Chapter 739 The defense line is lost
Three days later, at 6 a.m. on April 7, East African time, under the dawn light, the well-prepared British army began a full-line attack.
The British army forcibly crossed the Tugela River from five river sections at the same time, which instantly caused a huge hole in the defense line of the 9th Brigade.
This had long been expected by Aridotus. After all, the Ninth Brigade had limited troops, so it was impossible to rely on the Tugela River to effectively defend the British army.
The Tugela River defense line in East Africa is a "long snake formation", and the British army's multi-line attack is a "snake seven-inch attack". The various units of the scarce 9th Brigade are unable to effectively coordinate and support.
And the British army was surprised to find that the firepower in East Africa seemed to be weaker than three days ago.
This discovery is not unusual, but there are two reasons for this. The East African Brigade has already given the answer.
Alexander's adjutant said: "Our fifteen heavy artillery pieces have withdrawn to the port city of New Hamburg one day in advance, and the light artillery has also withdrawn one-third, so the level of artillery support has weakened, making it easier for the British army to cross the river."
Aridotus waved his hand and said: "Even if these heavy weapons are left behind, they will not be of much use to us. Just like now, the British army forcibly launches attacks from multiple places, with a coverage line of more than a hundred kilometers. Even if The easily mobile light artillery was too late to provide support.
So I have given orders to all the troops on the front line, dividing them into parts based on companies, and each of them should deal with the British troops in their jurisdiction. "
It is not easy to move artillery, especially the Tugela River defense line, which is more than 200 kilometers long and very tortuous.
The position of the 2nd Company of the 7th Battalion.
Headquarters of the 9th Brigade.
In addition to the telegraph wires buried underground, the Ninth Brigade left only corpses on the river beach and a pile of ruins to the British army. The construction of the Tugela River Defense Line took as long as three months, but it was destroyed not long before the outbreak of the war. Less than a week.
Soon, with the loss of Position 23, the Tugela River defense line of the 9th East African Brigade was about to be abandoned.
“Send a report to the brigade headquarters and report our situation. Position 23 is about to be lost and we can retreat!” Second Company Commander Hans said.
While Aridotus was speaking, East Africa was already fighting with the British army at various river crossing points within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Brigade. Even when they were halfway across the river and attacked without fire support, the soldiers of the Ninth Brigade were able to achieve a good exchange ratio. But the British army was like a tide and could not be killed at all.
This was also the helpless move of the Ninth Brigade. Even if the Ninth Brigade really tried its best to defend the Tugela River defense line, it would actually be of no help. After all, the British could still land and fight from the sea.
…
At present, control of the Indian Ocean waters around the New Hamburg Port City is actually in the hands of the British, so the Tugela River defense line can only be used as a temporary position.
“Our purpose is to destroy the British troops crossing the river as much as possible. The Tugela River defense line cannot take advantage of our firepower, so letting the lower-level troops carry light weapons is the best option.”
The Second Company also received the order, and then the Second Company began to destroy the defensive position built by itself. At the same time, important military supplies including weapons, ammunition, telegraph machines, etc. were also loaded into the truck.
Once these artillery are concentrated where needed, the war may be over, so Aridotus began to organize the artillery to evacuate to the New Hamburg Port City as early as a day ago.
…
In the port city of New Hamburg, these artillery can be concentrated to deal with the enemy's attack, but on the Tugela River, I am afraid it will only make it easier for the British troops crossing the river.
“Company Commander, we are running out of ammunition, but there are too many British troops. I didn’t expect that they would choose our area as a breakthrough point. We can’t hold on for long!”
The brigade headquarters ordered each unit to evacuate to the rear according to the plan through telegrams and messengers.
“Reporting to the brigade commander, we have gathered nearly half of the brigade and seventeen machine guns, and they have been deployed in the middle of the road in the village of Kronskop as you requested.”
The village of Kronskop is the transfer station for the evacuation from the Tugela River defense line to the new port city of Hamburg. It is also the only place where the connecting road must pass. Aridotus planned to concentrate the machine guns and test their power in the village of Kronskop, which would have great consequences for the British army who were good at forming formations.
“Very good, let the troops concentrate on the village of Kronskop first. If the machine gun can exert its due power, I think this is a good opportunity to attack the British army.” Aridotus said.
…
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Commander Rost of the British Army also crossed the pontoon bridge. Looking at the ruins of the Tugela River defense line that had finally been captured, Rost felt happy.
“Where are the East Africans! Why are there so few bodies among them?”
"Reporting to the division commander, the East Africans are not interested in fighting. After they failed to prevent us from crossing the river, they took the initiative to evacuate to the north. Moreover, the number of East African troops is probably smaller than we imagined, so they will not be able to stop our attack at all. If We fought like this on the first day, and I’m afraid we’ve already reached New Hamburg Port City by now!”
“Approximately how many people are there in the East African Army?” Rost asked.
“Based on the position and our pursuit, East Africa should only have one brigade deployed on the Tugela River.”
Roster: "You bastard, do you mean we wasted four days here because of a brigade?"
"Yes…"
Rost thought for a while and said: "Are you really sure it's a brigade? Have you seen it with your own eyes!"
“Well, I’m just guessing based on the traces on the scene.”
"Very good. Since it is speculation, it means that the data is inaccurate. According to my opinion, East Africa should at least have deployed a main division along the Tugela River. Otherwise, why could they stop us for so long? And There is also powerful fire support!" Rost said decisively.
The subordinate also understood what Rost meant and hurriedly said: "I made a mistake in judgment. It is a main division in East Africa."
Rost glanced at him with admiration and said: "On April 7, 1888, our unit won a great victory on the Tugela River and successfully defeated a division of the garrison on the Tugela River in East Africa."
But then on, Rost could no longer compile it. He suddenly thought that the issue of the army numbers in East Africa was not yet clear.
“Bring the prisoners from East Africa over, I want to question them!” Rost ordered.
"Reporting to the division commander, we did not capture any East African prisoners. After our troops landed, the East African troops retreated voluntarily. Apart from the corpses that were too late to dispose of, the only thing we found was a group of Indian prisoners." The subordinate said in embarrassment.
“Indian prisoners?”
"They were the Indian soldiers who were captured during our cross-river battle four days ago. These **** did not fight to the end, but surrendered directly to East Africa. However, the East African army withdrew in a hurry and did not have time to deal with them, so they were discovered by us."
When Rost heard this, his face almost turned green with anger! These deserters should all be shot.
“Are there any British or Gurkha mercenaries among them?”
“Not a single one, our soldiers and Gurkha mercenaries all died.”
“Humph!” Rost was really angry.
The surrender of Indian soldiers is not a big deal, but there are no Indian soldiers or Gurkha mercenaries alive, which is very revealing.
“Shoot them all as a warning to others!” Rost ordered viciously.
(End of this chapter)