The other side of Crocker Range, the defense line of German military 227th Infantry Division and 229th Infantry Division. After nearly half a month of careful construction, these two Infantry Division and German military officers and soldiers have built a solid line of defense in the valley of the mountain pass.
The entire defense line is more than ten kilometers long, guarding the only exit of Crocker Range. Island Nation's Army If you want to climb over Crocker Range, you can only go through here. The rest of the places are filled with high mountains and dense forests, making it impossible for large troops to march through them.
German military Three trenches were dug on this line of defense. Barbed wire was pulled between each trench, and Landmine was buried. The trenches were connected by communication trenches.
In front of the first trench, a fairly large minefield was laid and three barbed wire fences were pulled up.
Behind the defense line are artillery positions. Heavy Artillery Brigade under German 23rd Army Corps, Artillery Regiment under 227th Infantry Division and 229th Infantry Division, and Field Artillery Battalion under each infantry regiment. In addition, Artillery Regiment and Field Artillery Battalion of 225th Infantry Division and 228th Infantry Division have also been strengthened. Although these two Infantry Division suffered considerable losses in the previous battle. But the main losses were artillery, while the infantry suffered little loss. In this defensive operation, these artillery can also come in handy.
As for the artillery of 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division, they went to reinforce 226th Infantry Division.
With German military carefully building a solid defense line and gathering a large number of cannons, it is easy to imagine how difficult it would be for the Island Nation's Army to break through German defensive line. The final result was undoubtedly that Island Nation's Army suffered a bloody blow in the face of German military's powerful defense.
German military undoubtedly hopes to pass through these lines of defense and consume Island Nation's Army's vitality as much as possible. If hundreds of thousands of the Island Nation's Army could be wiped out in front of the defense line, that would undoubtedly be the best.
German military 227th Infantry Division commander Major General Leiser and 229th Infantry Division commander Major General Manteuffel are talking. The two Division Headquarters are not very far apart. After all, these two Infantry Division are responsible for this line of defense, and they need to work together.
"The Island Nation people are here, and they are expected to launch an attack soon. Next, it will be up to us to see our performance." Major General Leiser seemed very relaxed and was not frightened by the massive attack of hundreds of thousands of enemy troops.
"We have done what we should do. The next thing to do is to enjoy the process of fighting. Of course, this process will probably be very cruel and bloody. However, that is for Island Nation people." Major General Manteuffel laughed. He seemed to have seen Island Nation's Army hit his head in front of their defense line and suffered heavy losses. That was undoubtedly what he wanted to see happen.
"This time our mission is to massacre those Island Nation people. I think God will definitely forgive us. After all, the Island Nation people are not believers of God." Major General Leiser said.
"Haha, General Leiser, you are right. Sending those Island Nation people to hell may be the task assigned to us by God!" Major General Manteuffel looked deeply convinced.
"By the way, have you contacted the Air Force? I don't want Island Nation's plane to drop bombs on our heads." Major General Leiser asked.
Island Nation's Army Air Force, although he has always been at a disadvantage in the battle with German Air Force 5th Air Group. However, I have to admit that Island Nation's Army Air Force still has certain strength. During this period, the two sides have been engaged in air battles to gain air supremacy. Although many fighter planes were shot down, Island Nation's Army Air Force still persisted.
"The Air Force is ready. The air search Radar has been working. Once the Island Nation people's plane is discovered, our Air Force will take off fighter planes to cover ours. If the Island Nation people want to drop bombs on our heads, it is impossible!" Major General Manteuffel seemed very confident in the strength of his own air force.
Major General Leiser nodded, which put him at ease. Perhaps when they are attacked by the Island Nation's Army, the Air Force can also provide them with fire support. In that case, they will undoubtedly be more confident in holding on to the defense and resisting Island Nation's Army's attack.
Just after one o'clock in the afternoon, after having lunch and resting for half an hour, Island Nation's Army began to form a team and prepare to launch an attack. Lieutenant General Island Nation's Army 30th Division Commander Asasaburo Kobayashi and Lieutenant General Regimental Commander Tōkichi Hōjō of the 54th independent mixed brigade have already issued the order to attack.
Island Nation's Army 30th Division In this attack, two infantry regiments will be deployed at once, namely 74th Infantry Regiment and 77th Infantry Regiment. The 54th Independent Mixed Brigade will also invest four infantry brigades in this attack. It can be considered that the main force has been invested.
"Fire!" With the order of Colonel 30th Field Artillery Regiment Wing Commander Otsuka Jun, 36 75mm Field Gun and 12 75mm mountain guns began the bombardment.
In addition, a total of 12 75mm mountain cannons from the mountain artillery squadrons of the three infantry regiments under 30th Division also joined in.
Twelve 75mm mountain guns and six 75mm Field Guns from the artillery team of the independent mixed 54th Brigade also started shelling.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
As these mountain artillery pieces began to shell, shells hit German defensive line one after another.
However, when Island Nation's Army's shelling had just begun, the German military officers and soldiers on the position had already gotten into the anti-cannon hole. Therefore, the shelling on Island Nation Road only destroyed some defenses on the position, and did not cause too many casualties to German military.
What's more, Island Nation's Army's mountain cannon and field cannon are not very powerful to begin with. It is simply impossible to seriously threaten German military.
"Yo west! Our artillery is still very powerful. A Infantry Division regiment and an independent* mixed brigade can assemble 36 75mm mountain guns and 42 75mm Field Gun. Such strength is already quite powerful." Lieutenant General Sōsaku Suzuki watched the Island Nation's Army artillery performance with a telescope and nodded with satisfaction.
From an East Asian perspective, although Island Nation's Army's artillery strength does not seem to have improved much over the past two decades, it is already ahead of other countries. However, compared with the world's first-class armies, their gap is undoubtedly very large.
At least, they have no advantage at all in front of the German Army's artillery.
"Your Excellency Commander, if the artillery of the other three divisions can be added, it may be able to play a greater role!" Major General Miyoshi Tomochika reminded.