My Italy - Chapter 676 Battle of Nice (3)

General Ebert, the commander of the French Sixth Army, paid great attention to the Italian army’s attack on the Nice area.

The newly appointed General Ebbett had previously served as a commander in the colonies and later became the deputy commander of the 3rd Army with the outbreak of war. He was appointed as the new commander after the commander of Sixth Army, General Decathrino, was transferred to reserve due to the loss of the Savoy area.

After he took office, he spent a month to find out the situation of each army and division. After figuring out the situation, General Ebbett started his own defense plan. First, he transferred three divisions of troops that performed well in combat as his own reserves. Then he built various roads leading to Italy. Additional fortifications.

In his words, it is to ensure that every piece of land in Nice is defended. To do this, he would split up the militia and a division of troops. After mixing them, more than a hundred battalions were formed and then deployed at strategic locations on various bridges. It was obvious that his intention was to use these troops to delay the Italians and buy himself more time.

In addition, he also ordered that when unable to withstand the enemy’s offensive, every last retreating unit should destroy key road facilities such as bridges, docks, and tunnels.

It is obvious that Admiral Ebbett’s plan is to resist and consume the enemy, and then use the inside advantage to push back the enemy.

It can be said that General Ebert has something special and looks more capable than the previous General Deka Siterno. Of course, any battle plan has shortcomings, and Admiral Ebbett’s plan was no different.

Admiral Ebbett is also aware of the shortcomings in his plan, but under the current circumstances, this method is already the best choice.

The Italian side also knew something about Admiral Ebbett’s plan. After all, how could it be possible to hide such a big change, unless the Italian intelligence department recruited blind people.

However, if you want to crack the opponent’s arrangement, you still need to look at the capabilities of the frontline troops.

At this time, the fighting at Bulo Pass was extremely fierce, and the fighting between the officers and soldiers of the two sides around the North Peak never subsided.

“Quick, get into the trenches.”

A French officer, with a strap hanging from his left hand, waved a pistol with his only good right hand, giving orders to his soldiers.

At this time, the soldiers in the anti-gun cave kept running out, while the officer was counting silently in his heart.

Thirty-five

Thirty-six

thirty-seven

The numbers are correct and consistent with the previous post-battle numbers.

After everyone came out, the officer said loudly. “I just received an order from the regiment headquarters. After our 3rd company defeats this enemy attack, other troops will take over our position, and then we will be withdrawn to Conte for repairs. At least until our company is replenished. Before, there would be no more fighting.”

The officer’s words shocked the hearts of the soldiers on the position. Their company had only been reduced to one-fifth of its full strength before the battle broke out. Such huge casualties were enough to turn their blood cold.

So when they heard the news that they could retreat, everyone was very excited. Although they know that they may not survive this last battle, this is at least everyone’s hope.

At this time, in the battle of the Bro Pass, although the French army had a terrain advantage, the Italian army had advantages in numbers, firepower, etc., which made the French officers and soldiers unable to withstand it. In addition, they faced Italy’s elite 11th Army, which was far superior to the defending French army in terms of technology, tactics and other aspects.

So after several days of fighting, the 11th Army successively conquered the south peak and the west peak. Currently, only the top of the mountain is guarded by the French army. The current French casualties on the top of the mountain have suffered considerable losses after suffering several attacks.

As for why there are so many casualties, no friendly forces have come to take over?

Because the French army’s troops, except for those that cannot move, have all taken turns.

At this time, the attacking officers and soldiers of the 11th Army were rushing towards the top of the mountain in darkness.

“Rifle shot.”

Amid the shouts of the officers, the soldiers opened fire on the attacking Italian army with their Lebel M1886 rifles. Dense and crisp gunshots rang out from the position, and dozens of the attacking Italian soldiers fell.

Some people fell silent and some people just screamed. However, these screams soon attracted medical soldiers wearing Red Cross armbands, and these wounded soldiers immediately received simple treatment.

However, these casualties were not noticed by the attacking officers and soldiers at all, and they continued to attack the enemy positions. As a support weapon following the infantry attack, it is of course impossible to see French officers and soldiers firing at their comrades unscrupulously. So the machine guns and mortars were quickly set up and opened fire on the French positions.

“Da da da……”

“Boom boom boom…”

The firepower of machine guns and mortars overwhelmed the French army. The attacking soldiers took advantage of this opportunity to run faster.

“Machine gun, fire to suppress the enemy.”

Seeing the enemy rushing forward unscrupulously, the officers on the position hurriedly ordered machine guns to suppress the enemy.

After suffering multiple attacks from machine gun mortars, the French officers and soldiers also became smarter. They no longer use machine guns to indicate the opponent’s position from the beginning, but try to use the machine guns at critical times. Even the placement of the machine guns is mainly concealed. After all, the machine guns used by the French army are all heavyweights.

Take the Saint-Etienne M1907 heavy machine gun, which is the most encountered by the Italian army, as an example. It weighs 26 kilograms not including the tripod, which is very detrimental to the transfer of the machine gun. Of course, the current heavy machine guns in various countries are similar, and they are all heavyweights.

Of course, after being hit by new weapons such as light machine guns and mortars from the Allied forces, the French army has lowered its proud head and is stepping up research and development. However, currently, given that two major industrial areas in France are occupied and caught in the flames of war, the development of some equipment relies on allies or is purchased from other countries.

For example, when it comes to light machine guns, the French army purchased the Danish Madsen light machine gun and even bought the patent to produce it themselves. This is unprecedented in history. This shows how much the French army has suffered. It can no longer wait for domestic weapons manufacturers to develop it, and directly purchases the patent and produces it on its own.

On the position side, the firing of machine guns indeed suppressed the attacking Italian troops, but the machine guns that soon opened fire attracted mortar attacks. After the continuous attacks, the sound of machine guns on the position became sparse.

The wave of attack started again, and the attacking Italian officers and soldiers rushed to the position despite their casualties.

At this time, in the sky, an airship was slowly cruising in the sky. Above it, four DF-3 aircraft were hovering, obviously protecting the airship. It can be seen from its posture that there must be someone important in this airship.

That’s right, on the airship, Lieutenant General Caviglia, the commander of the Northern Front and the commander of the 11th Army, was watching the battle in the distance with a pair of high-power binoculars.

“Beifeng is about to be captured.”

At this time, Commander Caviglia turned his gaze from the telescope back to the airship. He looked at the communications staff officer in front of him and said. “Give orders to the airship troops and commandos to make final pre-war preparations.”

After hearing what Lieutenant General Caviglia said, the communications staff officer was shocked and immediately saluted. “As you command, Commander.”