"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Shells rained down from the heavens, crashing violently onto the Russian positions, resulting in intense explosions.
In an instant, clouds of dust billowed, and the air became thick with acrid smoke. The Russian front was engulfed in chaos, akin to a tempest of flying debris.
One shell struck a trench, collapsing it by over ten meters. A machine gun nest was obliterated by a 75-mm shell, erupting in a cacophony of destruction.
Prior to an assault, the German forces typically executed a thorough preparation of artillery fire. Although this consumed vast quantities of munitions, it significantly diminished the enemy's defenses, clearing the path for the advancing infantry.
The painstakingly constructed fortifications of the Russian 4th Army crumbled under the relentless bombardment of the German artillery, turning piece by piece into ruin. The Russian engineering was notoriously inadequate, further compounded by a lack of materials, rendering their defenses utterly ineffective against the might of the German guns. Heavy artillery, in particular, could effortlessly dismantle their works.
To preserve their strength, the Russian 4th Army had excavated numerous bomb shelters along their front lines, intending for soldiers to take refuge during the German bombardment and emerge to counterattack once the shelling ceased. However, the inadequate protection of these shelters soon became apparent, leaving them vulnerable to the onslaught.
"Boom!" A 105-mm shell exploded above one of the shelters, causing it to shake violently. Dirt cascaded from the ceiling, creating an ominous sound that struck fear into the hearts of the soldiers inside.
"Oh God! The German bombardment is more terrifying than we had imagined! Can our shelters withstand their fire?" a pale-faced Russian soldier exclaimed.
Despite having heard tales of the German artillery's ferocity before the battle, it was not until now, amidst the chaos, that they truly grasped the overwhelming power of the bombardment.
"Boom!" Another heavy shell struck the shelter, this time from a 150-mm howitzer. The sheer force of the explosion created massive fissures in the ceiling, causing the soldiers inside to grow increasingly alarmed.
"Oh God! The shelter is going to collapse; we must escape!"
The soldiers scrambled toward the narrow entrance, but its constricted dimensions hampered their speed. Above them, chunks of earth and stone began to fall. Some were struck, bloodied, but survival was paramount, and they pushed forward, desperate to flee the impending doom.
"Boom!" A massive block of debris fell, sealing the entrance to the shelter and cutting off the escape route for the soldiers within. They shouted and clawed at the walls, pleading for assistance, but their efforts proved futile. The earth continued to fall, soon burying the shelter completely. Hundreds of Russian soldiers were trapped inside, with only a scant few managing to escape; the rest were entombed.
This was not an isolated incident but a common tragedy. The inadequacy of the Russian defenses had already cost them dearly, yet they remained unable to rectify the situation.
As the German bombardment raged, one shelter after another was destroyed, and countless Russian soldiers were entombed within. The heavy losses prompted concerned frowns from the Russian commanders observing from the rear.
"General, we cannot allow this to continue. Our artillery must not remain silent any longer. Otherwise, the front-line troops will suffer catastrophic losses. How will we repel the German advance then?" a major-general implored.
"Can our artillery even stand against the Germans?" General Dmitriev questioned, acknowledging the grim reality.
Despite the 4th Army's muster of 100,000 men at Hium, consisting of six infantry divisions, their combined artillery amounted to a mere 288 pieces, all of which were 76.2-mm field guns. Such a force was clearly insufficient to match the Germans, particularly given their significant artillery superiority.
"General, while our firepower may not match theirs, it is impossible for the Germans to completely suppress us. If we can launch an attack on their artillery positions, we might at least curtail their sustained bombardment of our front lines," the artillery commander suggested.
Dmitriev nodded, grateful for the viable strategy.
"Order the artillery to fire! We must hold our ground for as long as possible. We cannot permit the Germans to attack our defenses unchecked," Dmitriev commanded.
"Yes, General," the artillery commander replied, immediately preparing to relay the orders.
Ten minutes later, the Russian artillery commenced their barrage.
The 76.2-mm field guns, alongside over twenty 105-mm howitzers, unleashed a furious counterattack.
"Boom! Boom!"
Orange flames flickered at the muzzles as shells hurtled towards the German artillery positions.
However, aside from the 75-mm field gun positions, the remaining 105-mm light howitzers and 150-mm heavy howitzers were positioned too far back, beyond the range of the Russian 76.2-mm field guns. Therefore, the only threat posed was to those field artillery emplacements.
Even so, the Russian bombardment inflicted some damage on the German artillery positions, though the impact was minimal.
"Field guns, continue targeting the Russian artillery positions; light and heavy howitzers should suppress their artillery. Additionally, dispatch a message to the air force; they are cleared to engage," ordered General Zeckert, his expression impassive.
"Yes, General," a communications officer replied, promptly relaying the commands.