Chapter 258 Night Attack
Heinrich successfully persuaded Leopold, and the two finally exchanged opinions and convened a meeting with the commanders of the entire brigade to improve the details of the combat plan.
Officers above the company level were all present in this meeting. Because time was tight, they were allowed to go back and prepare in advance.
Hechingen has only two infantry regiments and one combat battalion directly under the brigade headquarters, and there are only twenty or thirty officers above the company level.
Due to the needs of the war, the command post is not located in a civilian area, but is a semi-bunker-style building built separately. The construction time was relatively short, so it was relatively crowded. The officers of the Hechingen Brigade surrounded the command post. In the small space, the combat meeting began.
"After consultation with Staff Officer Heinrich, we decided to launch a surprise attack on the French in the suburbs tonight. Now, Staff Officer Heinrich will introduce the reasons to you. I personally agree with it. Do you have any objections? You can make suggestions." Leopold said.
Heinrich then began to repeat what he had said to Leopold before: "...To sum up, I think this is a good opportunity. The fighter opportunity is fleeting. If we miss tonight, we will be in a passive situation tomorrow."
After Heinrich finished speaking, Leopold said, "Tell me what you think."
The leader of the first regiment said: "I support taking the initiative to attack and take advantage of the good night to fish in troubled waters. This is the first time for the Heisingen Brigade to fight. It is different from previous exercises. You have to see blood. Although the night cannot hide the smell, But it can visually reduce the impact of the war on these students."
"I have no objection, but we must be fully prepared for this war. As you said, this is the Hechingen Brigade. It’s a battle, so we shouldn’t be reckless,” said the leader of the second regiment.
After nearly an hour of discussion, the deployment of the battle and the tasks of each unit were finally determined.
"Okay, you guys, go back and make preparations now, mobilize the soldiers' ideological work, and don't let anything slip at the critical moment." Leopold said a little tiredly.
As soon as Leopold finished speaking, everyone began to leave in an orderly manner.
......
According to the meeting arrangement, the cooking class of Hechingen Brigade started to work overtime. Boxes of canned potato stew and beef stew were poured into the pot, stirred, and onions were mixed in and cooked in a large pot. .
"Everyone, listen up. This is not a drill. If you die, you will really die. Your opponents are experienced French people, so don't take it lightly. If you encounter me in the forest, you will kill me!"
Speaking, Platoon Leader Otto began to arrange these big heads for himself. The soldiers were issued cigarettes and beer. He put a pack of cigarettes and wine into the hands of the soldiers and said: "Before departure, if you are afraid, just smoke one or drink a bottle. You will have no chance on the battlefield."
< br>……
Twelve o’clock in the night. In the dark environment, the soldiers of Heixingen Brigade quietly opened the gap and poked their heads out of the fortifications one by one.
"Follow, don't get separated. When you get close to the spot, keep your body hunched over. Don't stand like a log until you touch the enemy's position." The officer tried to lower his voice and said to his The subordinate ordered.
Leaving David Wright's position, there were only country roads, farmland and water canals nearby. The teams passed through the wheat fields under the cover of darkness and slowly approached the edge of the forest.
Gradually, the French position appeared in front of him, and Heinrich began to carefully observe the enemy's situation.
It can be seen from the French army's simple position that this French army really rushed here overnight. They didn't even dig many trenches. The camp was also in chaos, and the sentries were swaying here and there. "Tell the troops to be prepared. When they hear the sound of gunshots, they will rush forward and load their bayonets and other melee weapons in advance. There may not be time to reload."
< br>
As the troops were ready, the time came to twelve fifty-seven minutes, and Heinrich fired the first shot of the attack.
Subsequently, the two infantry regiments of the Hechingen Brigade rushed into the French position.
"Bang..."
"Where to shoot?" The French commander of the 54th Brigade woke up from his sleep.
“Report to the brigade commander that unknown armed forces suddenly attacked our unit!”
“What unknown armed forces are obviously the Germans on the opposite side who want to take advantage of our unpreparedness and launch a sneak attack. Don’t do anything now. No nonsense, hurry up and organize troops to counterattack!" The 54th Brigade picked up his pistol and started to go to the front line with his men, hoping to organize the French army to launch a counterattack.
But as soon as he walked out of the camp, a bullet was fired. Fortunately, it did not hit him, but the guard next to him was injured in the arm.
"Brigade Commander, the lights here have attracted the enemy. We can't stay here. It's just like a living target."
The camp point of the 54th Brigade Commander I had a kerosene lamp burning all the time, so it was more eye-catching in the dark.
“Other places with light have also encountered similar situations. It is safe in the dark. Brigadier, we can only fight with the enemy in the dark now!”
In such a dark environment, I think It was completely impossible to organize the army. The Hechingen Brigade was completely mixed with the soldiers of the French 54th Brigade.
There were sparse gunshots everywhere in the French barracks. In the darkness, the unprepared French troops could only shoot randomly with their Xia Sebo rifles. Many people were not prepared with bayonets and other melee weapons, which allowed the Hechingen Brigade to seize the opportunity. Got the chance.
In the gap between changing ammunition, the bayonets of the soldiers of the Hechingen Brigade can quickly make achievements. At the same time, in the dark night, even if the blood of the enemy and companions is flowing, they will be covered by the night. Before the war, tobacco and alcohol will also numb and The senses of the soldiers of the Hechingen Brigade were stimulated, and most of them were extremely excited.
Gradually, the French soldiers noticed that there were more and more Germans and fewer and fewer companions around them. They had a premonition that something bad was going on, and they were unable to contact their commanders. Some of them took advantage of the chaos and headed towards the forest behind them. They fled, and some simply dropped their weapons and surrendered.
The French 54th Brigade was caught off guard, and its will to fight was quickly disintegrated.
The sound of gunfire attracted the Third Brigade of the Fifth Army led by Robert who was stationed in the east of Davidlet. After the battle with the French 54th Brigade in Hechingen, they also rushed to the battlefield.
At this moment, the Hechingen Brigade is cleaning the battlefield. The current results are not clear, but the French suffered heavy casualties, and some of them fled into the forest. This basically means that the remnants of the French 54th Brigade 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. After that, some people wandered around in the forest one after another, and they were hacked here again. French soldiers captured by the Hingen Brigade.
(End of this chapter)