"Holy shit, how can this be? The heavy artillery was ordered to open fire at once and suppress the Russians. Let the brothers in front of you all withdraw! Lieutenant General Shi Deshan said with red eyes.

Although, before the attack, he expected that he might fail. However, I didn't expect it to be a real failure. The officers and soldiers who are attacking are facing the frantic firepower of the Russian army at this moment, and the casualties will definitely not be small.

"Yes, Commander!" The staff officer immediately went to deliver the order.

Before the night attack, the heavy artillery units were already prepared, so that if the war was unfavorable, they could provide cover for the attacking troops and allow them to withdraw. Of course, there is still a hint of luck in everyone's hearts, hoping that the night attack will be successful.

The commander of the 10th Infantry Division, Major General Ji Jinchun, who proposed this battle plan, turned pale. He didn't expect the final result to be like this. Although, he will bear some responsibility for the failure of the plan. But overall, he won't have much trouble either. However, it is undoubtedly a little unlikely that you will be promoted through this war.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

The heavy artillery of the Northern Army opened fire, five heavy artillery brigades, more than a hundred heavy artillery pieces plus almost four hundred 155-mm heavy howitzers all opened fire. Dense shells smashed into the Russian fortress in an attempt to suppress the Russian firepower and create an opportunity for the retreat of the troops.

However, the Russian army was hiding in a strong fortress and opened fire. They hardly have to worry about being threatened, they just need to keep firing bullets and shells from the shooting hole.

The officers and men of the 112th Regiment of the Northern Army, who were in charge of this night attack, were suppressed at the foot of the mountain at the moment, unable to advance or retreat. The shells that fell from the sky also flew in the face, constantly harvesting the lives of the soldiers, so that the casualties of this main infantry regiment began to rise in a straight line.

"Retreat!" Commander of the 112th regiment. There was no way to give the order to retreat. After all, if they don't retreat, they will only pay more casualties here.

After receiving the order to retreat, the officers and men of the 112th Regiment could only begin to retreat. However, under the heavy fire of shells and bullets of the Russian army. They still pay a heavy toll on them. The entire 112th Regiment originally had more than 4,500 people, and excluding the troops directly under the regiment headquarters, the rest of the units participated in this offensive. However, when they withdrew, the entire 112th regiment was left with less than three thousand men. In other words, at least 1,500 people died in this attack.

Fifteen hundred men were lost in less than an hour, which was undoubtedly the heaviest loss suffered by the Northern Army after the outbreak of the war with the Russians. And this time it failed. It also indicates that the attempt to attack the fortress of the Russian army in this way will not work. The Russians are not defenseless.

"Send a telegram to the young marshal!" Lieutenant General Shi Deshan ordered. This defeat had a considerable impact on the morale of the Northern Army. Next, in order to minimize losses as much as possible. When the Northern Army is attacking, I am afraid that it can only use heavy artillery to open the way. However, such a speed of attack. It's just too slow.

"Yes, Commander!" The staff officer nodded.

Vladivostok. In the palace of the Russian Far Eastern Governor-General, Far Eastern Governor Aleksayev summoned the Russian generals trapped in Vladivostok, as well as the mayor of Vladivostok and representatives of high society.

"Gentlemen, there is good news to announce to them. In the battle just now, we thwarted the plot of the yellow-skinned monkeys to attack Vladivostok. The heroic officers and soldiers of the Russian Empire defeated the yellow-skinned monkeys. It cost them dearly. Through the battle from yesterday to this evening, we have fully proved that we have enough strength to hold Vladivostok! Governor Aleksayev said excitedly.

"Ulla! Ulla! ”

Everyone cheered. Originally, the sudden sound of gunfire in the early morning made them panic. Thought that the Northern Army was going to break through the defense line of the Russian army. However, what everyone didn't expect was that the Russian army actually thwarted the attack of the Northern Army, which was somewhat unexpected by them.

"Vladivostok has the strongest fortress defenses, and those yellow-skinned monkeys are trying to conquer it, it is simply impossible. The valiant army will definitely make those yellow-skinned monkeys pay a heavy price, and let them shed their last drop of blood in Vladivostok. The commander of the defense of the Vladivostok fortress, Lieutenant General Shirokov, had an even more smile on his face. He seemed to have seen that after the victory of the war, he would be rewarded by Emperor Nicholas II. Perhaps, he also has the opportunity to become the new governor of the Far East.

The whole of Vladivostok, because of the defeat of the offensive of the Northern Army, completely turned into a sea of joy. Many Russians, despite the fact that it was still early in the morning, cheered. They were originally in despair, but suddenly got a chance to live, and naturally they couldn't help but be happy.

Shengjing, Northeast Patrol Embassy. Wu Haoxuan had already fallen asleep. However, a quick knock on the door woke him up.

"Young Marshal, there is urgent information from the General Staff Headquarters." The voice of the captain of the guard, Zhao Hu, sounded outside the door.

Wu Haoxuan was taken aback, he knew that if it wasn't for an emergency, the General Staff Headquarters would not send someone to disturb him at this time. Then, there is only one possibility, and that is that the Northern Army has suffered a defeat.

"Damn, which battlefield is the problem? Eastern Front or Western Front? Wu Haoxuan said as he got dressed.

"Brother Haoxuan, what's wrong?" His wife, Ma Jiahui, asked.

"There is an emergency military situation, I went to the staff headquarters, you can continue to rest." After Wu Haoxuan finished speaking, he pushed open the door.

From Zhao Hu's hands, Wu Haoxuan got the telegram sent back from the front. While rushing to the staff headquarters in a horse-drawn carriage, he read the contents of the telegram.

After reading the telegram, Wu Haoxuan breathed a sigh of relief. Originally, he thought that he had suffered a fiasco, but now he can put his mind at ease. Although, the night attack on Vladivostok failed, with the loss of more than 1,500 people. However, the Northern Army could afford such losses. At the same time, it also cooled down the northern army, which was originally a little proud and complacent.

After defeating the Japanese the year before last, some generals and officers of the Northern Army claimed to be a world-class and powerful army. However, the current setback of the offensive has sobered them up. This is not necessarily a good thing for the Northern Army.

When Wu Haoxuan rushed to the General Staff Headquarters, several chief officers of the subordinate departments of the General Staff Headquarters had already arrived.

"Young Marshal, the commander of the Eastern Front, General Shi, called, he claimed that the Russian army's defense system in Vladivostok is too perverted, and it is very difficult to overcome it." This was stated by the Chief of Operations, Major General Harry.

Wu Haoxuan nodded, long before the war began, he knew that Vladivostok was a hard bone. If you want to take it, it's not that easy. In particular, it is very difficult to advance by land and sea without a strong navy. This will be a test for the Northern Army.

"Young Marshal, General Shi proposed that we use 305 mm heavy guns to modify a few train guns. In this way, it will be of greater help to conquer Vladivostok. Major General Zhao Lei, Minister of the Equipment Department, said.

"Train cannons? That's fine. Will we be able to produce a 305-mm heavy gun ourselves? If it doesn't work, just go out of the Lushun Fortress first. Wu Haoxuan said. Although the train cannon is expensive, it is extremely powerful. Once built, it can be used for decades. If China wants to expand into Siberia and Central Asia in the future, it will inevitably attack the strong fortresses of the Russians. When the time comes, these train guns can come in handy.

"Our own arsenal is still overcoming some technical difficulties. At the latest, it will be at the end of next year or even the year after that it will be able to produce its own 305-mm heavy gun. Therefore, it can only be modified with the heavy artillery of the Arthur fortress first. Major General Zhao Lei said.

The 305-mm gun was only an inch larger than the 280-mm gun. However, the difficulty is not small. If you want to develop a large-caliber and high-ratio naval gun, it will be more difficult. For China, which is poor and white, it is obviously unrealistic to become a big fat man in one bite, and it can only be done step by step.

Wu Haoxuan nodded: "Then use the heavy artillery of the Lushun Fortress to modify it first, and modify the four guns in advance, and after putting it into the attack on Vladivostok, when will it come in handy?" ”

"Two months, two months at most, will be able to complete the retrofit." Major General Zhao Lei said. Train guns, which require large-caliber heavy guns to be mounted on the train. At the same time, the train was modified and reinforced. Otherwise, it will not be able to withstand the recoil generated by the firing of large-caliber heavy artillery.

"Young Marshal, General Shi hopes to be replenished with more heavy artillery shells." Major General Ma Zihui, Minister of Logistics, said.

"Let's ensure the consumption of the front line as much as possible! If you want to destroy the fortress of the Russians, you can only smash it with large-caliber heavy artillery. Otherwise, it would be impossible to conquer Vladivostok. Wu Haoxuan said. Although, he knew that there would be a huge price to pay for doing so. However, he also had no choice. Although the shells of large-caliber heavy artillery are expensive, the lives of soldiers are even more precious.

"Yes, young marshal!" Major General Ma Zihui nodded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Vladivostok is the last remaining stronghold of the Russians in the Far East, and it is also the strongest stronghold, and it is almost impossible to conquer Vladivostok with human lives alone. So, I think it's time for us to change our tactics. Wu Haoxuan said solemnly. When he went to the staff headquarters, he already had this idea. (To be continued......)

PS: The third update is here, kneel and beg for a monthly pass! Thank you for the monthly pass of markleu!