Chapter 258 Night Attack
Heinrich succeeded in persuading Leopold, and the two finally exchanged opinions, and at the same time called a meeting of the commanders of the entire brigade to refine the details of the battle plan.
Officers above the company level are all in this meeting, because time is tight, so it is better for them to go back and prepare in advance.
Heixingen has only two infantry regiments and a combat battalion directly under the brigade headquarters, and there are only 20 or 30 officers above the company level.
Because of the needs of the war, the command post is not located in the civilian area, but a semi-bunker-style building built separately, and the construction time is relatively short, so it is relatively crowded. The officers of the Hechingen Brigade surrounded the small space of the command post, fighting The meeting begins.
"After a discussion between me and Staff Officer Heinrich, we decided to launch a surprise attack on the French in the suburbs tonight. Next, Staff Officer Heinrich will introduce the reason to you. I personally agree with it. Do you have any objections? And suggestions can be made." Leopold said.
Then Heinrich began to repeat what he said to Leopold before: "...In summary, I think this is a good opportunity. The fighter opportunity is fleeting. I missed tonight. Tomorrow we will You will be in a passive situation.”
After Heinrich finished speaking, Leopold said, "Tell me your opinion!"
The head of the first regiment said: "I support the initiative to attack and take advantage of the dark night to fish in troubled waters. This is the first time the Heixingen Brigade has fought. It is different from previous exercises. It is to see blood. Although the night cannot cover up the smell, but It can visually reduce the impact of war on these students."
"I have no objection, but for this war, you must be fully prepared. As you said, this is the first time the Hexingen Brigade has fought, so you shouldn't be reckless." The head of the second regiment said.
After nearly an hour of discussion, the deployment of this battle and the tasks of each unit were finally determined.
"Okay, let's go back and start preparing now, mobilize the ideological work of the soldiers, and don't lose the chain at the critical moment." Leopold said a little tiredly.
As soon as Leopold and his voice fell, everyone began to withdraw in an orderly manner.
…
According to the meeting arrangement, the cooking team of the Heixingen Brigade started to work overtime, poured boxes of canned beef and potatoes into the pot and stirred them, mixed with onions in a large pot, and set it straight up.
"Listen up, everyone. This is not a drill. If you die, you will die. Your opponent is an experienced Frenchman, so don't take it lightly. If you meet me in the forest, give me a dead hand!"
Speaking of which, platoon leader Otto began to distribute cigarettes and beer to these top soldiers in his platoon. He stuffed a pack of cigarettes and wine into the hands of the soldiers and said: "If you are afraid before departure, just smoke or drink a bottle. There is no chance on the battlefield."
…
It's twelve o'clock in the middle of the night. In the pitch-dark environment, the soldiers of the Hexingen Brigade quietly opened the gaps and poked their heads out of the fortifications one by one.
"Follow up, don't get lost, bow your body when you get close to the location, and don't stick like a log until you touch the enemy's position." The officer lowered his voice as much as possible and told his subordinates.
Leaving David Wright's position, there are only country roads, farmland and water canals nearby. Squads crossed the wheat fields under the cover of darkness, and slowly approached the edge of the forest.
From the simple positions of the French army, it can be seen that this French army really came here overnight, without even digging a trench, the camp was relatively chaotic, and the sentry posts were crumbling here and there.
"Tell the troops to get ready, and when they hear the gunshots, they will all rush up to me, and load the bayonets and other melee weapons in advance, and there may not be time to reload by then."
With the troops ready, the time came to 12:57, and Heinrich fired the first shot of the attack.
Subsequently, the two infantry regiments of the Hexingen Brigade rushed into the French position.
"boom…"
"Where to shoot?" The commander of the 54th French Brigade woke up from his sleep.
"Report to the brigade commander, an unknown armed force suddenly attacked our department!"
"What unknown armed forces, it is obvious that the Germans on the opposite side want to take advantage of our unpreparedness and launch a surprise attack. Now stop talking nonsense, and quickly organize troops to fight back!" The 54th Brigade picked up its pistol and started to go Going to the front line, I want to organize the French army to launch a counterattack.
But as soon as he walked out of the camp, a bullet hit him. Fortunately, he didn't hit him, but the guard next to him was injured in his arm.
"Brigadier, the lights here attract the enemy, we can't stay here, it's no different from a living target here."
The tent of the brigade commander of the 54th Brigade was lit with kerosene lamps, so it was more eye-catching in the dark.
"Other places with light have encountered similar situations. Only darkness is safe. Brigadier Commander, we can only fight the enemy in the dark!"
In such a dark environment, it is completely impossible to organize the army. Soldiers from the Hechingen Brigade and the French 54th Brigade were completely mixed together.
There were sparse gunshots everywhere in the French barracks. In the dark, the unprepared French army could only hold Chasaipo rifles and shoot indiscriminately. Many people were not prepared with bayonets and other melee weapons, which made the Hechingen Brigade seize opportunity.
In the gap between reloading, the bayonets of the soldiers of the Hexingen Brigade can quickly make achievements. At the same time, in the dark night, even if the enemy and his companions are bleeding, they will be covered by the night. Tobacco and alcohol before the war also anesthetized and stimulated the Hexinggen Brigade The senses of the soldiers, and the spirits of most people, were extremely aroused.
Gradually, the French soldiers who noticed that there were more and more Germans and fewer and fewer companions around them had a premonition that something bad was going on. Coupled with the fact that they could not get in touch with their commanders, some took advantage of the chaos and fled to the forest behind them, and some simply put down their weapons. surrender.
The Fifty-fourth Brigade of the French Army was caught off guard, and its will to fight was quickly disintegrated.
The gunshots attracted the 3rd Brigade of the Fifth Army led by Robert, who was stationed in the east of David Wright, and rushed to the battlefield after the battle with the 54th Brigade of the French Army in Hexingen.
At this moment, the Hechingen Brigade is cleaning the battlefield. The current record is unclear, but the French suffered heavy casualties, and some of them fled into the forest. This basically means that the remnants of the 54th Brigade of the French Army have no way to reorganize .
After entering the forest, if you are not familiar with the local environment, you will definitely lose your way. Facts have proved this point. Afterwards, there are scattered people who have made a big circle in the forest, and then reunited with the French captured by the Hexingen brigade. Soldier.
(end of this chapter)