**Chapter 345: Fall**
"Rat-tat-tat!" On the Russian front lines, two Maxim machine guns unleashed a furious barrage against a German tank. The hail of bullets pelted the tank's armor like a torrential downpour, producing a cacophony of clattering sounds and sparking fragments.
Yet, the tank appeared unaffected, pressing onward despite the Russian fire.
"Oh God! How can our enemies be so formidable? Are they not of this world?" A Russian soldier's face was etched with terror.
In their eyes, anything impervious to machine gun fire might as well be a demon.
"Ha! Do these Russians truly think us fools? We've faced them countless times; why do they persist in using machine guns against our tanks? Do they genuinely believe that bullets can penetrate our armor?" scoffed the tank commander.
"Who knows? Our orders are simple: eliminate these Russians. Whether by shell, bullet, or tread, it makes no difference. As long as these Russians are dead, our mission is complete," the driver replied nonchalantly.
Indeed, for these seasoned tankers, their machines had changed hands several times, rendering them numb to the horrors of war. Their vehicles had become instruments of slaughter. No enemy could withstand the onslaught of their tanks, which also provided them with the best protection, allowing them to focus solely on killing once they hit the battlefield.
"You're right; our task is to eradicate these Russians!" the gunner concurred.
"Then let's get to work, comrades! Aim for the Russian heavy machine guns. While we fear nothing, the infantry behind us certainly does. Neutralize them to secure our advance!" the commander ordered.
"Understood, sir!"
The tank's turret began to pivot, quickly zeroing in on the Russian machine gun. When the Russian gunner realized that the enemy tank's turret was trained on him, panic seized him. He attempted to flee, but before he could take more than a few steps, an explosion erupted.
"Boom!"
The Russian machine gun was obliterated into a heap of debris, and the gunner perished in the blast.
The tank swiftly moved on, destroying another machine gun and clearing a safe path for the advancing infantry.
Continuing its advance, the tank rolled over the Russians' barbed wire and trenches, crashing into their defensive positions.
"Rat-tat-tat!" The tank surged into the Russian lines like a tiger among sheep, ruthlessly slaughtering the Russian soldiers. Countless Russian troops fell to the ground.
In desperation, many Russian soldiers disregarded their commanders' orders and turned to flee. Unfortunately, a significant number were cut down by German gunfire.
The accompanying infantry seized the opportunity to breach the Russian defenses, providing cover for the tank while also clearing out the remnants of Russian resistance.
In a single wave of assault, the Germans shattered the outer defenses around Lviv. The Russian losses were catastrophic, with many slain by German fire and numerous others surrendering with raised hands.
The remaining Russian soldiers fled in a panic back into the city of Lviv.
"Excellent work! Order all units to attack Lviv. Let us capture the city in one decisive blow!" commanded Major General François.
The speed of the German advance had exceeded his expectations. This was, of course, welcome news, as it signified they could eliminate the Russian forces in the shortest time possible and secure victory.
Tens of thousands of German soldiers, led by dozens of tanks, divided into four groups and launched their assault on Lviv.
The battered Russian troops stood no chance against the German onslaught. Many soldiers, upon seeing the dark, looming tanks charging at them, tossed aside their weapons and fled without a thought of resistance. They were utterly terrorized by the German tanks.
At the Russian 4th Army headquarters, General Dmitriev felt as though he were an ant on a hot stove. The Germans were launching a ferocious attack on his city's defenses. Despite believing he had done everything possible, he held no confidence in his ability to withstand the German offensive.
"General, His Excellency the Commander insists that we must hold Lviv. He has ordered the 3rd Caucasian Army to reinforce us," reported his aide.
"To hold, we must be able to hold! The Germans' attack is so fierce that our forces cannot withstand their onslaught—how are we to defend?" General Dmitriev seethed with anger. From the moment General Ivanov had tasked him with fending off the German 8th Army, he had known it would be a thankless chore. But now, he realized he had gravely underestimated the magnitude of this undertaking!
"General, the outer defenses have fallen! The Germans have breached the city of Lviv!" a staff officer reported in a panic.
"How is that possible? It has been scarcely two hours since the Germans began their assault. Have we already lost the outer defenses?" General Dmitriev exclaimed in shock.
"General, the Germans are using their tanks as vanguards. We simply cannot withstand their advance!" the staff officer explained.
"Fool! Order the troops inside the city to hold their positions at all costs. No retreat without my command!" General Dmitriev commanded.
"Understood, sir." The staff officer hurried off to relay the orders.
However, General Dmitriev's commands proved futile. The Germans continued their relentless assault within Lviv, easily dismantling what little resistance the Russians could muster.
Amid the string of defeats, the will to resist among the Russian forces waned. Time and again, upon seeing the German tanks approach, soldiers fled in terror. Many raised their hands in surrender.
For the Germans, this battle was astonishingly effortless. The Russian resistance was feeble, utterly incapable of halting their advance.
At 5 PM, faced with the inevitable, General Dmitriev of the 4th Front retreated with the remnants of his forces, fleeing towards Styr. The vital supply base of Lviv, a cornerstone of the Russian Southwest Front, had completely fallen into German hands, along with a mountain of captured supplies.