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 Grovey 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 step.
Provide fire support for 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 also responsible for blocking enemy reinforcements. I have already communicated with the Bulgarian Third Army Command
Major General Uzunov has agreed that when we launch an attack on Kalamariya, the Bulgarians will also launch an attack on Saloniga to contain the enemy."
Faced with Lieutenant General Grovey's words, the tall Major General Banks immediately replied, "Yes, 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, not only him, but Major General Roy of the Second Marine Division, who was also 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 set at
It’s May 7th, two days later. Let’s get ready.”
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 Grovey, he was also very busy. In addition to paying attention to the overall combat plan, he also had 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 the troops have stepped up their preparations, collecting guns, ammunition, artillery and other materials. At present, the only two fishing ports that the army has converted into temporary ports? They are urging them.
It became a 24-hour operation. It was very tiring and paralyzed a group of logistics soldiers.
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 transport to the frontline troops.
Does it feel strange? Why are there so many grenades?
This is all the experience accumulated in 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 the 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, the arsenal in Italy is 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? It is also doing various preparations. Replenishing ammunition, reorganizing damaged troops, etc., is also very busy.
As the defenders of Salonica, the Ottoman army is of course no exception. The enemies outside the city are making unscrupulous preparations. Are they not blind? So they are equally busy building fortifications, building barricades, and building vitality points.
After two busy days like this, a new day has arrived? The war is about to break out.
The Italian artillery deployed outside 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 artillery, as the king of war, immediately burst out with sufficient power. Hundreds of artillery were placed in 12 positions, and they fired artillery shells towards the city of Kalamaria. These artillerymen
Fire the shells at the fastest speed? Can it basically reach a rate of fire of 3-4 rounds per minute? The highest gun group has 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 the defenders' positions. The violent and continuous explosions covered many places in the city with smoke and dust, which could not be dispersed for a long time.
Of course, when facing enemy bombardment, the defenders would not be polite, and the 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, a 254 mm shore 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. The officers and soldiers on the position were shaken by the loud explosion. Even the horses tied to the side for transportation became restless. These animals that are accustomed to artillery fire also
Was alarmed.
The experienced commander immediately changed his color. "It's heavy artillery. Quickly, move the position quickly."
Following his order, the officers and soldiers who were restrained 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 at a high place on the side, Lieutenant General Grovey couldn't help but shook his head when he saw such a scene. It wasn't that he had any objections to the transfer of artillery, but he didn't expect that the enemy's artillery fire would be so accurate.
It seems that this battle is difficult to win.
"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 looked more threatening.
"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 method can only be used. And currently, small and medium-sized artillery under 100 mm are used for firing. Due to insufficient mobility of medium and large calibers, in order to avoid unnecessary damage
losses, so we can’t participate in this artillery battle yet.
After such intermittent bombardment for a morning, Lieutenant General Growe felt that he was almost done. On the one hand, the bombardment effect was not good, and on the other hand, he did not have enough artillery 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.
