Chełm, one of the two strategic locations where Russian 4th Army Corps focuses on garrisoning. 4th Army Corps has deployed a full 100,000 people here, which is equivalent to one-third of the entire 4th Army Corps's total strength. In addition, in Zamość, they also deployed 100,000 people. The last 100,000 people will be used as a reserve force.
Russian 4th Army Corps Commander General Dimitriev, and even placed his headquarters personally at Chełm. The reason is to hope to be able to resist German offensive at this key strategic node.
"General, the Germany people have begun preparations for the attack. It is expected that their attack will begin soon." The adjutant reported to General Dimitriev.
Hearing the news, General Dimitriev couldn't help but feel nervous. Even though he had expected it, this day was inevitable. But what I didn't expect was that it would come so quickly.
General Dimitriev can be regarded as a half-soldier veteran. His many years of military career have made him accustomed to life and death, and he can remain calm even in the face of great dangers. But unfortunately, facing German offensive now, he couldn't hide the nervousness on his face, even Panic.
"Order all troops to prepare for battle. 22nd Army Corps and 34th Corps are ready for reinforcements at any time!" General Dimitriev ordered.
"Yes, General." The adjutant nodded, also looking like he was facing a formidable enemy.
"How are our defense lines prepared? Especially the anti-tank trenches to deal with German tanks, have they been dug?" General Dimitriev asked.
Digging wide anti-tank trenches has become the only way the Russian army can think of when facing the German military tanks. In the absence of weapons to deal with the German military tank, the only way to stop it was to use this three-meter-wide trench.
Although the Russian army's soil work has never been very good, there is still no difficulty in digging trenches. All that is needed is for the officers to use their fatigue to drive the soldiers to dig.
"General, the anti-tank trenches have been dug. They are all three meters wide according to your requirements. If German tanks comes again this time, he will definitely not be able to pass!" the adjutant said excitedly.
"Well, very good! I hope God will protect us and we must resist the attack of Germany people this time." A smile also appeared on General Dimitriev's face.
General Dimitriev, the most worrying thing is German military's tank unit. In his opinion, although German military is powerful, if the tank troops are excluded, the attack power is not too strong. As long as it can withstand the tank troops of German military, then it should be able to withstand German offensive. Although it may not be possible to defeat German military, if you persist with German offensive, there shouldn't be too much of a problem.
On German 17th Army Corps's position, Army Commander Lieutenant General Seeckt is observing the Russian army's position with a telescope. German 17th Army Corps and Infantry Division have already begun preparations for the attack. The soldiers were queuing up to receive breakfast, and the quartermaster also distributed bullets to every soldier.
A group of generals stood behind Lieutenant General Seeckt.
"Russians is obviously well prepared! Even the anti-tank trenches have been dug. Colonel Rommel, it seems you are in big trouble this time." Lieutenant General Seeckt put down the telescope in his hand and said with a smile.
"General, it's not a big trouble, it's just a small problem. At least, until Russians has weapons that can destroy our tanks, our biggest trouble is still mechanical failure. In battle, more tanks are damaged due to mechanical failure than are destroyed by the enemy." Colonel Rommel said disdainfully.
Rommel is now 8th Armored Division's deputy division commander and 1st Regiment Regimental Commander, and his military rank has been promoted to Colonel. However, it is said that he will not be able to work at 8th Armored Division for long. After this battle is over, he will serve as the division commander of 9th Armored Division, which is being formed. At that time, I am afraid that the military rank will be promoted again and become brigadier general. Although he is only 23 years old now, his outstanding talents and Crown Prince's regard for him make him very likely to become the youngest general in the German Army's history.
This time, 8th Armored Division was split into two halves, with Colonel Rommel leading one part to assist 17th Corps in attacking Chełm. Brigadier General Guderian led another group to assist 20th Corps in attacking Zamość.
"In this case, there should be no problem. Are Infantry Division ready?" Lieutenant General Seeckt asked.
Colonel Rommel nodded. Through reconnaissance, they had long discovered that the Russian army had dug a long anti-tank trench a hundred meters in front of the defense line. The three-meter-wide anti-tank trench made it impossible for the German military tank to cross. If we launch an attack, we will definitely be blocked there. But it is a pity that the Russian army does not have Anti-tank Gun to deal with tanks. Otherwise, this would be enough to make German armored forces suffer a lot. Therefore, it is not difficult for German armored forces to pass through the Russian anti-tank trenches. At that time, we only need to use a few Trucks to transport some stones and soil to fill in the Russian anti-tank trenches.
The other three Infantry Division division commanders also nodded, indicating that they were ready.
"Ten minutes later, launch an artillery attack and make fire preparations. After half an hour of fire preparations, Armored Forces and 50th Infantry Division launched an attack, tearing apart the Germany people's defense line in one fell swoop." Lieutenant General Seeckt ordered.
"Yes, General," everyone replied. Everyone knows that this war is about to begin. Whether German 8th Army Corps can once again achieve fruitful results in this battle depends on them.
In this battle, German 17th Army Corps was the first unit to launch the attack, and the other unit, 20th Corps, will not be able to launch the attack until tomorrow. As for 11th Corps, it is used as a reserve force.
On the German artillerymen position, three Infantry Division artillery units are ready. 54 150mm heavy-duty Howitzer, 108 105mm Light Howitzer and 162 75mm Field Gun have already raised their barrels.
"Fire!"
Following the order from artilleryman Commander, each artillery position immediately began shelling.
"Boom! Boom!"
One by one, the heavy artillery started firing. Under the influence of huge kinetic energy, the artillery shells hit the target fiercely.