In the drizzle, the regiment commander Tong Weisheng looked at the flickering battlefield ahead with a gloomy face, and the dense explosions were heard one after another. The gunshots of rifles, heavy machine guns and light machine guns were intertwined and the dense sounds of his two battalions were crippled in just half an hour, and the defense line he was responsible for was broken through three places. If it weren't for the timely reinforcement, the consequences would be unimaginable.

This is the first time he has experienced such fierce positional wars and such tragic situations in his 20 years of military service. For a long time, the new Yuanqi army has easily won the victory in foreign wars by relying on its weapon advantages. This time he has truly encountered an opponent.

The proportion of heavy machine guns equipped by the German infantry seems to be higher than that of them. The shelling is accurate, the infantry and cannons are skillful, and the charge is not afraid of death. The wave after wave of charge makes them breathless, and they are worthy of the reputation of "No. 1 in the European Army".

"Report that more than half of the third battalion's casualties are required, so I request reinforcements!"

There was no reinforcement, and even the guards around him had already pushed up. Tong Weisheng sighed inwardly and said in a deep voice: "There is no reinforcement, let them hold on for another ten minutes!"

After holding on for ten minutes, he didn't know if he was looking for plums to quench his thirst. He agreed to hold on for half an hour. Now that time has come, there is still no artillery fire support. The German army was as crazy as if the offensive was urgent and fierce. In ten minutes, I don't know how many lives it will take to fill it.

He was about to get into the command center and ask for reinforcements from the brigade headquarters, but he heard the whistling of artillery shells in the air. Then, a series of explosions sounded in front of the position. This was the 75th land war artillery firing. He felt relieved and finally hoped for reinforcements from artillery fire!

The 75 land war artillery has a very fast firing rate, and can fire twenty 7-kilogram shells in one minute. Once the artillery fires, it can form continuous fire suppression. As the shelling extends, the mortars that the German army fired in front of the position are immediately silent. They are either bombed or busy with transfer. The small-caliber mortars and heavy machine guns that have been suppressed in the trenches suddenly become energetic as if they were injected with chicken blood.

On the preset artillery position, under the illumination of gas lamps, 105 light howitzers were being pulled into the artillery position in a hurry. Battalion Commander Lin Mengxiong kept urging "Quick, fast, the target southeast direction, must enter the waiting state within one minute."

Seeing that the landing artillery had begun to be bombarded, he could not help but be in a hurry. He knew very well that once the artillery position was exposed, the German artillery battalion would be immediately bombarded. He had to lock the position of the German artillery battalion as soon as possible and carry out artillery bombardment. The German artillery battalion had rich experience and the Western artillery battalion had suffered a great loss. He did not dare to underestimate the other party at all.

"Shhh" sharp and short whistle sounded on the artillery position, and five consecutive artillery soldiers quickly evacuated from the position. Under the astonishing high-speed artillery of rapid-fire cannons, no one dared to take a chance. As soon as the artillery evacuated, German shells followed one after another, and round after round of shells came. Within a minute, the area where the position was located was plowed by dense artillery fire.

Seeing that the German artillery fire was fierce and accurate, Lin Mengxiong couldn't help but be shocked. He thought that the German army had not many artillery on the eastern front, but the posture was at least thirty. Otherwise, it would be impossible to fire so accurately at night and without observers. This was the right direction, covering artillery fire from near to far, and the number of artillery was not enough.

"Report, the firecrackers have been loaded, Qing ordered."

"Six shots!" Lin Mengxiong shouted loudly. He also adopted a method of shooting from near to far artillery fire. Only in this way can one round of volleys be prepared to hit the target. The killing range of high-explosive bombs is as high as 60 meters. As long as there is no major deviation, there is basically no problem.

"Boom Boom Boom" When the 105 light howitzer counterattacked, the land war artillery on the other side also fired together, and the land war artillery fired faster. In an instant, the German exposed artillery positions were shrouded in the smoke of gunpowder.

Frederick Carl, who was galloping eastward when he saw this scene, almost fell from his horse. He just judged that the number of artillery in the Qing army on the eastern front was not large. Look at this formation, there were at least three artillery battalions.

"Your Highness!" James urged his horse to follow and shouted: "Break the east......"

Frederick Carl slowly pinned his horse and looked at the eastern front where the explosions continued. The Qing army's artillery was still carrying carpet-like artillery. Without the restraint of artillery, the Qing army's artillery power could be fully exerted. Once the advantages they had taken before were suppressed by artillery fire, they would disappear instantly. They had fantasized about breaking through the defense line as soon as possible. Once the two armies were intertwined and fought together, the Qing army would have no use of artillery advantages. They did not want the Qing army to defend so tenaciously, and now everything has become a bubble.

Retreat, it is too late to retreat now. It is within the range of Qing army artillery within at least three kilometers. Under the guidance of flares, Qing army artillery can be bombarded in an orderly manner. Even if it breaks through multiple routes, it will pay a very heavy price. What's more, the Qing army has a large number of cavalry eyeing, so there is no chance to break through at all.

Although he has always been known for his cruelty and ruthlessness, he still couldn't bear to send the 20,000 to 30,000 troops under the guns with his own hands. He was silent for a while. He said with a tragic look on his face: "Let them surrender."

"Your Highness cannot surrender!" James said as he whipped the other party's butt, and then shouted loudly: "Protect Your Highness to break through!"

The rain gradually stopped, and the sound of gunfire gradually became sparse. Under the rotation of Qing army's marine artillery and light howitzers, the German army quickly retreated. A small group of troops tentatively continued to retreat. They were immediately attacked by the Qing army in the rear and fired by machines. They broke out to the east, and the dense shells immediately scattered like raindrops.

Standerton, Command.

"Report." Chen Baicun, the commander of the 252nd Brigade, reported aloud with an excited look on his face: "The German army surrendered!"

"Discontinue the equipment and use barbed wire to circle it first!" Feng Zicai asked with concern: "How are the casualties in the army?"

When asked about the casualties, the excitement on Chen Baicun's face disappeared, "It was difficult to defend and the fight was fierce. The rough steps should be more than seven or eight thousand..."

The casualties were more than seven or eight thousand? Yi Zhengxing couldn't help but be stunned. This number was really horrifying for the new Yuanqi army. Feng Zicai didn't say anything for a long time. The victory was beautiful, but the price was indeed too high. He didn't know how to write a war report. After a while, he asked, "Where is Frederick Carl? Is it found?"

"Not yet." Chen Baicun said: "Some German troops broke eastward."

"Let the Boer cavalry split up and chase and intercept them immediately." Feng Zicai said in a deep voice: "The German troops who broke through must intercept them all!"

After the staff officer went out to pass the order, Yi Zhengxing asked tentatively: "How could the casualties be so great?"

Chen Baicun knew that he had never seen actual combat, so he immediately said: "The German army was equipped with a large number of small and medium-caliber mortars and machine guns. Our army's trenches were washed away by heavy rain and long rain, coupled with dense shell explosions, the trenches collapsed severely and were muddy, which seriously affected the soldiers' movements in the trenches, and even the ammunition supply was greatly affected.

Without artillery fire support, our army was almost completely suppressed by the German army. In addition, the German army was equipped with a large number of grenades, which had a great lethality in the trenches."

After pausing, he continued: "It is undeniable that the combat power of the German army is indeed not comparable to that of the British and French armies. It has completely abandoned the old tactics and is both experienced generals and veterans. The firepower configuration of the company battalion seems to be higher than that of our army..."

Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Bookstore.

Even though he was going to bed in the middle of the night, Yi Zhizu still got up at dawn. After using breakfast, he rushed to the study room early. After hearing the news, Yan Yangtian hurriedly took a telegram to report, "This is a telegram that was received at six o'clock in the morning. The German army attacked the heavy rain at night and fell into a state of internal and external attacks."

After reading the telegram, Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Feng Zicai seems to have prepared for a long time, but his troops are not enough, and he is divided into two attacks. It's a rainy night, so it's a fierce battle..."

"In the opinion of students, it is indeed a bit risky." Yan Yangtian said worriedly: "The German army carried a large number of new 77mm rapid-fire cannons and equipped with a large number of mortars. Attacks on rainy nights and artillery battles, our army did not have an advantage, and the German army was basically veterans of a hundred battles..."

Yi Zhizu's heart was also sank. The German army has been warring for many years, but the new Yuanqi army has almost no decent war. The officers and soldiers of the troops lack practical experience. When the troops are at a disadvantage, they still divide their troops into internal and external attacks. The night battle greatly weakened the advantage of artillery. The situation is really not optimistic. After pondering for a moment, he ordered: "All the war report is available."

I waited for a book all morning in a nervous mood, until after 12 o'clock in the afternoon, Yan Yangtian quickly walked into the study, "Principal, Standerton's victory!"

After hearing the great victory, Yi Zhizu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. After receiving the telegram, the smile on his face gradually solidified. He killed 9,000 German troops, captured 12,000 German troops, and fled another 3,000,000 others. The casualties reached 1,000, and more than 7,000 soldiers were killed.

After reading the telegram, Zhao Liewen was silent for a while before saying: "For two hours of fierce fighting, the casualties on both sides were so great, and the tragic situation was rare!"

"Not surprising." Yi Zhizu quickly adjusted his mentality and said in a gentle tone: "The current weapon lethality is a world of difference from before, including land war artillery, mortar, heavy machine gun, light machine gun, and semi-automatic rifle. Nothing is not a killing weapon."

After pausing, he continued: "Standerton's victory was a great victory, and the fallen soldiers built a tomb in Stantton and escorted their ashes back to their country. In addition, they ordered Feng Zicai to lead his troops to retreat to Maputo."

In the Mozambique Strait, a fleet of more than 30 ironclad ships and more than 100 merchant ships quickly entered the Maputo Bay. After entering the calm bay, twelve ironclad ships left the fleet and drove at high speed to the port of Maputo.

When the fleet arrived at the port terminal, they saw Yi Zhengxing and Feng Zicai and the other two greeted him on the dock. Xiao Mingliang and Li Hongzhang were both shocked. The fleet encountered a not-so-big storm on the sea. Although there was no loss, it delayed the voyage for several days. Could it be that the two people appeared in Maputo?

Xiao Mingliang was not easy to ask when he was on the pier, but Li Hongzhang had no scruples. After seeing the ceremony, he asked directly: "Why are Your Highness and General Feng in Maputo?"

Yi Zhengxing said with a smile: "After Standerton severely attacked the German army, he was ordered to withdraw Maputo."

Hearing that he was severely injured by the German army, Li Hongzhang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and quickly bowed: "Congratulations to His Highness the Crown Prince for the great victory! Congratulations to General Feng."

Standerton suffered too much casualties in the battle, and the German chief Frederick Carl escaped. Although he received the telegram to reward, Yi Zhengxing and Feng Zicai were not happy. Li Hongzhang congratulated him, both of them looked awkward. Yi Zhengxing smiled and said, "Borg John's is lost, nothing worth congratulations."

When he returned to the military camp, Yi Zhengxing did not hide it and explained the true situation of the Standerton night battle in detail. Xiao Mingliang said with emotion: "In just a few years, European countries have already caught up in weapons..."

"Weapons are becoming more and more advanced, and the lethality is becoming more and more serious, and casualties are naturally becoming more and more serious." Li Hongzhang said slowly: "However, it is not a bad thing for our country. In terms of population, our country has advantages that European countries cannot reach."

Yi Zhengxing glanced at him and turned around and said, "Is General Xiao worried that the combat power of the British and French navy would catch up?"

"The rapid-fire guns and torpedoes were both made public in the last time in the South Africa war." Xiao Mingliang said slowly: "The rapid-fire guns have obviously been popularized in European countries. Torpedoes, it is estimated that Britain and France should also be developed."

Yi Zhengxing said: "my country has not stopped developing torpedoes. Even if Britain and France develop torpedoes, there should be a big gap?"

Xiao Mingliang said slowly: "You will know their details after a fight."

Fight a battle? Is it necessary to take the initiative to find the European Union's warships to start fighting? Yi Zhengxing tentatively said: "Show weakness?"

"Showing weakness and finding the bottom line is both right." Xiao Mingliang smiled and said, "The European iron-clad ships have not developed at a speed in recent years, especially the speed and naval guns. We should also find out what they are doing."

"English should also want to take the opportunity to find out our details." Yi Zhengxing said: "We have suffered a lot of losses in the night battle between Standerton, and the naval battle is even more dangerous..."

"Your Highness, don't worry." Xiao Mingliang said disrespectfully: "The most threat to the ironclad ship is torpedo. It is not easy to sink a large and medium-sized ironclad ship with the firepower of the naval gun."

Yi Zhengxing has personally experienced the naval battle of Mozambique and has seen the firing of naval guns. It is indeed not easy to sink an iron armored ship. Even if it is scarred by the naval gun, it is not easy to sink. However, once a torpedo is hit, it is in danger of sinking.

Seeing that it was a slightest, Li Hongzhang asked, "What is Transvaal's reaction when His Highness retreated to Maputo?"
Chapter completed!