At exactly 3AM on April 16, 1945, three green flares soared into the night sky, initiating one of the largest artillery barrages in history.
In the final push for Berlin, the Russian Army lined up over 9000 artillery pieces, stretching 18.5 miles long (one gun per 11ft) pointed towards the German lines at the Seeloh Heights. The initial volley fired 500,000 rounds in under 35 minutes. (During the pre bombardment at the Somme in 1916, 1.5 million rounds were fired in 4 days). The gunners were told to keep their mouths open in order to equalize the pressure on their ears. Some were ordered to also scream, with many still having their eardrums burst.
The thunderous noise and the trembling of the earth would wake people in their sleep over 50km away.
The Russian commanders could only here the telephones ringing after the bombardment ceased.
Despite the barrage itself not causing many casualties within the German defenses, the orchestra of firepower will never be displayed again. #weatherforecast #ww2 #stayzero #zerofoxtrot