Chapter 273 The Rumble of the Cannons

The 2nd Russian Guards Army didn't have much time to build a position at all, so it could only build a simple position. Coupled with the level of the Russian army's construction of fortifications, it is not very good. This makes it even more impossible to expect how strong their fortifications are.

"Boom!" A 155mm artillery shell fell into the trench of the Russian army. The trench, which was less than one meter deep, was directly bombed and collapsed a large part. Many of the Russian soldiers lying in the trenches were killed on the spot, their limbs and arms were broken, and they were flying everywhere.

"God! Andrei and the others died so badly. How could the German shelling be so terrifying?" A Russian soldier looked terrified.

"If you don't want to die, hurry up and pray to God. Those Germans are actually equipped with large-caliber heavy artillery. This time, we are in big trouble." An officer reprimanded. His face was full of worry. Obviously, it was worried that the Russian army would suffer great losses under the shelling of the German army's large-caliber heavy artillery. In this case, it may be even more difficult for them to resist the German attack.

"boom!"

A shell from a field artillery hit a machine gun bunker of the Russian army. The machine gun fortress with civil structure was blown to pieces in an instant. Machine gun parts are scattered all over the place.

Under the fierce artillery fire of the German army, the positions of the Russian army were bombed into a mess. Destroyed fortifications are everywhere. Countless Russian soldiers were killed in the shelling and lost their lives.

The rest of the Russian army could only flee under the heavy shelling of the German army, or lie in the trenches, praying to God, and praying that the shells would not fall on their heads. Otherwise, it would be dead.

"General, the Germans' attack has begun. They have concentrated hundreds of cannons and fiercely shelled our defense line. Among them, there are many large-caliber heavy artillery. The soldiers on the front line suffered heavy losses. The fortifications we built were also destroyed. A lot. The situation on the entire front line is very pessimistic." A lieutenant general reported to General Krapovich.

Admiral Krapovich nodded. He naturally knew that once the German army launched an attack, it would be earth-shattering.

"Order the troops on the front line to hold on. In addition, let our artillery counterattack immediately to reduce the pressure on the front line." Admiral Krapovich ordered.

"Yes, General. However, our cannons are all 76.2mm field guns. I'm afraid they can't defeat the large-caliber heavy artillery of the Germans." The general was a little worried. The difference in artillery strength between the two sides is really too great.

"Yes! General. If we launch an artillery attack, it will inevitably cause the German artillery to suppress our artillery. It is difficult for us to resist them." Another general also said.

"If the artillery doesn't fight back, the German artillery will soon cause heavy losses to our frontline troops. At that time, once the frontline is broken through, it may be difficult for us to resist the German attack." Krapowie Admiral Qi was worried.

Although the Ninth Army is only two days away from them, General Krapovich also has some doubts about whether he can last for two days. What's more, he believed that the German army would definitely stop the 9th Army. Therefore, the Russian Guards 2nd Army may need to persist for more time. This is undoubtedly a great test for them.

"Yes, general." The generals didn't insist anymore.

The German artillery fire was very violent. For this attack, they have been preparing for several days. A large amount of ammunition shipped from East Prussia made the artillery not have to worry about whether there would be a shortage of ammunition when shelling.

"fire!"

Twenty minutes after the German bombardment began, the Russian artillery also launched a counterattack. More than two hundred 76.2mm field guns were also pushed to the front line in an attempt to suppress the German artillery positions.

Although, the Russian 2nd Guards Army has ten infantry divisions and four cavalry divisions, with nearly 500 cannons. However, these cannons are almost all 76.2mm field guns. There are very few cannons with a caliber of more than 100 mm. This is still known as the Guards of the Russian Army's elite troops. If it is other troops, then naturally it can be imagined. Even an infantry division cannot be fully equipped with 48 76.2mm field guns.

The 76.2mm field gun of the Russian army is not only far inferior to the 75mm field gun of the German army in terms of rate of fire, but its power and range are also inferior. As for the comparison with the large-caliber heavy artillery of the German army, it is even more incomparable.

As soon as the German artillery fired, it attracted the attention of the German artillery. Those 150mm heavy howitzers and 105mm light howitzers, under the guidance of the artillery observation balloons, adjusted their shooting elements to suppress the Russian artillery.

In just twenty minutes, the Russian artillery had to withdraw from the battle due to heavy losses. On the other hand, the German artillery lost very little.

After suppressing the Russian army's artillery, the German artillery continued to fire on the Russian army's forward positions, repeatedly shelling the Russian army's positions with powerful firepower, just like plowing the Russian army's positions with an iron plow. The defensive positions built by the Russian army were blown into a mess and destroyed a lot under the heavy shelling of the German army.

The Russian soldiers stationed on the front line suffered heavy casualties. Remnants of limbs and broken arms are everywhere in the entire position. The entire position seemed to be a Shura hell.

On the German positions, Lieutenant General Francois, commander of the 11th Army, and Colonel Guderian, acting commander of the 8th Armored Division, were waiting for the results of the artillery shelling.

"Report, artillery report, the Russian position has been basically destroyed." A staff officer reported.

"Very well, Colonel Guderian, it's up to you next." Lieutenant General Francois said.

"Yes, General." Colonel Guderian nodded.

In the previous battle of East Prussia, the 8th Armored Division can be said to have made great contributions, which also made him and Rommel highly praised. Qin Tian has already assured them that after the Polish campaign is over, they will be promoted again. Guderian will be promoted to brigadier general, and the word agent will be removed to become the official commander of the 8th Armored Division. And Rommel will also be promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel, and will still serve as the deputy commander of the 8th Armored Division and concurrently as the head of the 1st regiment.

This makes Guderian full of expectations for the next battle.

The German firepower preparation lasted for an hour. Subsequently, artillery fire began to extend to the deep positions of the Russian army. The 8th Armored Division, which had been prepared for a long time, started the attack again.