The Dosele River originates from the Carpathian Mountains, winds down through Deva and joins the Danube River to the west. This gives Deva a gentle valley topography, and a railway extending from Romania makes Deva also a
It has become an important transportation point. Specialties such as honey, wheat, apples and wine from Transylvania have made this city a prosperous trade city.
The mountains on the north and south sides of the city can provide good advantages for the defenders, but the terrain of the east and west valleys will make them worry more. Generally speaking, Deva has advantages and disadvantages in defense.
The mighty Austro-Hungarian Tenth Army finally arrived on the outskirts of Deva after four days of march. Now General Salamik is on the Colt Mountain in the north of the city, watching the Austro-Hungarian army.
"The Tenth Austro-Hungarian Army has a lot of people coming this time."
Admiral Salamik put down the telescope in his hand and sighed.
The chief of staff who also put down his telescope expressed another concern. "And the intelligence shows that they carry a lot of heavy artillery, many of which are 210 heavy artillery."
"We only have one 150-meter heavy artillery regiment, so this battle will be very difficult."
After finishing speaking, the two of them looked at the brown-red mud wall behind them, with living logs still exposed on the top to build field fortifications. It would be difficult for such fortifications to survive under the heavy Austro-Hungarian artillery, and the two commanders were worried about this.
But all this is a problem of insufficient troops. Five days ago, General Salamik led three divisions to repel three Austro-Hungarian divisions in Sibiu in Petrosani. Then in three days
Faced with the menacing reinforcements from Army Group South, the three Austro-Hungarian divisions that attacked Deva retreated.
However, although the Austro-Hungarian army has retreated, it has caused huge casualties to the defending 1st Guards Division and 19th Division. Among them, the 1st Guards Division has now suffered more than half casualties and suffered serious injuries, while the 19th Division is even worse and can currently continue to fight.
The strength of the troops was only enough to form a brigade. This made General Salamik, who came with the reinforcements, almost spit out blood. Now that he had two disabled divisions in his hands, the next battle was probably going to be even more difficult.
Fortunately, the country has anticipated this situation, and the additional mobilization troops have already been transported to Targuzhiu. After two days of transportation, the establishment of the two divisions was finally filled yesterday. Although the combat effectiveness is very different from before.
The location is different, but who said that the entire army now lacks troops and can only let these mobilization soldiers learn on the battlefield.
In addition, General Salamik also needs to worry about one thing, and that is the relationship with the residents of Deva. Previously, the 1st Guards Division and the 19th Division carried out scorched-earth operations in order to defend against the attack of the Austro-Hungarian mixed team.
This turned half of the houses in Deva into ruins. In addition, harsh measures were used to clean up public security, which caused a very bad relationship between the people of Deva and the army.
After General Salamik arrived in Deva, he felt that continuing like this was not an option, so the newly released compensation method for damaged houses was posted on the streets. In this compensation announcement, General Salamik decided to
During the war, the owners of houses damaged due to the Romanian army fighting will be subsidized, and the specific amount is 80% of the value of the house. This announcement has greatly reduced the hostility of Deva residents towards the Romanian army, at least
He doesn't spit on soldiers behind their backs.
After observing the Austro-Hungarian army, General Salamik immediately rushed back to the headquarters in Deva, where he would assign defensive tasks to several division commanders under him.
After returning to the headquarters, General Salamik, who had been staying in his office to observe the operational map, was reminded by the chief of staff who pushed in the door. "They are all here, can we start?"
"Okay, I'll be there right away."
After speaking, the general tidied up his military appearance and strode towards the conference room.
"His Excellency the Admiral has arrived."
Following the announcement from the herald, the division commanders sitting in their seats immediately stood up, and Salamik led the chief of staff to their respective seats. Looking at the subordinates with flashing generals, the general waved and spoke.
"Everyone, please sit down."
After everyone sat down, General Salamik spoke as usual. "You all know the importance of this meeting, so I won't reiterate it. Now let the chief of staff assign you your respective tasks. If there is any
We can discuss any issues after the assignment is completed. Do you understand?"
Facing the general's question, the division commanders sitting here all answered in unison, "I understand."
General Salamik was very satisfied with everyone's answers. He turned to the chief of staff and said, "Let's get started."
After receiving the order, the chief of staff picked up a baton and walked to the wall facing everyone with the battle map hanging on them. "Now let's talk about the group army's specific arrangements for the Deva battle."
"The first is the northern mountainous area, which is the most important part of this battle. In this location called Colt Mountain, our army will dispatch the 5th and 11th Divisions, and the only heavy artillery regiment in our hands will also be assigned to you.
, Major General Fergus will be in charge of the mountains to the north."
Hearing this, the commander of the Fifth Division, Major General Fergus, nodded to everyone, while Ankodar and Dotrid, who had had rescue friendships with the Fifth Division, responded with smiles.
"And in the east valley we will arrange the 15th Division to defend this position."
At this point, the chief of staff named Major General Kledov, commander of the 15th Division. "Your 15th Division needs to pay attention to one thing, that is, it must pay attention to the railway bridge over the Dorselle River. It cannot be occupied by the Austro-Hungarian army. This will be
It is related to the safety of our Army Group South's supply lines."
Facing the roll call, Major General Kledov expressed his determination. "Chief of Staff, please rest assured, I will guard the bridge."
Then the chief of staff continued. "We have arranged for the 18th Division and the 35th Division to defend the valley to the west. This is also the most likely second breakthrough point for the Austro-Hungarian army. So two division commanders, you should be more vigilant. What's wrong?
Report to the headquarters if necessary. Major General Modelk of the 18th Division is also in charge here."
None of the division commanders present were surprised by the arrangements made by the Army Group Headquarters, because the divisions at the beginning of the thirties were all divisions formed by militiamen. Although previously Army Minister Courtois and Chief of General Staff Plesan had increased their numbers significantly,
The training intensity of the militia reserve is far from enough, but the training with the standing division is far from enough. This time, there is no way to arrange the newly formed militia division. Who makes the Southern Group Army lack the strength? Even the other two militia divisions 383
The Nineteenth Division was assigned to guard the back road in Petroshani, let alone others.
The chief of staff continued to arrange the tasks. "Then the 19th Division will defend the mountains to the south, while the 1st Guards Division will stay in Deva as a group army reserve."
None of the division commanders present had any objections to the now severely weakened Nineteenth Division's defense of the southern mountains. This was because this was the area least likely to be attacked. Unless the Austro-Hungarian army wanted to completely annihilate the Southern Group Army, it would not be possible to spend the time needed to bypass it.
It takes a day's journey to get here. As for the 1st Guards Division, everyone has no objection to it as a reserve team. Even if it is also seriously injured, it is one of the three elite divisions after all. With the 1st Guards Division to reinforce itself, everyone can feel more at ease.
.
After finishing speaking, the chief of staff asked, "Did everyone hear clearly?"
"I heard everything clearly."
The same words were shouted out from the mouths of the division commanders present.
Seeing that everyone was in good spirits, General Salamik knocked on the table and asked, "Is there anyone who doesn't understand now?"
Facing the general's inquiry, none of the division commanders present spoke. Seeing that no one answered, Salamik continued. "Since everyone has no questions, let's go to their respective defense areas to prepare."
After hearing the general's expulsion order, the division commanders present were preparing to leave. At this time, General Salamik seemed to remember something. "Ankodar and Dotrid, you two, stay here for a while."
General Salamik's words caused the two generals to stop. After everyone else had left, the general spoke. "Use these few days for your supplementary troops to integrate into the army. You will definitely succeed in this battle."
Come join, hurry up. If you still have any difficulties, you can tell me now."
Seeing that the general stayed here to enhance his combat effectiveness, the two commanders who were severely injured certainly couldn't do it.
"In the previous battle, we consumed too much cannon and machine gun. Can you please replenish some for us first?"
Faced with the overwhelming request, General Salamik spread his hands and said, "Now the army has no extra cannons for you. As for machine guns, I can only give each of you fifteen Maxims."
, Madsen’s 20. This is the greatest support for the army, so don’t think about anything else.”
Facing General Salamik's supplement, the two of them were already very satisfied. However, they knew that due to the expansion of the army in the country, all the ordnance that could be collected had been taken away. Some people also suggested that the bronze used during the previous War of Independence should be used.
The artillery was brought out for emergencies, but it was vetoed by the Chief of General Staff. In the words of the Chief of General Staff, the cost of training artillery personnel is higher than that of those cannons, so don’t bring out the old antiques to look embarrassing.
At the same time, in the headquarters of the Tenth Austro-Hungarian Army, Lieutenant General Sam was also arranging a battle plan. "Please note that the target of this battle is Mount Colt. I want you to attack here in turn. I believe the commander on the opposite side knows
The importance of this place to them must make him put all his energy here, and Major General Cross's heavy artillery brigade will help you. According to the intelligence we have received, the Romanians only have one 150-meter heavy artillery regiment."
At this point, Lieutenant General Sam said by name. "Major General Stepan, this time you will lead three divisions and wait for the enemy reserves to appear. Then they will immediately go straight into the east valley. I want you to seize the upper reaches of the Dosele River."
railway bridge. I want the Romanian army to be defeated in Deva, do you understand?"
Of course, Major General Stepan knew the importance of it. It can be said that the Tenth Army was covering for him. If he failed to win the target, I believe he knew the consequences. But the credit was also the greatest, so he suppressed the central heart.
He said excitedly, "Understood. This time I promise with the honor of a soldier that I will seize the bridge and ensure the smooth progress of the battle plan."
Hearing Major General Stepan's words made Lieutenant General Sam very satisfied, so he said, "We will start attacking Mount Colt early tomorrow morning. Show your strength to show the Romanians that we are not so easy to bully."
So after a night of repairs, the Austro-Hungarian 10th Army was ready for battle. At this time, following Lieutenant General Sam's order, the large-caliber heavy artillery from Austria-Hungary let go of the 5th and 11th Divisions defending Colt Mountain.
