"Fire!" At Colonel Moritoshi Riho's command, the 4th Field Artillery Regiment's twelve 120mm howitzers and thirty-six 75mm field guns, along with the sixteen 75mm mountain guns of its four subordinate infantry regiments, opened fire first.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Shell after shell shrieked through the air and smashed toward the German 226th Infantry Division's defensive line.
Several other field artillery regiments followed suit and began their bombardment.
For a time, the thunder of artillery rolled on as shells rained down upon the German positions.
"Boom! Boom!"
Shells continuously hammered the German defensive line, falling like raindrops. Dense explosions erupted across the line, and smoke and fire almost engulfed the defensive belt less than five kilometers long.
Behind the German defensive line, Major General Friedrich, commander of the German 226th Infantry Division, was observing the battle through binoculars.
"Tut, tut, more than two hundred guns, I'd say? The Island Nation people are really willing to spend heavily this time. They've actually dragged out every artillery piece they have. Aren't they afraid we'll seize this opportunity to catch their artillery all in one net?" There was no worry on Major General Friedrich's face. He remained very confident in their defensive positions.
"General, perhaps the Island Nation people do not know that the artillery of the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division has already been attached to us. That is why they dared to launch such an unrestrained bombardment. But for us, this is undoubtedly a perfect opportunity!" Brigadier General Georg wore a smile as well.
"Give the artillery their orders. Tell them to seize this opportunity and attack! This time, we must wipe out all the Island Nation people's artillery. Once their artillery is destroyed, the pressure on us in the battles ahead will be far lighter. Especially at