CHAPTER 599: CHAPTER 599 THIS IS WAR

Antwerp City Center, the Headquarters of the British First Army Group.

Admiral Avis paced anxiously within the command center. In the distance, the sound of artillery grew increasingly intense, and from time to time, German fighter planes roared overhead.

They completely controlled the skies over Antwerp, flying low at will in search of targets they deemed valuable.

The person most unwilling to face defeat and most reluctant to seek aid from Shire was Admiral Avis.

Since being transferred to the Antwerp defense line, Admiral Avis and his troops had always lived in the shadow of Shire.

Although Admiral Avis was nominally the commander of Antwerp, he had never been able to fully control the defenses at any time.

The French Army was a given, but even the Belgian Army and the militia only listened to Shire.

When Shire mobilized troops to attack Namur, Admiral Avis was completely unaware, only receiving intelligence after Shire had occupied Namur.

"We are the finest." Admiral Avis repeatedly boasted to his subordinates, "Shire’s troops are insignificant in comparison to us. We need a battle. When that day comes, people will know our strength!"

Admiral Avis had unwavering faith in this.

The reason was simple: Britain was the world’s foremost power, and the First Expeditionary Army Group under his command was Britain’s elite force. They were experienced, well-equipped, and well-trained; no one could match them, not even Shire’s troops.

On this day, the battle erupted abruptly.

Though the initial skirmish was unfavorable, it was only because they were caught unprepared.

It had to be that way!

After a long while, Admiral Avis finally halted his pacing and looked up to ask the staff officer, "What’s the situation with the underground warehouse?"

"Reporting, General." The staff officer replied, "German warplanes are providing cover for the ’Storm Assault Team’ in batches. Major General Eden’s several attempts to charge have all been repelled by them."

Admiral Avis frowned, "Tell Major General Eden that we need the supplies from the warehouse to launch a counteroffensive. Tell him to hurry!"

"Yes, General."

Soon, the staff officer ran back, excitedly reporting, "General, Major General Eden has successfully retaken the underground warehouse. The German warplanes have also abandoned their blockade of the warehouse. We can now access the supplies from the underground warehouse."

"Very good!" Admiral Avis breathed a sigh of relief; this was a good start.

"Send someone to retrieve the supplies immediately," Admiral Avis ordered.

"Yes, General!"

What Admiral Avis did not know was that Major General Eden’s so-called "success" was due to the "counteroffensive" he had mentioned.

Why bother hindering the British who were eager to seek their own deaths?

Moreover, British ammunition was incompatible with that of the Belgian and French armies; it was useless to keep it.

...

At 2 PM, the British First Army entered the fortress defense line and prepared for action.

After some reorganization, the British troops looked much more spirited. Each soldier wore a steel helmet, held a rifle, and waited in orderly formation within the trenches for orders.

Admiral Avis and Major General Eden had communicated to formulate a counterattack plan.

"I need your artillery to provide cover for us," Admiral Avis said, pointing at the map, "including the ’Saint Chamond’ tanks."

"But the ’Saint Chamond’ can’t hit anything," replied Major General Eden.

The ’Saint Chamond’ tanks, though equipped with 75mm cannons with an 8km range, were limited by their visibility within the vehicle and quickly filled with noxious fumes after a few shots, thus lacking practical accuracy.

They were better suited for defensive roles or following the forces to suppress the enemy’s deep artillery units.

"I don’t need them to hit anything," Admiral Avis responded, "I just need them to create some smoke on the battlefield."

"Alright, General," Major General Eden nodded reluctantly, "As you wish."

Watching Admiral Avis sketching the attack plan on the map, Major General Eden shook his head silently.

This was a traditional attack strategy, with infantry breaking through from the front and cavalry flanking from both sides. Admiral Avis hoped to break through the German defenses while they were still unsteady and cut them in half.

This was simply a death wish.

How could the Germans not be prepared for cavalry?

However, Major General Eden knew that saying anything would be futile, and he no longer desired to speak.

Let the battlefield teach these arrogant British a harsh lesson!

...

With a piercing whistle, British soldiers climbed out of the trenches, bayonets fixed, shouting as they charged at the German lines.

Shells exploded amidst the soldiers, sending bodies flying through the air, some landing lifelessly on the ground, others twitching and bleeding, and yet others crying out with severed limbs.

Yet no one came to aid them as squads of soldiers passed by, clutching their rifles, their eyes fixed on the German lines ahead.

They knew that only by charging into the enemy trenches as quickly as possible could they avoid the helpless fate of their fallen comrades.

Cavalry on both flanks simultaneously initiated their charge, growing faster and faster until they were galloping, leaving deep hoofprints and spurring up mud and snow.

The riders leaned low, gripping reins in one hand and wielding sabers in the other, the blades gleaming and pointed forward, eager to pierce the oncoming wind and enemy chest.

However...

The sound of German machine guns erupted, bullets poured toward the British like a tide.

The infantry fell in waves, like ripe wheat cut down, each accompanied by splatters of blood.

The cavalry were thrown head over heels, their horses collapsing in the snow as they were hit, riders flung out and rolling upon impact, coughing blood from their ears, mouths, noses, and eyes.

Soon, the sky filled with the sound of airplane engines. Fighter jets dove at high speed, strafing the charging cavalry with relentless bullets, painting streaks of red.

The horses neighed in terror, the wind wailed, and the no man’s land became a scene of mad slaughter.

But this was just the beginning.

With a series of "rumble" from engines, the Germans launched a counterattack against the British under the cover of dozens of tanks.

The tanks too flanked from both sides, rushing towards the oncoming cavalry at full speed.

Like tigers among sheep, the tanks rolled over the cavalrymen, crushing them into a bloody pulp.

The British cavalry stopped their advance, but those behind kept pressing forward, creating a chaotic, gruesome spectacle.

Even Major General Eden couldn’t bear the sight, grabbing the phone and shouting at Admiral Avis, "You have to stop! This is meaningless!"

But Admiral Avis refused without hesitation, his voice cold, filled with confidence and pride, "No, Major General, this is war!"