From Aumales to Rouen, it is just over 50 kilometres. Pen ~ fun ~ Pavilion www.biquge.info with the speed of German advance, it only took two days, and the German 1st Panzer Division, 1st Infantry Division, 8th Panzer Division and 34th Infantry Division advanced to the outskirts of Rouen.

However, the Germans did not attack immediately, but waited for the arrival of the main forces. After all, the British had nearly 200,000 troops in Rouen. Rouen is also a big city, with only four divisions of tens of thousands of people, it is very difficult to capture Rouen, which is defended by 200,000 British. Even if it can be defeated, the casualties will definitely not be small.

Although the German armored forces are very strong, once the enemy has countermeasures against tanks, the armored forces that enter the street battle will inevitably suffer heavy losses. The real strength of the armored forces should be brought into play in field battles, and that is the best battlefield where the strength of the armored forces can be brought into full play.

Other units of the German 8th Army Corps and the 1st Army Corps were also on their way to Rouen at a rapid pace. In order to speed up the march of the troops, the Germans drew a large number of trucks. France has convenient transportation facilities, and without being interfered with by enemy forces, the movement of troops is undoubtedly very fast. By April 6, the main forces of the German 8th and 1st Army Corps had arrived in Rouen.

As more and more German troops gathered in Rouen, the Anglo-French forces were already certain that the target of the German attack was Rouen. Although this made them very confused, at this point, there was no time to think about anything else. The most important thing is to resist the German attack first.

The basement of the town hall in Rouen became the headquarters of the 1st Army of the British Expeditionary Force. Admiral Haig, with a serious face. All the information they had could tell them was that the Germans were about to attack Rouen. So, with only 200,000 people, can it withstand the attack of more than 500,000 German troops? Even though Admiral Haig was confident in his troops, he knew it would be very difficult.

"How long will it take for reinforcements led by General Benson to reach Rouen?" Admiral Haig asked.

If the 300,000 reinforcements led by Admiral Benson could arrive in time, then they would have been able to gather 500,000 men. Even if the combat effectiveness cannot be compared with the German army, if you rely on the defense of the city, you should still be able to resist the German attack. If a large amount of the German army's vital forces can be consumed, this will create favorable conditions for subsequent counterattacks.

"General, General Benson is not far from Rouen. It is expected that it will take up to three days to arrive. A general reported.

The reinforcements, led by Admiral Benson, did not march fast. In particular, when the Germans did not attack in Rouen, he was even more worried that he would be attacked by the Germans. So, stop and stop all the way, knowing that it hasn't arrived yet.

Admiral Haig thought for a moment, and then said: "Send a telegram to General Benson, telling him that once Rouen is attacked by the Germans, I hope he can send troops to attack the rear of the German army and relieve our pressure." ”

"Yes, General." The general nodded.

Admiral Haig was obviously not only thinking about resisting the German attack in Rouen, but also hoping to defeat the German army here in one fell swoop. In that case, it will not only change the current situation, but also be of great benefit to him personally.

The commander of the 1st German Army, Colonel-General Crook, and the chief of staff of the 8th Army, Lieutenant General Ludendorff, also wasted no time. Immediately after the main forces of the two corps arrived in Rouen, the order was given to attack.

The German army began to prepare for fire at 10 a.m. on April 6, when the two armies used 504 105-mm heavy howitzers, 1,008 105-mm light howitzers and 1,512 75-mm field guns to rain shells on the British lines around Rouen and the city.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

Shells rained down and exploded on the British lines. On the entire position, earth and rocks were splashed, and gunsmoke was filled. Shrapnel was mixed in the dust and scattered in all directions, often costing a soldier his life if he was hit.

Under the heavy artillery fire of the German army, the British fortifications outside the city of Rouen were destroyed little by little. Although the British artillery also launched a counterattack, the entire British Expeditionary Force 1st Army was only 180 114mm howitzers and 540 83.8mm field guns, which was far from being comparable with the German army in terms of numbers. In terms of power and performance, it is even more at a disadvantage.

Under the suppression of German artillery, the British artillery suffered heavy losses and could not stop the German artillery bombardment of Rouen at all.

The city of Rouen was also heavily shelled by the Germans, which turned the city into ruins little by little in the German shelling.

The air corps of the German 1st Army Corps and the 8th Army Corps also rushed to reinforce them. A large number of aircraft bombed the artillery positions of the British army, so that the losses of the British artillery began to soar.

"Damn, the Germans were too strong in artillery fire. They are only 500,000 people, and they are equipped with so many cannons. Even if all the artillery of the entire expeditionary force is combined, I'm afraid there won't be so much. Admiral Haig watched his artillery, under the fire of German artillery and aircraft, being eaten little by little, as if he were dripping blood.

"General, when it comes to artillery alone, the Germans are definitely the best in the world. The artillery that each of their infantry divisions is equipped with, and the armies of other countries, are simply not comparable to it. ”

"The Germans were also very good at their planes, and many of our artillerymen were killed in the strafing and bombing of their planes."

Admiral Haig nodded, feeling very helpless. He knew that in terms of firepower, the British Expeditionary Force was far from being able to compare with the German army. What's worse is that once the Anglo-French army is defeated in France, the German army is very likely to land on British soil. At that time, they will have to face the attack of such a powerful army. That would be catastrophic for the UK.

"These damned Germans must not be allowed to land on British soil. Otherwise, the British Empire would be finished. I don't know how many British cities will be destroyed by the Germans, I don't know how many Britons will die under the guns of the Germans! Admiral Haig secretly made up his mind. If they could defeat the Germans on the battlefield in France, they might be able to turn the tide. At the very least, it would be impossible for the Germans to land on British soil again.

"Order all the troops, once the Germans attack, they must hold their positions to the death, and absolutely not be able to retreat!" Admiral Haig gave the order.