"Your Excellency, the 8th Armored Division, the 88th Armored Division, the 71st Mechanized Infantry Division, the 72nd Mechanized Infantry Division, the 73rd Mechanized Infantry Division, and the 74th Mechanized Infantry Division have all crossed the Saint Croix River. The Americans have not launched an attack," Lieutenant General Karl Hilpert reported.
Marshal Guderian nodded. "It seems the Americans are even more timid than we imagined. However, that is even more favorable for us. Since the Americans believe that holding their positions to the death can withstand our attack, then let them see how we will break through their positions and shatter their hopes!"
If the US military had launched a counterattack, it naturally would not have been able to drive the German military back to the north bank of the Saint Croix River. However, it could have disrupted the German river-crossing operation. Especially the German heavy tanks—once the pontoon bridges were blown apart by artillery shells, they would have been unable to cross the river.
"Order the 71st Mechanized Infantry Division, the 72nd Mechanized Infantry Division, the 75th Infantry Division, and the 76th Infantry Division to launch an attack on Topsfield," Marshal Guderian ordered.
Now that US reinforcements were steadily pouring into Topsfield, he did not want to waste any more time, lest the night grow long and dreams multiply.
"Yes, Your Excellency." Lieutenant General Karl Hilpert swiftly relayed the order.
The German artillery, which had long been ready, began pouring shells onto Topsfield. One large-caliber heavy gun after another let out earth-shaking roars. Bare-chested artillerymen hauled shells, doing their utmost to fire more rounds in the shortest possible time.
Shell after shell screamed down onto the US positions. The defensive works built by the infantry of the US 5th Army Corps gradually turned to ruins beneath the fierce German bombardment.