Time passed by, and it would be eight o'clock in the morning in five minutes.
"When can Air Corps arrive on the battlefield?" Oscar asked.
"Your Highness, four Air Corps each dispatched one Fighter Group and one Bomber group. The plane has taken off. Calculating the time, they should not be far from the battlefield. They can arrive at the battlefield in a few minutes at most." Major General Manstein reported.
In order to reduce the casualties caused by the troops crossing Marne River as much as possible, and to ensure that the cross-river operation can successfully break through Anglo-French Allied Forces's defense line, German military made careful planning. Not only were they fully prepared for firepower, but they also planned that Air Corps fighter planes could fly in time to support them when crossing the river. In this case, it can undoubtedly effectively reduce the casualties of the troops.
Oscar nodded. "We are ready for what we should do. Next, it depends on Valiant. I hope God can bless us!"
"Your Highness, we will definitely win this time." Major General Manstein is convinced of this.
When the hour hand on the watch pointed to eight o'clock, German military's bombardment began to extend towards Anglo-French Allied Forces's deep position. At the same time, on the front line, mortars and Grenade Launcher, as well as light Heavy Machine Gun were set up one after another, ready to fire at any time. More German military soldiers rushed towards the Marne River carrying boats that had been prepared long ago.
Although Marne River is not wide, the river is not deep either. However, it is undoubtedly very difficult to cross the river directly. Therefore, German military engineers have prepared a large number of small boats in the past two months for the army to use in advance to cross the river.
Anglo-French Allied Forces on the other side of the river also noticed the change in German military's shelling.
"Quick, enter the position, the Germany people are about to attack!" Anglo-French Allied Forces officers shouted orders at the top of their lungs.
A large number of Anglo-French Allied Forces soldiers came out of the anti-gun holes and entered the position, preparing to resist German offensive. At the same time, soldiers deployed in the rear also moved to the front line through the communication trenches. However, these Anglo-French Allied Forces soldiers must first pass the artillery blockade of German military. Under the fierce bombardment of German military, it is unknown how many soldiers of Anglo-French Allied Forces would die under the fierce bombardment of German military before reaching the front-line position.
"Your Excellency, Germany people's attack has begun." A general reported to Marshal Joffre.
"May God bless French Republic, and hope we can resist the attack of Germany people!" Marshal Joffre closed his eyes and prayed to God.
On the Marne River front line, German Central Army Group's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th group armies launched an attack on Anglo-French Allied Forces's position on a defense line that was hundreds of kilometers long. In the first wave of attacks, German military selected six landing sites and invested as many as 150,000 people to launch the attack. This does not include the troops who provided fire support for them in the position.
"Fire!"
Following front-line commander's order, German defensive line started firing violently. A series of Heavy Machine Gun, light machine guns, mortars and Grenade Launcher all began to fire crazily at the Anglo-French Allied Forces position on the other side of the river.
Dense artillery shells rained down on Anglo-French Allied Forces's position. Many shells fell directly into the trenches, causing heavy losses to Anglo-French Allied Forces who hurriedly entered the trenches.
The dense machine gun bullets hit the Anglo-French Allied Forces soldiers so hard that they could not even raise their heads. They could only shrink their heads into the trenches and act like cowering turtles. No matter how much the officers scolded them, they were unwilling to stick their heads out to fight. After all, those bodies that have fallen in the trenches and are still warm are the best examples.
"Cowards, you cowards, raise your heads and fire! Otherwise, the Germany people will beat Marne River. By then, everyone will only die!" A French second lieutenant scolded loudly.
But the next second, his roar stopped abruptly. A stray bullet hit his head and shattered his entire head, just like a watermelon bursting into pieces.
North Bank of the Marne River, many German military soldiers have already carried the wooden boats and rushed down Marne River. These tall German military soldiers can carry a small wooden boat with just two of them. After the wooden boat was placed on the river, the soldiers immediately jumped on it, then paddled the boat vigorously and rushed to the other side of the river. Marne River is only a few dozen meters wide, and the water flow is not fast. If there is no interference, you can cross the river in one minute.
Despite facing German military's powerful firepower, there were still many Anglo-French Allied Forces soldiers resisting. In particular, those firepower points that had not been destroyed by German military's shelling and bombing began to fire fiercely.
"Da da da!"
The French Hotchkiss machine gun and the British Bren Gun deployed in the firepower point were both firing. The dense bullets hit the river, causing splashes of water.
The small wooden boat has almost no defense, and the wooden hull will be easily penetrated once hit. Therefore, many German military soldiers were hit by Anglo-French Allied Forces bullets and fell into the Marne River screaming. Their bodies continued to flow down the river, eventually reaching Seine River and then Paris. Blood flowed from these corpses, dyeing the Marne River river red.
"Open fire and destroy French's firepower points!" a German military officer ordered.
A 120mm Heavy Mortar was aimed at a French Bunker on the other side of the river.
"Boom! Boom!"
Two artillery shells flew out. Although one shell missed, it fell into the trench and killed many French soldiers. Another cannonball hit the French soldier Bunker, blowing up the entire Bunker.
German military When the soldiers were crossing the river, they were undoubtedly the most vulnerable. Facing the fierce firepower of Anglo-French Allied Forces, they could only bear it silently. At this time, there is no doubt that they can only count on the firepower from the rear to suppress the firepower of Anglo-French Allied Forces and provide them with protection.
"Order the artillery to fire immediately!"
French 2nd Army Corps Commander Admiral Decasi Terno ordered with a dark face.
German military's firepower was very powerful, beyond their expectations. So much so that their defense line was completely suppressed by the powerful firepower of German military. If you don't think of a way, German military will surpass Marne River. At that time, it will be even more difficult to drive German military into the river.
Although, the battle has just begun. But in order to stabilize the defense line, General Decasi Terno had no choice but to dispatch the artillery that had been hidden before.
Almost all other Anglo-French Allied Forces armies issued such orders. German military's attack put great pressure on them.