The number of Russian six armies is staggering. Once mobilized, the number of troops can be increased from 1.4 million to more than 3.1 million. In addition, there is a local army with 26 million people and the back forces that can be enlisted, so the total number of mobilized troops can reach 6.5 million.
It’s a pity that the ruler Nicholas II is both intelligent and virtuous, so the queen is obedient to a person who is active in the court. Since Nicholas II ruled the Russian country in Ningri, disasters were frequent, massacres were endless, and the situation of the Russian army was not much better. Older veterans, such as the crucian carp officers’ corps, formed a top-heavy situation. The life and promotion of officers did not depend on their ability and meritorious service, but on their family background and backers.
Germany East Prussia
The recruits are conducting training and exercises under the leadership of veterans. The defense line of Insterburg Strait has been reinforced again, and the action troops in charge of Mazuli Lake area are familiar with every forest and every path there over and over again, and everything is being prepared in an orderly way.
After sending a large number of reconnaissance personnel to the east and arranging special intelligence personnel to closely monitor the other party’s line communication, Chentian turned his attention to the western battlefield at this time.
"Emperor! The emperor actually collected warships and tanks as noble art! " Chen Tian lamented that according to Thomas’ report, the armored forces of the Imperial Guards did not cross the border to participate in the attack, but stood by in Berlin and the high seas fleet did not act for the time being.
"The Belgians are just chocolate soldiers’ halls, so don’t worry too much!" Thomas has arranged a group of military observers in the western front, who will return to East Prussia as soon as possible.
"Don’t underestimate the power of a country to explode in the face of death!" Chen Tian hopes that he can give the emperor tanks and armored vehicles to play an amazing role in the tough battle on the western front. After all, once this weapon is put into the battlefield, the enemy will soon study and manufacture similar weapons.
He started to write quickly on the paper, but then suddenly stopped to write halfway, and the letter paper was torn to pieces.
There are some things he can’t say
Almost the eyes of the world are watching here in Liege, Belgium.
Liege is like a castle hanging gate guarding the entrance from Germany to Belgium.
It stands on the steep slope on the left bank of Mas River, which is as high as 15 meters. The width of the river in this area is about 200 meters. It is its natural moat, and Fiona Fang is guarded by fortresses for 4 kilometers. This is a well-known and most impregnable city in Europe.
Liege Fortress Group is built on both sides of the river and consists of 12 fortresses, which are generally 6 kilometers away from Liege and 35 kilometers away from each other. Six fortresses on the east coast face the west coast of Germany and six are arranged around and behind Liege.
These fortresses seem to be medieval castles built underground. A triangle is exposed on the ground, and some arched covers protrude from the top to hide all turrets. All other facilities have inclined tunnels leading to the basement and communicating with turrets, ammunition depots and fire control rooms. There are six big fortresses and six small fortresses distributed in them. There are cannons 4oo doors, the largest of which is a 210 mm howitzer. At the top corner of the triangle, there are small turrets, cannons and machine guns. The slopes in front of the fortresses are surrounded by each fortress. A 9-meter-deep trench, each with a steel watchtower that can land on the ground like its cannon, is equipped with a searchlight, and each large fortress is manned by four OO soldiers from two artillery companies and one infantry company.
Before the war, six Belgian infantry divisions and a cavalry division were deployed in all directions to deal with all incoming enemies. The first division was facing the second division of Ghent in England, the third division in Antwerp, the fourth and fifth divisions in Liege in Germany, and the sixth division and cavalry division in namur, Charleroix and Mons in central Brussels.
On March 3rd, King Albert formally asked the commander-in-chief of the Belgian army, 63-year-old General Le Mans, to be the commander of the 3rd Division and the military chief of Liege, to "stick to the position entrusted to you and fight to the death".
Belgians rely too much on Bury almon’s elaborate design of these fortifications. The number of defenders is insufficient and they are all reservists. There is only one officer in each company. It was not until February 2 that trenches were dug and barbed wire roadblocks were erected to defend the gap between the fortresses and remove houses and trees that hinder artillery fire. These measures were just taken when the Germans attacked.
The German Ministry has more than 1.5 million troops and 7 regiments, ranging from the 1st regiment deployed at the top of the right wing of the Liege confrontation German front to the 7th regiment deployed at the end of the left wing of Alsace.
The 6 th and 7 th regiments formed the German left wing with 16 divisions; The 4th and 5th regiments formed 20 divisions in the middle road; The 1st, 2nd and 3rd regiments form the right wing. Thirty-four divisions will cross Belgium as planned, which is the right wing. Another independent regiment composed of three cavalry divisions is attached to the right wing. The three regiments are commanded by General Cluc, General Billow and General Hausen respectively. The commander of the cavalry regiment is General Marwitz.
In order to get through the passage of Liege, the 2nd Regiment deployed six brigades to form a "Mas River Force" under the command of General Emmi. If the Belgians surrender without resistance, this force is expected to complete the occupation of Liege at the main junction.
Xiaomozhi thinks that Belgium’s so-called willingness to fight for the first world war is just "sheep dreaming", so he didn’t transport the giant siege cannon to the front line, but he tied his airship troops near Cologne and it took two hours to reach Liege from there.
"Too temple you overblown! I believe that the Belgians are only carrying out symbolic resistance! "
Prince smiled and said nothing.
"If it weren’t for the prince of East Prussia and I bet before the war that my airship troops couldn’t blow up Liege fortress, I wouldn’t be too lazy to run here! Hum! Gigi, just wait to polish my shoes! " Prince thought and watched his soldiers load thousands of kilograms to half a ton of bombs into airships, and 69 airships covered several hills in the western suburbs of Cologne.
I sneezed heavily in East Prussia.
"Who is chanting me again!" He picked up little Sasha and kissed her, "Are you my little princess?"
Sasha giggled.
The best thing to do before going to the front is to stay with your family. In the next few years, your family will inevitably get together less and more, and you may never see your family again.
On the road leading to Liege, squadrons of Emmy assault infantry were packed with dark helmet rubber in a drab soil gray, and the red numbers of each regiment were bright and dazzling. Behind them were horses carrying field guns, and groups of soldiers riding bicycles rushed ahead to seize intersections and villages and set up telephone lines. Cars with staff officers with monocular eyes honked their horns as the crowd shuttled back and forth. When each regiment marched, the cooks were in the car, stirring and stewing in a blazing fire, and the German army was perfectly equipped. The pace of the soldiers was just like a parade.
The soldiers sang "Germany" and "Long live the King’s Victory" as if they were marching instead of going to fight.
Emmish commanded the brigades to March towards Liege from three directions, northeast and south. When they reached the Damas River, they felt that the bridge there had been destroyed. When they tried to build a pontoon bridge to cross the river, the Belgian infantry caught fire.
German soldiers did not expect to actually fight. Some of them were injured and killed in live ammunition. However, with the numerical advantage of 60,000, the German army broke through 250,000. The Belgian army defended the crossing of the Weisai River in the north of Liege and successfully attacked the south. The brigades blocked the middle road and broke through the Maas River. The brigades have reached the fortress area.
On May 5th, with the German attack, the first battle of Liege War started.
Emmish infantry attacked four fortresses at the eastern end of Liege. First, they bombarded with field guns, and then the infantry hit the fortresses. The light-weight artillery shells could not lift anything, but the Belgian dumped artillery shells, which caused heavy casualties to the Germans. Despite this bravery and fear, the German soldiers rushed forward in succession.
At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Emmisch’s troops stopped attacking, and the German soldiers almost piled up into a terrible barricade, but the Belgians still firmly grasped the fortress. The intense sunlight made all the creatures on the ground want to find a shady corner to hide, and the German soldiers lay down or leaned on the side of the road for several hours, which exhausted them.
At this time, people heard a light buzzing overhead, as if someone had poked the hive and attracted a large group of bees. When they looked up, they were all dumbfounded.
The number of huge airships in the sky almost covers the sky and closes the sun.
Prince sat in the largest Led Zeppelin and looked at the ground proudly. He was afraid that people would receive news that the German attack was blocked. He immediately pleaded with Xiaomozhi and strongly demanded that Liege be bombed and the Belgians be defeated. He was more concerned about getting the Prince of East Prussia to help him polish his shoes.
The roaring motor stopped.
"Taidian, we have arrived at Liege fortress. Shall we bomb it?"