight," he thought to himself, relieved.
With the successful destruction of the artillery, Vijay was also elated with the outcome. In all honesty, he couldn't help but be surprised by how smoothly the plan had unfolded, considering that in his previous life, his plans seldom went according to plan.
Advancing to the next phase of the operation, the order was given for the archers to spring into action. Yogendra, receiving the news, swiftly passed on the orders for the ensuing manoeuvre. Within the cover of the forest, a deluge of arrows descended upon the Dutch army, resembling a lethal downpour. However, the peculiarity lay in the fact that all these arrows found their mark in a specific section of the enemy forces, targeting the flintlock division of the Dutch army. The soldiers armed with flintlock guns began to drop like wheat before a scythe.
On the Dutch side, the soldiers were gripped by panic as they witnessed their comrades falling like wheat. In their frenzy, they fired their shots in various directions within the forest, with some even inadvertently targeting their own comrades. The army was plunged into chaos.
This state of disarray greatly favoured Vijayanagara, but it proved short-lived. A commanding figure, towering at a height of no less than 6 feet and 8 inches, issued orders to the troops to regroup into a defensive formation and withdraw steadily. Upon the issuance of this command, the soldiers swiftly shielded their heads with their armour and commenced a controlled retreat.
Vijay couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment as only approximately a division of the Dutch forces had been successfully eliminated. Determined to press on, he issued orders for the infantry to charge. Finally, with the opportunity at hand, Yogendra eagerly roared with an evil grin, and General Yogendra's excitement was infectious, boosting the morale of his entire unit. As they advanced, the forefront of the charge was led by formidable figures clad in iron armour, bearing large wooden shields for protection. These shields were not only thick but also reinforced with iron for added structural integrity. The sight of the advancing army emerging from different directions of the forest left the Dutch forces in shock.
In the Dutch camp,
General Carel couldn't help but feel a profound sadness as he surveyed the countless lifeless bodies of his men. Merely by glancing at the scene, he could estimate that there had been at least 10,000 casualties within his flintlock division. Now, he found himself encircled by his remaining troops, who had adopted a defensive stance. Acting on his orders, the soldiers covered their heads with the lightweight armour they wore, offering some protection against incoming arrows. Despite their efforts, the injuries were still severe, resulting in many casualties.
As the barrage of arrows ceased, General Carel's relief was abruptly cut short. A colossal enemy force was hurtling toward them, under the command of a figure who appeared nothing short of a giant in his eyes. In a hasty and urgent tone, General Carel shouted, "Line up and form a phalanx!" The Dutch soldiers snapped out of their momentary stupor, and swiftly obeyed. Their instincts and muscle memory kicked in, guiding their bodies to seamlessly arrange themselves into a textbook formation.
Even Vijay couldn't help but be impressed by their remarkable awareness and rapid decision-making. Yet, a bittersweet thought crossed his mind, "Unfortunately, you are my enemy."
General Kane swiftly ordered the Flintlock division to prepare for action. The well-trained flintlock soldiers took control of the situation. Half of them efficiently loaded their guns with ammunition, while the other half readied themselves to follow suit, ensuring a continuous round of firing. They unleashed a barrage of bullets upon the charging Vijayanagara army.
However, the efficiency of their attack was significantly hindered as the four runners, wielding a large shield which covered most of their bodies, deflected most of the bullets. Only a few unlucky soldiers suffered injuries from the gunfire. Nonetheless, the Dutch soldiers were losing ammunition rapidly, and the Vijayanagara infantry was steadily closing the gap, driving the Dutch into a state of growing desperation. The Dutch guns proved to be woefully ineffective in close quarters due to the shields held by the Vijayanagara infantry. In a matter of seconds, the charging Vijayanagara forces reached the frontlines of the Dutch formation.
"Bang!"
Yogendra raised his shield and brought it down forcefully upon a Dutch infantryman's head. The man could barely resist the blow before he fell, bleeding profusely. Yogendra's face displayed a maniacal smile, bordering on the demonic.
General Carel held his breath as he watched this gruesome scene unfold before his eyes, with his soldiers being mowed down like helpless children. Realizing that the battle was all but lost, he made a swift decision and ordered a retreat, shouting, "Scatter and get back to the woods!" The soldiers were initially stunned by the sight of their fleeing general, but soon they, too, began to disperse in different directions.
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