At six o'clock in the morning on November 11, a part of 8th Armored Division led by German 11th Corps and Colonel Rommel had arrived less than five kilometers away from Lviv.
In fact, they arrived last night. However, in order to avoid being noticed by the Russian army of Lviv, they stayed at a Small Town twenty kilometers away from Lviv to rest. Before 5 o'clock this morning, the entire army set off again.
"Colonel Rommel, it seems that we have not been noticed by Russians. The suddenness of our attack can still be guaranteed." German 11th Corps Commander Lieutenant General François said with a smile. It can be seen that he is in a very good mood.
Although Rommel is just Colonel, Lieutenant General François has many major generals and brigadiers under his command. However, his attitude towards Rommel is much better than that towards those generals. On the one hand, it is of course because Rommel is the person Oscar values. On the other hand, it is also because of Rommel's personal talent that Lieutenant General François is very optimistic about it.
8th Armored Division's performance in this war was really amazing. So much so that even though these generals were dumbfounded, they all hoped to have a Armored Forces in their troops in the future. In other words, we can get help from Armored Forces in this war. In this case, they can win at a smaller cost.
"Yes, General. Russians is unprepared, which is undoubtedly very advantageous for us. It can catch them by surprise when we attack." Colonel Rommel nodded.
Although Colonel Rommel's military rank is relatively low, as 8th Armored Division's deputy division commander, he is aware of many important strategic deployments. The importance of attacking Lviv to German military in this battle is self-evident. Of course he also hopes that they can defeat Lviv in one battle.
"Order the artillery to deploy within half an hour, and then launch a fire strike. Don't be stingy with artillery shells. In the shortest possible time, throw as many artillery shells at Lviv as possible and kill all those Russians!" General François ordered.
"Yes, General." Artilleryman Commander replied.
11th Corps has 4 Infantry Division, so they have more artillery. The artillerymen began to get busy, deploying the cannons one by one in preparation for the bombardment. Vehicles transporting ammunition are also busy, transporting truckloads of artillery shells to the artillery positions.
A section of 8th Armored Division led by Colonel Rommel is also making preparations for the attack. Originally, after replenishment, their number of tanks reached more than one hundred. But all the way from Chełm to Lviv, there are only about 80 tanks left that can still be driven. But even so, Colonel Rommel thinks it's enough. With these tanks, it was enough to break through the Russian army's defense line at Lviv and defeat them.
According to the information obtained before the war, the Russian army's garrison at Lviv only numbered 70,000 to 80,000 people. With the strength of German military and the 11th Infantry Corps, plus the cooperation of some Armored Forces, it is enough to crush them.
"Fire!"
At half past six in the morning, German artillerymen Commander gave the order to open fire. Suddenly, 72 150mm heavy-duty Howitzer, 144 105mm Light Howitzer, and 216 75mm Field Gun all began fierce bombardment.
The artillerymen worked hard to stuff the shells into the barrels, and then fired them out, slamming these heavy shells into the Russian army. Because Lieutenant General François only gave the artillery half an hour to prepare for firepower. Therefore, they need to fire as many shells as possible within this half hour. In that case, greater results can be achieved.
When German military's attack began, the Russian troops in Lviv's city were still sleeping. Although, after the fall of Chełm, the officers and soldiers of Russian 4th Army Corps knew that Lviv would soon become the target of German military's attack. But they all thought that German military would only launch an attack on Lviv after capturing Zamość. But what they never expected was that German military would directly attack Lviv. In this case, they were undoubtedly caught off guard. Lviv The Russian troops in the city were completely unprepared.
"Boom! Boom!"
When artillery shells fell from the sky and exploded in the city of Lviv, countless Russian soldiers were awakened from their sleep. There are even some unlucky ones who lose their lives in their sleep.
More Russian soldiers ran out of the barracks and fled in all directions without even having time to put on their clothes or grab their weapons.
However, German military's shelling was so violent that the entire Lviv became the target of German military's attack. The shells fell like raindrops, and many Russian soldiers were torn into pieces in panic.
When the shell exploded, General Dimitriev jumped up from the bed.
"What's going on? Where did the explosion come from? Are Germany people calling?" General Dimitriev asked, maybe even he didn't notice it, his words were full of Panic.
"General, shelling! This is shelling from outside the city. It should be the Germany people." The adjutant reported in panic.
"What? How is this possible? How could Germany people get here so quickly?" General Dimitriev seemed a little unable to accept this reality.
However, the constant explosions in Lviv made him believe that this was the truth. German military is using a cannon to violently bombard Lviv. It is foreseeable that German military's attack will begin soon. The completely unprepared Russian army will inevitably suffer heavy losses under the fierce bombardment of German military. Whether German offensive can withstand it, General Dimitriev has no confidence at all.
"Order the troops to enter the position immediately and prepare to resist the attack of the Germany people. Tell the soldiers that we must resist the attack of the Germany people, otherwise, everyone will only die!" General Dimitriev ordered fiercely.
"Yes, General."
"In addition, send Telegram to Area Army Headquarters immediately. We were suddenly attacked by Germany people. German military's offensive is very fierce, and we need reinforcements." General Dimitriev said.
Although, German offensive hasn't started yet. But General Dimitriev subconsciously thought that German military's attack would be very powerful, so he impatiently began to request reinforcements. But he didn't know whether he could get reinforcements. The only thing he knows is that General Ivanov may not have many troops in his hands.