CHAPTER 590: REVISED: CHAPTER 590 I ALMOST THOUGHT THEY WERE OUR ALLIES

Fajin Han and Admiral Nicholas discussed the plan and increasingly felt that Colonel Erwin’s strategy was feasible.

Admiral Nicholas pointed at the map and said:

"Our forces north of the Liege Fortress are in a narrow triangular area, with the Dutch border at the rear, leaving no room to retreat and easily surrounded by the French Army."

"If we can take Antwerp, not only can we cut off the Belgian defensive line’s port supply base, but we can also create a survival space for our garrison of over 100,000."

Fajin Han agreed:

"And Leuven, which is surrounded on three sides by Antwerp, Brussels, and Namur, we’ve even considered abandoning its defense."

"But if we can take Antwerp, we can ensure the safety of Leuven and put the enemy in a difficult position!"

Colonel Erwin added:

"The key point is that Shire’s main forces and the Belgian First Special Reconnaissance Army have all moved to Namur to attack Namur."

"The British also intend to expel Shire’s forces from Antwerp."

Fajin Han and Admiral Nicholas both exclaimed in surprise:

"Really?"

"Is that true?"

Colonel Erwin pointed at the map and confidently replied:

"Yes, the British plan is for the British Army to guard the line from Antwerp to Brussels."

"The line from Brussels to Namur will be defended by Shire’s 6th Group Army and the First Armored Army."

"They believe this will prevent confusion from the intermingling of the two armies."

Fajin Han chuckled: "The British are always like this, taking advantage of their allies."

On the surface, it seems reasonable, as the intermingling of forces would indeed cause confusion, particularly with different rifles and ammunition.

However, the defense line from Antwerp to Brussels is in a weak area of the German Army, at the tip of the triangular defensive zone. The German Army has few troops there, so the British Army’s deployment in this area is practically a vacation, leaving the pressure of war on Shire’s forces.

Nicholas said sarcastically, "The pressure of war is on Shire’s forces, yet they don’t supply Shire with ammunition. The British suppression tactics are a great help to us. I almost thought they were our allies!"

Fajin Han’s eyes remained fixed on the map, gleaming with excitement: "And we should thank the French Parliament, don’t you think?"

The group shared a knowing smile.

The atmosphere of the discussion became relaxed and pleasant, and Fajin Han happily opened a bottle of red wine, the three conversing as they drank.

Admiral Nicholas concluded: "With this troop configuration, when we attack Antwerp, Shire’s forces won’t be able to reinforce it quickly."

Fajin Han and Colonel Erwin nodded in agreement.

Firstly, due to Shire’s lack of supplies, and secondly, because with Antwerp located at the other end of the British defensive zone, the British are unlikely to permit Shire’s forces to reinforce Antwerp across their zone at the start of the battle due to face-saving reasons.

In other words, for a significant amount of time after the war breaks out, the German Army will be facing the British Army.

The three of them smiled and raised their glasses in celebration, their smiles filled with confidence and mockery. They feared Shire’s forces, but felt about 90% sure against the British Army.

However, at this moment, Colonel Erwin hesitated: "The troublesome part is, Shire has reinforced and repaired some of the fortifications, which are now in the hands of the Belgians, a dedicated fortress unit trained in Shire’s tactical thought."

Fajin Han murmured in agreement, recognizing that anything left behind by Shire, even the Belgian Army, must not be underestimated.

After hesitating for a while, Fajin Han said slowly: "If Shire can quickly break through with armored units, why can’t we?"

Fajin Han remembered when Shire broke through Antwerp and wanted to replicate that victory.

But Colonel Erwin, knowledgeable of Shire’s tactics, shook his head:

"We can’t, General."

"Shire used the ’Shire A1’ tank to break through Antwerp’s defenses. This tank weighs only 7 tons and can reach speeds of 15 kilometers per hour or even higher."

"In contrast, our ’Upper Silesia’ tank weighs 19 tons, and despite the paper data saying a speed of 12 kilometers per hour, during this rainy and snowy season in muddy terrain, it might not even achieve half that speed."

The result of this slow speed is one tank after another being destroyed by the fortress’s artillery, unlike the ’Shire A1,’ which could outpace the fortress’s rotating speed and render it ineffective.

Colonel Erwin added:

"Unless we have a tank with the same speed as the ’Shire A1,’ or at least not slower."

"Defense and firepower don’t need to be too strong, as our opponents are the British and British tanks."

"We also need a sufficient quantity, or else they won’t be effective."

Fajin Han looked at Colonel Erwin with surprise, his tone filled with pride and gratitude: "You guessed right, Colonel, we just so happen to have such a tank, and quite a number of them."

"We do?" Colonel Erwin was half convinced and half doubting.

He couldn’t believe there was a tank he didn’t know about, especially in such quantities.

"Yes," Fajin Han nodded confidently: "How many do you need? Is 200 enough? If not, we could potentially produce another 100 in half a month!"

Colonel Erwin was stunned. Producing 100 of these tanks in half a month?

Fajin Han didn’t say much more, he went to the door and gave some instructions to a staff officer. Shortly after, the staff officer returned with a dossier and placed it on the table.

Fajin Han gestured to Colonel Erwin with a nod to open it.

Colonel Erwin took out the documents, and a photo of a new tank appeared before his eyes.

(The above image shows the German Army’s 1918-developed LK1 light tank. It looks very similar to the British ’Whippet’ but is entirely different. The German Army modified it from decommissioned car chassis, making it capable of mass production in a short time, and it even has a rotating turret.)

"It’s called the LK1," introduced Fajin Han: "Weighing 6.9 tons, with a top speed of 18 kilometers per hour, its main weapon is a heavy machine gun."

Colonel Erwin carefully reviewed the data, including the armor thickness, then looked up at Fajin Han with joy: "This is exactly the tank I need, General, it’s practically born for this battle!"

Fajin Han was also quite surprised. Initially, this tank was not favored by the officials, more as a form of ’waste utilization,’ recycling decommissioned car engines, but unexpectedly, it proved useful at this crucial moment.

"I must remind you, Colonel," said Fajin Han, "they are likely to be one-time items, meaning they won’t return after reaching enemy positions."

"That doesn’t matter," answered Colonel Erwin, "what’s important is that it can lead us to break through Antwerp’s defenses!"