Chapter 486: Firepower preparation (seeking monthly ticket)

   On the morning of March 31, 1915, the positions of the four corps of the German Army Central Group were already busy. Although the 5th Army served as a reserve team, their artillery still participated in this attack.

  After Qin Tian became the commander of the Western Front, the tactics he advocated were naturally carried out to all the troops on the Western Front. In each attack, sufficient firepower preparations will be made so that the infantry that follows the attack can clear obstacles and reduce the loss of troops.

  Qin Tian was very disgusted with every battle on the Western Front, which often caused hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands of casualties. Germany's population was not large, even fewer adult men. Every adult man is undoubtedly precious. Such waste on the battlefield is undoubtedly very detrimental to subsequent operations and the future development of Germany.

  Qin Tian got up early in the morning, and together with Major General Manstein, inspected the German positions. On the more than 100-kilometer-long defense line, the artillery of the four legions is preparing for firing. In the past six months, the four armies of the German army have all increased their artillery strength. Originally, only the 8th Army was equipped with 150mm heavy artillery at the division level, but now all armies are equipped with it. The 75mm field gun also replaced the previous 77mm field gun, which strengthened the artillery strength of the various German regiments.

"It seems that the French have prepared carefully in the past six months. They have already built a solid fortification on the south bank of the Marne River. It is not easy for us to break through their fortification." Standing on a small hillside , Qin Tian used the binoculars to easily see the positions of the British and French coalition forces on the south bank of the Marne River.

  Those positions are only tens of meters away from the river bank. There are endless barbed wire fences and trenches, and even anti-tank trenches. The entire Anglo-French position on the south bank of the Marne River has become a fortress with dense trenches. Under such circumstances, if the infantry launched an attack, the difficulty can be imagined.

"Your Highness, I hope that our artillery can destroy the position of the British and French allied forces on the other side of the river. After the assault troops cross the river and establish a solid bridgehead, the armored troops will be able to cross the river. At that time, the tracks of the tanks, These positions of the British and French allied forces will be crushed." Manstein said. He is full of confidence in the German armored forces.

   On the Eastern Front, the German armored forces made great contributions. Facing the attack of the German armored forces, the Russian army could not resist at all, and was easily defeated by the German army in the end.

  Qin Tian nodded: "Is our aviation team ready?"

  In the past six months, in addition to focusing on the development of armored forces, the German army has also focused on the development of the aviation team. In addition to the establishment of the 8th Army's air force, several other legions have also established their own air force one after another. Each air force has more than 250 aircraft, basically half of which are fighter jets and half bombers. . This allowed the German air power to be strengthened once again. You must know that although the British and French coalition forces also have some aircraft at this moment, they are not many, at most one or two hundred. Moreover, the performance of those aircraft is completely incomparable with that of the German aircraft. There is no doubt that the German army dominates the sky on the Western Front.

"Your Highness, it's ready. Three days ago, the air teams have entered the airport we built in northern France. This time, the air teams will provide us with aerial reconnaissance and fire support," said Manstein. .

   "Well, there is still half an hour before the attack will start. We must ensure the smooth supply of logistics. This time, the artillery preparation will take a day!" Qin Tian said.

  In order to smash the trenches built by the British and French allied forces on the south bank of the Marne River, the German army prepared for a long-term firepower preparation. The day-long firepower preparation, you don't need to think about how many shells will be fired. Therefore, Qin Tian required that the logistic supply must be unblocked. Otherwise, if the shells are exhausted and cannot be replenished, how will the subsequent battles be fought?

"Your Highness, we have already prepared logistical support in advance. The ammunition stored is enough for us to fight a large-scale battle. Moreover, a large number of trains are continuously passing through the railway, transporting combat supplies from the country to northern France There will be no problems with our logistical support." Major General Manstein replied.

   "We must pay attention to preventing French guerrillas from attacking our supply lines." Qin Tian said.

  Although northern France is now occupied by the German army, there are still many French people who are unwilling to be subjugated slaves. They organize guerrillas and attack the German army's supply lines, convoys, and sentries, causing certain casualties to the German army. This forced the German army to deploy a considerable number of troops in the rear. Otherwise, these guerrillas will have a great impact on the fighting on the German front.

   "Yes, Your Highness." Major General Manstein nodded.

  Qin Tian picked up the binoculars and continued to watch the situation on the other side of the Marne River. In the spring, the Marne River has begun to increase its water volume due to the influx of ice and snow melt water. But even so, the width of the river is less than 50 meters, and most river sections are only 30 to 40 meters. The depth of the river is just below the top of a person's head. Although it is impossible to wade directly across the river, it is not a big problem for engineers to erect pontoon bridges.

  The British and French allied forces on the south bank of the Marne River also discovered the situation of the German army across the river and became nervous. A large number of British and French soldiers began to enter the position, ready to resist the German attack.

  In this battle, it seems that there is no need for any tactics or intrigues, and it depends entirely on the strength of the two sides. The stronger side can crush the weaker side in battle and win. Other than that, there seems to be no other way at all.

  The time passed by every minute and every second, and soon it was eight o'clock in the morning.

  On the German artillery position, the commander gave the order to fire.

   "Boom! Boom! Boom!"

  The cannons began to roar, and the shells, under the action of kinetic energy, slammed into the French army's position.

   "Boom!"

  The artillery shell exploded on the British-French coalition's position, and the earth and rocks were scattered all over the place. The shrapnel was mixed in the earth and rocks, and they shot around, harvesting all the lives they encountered.

  Although, the soldiers of the British and French allied forces had already hid in the strong anti-gun holes when the German shelling just started. However, the fortifications on the position began to be destroyed under the heavy shelling of the German army.