Chapter 519: Chapter 519: An Easy Battle
The bombardment lasted for an entire week, with a total of 1.738 million shells being poured onto the German positions over 7 days, averaging nearly 250,000 per day.
This was one of the most intense bombardments in history, surpassing even the German artillery’s concentration of 2000 cannons at Verdun.
The British and French Alliance made ample preparations for this bombardment:
A large quantity of ammunition and various materials were continuously transported to the front lines, stored in underground warehouses at each artillery position.
In addition to building roads and railways, they also reinforced the roads comprehensively.
Then they constructed dozens of miles of shallow trenches for laying telephone lines and deep communication trenches.
Most importantly, they built trenches for the gathering and attacking of troops.
(Note: These assault trenches were mainly constructed for the cavalry, who could gather in these trenches, with slopes every few sections for rapid charges, allowing the cavalry to ascend quickly and charge the enemy.)
However, the British and French Alliance only saw their own preparations and showed no interest in gathering intelligence on the German positions.
...
The Germans noticed the Allies’ actions at the River Somme early on.
As Shire said, constructing numerous roads and railways leading to the River Somme clearly signaled their strategic intentions to the enemy.
Therefore, the Germans spared no effort in reinforcing their defensive works, meticulously building a network of underground tunnels in solid chalk soil, some reaching as deep as 12 meters below ground.
These tunnels were fully equipped with facilities like kitchens, laundries, and aid stations, and had vast ammunition reserves.
They even installed diesel generators to provide electricity, enabling electric lighting within the tunnels.
Most importantly, the Germans built forward and concealed positions.
During enemy bombardments, they would retreat through communication trenches to hidden positions, leaving only a few observers behind.
When the enemy advanced, they would return from the hidden positions to the front lines to retaliate.
Haig and Nivelle were completely unaware of this; they only saw their strengths and failed to realize that their shells had mostly been hitting almost deserted front positions.
Most of the 1.7 million shells were in fact wasted efforts.
...
On the first day of December, the bombardment finally stopped.
The rising sun shone on the battlefield as the smoke cleared, casting an eerie silence over the German positions after a week of shelling.
This greatly excited the British and French Alliance.
For the past seven days, they had felt the echoing blasts and vibrations of their artillery on the enemy positions even in their sleep.
Although noisy, it reassured them.
Every shell that exploded on the enemy positions meant a potential reduction in their own danger.
In the cavalry assault trenches, the 12th Cavalry Regiment was making final preparations for the charge.
"My ears are almost deafened; they are still ringing!" Colonel Albert consoled his tense, pale-faced subordinates as he calmed his horse: "Guess what state the Germans are in?"
Without waiting for a response, Colonel Albert answered his own question: "I only worry they won’t hear my shout."
Then he started a double act:
"Hey, drop your rifles and surrender!"
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"Bang bang, now they definitely can’t hear you!"
The subordinates laughed at Colonel Albert’s performance, easing the tense atmosphere considerably.
"Relax, lads!" concluded Albert: "Look at the German positions; it’s impossible anyone survived. This will be an easy fight. We are fortunate, not needing much effort to earn a medal!"
"Yes, Colonel," the subordinates agreed.
They believed this because the evidence was right in front of them: the land opposite had been ploughed thoroughly, full of craters like a cluster of lunar craters, forming a bizarre landscape.
The order came: "Prepare for battle!"
"Prepare for battle!"
...
Colonel Albert gave the order: "Mount up!"
The cavalrymen mounted their horses, checking their equipment, loading their carbines, and soothing their mounts.
"Attention," reiterated Colonel Albert: "Infantry goes first, and we follow after they break through!"
"Yes, Colonel."
Time seemed to stand still, with the cold wind whistling over the trenches, bringing waves of smoke.
Suddenly, sharp whistles blew, and countless British soldiers climbed out of the trenches, shouting, with their steel helmets and khaki uniforms, rifles in hand, swarming like ants toward the no-man’s-land between the enemy and themselves.
(Above image: British soldiers and equipment during the Battle of the River Somme)
They sprinted forward, aiming to reach the German lines a few hundred meters away in a few minutes, expecting to occupy the lines and lay planks for the cavalry to pass through.
Albert continued shouting to his subordinates in the trenches:
"Hold steady!"
"Ho...ld...steady!"
"Stay calm, focus!"
...
Suddenly, the rattling of machine gun fire startled everyone, even causing the horses to neigh in fright.
Colonel Albert’s face changed. What was going on?
Weren’t there supposed to be no enemies left?
Why was there such intense gunfire, and heavy machine guns?
However, Colonel Albert did not panic. He quickly found an excuse to calm his men: "It’s our heavy machine guns!"
The subordinates were half-convinced. They clearly heard the machine gun fire coming from the enemy’s direction, with bullets whistling overhead, along with the screams and wails of British soldiers.
The unit became restless, with some cavalry peeking out to see what was happening.
Unable to suppress the tension, the whistle for the cavalry charge sounded.
Colonel Albert’s eyes showed a hint of fear; this wasn’t as planned. It shouldn’t be time for the cavalry attack yet.
The only explanation was: the infantry had failed to capture the enemy trenches, and the higher-ups hoped the cavalry’s mobility could turn the tide.
This meant it would be a bloody battle, not the "easy victory" they had believed.
Without further thought, Colonel Albert shouted: "Charge!"
Then quickly added: "Cross the enemy trenches, remember, cross the enemy trenches!"
The eager cavalrymen spurred their horses and charged out.
Saber blades were drawn with a "swish"; veterans knew that at full gallop, sabers were more useful than carbines in close combat.
However, the first wave of cavalry had just charged out when they were blown back as if by a hurricane, engulfed in a hail of bullets, leaving a trail of blood and gore...