Battle of Phase Line Korin

Battle of Phase Line Korin
Part of 2019 Invasion of Vyzhva
Jedorian mechanized infantry during the battle
Date 16 February - 18 February 2019 Location Eastern Vyzhva Result Jedorian Victory
Belligerents
Jedoria	Vyzhva
Commanders and leaders
Major General Virginijs Jukums	XXX
Units involved
8th Order	II Corps
Strength
175,000	~50,000
Casualties and losses
107 killed 8 missing 1,012 wounded	~1,500 killed ~7,000 wounded 10,000 captured

The Battle of Phase Line Korin was one of the opening Jedorian actions during the 2019 Invasion of Vyzhva. Jedorian forces under the 8th Order advanced into Vyzhva to engage elements of the Vyzhvan II Corps operating south of the Tellen River. "Phase Line Korin" was the objective the 11th Corps to be reached by 18 February. Jedorian forces were to engage and destroy Vyzhvan forces operating in the sector while forcing the remnants south towards what the Jedorians called "Area of Operations Verdict", which would be where the bulk of the Vyzhvan II Corps would be encircled. Unlike the Battle of the Ullan Line, Jedorian forces did not face entrenched Vyzhvan forces, allowing them to reach their objective ahead of schedule.

Background

Jedorian operational planning focused on isolating and encircling the Vyzhvan II Corps, which was the primary force of the People's Mobilization operating in eastern Vyzhva. II Corps was in theory supposed to field 12 divisions including reserve forces, but the actual number of divisions allocated to II Corps was seven. Mobilization of these forces during the days leading up the invasion were largely incomplete, meaning that just two regiments were prepared to face the Jedorian 11th Corps, and the 8th Order at large. Most of II Corps was positioned in the south facing the 4th Order, leaving the northern flank of II Corps dangerously thin. Vyzhvan mobilization efforts should have in theory assigned another mechanized division to, but Vyzhvan reserves were slow to prepare, and disruptions to the Vyzhvan central command following the commencement of Coalition airstrikes made it difficult to coordinate the mobilization and deployment of reserves. Vyzhvan forces opposing the Jedorian invasion force remained significantly outmatched on the eve of the invasion.

Course of the battle

Unlike Vyzhvan forces facing the 4th Order, there was a lack of major fortifications along the northern border between Jedoria and Vyzhva. However, the border was defined by the Tellen River, forcing the Jedorians to negotiate a river crossing operation to commence the invasion. Due to poor relations between the two nations, there was no large bridge capable of supporting the movement of military forces. Under the cover of artillery shelling however, the Jedorians were able to successfully cross the Tellen with only minor resistance from Vyzhvan border forces. Despite some setbacks the Jedorians were able to transfer the bulk of the 8th Order across the Tellen within 24 hours, with 11th Corps heading south directly against the northern flank of II Corps.

II Corps northern flank consisted of just two regiments, the 112th Infantry and the 32nd Armored. Both regiments had been badly hit by Coalition air strikes and were reduced in strength, and were hit hard by the 197th Mechanized Infantry Division. Both regiments folded under the pressure of the attack within an hour of the start, and what remnants of the regiments were forced to retreat south. Vyzhvan reserves attempted to take the field, but scattered companies were unable to halt the Jedorian advance, all the while the 201th Mechanized Infantry swung further west to form the pincer movement of the 8th Order's southern push. By morning of the 18th, Jedorian forces had reached Phase Line Korin, collapsing II Corps northern flank and forcing the Vyzhvans to retreat into the Jedorian dubbed zone "Area of Operations Verdict".

Aftermath

The failure of Vyzhvan forces to halt 11th Corps allowed the 210th Mechanized Infantry Division to swing south and link up with the 29th Mechanized Infantry Division, effectively surrounding II Corps. Incomplete mobilizations of reserves meant Vyzhvan forces were unable to stop the encirclement, nor were they able to stop the deployment of the 25th Corps, which was free to break out into the interior of Vyzhva and drive on Prognoi. 11th Corps would remain behind to continue to assault II Corps until the force was liquidated later on in the conflict.