CHAPTER 409: AFTER MODIFICATION: CHAPTER 409 BELGIUM GUERRILLAS

Vallo Town is situated in southwestern Belgium, merely 5 kilometers from the Belgian-French border.

Belgium is mostly plains, with only the southern region having mountainous terrain. Vallo Town is precisely where the boundary between the hills and the plains lies.

A winding road stretches at the foot of the mountain, with a river on one side and a hundred-meter-high forest on the other. The road bridge spans the ravine between two mountains, connecting one town to the next.

Elm trees by the roadside stretch out their lush green branches, and a gentle breeze causes a few golden leaves to shake and fall onto the road, adding a touch of comfort to the summer season.

Perhaps knowing the importance of the road bridge, the German Army has set up a checkpoint here, stationing a guard platoon responsible for its safety. The guards are now loudly shouting at the tractor, which has broken down on the bridge:

"Hey, move it immediately, or we’ll push it off the bridge!"

The tractor driver is sweating heavily out of anxiety as he fiddles with the tractor’s engine, replying, "It’s broken, sir. Do any of you know how to fix a tractor?"

The German Army Lieutenant replied, "We only know how to kill people. If you don’t move it within five minutes, I’ll gladly ’help’ you!"

The German soldiers laughed, with some lighting cigarettes amongst themselves.

A short soldier emerged from the phone booth, reporting to the Lieutenant, "I can fix a tractor, sir!"

The Lieutenant raised his eyebrows, "Yes, how could I forget you."

The short soldier’s name was Kariel; he grew up on a farm, dealing with tractors from a young age until he enlisted a few months ago.

The Lieutenant nodded towards the tractor, "Go and check the situation. If you can’t fix it, let us know. We need to keep the road clear."

"Understood, sir." Kariel saluted, shouldered his rifle, and ran towards the tractor.

Kariel politely asked the driver, "Have you had this problem before?"

"Never, sir," the driver replied, "It has never happened before."

"Have you checked the spark plugs?" Kariel said as he took a wrench from the toolbox and approached the engine, "Or the ignition coil..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he froze. The driver held, not a tool, but a handgun, aiming it at him out of sight from others.

"Do as I say, kid," the driver lowered his voice, "Or you’ll die before me, understand?"

Kariel did not doubt the driver’s words, seeing the murderous intent in his eyes and the sweat beads on his forehead, seemingly ready for mutual destruction.

"Alright," Kariel answered nervously, wondering why the driver would do this.

The next moment, Kariel had his answer because the rumbling sound of tank engines could be heard from the other side of the road.

This was a premeditated plan, Kariel thought, but he was utterly helpless.

Seeing tanks coming down the road, the concerned Lieutenant tensed up immediately. He threw away his cigarette butt and looked at the tractor, shouting, "Kariel!"

"It might take ten minutes, sir," Kariel stuck his head out and said, "Almost done!"

The Lieutenant was resigned; even pushing the tractor off now would be too late. Waiting ten minutes might be a better option.

The tanks rumbled along the road to the checkpoint, stopping and filling the air with dust and exhaust fumes, smelling strongly of gasoline.

A Lieutenant stuck his head out of the tank hatch, shouting loudly, "What’s going on? Are you just going to watch all this happen?"

"The tractor broke down!" the Lieutenant hurriedly responded, "Ten minutes and it’s fixed, Lieutenant, I swear!"

Tanks one after another stopped, coiling like a long snake up the mountainside.

Major General Nicholas’ car was stuck between the tanks, unable to move. As he wondered what was happening, a signaler ran up and reported, "General, a tractor breakdown ahead. It needs ten minutes."

Major General Nicholas frowned slightly, responded with an expressionless "Hmm."

Erwin stuck his head out to look ahead and then around the sides. His face changed as he ordered, "Charge through!"

"What?" the signaler was confused.

Major General Nicholas initially hesitated, then realized this might be an ambush. He shouted loudly, echoing Erwin’s order, "Charge through, now! Push the tractor off the bridge."

"Yes, General!" answered the signaler, running ahead.

But it was already too late.

From the higher ground on the right side, grenades suddenly flew out, spinning in the air, their handles trailing terrifying green smoke.

Almost simultaneously, gunfire and artillery fire erupted.

The machine gun was a light machine gun, "Saint-Etienne 2," convenient to carry and with sustained firepower, bullets strafed the guards and soldiers who screamed and fell into pools of blood before they knew what was happening.

The artillery was a 37 gun; Erwin had etched its sound into his memory, triggering his sensitive nerves instantly upon hearing its unique bang.

The First Tank Division was finished. The armor of the "Upper Silesia" tanks couldn’t withstand close-range 37 fire, not from any angle.

Erwin grabbed Major General Nicholas and rolled towards the inner side.

Major General Nicholas initially wanted to jump to the left side, towards the river, as it was away from the road.

Only after finding shelter on the inner side did he realize Erwin was right. The inner side was a blind spot to enemy fire; even grenades couldn’t reach here.

Grenades exploded among the soldiers and tanks, causing the German Army to wail in agony.

But the German Army didn’t collapse. Well-trained, they fought back under the commander’s shouts, raising their rifles, and the tanks swiftly turned their cannons and machine guns towards the enemy.

A comical scene emerged: the tanks couldn’t attack the high-ground enemies and became a pile of scrap iron, completely powerless and indefensible, as they faced the easily penetrating 37 guns.

"Shire, it’s Shire!" Erwin’s eyes flashed with anger, gritting his teeth.

Major General Nicholas initially didn’t understand. What did this have to do with Shire? This was clearly Belgian guerrilla fighters...

The next moment, Major General Nicholas understood.

The men might be Belgian guerrilla fighters, but the equipment, tactics, and battle plan were all Shire’s.

...

Erwin guessed correctly; this indeed was Shire’s battle plan.

Especially the use of altitude to evade tank fire, forcing the German Army into passive defense. This was based on the "Upper Silesia" tanks’ firing arc deficiency of only plus or minus 20 degrees.

General tanks could have a firing arc of around 35 degrees, like the "Shire A1" which ranges from minus 20 to plus 35 degrees.

The "Upper Silesia" tanks had machine gun turrets both in front and behind the main turret, restricting their firing arc to plus or minus 20 degrees.

Having this knowledge, combined with the equipment, made it possible for the guerrilla fighters to defeat the tank division!