Greece to roman road

After December 29, for three consecutive days, under the orders of Constantine, the Fourth Division launched an all-out attack after shelling every day, under the command of Major General Papademos, the commander of the Fourth Division.

In fact, if a person who does not know the truth sees the fierce attack of the Greeks on the Salonika front in front of the Bazani Fortress, he will never doubt the determination of the Greeks to attack here and gain a breakthrough from the defense line.

Macedonian Legion Headquarters

The commander of the Fourth Division, Papademos, had a tired face and said in a pleading tone: "Your Excellency, Commander, our Fourth Division has been attacking the defense line of Bazani Fortress for three consecutive days and has suffered heavy casualties. We have already suffered 1,200 casualties. With multiple people, I think this action is enough as a feint.”

Constantine, who was sitting on the table and chair, looked up and saw this general again, and couldn't help but feel a headache.

For three days since the attack began, Papademos would come here every day. Even he would do the same thing. First he would cry out that the attacking army suffered too many casualties, and then he would think it was enough, or he would ask for permission to rest the troops. license.

Constantine hesitated and said: "Do you think it's really possible? Are there any enemies who still have doubts?"

"If I were the enemy commander Esat Pasha, I would definitely think that the Bazhani Fortress was the target of the Greek army's attack. This has been a continuous attack for three days, and such a high price has been paid. Does it explain the determination of our Greek army?" Papademos said helplessly.

"The morale of the soldiers is very low. After all, it has been three days in a row. Every time they attack, they retreat in disgrace. My officers have been admonishing me since yesterday that the enemy's defense in the Bazani Fortress is tight. Even if they can break through, You will also pay a huge price, and the gains outweigh the losses.”

The Macedonian Legion's plan to attack Salonika is a highly confidential military secret. In fact, except for senior officers with no more than a dozen people, others do not know the entire plan at all.

Constantine kept tapping his fingers on the table, and after much hesitation, Constantine said: "In this way, Commander Papademos, tomorrow you will continue to attack after the bombardment as you did in the previous three days."

Hearing this, Papademos' face was full of embarrassment and resistance, and he opened his mouth to argue with Constantine, but then he thought that this was a fierce moment of war, and the commander issued an order. There was no room for bargaining, so he pressed the button again. thought.

"However, your fourth division's feint attack at Bazani Fortress will end tomorrow. It is enough." Constantine did not embarrass the division commander.

After sending Papademos away, Constantine thought about it and still felt that this tactic of attacking in the east and west had certain risks and could not be guaranteed to be foolproof.

"Colonel Hammett" Constantine shouted to Colonel Hammett at the small desk beside him.

"Go and get ready immediately, get the security squad together, and let's go to the airport and take a look."

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A group of more than a dozen people, led by Constantine, rode towards the west of the headquarters.

In an open space about five or six hundred meters away from the headquarters, the artificially constructed flat earth-yellow road is clearly visible, surrounded by large areas of withered yellow grass.

Beside the runway, there were several gray biplanes parked under a large tent built with canvas, wood and ropes.

A few people under the tent seemed to be maintaining the aircraft. Seeing the movements of Constantine and his group, the leading captain stepped forward and respectfully saluted the military salute: "Commander, Captain of the Special Flying Team, Edmund Captain salutes you”

Constantine waved his hand to signal him to relax, then pointed at the aircraft and said: "Captain, I need your flight team to carry out an important mission tomorrow."

These six biplanes are Falman FM7 biplanes purchased from France.

When the Italian-Turkish war was going on last year, the Italians took the lead in using a new weapon called aircraft in Libya.

This attracted the attention of the Greek Army.

In the previous months, the Greek government had sent six pilots to France for training and received six biplanes.

After completing their training, they just caught up with the war. Although Constantine did not think much of the role of these primitive aircraft in the war, considering the advantages of these aircraft in reconnaissance, it was indeed possible to send them If they are needed, place them behind the front lines.

"But your Excellency, Commander, our flying team has been on missions these days, and the artillerymen need us to provide calibration data," Captain Edmund said honestly.

"The mission I'm talking about is much more important than serving the artillery. I need your flying team to conduct detailed reconnaissance when the Macedonian Army attacks the Ottoman positions tomorrow. You must pay attention to the general distribution of the Ottoman troops on the defense line." Constantine said seriously.

Although he had some doubts, Captain Edmund nodded in agreement.

After Constantine made arrangements for the flying squad, he immediately asked the communications room to send a telegram to the Second Division, which was responsible for the flanking roundabout operations, asking them to wait for the news and be on alert for the next two days. The command headquarters might send the Second Division to them at any time. Implement the real offensive plan of the Macedonian legions.

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To the northwest of the Ottoman defense line, the Second Division is on standby.

"When fighting, rush out as soon as you see the signal, and then spread out immediately, with a distance of 6-8 steps, and do not gather together to become a conspicuous target." Behind the grass, mobilization was also going on in the Greek trenches: "Lower your head , follow your non-commissioned officers, move quickly, the faster you rush into the enemy's trenches, the safer you will be." The officers of the second division walked back and forth, and at the last moment before the attack, they repeatedly explained to their soldiers what they should pay attention to on the battlefield, hoping that After this battle, a few more people can survive.

"Young men, you should feel lucky." Sergeant Herbert said to a squad of soldiers surrounding him: "The big shots above did not let us capture the Bashan Fortress. The shelling lasted for more than 9 hours yesterday. , I heard that there is nothing wrong with that fortress. The Ottoman position opposite us now is a temporary construction, and after being bombarded for several hours, there are probably not many people left alive, so our attack will be an easy job."

"This is a real war, not a drill, Sergeant." The private on the side muttered.

"Maybe it will be easier than the drill." Herbert curled his lips: "The company commander said that there are few artillery and machine guns on the Ottoman position, and we have not seen any counterattack from them after being bombarded by us for so long. Even if the Ottomans hide them and prepare to surprise us when we attack, the planes will find them as soon as they open fire, and someone will immediately give them a look."

"So you don't have to worry at all. The firepower of the Ottomans on the opposite side is far inferior to what you encountered during the exercise. Those of our own people we encountered during the exercise were more ruthless than the Ottomans, so don't worry, as long as you follow the instructions during the exercise Do what you should do, and as long as you are not too unlucky, you will all survive."

Herbert looked at the nervous young faces around him and comforted everyone.