Xia Liyang, who has many years of experience in land warfare, believes that his own linear formation and steady advance is the most mature tactic of the present era.
When the musketeers, arranged in several horizontal rows, faced a volley of enemy fire, they could immediately unleash a dense barrage of fire. Relying on this tactic, the enemy forces were routed when they conquered the continent of Salisnor. Both infantry and cavalry suffered heavy casualties under the barrage.
Of course, there would be no cavalry on this island, so linear tactics could be used to advance steadily and kill all the enemies encountered. In this situation, gunners could even exert a greater force than artillery.
However, Xia Liyang was not optimistic about the current situation. The enemy's artillery bombardment had not started yet, which was definitely abnormal. He had reason to believe that the enemy was waiting for his side to advance to a certain point before launching an artillery attack, in order to maximize the destructive power of the shells.
Based on this concern, moments before, after officially stepping onto the island from the beach, he ordered his soldiers to extend their battle lines further, with wider spacing between men than in previous battles, and as long as possible between each row.
Even so, the troops that landed on the southern coastline are limited by the terrain on one side, and their current formation is still quite dense. If they landed from multiple coastlines, they could avoid this problem, but unfortunately that is not possible. They are lucky to have landed on this beach.
However, the current situation is not optimistic. Once the enemy begins shelling, our side will inevitably suffer considerable damage. In order to minimize the losses, Xia Liyan, like the other privates, is already doing his best. His feet are kicking so hard that they seem to be doubled. He is panting heavily as he runs at full speed.
Only by increasing strategic depth can we gain a respite from enemy artillery fire, thus allowing us room to adjust and reorganize our offensive even when facing attacks.
The infantry gunners who came this time were all well-trained; they could fire three bullets per minute. Therefore, in a head-on engagement, based on the bullets fired simultaneously from each rank, Xia Liyan believed that his side would have a huge advantage.
Of course, this is contingent on surviving the bombardment and closing the distance with the enemy.
As Xia Liyang ran, sweat poured down his face. The worry about the shelling was like a sword hanging over his head. He was constantly looking ahead and didn't even have time to wipe away the sweat.
Humphrey, standing beside him, was also drenched in sweat and panting as he said, "Marshal, the enemy's offensive has slowed down. Apart from the escort ships, almost all the soldiers on our transport ships have successfully landed!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Liyang finally took a moment to turn around and look behind him.
Sure enough, the main force behind them was also rushing forward. There were many of them, and in the far distance, you could even see privates carrying heavy artillery.
This is undoubtedly a good thing, as our side has moved its position from the sea to the island in a very short time, but... the enemy has given us far too much time.
This made Xia Liyan's eyelids twitch. He shouted loudly, "Pay attention to the situation ahead! The enemy's reaction is unusual! Be alert for artillery fire!"
Humphrey, standing nearby, naturally realized the problem as well. By this point, their side had been on the ground for some time, but the enemy lines that should have appeared were still nowhere to be seen. It was as if they had no organized resistance at all, which was definitely not normal. If the enemy had such a formidable force at sea, how could they not have a strong fighting force on land?
Their worries were not unfounded, and a moment later...
"Woo!" Accompanied by a loud bugle call, almost instantly!
"Bang bang bang!!"
Like thunder suddenly resounding from the heavens, hundreds and thousands of dense booming sounds suddenly arose in an instant!
The shelling did not fail to materialize; it arrived as expected, only slightly late.
"Watch out for artillery fire! Take cover!! Take cover!"
Amidst the intense artillery fire, urgent shouts rang out from every part of the linear column.
But these hundreds of urgent roars were like the buzzing of mosquitoes during the shelling, and as these large-caliber explosive shells fired from the high ground fell—
"Boom boom boom!"
Unstoppable explosions erupted in countless rows of formations, and blazing flames burst forth in an instant, like flowers suddenly blooming amidst countless torrents!
Unlike the soft and beautiful petals, the shattered shrapnel was hard and sharp, shooting out in all directions and embedding itself deeply into everything around it!
In an instant, the soldiers who had been steadily advancing were plunged into a fiery inferno.
At the center of the impact, the privates were torn to pieces like fragile clay sculptures, their heads flying high and pieces of limbs scattering wildly in all directions.
The horizontal ranks were destroyed by the shelling, like a viper being chopped into pieces by a farmer's knife and axe. However, even so, the ranks that were broken up by the shelling were quickly reassembled amidst the artillery fire and began to advance at an even faster pace.
The start of the shelling seemed to flip a switch in the privates' bodies. At that moment, almost all the Golts ran at their fastest speed ever. Their ears were almost deafened, but they still ran forward while dodging the shelling, placing all their hopes on the rifles in their hands.
Everyone had only one thought in their mind: to fire the bullets from their guns and kill the enemy!
Of course, the Yan soldiers who were launching their attack at this moment shared the same idea. Although they were also musketeers, the Yan soldiers who were now moving out in droves from the high ground did not follow the linear formation of the Golts. The Yan soldiers were disorganized and did not form any formations. They simply moved in separate groups.
To be precise, their tactics were skirmish lines, and the breech-loading rifles that everyone was equipped with gave them this capability. Compared to the flintlock muskets used by the Goths, these weapons had a longer range, higher accuracy, and a faster rate of fire!
They don't need to rely on concentrated firepower to kill the enemy; they only need to use precise shots.
The difference in weapons has brought about a change in tactics. With more powerful weapons, they have now become the Grim Reapers on this battlefield, wielding their scythes to reap the lives of their enemies!
"Bang bang bang!"
Starting with gunfire from all directions, cone-shaped all-metal brass bullets pierced through the smoke-filled battlefield.
"Clap clap clap!"
Xia Liyan, who was taking cover from the shelling, was jolted awake. He turned around and looked at Humphrey, who was falling to the ground beside him, with a look of horror on his face.
Humphrey lay motionless on the ground, his pale face devoid of color. His eyes were wide open, but a bloody hole was clearly visible on his forehead.
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