Chapter 0218: Desperate Gamble

On the morning of August 24, the German soldiers, who had been lost in slumber, were abruptly awakened by urgent military reports. As dawn broke, the observation post detected a substantial mass of Russian troops two kilometers ahead—so densely packed that their numbers were indeterminate. The post immediately raised the alarm.

Despite their fatigue and many still in a daze, the soldiers understood that military exigencies mandated swift action. Whether infantry, artillery, or the armored units of the 8th Panzer Division, they promptly transitioned into a state of readiness for battle.

"What is happening?" asked General François, who had arrived at the front lines.

"General, last night the Russians launched a probing attack on our defenses. We thought they had retreated, but unexpectedly, they began preparations for an assault early this morning," reported a brigadier general.

"Have these Russians lost their senses? Do they not recall how the Russian 2nd Army met its demise at Tannenberg while attempting to breach our lines, leaving only a sea of corpses in their wake?" François remarked incredulously. After all, the 2nd Army's experience should have served as a warning.

"Who knows? Perhaps that is simply their nature," replied the brigadier general.

"Well, regardless of the Russians' intentions, their decision to launch an offensive plays to our advantage. Order all units to prepare for combat. Should the Russians dare to attack, we must annihilate them completely," commanded François.

"Yes, General," nodded the brigadier general.

"Also, instruct the artillery to be prepared. The moment the Russians open fire, we shall retaliate. We cannot allow their bombardment to inflict significant damage on us," François emphasized.

Although reports from the 17th Army indicated that the Russians had abandoned many artillery pieces during their retreat, the Russian 1st Army still boasted twenty infantry divisions, potentially equipped with at least nine hundred sixty 76.2 mm field guns. While these may have been small-caliber weapons, they posed a substantial threat to the Germans.

"Yes, General," the brigadier general replied solemnly.

As François inspected the positions, he was heartened to see his troops brimming with confidence, ready to meet the Russian onslaught. Just as he was about to return to his command post, he realized that the soldiers had been awakened so early that they hadn't had a chance to eat breakfast.

"Have the cooks prepare breakfast and send it to the front lines, even if it's just bread. We cannot let our soldiers fight on empty stomachs. Who knows how long this battle may last?" François ordered.

Once the Russians launched a full-scale attack, it would undoubtedly lead to a large-scale battle, likely lasting well over a day. During such a conflict, it would be challenging for the soldiers to find time to eat. Thus, François felt compelled to make early preparations.

The brigadier general paused for a moment, then nodded, "Understood, General. I will give the order immediately."

On the opposing Russian front, officers at all levels were addressing their troops. The essence of their message was clear: their situation was perilous, surrounded on all sides with pursuers at their heels. If they could not defeat the Germans blocking their path today, they would face certain death.

The officers' speeches instilled in the Russian soldiers a keen awareness of their precarious predicament. Though many were uneducated, this did not diminish their fervent desire to survive. The fierce will to live shone brightly in the eyes of nearly every Russian soldier. They were unwilling to die; they sought to live. Their only chance for survival lay in defeating the Germans who obstructed their retreat.

Once more, the Russian soldiers summoned their courage, banishing their fears.

This is likely why ancient Chinese military texts assert the principle of "never obstruct the retreat of your own troops." A unit with its escape route severed can unleash extraordinary combat power—especially in the age of cold weapons, such circumstances often determined the outcome of battles.

Of course, we now inhabit an age of firearms, particularly as the Germans were equipped with a significant arsenal of automatic weapons. Thus, they harbored no trepidation regarding the Russians' retreat; their overwhelming firepower was more than capable of dismantling even the most spirited of Russian forces.

"Order the artillery to fire with all their might. Launch every shell at the Germans. If we cannot breach their lines, then those guns and ammunition will be of no use to us," commanded General Leningkamp.

"Yes, General."

Within minutes, the Russian artillery commenced its bombardment, consolidating over three hundred remaining guns. Though these were all 76.2 mm field guns, their combined firepower was formidable.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" 

Shells screamed as they rained down upon the German positions. The Russian gunners exerted every effort, desperately launching more and more shells. They understood that once the Germans retaliated, their chances would vanish.

Just two minutes after the commencement of the Russian bombardment, the Germans began their counterattack. First, the artillery of one infantry division responded, soon joined by others. In terms of numbers, they matched the Russians' artillery, and in terms of caliber, range, and impact, they could suppress the Russian fire.

Yet, despite the German artillery's best efforts, which inflicted substantial losses upon the Russian gunners, the Russian bombardment did not waver. Instead, it intensified.

The Russian artillery fire compelled the German frontline troops to withdraw to their defensive positions. Many of the hastily erected defenses from the previous night were also destroyed; they were not sufficiently robust to withstand the barrage.

Nevertheless, the German soldiers believed that under the onslaught of their own artillery, the Russian gunners would soon be silenced, eliminating the threat they posed.

However, no one anticipated that before the Russian artillery fire had ceased, the Russian infantry would launch their assault. Over twenty thousand Russian soldiers, rifles in hand, surged forward, shouting as they charged the German positions, seemingly undeterred by the risk of friendly fire.