The battle around the town of Le Chella lasted for two days between Italy and France. During these three days, the French 39th Division, with its inferior strength and equipment, resisted the 9th Army's offensive with huge casualties.
.
Finally, under the fierce attack of the 9th Army, the French army's defense line in the town of Le Chelle was finally broken through. Now one of the biggest targets of the Northern Army Group in this operation, Grenoble, has appeared in front of them.
However, it is not easy to capture Grenoble, because in the past few days, the troops sent by the French army to Savoy have arrived one after another. As for the most important Grenoble, this reinforcement
In the key city, the French 27th, 49th and 67th divisions have already arrived in the city.
Now they are building fortifications around Grenoble and are waiting for the Italian attack.
The main force of the Northern Army Group, which had just captured the town of Lesieur, did not immediately launch an attack on Grenoble. Because the ammunition consumption in the previous battle in the town of Lesiere was quite large, it needed to replenish ammunition before it could attack Grenoble.
Bull attacks.
Although the main force of Army Group North temporarily stopped its attack on Grenoble, the Eighteenth Army, which was responsible for capturing Annecy, had already launched an offensive.
"Boom boom boom..."
The fierce bombardment enveloped Annecy, from 75, 105, and 150 mm artillery shells, so that the houses in Annecy, which were mainly brick structures, could not withstand the bombardment. A large number of hit houses had been reduced to ruins, and the French army defending the area could only
Hide yourself in the rubble to prevent yourself from being discovered and attracting greater bombardment.
However, how could the shelling not cause casualties? This 150mm artillery shell accurately hit a carefully constructed bunker. Not to mention the defenders inside the bunker, French soldiers outside the bunker were also injured by the shock wave.
Bricks and wood chips were swept away, and a Shura scene appeared in front of the surviving soldiers.
Hikaru did not feel how miserable the French defenders were. For him, he wished that all the French officers and soldiers were wiped out by artillery, which at least would avoid putting his and his men's lives in danger.
Of course, he knew that this was impossible. No matter how fierce the bombardment was, there would still be remaining defenders, and their mission was to clear out these remaining defenders.
Of course, Hikaru hoped that the bombardment would last longer, especially for the many buildings in front of him. It would be best if the shells could clear them all. Perhaps his wish was not heard by God, so the bombardment gradually stopped after a while.
"attack."
Following the words of the leading officer, Hikaru led his platoon out of the starting position and rushed toward the street that had turned into ruins.
"Bah, bah, bah..."
When the Italian army launched an attack, the defending French soldiers opened fire on them. The crisp sound of Lebel's rifles rang out on the battlefield, causing many charging Italian soldiers to fall to the ground.
The charging Italian soldiers were running and firing back, but everyone knew that accuracy was poor at this time, and they had to rely on chance to hit their opponents.
"Fire and cover."
After running behind a half-man-high stone wall, Hikaru immediately ordered the soldiers to provide fire cover.
Following his orders, an organized counterattack began.
The exposed French soldiers were hit by them one after another, which greatly reduced the firepower of the defending French army.
The defenders' firepower was reduced, allowing more Italian soldiers to approach the enemy. Of course, in addition, supporting firepower also came.
"Boom~boom"
The sharp sound of mortar shells boosted the morale of Italian officers and soldiers. Although this direct-fire artillery cannot be aimed directly, it can follow the soldiers' footsteps to launch supporting artillery strikes, which is of great help to them.
Not to mention that its rate of fire was fast. Although its accuracy was poor, the dense fire coverage made the defending French army somewhat careless about one thing and the other. While the defenders were suppressed, the Italian officers and soldiers also took the opportunity to pounce.
"The enemy is coming."
A defending French soldier saw the approaching Italian soldiers and immediately shouted nervously.
“Bah, bah, bah~~”
As he shouted, the defending French soldiers immediately raised their guns and fired continuously at the charging Italian troops, regardless of the shells above their heads.
The French army's firing caused the Italian officers and soldiers to suffer a lot of casualties, but at this time they all understood that there was no way out. Any hesitation or retreat would cost them their lives. The only way to survive was to rush into the position and fight with the French army.
entangled together.
So with the support of this spirit, the Italian officers and soldiers rushed forward despite their casualties, and soon rushed to the French position.
"Grenade!"
The two sides threw their grenades at each other in unison, and then there was an explosion, and many soldiers from both sides fell.
At this time, the explosion of the grenade covered the front of the position with thick smoke, and an Italian soldier rushed into the battlefield and fought with the remaining French soldiers.
Hikaru took the lead and rushed into the position first.
"kill!"
He raised his bayonet rifle and took a lunge, stabbing the French soldiers in front of him who had not yet reacted. Then he raised his rifle and knocked down the defenders who wanted to attack him. He used too much force and threw away the rifle in his hand.
.At this time, several French soldiers who spotted him roared towards him with rifles equipped with bayonets.
Faced with this tense situation, Hikaru did not panic at all. He took out the Browning pistol he purchased and opened fire.
"Pah, pah, pah..."
Several consecutive gunshots caused these French soldiers to fall down, with unwillingness in their eyes.
At this time, other Italian officers and soldiers also rushed into the position, which made Hikaru breath a sigh of relief, because his pistol was out of bullets.
Picking up a rifle on the ground, Hikaru led the soldiers and continued to charge forward. They wanted to widen the gap and squeeze the French army's space.
The Italian army led by Hikaru was just an inconspicuous force on the battlefield. Throughout the city of Annecy, there were Italian officers and soldiers attacking everywhere, and they were engaged in fierce battles with the French officers and soldiers defending the city.
Although the French officers and soldiers have the advantage of defense, the Italian army has the advantage of firepower. With the artillery, machine guns, mortars and other weapons outside the city, the Italian army is constantly encroaching on the French army's positions.
Facing the encroachment of the Italian army, the defensive French army was of course unwilling. Its commander, Major General Sawyer, organized two counterattacks in an attempt to prevent the Italian army from encroaching. However, the effect of the two counterattacks was not good, and the French army broke away from the protection of the position.
The French army did not have as much supporting firepower as the Italian army, so the result can be imagined. Both counterattacks ended in disastrous defeat.
At this time, the French army that was holding on could only continue to hold on and ask for reinforcements. Unfortunately, Annecy is located in the northern part of the Savoy Mountains. If you want reinforcements, you must pass through a small town called Aix-les-Bains.
Cosenz personally led his 57th Division to defend this place.
The two divisions reinforced by the French army did not have much to do against the defense of the 57th Division. The two sides fought back and forth around Aix-les-Bains. I don’t know how long it will take for the reinforcements to pass through.
Went, at least according to the current situation, it is impossible.
Lacking reinforcements and being oppressed step by step, life for the defenders in Annecy became increasingly difficult.
When the main force of Army Group North was ready to attack the city of Grenoble, the defenders of Annecy finally collapsed. Under the leadership of their commander, Major General Sawyer, they fled westward.
The capture of the city of Annecy also meant that the 18th Army had completed its mission. Next, they only needed to divide their forces and clean up the surrounding towns.
In addition, after learning that Annecy had fallen, the two French reinforcements lost their motivation to attack. After a sudden counterattack by Cosenz, the two divisions retreated to Bellet in the Rhone Valley to defend themselves. It was obvious.
After being unable to prevent the Italian army from occupying Annecy, preventing them from rushing out of the mountains became the first priority.
However, just when the Italian army wanted to cause chaos in the Savoy region, good news came from the north. The German army had crossed the Marne River and was advancing towards Paris.
