Qin Tian has always placed great importance on the lives of his soldiers. On one hand, Germany's population is limited, and the soldiers are predominantly young men; losing even one is a significant loss. Thus, minimizing casualties in war is paramount. On the other hand, his deep regard for the troops has endeared him to them, contributing greatly to his popularity.
This principle is reflected in the command strategies of the German Eighth Army. When an issue can be resolved with artillery, officers do not send soldiers into needless peril. While this approach increases logistical demands, it effectively reduces troop casualties, garnering broad support from German commanders.
In war, life is inherently fragile. When those in power value the lives of soldiers, it becomes a boon for the ranks. Consequently, Qin Tian remains utterly indifferent to the demands of the artists. While artifacts and antiques hold significance, in his eyes, the lives of his soldiers are of utmost importance.
"Gentlemen, we shall disregard the requests of those individuals. We will proceed with the assault as planned! Artillery and the air force will continue their operations against Paris. If necessary, armored units may also join the offensive. My only stipulation is that we must capture Paris within a week, or at the latest, two weeks," Qin Tian declared solemnly.
"Yes, Your Highness," they all responded.
Qin Tian's dismissal of the so-called artists' demands, along with his authorization to employ heavy weaponry in Paris, brought a sense of relief and gratitude among the commanders. Even though reducing Paris to ruins would place immense pressure on him as a commander, Qin Tian remained unfazed, prioritizing the well-being of his soldiers. To these generals, such steadfastness was indeed rare and commendable. After this battle, it was likely that he would incur the ire of the artistic community.
On April 17, the German assault on Paris commenced in earnest.
The four German corps, comprising a total of 53 infantry divisions, amassed over nine hundred 150mm heavy howitzers, one thousand nine hundred 105mm light howitzers, and two thousand eight hundred 75mm field guns to launch their attack on Paris.
According to German tactics, a prolonged preparatory bombardment was essential before deploying infantry. This strategy was designed to clear obstacles and minimize casualties.
Thus, the operation against Paris unfolded with similar intensity. The four German corps nearly encircled the city. The artillery could reach the entirety of Paris, and if they wished, the Germans could reduce it to rubble without difficulty. However, such an endeavor would require an astronomical quantity of ammunition.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The artillery roared to life, shells whistling as they descended upon the Parisian districts. Explosions erupted throughout the city in a cacophony of destruction.
Initially, the German forces focused their bombardment on the French positions in the suburbs, with only a handful of shells landing in the city center. Nevertheless, the audacity of their actions astonished the world.
"Boom!"
A 150mm shell struck the Arc de Triomphe, reducing it to ruins.
A 105mm shell impacted the Eiffel Tower, creating a gaping hole, though it remained standing.
As the bombardment intensified, it became clear that the rich cultural heritage of Paris was at risk of annihilation. A city renowned for its artistic legacy was poised to be ravaged by the German onslaught.
The German fire preparation did not solely encompass artillery; the four air corps also engaged in bombing runs over Paris. Equipped with over a thousand aircraft, divided evenly between fighters and bombers, they conducted successive waves of air assaults.
"Release the bombs!" commanded the officer, and dozens of bombers unleashed their payloads.
Bombs cascaded down upon the city like hail, devastating entire streets. Tragically, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, as featured in Hugo's novels, found itself amidst the destruction. In the aftermath, the street lay in ruins, the cathedral reduced to rubble.
The garrison command for Paris was situated in a subterranean warehouse of a department store in the city center. After appropriating the site, it was transformed into a command post. General Gallieni, commander of the French Tenth Army and Paris Garrison, conducted his operations from here, as did General Allenby of the British Expeditionary Force's Fourth Army and General Despéré of the French First Army, who often remained on site.
At the onset of the German bombardment, General Allenby was expounding confidently.
"Currently, there is a significant discourse unfolding on the international stage, which will undoubtedly exert immense pressure on the Germans. Paris is a world-renowned city; its destruction in warfare would be a loss for humanity at large. If the Germans, swayed by this pressure, refrain from employing artillery and aircraft in their assault on Paris, our chances of holding the city will vastly improve. We might even utilize our prepared defensive works to inflict heavy casualties on the Germans, making them bleed on the streets of Paris," Allenby declared with pride.
The international attention on Paris, particularly from cultural and artistic spheres, was largely a result of the French and British incitements, with American involvement amplifying the issue. They sought to create a wave of pressure against Germany, hoping to restrain their assault on Paris.
If Germany were to abandon their attack on Paris, it would be ideal. The Allied forces could then shelter within the city, posing a significant threat to the Germans and drawing considerable resources away from their efforts. Defeating the Allied forces would become all the more difficult.
Should Germany capitulate to pressure and forgo the use of heavy artillery in the battle for Paris, it would serve the Allies' interests perfectly. They could then leverage their pre-established defensive positions to exact a devastating toll on the Germans, potentially even reversing the tide of the conflict.