My Italy

As the defenders made adjustments under the orders of their commander, Lieutenant General Ouz, the landing Italian army and the Bulgarian Third Army finally met under the city.

Although the two sides were separated by Salonica, communication was still possible, and a battle plan for the city was also proposed.

In Semir, seven kilometers away from Kalamariya, the headquarters of Lieutenant General Grovey, who commanded the landing force, was established here.

Inside the headquarters, Lieutenant General Grover was holding a pre-war meeting with others in the conference room.

"After discussing with the Bulgarians, our current task is to capture Kalamaria. This area is currently defended by the enemy's 14th Division of the Ottoman Army. We need to penetrate their defense lines and seize the coastal forts so that the fleet can prepare for the next Provide fire support in the battle to seize the city."

After explaining the purpose of this operation, Lieutenant General Grovey immediately assigned tasks. "Major General Banks, your 1st Marine Division flanks us and is responsible for blocking enemy reinforcements. I have already discussed with Major General Uzunov, commander of the Bulgarian Third Army, before we launch an attack on Kalamaria. At that time, the Bulgarians will also launch an attack on Salonica to contain the enemy."

Facing Lieutenant General Growe's words, the tall Major General Banks immediately answered. "As you command, General."

Major General Banks's obedience to orders also involves his background. He was originally from the Guards. When faced with the orders of Lieutenant General Grovey of the Guards, he naturally had no choice but to obey.

In fact, it wasn't just him, Major General Roy of the Second Marine Division, who was still on the mission to wipe out the defeated army in Crete, was also from the Guards.

Officially, therefore, only Lieutenant General Grovey is the most suitable candidate to serve as the commander of the landing force. As for the army generals, they are not suitable for this position at all.

After Major General Banks answered, Lieutenant General Grovey continued to issue the mission. "Colonel Lores, your brigade will launch a diversionary attack against the defenders from the northeast. The main offensive task will be completed by the Guards. The attack launch time is scheduled for May 7, two days later. Everyone, go and prepare."

With these words of Lieutenant General Grovey, the meeting was declared over.

Several division and brigade commanders also stood up immediately, preparing to go back and arrange their own combat missions. As for Lieutenant General Growe, he is also very busy. In addition to paying attention to the overall combat plan, he also needs to pay attention to the affairs of the Guards. Although his deputy, Major General Pulev, was watching, he still needed some attention. After all, this was the Guards.

As the time for the battle approaches, all troops have stepped up preparations, collecting guns, ammunition, artillery and other materials. At present, the only temporary port that the army has converted from those two fishing ports has been urged by them to operate 24 hours a day. It was very exhausting and a group of logistics soldiers were paralyzed.

Of course, their exhaustion also allowed the landing force to obtain the last supplies before the war, more than a thousand rifles, 800,000 rounds of ammunition, 11 artillery pieces (including a heavy artillery piece), more than 3,000 rounds of artillery shells, 310,000 grenades and other supplies. Become the results they deliver to the frontline troops.

Are you wondering why there are so many grenades?

This is all experience accumulated from previous battles.

When they landed on Crete, the Marines and Guards discovered that grenades were very useful in street fighting, far exceeding the effectiveness of guns, so this time all ministries strongly requested to add more grenades.

In fact, they are not the only ones. The Army on the other side of the Balkan Peninsula also praises grenades. Therefore, Italy's domestic arsenals are currently working overtime to produce grenades to meet the needs of frontline soldiers.

As for the Bulgarian Third Army on the other side of Salonica, they are also making various preparations. Replenishing ammunition, reorganizing damaged troops, etc. were equally busy.

As the defenders of Salonica, the Ottoman army was certainly no exception. The enemies outside the city were making unscrupulous preparations. They were not blind, so they were equally busy building fortifications, barricades, and vitality points.

After two busy days like this, a new day arrived, and the war was about to break out.

The Italian artillery deployed outside the city of Calamaria took the lead in firing the first shot in the offensive and defensive battle of Saloniga.

"Fire!"

Following the commander's order on the artillery position, the cannon, the king of war, immediately burst out with sufficient power. Hundreds of artillery pieces were placed in 12 positions, firing artillery shells at the city of Kalamaria. These artillerymen fired artillery shells at the fastest speed, basically reaching a rate of fire of 3-4 rounds per minute. The highest artillery group reached a rate of fire of 4.8 rounds.

These shells lived up to their expectations and fell one after another on the buildings in the city and on the defenders' positions. The violent and continuous explosions covered many places in the city with smoke and dust, which could not dissipate for a long time.

Of course, when faced with enemy artillery fire, the defenders would not be polite, and counterattack artillery fire soon came. Although the defenders did not have as many artillery pieces as the attacking Italian army, they did have a powerful weapon. The 254mm coastal defense heavy artillery, with its ultra-long range and huge power, became the core of the defenders' artillery counterattack.

"Boom~"

A deafening explosion sounded next to an artillery position, and the officers and soldiers on the position were shaken by the loud explosion. Even the horses tied aside for transportation became restless, and these animals accustomed to artillery fire were also alarmed.

The experienced commander immediately changed his color. "It's heavy artillery. Quick, move the position quickly."

Following his order, the officers and soldiers who were suppressed by the heavy artillery immediately hurriedly brought their horses over, mounted the artillery and fled quickly. No one wanted to stay and test the power of the heavy artillery.

In the well-hidden headquarters on the side, Lieutenant General Grovey couldn't help but shook his head when he saw such a scene. It was not that he had any objection to the transfer of artillery, but he did not expect that the enemy's artillery fire would be so accurate, so it seemed that this battle would be difficult to fight.

"Boom~"

Suddenly, a violent explosion sounded from a mountain col. Lieutenant General Grovey glanced at it. He knew clearly that this was originally an artillery position, but now it seemed to be in danger.

"After ordering the artillery to fire at most a base number of ammunition at each position, it must be moved immediately."

Although this will greatly reduce the sustainability of the artillery, it is important to preserve the artillery, so this is the only way. Moreover, small and medium-sized artillery with a diameter of less than 100 mm is currently being used. Medium and large-caliber artillery cannot participate in this artillery battle due to insufficient mobility in order to avoid unnecessary losses.

After a whole morning of intermittent bombardment, Lieutenant General Grovey felt that he was almost done. On the one hand, the shelling effect was not good, and on the other hand, he did not have enough shells. So at one o'clock in the afternoon, he picked up the phone. "Now I order all ministries to start attacking in accordance with their previous combat missions."

Following his order, the officers and soldiers of the Guards and the 1st Marine Brigade immediately jumped out of the trenches and attacked the city of Kalamaria.

The brutal siege now begins.