Shells traced long arcs across the sky, whistling as they slammed into the French Army's positions.
In an artillery duel, besides the positions of both sides, the performance of the guns, and the skill of the artillerymen, visibility was also crucial.
That was one reason Franz had ordered the French observation balloons destroyed before the battle. The Austrian side had a clear view of the battlefield, while the French had none.
So the Austrian artillerymen could easily locate the French guns and unleash devastating fire on them.
In truth, the French artillery colonel had reacted quickly, but he still couldn't outrun the shells. His gun positions were bearing the brunt of the attack.
Shells struck, sending dust, shattered stone and splintered wood, along with severed limbs, shooting into the air before raining back down.
Every impact dealt a severe blow to French morale. A shell hit a formation that had been orderly and tight.
Like pins toppled by a bowling ball, a whole swath of soldiers fell at once. Those struck directly were blown apart on the spot. The effect was every bit as explosive.
Flesh torn apart by shells and shock waves flew into the air, then came pouring down over nearby soldiers who had yet to recover their senses.
Red, yellow, white, black—the stench of blood, sulfur, urine, and feces mingled with the smell of earth.
The officers bellowed with all their might to maintain order, but some soldiers were already consumed by instinctive terror. They broke from the ranks and fled the battlefield without a thought.
The French Army's junior officers and military police played a crucial role at that moment. Runaways were executed almost as soon as they were caught.
Their decisive action stopped those trying to take advantage of the chaos and reminded the other