January 31, 1896
Straits of Byblos
Another large armada though not quite the size of the one that we sailed with to the Kingdom. En route to the Dominion’s westernmost lands. We’ve got nearly one hundred thousand men and about ten battleships and their escorts. General Snow has been placed under the command of Field Marshal Lajoie. Though admittedly it’s brought in Generals Halphen and Brasseur under Lajoie’s command as well. The fleet is being led by the brand new RS Braveoure which I have to say is one hell of a beautiful battleship. New guns and all. Seeing those in action will be awe inspiring.
Alistaire and Olivier are becoming fast friends. Always together, really glad about that though. I’ve been promoted to Lance Corporal and lead our squad. Our LC died of cholera back in Baalbek, apparently the stuff was going around really bad and as such they decided to promote me on the recommendation of Olivier, though I think my grandfather might have had something to do with it. I got a letter the day we left Baalbek saying that he had joined up with the Ministry of Defense again and would be serving in an advisory role there. Mother wasn’t too happy about it, said he should just stay in retirement.
We make landfall in a week. Our forces are supposed to split into two pinchers and make landings simultaneously. My squad has been assigned to the advanced landing forces that are to infiltrate the enemy lines and gather recon info. We’ll be dropped off by small boats. We’ll be given dynamite and other explosives to plan on some of the railway hubs, apparently our experience in the mountains back home are supposed to help us here. Not sure the wet mountains back home will be like the desert ones here. I’ll write more when I can.