The Third Stage

December 12, 1888.

On the banks of the Save River.

While the Anglo-Portuguese Allied Forces were building a new command headquarters and government offices in Chokwe, the various East African units, which had rested for nearly half a month, had finally finished their preparations.

Under cover of night, East Africa's 221st Division began crossing the river at the Masangena ferry crossing. The Save River stretched more than 680 kilometers in total, so it was impossible for the Allied Forces to deploy too many troops in every section of the Save River defense line.

The crossing point chosen by the 221st Division lay in the western reaches of the Save River. Due to the climate and other factors, this was Mozambique's most primitive region. The Portuguese had barely developed it at all; if not for the war with East Africa, the Allied Forces likely would not have been willing to send even a small unit here.

This southwestern region was also the part of Mozambique with the least rainfall. Rivers were scarce and vegetation sparse. Even in his previous life, it had merely been a wildlife reserve in Mozambique. One could imagine how much more desolate it was in the nineteenth century.

Major General Mars, commander of the 221st Division, naturally understood this perfectly well.

"The British and Portuguese have concentrated their forces in the central and eastern sections of the Save River. The west is sparsely populated, and while that gives us an opening to exploit, it also means we will be affected by supply shortages and water problems. Logistical support will become even more difficult."

"Therefore, after crossing the river, our army will immediately advance east along the Save River and cooperate with the other units, rather than heading directly south. That is the General Staff's order, and it