"Da da da!" A German military General Purpose Machine Gun was firing at the French position. The dense bullets made the French soldiers defending this section of the defense unable to raise their heads at all and could only huddle in the trenches.
After several opportunities, several small boats successfully rushed to the South Bank of the Marne River river beach, and almost a platoon of soldiers successfully crossed the river. They lay down on the river beach to further suppress the French army's position and create conditions for subsequent troops to cross the river.
As more and more German military soldiers crossed Marne River, they gradually established a solid beachhead at the South Bank of the Marne River. And tentatively launched an attack on the French army's position, trying to tear apart the French army's defense line.
The French defense line was too close to the Marne River. If they could not break through their first line of defense, it would be almost impossible for the engineers to set up a pontoon bridge, and they would suffer heavy casualties under the firepower of the French army.
Therefore, German military needs to break through the French defense line and establish a stable position before the engineers can be dispatched.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
On German military's position, mortars and Grenade Launcher of various calibers were firing to provide fire support for the German military soldiers who had successfully crossed the river. The artillery shells fell on the French position like raindrops, causing heavy losses to the French troops stationed on this line of defense.
"Your Highness, the soldiers fought very hard and suffered heavy casualties. However, it was within our expectations. I believe that French's casualties will never be much smaller than ours. When more and more troops cross the river, we will be able to attack Anglo-French Allied Forces's defense line and overtake their defense line in one fell swoop." Major General Manstein said.
Oscar nodded. "Well, let the engineers get ready. Once we take down the first line of defense of Anglo-French Allied Forces, we will immediately start building the pontoon bridge."
After all, it was too slow to transport soldiers in small boats, and at the same time, the losses under the firepower of French were also great. If weapons can be set up, soldiers and various combat materials can directly cross the river. In that case, the efficiency will be greatly improved. After spending a little more time and letting the engineers build a pontoon bridge that can pass tanks, Armored Forces can be used to directly attack Anglo-French Allied Forces's defense line. Oscar believes that Anglo-French Allied Forces will never be able to withstand their attack.
"Yes, Your Highness." Major General Manstein replied.
In this battle, getting through the Marne River is the most critical battle. As long as you beat Marne River, the problem will be easily solved. Armored Forces will rampage on the land of French and completely defeat Anglo-French Allied Forces.
The battle is still going on, German military and Anglo-French Allied Forces are fighting to the death in the South Bank of the Marne River. Although, Anglo-French Allied Forces has a great advantage in military strength. However, they suffered heavy losses under the attack of German military. Even the defense line they were holding on to had become precarious.
Marshal Joffre, who was sitting at the rear, was also very nervous after learning about the predicament on the front line.
The battle has only started for half a day, are they about to lose their first line of defense? If this rate is maintained, the defense line they built at the South Bank of the Marne River will not last for a few days in total! Once Marne Defense Line falls, it will be impossible to stop German military in the future. By then, German military will probably fight all the way to Paris. In that case, France would be doomed.
"Marshal, the first-line positions of several armies on the front line have suffered heavy losses. They have begun to use their reserves. But even so, we don't know how long they can last." A French general reported to Marshal Joffre.
"Tell the frontline departments that the battle has just begun. The two armies as reserves cannot be used. They must find a way to resist German offensive." Marshal Joffre said.
Although, he prepared two armies and a reserve of more than 400,000 people for the coalition forces on the front line. However, we can't just invest a large number of reserves at the beginning of the battle, right? In that case, how can this battle continue?
"Yes, Your Excellency." The general nodded and immediately went to convey the order.
"Alas!" After the general left, Marshal Joffre couldn't help but sigh.
"Have those Germany people become so powerful after half a year of rest? There are four front-line armies with more than 800,000 people. They couldn't hold on just after the battle started. In this case, how can we survive?" Marshal Joffre is even more worried about the upcoming battle situation.
Although, compared with half a year ago, Anglo-French Allied Forces is also more powerful. But obviously, German military has made greater progress than them. In this case, it would be even more impossible for Anglo-French Allied Forces to resist German offensive, or defeat German military.
French 2nd Army Corps Headquarters, General Dekasi Terno is in a state of distress. German military's fierce attack caused 2nd Army Corps to suffer heavy losses. The front line of defense is even more precarious. On the more than 20 kilometers of defense line that 2nd Army Corps was responsible for, the Infantry Corps he deployed had already suffered more than half of its casualties. If the deployment had dispatched another Infantry Corps to replace it in time, I am afraid that the defense line would have been breached long ago.
"General, Telegram from the headquarters." A staff officer reported to General Decathi Terno.
General Dekasi Terno took a look at Telegram, and his expression suddenly became even more ugly.
"Damn it, let us figure it out ourselves. Do I want all my 2nd Army Corps to be lost here? How will this battle be fought by then?" Admiral Decarthy Terno said dissatisfied. I am very dissatisfied with this command from Marshal Joffre.
However, he had no choice but to issue more stringent orders to the frontline troops, asking them to defend their positions.
French has never been one to fight to the death. In the face of heavy losses, the fighting will of many French soldiers has become very fragile.
On the afternoon of April 1st, German military 2nd Army Corps took the lead in breaking through the first line of defense of French 2nd Army Corps. The French army, which suffered heavy casualties, retreated to the second line of defense.
German military 2nd Army Corps, while launching an attack on the French army's second line of defense, dispatched engineers and began to build a pontoon bridge.
By the evening of April 1, Anglo-French Allied Forces's first line of defense against the South Bank of the Marne River had been broken through by German military. German military has already established a solid position in the South Bank of the Marne River. Engineers from each legion began to take action and began to build pontoons. Be prepared for the subsequent rapid crossing of the river by the main force and combat supplies.
For engineers, it is very easy to build a pontoon bridge on a river dozens of meters wide and can be completed in two hours at most.