Chapter 1,648 Intermission 1
Chapter 1648 Intermission 1
After the Red Baron gained the first victory today, he left the battle with satisfaction. At the same time, his colleagues were also quickly killing the fleeing Bull Squadron aircraft. Their efficiency was so high that when the battle ended, the Bull Squadron, which originally had a full complement of 18 DH9As, ended up returning only 3 aircraft!
But for today's battle, the encounter of Bull Squadron is just a small episode. As time went by, more and more aircraft from both sides were involved in this meat grinder-like battle.
"We can't continue fighting like this!" Major James, the British ace pilot, looked at the little fuel left in his plane and was forced to give up the attack and start to return. He could clearly feel that the number of planes invested by the British in this air battle was obviously higher. More. At the beginning, the British fighter jets did have an advantage on the battlefield, but as time went by, the German aircraft over the battlefield gradually caught up with the British. On the one hand, it was because the British aircraft had a shorter time in the air, and on the other hand It's because the British fighter group suffered too much loss when it attacked the German bombers!
After the Bull Squadron's first wave of attacks ended, the Tricolor Sword Squadron launched a second wave of attacks. Their results were even more disastrous. Before colliding with the opponent's bombers, a group of German aircraft passed through the cover group from the flank and attacked the Tricolor Swords. An attack was launched, so before the impact, the Tricolor Swords could not guarantee their formation, let alone concentrate their firepower on the bombers. In this war of aerial attrition, the British were gradually overwhelmed. And when the British Air Force withdrew from the battlefield. The third wave of bombers arriving on the battlefield could finally launch an efficient attack on the retreating French troops on the ground.
At least 40 bombers of various types launched air attacks on the French army. They first attacked the towed artillery and vehicle detachments. Tons of bombs were poured into the huge marching column, and the kilometers-long column was covered in flames. Even if some vehicles leave the road in advance, it is still unsafe. The K-4 bombers that have dropped their bombs will repeatedly pass over the battlefield at a very low altitude, clearing those vehicles with dense bullets. Constant fire from anti-infantry bombs and machine guns eventually thwarted the French's attempts to save their precious artillery.
More than ten bomber squadrons visited here one after another. They continued to attack the French Legion like windmills. In addition to the tank troops that initially evacuated, more than 70% of the artillery and vehicles and at least 40% of the personnel were suppressed in the original position. The ground could barely move. The surviving people could only hide in a remote corner and tremble.
"Abandon all troops that cannot be evacuated immediately, we don't have much time." After receiving this message, Xiafei couldn't help but sigh. This is the second time he has had his wrist broken. As a result, at least 25,000 French troops were once again abandoned. What awaited them would be the sharp attack of the German Rapid Legion, and they were isolated and helpless, and no one could rescue them from their predicament.
When he learned that the French army had begun to retreat, Count Schmidt no longer had any reservations. He sent out all the troops he had.
Trying their best to hold back the retreating French army, more than 300 tanks and various self-propelled artillery rushed across the wilderness. Behind them, 4 divisions of the Bavarian Army completely dispersed and pursued the retreating French army as much as possible. military.
There was no suspense in the rest of the battle. After the most elite French troops began to withdraw, the remaining French troops tried their best to block the Germans, but they were finally defeated by the opponent's absolutely superior firepower and troops. GG. When night fell, the Bavarian Army had cut off the French defense line, and in depth, the German Army had rushed to about 30 kilometers behind the French main defense line. Such great depth completely eliminated the possibility of the French restoring their defense.
With the collapse of the French army, the German Army also captured a lot this time. The Germans looked down upon the French FT10 and Renault. If the Turks wanted it, just let them take it away. The Germans are happy that France has at least 60 large-caliber cannons left on the battlefield, including the M1913 155MM-GPF long-range cannon that has just been put on the battlefield (the performance is based on the historical M1917 GPF cannon). There are also land guns modified from the 6-inch and 4.7-inch naval guns left over by the British. These heavy long-range artillery greatly made up for the lack of long-range cannons of the Bavarian Army.
At the same time, the thousands of Renault and Citroen trucks left by the French are also a very valuable asset. Although these vehicles require some repairs, they can greatly enhance the Bavarian Army's logistical supply capabilities and mobility.
In the battle that started last night, the Bavarian Army destroyed at least 40,000 French troops and surrounded at least tens of thousands of French troops. In the next few days, these French troops in the encirclement will also Enter the prisoner-of-war camp of the Bavarian Legion. The French army's front line was cut into two sections, and the French army with a total attack force of about 100,000 was left on the position. If they want to retreat at this time, they will wait to be annihilated in the wilderness by the Bavarian Rapid Division!
Joffre's early evacuation plan was somewhat useful. At least 60,000 French elites and more than 200 tanks and destroyers slipped out of the hands of the Germans. Then at least three divisions of French and British troops will join Xiafei as reinforcements. If the plan succeeds, Xiafei will still have at least about 100,000 troops in his hands.
The British Air Force also suffered heavy losses in this day's battle. At least 60 fighter jets were shot down in the air battle, and another 30 were lost due to mechanical failures and fuel problems. The air defense barrier prepared by the British for the French was lost in one day. One-third made Lieutenant General Trenchard, who was far away in Greece, feel heartbreaking pain. To make matters worse, the British Air Force lost its forward base and a large number of ground crews, which was very detrimental to future air combat deployments.
"Your Excellency, Commander, what is our next action plan? The French actions seem to have exceeded our expectations." Marshall asked at the dinner between German and American officers that night.
"First consolidate the position, replenish ammunition and supplies. At the same time, launch a limited attack on the French troops holding the position." Count Schmidt thought for a while and said.
"But reinforcements from the French and British will come soon, and they are very likely to come back. You once said that the best defense is to attack. Even if we cannot kill Joffre's troops in the distance, then we should at least Let’s clear out the remaining French troops in the position as soon as possible?” Marshall said.
Today is the last day of 2017~~~! I wish everyone a happy New Year and all the best! Third update today~~~!