On the morning of March 31, 1915, the positions of the four legions of the German Army Central Army Group were already busy. Although 5th Army Corps served as a reserve team, their artillery still participated in this attack.
After Oscar became Commander of Western Front, the tactics he advocated were naturally implemented in all the troops on the Western Front. During every attack, sufficient firepower preparations will be made to clear obstacles for the infantry to attack later and reduce the losses of the troops.
Oscar is very disgusted with the casualties of hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands in every battle on Western Front. The population of Germany is not large to begin with, and there are even fewer adult men. Every adult man is undoubtedly valuable. Such wastage on the battlefield is undoubtedly very detrimental to subsequent operations and the future development of Germany.
Oscar got up early in the morning, and together with Major General Manstein, inspected German military's position. On the defense line that is more than 100 kilometers long, the artillery of the four legions are making preparations for firing. In the past six months, all four German military legions have enhanced their artillery strength. Originally only 8th Army Corps was equipped to the division level 150mm Heavy Artillery, but now all legions are equipped with it. 75mm Field Gun also replaced the previous 77mm Field Gun, which strengthened the artillery strength of each legion of German military.
"It seems that French has prepared carefully in the past six months. South Bank of the Marne River has already built strong defenses. It is not easy for us to break through their defenses." Standing on a hillside, Oscar used a telescope to easily see the positions of the South Bank of the Marne River and Anglo-French Allied Forces.
Those positions were only a few dozen meters away from the river bank. Continuous barbed wire and trenches, even anti-tank trenches. The entire South Bank of the Marne River Anglo-French Allied Forces position has become a fortress densely covered with trenches. Under such circumstances, it would be difficult for the infantry to launch an attack.
"Your Highness, I hope our artillery can destroy Anglo-French Allied Forces's position on the other side of the river. Wait until Assault Troops crosses the river and establishes a solid bridgehead After the fort, Armored Forces can cross the river. By then, the tanks' tracks will crush all Anglo-French Allied Forces's positions," Manstein said. He is full of confidence in German armored forces.
On Eastern Front, German armored forces made great contributions. Facing German armored forces's attack, the Russian army was unable to resist, and was eventually easily defeated by German military.
Oscar nodded. "Is our Air Corps ready?"
In the past six months, in addition to focusing on the development of Armored Forces, German military has also focused on Air Corps. In addition to 8th Army Corps establishing Air Corps, several other legions also successively established their own Air Corps. Each Air Corps has more than 250 aircraft, which are basically half fighters and half Bomber. This has once again strengthened the air power of German military. You know, although Anglo-French Allied Forces also has some aircraft at the moment, the number is not large, only one or two hundred at best. Moreover, the performance of those aircraft is completely incomparable with German aircraft. There is no doubt that German military rules the sky of Western Front.
"Your Highness, we are ready. Three days ago, Air Corps had already stationed at the airport we built at northern France. In this battle, Air Corps will provide us with air reconnaissance and fire support." Manstein said.
"Well, the attack will begin in half an hour. We must ensure smooth logistics and supply. The artillery preparations this time will take a day!" Oscar said.
In order to smash the trench built by Anglo-French Allied Forces in the South Bank of the Marne River, German military prepared for a long time of firepower preparation. After a day of firepower preparation, you don't need to think about how many shells will be fired. Therefore, Oscar requires that logistics supplies must be smooth. Otherwise, if the artillery shells are used up and cannot be replenished, how will the subsequent battle be fought?
"Your Highness, we have prepared logistical support in advance. The ammunition stored is enough for us to fight a large-scale battle. Moreover, a large number of trains are continuously passing through the railway to transport combat materials from China to northern France. There will be no problems with our logistical support." Major General Manstein replied.
"We must pay attention to prevent French's guerrillas from attacking our supply lines." Oscar said.
Although northern France has been occupied by German military, there are still many French who are unwilling to be subjugated slaves. They organized guerrillas and attacked German military's supply lines, convoys and sentries, causing certain casualties to German military. This forced German military to deploy a considerable number of troops in the rear. Otherwise, these guerrillas will have a great impact on the battle on the German military frontline.
"Yes, Your Highness." Major General Manstein nodded.
Oscar picked up the telescope and continued to watch Marne River on the other side. In spring Marne River, the amount of water has begun to increase because melting water from ice and snow flows into it. But even so, the width of the river is less than fifty meters, and most river sections are only thirty or forty meters. The depth of the river is just below a person's head. Although it was impossible to wade across the river directly, there was no big problem for the engineers to set up a pontoon bridge.
Anglo-French Allied Forces of the South Bank of the Marne River also discovered the situation of German military on the other side of the river and became nervous. A large number of Anglo-French Allied Forces soldiers began to enter the position, preparing to resist German offensive.
In this battle, it seems that there is no need for any tactics or conspiracies. It depends entirely on the strength of the two sides. The stronger party can overwhelm the weaker party in battle and win. Other than that, there seems to be no other way.
Time passed by minute by second, and soon it was eight o'clock in the morning.
On the German artillerymen position, Commander gave the order to fire.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The cannons began to roar one after another, and the shells, one after another, slammed into the French position under the influence of kinetic energy.
"Boom!"
The artillery shell exploded on Anglo-French Allied Forces's position, and earth and rocks suddenly flew everywhere. Shrapnel was mixed with the earth and rocks, and shot out in all directions, harvesting all the lives it encountered.
Although, the soldiers of Anglo-French Allied Forces had already hid in the strong anti-gun holes when the bombardment of German military just started. However, the defenses on the position began to be destroyed under the fierce bombardment of German military.