"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The violent explosions resonated throughout the city of Haiwum as the German artillery unleashed a ferocious barrage. In the skies above, German aircraft continued to rain down bombs, adding to the chaos.
Haiwum rapidly transformed into a desolate wasteland under the relentless assault. Buildings crumbled, streets were reduced to rubble, and the entire city seemed to be engulfed in an apocalyptic nightmare.
The Russian forces defending Haiwum suffered devastating losses, with numerous soldiers either perishing or sustaining severe injuries amidst the bombardment.
"Oh God! How long will the German shelling and bombing persist? Do they intend to annihilate our troops within Haiwum?" General Fyodor lamented, closing his eyes in despair.
General Golovin, standing nearby, wore a similarly grave expression. Their previous confidence had waned, as the German firepower struck them like a resounding slap, leaving their resolve bruised.
Initially, they had envisioned using urban warfare to inflict heavy casualties on the Germans. However, before the street fighting could commence, the Germans had already imparted a harsh lesson with their overwhelming firepower. The toll on the Russians had been exorbitant.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the German bombardment finally ceased. The cessation of the 8th Air Fleet's bombing was due to the incapacity of the bombers to operate during the night. While artillery could still be fired in darkness, the grueling afternoon barrage had exhausted their stockpiles. Though some ammunition remained, it was insufficient for prolonged combat.
"Excellent! The entirety of Haiwum lies in ruins beneath our assault. The Russian garrison within is undoubtedly suffering severe casualties. We shall launch an attack on Haiwum tomorrow morning. We must capture it within two days!" commanded General Zeckte.
"Yes, General," replied several divisional commanders, brimming with confidence for the forthcoming assault. Even amidst the fierce urban warfare, the enemy's considerable losses under their fire made the upcoming attack significantly more manageable. Moreover, they would have armored support to bolster their advance, ensuring that the onslaught faced minimal resistance.
"Contact logistics immediately; we need to replenish our ammunition. Ideally, we should bombard the defenses the Russians construct overnight to obliterate their efforts," Zeckte ordered.
"Yes, General."
That night, the logistics teams mobilized to transport artillery shells and vital war supplies to the 17th Army, ensuring that the attack would proceed as planned.
General Zeckte's predictions proved accurate; after the cessation of the bombardment, the defenders of Haiwum were busy reporting their dire situation to their superiors while hastily organizing their troops to construct defenses against the imminent German onslaught.
Generals Fyodor and Golovin felt utterly defeated. The relentless German fire had inflicted over twenty thousand casualties on their forces and nearly obliterated their constructed defenses within Haiwum. Their advantage had all but evaporated, making any overnight fortifications imperative.
Meanwhile, General Dmitriev, having escaped to Lvov, felt a wave of relief upon receiving communications from Fyodor and Golovin. He was grateful for his timely escape, realizing that had he lingered, he could have been trapped in Haiwum, possibly succumbing to the German bombardment.
However, soon after, worry gripped him. He had initially believed that the Russians could leverage their manpower and urban terrain to hold off the Germans and possibly turn the tide. Yet, he had not anticipated such a brutal strategy from the Germans that reduced Haiwum to ruins and inflicted significant losses on the defending forces. With this development, maintaining a foothold in Haiwum seemed increasingly implausible; even dispatching a full division might not suffice.
"Order the 34th Army to bolster the defenses in Lvov. Additionally, send a telegram to the troops in Zamosc to prepare for combat. The German fighting strength is proving more formidable than we anticipated," Dmitriev sighed.
He also made sure to inform General Ivanov about the battle conditions in Haiwum, providing a precautionary warning should the 4th Army fail to hold out for the next fortnight. After all, it was not a matter of lack of effort but rather the ferocity of the German assault.
At the command center of the Southwestern Front, General Ivanov was vigorously preparing the main Russian forces for an attack against the Austro-Hungarian lines.
"The German offensive has commenced; we can wait no longer. Tomorrow, we must initiate our assault on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Time is of the essence!" Ivanov declared, studying the map intently.
Indeed, with the current tactics in play, Ivanov was racing against time. If the Russians could strike down the Austro-Hungarians before the 8th German Army dismantled the 4th Army, they could secure victory. Conversely, if the Germans annihilated the 4th Army first and severed their retreat, defeat would be inevitable.
"General, a telegram from General Dmitriev," the aide-de-camp reported to Ivanov.
Taking the telegram, Ivanov quickly read its contents. As he finished, his brow furrowed in concern. The German attack had only just begun, yet it had nearly broken the 4th Army's resolve. This indicated that the Germans were far more powerful than they had previously assessed.
"Send telegrams to the 3rd Army, the 8th Army, and the 11th Army: tomorrow, launch an all-out assault!" Ivanov commanded, determination flickering in his eyes.