Chapter 17, The City is Burning

Artillery Field Guns fired over the walls of Tsaritsyn. Red Army Mechs were exploded from direct hits or fell into ditches, Machine Guns tore into the Red Soldiers driving them back once again.

"It's already been two Months since we gotten our supplies and the Bolsheviks haven't stopped their attack...General Krebs really wants to get into Lenin's good books" Jan says watching the Battle go on.

"Our Spies within Moscow said Lenin is becoming more ill and has some machines to keep him alive he already 'died' twice and revived" General Igor said smoking from his wooden pipe. Jan look up as Red Attack Planes flew above the city only to be shot down by AA or Self Propelled Gun Mechs.

The White Army use to have an Navy and Airforce but as the Civil War sway into the Soviet Union's favor most of their Aircraft and Ships fell into Soviet Hands leaving the White Army with fewer ships and Planes.

"Keep those defences together! Use anything to your disposal! Bullets! Rockets! Grenades! Whatever drives the Reds back!" Igor commanded.

"General! We have incoming Iron Bears, More Artillery and those Red Savages have a Tsar Tank!" One Russian Scout said as Igor smoked again from his pipe.

"Move some of the Artillery and focus on their Mechs and that Tank Comrade...Do we have an opening?" Igor asked.

"Nyet! We are still encircled but the continuous loss should put a dent in General Krebs plans Sir the encirclement shall be over within a day or so!" Igor hummed to himself then dismissed the Soldier as he approached Jan who helping load shells into the Field Gun.

"Jan, the Reds are coming with Mechs and a Tsar Tank I want you to give directions so our Shells may destroy them" Igor says, "Of Course Sir" Jan saluted then ran to the Soldiers moving their Artillery Mechs.

The Tsar Tank which was one of the largest Tanks ever built during the time of the Russian Empire. It's cannons could destroy any Mech as claimed during one of the Eastern Front battles.

The Cannon fired from the Tsar Tank as the shell smashed and destroyed one of the towers in the City. It's Machine Guns ripped apart the White Army Defenders down below allowing Red Army Troops to jump into the Trenches.

Jan used the binoculars then spoke "Move more to the right and fire for effect!" Once the Artillery moved then fired.

A few of the Shells landed destroying two Iron Bears and One Artillery Cannon being brought by a Armored Truck.

The Tsar Tank continue it's attack on the City weakened the wall then fired another destroying the wall.

"We got a Breach!" One Russian Soldier shouted as groups of the Red Army fixed their Bayonets and charged into the City.

Jan grabbed a rifle and lead a counter charge against the Red Army. Streets became a battlefield with guns firing and bayonets being used.

Jan fired his rifle killing one of the Red Soldiers before cracking the butt of the rifle into the jaw of another.

"Push them back! Push them out of the city!" Jan shouted. The fighting went on for a couple of minutes as they realize they won't be able to take the streets.

The Red Army left the City and reentered the Trenches. A White Army Flametrooper stepped out and sprayed liquid flames outside to keep the Red Army back.

The Siege of Tsaritysn went into it's next stages as the Red Army weren't able to reclaim the City and the White Army couldn't make a breakout.

Jan poured water on his head to rinse himself from the dirt after Days of continuously shelling and repealing. Groups from the Mongolian Volunteers came to support Krebs' Siege.

The Mongolian were lacking in Mechs and Vehicles however they had numbers as some of them carried guns while most carried Swords and Spears.

Despite carrying old weapons the Mongolian Volunteers proven to be more dangerous then the Red Army with their Human Wave Attacks similar to Japanese Forces.

Jan ate some food then went to Igor as he was looking at a map. "General" Jan saluted, "The Mongols have proven to be fierce fighters...if their here then that means Baron Von Ungern-Sternburg was either captured or killed..." Igor says with a sigh.

"Baron Sir?" Jan was puzzled so Igor explained to him, "He's a friend he's a Monarchist who went to Mongolia to support the Khan however since the Mongolian Red Army is here that means he's dead or worse"

Just as they were going to continue their conversation the sound of a horn came outside. Igor and Jan stepped out to see the Ksuhna Airship blowing it's horn.

"What the...?" Jan questioned, "Everyone get to cover!!" Igor screamed.

The Ksuhna fired it's guns into Tsaritsyn destroying much of the houses and buildings. White Army Soldiers and Civilians ran and screamed as everything around them was crumbling.

Civilians were killed during the bombing along with White Army Soldiers. Jan coughed from the dust and smoke as he moved to look for Igor.

"General! General Igor!" Jan shouted then heard groans and coughs. Jan ran to the noise to find Igor who was pinned underneath some collapsed wood.

Jan held his arms pulling off the wood as Igor groaned then held Jan's arm. "Jan you must warn our Allies of that beast...Tsaritsyn's life hangs in the balance...We will continue to fight but that Ship must be destroyed..." He says as Jan looked at him.

"I can't just leave you like this..." Jan says as Igor swore "Go boy! All of Mother Russia must know there's still hope and these Bolshevik devils will not be victorious! go go!" He shouted.

Jan gritted his teeth and ran.

White Army Soldiers ran to rebuild and prepare defences. Jan ran into the stables and jumped onto his horse he spurred the horse galloping out of the stables.

Jan huffed as he galloped the horse only look back at the City. The city was smoking with some flames being visible, Red Army continue their assault.

Jan was only able to sneak in and out of the city due to the Chaos of the battle and him being a member of the Czechslovak Legion made it a tad bit easier.

He felt tears fill his eyes as Tsaritysn burns and continues to be besieged.