CHAPTER 594: CHAPTER 594: YOU THINK YOU CAN COMPETE WITH SHIRE LIKE THIS?

At this moment, Major General Eden and Vice Admiral Avis had both returned to their respective command centers.

Major General Eden’s command center was located in the hub of the fortress groups, specifically the "Buena" Fortress that Shire previously used as his command center.

Strictly speaking, it’s not the "hub of the fortress groups" but rather the hub facing the German attack line, offering a more intuitive view of the whole battlefield and facilitating commands for the surrounding fortresses.

More importantly, it’s not far from the underground warehouse where supplies were stored, merely a kilometer away.

However, Major General Eden seemed unable to accomplish anything.

The German warplanes covered the sky densely, almost blocking out the entire sky, swooping over the fortresses without anti-aircraft defense, strafing the cars on the road.

(Note: When the forts were built, airplanes hadn’t been invented, even if they had, no one considered them as weapons, hence the forts of this period generally lacked anti-aircraft defenses)

Only then did the drivers on the ground realize what was happening, frantically trying to drive away.

But the road was too congested to maneuver, and after scurrying around like headless flies, they either collided with other cars or got stuck in the snow, unable to move.

The German warplanes took this opportunity to launch their attack.

In the midst of gunfire, some cars started smoking, some overturned on the roadside due to the death of the driver, spilling ammunition and supplies everywhere. Only a few cars managed to speed up on the road, but they were ultimately ravaged by the trailing warplanes.

Finally, there was a deafening explosion when the ammunition detonated, flames shot up into the sky, and the car was instantly blown into pieces. The nearby drivers hurriedly jumped out and fled.

However, the German warplanes still wouldn’t let them go, continually climbing, circling, swooping down, and firing lines of bullets chasing after the fleeing drivers and soldiers in the snow.

The once pristine snowfield was now stained with pools of blood, an appalling sight.

...

It was over twenty minutes before Vice Admiral Avis returned hurriedly to his command center.

But he quickly realized that being in the command center was no better than being on the front lines. At least at the front lines, you could observe some situations, while in the command center, you were completely in the dark.

Vice Admiral Avis’s command center was located in the city center, which was more than ten miles from the front line. The front line troops collapsed almost immediately, and no intelligence could be relayed back.

"Where are the enemies?" Vice Admiral Avis asked, staring at the map.

"We don’t know, General," the staff officer replied with a face full of panic. "The troops are in chaos, they couldn’t report the situation before being overwhelmed."

"Where are the reconnaissance planes?" Vice Admiral Avis ordered, "Send the reconnaissance planes up!"

"General," the staff officer responded with difficulty, "We’ve lost contact with all our reconnaissance planes, and the airports have been heavily attacked by the enemy. We have nothing left to fly."

"Then what do you know?" Vice Admiral Avis roared, "Do you only know you’re being attacked?"

The staff officer was speechless, the situation was indeed as Vice Admiral Avis described.

It was only then that Vice Admiral Avis realized the importance of the air force.

With the control of the skies in the enemy’s hands, and with communication equipment primarily relying on telephones, situations of not knowing the enemy’s location or even the whereabouts of one’s own troops were inevitable - making it impossible to command effectively.

Another ten minutes passed before reports began to trickle in.

But most of them were outdated, being delivered by signalmen, containing information from half an hour ago.

Or they were insignificant details, such as the convoy in front of the underground warehouse being attacked by German warplanes.

Suddenly, the staff officer had a flash of inspiration: "General, why don’t we ask the Belgians?"

Vice Admiral Avis’s spirits instantly lifted: "Get in touch with Major General Eden immediately!"

The fortresses in Antwerp were all in fixed positions and each had a telephone, making them more aware of the frontline situation.

Soon the phone was connected, and Major General Eden reported with concern over the phone:

"The situation is very bad, Admiral."

"Your troops have already retreated, and deserters are crashing into our defensive lines."

"As far as the eye can see, there are deserters everywhere. The Germans are likely driving your troops deliberately, their tanks are almost following your soldiers closely. If we fire, we’ll inevitably cause friendly fire."

Vice Admiral Avis responded firmly and resolutely: "Fire, Major General, don’t worry about friendly fire, casualties are inevitable."

If they didn’t fire, there would be greater casualties, and they might even lose the entire defensive line.

"Additionally," Major General Eden added, "The German’s ’Storm Assault Team’ has breached the fortress lines and is operating in the rear."

"Breached the fortress lines?" Vice Admiral Avis was shocked.

"Yes," Major General Eden answered, "They must’ve infiltrated the lines and hid there last night under the cover of darkness. I don’t know how they managed it, but Germans are everywhere."

Vice Admiral Avis turned pale: "Their target might be the warehouse, Major General, you must ensure the safety of the supplies."

"God, you’re right." Major General Eden exclaimed, "I heard our fleets at sea suffered heavy casualties, and the Germans deployed a large number of submarines to blockade the routes?"

"Yes," Vice Admiral Avis replied.

"This means we cannot lose the supplies we have now!" Major General Eden emphasized, "If we lose them, we’re finished!"

The frontline was broken quickly, leading to a massive loss of supplies, and with the sea transport routes blocked, if the underground warehouse supplies were compromised, all troops would be in a state of inadequate supplies, leading to imminent collapse.

Just at that moment, a staff officer ran to Vice Admiral Avis in a panic: "General, the warehouse is under attack by the German ’Storm Assault Team.’"

Vice Admiral Avis immediately relayed the news to Eden: "The warehouse is under attack, can you send reinforcements?"

"Of course." Major General Eden agreed at once, and after a pause, he continued, "Tell your men not to destroy the warehouse, surrender if necessary but don’t destroy the warehouse!"

Vice Admiral Avis found the suggestion reasonable.

Keeping the warehouse intact meant there was still hope, even if it fell into German hands, the Belgian Army could potentially recapture it.

But if it were destroyed, the Antwerp defensive line would inevitably collapse due to lack of supplies.

Vice Admiral Avis agreed without much thought: "I agree, Major General, please send reinforcements as soon as possible."

Then he turned to the staff to issue orders: "Protect the supplies at all costs, surrender if necessary but don’t destroy the supplies!"

"Yes, General!"

Vice Admiral Avis didn’t know that, on the other end of the call, Major General Eden was anticipating this exact command. He revealed a disdainful smile as soon as he heard Vice Admiral Avis’s order.

That fool, giving up the supplies so easily.

And he still thinks he can compete with Shire?