Major Woodley waited for three days, but did not wait for Marshal Lewis to summon him.
He asked the members of the observation group to hang around the headquarters and inquire about information, and finally he found an opportunity.
The marshal is going to inspect the front line. It is said that the marshal is preparing to organize a counterattack. This will be a massive operation because the marshal has been busy with this matter in the past two months.
Woodley asked the members of the observing officer corps to be fully armed and ride behind the marshal's brigade. Their uniform colors, which were completely different from those of the imperial army, finally attracted the attention of the marshal's guard and even caused quite a commotion.
"Let their leading officer come forward and talk."
Lewis had completely forgotten about the Genoese.
Perhaps his previous attitude caused misunderstanding among his subordinates.
"Major Peter Woodley of the National Army, salute the Marshal!" Woodley rode his horse to the front of the Marshal, dismounted and saluted.
"Major Woodley." Marshal Lewis returned the salute on horseback. He looked at the Genoese team and said, "Are you still used to living here?"
"It's okay. After all, we are soldiers. We are here to fight, not for vacation." Woodley replied.
"Then where do you live?" Marshal Lewis asked smoothly.
"An abandoned warehouse next to the officers' club." Woodley said.
Marshal Lewis was slightly startled. He knew that place was really not a place where people lived. He even clearly remembered that he had executed a group of spies there.
In fact, the Genoese are now extremely important to the war, especially after sea transportation has been restored, and it is mainly materials from the south that support the war.
Yes, Marshal Lewis was somewhat dissatisfied with the Southerners, especially the Genoese, especially since the Northerners had already paid millions of casualties for this war, while the Southerners stayed in the safety of the rear and kept complaining.
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However, this kind of neglectful behavior is a bit excessive, because it is too obvious, making people think that it is his own instruction.
"Sorry, the city was once occupied by the Belis. These hateful enemies destroyed many buildings in the city. They wanted to destroy our civilization. Now more than 200,000 of our troops are crowded in the city, so you can't find a good place to live.
.It’s all this damn war’s fault!”
Woodley accepted this explanation naturally, saying:
"First come, first served. Besides, the place we live in is spacious enough. Your Excellency, Marshal, we request that you can accompany you to the front line so that we, the people, can gain experience."
"This is what we should do. Major, let your people follow me." Marshal Lewis readily agreed.
He even asked Woodley to tag along with him as a representative.
"I heard that Earl Connery brought 30,000 troops?" Marshal Lewis asked.
"Yes, Your Excellency, the entire National Army is willing to accept your command." Woodley said, "Currently, our commander is on standby in Daguerre."
"Well, thank you." Marshal Lewis said, "Currently, the Western Front has a strength of 500,000 troops. I don't need too many troops here for the time being, because keeping these 500,000 people full is just one thing compared to fighting the enemy.
Fighting is more important."
This was a polite refusal, and Woodley had been prepared for it.
According to the wishes of his commander, the National Army is willing to go to the front line and is mentally prepared for the unfortunate sacrifice of officers and soldiers. However, if the Marshal is not prepared to use the National Army, the Commander does not mind too much and will treat it as a luxury version.
war operations.
"Your Excellency, Marshal, our observation group hopes to get your authorization to allow us to approach the battlefield. Of course, we promise not to interfere with the actions of the former enemy commander." Woodley took the opportunity to state his purpose.
"Of course." Marshal Lewis nodded in agreement. His eyes stayed on the rifle carried by Woodley. "This gun seems to be different from the standard rifle? Can I take a look?"
"Of course." Woodley took off his rifle and handed it to the marshal himself.
"No flint?" Lewis asked in surprise.
"Please allow me to demonstrate it for you." Woodley said.
Woodley quickly demonstrated for the marshal this breech-loading center-fire metal bullet rifle, which uses a rotating back-pull bolt to load bullets, and successfully shot a target on the roadside.
"This is a good gun with many advantages, but the equipment is not affordable." Marshal Lewis commented, "It even uses brass bullet cases, which is really a luxury."
"But all members of our National Army have been equipped with this kind of rifle. Excellent design ideas alone cannot produce it. High chamber pressure requires good steel, and Genoa happens to have advanced smelting technology." Woodley said proudly, "It
The range, accuracy and most importantly the rate of fire cannot be compared with the flintlock gun. If equipped on a large scale, I dare say it will even change the war."
His words made the marshal very irritated, causing him to not have a good face for a long time.
"The marshal is angry." Daniel whispered in Woodley's ear.
"I know." Woodley replied, "Luxury is also powerful."
At this time, Marshal Lewis reined in his horse, turned around and said:
"Major, I would be very grateful if the National Army could provide us with a batch of these new rifles for trial use."
"Please rest assured, I will definitely convey your opinions to our commander!" Woodley said immediately.
"Very good!" Lewis's face showed a hint of joy.
Leaving Yobosa and heading north for about ten kilometers, there is a defense line composed of a river and low mountains. The enemy and our armies each occupy the commanding heights on the north and south banks of the river.
Apart from intermittent probing attacks by both sides at night, there were only intermittent displays of firepower from artillery on both sides. During most of the day, both sides were recharging their batteries.
The Belis people seemed to be even more exhausted, and there were even deserters in their army. These deserters were actually Europeans. The Belis people were short of troops, and they forced the Europeans in the occupied areas to take up arms and fight against their compatriots.
Europa also has no ability to take the initiative to attack. A large number of well-trained soldiers were exhausted in the war a year ago. The lack of supplies and the long-term stalemate made the officers and soldiers feel war-weary.
But this situation is not good for Europa. After all, the war is taking place within their own country, and the Belis have a tendency to continue to operate the occupied area for a long time. If the Belis gain a firm foothold, it will be even more difficult to defeat them.
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This is why Marshal Lewis is eager to organize a counterattack. He urgently needs a victory to boost his morale. Obviously, he is also under increasing pressure from the Holy City.
The closer you get to this front, the more you can feel the atmosphere of war. From time to time you can see soldiers and civilians transporting supplies, and occasionally the sound of artillery can be heard.
Lewis asked his guards to hide behind the mountains, while he led a few people on foot up the mountain to observe the other side of the river.
With a bang, a cannonball roared over and landed on the mountainside.
Marshal Lewis scolded his subordinates who were too nervous about his personal safety and continued to watch with his binoculars.
The Belis built a large number of bunker-like fortifications, from which cannonballs were fired, because they also had to defend themselves against enemy attacks.
Further away, Lewis could see the Belis driving prisoners and Europa civilians to transport supplies.
The local commander told the marshal that the Belis treated the prisoners very cruelly and committed countless crimes.
This was not what Marshal Lewis was concerned about at the moment and asked:
"How well-armed are the Belis?"
"We have captured some prisoners. Each of the Bili soldiers only had thirty lead bullets, and their food was very poor. Sometimes they only ate one meal a day. But when their soldiers faced us, they always avoided firing the first shot.
"gun." The commander replied, "Our soldiers are always too nervous and start firing guns far away from the old enemy. The hit rate is extremely low. When we fired the first shot, the Bili people were very far away from us.
It's close, and our sight has been blocked by smoke..."
"Courage is more important than marksmanship." Marshal Lewis pondered, "Where are their cavalry?"
"The Belis cavalry is good at attacking, but according to recent intelligence, their cavalry has encountered difficulties. I heard that the horses are not adapted to the water and soil here, especially the recent hot weather."
"Maybe it's false information." Marshal Lewis said, "Never underestimate the Belis cavalry. I knew this when I was twenty years old."
"Yes, Your Excellency." The former enemy headquarters lowered its head and said, "However, the Belis have very few cannons and they lack the necessary ammunition supplies. Even in the fiercest battle, their artillery cannot bring us much.
The damage..."
Before the commander finished speaking, a series of gunshots rang out and came straight to the top of the mountain.
Perhaps because the Marshal's bright purple uniform was too conspicuous, the Belis suddenly launched an attack. Countless Belis soldiers jumped out of their bunkers and bunkers, and under the cover of artillery fire, began to advance toward the river beach.
Marshal Lewis simply watched the entire attack and defense process live.
This is a rare opportunity, and Woodley’s observation group also experienced a short but fierce battle at the scene:
The Belis people were not afraid of the ten times fiercer artillery fire from the defenders, and entered the river in a slightly loose formation. Some people were unfortunately shot and fell in the river, while the rest continued to advance to the other bank.
Inevitably, some of the Europeans were also shot and fell. The sharpshooters of the Belis were hiding among the rocks and trees on the other side, placing cold rifles.
The hunters of Europa were not to be outdone. They relied on their large numbers and longer range of their rifles to fight back one after another.
This accidental battle lasted for half an hour, and a total of 300 people were killed on both sides.
Woodley keenly discovered that the range of the Billis' rifles was slightly shorter, which forced them to shoot closer to their opponents. This may be one of the reasons why they appeared more brave.
Comparing the command capabilities of the officers on both sides, the Belis seem to be superior. Even if their soldiers suffer heavy casualties, they can continue to fight under the restraint of their officers.
Marshal Lewis visited the front line in person this time and decided to reward the front line troops by giving each soldier a pack of cigarettes.
Woodley discovered that the cigarettes were produced in Genoa and were produced by a tobacco company in Genoa specifically for the National Army.