Chapter 816: Tragic Street Fighting (Asking for a Monthly Pass)
On September 20, the German assault on London began. The German 1st and 2nd Army Corps, which attacked London from the south. The German 3rd Army Corps and the 8th Army Corps needed to attack from the west and north of London by detour, striving to completely annihilate the main force of the British army in London and end the war once and for all.
Although, there were more than 900,000 British troops in the city of London. At the same time, the British army had been working hard in London for a long time, building strong fortifications. However, the successive fiascos on the battlefield made the morale of the British army low, and the soldiers were even more terrified. If it weren't for the close attention of the officers, maybe the troops would have collapsed.
The German attack on London continued the previous way of fighting, that is, preparing for strong firepower, and then sending troops to attack.
German artillery launched a day-long heavy artillery bombardment of the south London city. A large number of buildings were destroyed by the German bombardment, including many cultural monuments. For example, the Greenwich Observatory, Big Ben, and various museums.
In the eyes of cultural circles, the behavior of the German army was comparable to that of a beast. It is believed that these barbarian armies are brutally destroying civilization. However, the Germans were unimpressed. Now in war, the most important thing is, of course, to ensure the safety of the soldiers. As for the rest, it can be put down for the time being. Those so-called cultural relics and monuments are of course very important. But the lives of the soldiers are the most important thing.
The heavy artillery bombardment of the German army, coupled with the bombing of the air force, turned the south city of London into ruins. Not to mention the destruction of buildings, even the fortifications built in the city with the British army will also destroy a lot. At the same time, it also caused great losses to the British troops stationed in the city.
On September 21, the German 1st and 2nd Army Corps, with 12 infantry divisions, divided into multiple routes and attacked the city of London. The 3rd Army also sent out four infantry divisions and attacked London from the west.
These troops, though amounted to nearly 300,000 men. However, for a metropolis like London, this is nothing at all. When these troops dispersed, they disappeared like rivers flowing into the sea.
The Germans were already very experienced in street fighting. They have already fought many street fights in this war. In the beginning, it was the German 8th Army Corps that summed up a complete set of street fighting tactics. Subsequently, this set of tactics spread throughout the army. And in the battle, it was tested. This greatly strengthened the German army's ability to fight in the streets.
In contrast, the British army is a rookie. Although they built many fortifications in the city, including barricades and pillboxes, they also placed machine-gun fire points on many buildings. However, under the indiscriminate bombardment of the German army, the city was in ruins, and the British fortifications were almost destroyed. In particular, those fire points deployed on buildings suffered heavy losses. If the British wanted to use these fortifications to stop the Germans, it was naturally difficult to imagine.
Under such circumstances, the British officers and soldiers could only fight on their own strength. It's just a pity that the combat effectiveness of the British army is very different from that of the German army. Their performance in the battle is naturally conceivable.
After attacking the city of London, the Germans quickly dispersed. Attack in a platoon. In the street fighting, affected by the surrounding environment, the large army gathers to act, which is obviously impossible, and can only be dispersed as much as possible. In this way, the combat effectiveness can often be brought into full play.
"Quick, quick! The Germans are coming, open fire! A British officer ordered loudly.
"Da Da Da! Bang! Bang! ”
Dozens of British soldiers, hiding behind the barricades, opened fire frantically. With the weapon in hand, rain bullets on the Germans.
The Germans were suppressed by the British firepower for a while, and they had to lie on the ground and did not dare to advance any further.
"Mortars, grenadiers, knock out the machine guns of the British, fire with all your might! Machine guns ready to take cover! The platoon commander of a second lieutenant in the German army ordered.
"Boom! Rumble! ”
A 60-mm mortar and three grenadiers began a frenzied fire. Shells and grenades, smashed at the positions of the British troops.
Although, neither 60-mm mortars nor grenadiers were powerful. But for the fragile human body, there is a deadly threat.
"Boom!"
A mortar shell hit a British heavy machine gun, and after the shell exploded, the heavy machine gun exploded into parts. A large number of grenades fell into the barricades of the British army, and even turned the British bombers hiding inside on their backs, and their flesh and blood flew everywhere.
"Da Da Da!"
Taking advantage of this opportunity, one German general-purpose machine gun and three squad machine guns also began to strafe, and the dense fire suppressed the British troops.
"Bastard! Hurry up! The British officer yelled.
"Smack!"
A crisp gunshot rang out, and the heads of the British officers shattered like watermelons. It's a sniper hand lying on the ruins.
"Oh God! The commander was killed. A British soldier screamed in terror.
"Attack!" Taking advantage of this opportunity, the German soldiers immediately moved forward. When there were still more than a dozen meters from the barricades of the British army, a dozen grenades were thrown.
The grenade landed inside the barricade of the British army, and the bomber flipped on his back.
Subsequently, the Germans successfully attacked the British barricades, and soon cleared the British troops inside.
A German tank, driving through the streets. In order to improve the assault capabilities of the troops, the German armored units were also dispersed and joined the attack. Although, the loss rate of tanks in street battles will increase a lot. However, the armor of the tank is able to withstand the bullets of machine guns and rifles, which can be considered a good defense.
Behind this tank, a dozen German infantrymen followed. They were cautious and watchful of their surroundings.
"Boom!"
At the end of the street, a British anti-tank gun is hidden in the rubble.
"The tanks of the Germans are coming, aim a little, kill him! The machine guns are ready, and after destroying the tanks of the Germans, take out their infantry! "A British officer gave the order.
"Boom!"
The British anti-tank guns opened fire, and armor-piercing shells hit the German tanks. The frontal armor of the tank was torn apart in an instant, and the tank exploded into a ball of fire.
"Da Da Da!"
Immediately after that, the British machine guns began to strafe, and the Germans, who were following behind the tanks, suffered heavy losses under the strafing fire of the British troops.