My Italy

"Ignore what is happening in Kosovo and continue to wait for Istanbul's rescue."

After saying this, Lieutenant General Emmanuel explained. "Although our army currently has nearly 200,000 people, it is currently in a deadlock and it is impossible to break out. We are at least 500 kilometers away from East Thrace, and there is no way to retreat along the way. I think we The previously customized plan does not need to be modified at all.”

Lieutenant General Emmanuel, who knew Admiral Cardorna very well, persuaded him hard, because he knew that what his chief officer had just said had somewhat shaken his determination to stick to it.

In fact, it has been more than a day or two since General Cadorna wanted to retreat. He had this idea after Bulgaria declared war, but giving up the vast Balkan territory was simply impossible to accept. Then Istanbul strictly ordered him to stick to it and let him perform his functions. Watching the situation gradually deteriorate.

From Bulgaria blocking the coastal passage to the Italians breaking through the Second Army's interception and entering the Macedonian region, he was trapped here step by step.

Before that, he could only collect various supplies to prevent himself from running out of ammunition and food. Of course, what happened next became clear to everyone. They originally thought that the war would end after the peace talks, but unexpectedly a mutiny broke out in the capital, causing the war to spread again. And he was surrounded by enemies and couldn't leave.

After thinking about it for a while, Admiral Cardorna took a deep breath and only answered. "It seems like this is the only way."

Since the Ottoman army chose to stay in Skopje, it must bear the corresponding consequences. As Kosovo was captured by Italy, other parts of Macedonia also fell one after another.

The Fifth Bulgarian Army, which started from the country, crossed over the Lower Bulgarian Mountains and entered the Macedonian region. They first captured Kranva Panica near the Bulgarian border, and then continued to press towards Skopje from the east.

As for the north, after capturing Kosovo, two Italian divisions joined the Montenegrin army of more than 10,000 people and launched an attack on Kachanik at the Shar Pass.

If you add in the Italian Balkan Army located on the southwest side of Skopje, Skopje can be considered to be surrounded from all sides in just two or three days.

For a time, the flames of war came from all sides, putting heavy pressure on the opposing Ottoman army that was stationed in Skopje.

"Fire!"

In the Vardar Valley, on the artillery position outside the valley, an artillery commander was loudly ordering the artillery to fire.

Following his order, the artillery on the artillery position behind him roared one after another.

This is not an ordinary division-level artillery, but the treasure of the army, the heavy artillery of the independent heavy artillery regiment. These long-range howitzers with a caliber up to 150 mm are currently a powerful support weapon for the Italian Balkan Army.

These were all transported by sea and were mainly prepared to deal with the enemy's heavy concentration of troops. The current Italian 150mm howitzer is an improved version after acquiring technology from Krupp and combining it with Italy's national conditions. Its gun weighs 3.4 tons, 26 times the barrel length, has an effective range of 9,800 meters, and has a shell weight of 42.7 kg and a muzzle velocity of 150 mm. 351 meters per second, per minute is currently the main suppressive heavy firepower of the Italian Army.

Of course, although the gun is a bit heavy, it is excellent in all other aspects, so the military is still very satisfied with it. In three years, 78 guns were built and equipped with two heavy artillery regiments.

The attack on Skopje was the first time the gun appeared on the battlefield. (In previous battles in the mountains of Albania, the gun was not involved because it was too heavy)

"Boom~boom~boom!"

As artillery shells continued to explode on the garrison positions, the power from the heavy artillery caused the Ottomans to suffer. The Ottoman army, which had only simple trench breastworks and other field fortifications as protection, suffered heavy losses in the shelling.

At this time, European countries had not conducted in-depth research on trenches. Many of the current trenches, like breastworks, expose the body above the chest. Although this can also provide good protection against small and medium-caliber artillery, it is not suitable for heavy artillery. The attack of , this is a bit unsatisfactory.

As long as the cannonballs fall near the fortifications, the Ottoman defenders hiding inside are destined to suffer disaster, ranging from minor injuries to serious death. This is especially terrible for the Ottoman soldiers hiding behind the parapets. The secondary damage caused by a large number of stones or broken wood made Ottoman officers and soldiers avoid things like breastworks like snakes and scorpions.

Since the Italian artillery is constantly harvesting the lives of the defenders, why don't the defenders' artillery fight back?

It is pitiful to say that the artillery currently on the Ottoman garrison positions are all small and medium-caliber light artillery. Its maximum caliber is only 80 mm, and its maximum range is only 7,200 meters. How can this reach Italy's long-range heavy artillery? You must know that this Italian heavy artillery was originally prepared to counter the French army. How could the Ottomans, a technologically backward country, be able to resist this.

But if you want to say that there is no one in Skopje that can compete with this artillery, you can't say anything. Currently, the defenders in Skopje have an artillery that can compete with it. The Krupp 210mm heavy cannon has a maximum range of 12,100 meters. It can completely suppress Italian heavy artillery, but the gun is heavier and reaches 4.8 tons. (This is not the 1894 Krupp 210mm heavy rapid-fire cannon)

Moreover, the Macedonian Army currently only has 4 guns in its hands. It is impossible to use them to defend mountainous areas, otherwise they would be disposable items.

Therefore, facing the attack of Italian heavy artillery, the Ottoman officers and soldiers could only pray for Allah or God's blessing (there were Christians in the Ottoman army) besides gritting their teeth and persevering.

However, spiritual prayer and ostrich methods alone will not work. After all, this thing is very powerful, and you may be selected by the cannonball.

Therefore, after enduring constant shelling, the morale of the defenders became increasingly low. Just when they were about to lose their support, the Italian shelling suddenly stopped.

It was not that Allah or God heard their prayers, but that the Italian heavy artillery needed a rest. In case the barrel became red, this was not to scrap a heavy artillery.

However, the Ottoman defenders on the position should not be too busy to relax, because the Italian infantry is attacking.

Such scenes are not only unique to the Vardar Valley, but also appear on other battlefields. Because this time the army sent over the heavy artillery of the two regiments, and in conjunction with the heavy artillery that the Balkan Army already had, this gave the Ottoman army a good lesson in heavy artillery bombardment.

After the Italian army once again took out its heavy artillery to attack this German magic weapon, the Ottoman uniform position on the periphery was already shaky. From this perspective, it is no exaggeration to say that artillery is the god of war.