New Staff of S.H.I.E.L.D.

After crossing the line of defense, Wesley first ordered ten divisions to set off, but instead of taking over the line immediately, they began to establish complete second- and third-line positions behind the first-line defensive positions. Although there are fortifications here, but in Wes It looks like it's rubbish.

The American GIs became groundhogs. They diligently began to excavate. All the results of the training were displayed here. After the completion of the defense line, the troops of the ten divisions entered the second-line positions to rest.

On the night of September 20, 1917, the follow-up troops quietly entered the first-line positions, replaced the original British and French soldiers, and then began to rebuild the trenches. A large number of logs were sent to the first-line positions, and a large number of soldiers entered the fortifications. The sappers are constantly transporting logs up.

The next morning, the defensive positions here were quiet, and the German troops began to constantly observe the situation on the opposite side. There was a lot of movement last night. They thought that the enemy was ready to attack, but now it was silent, which made them very uncomfortable. Depressed, nervous mood has been spreading.

Wesley deployed 50 divisions and 10 heavy artillery brigades on the Somme line, and the first line of defense had 10 divisions, although the US division had only 12,500 troops, half less than other countries. There are more children, but automatic weapons and artillery are all stronger than them, especially in defense.

The problem now is that these soldiers are all recruits, and Wesley needs to hone them. The shelling of both sides is the best hone, especially the quality of the front-line officers.

He divided all the troops, each ten divisions was an army group, a total of four army groups were divided, and he kept ten divisions as a reserve force, and each army group of the heavy artillery brigade was divided into two, he left two indivual.

On the front line, Wesley is observing with binoculars. Now he needs to understand the enemy's defense line, but there is nothing new after seeing it. They are all dilapidated trenches during World War I. Many soldiers have stayed here for almost two years. They are physically and mentally exhausted.

Back at the rear headquarters, Wesley directly ordered that six heavy artillery brigades be concentrated to bombard the enemy's front-line positions. The 155mm new howitzer bombarded the local positions directly, while the 120mm new howitzers bombarded the front of the local positions, and the carpet was shelling to destroy the local mine area.

Wesley's defense area is only 20 kilometers of defense line. It's not much, but it's not too much. Six heavy artillery brigades will conduct a week-long artillery bombardment, while the remaining four heavy artillery brigades are ready to defend against enemy artillery counterattacks. Covert frontline closer location.

"Tom" the first artillery opened fire, and then hundreds of heavy artillery fired continuously at the farthest distance. The local positions began to explode continuously. Wesley used carpet shelling, which had relatively high requirements for artillery shooting. The artillery observers in the position continued to send back data, and the artillery began to make adjustments.

The Germans were dazed by the sudden shelling, but they didn't think the other side would attack. This is the norm on the defense line, especially in the spring offensive this year. Britain and France suffered heavy losses. Although the Americans came, would the Americans attack directly? ?

The German artillery started a counterattack, but the effect was not great, but the counterattack was devastating. The 155mm howitzer designed by Wesley had a maximum attack range of 18 kilometers and was deployed at a distance of 16 kilometers from the local position. During the First World War, there were many large-caliber artillery, but the range was a problem.

They could only bombard the first-line positions, and then the four heavy artillery brigades in ambush began to clear them at fixed points. This was too big for the Germans to be caught off guard. The range of the other's artillery was too far.

Wesley observed the effect of the artillery battle and felt very satisfied, "Yes, it will last for a week, let the artillery troops grasp it by themselves, and every time the artillery fire should be extended, and at the same time, constantly change the troops to feel the effect of the artillery bombardment, all the soldiers in a week. All have to adapt to the roar of artillery."

Wesley asked the adjutant to convey the order, and then returned to the back to check the situation of the supplies, because there were not as many troops as in the parallel universe, and now all transports began to ensure ammunition and supplies, directly from the North Sea, and a large number of destroyers and light cruisers began to serve. , so that the sea route is guaranteed.

Now the listening is very rough. For warships equipped with sonar, they are like beacons under the sea, especially the US Navy has sunk more than 20 submarines.

Summoning all commanders again, Wesley deployed the battle plan for a week later, "First Army, attack on the morning of September 27, the Heavy Artillery Brigade will be the first to shell, and the First Army will concentrate three divisions in parallel. Breakthrough operations will be launched at three points, and the follow-up troops will tear open the openings at the points and expand them."

"The 1st Army is responsible for attacking forward. I want speed. You must keep the speed and keep moving forward. You cannot stop without an order." The commander of the 1st Army was an older major general. There are all major generals and brigadier generals here, not even a lieutenant general. It is really rare to see such a strange thing.

"The task of the Second Army, after the breakthrough of the First Army, you are in charge of their right flank, you have to attack like the right flank, but don't attack too deeply, let the Germans understand that their entire western front has been breached, causing their The rear, or send troops to defend."

"The Third Army, follow the First Army, you can't stop if they don't stop. Once the First Army's attack goes on smoothly, then you need to supplement their right flank line of defense. Your two armies can withstand a maximum of 20 kilometers of defense line on the right flank. ."

"The Fourth Army is preparing to deploy a line of defense at a position 30 kilometers behind the local position. The Engineer Brigade will assist the Heavy Artillery Brigade to move forward. The division artillery should take advantage of the convenience of movement, especially the advantages of the small-caliber mortars and 75mm rapid-fire guns on the front line. , using the short-term firepower advantage to keep the enemy unable to counterattack, and can only keep retreating, using automatic weapons to effectively kill the enemy's living forces."

"The Fifth Group Army is the middle reserve, with two heavy artillery brigades with me, ready to support operations at any time. The feature of this battle is that it is fast. All participating countries have a problem, that is, their equipment is cumbersome, whether it is weapons Either the military uniforms are unusually bulky, and that's what we avoid when we build our troops."

"Why do we set up a new army? Our equipment is light and simple, especially the troops below the regiment level, which are light and flexible, and have sufficient firepower. On the battlefield where soldiers are short-handed, we have full advantages. Of course, we also have disadvantages, that is, our soldiers are all They are recruits, so you have to pay attention to this, let the soldiers fight alternately, and fully let them feel the war, especially the front-line commanders, once they are emotionally broken, they will be dismissed on the spot, and a group of soldiers will be promoted on the front line."

"Do you understand?" Wesley took a final glance.

"Yes." War, the stage for soldiers.