Chapter 60: Blood Battle 2

"How does it look, General Dramali?" his aide-de-camp Hesh approached to ask.

"Impeccable! This Frenchman named Napoleon is truly formidable," Dramali sincerely remarked as he observed Napoleon's carefully arranged defenses. He had just ridden around the perimeter and failed to find any weaknesses in the line. Observing the seemingly impregnable defenses before him, Dramali shed the last bit of underestimation in his heart. This was a formidable enemy, and he needed to be extremely cautious.

"Attack! All troops, attack!"

With the sound of the military bugle in the morning, Dramali issued the command to attack. As the horns of assault sounded, the Ottoman Turkish artillery corps, comprising over sixty cannons including the first artillery battalion, opened fire.

In an effort to destroy the French army's defenses with artillery, Dramali had summoned nearly all the British cannons and those available within Syrian territory.

"The Ottoman artillery is quite fierce, huh? It seems they are using their full strength, intending to take us down in one battle. Eh? Something about some of these cannon sounds is off; they sound like British cannons! I didn't expect the Ottomans to have British artillery," Napoleon noted, listening intently to the Ottoman artillery fire. Being a former artilleryman, he had a deep understanding of cannons and could discern much from the sounds alone.

"Very good, very good! What a powerful barrage. After the shelling, there shouldn't be anything left alive on the French positions," said the Syrian governor, Bazel, excitedly nodding within the Ottoman military's position. The barrage impressed him immensely and swept away any gloom in his heart.

Meanwhile, a large-bearded Ottoman general boastfully said beside Bazel: "Your Excellency, this battle is too unchallenging. The French have been blown to bits, and my troops only need to walk over their positions as if on a stroll. It's practically a picnic."

"Indeed! Our artillery fire is indeed ferocious, and under such barrage, the French positions must suffer heavily. So, I will be waiting here for news of your victory," Dramali said with a smile, patting the bearded general on the back.

"Yes, Your Excellency!" the bearded general immediately responded, invigorated as if infused with adrenaline. 

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" 

The Ottoman cannons continued to fire relentlessly from their positions, sending shells exploding across the French lines, leaving behind large craters. Under the fierce Ottoman bombardment, the already eroded ancient walls of Jerusalem could not withstand the assault of heavy artillery and were easily breached, burying many soldiers under the rubble.

Fortunately, the soldiers had diligently reinforced their dugouts with logs, allowing these shelters to withstand the Ottoman artillery. Despite the defensive fortifications being heavily damaged, the casualties among the soldiers inside were minimal.

...

"Damn it, these Ottoman barbarians really have intense firepower. How long are they going to keep this up?"

"Why aren't our artillerymen suppressing the Ottoman fire? Hasn't General Napoleon given the order yet?" Major Mula, annoyed, slammed his binoculars on the ground inside the fortification. The Ottoman's audacity was unbearable for him.

"Major General Mula, I have already sent someone to inquire with General Napoleon. But General Napoleon has ordered you to hold a bit longer. The Ottoman's artillery fire is intense, but such intense firing will also cause overheating of the barrels. It's likely that the Ottoman attack will cease soon," reported a staff officer beside Mula.

"Hmph! Ridiculous. I want to see how long these Ottoman gunners can keep this up," Major Mula said bitterly.

As if in response to Mula's words, the Ottoman artillery barrage soon ceased.

...

Back at the Ottoman military position, an artillery officer hurriedly ran up to Dramali, reporting anxiously:

"General, the barrels are overheating, we must stop the bombardment immediately, or the barrels might burst due to the heat."

"Cease the firing! These cannons are precious, we can't afford any losses," Dramali ordered, prioritizing the preservation of their critical artillery resources.

Hearing this, Dramali exhaled helplessly. Unlike France, the Ottoman Empire lacked the capability to manufacture cannons independently. Each lost cannon was irreplaceable, making every single one extremely valuable. Thus, to preserve the cannons, Dramali had no choice but to order a halt to the bombardment.

As Dramali commanded the cessation of fire, the roaring battlefield suddenly quieted. Meanwhile, under their commander's orders, the Ottoman land forces moved into their predetermined positions, preparing to charge as soon as the artillery fire ceased completely.

At the same time, tension rose within the French command.

"General Napoleon, the enemy's artillery fire has stopped."

"Yes, I heard," Napoleon responded, slowly standing up and speaking softly.

"The Ottomans have ceased their cannon fire; now it's our turn. Order all artillery units to strike! Target their artillery positions first, then their infantry," Napoleon commanded loudly, slamming his hand on the table.

"Yes, sir!" Upon hearing Napoleon's order, the staff officer saluted and quickly left.

Following Napoleon's orders, the eager French artillerymen immediately began their preparations. They vigorously turned their cannons, loaded the gunpowder, primed the fuses, and positioned the shells. The preparations were swiftly completed.

"After the Ottomans boasted for so long, it's time to teach them a lesson. Fire at will!" shouted a French artillery officer passionately. With a sweeping gesture, he bellowed, "Fire!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

As the command was given, dozens of French cannons fired in unison, creating a formidable barrage. A hail of shells flew towards the enemy lines, exploding upon the sandy ground and sending up columns of sand.

"Boom!"

A 15-pound field artillery shell struck the Ottoman artillery position. A British cannon was instantly shattered by the blast, and about a dozen Ottoman artillerymen nearby were killed instantly.