Operation Embers was a battle between elements of the Imperial Western Army Group and the Republic Rhine Army. It is debatably considered the beginning of the Empire's reclaiming of the Lowlands Industrial Region.
It was also one of the series of skirmishes between the Republic 9th Mage Battalion and Imperial 111th Mage Battalion.
Background[]
Throughout the end of 1923 and the Spring of 1924, the Rhine Front had settled into a stalemate.
Following a meeting with General Staff, Colonel Luther von Hoffman was tasked with heading the operation.
The Empire[]
Several months prior, the 111th Imperial Mage Battalion had sustained remarkable casualties at the hands of elements of the Republic 9th Mage Battalion during a sortie, including the loss of its original commanding officer, Major Hanz Breh. As a result, newly-promoted Captain Walter von Hoffman assumed command of the unit and had its new recruits undergo additional training.
The Francois Republic[]
The 9th Mage Battalion, led by ace mage Major Lucien du Voland, was stationed nearby. The unit had gained some amount of notoriety for its relentless assaults on Imperial mage scouts. In recent weeks, however, it had encountered increasingly fierce resistance from Imperial assault mage units. As a result, the battalion was down a handful of personnel.
The 1st Heavy Assault Tank Company commanded by Captain Allard BeauchĆŖne was in reserve in preparation for a planned operation to take a nearby railway hub.
Battle[]
(...)
Aftermath[]
Despite the loss, Major Lucien du Voland was praised for his delaying tactics that allowed for many Republic infantry personnel to withdraw. He would subsequently be tasked with cross-training the "Fighting Lions", a volunteer unit largely composed of aristocratic Commonwealth men, to serve to replenish his unit.