The substantial array of anti-tank weaponry equipped by the British forces inflicted significant losses on the unsuspecting German troops. Particularly, the anti-tank guns posed a lethal threat to the German tanks. Conversely, the anti-tank rifles were nearly ineffective against the frontal armor of the German vehicles. However, should the side armor be struck, it could be breached with relative ease.
Fortunately, after an initial period of discomfort, the German armored units recognized the imminent danger they faced. This awareness prompted them to begin prioritizing the destruction of British anti-tank weapons before they could fire. Such a strategy would undoubtedly mitigate their losses.
With the assistance of the German armored divisions, the British outer defenses surrounding the city of Rouen proved to be ineffective and were quickly breached by the Germans. Following the capture of the British outer line, the German armored units halted their advance and withdrew to regroup, leaving the continuation of the assault on Rouen to the infantry.
When General Kluck and General Ludendorff reviewed the casualty reports for the armored divisions, both were unable to hide their frowns. The losses incurred in this engagement were considerable. The 1st Armored Division suffered the destruction of 24 tanks, while the 8th Armored Division lost 17. Notably, these losses were not due to mechanical failures but were directly inflicted by the British forces. Despite the advancements in technology that had greatly improved tank reliability, the enemy's rapid development of anti-tank capabilities posed a serious threat to the German armored divisions.
"General Ludendorff, I do not recall such heavy losses among our armored units on the Eastern Front," remarked General Kluck.
Ludendorff shook his head. "On the Eastern Front, our tanks were rarely destroyed by the Russians; most losses stemmed from mechanical issues. Now, however, our tanks are being outright destroyed by the British. It is clear that the Allied forces have developed effective weaponry to counter our armored units."
Kluck nodded. "If that is the case, our armored divisions will not achieve victories on par with those on the Eastern Front."
"Indeed, General. We must exercise greater caution in deploying our armored units," Ludendorff added.
"Nevertheless, the role of the armored divisions remains irreplaceable. At the very least, with their assistance, we successfully breached the British outer defenses. The subsequent assault on Rouen will be the responsibility of the infantry," asserted Kluck.
Having witnessed the potency of the British anti-tank weaponry, Kluck was resolute in his decision to refrain from committing armored units to urban combat.
"Understood, General," Ludendorff affirmed. In such circumstances, he too would not advocate for the use of armored divisions in street fighting.
Subsequently, Kluck and Ludendorff conferred and resolved to launch a dual-pronged assault on Rouen, with the 1st Corps attacking from the north and the 8th Corps advancing from the east. Each corps would deploy three infantry divisions for the initial wave of the attack.
While the 1st Corps boasted the largest and most well-trained forces, regarded as the strongest in the German army, the 8th Corps was no less formidable. In terms of equipment, the 8th Corps was the best outfitted among all German divisions, with superior training to match. Consequently, although the 8th Corps fielded fewer troops than the 1st, their combat effectiveness remained uncompromised. Particularly in urban warfare, the 8th Corps had been among the first in the German military to undergo specialized training.
With just a single charge, the German infantry divisions breached the urban landscape of Rouen, igniting fierce street fighting.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!" A German general-purpose machine gun was positioned on a rooftop, unleashing a relentless barrage upon the entrenched British positions. The British soldiers found themselves unable to lift their heads under the intense fire.
Under the cover of the machine gun, the German infantry launched their assault on the British stronghold.
"Mortar team, fire!" commanded a junior lieutenant.
Swiftly, the grenadiers initiated their attack, hurling explosive shells into the British defenses. The ensuing explosions sent British soldiers reeling.
Meanwhile, snipers took advantageous positions, picking off British troops with deadly precision.
Under this tactical onslaught, the British defenders of the street sustained severe casualties and were thoroughly suppressed.
Seizing the opportunity, the German soldiers surged forward, closing to within twenty meters of the British line.
"Grenades, throw!" At the command of a junior officer, over twenty grenades soared toward the British positions.
A cacophony of explosions echoed, inflicting devastating losses on the British forces, leaving the remaining troops disoriented.
Before they could regain their composure, the Germans had already breached their lines.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
In the ensuing close-quarters combat, the German submachine guns and pistols proved incredibly effective. The British soldiers, unable to fire their rifles, were swiftly dispatched.
This allowed the three infantry divisions of the 8th Corps to rapidly advance and cleanse the city of its remaining enemies. In contrast, while the 1st Corps also pushed forward swiftly, their casualties were considerably higher compared to the 8th Corps.
This revelation astonished General Kluck; upon learning of the 8th Corps' urban combat tactics, he couldn't help but exclaim that the 8th Corps had indeed become the benchmark for the German military. Other divisions needed to learn from their example. Kluck even proposed that, once this conflict concluded, all German divisions should undergo reorganization and training based on the 8th Corps' model to enhance overall combat effectiveness.
For Qin Tian, this news was undoubtedly favorable, signifying that his influence would extend to various divisions of the German army, significantly aiding his pursuit of greater military authority.
As the Germans pressed through Rouen with relentless momentum, the British Expeditionary Force's 1st Corps found itself in disarray, suffering grievous losses. Not only had they lost vast swathes of ground, but the toll on their forces was also alarming. This left General Haig, the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, deeply shocked and increasingly pessimistic about the forthcoming developments in the conflict.