Chapter 432: Charles' Trap
Albert I supported Colonel Eden's statement.
"The guerrillas may not be as good as the British in military quality," said Albert I, "but they are better in courage, and they are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend their homes. In addition, we can quickly develop a large number of people, including in areas controlled by the Germans!"
Colonel Eden confirmed this statement: "There is no doubt about it."
As he said this, Colonel Eden looked at Charles, as if expressing some attitude.
"As for the issue of confidentiality." Albert I thought for a moment and then said, "Even if the Germans find out, what happens? Escape? Let them escape!"
He was more concerned with recovering the country than with capturing as many Germans as possible.
But in the long run, capturing more Germans can reduce the difficulty of recovering the country, and the two actually mean the same thing.
Albert I knew this, but he wanted to settle for the second best and recover some of the territory first, especially the capital Brussels and stabilize it, which would be very meaningful for boosting morale and inspiring people.
But Tijani objected: "Perhaps that is not the case, Your Majesty."
"What do you mean?" Albert I asked.
"The Germans wanted to escape because they thought we had enough fuel," Tijani replied.
This seemed like nonsense, but Albert I understood it: "You mean, if they knew we were short of oil, they might choose to counterattack instead of running away?"
Tijani nodded, then turned the map over and pushed it in front of Albert I, and drew an analysis of the routes with his fingers:
"There is no other force along the 35-kilometer line from Brussels to Antwerp except for an armored regiment in Brussels and a mechanized battalion in Mechelen."
"But it is 'safe' because we can defend it with mobile armored and mechanized forces."
"If the Germans choose to break out from this area, they will be attacked by armored and mechanized forces on both sides."
Albert I opened his mouth halfway and said, "So-called 'safety' is based on the availability of fuel?"
Tijani nodded slightly, then asked, "Once the Germans know we have no fuel, do you know what will happen?"
Albert I looked at the map and thought for a while, then nodded slightly to show that he understood.
"So it's not just Tubitz that's in danger, but also Brussels, Mechelen, and all the places along this interlaced line." Albert I's face lost all color: "Is it possible that the Germans will 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 be exhausted in the enemy's attack. It is only a matter of time before they are captured by the Germans. The only safe place now seems to be Antwerp by the sea."
Then Tijani laughed at himself: "It seems that Antwerp is not safe now if the British don't provide fuel."
Tijani turned his gaze to Charles and, although reluctant, suggested: "Otherwise, we should do as the British want. The price is too high and we can't afford it. The British have seen this clearly."
Albert I's face turned very ugly. He wanted to say no, but found that he couldn't say it at all. He could only swallow bitterly.
According to his own wishes, he never wanted Charles to give in.
But it's not him, it's Belgium, and all its citizens!
Charles smiled easily. He did not answer Tijani, but asked, "Have the ammunition that Britain promised to deliver arrived?"
That was the ammunition that had been brought in from Dunkirk.
The British method of blockading the Germans was to lay mines outside all German-held ports, including Antwerp.
Only the British knew about the safe passage and refused to disclose it to others. Even if France wanted to transport ammunition into Antwerp by sea, it had to go through Britain.
This is why the "Secretary of the Admiralty" can hang on Cacharel's neck for fuel.
"A new batch has just arrived." Tijani replied, and then asked in confusion: "Why do you ask this?"
Then Tijani added: "Need I remind you? What arrived was ammunition, not fuel!"
"I know," Charles replied calmly, "but the Germans don't know."
…
It was another sleepless night, and Falkenhayn's General Staff Headquarters on Wilhelm Street in Berlin was brightly lit.
Falkenhayn, who was so busy that he was exhausted, wanted to drive a car to the front line in person to see what was going on.
So far, they could only continue to fight for Mons with the French army and break through with difficulty under the French artillery fire and aircraft bombing.
But such a breakout was very costly. Heavy equipment and even cars could not pass through, and horse-drawn howitzers had to be left behind temporarily for fear of being startled and blocking the road. Not only was the speed of such a breakout slow, but the troops also continued to suffer casualties.
When Falkenhayn was at a loss, Moritz came forward and reported: "General, the news from the front line is that the French army is relying on guerrillas to collect fuel from the people."
"The French army is short of oil?!" Falkenhayn's eyes lit up and he immediately turned his gaze to the map.
If the French army had run out of fuel, the outcome of this battle would have been different.
In the end, the only city the French army will get is probably Antwerp, a coastal city, while the rest will all be recaptured by the German army.
But after watching for a while, Falkenhayn saw that Moritz did not respond, and he looked up in confusion.
"I think that's a problem, General," Moritz said.
"What's the problem?" Falkenhayn asked.
"If the French army was short of oil, would they really let the guerrillas collect it in such a high-profile manner? They are the guerrillas, and they are clearly telling us this information."
Falkenhayn was stunned. That was indeed the case. Charles couldn't be so stupid.
Then Moritz pointed to the map and said, "Antwerp is close to the sea. They can easily transport fuel from Britain or Dunkirk. As far as I know, they already have three large transport ships entering the port of Antwerp."
That was intelligence sent by the remaining German military radio stations and was absolutely reliable.
"In addition," Moritz pointed to Brussels and said, "Our intelligence personnel there heard the sound of tank engines. They guessed that at least hundreds of armored vehicles and tanks were sent to reinforce Brussels."
This happened after dark, and the French army must have hoped to hide something by doing this.
Falkenhayn was silent for a while, and finally sighed in disappointment: "You are right, this is another trap set by Charles. He hopes that we will turn our main force to the open land instead of Mons. What a cunning fellow."
Falkenhayn guessed correctly, this was indeed Charles' trap.
But he didn't see through it, and jumped down firmly!
(End of this chapter)
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