As the Russian military assembled three army groups to launch a fierce assault on the Austro-Hungarian defenses, the German 8th Corps continued its own relentless offensive. Under the command of Major General Mackensen, elements of the German 20th Army and 8th Armored Division struck violently at the Russian 4th Army's position in Zamosc. It mirrored the previous day's events outside Hium, where the Russian forces crumbled under the weight of the German armored advance.
The Russian defenses outside Zamosc soon succumbed to the German onslaught, forcing the battered Russian troops to retreat into the city, where they attempted to make a stand. However, they were met with relentless artillery barrages and aerial bombardments. The German bombardments from the previous afternoon had proven effective, and such tactical successes were quickly disseminated among their units to ensure victories with minimal costs.
While the German 20th Army and 8th Armored Division pressed the Russians into a state of panic in Zamosc, the 17th Army and another section of the 8th Armored Division continued their assault on Hium. Shortly after dawn, the artillery of the German 17th Army commenced a bombardment of Hium. Resupplied with a significant number of shells, their cannons unleashed hell once more upon the city, which had already been reduced to near ruin. The deafening explosions reverberated through the streets, waking the exhausted Russian soldiers, who now faced another round of relentless fire.
Within the city, Russian soldiers were worn thin. The night prior, they had toiled late into the evening under orders to repair the damaged fortifications, only to find their efforts of limited effectiveness against the German onslaught. Little did they anticipate that dawn would bring yet another wave of heavy bombardment, further obliterating their makeshift defenses and inflicting greater casualties upon the exposed Russian troops. The numbers dwindled, and the morale plummeted to new lows.
Not only did the artillery of the 17th Army strike, but the 8th Air Fleet joined the assault with a barrage of bombers delivering carpet bombings across the urban landscape. This concentrated bombardment, though somewhat wasteful of munitions, yielded devastating results, leaving destruction in its wake and inflicting grievous losses on the Russian forces.
"Oh God! Do the Germans intend to obliterate us with endless artillery and bombing? How long will this relentless assault continue?" Major General Fyodor roared in anger, feeling like a bear trapped in a snare, thrashing about with no hope of escape.
General Golovin remained silent, his expression as dark as soot. They had believed that their overwhelming numbers could sustain a prolonged defense in Hium, perhaps even turn the tide. Yet the Germans had delivered a harsh lesson, revealing their previous assumptions to be mere fantasies. The German attacks had already wrought considerable losses before they even fully engaged. In such a situation, not only was defeating the Germans unlikely, but holding Hium seemed nearly impossible.
"The current circumstances are exceedingly unfavorable for us! The Germans are employing this strategy against us. It is nearly impossible for us to withstand their assault in Hium," General Golovin remarked.
Fyodor nodded in agreement. "Yet, we have no alternatives. Unless we abandon Hium and flee to Lviv, but should we do so, Generals Dmitriev and Ivanov would not spare us."
Golovin offered a wry smile. "It seems we can only hold our ground here!"
Indeed, the Russian forces had already initiated their extensive offensive against the Austro-Hungarians, signifying that their plan was in full swing, leaving no room for retreat. Until the Austro-Hungarians were vanquished, the primary mission of the 4th Army was to staunchly defend against the German 8th Corps. Anyone daring to defy this order would face severe consequences. Thus, even knowing that a steadfast defense of Hium was not a viable strategy, Generals Fyodor and Golovin had no other recourse.
"General, the Germans have begun their offensive. They are deploying a significant number of infantry and tanks to assault the urban area," a staff officer reported.
"Order all units to hold the line; no one is permitted to retreat without a direct command!" Fyodor commanded fiercely.
"Understood, General," the staff officer replied promptly.
"Now, it's a matter of how long we can endure in Hium, dependent entirely on the German onslaught. I hope we can last a bit longer!" General Golovin remarked.
"Urban combat is not the same as open warfare. The Germans may not hold as great an advantage," Fyodor reassured him.
Outside Hium, the German attack was already underway. The 49th and 50th Infantry Divisions of the 17th Army, divided into two prongs, advanced on Hium. Colonel Rommel's segment of the 8th Armored Division also split into two, assisting the infantry's assault.
In this round of attacks, the Germans committed nearly 40,000 troops, showcasing Major General Zeckert's confidence in the operation. Initially, the Russians stationed in Hium numbered around 100,000. However, the losses incurred the previous day and that morning had reduced their ranks by more than half. With fewer than 50,000 soldiers remaining in the city, holding Hium against the German advance seemed an exceedingly daunting task.
The German 8th Corps had trained specifically for urban warfare; although this was their first real engagement, they executed their maneuvers with remarkable proficiency.