"Order all regiments to launch an attack in five minutes," Colonel Guderian commanded.
The formidable assault capability of the armored divisions had been vividly demonstrated in the two battles of East Prussia. Despite the low reliability of tanks, which often left nearly half of them incapacitated after a battle, the significance of armored units was not lost on Qin Tian and the commanders of the Eighth Army Corps. Qin Tian had even ordered an additional supply of tanks from the German munitions company to bolster the frontline immediately upon any losses.
This ensured that the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Armored Division remained at its peak. In the Polish campaign, considerable hopes were placed upon them.
The reallocation of the Eighth Armored Division thrilled Guderian and his colleagues, as it signified their worth had been acknowledged. Moreover, Qin Tian had promised that a victory in the Polish campaign would lead to further promotions. A soldier who does not aspire to become a general is not a good soldier, particularly for someone like Guderian, who was just a step away from that rank.
Five minutes swiftly passed. The regiments of the Eighth Armored Division, adhering to their operational plan, launched the offensive.
With over 16,000 personnel and more than 250 tanks, the fully-staffed Eighth Armored Division represented an exceptionally powerful armored strike force. Despite the rudimentary design, thin armor, sluggish speed, inadequate firepower, and unreliability of their tanks, they remained an unstoppable force in this era.
"Advance!" The commanders of the Eighth Armored Division ordered, and the tanks, already primed for action, surged forward.
"Rumble!"
The engines of the tanks roared, driving them toward the Russian positions with relentless force.
Over 200 tanks advanced in formation, forming three spearheads aimed at the positions of the Russian Second Guard Army.
These dark tanks, glistening with cold steel, radiated an aura of chilling intimidation.
Following the Eighth Armored Division were three infantry regiments. Once the armored division broke through the Russian defenses, they would exploit the breach to expand their gains and decisively defeat the Russian forces. Subsequent troops would follow suit until the entire Second Guard Army was overwhelmed and annihilated.
"Oh God! What in the world is that?" A soldier in the Russian Second Guard Army exclaimed, staring at the oncoming tanks.
As the German artillery began to extend its range, the Russians recognized that an assault was imminent. Consequently, a considerable number of troops had already fortified their positions to counter the German advance. Despite their defenses being severely battered, shelter was preferable to being exposed in the open wasteland.
However, the Russian soldiers were utterly astonished by the might of the German armored forces. This was entirely different from what they had anticipated! They expected to face a massive infantry assault, not these ominous metal behemoths.
"Damn it! Is that the tank division that shattered the Second Army and forced the First Army to surrender?" exclaimed a Russian commander.
The Second and First Russian Armies had been nearly annihilated in East Prussia, primarily due to the German armored divisions. While junior officers and ordinary soldiers may not have been aware of this, senior officers and commanders were acutely conscious of the threat. Thus, upon witnessing the advance of the German armored forces, many Russians felt a creeping dread.
"Open fire! Prevent the German tanks from reaching our positions!" ordered the Russian commander.
Yet, much of the Russian artillery had been destroyed in previous engagements, leaving them with few cannons to retaliate, let alone to impede the advance of the Eighth Armored Division.
"Boom! Boom!"
As the tanks of the Eighth Armored Division advanced, they fired their cannons at the Russian positions, targeting any remaining threats to their infantry.
"Boom!"
A 37mm tank shell struck a Russian machine-gun nest, obliterating it. Heavy machine guns and gunners were reduced to mere fragments in the explosion.
One after another, the Russian strongpoints fell victim to the precise strikes of the Eighth Armored Division's tanks, further eroding the already fragile defenses.
"Oh God! Fire! Quickly!" shouted a Russian officer as the mortars began their assault.
Unfortunately, the Russians were equipped with only a limited number of these artillery pieces. The firepower of the mortars was woefully insufficient; unless they directly struck the vulnerable tops of the tanks, they posed little threat.
As the Russian mortars opened fire, they quickly became targets of German artillery once again. Over a hundred 75mm field guns unleashed a barrage upon the Russian positions.
Within minutes, the remaining mortars were mostly destroyed, and those that survived were too frightened to continue firing.
At this point, the Eighth Armored Division had already advanced to a mere distance from the Russian defensive line.
"Tat-tat-tat!"
The coaxial and bow machine guns mounted on the tanks began to sweep across the Russian positions. The relentless hail of bullets prevented the Russian soldiers from even lifting their heads, let alone mounting a counterattack. Moreover, the Russians lacked any effective weaponry to combat the German tanks.
"Thud! Thud!"
Several unfortunate Russian soldiers who dared to show their heads were struck down by the tank machine-gun fire, their skulls exploding like overripe melons, leaving splattered remnants everywhere.
The remaining Russian soldiers were paralyzed with fear, with some even wetting their trousers in terror.
"Damn it! What do we do? The Germans have unleashed their tanks; how can we possibly withstand their assault?" cursed a Russian commander.
"Why does Germany possess such formidable weaponry, while we have yet to develop any means to counter it?" lamented another Russian officer, utterly at a loss.