CHAPTER 405: CHAPTER 405: WIDENED TRENCHES

Shire believed that launching an attack from Combray toward Belgium was the best choice.

The main reason was that Belgium was by the sea, and Shire could potentially encircle the German Army with just one unit’s penetration.

Furthermore, armored units and mechanized units could capture Belgium’s key cities along the highways, from Mons to Halle, then to the capital Brussels, and finally reaching the fortress Antwerp.

This attack route not only had highways for the rapid advance of mechanized units but also railways for supply.

At that time, as the two units pushed forward, supplies and reinforcement troops would be continuously transported forward by railway.

The British Army’s organization of the Battle of Combray in history failed because logistics couldn’t keep up, and Shire definitely wouldn’t make this mistake again.

(The above image is a map of Belgium, with a red arrow starting from Combray, pointing to the Belgian capital Brussels and Antwerp. Ypres is in the upper left corner, marked as "Yper.")

Another reason is that Shire’s intelligence agency "Lady in White" was mainly composed of Belgians.

There is no doubt that they would devote 200% of their enthusiasm, just like Lucia, after knowing Shire planned to recover Belgium.

Moreover, Belgium was their home turf, and the "Lady in White" was very familiar with the terrain in this area. Therefore, Shire could easily obtain accurate intelligence and the assistance of local guerrillas and civilians.

Whether the intelligence was accurate directly determined if bombers and "Saint Chamond" could drop bombs and shells into the enemy’s artillery positions.

The guerrillas could support the French Army in combat and also provide more accurate and detailed intelligence in real-time.

As for the civilians, they could reduce the difficulty of French Army’s supplies, and they might even provide reinforcements.

Everything was so perfect!

...

However, the German 2nd Army stationed in front of Combray did not think so, including Major General Nicholas, the commander of the German 1st Tank Division.

At the edge of Buerlong Forest, in a semi-buried shelter covered by trees and grass, Major General Nicholas was staring blankly at the documents in front of him.

During this period, Major General Nicholas had been desperately replenishing the strength of the 1st Tank Division.

The first Battle of Combray caused heavy casualties to his unit. Only 13 "Upper Silesia" tanks remained, and each one was damaged. There might not be a single one actually capable of fighting.

"We are already a tank division without tanks." Major General Nicholas was somewhat dejected.

However, only he knew that this had nothing to do with the tanks.

Tanks on the battlefield would certainly suffer losses. After suffering losses, they could still be produced. The tank production, modified from tractor chassis, was very fast and costs little time and money.

The point was, Major General Nicholas did not know how to win against the "Shire A1".

The accuracy of artillery hit was very low, and although the caliber was larger, because of the weak armor, facing the front, it might not be a match for "Shire A1".

Machine guns could not penetrate its armor.

It seemed that the result would only be one tank destroyed after another.

If this problem was not solved, no matter how many tanks were sent, the result would be the same.

Therefore, after replenishing more than fifty tanks, Major General Nicholas still could not be happy.

While Major General Nicholas was frowning and thinking, Erwin stepped forward and saluted.

(The above image is of Erwin during World War I)

Erwin was a capable subordinate of Major General Nicholas. His performance on the battlefield was remarkable:

During his first combat, he led three soldiers to defeat an attack from twenty French soldiers and captured three French soldiers with an empty rifle.

Later, when he served as the battalion commander of the mountain battalion, he led his troops along a little-known mountain road, moving continuously for 50 hours and miraculously captured more than 5000 enemies and 30 cannons.

Because of these outstanding performances, Major General Nicholas appointed Captain Erwin as the commander of the 1st Tank Battalion, leading 30 tanks, which was nearly half of the existing tanks of the 1st Tank Division.

"General." Erwin reported earnestly: "I still believe that Shire is very likely to use our defensive line as a breakthrough point."

"No, Erwin." Major General Nicholas frowned: "I have said many times, there is no doubt about this."

"But the terrain here is very suitable for tank combat." Erwin insisted on his viewpoint: "And vehicles, I heard Shire has been replenishing various vehicles for his troops..."

"I will say it again." Major General Nicholas impatiently interrupted Erwin: "Shire’s troops will join the French Eastern Army Group, and they might launch an attack around Avito!"

"It’s an illusion, General..."

"All intelligence points to this." Major General Nicholas increased his volume and tapped the table heavily a few times: "Shire has his steel mill there, and he also met with Xia Fei. The French and Italians have a tacit understanding. They plan to attack us there from both sides!"

"This is what Shire wants us to see." Erwin argued reasonably: "Similar things have happened several times, General. Shire always skillfully disguises his real operational intentions."

Seeing Major General Nicholas did not answer, Erwin added:

"If Shire makes us think his troops will be with the Eastern Army Group, he certainly will not appear there."

"He will appear with the Northern Army Group."

"And the attack front of the Northern Army Group, only Combray is suitable for tank and vehicle attacks!"

Major General Nicholas sighed softly and shook his head: "You might have forgotten one thing, Erwin. From here, where can they attack? Ypres? You know the terrain there, and Shire’s tanks and vehicles will be stuck there, unable to move."

"General." Erwin pointed at the map: "I think he will not attack Ypres but will advance directly into the heart of Belgium along the highway and railway. Our troops in that area are very thin, Brussels has only one reserve division, Antwerp has only one newly recruited regiment. I heard they are training how to use rifles."

"Oh God." Major General Nicholas said: "Brussels is 100 kilometers from Combray, Erwin, how long would it take them to get there?"

Erwin replied word by word to Major General Nicholas: "If no one stops them, it may take only two days, or even one day."

Major General Nicholas fell silent.

An army equipped with many vehicles, advancing along the highway unimpeded, indeed could reach there in one or two days.

Finally, Major General Nicholas helplessly asked Erwin: "Even if you are right, how do you plan to stop it?"

Erwin replied: "I think we should build trenches to block the enemy tanks!"

"Trenches?" Major General Nicholas looked at Erwin in confusion: "What kind of trenches can stop their tanks?"

"Widened trenches." Erwin was filled with confidence.