# E9 - Preparations for Advance
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GR1938ME6/preparations-for-advance)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
***SIGN*** A Few Days After the Battle of Arene
**[00:06] Tanya**
* At Arene, I insisted on*
* defending my nation's people,*
**[00:10] Tanya**
*eliminating only the enemy mages.*
**[00:14] Tanya**
* My hands are still pure as*
* the driven snow... Probably.*
**[00:18] ---**
Excuse me.
**[00:21] ---**
It's been a long time, Major Degurechaff.
**[00:23] Tanya**
Uger...
**[00:26] Tanya**
Major Uger!
**[00:27] Tanya**
Glad to see you're doing well!
**[00:29] ---**
Same to you.
**[00:31] Tanya**
You're with the army's railway division now?
**[00:34] ---**
Yes.
**[00:35] ---**
I've heard a lot about you.
**[00:38] ---**
Anyway, are you on your way to Strategic HQ?
**[00:41] Tanya**
Yes.
**[00:42] Tanya**
You, too?
**[00:45] ---**
Lately, I've been doing nothing but
running errands for General Zettour...
**[00:48] Tanya**
If the railway division's busy,
**[00:51] Tanya**
then it's a big operation?
**[00:55] Tanya**
Looks like you know something.
**[00:58] ---**
Well, I guess it's safe to tell you.
**[01:01] ---**
I owe you for recommending me
for a rearguard position.
**[01:06] ---**
The railway division has been asked to
**[01:08] ---**
make a plan for emergency transport
from the combat zone.
**[01:11] ---**
The planning folks intend to
pull the Rhine front way back.
**[01:15] Tanya**
Pull back our lines?
**[01:17] Tanya**
After we've pushed the enemy so far back?
**[01:19] ---**
Indeed.
**[01:20] ---**
The plan seems to be to draw
the enemy's main unit in and destroy them.
**[01:26] Tanya**
I see.
**[01:27] Tanya**
So like Bonaparte at Austerlitz,
**[01:29] Tanya**
or perhaps Hannibal at Cannae.
**[01:33] Tanya**
That's a surprise.
**[01:35] Tanya**
A surround-and-destroy operation
on the scale of the Rhine front...
**[01:38] Tanya**
A bold but fascinating plan.
**[01:41] ---**
You've got that right.
**[01:42] ---**
The brass wants to end the war with
the Republic soon, no matter what.
**[01:47] Tanya**
But how do we surround the enemy?
**[01:50] ---**
I haven't been told the details.
**[01:52] ---**
But your unit will be asked
to serve as the rearguard
**[01:54] ---**
so the enemy doesn't learn
about the retreat.
**[01:57] Tanya**
The rearguard, huh?
**[02:00] ---**
The battle will be even fiercer
than what's come before.
**[02:04] ---**
Once you get to Strategic HQ,
**[02:06] ---**
I'm sure they'll prepare
everything you ask for.
***SIGN*** Imperial Army Strategic HQ, Joint Conference
**[03:42] ---**
The Arene incident damaged
our railway network,
**[03:46] ---**
making supplying the front lines difficult.
**[03:48] ---**
A full-scale assault at this time
would be impossible to sustain.
**[03:52] ---**
Is a landing operation possible,
like the one against the Entente Alliance?
**[03:57] ---**
The Allied Kingdom's response
would be the issue.
**[04:00] ---**
In theory, they're neutral,
**[04:03] ---**
but they won't let us pass through
their territorial waters.
**[04:06] ---**
Which means it will take time...
**[04:08] ---**
I believe some degree of attrition
is unavoidable.
**[04:13] Zettour**
We need a paradigm shift.
**[04:16] Zettour**
We're facing the first world war
since the dawn of humanity.
**[04:22] Zettour**
The pre-war doctrine of entering an enemy
castle to force them to sign a peace treaty
**[04:28] Zettour**
isn't practical here.
**[04:31] ---**
How do we win, then?
**[04:34] Zettour**
We don't win. We avoid defeat.
**[04:37] Zettour**
I think that's the only way to stay standing.
**[04:41] ---**
General Zettour, are you saying
you're opposed to the offensive, too?
**[04:46] Zettour**
No, I support the idea of aggressive action.
**[04:51] Zettour**
But breaking their lines shouldn't be our goal.
**[04:54] ---**
What do you mean?
**[04:56] Zettour**
We eliminate as many enemy soldiers as possible
**[04:59] Zettour**
and render them unable to continue fighting.
**[05:03] Zettour**
That's the one way to end the war.
**[05:07] ---**
Do you have a practical plan?
**[05:10] ---**
The planning department already has
a plan to destroy their main force.
**[05:15] ---**
A decisive battle? In these circumstances?
**[05:18] ---**
Are you serious?
**[05:19] ---**
Isn't that reckless?
**[05:20] ---**
The first stage of this plan
is a large-scale withdrawal
**[05:23] ---**
from the battle lines, in order
to lure the enemy forward.
**[05:27] ---**
It's the first step toward the rest of the plan.
**[05:31] ---**
We must go forward.
**[05:34] ---**
You could say a "forward escape"
is the best path toward victory.
***SIGN*** Episode 9 Preparations for Advance
***SIGN*** May 10, Unified Year 1925
***SIGN*** Rhine Front: Imperial Army Right Flank, Front Lines
**[05:58] Tanya**
*Break! Break!*
**[06:03] ---**
*Damn it! They got me!*
**[06:05] Tanya**
Take cover, 03!
**[06:06] Tanya**
Grab 27 and fall back!
**[06:08] ---**
This is 04! Company 4
has lost multiple men!
**[06:10] ---**
Losses are at over 60%!
**[06:13] Tanya**
*Company 4, put out decoys and retreat!*
**[06:15] Tanya**
*Anyone who can support them, do it!*
**[06:17] ---**
Roger!
**[06:21] ---**
Who are our guests?
**[06:23] ---**
A force recon unit.
**[06:25] ---**
They're the size of an expanded battalion!
**[06:27] ---**
Maybe they really are planning
a full-scale offensive!
**[06:31] ---**
They're coming! Fire! Fire!
**[06:36] ---**
Damn it! Air burst rounds?
**[06:41] Visha**
Everyone, form up!
**[06:43] Visha**
Limit yourself to stochastic evasion and—
**[06:51] ---**
This is 02!
**[06:52] ---**
We've lost half our men already!
**[06:54] ---**
*We won't last much longer!*
**[06:55] ---**
Damn...
**[06:56] Tanya**
This is Fairy 01!
**[06:58] Tanya**
We are surrounded and engaged with
a company-sized unit of enemy mages!
**[07:02] Tanya**
What is your situation?
**[07:04] ---**
*Initiating Plan 1.*
**[07:06] ---**
*Not quite ready yet,*
**[07:08] ---**
* but you have permission for*
* an immediate withdrawal.*
**[07:11] Tanya**
Permission to retreat? Now?
**[07:14] Tanya**
Unnecessary.
**[07:16] ---**
*What? Are you serious?*
**[07:18] Tanya**
If we retreat here,
they might discover our con.
**[07:22] Tanya**
Since we can't let the enemy
learn about the retreat,
**[07:25] Tanya**
we will continue.
**[07:26] ---**
*Roger.*
**[07:27] ---**
*We'll have it ready ASAP.*
**[07:29] ---**
*May God's protection be with you.*
**[07:31] Tanya**
God's protection...
**[07:33] Tanya**
I can see Being X's ugly face—
***SIGN*** Rhine Front: Imperial Army
Right Wing, Rawl Lowlands
**[07:47] ---**
Hurry!
**[07:48] ---**
Destroy the heavy cannons!
**[08:07] ---**
Hurry!
**[08:12] ---**
The rest can get on the next train!
**[08:13] ---**
Get moving!
***SIGN*** Operation Fog and Sun
A False Retreat From the Battle Lines
**[08:19] ---**
* We will shortly reach*
* the designated retreat point.*
**[08:22] ---**
*I don't see any pursuing forces.*
**[08:24] ---**
* They seem to think we're engaging*
* in a large-scale offensive.*
**[08:30] ---**
Hey, hang in there!
**[08:31] ---**
We don't have enough bandages!
**[08:32] ---**
Where are the medic mages?
**[08:33] ---**
How much longer?
**[08:34] ---**
M-My stomach... My stomach!
**[08:37] ---**
Warrant Officer... Warrant Officer Teyanen!
**[08:48] Visha**
Lieutenant Grantz, what were
your grades in classes?
**[08:53] Visha**
Didn't you learn in officers' school that
all responsibility for a unit's actions
**[08:58] Visha**
rests with their commanding officer?
**[09:00] Visha**
In law class.
**[09:02] ---**
I think I did...
**[09:06] Visha**
At the Battle of Arene, the major emphasized
that you were acting under orders.
**[09:12] Tanya**
I'll say this once more.
**[09:13] Tanya**
This is the order from our superiors.
**[09:15] Visha**
She was the commanding officer,
**[09:16] Visha**
so there was no need for
her men to feel responsible.
**[09:20] Visha**
Maybe that's what she wanted to say.
**[09:27] ---**
I never thought you'd be making me
feel better, Lieutenant Serebryakov.
**[09:32] Visha**
Huh? What's that supposed to mean?
**[09:36] ---**
Hang in there, Teyanen!
**[09:40] ---**
Teyanen!
**[09:42] ---**
Plan 1 was a success.
**[09:45] ---**
It's all thanks to your unit.
**[09:48] ---**
On behalf of Strategic HQ,
I thank you again.
**[09:51] Tanya**
Your words honor me too much.
**[09:54] Tanya**
Actually, I wanted to ask you something.
**[09:59] ---**
What is it?
**[10:01] Tanya**
I'm told our military is distributing
false propaganda via third countries?
**[10:07] ---**
You hear things fast.
**[10:10] Tanya**
Supposedly, the mess at Arene
destroyed our supply lines.
**[10:15] Tanya**
Even maintaining our front is difficult,
**[10:19] Tanya**
and we're planning a reckless,
large-scale assault.
***SIGN*** The Empire on the Brink
**[10:22] Tanya**
Republican forces will believe it
and will concentrate their forces.
***SIGN*** A Desperate Large-Scale Assault?
**[10:26] Tanya**
If we want to draw them in,
encircle them, and wipe them out,
**[10:30] Tanya**
don't we need to disrupt them
and put them in disarray?
**[10:35] ---**
Just like at Norden?
**[10:38] ---**
You never cease to amaze me...
**[10:41] ---**
Your new orders.
**[10:44] Tanya**
Thank you.
**[10:47] ---**
The name of the second operation
is "Shock and Awe."
**[10:52] ---**
The plan is to directly take out
the enemy's HQ
**[10:56] ---**
and leave them in disarray.
**[10:59] Tanya**
And then capture the enemy units?
**[11:02] ---**
Indeed.
**[11:03] Tanya**
I see.
**[11:04] Tanya**
On a strategic level,
it makes a good deal of sense.
**[11:07] Tanya**
But if it were that easy to
take out the enemy's HQ,
**[11:11] Tanya**
the Rhine theater wouldn't have
fallen into a stalemate to begin with.
**[11:15] ---**
That is quite true.
**[11:19] Tanya**
Then we'll need a new tactic.
**[11:22] Tanya**
Something completely unexpected.
**[11:26] ---**
God has brought us to this moment,
hasn't he, Major?
**[11:31] Tanya**
Doctor Schugel?
***SIGN*** Imperial Army V-1 Launcher Secret Base
**[11:41] Tanya**
What is this?
**[11:44] ---**
A special acceleration booster device
I developed for force recon.
**[11:49] ---**
Code named V-1!
**[11:52] ---**
It's a new type of recon unit
**[11:54] ---**
that flies too high to be intercepted
and too fast to be pursued.
**[11:58] ---**
Use these V-1s to cross their defensive lines
and attack their HQ.
**[12:03] Tanya**
When did you build this?
**[12:05] ---**
General Zettour requested
their development.
**[12:09] ---**
He requested a new type of equipment
to break through heavily defended areas.
**[12:13] Tanya**
And a certain mad scientist made something
that surpassed your expectations, huh?
**[12:19] ---**
It's still in the testing stages,
**[12:22] ---**
but the fact that we could get a small run
**[12:23] ---**
of mass-produced versions ready before
the decisive battle is truly...
**[12:26] ---**
Truly, a blessed message from God!
**[12:29] ---**
That's the only way to describe it!
**[12:31] ---**
Behold these huge boosters!
**[12:35] ---**
It contains five specially-made engines
that run on hydrogen fuel!
**[12:40] Tanya**
Doctor, it's fine to boast about
their size and numbers,
**[12:44] Tanya**
but you can adjust their speed
and direction, right?
**[12:47] ---**
Adjustments? You don't need adjustments!
**[12:51] ---**
Just fly straight!
**[12:53] ---**
Just keep going straight forward!
**[12:58] ---**
That look on your face...
**[13:00] ---**
You're worried the boosters
might be too heavy, right?
**[13:03] ---**
Relax! No need to worry at all!
**[13:06] ---**
The used fuel tanks can be purged from
the booster when they're empty.
**[13:11] ---**
By lightening the load,
the final speed gets even higher!
**[13:18] ---**
Its final speed is Mach 1.5!
**[13:21] ---**
As the first humans to
break the sound barrier,
**[13:24] ---**
we will shake off anyone
and everyone on our tail!
**[13:30] Tanya**
Um, how will you handle the increase
**[13:33] Tanya**
in drag and shock waves caused
by breaking the sound barrier?
**[13:36] Tanya**
Vibrations and shocks caused
by aeroelastic flutter
**[13:39] Tanya**
should be something mages can handle
with their defensive shell.
**[13:42] Tanya**
You can do it, right?
**[13:44] Tanya**
It would be strange if you couldn't.
**[13:47] ---**
I suppose he thinks everything
comes naturally to everyone.
**[13:50] Tanya**
Yeah. He's a natural-born disaster.
**[13:53] Tanya**
He went and got us a one-way ticket to hell.
***SIGN*** Rhine Front: Former Imperial Army Right Wing, Rawl Lowlands
**[14:09] ---**
No response.
**[14:11] ---**
It seems they really have withdrawn.
**[14:13] ---**
Roger.
**[14:14] ---**
Contact command.
**[14:17] ---**
*This is Rhine Command,*
**[14:19] ---**
speaking to all units on the left flank.
***SIGN*** Republican Army Rhine Theater Forces
**[14:24] ---**
We have confirmed that Imperial forces
have withdrawn from the Rawl Lowlands.
***SIGN*** Rhine Theater: Republican Army Left Wing, Rear Echelon
**[14:27] ---**
*Begin advancing our main force immediately.*
**[14:31] ---**
Roger.
**[14:32] ---**
All units, advance!
**[14:48] ---**
We've gathered our main forces
and started advancing the left flank.
**[14:54] ---**
The right flank is staying put.
**[14:57] ---**
If we take out the left flank,
the Empire will give up.
**[15:01] ---**
And that will end the war, huh?
**[15:05] ---**
Yes.
**[15:06] ---**
I want to repay them for
what happened in Arene.
**[15:09] ---**
But I'm reduced to
a cigarette gofer for a while...
**[15:15] ---**
Distribute them among the right flank.
They aren't doing anything.
**[15:19] ---**
Are you sure?
**[15:21] ---**
Leave enough to celebrate our victory.
**[15:40] ---**
Second Lieutenant Grantz.
**[15:45] ---**
Lieutenant Weiss...
**[15:47] ---**
Calm down, Lieutenant.
**[15:49] ---**
You look kind of pathetic.
**[15:51] ---**
Sorry, sir.
**[15:54] ---**
Well, I understand how you feel.
**[15:57] ---**
To be honest, I don't feel calm, either.
**[15:59] Tanya**
Now, you've been specially selected
for this mission.
**[16:02] Tanya**
To be blunt,
**[16:05] Tanya**
our mission is to ride rockets
right into the enemy HQ.
**[16:09] Tanya**
I'm sure that only a few of you eleven
are capable of enjoying a rocket ride,
**[16:16] Tanya**
but we have to do this.
**[16:18] Tanya**
And if we have to do it,
we must ensure we succeed.
**[16:22] Tanya**
Our current intelligence has
given us three attack targets.
**[16:26] Tanya**
One of them is the enemy's Rhine theater HQ.
**[16:30] Tanya**
Once we take it out, the enemy will
be leaderless and easily destroyed.
**[16:36] Tanya**
In other words,
tomorrow's mission will end the war!
**[16:41] Tanya**
We are the head of the entire army!
**[16:46] ---**
No soldier in the Empire
could remain calm after that.
**[16:50] ---**
Hell, no soldier in the world could.
**[16:59] ---**
I take that back.
**[17:03] ---**
The Republic's main force has
already started its advance.
**[17:06] ---**
Only a matter of time before the western
industrial districts are within firing range.
**[17:11] ---**
Preparations for Plan 2, the assault
on the enemy HQ, are ready.
**[17:16] ---**
What is the state of the next plan?
**[17:17] ---**
I'm told we're finishing our last
preparations on the left flank.
**[17:21] ---**
Deployments at the target
point are completed,
**[17:23] ---**
and we can begin tomorrow.
**[17:27] ---**
We've crossed the Rubicon.
**[17:29] ---**
And now, it's all up to
Major Degurechaff, huh?
**[17:45] Zettour**
If we're eating in silence, we must
be more nervous than I expected.
**[17:52] ---**
I thought you never got nervous.
**[17:55] Zettour**
You, too.
**[17:57] Zettour**
I'm surprised to find you're nervous.
**[18:08] ---**
The Fatherland's fate rests on this mission.
**[18:11] ---**
If we fail to take the enemy's head,
the remaining plans will also fail.
**[18:16] ---**
Moving forward is the only way we can win.
**[18:20] ---**
No, it's the only path we have at all.
**[18:24] ---**
Anyone who stands in the way of
the Fatherland will be destroyed.
**[18:31] ---**
My friend, victory for the Empire!
**[18:35] ---**
Victory!
***SIGN*** May 25, Unified Year 1925
**[18:51] ---**
Hydrogen fuel levels confirmed.
**[18:55] ---**
Firing angle and direction confirmed!
**[18:57] ---**
All equipment working normally.
**[19:00] ---**
All units, proceed to final preparations.
**[19:03] ---**
Releasing safeties.
**[19:06] ---**
Launch preparations complete.
**[19:08] ---**
Staff is to leave the area!
**[19:10] ---**
We will now launch a mage company
**[19:14] ---**
via the manned rockets code named V-1!
**[19:18] ---**
Light all rockets.
**[19:22] ---**
*May God watch over the Fatherland.*
**[19:27] Tanya**
My comrades-in-arms, I believe not in God,
**[19:31] Tanya**
but in Strategic HQ,
a stronghold of logic and reason.
**[19:35] Tanya**
Our pride lies in duty and sacrifice.
**[19:38] Tanya**
We go to win this battle.
**[19:41] Tanya**
* A true Imperial soldier goes anywhere,*
* even Purgatory, and conquers it!*
**[19:50] Tanya**
Show them what good guard dogs we are!
**[19:54] ---**
All units, take off.
**[20:11] ---**
I shall pray for your success.
**[20:17] Tanya**
I was supposed to climb the ladder
in the rear lines.
**[20:21] Tanya**
How did I end up here?
**[20:32] Tanya**
It's all... It's all Being X's fault.
**[20:37] Tanya**
Until I pound free-market principles
into that piece of shit,
**[20:41] Tanya**
I won't die, no matter what!
**[20:44] Tanya**
I'm going to live... to live and...
**[20:48] Tanya**
I'm going to end this!
**[20:49] Tanya**
* Everyone, prepare for*
* non-magic-dependent drop!*
**[20:53] Tanya**
*Release door knockers!*
***SIGN*** Operation Shock and Awe
Assault on the Enemy HQ
**[22:47] Tanya**
*"To the family of my friend,*
**[22:50] Tanya**
*Warrant Officer Tweet Nika Teyanen.*
**[22:53] Tanya**
*I'm terribly sorry to inform you*
**[22:56] Tanya**
* that Warrant Officer Teyanen*
* will be retiring due to injuries.*
**[23:01] Tanya**
* A military doctor has decided*
* that he needs long-term care.*
**[23:07] Tanya**
* I ask forgiveness that I can only return*
* the child you entrusted to us in this state.*
**[23:13] Tanya**
* I know it isn't much,*
* but I have put in a request*
**[23:17] Tanya**
* for a Class 1 Combat Medal*
* and a War Injuries Medal,*
**[23:21] Tanya**
*and it has been accepted.*
**[23:23] Tanya**
*I hope he successfully recovers."*
**[23:31] Tanya**
* I never thought I'd lose one of*
* my troops to a rotten potato...*
***SIGN*** Next Time Path to Victory
***SIGN*** This program is fiction. All persons, groups, places, laws, and names appearing in it have no relation to the real world.