The vanguard force attacking Constantinople was the 2nd Cavalry Division, which had just arrived on the Mediterranean battlefield.
When it comes to street fighting, there may be no army in this era that is better than the mercenaries of the Umbrella Company. After sending the Anzac Corps to the Western Front, most of the troops in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force were replaced by soldiers from southern Africa. The 2nd Cavalry Division is absolutely the best.
Ace, the troops that have just joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force also include the 11th Division, the 12th Division, the 23rd Division, plus the 13th Division and the 19th Division that were previously in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force's order of battle. The Mediterranean Expeditionary Force has become the most powerful of the Allied Powers.
of troops.
In addition to the army in southern Africa, the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force also includes five divisions sent by the Kingdom of Italy, the British 35th Division, the 29th Division that was previously in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and two divisions from France.
and two divisions from East India and one division from the Sultanate of Najd, with a total strength of over 300,000 men.
Before the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force launched an attack on Constantinople, the Mediterranean Fleet blocked the Bosporus Strait, cutting off the connection between Constantinople and the Asia Minor Peninsula, making Constantinople unable to be reached through the Asia Minor Peninsula
With personnel and material supplies, the Constantinople garrison had been depleted in the previous stage, and its total strength was less than 50,000. It was like a balloon that was about to be blown. Just prick it with a needle, and the entire army would be destroyed.
The line of defense will collapse.
Unlike the British Expeditionary Force, which lacks artillery shells, the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force does not lack artillery shells. The 23rd Division is an artillery unit that has just arrived in the Mediterranean. Like the two French artillery units, it is equipped with 36 150 mm caliber howitzers and 72 120 mm caliber howitzers.
mm howitzers. These artillery bombarded Constantinople for six hours before the 2nd Cavalry Division launched its attack.
As far as the artillery shell reserves of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force are concerned, even if another six hours of fire strikes are carried out, the artillery shells will not be used up.
But it was not necessary. After six hours of firepower, there were no complete buildings within the sight of the attacking troops. The reconnaissance plane conducted a reconnaissance of Constantinople and found that half of the city of Constantinople had been destroyed by artillery fire.
, it is meaningless to continue the bombardment, and ground troops must be deployed to complete the occupation of Constantinople.
The offensive forward of the 2nd Cavalry Division is still the infamous "Muscat Pirates". In "Operation Horn of Victory", the Muscat Pirates fought from Ypres to Brussels and were attacked by King George V.
If it were not for the fact that the name of the Muscat Pirates was not so pleasant, maybe the King of England would have given the Muscat Pirates the additional honor of adding "Royal" to their name.
Although the British Army is not the Royal Army, individual units that have performed well can have "Royal" in their names, such as the "Royal Lancers" who fought alongside Rock during the Boer War.
Coming to the Mediterranean from France, Hank is still the company commander, but his military rank has been promoted to lieutenant. His partner Oscar is more unlucky and died during the German counterattack in the Spring Offensive. His current partner is Second Lieutenant Hood, who was also from the Umbrella Company.
Hood is a senior Chinese veteran who participated in a series of military operations after the establishment of the Umbrella Company. As soon as the 2nd Cavalry Division arrived in France, Hood was wounded in a battle and has just returned from his injuries.
When the artillery launched a fire attack on Constantinople, Hood had a complicated expression at the starting position.
"If we had artillery to cooperate at that time, we wouldn't have suffered heavy losses." Hood felt sad. There was no artillery when the Second Cavalry Division was first established.
"That's right, I also hope to have armored vehicles and tanks, but it's a pity that the gentlemen in the military department don't pay for it -" Hank was already pessimistic about life and death. As the war has progressed so far, everyone has lost a few close friends. This is inevitable.
of.
Roque has accumulated more than a thousand tanks in southern Africa, but the British and French forces have no intention of purchasing them yet.
But Rock was not in a hurry. Winston had been appointed Minister of Munitions, with more power than the Lord of the Admiralty. Kitchener had always hoped that Rock would transfer the Northern Rhodesian Division or the 1st Cavalry Division, the ace force in southern Africa.
It would definitely not work if Europe entered the war but did not want to pay for the equipment of the Northern Rhodesian Division and the 1st Cavalry Division.
Both the Northern Rhodesian Division and the 1st Cavalry Division have a brigade adapted into armored units. Each brigade has 162 "Ranger" light tanks. The larger "Light Cavalry" medium tank has been successfully developed, but it is not available yet.
Compared with the low-cost light infantry, the cost of mechanized troops was too high, and Winston had not yet made up his mind.
The funds to build a dreadnought can be used to build ten light infantry divisions, but they can only be used to build one mechanized division. With the development of weapons, the army can spend more and more money. Even wealthy people like the British Empire can't.
Can't stand it.
In the second year of the world war, the British allocated 97 million pounds to the navy this year, compared with only 58 million pounds last year.
"Yes, at least we have enough grenades now." Hood adjusted his mood. No matter how elite the light infantry is, they are still cannon fodder. More grenades can at best make the cannon fodder more effective.
In order to deal with the Ottoman soldiers lurking in every corner of Constantinople, the 2nd Cavalry Division obtained enough grenades before departure. The grenade boxes in the supply base behind the departure position were piled as high as a hill, allowing the soldiers to take them at will.
, the tactical vest on Hood was filled with more than twenty grenades.
In addition to grenades, Hood also carried a rifle and a pistol. Although in an indoor environment, the length of the short barrel Lee Enfield with a bayonet attached was still more than 1.3 meters, the rifle was still standard equipment.
Under normal circumstances, the average infantry load exceeds 70 pounds. Taking the British army as an example, soldiers must carry a ten-pound rifle, at least 150 rounds of ammunition, grenades, water bottles, spare clothes, blankets, engineer shovels and other supplies, in addition to these
In addition to stuff, soldiers may also carry a portable kerosene gas stove, a toolbox containing cups, cutlery, underwear, razors, toothpaste, books, and medical supplies.
Before the outbreak of the world war, Southern Africa optimized the items carried by soldiers. Basic rifle bullets were indispensable, and food and medicines had unified specifications. Soldiers in Southern Africa did not carry so many bullets, and generally carried about a hundred rounds.
But more grenades were added, and the load capacity was only a little more than 70 pounds.
Of course, soldiers will not carry so many things when attacking. Apart from the necessary bullets, grenades, food, kettles, engineers, shovels, and medical kits, there are very few other things. Even so, almost every soldier still carries a loose bag.
The backpack doesn’t look full at all, but the use of the remaining space is self-evident.
"Be smart and bend down as much as possible when advancing. Being tall will not be praised at this time. If you are resisted, don't rush to attack. Call your comrades for help first. Remember how to attack the bunker. Throw the grenade in first.
Then call in the flamethrower, the same goes for attacking houses, remember to use grenades to clear the way, use all the weapons you carry wisely, do everything possible to kill your enemies, trust your comrades, anyone who can pick up a weapon can kill you
——" Hank gave a final reminder, these are lessons learned in exchange for blood and life.
When they first arrived in Europe, the mercenaries of the Umbrella Company were relatively civilized. Although old Europe was declining, no matter what, Europe was also the home of colonial countries, and the mercenaries of the Umbrella Company were inevitably constrained when fighting.
When fighting in Belgium, there was an accident in which local people protected German soldiers, causing casualties to the officers and soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Division.
This is normal, there are guide parties everywhere, but it is still very rare to lead people for this purpose.
Afterwards, the Second Cavalry Division learned a lesson not to miss any house. Especially when fighting in cities, they must check room by room to ensure that no enemy is missed.
If civilians are encountered during this process, accidental injury will naturally be inevitable.
Of course, the murderer who caused the accidental injury will definitely not be found. In Belgium, the British and French forces accused the German army of killing innocent people indiscriminately and causing a large number of civilian casualties.
The German army in turn accused the British and French forces of disregarding human life, claiming that all casualties on civilians were caused by the British and French forces.
The final result is definitely who wins, and all the blame belongs to the losing party.
On the Garibaldi Peninsula, all civilian casualties during the war were caused by the Fifth Army and the Second Army of the Ottoman Empire. The Middle Sea Expeditionary Force was the peace envoy to safeguard justice.
The artillery bombardment started at six o'clock in the morning. At 11 o'clock at noon, the troops preparing for the attack gathered at the starting position and had a collective meal. At 12 o'clock, the attack officially began.
When the bombardment ended, the offensive troops had already set off early and reached the edge of Constantinople.
After the bombardment stopped, countless officers and soldiers in iron-gray uniforms rushed towards Constantinople like mercury pouring from the ground. The few defenders who were lucky enough to survive the bombardment could not cause trouble to the attacking troops at all. The defenders who dared to shoot to resist quickly
Incurring attacks from grenades and flamethrowers, mercenaries have never had such luxury before. In the past, the weapons and ammunition they used were purchased by themselves. Now all supplies are paid for by the Allies. Grenades are thrown around as if they are free. The combat efficiency is not
Normally high.
The large-caliber heavy artillery dealt a huge blow to the defenders. Many houses have been turned into ruins. Some soldiers and civilians were walking aimlessly through the ruins as if they were lost. Their spirits were greatly traumatized and they may never recover.
The Muscat Pirate Regiment is progressing very quickly. The officers and soldiers have been baptized by the French station and the Belgian battlefield, and they are already experienced veterans. Their small team is very skilled in cooperation, and the soldiers have a tacit understanding among themselves, and they quickly broke into