Greece’s Roman Road - Chapter 229
After December 29, for three consecutive days, under the orders of Constantine, the 4th Division attacked in full force under the command of Major General Papademos, the commander of the 4th Division, after shelling every day.
In fact, if a person who does not know the truth sees the fierce attack of the Greeks on the front line of Thessaloniki in front of the Barjani Fortress, he will never doubt that the Greeks will attack here and gain the determination to break through the defense line from here.
Macedonian Legion Command
Papadimos, the commander of the 4th Division, was exhausted and said in a pleading tone: “Your Majesty, our 4th Division has attacked the defense line of the Bajani fortress for three consecutive days. Many people, I think as a feint, this kind of action is enough.”
Constantine on the table and chair, looked up and saw this general again, and couldn’t help but have a headache.
Three days since the start of the attack, Papademos has come here every day, and he even does the same thing. First, he complains that the attacking troops have suffered too many casualties, and then he thinks that it is enough, or he asks for the troops to rest. license.
Constantine said hesitantly: “Do you think it’s really possible? Will the enemy still have doubts?”
“If I were the commander of the enemy’s army, Essat Pasha, I would definitely think that the fortress of Bajani was the target of the Greek army’s attack, which has been going on for three days. 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 attack is a disgraceful retreat. The officers under my command have been admonishing me since yesterday. There will also be a huge price to pay.”
The Macedonian Legion’s plan to attack Thessaloniki was a highly classified military secret. In fact, except for the senior officers who numbered no more than a dozen people, no one knew the entire plan at all.
His fingers kept beating on the table, and after hesitating, Constantine said: “So, Commander Papadimos, tomorrow you will still be like the three days before, and attack after the artillery bombardment.”
Hearing this, Papademos’ face was full of embarrassment and resistance, and he opened his mouth to argue with Constantine, but thinking that this was a fierce time of war, the commander gave an order, there was no room for bargaining, and he pressed it again. thought.
“However, tomorrow your fourth division’s feint at the Bajani fortress will be over. That’s enough.” Constantine didn’t embarrass the division commander.
After sending Papademos away, Constantine thought about it, but he still felt that this tactic of attacking the west was risky and could not be guaranteed.
“Colonel Hammett” Constantine called to Colonel Hammett at the small desk beside him.
“You go to the preparations immediately, let the security team come together, let’s go to the airport to see”
A group of more than a dozen people, led by Constantine, rode their horses toward the west of the headquarters.
In an open space about five or six hundred meters away from the headquarters, the artificially built flat khaki road is clearly visible, surrounded by large areas of withered yellow grass.
Beside the runway, under the big tents built with canvas wood and ropes, there were several gray biplanes parked.
A few people under the tent seemed to be maintaining the plane. Seeing the movements of Constantine and his group, a captain led by him stepped forward and gave a respectful military salute: “Commander, the captain of the special flight team, Edmund. Captain salutes you”
Constantine waved his hand to signal him to relax, then pointed to the plane and said, “Captain, I need your flight team to perform an important task tomorrow.”
The six biplanes are the Falmain fm7 biplanes purchased from France.
When the Italian-Turkish war was going on in the working year, the Italians took the lead in using the aircraft as a new weapon in Libya.
This caught the attention of the Greek Army.
In previous months, the Greek government had sent six pilots to France for training and received six biplanes.
After completing their training, they were just in time for 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 is indeed possible to send Put them in the back of the front line when it comes in handy.
“But Your Excellency Commander, our flight team has a mission these days, and those artillerymen need us to provide school firing data,” Captain Edmund said truthfully.
“The task I’m talking about is much more important than serving the artillery. I need your flight team to conduct a detailed reconnaissance tomorrow when the Macedonian Army attacks the Ottoman positions. You should pay attention to the general distribution of the Ottoman army on the defense line.” Constantine said solemnly.
Although there were some doubts, Captain Edmund nodded in agreement.
After arranging the flight team, Constantine immediately asked the communication room to send a telegram to the second division, which was in charge of the side detour, and asked them to wait for the news. Pay attention to the vigilance in the next two days. The command may send the second division at any time Implement the real offensive plan of the Macedonian Legion.
・・・・・
Northwest of the Ottoman line, the second division was stationed on standby.
“When fighting, rush out as soon as you see the signal~www.mtlnovel.com~ and then spread out immediately, with a distance of 6-8 steps, don’t gather together and become a conspicuous target” Behind the grass, the Greek trenches are also carrying out Mobilization: “Lower your head, follow your non-commissioned officers, move fast, the faster you rush into the enemy’s trenches, the safer you will be.” The officers of the 2nd Division walked back and forth, and at the last moment before the attack, repeatedly explained to their soldiers on the battlefield. The precautions above, I hope that after this battle, a few more people can survive.
“You guys, you should be thankful.” Sergeant Herbert said to a squad of soldiers around him: “The big men above didn’t let us capture that fortress. Yesterday, it was bombarded for more than 9 hours. , I heard that there is nothing wrong with the fortress. The Ottoman position opposite us is a temporary construction, and it is estimated that there are not many people alive after being bombarded for several hours. Our attack will be an easy job. “
“This is a real war, not an exercise, sergeant.” The private on the side muttered.
“Maybe it will be easier than the exercise.” Herbert curled his lips: “The company commander said that there are not many artillery and machine guns on the Ottoman positions, and we have been shelling for so long and have not seen any counterattacks from them. Even if the Ottomans had hidden them to surprise us when we attacked, the planes would have spotted them as soon as they opened fire, and someone would have given them a little color.”
“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 in the exercise. The people we encountered in the exercise are more ruthless than the Ottomans, so don’t worry, just follow the time of the exercise. Do what you have to do, and as long as you are not too lucky, you can survive.”
Herbert looked at the nervous and immature faces around him and comforted everyone.