The four armies of the central cluster of the German army had a total of 47 infantry divisions, and the number of artillery in each infantry division was also equipped according to the infantry division of the 8th Army Corps. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 This makes the four armies combined, with 846 150-mm heavy howitzers, 1,692 105-mm light howitzers and 2,538 75-mm field guns, not counting mortars and grenadiers, etc., these guns add up to more than 5,000 guns.

You must know that the length of the attack positions of the four German armies was only a hundred kilometers. In this way, more than fifty artillery pieces are deployed per kilometer. This density is already outrageous.

If you count the mortars and grenadiers of the various units, then the number of artillery that the Germans will have to invest in this war will be even greater. On the opposite side, the Anglo-French forces, even though they were far superior to the Germans. However, in terms of the number of artillery, it was far from being comparable to the Germans.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

On the artillery positions of the German army, the artillerymen had already taken off their shirts, and their sturdy bodies were already wet with sweat. Although, at the end of March, Western Europe was not hot, and there was even a hint of coolness. However, the heavy process of carrying the shells has already made these soldiers sweat.

Every artilleryman was firing at maximum rate of fire, smashing as many shells as possible into the positions of the British and French forces, whether they could kill the enemy or not, but as long as they could destroy their defensive positions, it would undoubtedly be a great victory.

In the previous battles, many German soldiers died on the way to attack. In the face of the trenches of the Anglo-French army, coupled with barbed wire and machine-gun fire points, it was often necessary to pay great casualties for every step forward. Therefore, when preparing for firepower, if the positions of the British and French forces can be destroyed, this will undoubtedly be of great benefit to the follow-up operations.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

Shells rained down on the positions of the British and French troops, and there were violent explosions everywhere. In the explosion, the defensive positions built by the British and French forces were blown into the sky. The barbed wire fence was blown up in all directions, and one machine gun fire point after another was directly destroyed.

However, the Anglo-French army was much more professional than the Russian army in terms of earthwork. This makes their fortifications undoubtedly much stronger than those of the Russian army. In particular, the anti-artillery holes where the soldiers are hiding have been specially reinforced. As long as it is not continuously hit by large-caliber heavy artillery, there will be no big problem under normal circumstances. Therefore, it is almost impossible to inflict too many casualties on the Anglo-French forces in the preparation of firepower.

However, the Anglo-French troops hiding in the anti-artillery holes were certainly safe. But the fortifications outside can't resist it. Under heavy artillery shelling by the Germans, a large number of fortifications were destroyed.

"Damn, how many cannons did the Germans assemble? Are they trying to completely destroy our position? "The commander of the French 2nd Army, Decarthy? Admiral Terno, seeing that the position of his troops was completely enveloped in gunpowder smoke and firelight, couldn't help but scold. Although, every attack is preceded by strong firepower preparation on both sides, which has become a common practice on the battlefield on the Western Front. But this time Dekathy? Admiral Terno still felt something different, that is, the German artillery fire seemed to be more powerful than half a year ago.

"General, among the artillery of the Germans, there seems to be a heavy cannon of 150 mm caliber. And there are quite a few of them. An artillery general reminded.

"Has all the heavy artillery been brought to the battlefield? It seems that they are determined to succeed in this attack! "Decasssy? Admiral Ternoh's face was solemn.

"General, the field artillery of the Germans, it seems that it is not quite the same either. The rate of fire was very fast, almost able to catch up with our 75mm field guns. Another general said.

"Damn the Germans, they must have shamelessly copied our 75-mm field guns. Those despicable guys, it's just shameless! "Air strikes? Admiral Terno couldn't help but scold.

The French 75 mm field guns, because of the very fast rate of fire, the maximum rate of fire can reach 15 rounds per minute, which is regarded by the French army as a secret weapon, and each infantry division is equipped with 36 of these guns. As for larger caliber artillery, the French army was rarely armed.

In the battle in the second half of last year, the French army successfully inflicted heavy losses on the German army with this 75-mm field gun, which had a fast rate of fire and good power. Although, in the artillery battle with the large-caliber artillery of the German army, the losses of the French army were not small. But overall, their 75-mm field guns were very successful. Qin Tian revealed the key technology of the French army's 75mm field gun to the Krupp factory, and with Krupp's scientific and technological strength, after mastering the key technology, it was naturally easy to imitate the French army's 75mm field gun. Improvements have also been made, such as significantly reducing the weight of the gun, making the transportation and deployment of the gun more flexible. To a certain extent, the performance of the 75mm field guns equipped by the German army is already more powerful than the 75mm field guns equipped by the French army.

"General, Your Excellency the Marshal orders us to immediately counterattack, and we cannot allow the German artillery to destroy our defensive positions." A staff officer reported.

Decarthy? Admiral Terno nodded: "Order the artillery, immediately counterattack and suppress the shelling of the Germans!" ”

"Yes, General."

Almost at the same time, several armies deployed by the British and French forces on the front line also received orders to counterattack. Their artillery, immediately entering the position, counterattacked. A fierce artillery battle ensued.

Of the six corps deployed by the Anglo-French forces on the south line of the Marne, four corps were deployed on the front line. The other two corps, deployed in the rear, acted as reserves. After all, in order to withstand the German offensive, it was very necessary to keep sufficient reserves. Otherwise, if the battle is unfavorable and there are not enough reserves to counterattack, the consequences will be serious.

"Strike back immediately and suppress the Germans!"

The artillery commanders of the Anglo-French forces gave the order. A door of 75-mm field guns, 105-mm field guns, 83.8-mm field guns and 114-mm howitzers began a fierce return fire.

Among them, 75 mm field guns and 105 mm howitzers were equipped by the French army, and 83.8 mm field guns and 114 mm howitzers were equipped by the British army. However, the number of 105-mm howitzers equipped by the French army is very small, and the most important artillery is 75-mm field guns.