Chapter 739: Defense Line Lost
Three days later, at 6 a.m. on April 7, East Africa time, the well-prepared British army launched an all-out attack in the early morning light.
The British army forced a crossing of the Tugela River from five sections at the same time, which instantly created a huge loophole in the 9th Brigade's defense line.
This was something that Aristotle had expected. After all, the 9th Brigade had limited manpower, so it was impossible for it to rely on the Tugela River to effectively defend against the British army.
The Tugela River defense line in East Africa was like a long snake formation, and the British Army's multi-line attack was like "hitting the snake at its weakest point". The various units of the 9th Brigade, which had scarce manpower, were unable to effectively coordinate and support each other.
The British army was also surprised to find that the firepower of the East Africans seemed to be weaker than three days ago.
This discovery is not surprising, but there are two reasons for it, to which the East African Brigade has already given the answer.
Aristotle's adjutant said: "Our fifteen heavy artillery pieces have been withdrawn to the port city of New Hamburg one day in advance, and one-third of the light artillery has also been withdrawn, so the artillery support has been weakened, making it easier for the British army to cross the river."
Aristotle waved his hand and said, "Even if we leave these heavy weapons behind, they won't be of much use to us. Just like now, the British army is forcibly launching attacks from multiple locations, covering a line of more than 100 kilometers. Even light artillery that is easy to move will not be able to provide support in time.
So I have issued orders to the front-line troops to break up into companies and deal with the British troops in their respective areas."
It is not easy to move artillery, especially along the Tugela River defense line which is more than 200 kilometers long and very winding.
By the time these artillery pieces were concentrated where they were needed, the war would probably be over, so Aristotle began organizing the artillery to evacuate to the port of New Hamburg a day in advance.
In the port city of New Hamburg, these artillery pieces could be concentrated to deal with enemy attacks, but if they were stationed on the Tugela River, they would only serve as an advantage for the British troops crossing the river.
"Our goal is to destroy as many British troops as possible who have crossed the river. The Tugela River defense line cannot take advantage of our firepower, so letting the lower-level troops carry light weapons is the best option."
…
While Alexander was speaking, the East Africans had already engaged the British Army at various river crossing points within the 9th Brigade's jurisdiction. In a situation where they were attacked halfway across the river and had no fire support, the soldiers of the 9th Brigade were able to achieve a very good exchange ratio. However, the British Army was like a tide and could not be killed at all.
The position of the second company of the seventh battalion.
"Captain, we are running low on ammunition, but there are too many British troops. I didn't expect them to choose our area as the breakthrough point. We can't hold out for much longer!"
"Send a telegram to the brigade headquarters and report our situation. Position No. 23 is about to be lost. We can retreat!" said the second company commander Hans.
Soon, with the loss of Position 23, the Tugela River defense line of the 9th East African Brigade was about to be abandoned.
The brigade headquarters ordered each unit to evacuate to the rear according to the plan through telegrams and messengers.
The second company also received the order, and then began to destroy the defensive position that they had built with their own hands. At the same time, important military supplies including weapons, ammunition, telegraph machines, etc. were also loaded onto the trucks.
Apart from the buried telegraph lines, the 9th Brigade left the British army with only corpses on the river beach and a pile of ruins. The Tugela River defense line took three months to build, but was destroyed less than a week after the outbreak of the war.
This was also a helpless move by the 9th Brigade. Even if the 9th Brigade really tried its best to defend the Tugela River defense line, it would actually be of no avail. After all, the British could still land and fight from the sea.
Currently, control of the Indian Ocean waters around the port city of New Hamburg is actually in the hands of the British, so the Tugela River defense line can only be used as a temporary position.
…
Headquarters of the 9th Brigade.
"The 5th Battalion of the 2nd Regiment is responsible for staying behind to block the enemy's advance, and the other troops will evacuate to the rear. Wilder, how is the task I assigned to you going?" asked Aristotle.
"Reporting to the brigade commander, we have now gathered nearly half of the brigade, 17 machine guns, and have deployed them in the middle of the road in Kronskop Village as you requested."
The village of Kronskop is a transit point for retreating from the Tugela River defense line to the port city of New Hamburg, and it is also the place where the only connecting road must pass.
Aristotle planned to concentrate the machine guns and test their power in the village of Kronskop, which would have a very positive effect on the British army who were good at forming battle arrays.
"Very good. Next, let the troops concentrate in the village of Kronskop. If the machine guns can exert their due power, I think this is a good opportunity to strike the British army." Aristotle said.
…
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the British Army's Division Commander Rossiter also crossed the pontoon bridge. Looking at the ruins of the Tugela River defense line that had finally been captured, Rossiter felt happy.
"Where are the East Africans? Why are there so few of their bodies?"
"Report to the division commander, the East Africans have no intention of fighting. After they failed in their attempt to stop us from crossing the river, they took the initiative to evacuate to the north. Moreover, the number of East African troops is probably even smaller than we thought, so they can't stop our attack at all. If we had fought like this on the first day, I'm afraid we would have reached the port city of New Hamburg by now!"
"How many people are there in the East African army?" asked Rost.
"Based on the position and our pursuit, East Africa should have only deployed a brigade of troops on the Tugela River."
Rost: "Damn it, so we wasted four days here because of a brigade?"
"Yes……"
Rost thought for a moment and said, "Are you sure it was a brigade? Did you see it with your own eyes?"
"Well, it's just speculation based on the traces at the scene."
"Very good, since it is speculation, it means that the data is inaccurate. In my opinion, East Africa should have at least deployed a main division of troops on the Tugela River line. Otherwise, why could they block us for so long, and with powerful firepower support!" Rost said firmly.
The subordinate also understood what Rost meant and said hurriedly: "I made a mistake in judgment. It is a main force division in East Africa."
Rossiter looked at him with great appreciation and said, "On April 7, 1888, our troops won a great victory at the Tugela River, successfully repelling a division of troops defending the Tugela River in East Africa."
But Rossiter couldn't continue to make up stories. He suddenly remembered that the military numbers in East Africa were still unclear.
"Bring the East African prisoners here, I want to interrogate them!" Rost ordered.
"Reporting to the division commander, we did not capture any East African prisoners. After our troops landed, the East African army retreated on their own initiative. Apart from the corpses that we had no time to deal with, the only thing we found was a group of Indian prisoners." The subordinate said embarrassedly.
"Indian prisoners?"
"They were Indian soldiers captured during the river crossing battle four days ago. These bastards didn't fight to the death, but surrendered directly to East Africa. However, the East African army withdrew in a hurry and didn't have time to deal with them, so we found them."
When Rost heard this, his face almost turned green with anger! These deserters should all be shot.
"Are there any British or Gurkha mercenaries among them?"
"Not even one. All our soldiers and Gurkha mercenaries died."
"Humph!" Rost was really angry.
The surrender of Indian soldiers is not a big deal, but the fact that none of the country's soldiers and Gurkha mercenaries are alive is very telling.
"Shoot them all to serve as a warning to others!" Rost ordered viciously.
(End of this chapter)
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