Envelopment Strategy

January 10th, 2030.

The thundering might of the Belgian forces swiftly carved a path through the southern Netherlands in the opening days of the conflict. The once-green pastures and quaint towns are now marred by the footprints of the invader. It seemed that the Dutch resistance would crumble within a week, the nation dishonorably capitulating to the invader. Yet, in stark contrast to this time of hopelessness, the heroic defenders of Utrecht shine as an example to all.

Utrecht stands as a bastion of defiance against the relentless tide of the Belgian advance. The defenders, fueled by patriotism and sheer determination, have managed to hold back the oncoming storm. Their tenacity and courage managed to hold back the onslaught, delaying the inevitable for a few more precious days, perhaps even a week. The fate of Utrecht hangs in the balance, a symbol of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds and what seemed to be an invincible enemy.

But the truth remained grim; Utrecht's fall was imminent. The Belgian war machine, relentless and overpowering, was bound to achieve victory. The defenders and the populace fought valiantly, but the sheer might of the invader proved to be insurmountable. Their struggle, though admirable, seems fated to be in vain. Time will tell whether their sacrifices had any lasting impact on the tide of the war, or if they will even be remembered in history.

Meanwhile, Belgian forces, avoiding entanglement in a single front, expanded their offensive into the Eastern Netherlands. With their numbers vastly superior, they smashed through the outnumbered Dutch troops. The eastern part of the country was sparsely defended, and the majority of Dutch forces focused on the more populous and affluent western regions.

The decision to focus on the more populated western regions might seem strategic at first glance, but the reality was that the Dutch had limited forces to deploy, thus defending the countryside was of little import. The Belgians exploited this predicament, pushing through the less-defended east with ease, achieving a far more important goal. It was a brutal display of military strategy, forcing the Dutch to choose where to make their stand, knowing they could not protect every inch of their beloved nation.

An important factor in this unfolding conflict was the significance of the German-Dutch border to the Belgian forces. The fastest advance was right through this vital strip of land. The mere possibility of German intervention was a source of anxiety for Belgium, as it could potentially jeopardize their plans. However, as of now, Germany has yet to make any substantial moves. The clock was ticking — any intervention had to be timely to change the course of this war.

The Netherlands teetered on the brink of capitulation, and Belgium was not taking any chances. Massive border fortifications were underway, preparing for the inevitable control they would exert. However, if the Germans were to intervene, delay could prove disastrous for their forces and their long-term plans. Similarly, the Franco-Belgium border is being highly militarized, with a significant number of Belgian troops deployed to deter any intervention from the south, preparing for the worst-case scenario of both nations crushing the pariah state.

For now, the European giants have taken little action, condemning the invasion, but not taking direct action against the brazen violator of peace. Several arms shipments and many volunteers are making their way into the country, but this aid will do little to support the beleaguered defenders, compared to the full might of these nations.

In the east, the Belgian advance progressed with relatively few obstacles, yet local resistance was far stronger here than in other parts of the country. Though the official armed forces were outnumbered and outgunned, cooperation with small villages allowed them to mount fierce resistance. Despite the odds, they managed to inflict a notable number of casualties on the advancing Belgian troops, and surprisingly many in comparison to career troops.

The advantage of surprise that the Belgians had initially enjoyed has gradually worn off. Ordinary people, defending their homes and communities, fought back with fierce determination. The sweeping advance of the Belgians through the south had left no time for organized resistance, but as news of the invasion spread, local defiance emerged. Though these courageous individuals were ill-equipped and lacked formal training, their determination and resourcefulness posed a significant challenge to the invaders.

Farmers, in particular, were irate at the sight of Belgian trucks and tanks trampling their fields. The bustling roads diverted their courses, disturbing the peace of their lands. The anger simmered, and as the invasion continued, so did the resentment among the ordinary people. This popular resistance, though unable to halt the Belgian advance permanently, succeeded in delaying the inevitable, reminding all that the will of a united people could never be fully vanquished.

Southern Flevoland, an island east of Amsterdam, has become a significant barrier to encircling Utrecht or even completely bypassing the city; striking for the capital at once. These efforts, for now, are all for naught. Knowing that they had little chance of defending the bridges leading to the island, the defenders opted to blow them up with explosive charges, succeeding where their comrades had failed to do at the Rhine River.

The current advance isn't focusing on capturing the island, even if it is a valuable strategic target and would practically win the war. After all, why waste so much effort when they are already marching straight to the capital? An amphibious invasion of the island would cost greatly and take time, both of which could not be spared.

Instead, the original objective continues, the occupation of the eastern and northern territories is of utmost importance to the Belgian war effort. The city of Groningen in Friesland is the final goal. Its relative proximity to Germany and distance from the heartland makes it a potential entryway for German forces, not only that, the stream of fleeing civilians continues unabated, an undesirable situation.

Thus, the goal of the eastern offensive was not to merely extend the lands occupied, but instead to secure the border regions with Germany and end any land connection to any other countries— except Belgium.