CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 428 SHIRE’S TRAP

Albert I supported Colonel Eden’s statement.

"The guerrillas may not be as militarily skilled as the British," Albert I said. "But they excel in courage, and they are willing to give their lives to defend their homeland. Besides, we can quickly develop a large batch of recruits, including those in areas controlled by the Germans!"

Colonel Eden confirmed this statement: "There is no doubt about that."

Saying this, Colonel Eden looked at Shire, seeming to convey a certain attitude.

"As for the matter of secrecy," Albert I pondered for a moment, then continued: "Even if the Germans know, what then? Escape? Then let them escape!"

What he cared about more was whether they could reclaim the land, rather than how many Germans they could capture.

But in the long run, capturing more Germans could reduce the difficulty of reclaiming the land; the two are actually the same.

Albert I knew this, but he wished to take a step back and reclaim a part first, especially reclaiming and stabilizing the capital Brussels, which would be very meaningful for boosting morale and inspiring people.

But Tijani objected: "The facts might be different, Your Majesty."

"What do you mean?" Albert I asked in return.

"The reason the Germans want to escape is because they think we have enough fuel," Tijani answered.

This might seem like nonsense, but Albert I understood: "You mean, if they know we’re short on fuel, they’re likely to choose a counterattack instead of escaping?"

Tijani nodded, then flipped the map and pushed it in front of Albert I, his finger tracing through the interspersed routes:

"From Brussels to Antwerp, along this 35-kilometer line, apart from an armored regiment in Brussels and a mechanized battalion in Mechelen, there are no other forces."

"But it’s ’safe,’ because we can use armored units and mechanized troops for mobile defense."

"Once the Germans choose to break through here, they will face pincer attacks from armored and mechanized units on both sides."

Albert I’s mouth half-opened: "The so-called ’safety’ is based on having fuel?"

Tijani nodded slightly, then asked: "Once the Germans know we don’t have fuel, do you know what will happen?"

Albert I looked at the map and pondered for a while, then nodded slightly to indicate he understood.

"So the danger isn’t just in Tibet, but also Brussels, Mechelen Town, and all places along this route." Albert I’s face turned pale: "The Germans could possibly turn around and surround these towns, including Brussels?"

"Yes," Tijani nodded: "Once these towns are surrounded, it will be fatal; tanks and armored vehicles without fuel will be unable to fight, and ammunition will deplete under enemy attacks. Being taken by the Germans will only be a matter of time. Currently, the only seemingly safe place is Antwerp by the sea."

Then Tijani smiled self-deprecatingly: "Now Antwerp also seems unsafe if the British don’t supply fuel."

Tijani turned his gaze to Shire, though unwillingly, he suggested: "Otherwise, let’s do as the British want; the cost is too high, we can’t afford it, and the British have seen that."

Albert I’s face turned incredibly dark. He wanted to say no but found he couldn’t bring himself to, only swallowing bitterly.

In his own preference, he absolutely did not want Shire to yield.

But this wasn’t about him alone; it was about Belgium and all its citizens!

Shire smiled lightly, not answering Tijani but instead asking, "The ammunition the British promised to deliver has arrived?"

That was ammunition transported from Dunkirk.

The British blocked the Germans by laying mines outside all the German-controlled ports, including Antwerp.

The safe passage was only known by the British themselves and was refused to be disclosed; even France had to go through Britain to transport ammunition to Antwerp by sea.

This was also why the Minister of the Navy could choke Shire on the issue of fuel.

"A batch has just arrived," Tijani answered, followed by a puzzled question: "Why ask about this?"

Then Tijani added: "Do I need to remind you? It’s ammunition, not fuel!"

"I know," Shire answered calmly: "But the Germans don’t know."

...

Another sleepless night in Berlin Wilhelm Street, Fajin Han’s General Staff was brightly lit.

Fajin Han, busy to the point of desperation, wished he could drive a car to the front line personally to see what exactly was happening.

So far, they could only continue to fight with the French Army over Mons, struggling to break through under the French artillery and air bombardment.

But such breakouts came at great cost; heavy equipment, and even cars, couldn’t pass through. Howitzers drawn by horses, fearing panic and blocking the roads, had to be left behind temporarily, causing the breakout speed to be slow, with continuous casualties in the troops.

In Fajin Han’s despair, Moritz stepped forward to report: "General, news from the front line indicates that the French Army is relying on guerrillas to collect fuel from civilians."

"The French Army is short of fuel?!" Fajin Han’s eyes shone, immediately turning his gaze to the map.

If the French Army was lacking fuel, this battle would have a different outcome.

What the French Army might ultimately get is only a coastal city, Antwerp; the rest would be taken back by the German Army.

But after looking for a while, Fajin Han saw Moritz not reacting, and he couldn’t help but raise his head in confusion.

"I think there’s a problem, General," Moritz said.

"What problem?" Fajin Han asked.

"If the French Army truly lacks fuel, would they really make such a big move to let the guerrillas collect it? Those are guerrillas; it clearly tells us this information."

Fajin Han froze; indeed, Shire wouldn’t be stupid to that extent.

Then Moritz pointed at the map again: "Antwerp is by the sea; they can easily transport fuel from Britain or Dunkirk. As far as I know, they already have three large transport ships entering Antwerp’s port."

This intelligence was from the remaining German forces using the radio, absolutely reliable.

"Additionally," Moritz pointed at Brussels: "Our intelligence personnel there heard the sound of tank engines. They speculate that at least a hundred armored cars and tanks have reinforced Brussels."

This had happened after dark; the French Army did this surely to hide something.

Fajin Han was silent for a while, eventually sighing in disappointment: "You’re right; this is another of Shire’s traps. He hopes we move our main force to the open ground rather than Mons, cunning fellow."

Fajin Han guessed right; this indeed was Shire’s trap.

Only, he didn’t see through it and fell right into it wholeheartedly!