As the defenders, under the orders of their commander, Lieutenant General Owudzi, made adjustments, the landed Italian army and the Bulgarian Third Army finally joined forces under the city.

Although the two sides were separated by Salonica, it was possible to communicate with each other, and a battle plan for the city was proposed.

In Sémur, seven kilometers from Kalamaria, the headquarters of Lieutenant General Grover, who commanded the landing force, was set up here.

Inside the headquarters, Lieutenant General Grovey was holding a pre-war meeting with others in the conference room.

"After consulting with the Bulgarians, at the moment our task is to capture Kalamaria. The area is currently defended by the enemy's Ottoman 14th Division, and we need to break through their defenses and capture the coastal batteries so that the fleet can provide fire support for the next battle to capture the city. ”

After talking about the purpose of this operation, Lieutenant General Grovey immediately assigned the task. "Major General Banks, your 1st Marine Division covers us on the flank, and is also responsible for blocking enemy reinforcements. I have already consulted with the commander of the Bulgarian Third Army, Major General Uzunov, that when we attack Kalamaria, the Bulgarians will also attack Salonica to contain the enemy. ”

Faced with Lieutenant General Groldie's words, the tall Major General Banks immediately replied. "Yes, General."

Major General Banks is so obedient, and this also involves his background, he was originally from the Guards, and when facing the orders of Lieutenant General Grlovy of the Guards, he naturally had to obey orders.

In fact, it was not only him, but Major General Roy, who was also on the mission of exterminating the defeated army in Crete, was also from the Guards.

And formally, therefore, only Lieutenant General Grove, as commander of the landing force, is the most suitable candidate. As for the generals of the army, they are not at all suitable for this position.

And after Major General Banksy answered, Lieutenant Grewe would continue to give orders. "Colonel Lores, your brigade is launching a diversion attack on the defenders from the northeast, and the main attack is to be carried out by the Guards. The attack is scheduled for May 7, two days later, so let's get ready. ”

With the words of Lieutenant General Grover, the meeting was declared closed.

Several division and brigade commanders also got up immediately, preparing to go back and arrange their own combat missions. As for Lieutenant General Grover, he is also very busy, and in addition to paying attention to the overall battle plan, he also needs to pay attention to the affairs of the Guards. Although there is a deputy Major General Pulev watching, but it is somewhat necessary to pay attention to it, after all, this is the Guards.

As the time of the battle approached, the various units stepped up various preparations, and collected guns, ammunition, artillery and other materials. And the only two temporary ports that have been converted from those two fishing ports in the army at present? They were urged to rotate 24 hours a day. I was very tired and paralyzed a group of logistics soldiers.

And of course their exhaustion also allowed the landing force to get the last supplies before the war? More than 1,000 rifles, 800,000 rounds of ammunition, 11 artillery pieces (including one heavy artillery), more than 3,000 shells, 310,000 grenades and other supplies? Become the fruit of their delivery to the front-line troops.

Isn't that weird? Why are there so many grenades?

This is all the experience accumulated in previous battles.

At the time of landing on Crete, the Marines and Guards discovered it? Grenades are very useful in street fights, much more than guns? So this time all the ministries strongly demanded that they be replenished with more grenades.

In fact, they are not the only ones? The army on the other side of the Balkan Peninsula is also full of praise for grenades, so at present, Italy's domestic arsenals are working overtime to produce grenades? Meet the needs of front-line fighters.

As for the Bulgarian Third Army on the other side of the city of Salonika? Preparations are also being made. Replenishment of ammunition, reorganization of damaged troops, etc., are equally busy.

As the defenders of the city of Thessalonica, the Ottoman army was certainly no exception. The unscrupulous preparations of the enemy outside the city, and they are not blind? Therefore, it is equally busy to build fortifications, build barricades, and build vitality points.

After two hectic days, a new day has arrived? The Great War is already on the verge of breaking out.

The Italian artillery, which was deployed outside the city of Kalamaria, took the lead in firing the first shot of the offensive and defensive battle of Salonica.

"Fire!"

On the artillery position with the command of the commander? As the king of war's cannon, it immediately bursts out with enough power. Hundreds of artillery pieces were placed on 12 positions? Cannonballs were fired at the city of Kalamaria. These artillerymen fired shells at maximum speed? Can it basically reach a rate of fire of 3-4 rounds per minute? The tallest gun group, which reached a rate of fire of 4.8 rounds.

The shells lived up to their expectations and landed on the buildings in the city and the positions of the defenders. The violent and continuous explosion covered many parts of the city with smoke and dust, which could not be dispersed for a long time.

Of course, in the face of enemy shelling, the defenders would not be polite, and the artillery fire of the counterattack soon came. Although the defenders did not have as many artillery as the attacking Italian army, they did have a large number of weapons, 254 mm coastal defense heavy guns, their ultra-long range and great power, became the core of the defenders' artillery counterattack.

"Boom~"

A deafening explosion sounded next to an artillery position, and the officers and men on the position were shaken by the loud sound of the explosion. Even the horses tethered to the side for transport were agitated, and the animals, accustomed to artillery fire, were alarmed.

The experienced commander immediately changed color. "It's heavy artillery, quick, quickly shift positions."

Following his order, these officers and men, who were suppressed by the heavy artillery, immediately hurriedly led the horses over, mounted the artillery and hurriedly drove away. No one wants to stay and test the power of heavy artillery.

And in the very well hidden headquarters on the side, Lieutenant General Grovey couldn't help but shake his head when he saw such a scene. It's not that he has an opinion on the transfer of artillery, but he didn't expect that the enemy's artillery accuracy is so high, so it seems that this battle will be difficult to fight.

"Boom~"

Suddenly, a violent explosion sounded from a mountain pass, and Lieutenant General Grovey glanced at it, knowing full well that it had been an artillery position, but now it seemed to be more than lucky.

"After ordering the artillery to fire at most one base of ammunition in each position, it must be immediately transferred."

Although this will greatly reduce the durability of the artillery, it is important to keep the artillery, so this is the only way to use it. In addition, small and medium-sized guns of less than 100 mm are currently being fired, and medium and large calibers cannot participate in this artillery battle because of their lack of mobility and in order to avoid unnecessary losses.

After a morning of such intermittent shelling, Lieutenant General Grwe felt almost the same. On the one hand, the shelling was not effective, and on the other hand, he did not have enough shells on his hands. So at one o'clock in the afternoon, he picked up the phone. "Now I give the order that all units begin to attack in accordance with their previous combat missions."

Following his order, the officers and men of the Guards and the 1st Marine Brigade immediately crossed the trenches and attacked the city of Kalamaria.

The brutal siege battle now begins.