Battle of Hill 334

The Conflict

Prelude

In april of 2017, a group of 3 Acentian navy aid workers were kidnapped and killed in northern dubari. This event kicked up more intense fighting in the area as the Acentian people pushed for a retaliatory action against the Dubari Republic. Several Small Actions occured within days of the attack resulting in small numbers of casualties. Nearly two weeks after the attacks, Acentian military intelligence was tipped off to the presance of two companies of Republican militia on a hill north of the village of Utica. Within a day of this information coming to light, three companies of the 127th Air Cavalry Regiment were mobilizing and planning their assault and Captain Dorian Kilmyer was put in charge of the operation codenamed Operation Avenger. Finally on the 7th of may, 2017 at aproximatly 5:30am local time the three companies lifted off in their ZH-117 helecopters and began their 45 minute flight to LZ Hopkins at the base of hill 334.

The Engagement

Introduction

On May 7th, 2017, the 127th Air Cavalry Regiment of the Acentian Army embarked on a perilous mission to seize Hill 334 in Northern Dubari. This operation, intended to be a swift and decisive assault against what was believed to be two companies of the Dubari Republican Militia, quickly escalated into a protracted and bloody battle. The conflict, marked by intense artillery bombardments, heavy use of airpower, and brutal close-quarters combat, resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

Day One: The Landing and Initial Assault

The operation commenced with a pre-dawn landing at Landing Zone (LZ) Hopkins, situated at the base of Hill 334. Companies A, B, and C of the 127th Air Cavalry Regiment disembarked from their helicopters under the cover of darkness, anticipating a swift advance up the hill. However, as the first light of dawn broke, the Acentian forces were met with fierce resistance.
Acentian artillery opened the battle with a devastating barrage, aimed at softening the enemy positions. The earth shook as shells rained down on the hill, sending plumes of dirt and debris skyward. Despite the intense bombardment, the Dubari forces, later revealed to be two whole battalions rather than the expected two companies, had fortified their positions well.
As the artillery fire lifted, the Acentian companies began their ascent. Company A led the charge, followed closely by Companies B and C. The initial progress was slow and arduous, with the Acentian soldiers facing a relentless hail of machine-gun fire and mortar rounds. By the end of the first day, the Acentians had secured a foothold on the lower slopes of the hill but at a significant cost. Casualties were mounting, and the true scale of the Dubari defense was becoming apparent.

Day Two: The Battle Intensifies

The second day of the battle saw a dramatic escalation in intensity. Acentian command, recognizing the underestimated enemy strength, called in extensive air support. Attack helicopters and fighter jets strafed the Dubari positions, dropping bombs and launching missiles in an effort to dislodge the entrenched defenders.
Despite the aerial onslaught, the Dubari forces held firm. Their defensive network, comprising well-dug trenches and bunkers, absorbed much of the firepower. The Acentian companies, now fully engaged in close-quarters combat, fought tooth and nail for every inch of ground. Hand grenades, bayonets, and even hand-to-hand combat characterized the brutal fighting on the slopes of Hill 334.
Company B, tasked with a flanking maneuver, managed to break through a weak point in the Dubari lines. This maneuver, however, exposed them to a withering counterattack. The ensuing melee was chaotic and bloody, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. By nightfall, the Acentians had made significant gains, pushing closer to the summit but at a steep price.

Day Three: The Climax and Aftermath

The final day of the battle dawned with a sense of urgency. The Acentian command, determined to seize the hill, intensified their efforts. Artillery and air strikes continued unabated, with a focus on neutralizing the remaining strongpoints. Companies A and C, now bolstered by reinforcements, launched a coordinated assault on the Dubari defenses.
The fighting reached a fever pitch as the Acentian soldiers closed in on the summit. Every trench and bunker became a battlefield, with soldiers grappling in close-quarters combat. The Dubari defenders, outnumbered and outgunned, fought valiantly but were gradually overwhelmed.
By late afternoon, the Acentian flag was raised atop Hill 334. The victory, however, came at a tremendous cost. Thirty-eight Acentian soldiers lay dead, and ninety-seven were wounded. The Dubari losses were even more staggering, with 245 killed and 435 wounded. The battle, though short, had been one of the bloodiest encounters in the conflict.

Historical Significance

Accounts from the Battle

When i first deployed to Dubari i had never even seen anyone die... but within my first week we got the orders for Op Avenger. I remember sitting in the chopper, thinking to myself what it would be like to kill someone... i mean what would it FEEL like... It seems stupid now but then i was so innocent. As soon as we jumped of the bird we were getting raked by machine gun fire and the guy in front of me got hit and just crumpled to the ground... and... i remember just staring at him for what felt like a good while until someone dragged me to the ground... and i was so stunned that all i remember was firing into the trees at nothing. After that we started to move up the mountain after this enemy company and after, i dont know... maybe 3 hours we had gotten about 400 meters from the summit and all hell broke loose. i mean bullets and rockets and grenades flying all over. men screaming and firing and, god... dying... it was hell, i mean really hell. Eventually i ended up making it into an enemy trench and as soon as i jumped in i saw an enemy soldier crouched in his surplus eqquipment and we both just stared at eachother for a moment... and then i killed him... and thats it... he died and i lived... i dont remember much else cause i got hit soon after that but im still guilty about killing that kid... i mean i feel bad for him mostly... but i also dont... you know? it was his choice to be there after all...his choice... and thats it... fate...

Cpl. Kain Regaldi, Age 19

Acentian Soldiers of the Period.

Conflict Type

Battle

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

5/7/2017

Ending Date

5/10/2017

Conflict Result

Phyrric Acentian Victory

Belligerents

Acentian Army

• Peoples Republic of Acentia

Dubari Republican Militia

Strength

A,B, and C Companies of the 127th Air Cavalry Regiment (aprox. 300 men)

1st and 2nd Battlions of the 12th Militia District (aprox. 2000 men)

Casualties

38 Killed, 97 Wounded

245 Killed, 435 Wounded

Objectives