Shortly before 8 am the army units on the "Schlossplatz" opened fire with their artillery. Although accounts of the actual fighting are confused and contradictory, it was a victory for the "Volksmarinedivision". The initial barrage of machine gun and artillery fire from several sides was without serious effects, except for significant damage to the buildings. In the first hour of fighting, around 60 shells hit the "Stadtschloss" and the "Marstall". Between 9 and 10 am masses of unarmed civilians, including women and children, gathered and urged the army troops to stop fighting.