On January 27, German military Commander of the 3rd Army Corps Marshal von Hausen, who was also on the front line of the Austro-Hungarian Empire operation Commander, issued the order to attack.
After two days of rest, the German military soldiers who had traveled a long distance have regained their energy. Both physical and mental strength have returned to their peak. In addition, the logistics force has transported a large amount of combat supplies, which means that the time has come for the frontline troops to launch a general attack on Vienna.
"Fire!"
Just after 8 o'clock in the morning, artilleryman Commander gave the order to fire. 4 group armies, 40 Infantry Division and 4 Armored Division. Those Infantry Division artillery units alone are very powerful. 720 150mm heavy Howitzer, 1440 105mm Light Howitzer, 2160 75mm Field Gun, a total of more than 4,000 cannons, began to bombard Vienna.
Although, Vienna is also a world-famous historical city with a splendid history. However, German military doesn't care at all about the city's historical significance. In the eyes of these German military artillerymen, there are just targets they are about to destroy. Likewise, German military has already done a lot. For example, Paris, such as London, were also blown into ruins by German military.
Austro-Hungarian Empire's artillery strength is not weak. Skoda's heavy artillery is famous throughout the world. But unfortunately, Škoda Works is not in the territory of Austria, but in the territory of Kingdom of Bohemia. After German military entered Kingdom of Bohemia, he occupied the factory immediately. After the war is over, the Krupp factory will merge here, bringing German military's cannon production capacity and technology to a higher level.
Although, the Austrian army was also equipped with some heavy artillery. However, most of these heavy artillery are deployed at the border and are not deployed at Vienna. Although the heavy artillery is powerful, it is also very bulky and is not conducive to turning. Especially when retreating, those bulky heavy artillery are even more difficult to take away. When the Austrian army retreated in a hurry, they didn't even have time to take away the logistical supplies, let alone the weapons and equipment. This made those heavy artillery fall into the hands of German military.
Oscar has long been interested in setting up a Heavy Artillery Brigade in each group army to further strengthen the artillery strength of the army. However, because the heavy artillery is too heavy, unless it can achieve self-propellation, otherwise, it will be too laborious to rely solely on Truck or mules and horses.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Orange-red flames spurted out from the muzzle of German military, and the shells roared towards Vienna.
Along with the artillery shells falling like raindrops, dense explosions sounded in Vienna. Whether it was the Austrian positions outside the city or inside the city, there were German military key targets for shelling outside the city.
The Austrian defenses outside the city were not strong to begin with. Digging trenches and building fortifications has never been what the Austrian army is good at. Most of the fortifications they built were shoddy projects that looked the same. It is obviously unrealistic to expect such fortifications to withstand the fierce bombardment of German military.
Under the fierce bombardment of German military, these Austrian defenses were destroyed one after another. Even among the Austrian officers and soldiers hiding in the artillery caves, many were buried alive inside.
The fierce bombardment by German military scared the Austrian soldiers on the defense line into silence. The morale of the troops was falling rapidly. Even though Austrian Emperor Karl I encouraged them before. But on the battlefield, watching their comrades being buried alive or blown to pieces by artillery shells is undoubtedly a great test for the spirit of the soldiers. Even well-trained troops may not be able to persist, let alone these Austrian officers and soldiers who are not elite in the first place. If possible, they would even turn around and run away.
However, on the one hand, for this battle, the Austrian army formed a lot of Supervisory Squad. Those Supervisory Squads even set up Heavy Machine Guns directly behind the position, and those who retreat without orders will be strafed by the Heavy Machine Guns who form a team. Rather than die in the hands of one of your own, it is better to fight German military. Therefore, most of the Austrian soldiers still stayed in the artillery caves, struggling to support themselves. On the other hand, German military's bombardment was too violent. If you escape from the shell-proof hole, you may die faster. Therefore, even if you want to escape, it is best to wait until the bombardment of German military is over. In that case, it will be relatively safer.
The buildings in the Vienna city were also turned into ruins under the fierce bombardment of German military. Although, many buildings have a long history. However, it is now also in ruins, without any difference.
Fortunately, after German military arrived at Vienna, the ordinary residents of Vienna fled here. They knew that if a war broke out here, they might lose their lives. After all, human life is undoubtedly very fragile in war.
Even the family members of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's ministers fled Vienna first. Karl I's Empress and their children are also among them. They have already rushed to Trieste first. At that time, you will take the freighter to leave Austro-Hungarian Empire and go to United States. Karl I then rushed to United States to join them. After those residents fled, Vienna almost only the army was left in the city. This also allows German military to have no worries when launching an attack.
The bombardment of German military lasted for four hours. The Austrian army's position outside the city of Vienna has become a mess. Even the buildings in the city were destroyed a lot.
The Austrian artillery also tried to launch a counterattack. But, on the one hand, they are outnumbered. On the other hand, the quality of the Austrian army's artillery is far from comparable to German military. This put the Austrian artillery at a complete disadvantage during the battle, and the losses were very heavy. In order to reduce losses, the Austrian army Commander Archduke Friedrich had no choice but to order the artillery to stop this act of risking death.
When the German military bombardment stopped, the German military soldiers, who had already been prepared and had eaten lunch in advance, immediately launched an attack.
Each of the four armies invested two Infantry Division, as well as Armored Division from each army. More than two hundred thousand German military soldiers, like the Mighty Tiger who came down the mountain, rushed towards the Austrian army's position.
And those Austrian soldiers who were still in shock and had just walked out of the shell-proof cave were frightened when they saw those dark tanks and the wolf-like German military soldiers. Even Supervisory Squad could not stop them from retreating. German military only used one attack to capture the Austrian position outside Vienna.