On the morning of March 31, 1915, the positions of the four corps of the central cluster of the German Army were already busy. Although the 5th Army Corps www.biquge.info was in reserve, their artillery was involved in this attack.

After Qin Tian became the commander of the battlefield on the Western Front, the tactics he advocated were naturally implemented in all units on the Western Front. At the time of each attack, sufficient firepower is prepared to clear the way for the infantry to attack and reduce the losses of troops.

Qin Tian was very disgusted with every battle on the battlefield on the Western Front, with hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands of casualties at every turn. Germany already has a small population, and even fewer adult men. Every adult man is undoubtedly precious. Such a vain loss on the battlefield is undoubtedly very detrimental to the 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 defensive line of more than 100 kilometers, the artillery of the four corps was preparing for the opening of the artillery. Over the past six months, all four German corps have increased the strength of artillery. Originally, only the 8th Army Corps was equipped with 150-mm heavy guns up to the division level, but now all regiments are equipped with them. The 75-mm field gun also replaced the previous 77-mm field gun, which strengthened the artillery strength of the German army in various regiments.

"It seems that in the past six months, the French have prepared with their hearts. On the south bank of the Marne, they have already built strong fortifications, and it will not be easy for us to break through their fortifications. Standing on a small hillside, Qin Tian could easily see the position of the British and French forces on the south bank of the Marne River with a telescope.

Those positions are only a few dozen meters from the river bank. Endless barbed wire and trenches, and even anti-tank trenches. The entire Anglo-French positions on the south bank of the Marne River became a fortress covered with trenches. In such a situation, if the infantry attacked, the difficulty can be imagined.

"Your Highness, I hope that our artillery will be able to destroy the positions of the British and French forces on the other side of the river. After the assault troops crossed the river and established a solid bridgehead, the armored forces could also cross the river. When the time comes, the tracks of the tanks will crush all these positions of the British and French forces. Manstein said. He was full of confidence in the German armored forces.

On the battlefield of the Eastern Front, the armored forces of the German army made great contributions. In the face of the attack of the German armored forces, the Russian army was simply unable to resist and was easily routed by the Germans in the end.

Qin Tian nodded: "Is our air fleet 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 aviation forces. In addition to the 8th Army Corps, after the establishment of the air force, several other army corps have also established their own air force one after another, and each air force has more than 250 aircraft, basically half of which are fighters and half of bombers. This strengthened the air power of the German army once again. You must know that although the British and French forces also have some aircraft at this moment, the number is not very large, at best only one or two hundred. Moreover, the performance of those aircraft was completely incomparable with that of the German aircraft. There is no doubt that the Germans dominated the skies on the Western Front.

"Your Highness, it's ready. Three days ago, air flotillas were stationed at the airfield we built in northern France. In this operation, the air force will provide us with aerial reconnaissance and fire support. Manstein said.

"Well, in half an hour, the attack will begin. It is necessary to ensure the smooth flow of logistics and supplies. This time, the artillery preparations will be carried out for a day! Qin Tian said.

In order to smash the trenches built by the Anglo-French forces on the south bank of the Marne, the Germans prepared for a long period of fire preparation. After a day's long preparation of firepower, you don't have to think about it to know how many shells will be fired. Therefore, Qin Tian required that the logistics supply must be smooth. Otherwise, the shells will run out and they will not be replenished, so how will the battle be fought later?

"Your Highness, we have already prepared the logistics in advance. The stored ammunition is enough for us to fight a large-scale battle. In addition, a large number of trains are constantly passing through the railroad to transport war materials from the country to the north of France. Our logistical support, there will be no problems. Major General Manstein replied.

"Take care to prevent the French partisans from attacking our supply lines." Qin Tian said.

Although northern France has now been occupied by the German army, there are still many French people who do not want to be slaves of the country, and they organize guerrillas to attack the German supply lines, convoys and sentries, causing some casualties to the German army. This forced the Germans to deploy a considerable number of troops in the rear. Otherwise, these partisans would have had 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. In the spring, the volume of the Marne has begun to increase as meltwater from the snow melts into it. But even then, the width of the river is less than fifty meters, and most sections are only thirty or forty meters. The river was just above a person's head. Although it is not possible to wade directly across the river, there is no big problem for the sappers to erect a pontoon bridge.

The Anglo-French forces on the south bank of the Marne also found out about the situation of the German troops on the other side of the river and became nervous. A large number of Anglo-French soldiers began to enter the positions, preparing to defend themselves against the German attack.

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

Minutes and seconds passed, and soon it was eight o'clock in the morning.

On the German artillery positions, the commander gave the order to open fire.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

One cannon after another began to roar, and one by one, under the action of kinetic energy, smashed into the French position.

"Boom!"

The shells exploded on the positions of the British and French forces, and suddenly the earth and rocks were scattered, and shrapnel mixed with the earth and rocks was fired in all directions, harvesting all the lives encountered.

Although, the soldiers of the British and French forces had already taken refuge in the fortified anti-artillery holes at the beginning of the German shelling. However, the fortifications on the positions began to be destroyed under heavy German shelling.