January 11th 2030.
In hand with the eastern advance, the battle for Utrecht still continues on in full force. Approximately a quarter of the Belgian forces operating in the Netherlands were concentrated on the central front, mainly in the areas surrounding Utrecht.
The Belgian strategy for gaining control over the city was a carefully made plan comprising three distinct phases, all guided by a cautious approach aimed at minimizing casualties and maintaining a rapid pace of advance. The doctrine utilized in the invasion may seem contradictory, but both aspects of speed and minimal losses come hand in hand.
In terms of speed, the advantages are threefold. They can't be held up crushing Dutch resistance for too long else it may be taken as weakness in the future, it was necessary for this to appear as a cleanup operation of sorts.
As time goes on, so does the threat of foreign intervention. France and Germany are docile for now but should Belgium take too much time they may ramp up their aid and support, should the worse come to pass, even direct intervention. Lastly, they need to begin preparations for this very eventuality, as even if the Netherlands were to be occupied, they could not possibly let a rising power threaten their decaying hegemony. Or perhaps the Prime Minister and his party have far greater ambitions already?
Lowering the number of casualties, again, might seem antithesis to speed, yet is a major part of reducing the conflict's effects on ordinary people. There are two reasons for this objective; the first is to minimize the effects on the economy long term and make it far more productive once the region has been fully integrated. Part of this also includes avoiding damaging or out right destroying buildings and other infrastructure to avoid the long bill of reconstruction.
Secondly, animosity from the occupied populace would be far less than it would be, keeping one's family and friends safe in the midst of an invasion is largely up to chance and circumstance and the blame would be squarely put on the invader. The territories of the Netherlands are not to be pillaged or occupied, rather becoming a part of the larger vision for the future under the MUP.
Given the nature of this specific battle, rife with the challenges of urban warfare, strategy and subterfuge were imperative to achieve the aforementioned objectives. Consequently, the first phase of the assault did not target the heart of the city; instead, it involved the occupation of its outskirts and the strategic thinning of supply lines.
Crucially, they avoided encircling the city entirely, leaving a few routes open for entry and exit from the beleaguered city. This deliberate decision compelled the enemy to allocate more resources to this battle, simplifying their long-term objectives and allowing a potential retreat for troops within the city. It was a strategic move that prevented soldiers within the city from feeling compelled to make a 'heroic last stand'.
Meanwhile, utilizing their network of spies, the last minute supplies and equipment sent to the city would be tampered with. They wouldn't be tampered with or non-functional, instead the proportions of both send to each force would make one run out far quicker than the other.
January 12th, 2030.
Having concluded the first stage of the plan, the second could finally commence in earnest. Unlike the first, it consists of assaulting the city directly, but once again in a highly controlled and methodical approach.
In this offensive, regular troops were deployed sparingly, their role overshadowed by the formidable exo-suit units. These state-of-the-art technological marvels were to deliver surgical strikes on the most stubborn points of resistance within the city. Their superior capabilities, compared to ordinary soldiers, promised a significant advantage in the upcoming battle.
Staying true to the approach of subterfuge and deception, cleverly crafted transmissions and messages were broadcasted to enemy forces, enticing them to surrender. Assurances of humane treatment in accordance with the Geneva Convention and generous promises of leniency post-war were used as persuasive elements. The spy network which had been years in the making finally showed their usefulness, these messages being directly sent to the soldiers' devices and equipment.
To further tighten the psychological grip, families with troops stationed in Utrecht were granted the opportunity to send heart-wrenching messages to their loved ones, tactfully nudging them to consider returning home. The implicit threat of armed troops appearing at their doorstep, coupled with the possibility of their loved ones meeting an unfortunate end, weighed heavily on the soldiers. Faced with such dire prospects, the majority succumbed to the pressure, surrendering as requested.
Meanwhile, the messages of the defiant few, those who encouraged the soldiers to resist and fight on, were conveniently removed from the list. While these individuals remained safe for the time being, they were closely monitored for safety reasons, their potential to take part in resistance efforts carefully controlled.
All these factors combined would greatly facilitate the operation, with the planners hoping that a significant portion of enemy troops to simply hand themselves in, but it is to be seen whether it shall be as they ordained.
January 15th, 2030.
Finally, with most of the city firmly under their control, stage three was poised to deliver the metaphorical coup de grâce. The psychological warfare employed in the preceding days had borne fruit splendidly, yielding a bountiful harvest of prisoners of war. Remarkably, approximately forty percent of the beleaguered soldiers within the city had chosen to lay down their arms, demonstrating the effectiveness of the psychological strategies employed.
Only a few resilient pockets of resistance remained scattered across the city, most of them already engaged in negotiations for surrender. The day's end would mark the city's complete occupation, a resounding victory for the Belgian forces.
Yet, it would be remiss to categorize the defense of Utrecht as an outright and crushing defeat, no matter how it might appear on the surface. The tenacity displayed by the Dutch indicated a certain level of fighting spirit, a glimmer of resilience. However, in the face of the invaders' overwhelming advantage, this spirit was tragically eclipsed, resulting in a near-annihilation.
Days of grueling urban warfare, characterized by street-to-street combat, had ravaged the city. Despite the invaders' best efforts to exercise restraint, Utrecht lay in ruins. Bullet holes marred every street corner and building, and the scars of battle would linger for months before the city could even hope to regain a semblance of its former self.
Regardless, Utrecht has fallen, and the road to Amsterdam now lays wide open.