Russian Guard 2nd Army Corps didn't have much time to build a position, so he could only build a simple position. In addition, the Russian army's level of building fortifications is not very good to begin with. This makes it even more impossible to expect how strong their defenses are.
"Boom!" A 155mm artillery shell fell into the Russian trench. A large part of the trench, which was less than one meter deep, was destroyed by the explosion. Many of the Russian soldiers lying in the trenches were killed on the spot, with their limbs and arms flying everywhere.
"God! Andrei They died miserably. Germany people's shelling, how could it be so terrifying?" A Russian soldier said Panic on his face.
"If you don't want to die, pray to God quickly. Those Germany people are actually equipped with large-caliber heavy artillery. This time, we are in big trouble." An officer reprimanded. His face was full of worry. Apparently they were worried that the Russian army would suffer heavy losses under the bombardment of German military's large-caliber heavy artillery. In this case, it would probably be even more difficult for them to resist German offensive.
"Boom!"
A field artillery shell hit a Russian machine gun fort. The civil machine gun fortress was blown to pieces in an instant. Machine gun parts were scattered everywhere.
Under the fierce artillery fire of German military, the Russian army's position was bombed into a mess. Destroyed fortifications were everywhere. Countless Russian soldiers were killed during the shelling and lost their lives.
The rest of the Russian troops could only flee under the fierce shelling of German military, or lie down in the trenches and pray to God that the shells would not fall on their heads. Otherwise, he would be dead.
"General, the Germany people's attack has begun. They concentrated hundreds of cannons and violently bombarded our defense line. Among them, there are many large-caliber heavy artillery. The soldiers on the front line suffered heavy losses. Many of the fortifications we built were also destroyed. The situation on the entire front line is very not optimistic." A lieutenant general reported to General Krapovitch.
General Krapovitch nodded. He naturally knew that once German military launched an attack, it would definitely be earth-shattering.
"Order the troops on the front line to hold on. In addition, let our artillery counterattack immediately to reduce the pressure on the front line." General Krapovitch ordered.
"Yes, general. However, our cannons are all 76.2mm field cannons. I'm afraid they can't beat the Germany people's large-caliber heavy artillery." The general was a little worried. The gap in artillery strength between the two sides is really huge.
"Yes! General. If we launch an artillery attack, it will inevitably cause German artillery to suppress our artillery. It will be difficult for us to resist them." Another general also said.
"If the artillery does not fight back, German artillery, our frontline troops will soon suffer heavy losses. Once the frontline is breached, it may be difficult for us to withstand the Germany people's attack." General Krapovitch was worried.
Although 9th Army Corps was only two days away from them, General Krapovitch also had some doubts about whether he could last two days. What's more, he believes that German military will definitely block 9th Army Corps. Therefore, Russian Guard 2nd Army Corps, I'm afraid I need to persist for more time. This is undoubtedly a great test for them.
"Yes, general." The generals did not insist any longer.
German military's artillery fire was very fierce. They had been preparing for this attack for several days. A large amount of ammunition was shipped from East Prussia, so that artillerymen did not have to worry about whether there would be a shortage of ammunition when bombarding.
"Fire!"
Twenty minutes after the German military bombardment began, the Russian artillery also launched a counterattack. More than two hundred 76.2mm field guns were also pushed to the front line in an attempt to suppress the German artillerymen position.
Although, Russian Guard 2nd Army Corps, there were ten Infantry Division and four cavalry divisions with nearly five hundred cannons. However, these cannons are almost all 76.2mm field guns. There are very few cannons with a caliber of more than 100 mm. This is still the Guards known as the elite force of the Russian army. If it were other troops, it would naturally be conceivable. Even one Infantry Division cannot be fully equipped with 48 76.2 mm field guns.
The Russian army's 76.2mm field gun not only has a rate of fire far inferior to that of German military's 75mm Field Gun, but its power and range are also inferior. As for comparing it with the large-caliber heavy artillery German military, it is even more incomparable.
As soon as German artillerymen fired, it attracted German artillerymen's attention. Those 150mm heavy Howitzer and 105mm Light Howitzer, under the guidance of the artillery Observation Balloon, adjusted their firing elements to suppress the Russian artillery.
In just twenty minutes, the Russian artillery had to withdraw from the battle due to heavy losses. On the other hand, for German artillerymen, the loss is very small.
After suppressing the Russian artillery, German artillerymen continued to fire at the Russian forward positions, using powerful firepower to repeatedly bombard the Russian positions, just like using an iron plow to plow the Russian positions. The defensive positions built by the Russian army were blown into a mess and destroyed a lot under the fierce bombardment of German military.
The Russian soldiers stationed on the front line suffered heavy casualties. Broken limbs and broken arms were scattered throughout the entire camp. The entire position seemed to be an Asura hell.
On German military's position, 11th Corps Commander Lieutenant General François and 8th Armored Division Acting Division Commander Colonel Guderian were all waiting for the results of the artillery bombardment.
"Report, artillery report, the Russian position has been basically destroyed." A staff officer reported.
"Very good, Colonel Guderian, the next step is up to you." Lieutenant General François said.
"Yes, General." Colonel Guderian nodded.
In the previous East Prussia battle, 8th Armored Division made great contributions, which also made him and Rommel highly praised. Oscar has promised them that after Polish campaign is over, they will be promoted again. Guderian will be promoted to brigadier general, and the word agent will be removed, becoming the official division commander of 8th Armored Division. Rommel will also be promoted from colonel to Colonel, and will still serve as 8th Armored Division's deputy division commander and concurrently as 1st Regiment Regimental Commander.
This makes Guderian full of expectations for the next battle.
German military's fire preparation lasted for an hour. Subsequently, artillery fire began to extend toward the Russian army's deep positions. 8th Armored Division, who had been prepared for a long time, started to attack again.