Siege of Soinoît
The Siege of Soinoît was a siege that occurred during the Teulabia Campaign.
Course of the Battle
Initial Offensives and Allied Repulsion: January 15-17
Allied Trident Offensive and Triệu and Timasheff Spring Their Trap: January 20
- Allied flanks attacked
Commonwealth Standoff: January 20-23
Just 5 miles west from where the Teulabians and Trabians had retreated from after the trap, Rubrumian-Jutlandish troops refused to retreat and took a stand in order to await for allied reinforcements to come. Under the command of Rubrumian Colonel Tasaku Mitsuru, the joint Commonwealth force dug-in and prepared for a massive attack by the Quenminese-Russite forces. Numbering only to 2500 men, the Commonwealth forces defended a small farmhouse and major road that led directly into Allied lines.
Realizing that the Imperials could not afford the allies to regroup, Quenminese General Ân Quang Triệu decided to strike immediately, being supported by Timasheff's second-in-command, General Hans Greppenberg. Being aware that the Commonwealth forces were only of meagre numbers, Triệu expected that they would either retreat or surrender with one swift attack. On the morning of the 21st, Triệu and Greppenberg expected to catch the Commonwealth forces by surprise. However, when Quenminese and Russite forces arrived, the Commonwealth forces were well-prepared for the impending assault as Colonel Mitsuru had expected after the Teulabian and Trabian retreat. The Commonwealth left flank was occupied by Major Grønkjær while the right was covered by Susaya. Mitsuru had refused to retreat as he was ordered by Teulabian General Chung Suk-chul in hopes of keeping the Imperials at bay while the Teulabians would rearm and organize a counter-offensive.
Day and Night, Quenminese and Russite forces threw numerous counterattacks against the Commonwealth flank but to their shock, the Commonwealth continued to resist and hold the ground. Muon Nam charges were seen and frequently ordered in hopes of attacking with overwhelming strength. However, the Quenminese and Russite attacks were met with devastating Land Mattress rocket artillery strikes and inflicted heavy casualties on the Imperial forces. Almost 60% of the casualties during the entire standoff were caused by Land Mattress counter-barrages. Triệu ordered all artillery pieces and even requesting the Quenminese Air Force for support in taking out the rocket artillery but was met with little to none results. By the 23rd, Both of the Imperial commanders had admitted that they greatly underestimated the capabilities of the Commonwealth forces in the area and decided to call-off the attack.
After 3 days of fierce fighting, the Commonwealth forces lost 349 troops, 1,071 wounded, and losing 4 tanks. In contrast, the Imperials lost 4,795 troops, 5,099 wounded, and 27 tanks.
First Imperial Offensive into the Town: January 24
First Stalemate: January 24-February 2
Second Imperial Offensive into the Town: February 3
- Timasheff and Triệu commit a push on Laframboise's lines.
- Imperials gain a bit of ground