Chapter 439 The Final Madness
On the seventh day of the battle, the encirclement gradually stabilized.
Foch's 9th Army continued to enter the village of Pourville along the passage opened by Charles' armored forces, and then they rushed to Brussels, perfectly closing the encirclement and surrounding the German troops who had no time to escape in the area west of Brussels.
The Germans attempted several breakouts but all failed.
Charles had obtained sufficient fuel and ammunition from the 9th Army. No matter where the Germans broke through, the armored and mechanized forces would arrive within a few hours and defeat the Germans.
The German army suffered from the lack of air superiority, and its tank units were destroyed by Charles and could not be rebuilt in a short time, so it was helpless against Charles' armored forces.
As time went on, the "Charle A1" and armored vehicles, and even the "Saint-Samond" which had been modified into artillery, became like a curse hanging over the German army's heads. As soon as they appeared, the German army, which had been fighting in an orderly manner, immediately collapsed and fled.
Falkenhayn still wanted to make a final struggle. He sent a telegram to Lieutenant General Baird who was commanding in the encirclement: "Hold on, Lieutenant General! You can get food from the Belgians, and the ammunition can last for more than ten days. We have a plan. When the time comes, we will work together to break through the French defenses and defeat them completely."
Lieutenant General Baird looked at the telegram in disbelief.
The ammunition can still last for more than ten days? How did Falkenhayn estimate this?
Most of their ammunition fell into the hands of the French when the front line collapsed. The fierce fighting in the past few days has almost consumed it. In the absence of large-scale fighting, they can only last for two or three days at most.
Food can indeed be obtained from the Belgians, and they have always done so.
However……
Lieutenant General Baird had to consider a realistic problem: the Belgians were definitely unwilling to "give" food to the Germans, and their resistance would become stronger and stronger, so in the end they could only rob or forcibly requisition it.
This will inevitably lead to conflict, and may eventually develop into looting or even massacre.
Many soldiers thought that their end was near, and they wanted to take this last chance to go crazy, so once they let go, it would be difficult to clean up.
However, is this really appropriate?
Lieutenant General Baird fell into deep thought. What he was thinking about was not morality, but how he would be treated after surrendering.
Giving the order to seize food from the Belgians was almost cutting off his own retreat. After the French and Belgians caught him, they would nail him to the pillar of shame and finally drag him to the execution ground like a dog and kill him.
But if he refused to obey Falkenhayn's orders and restrain his men...
Thinking of this, Lieutenant General Baird carefully folded the telegram into small pieces and stuffed them into his underwear pocket. After thinking for a while, he took out a bayonet, cut open the lining of his uniform, and hid the telegram in the interlayer.
At this time, French bombers flew over the German army with a terrifying "rumbling" sound.
The German army frantically looked for a place to hide, but found that what was dropped from the sky were not bombs but leaflets.
The leaflets fell like snowflakes, tumbling in various movements in the breeze before finally falling to the ground.
The German soldiers came out of their hiding places trembling, picked up the leaflets hesitantly, and glanced to both sides, fearing that they would be scolded by their superiors.
But soon, they discovered that their superiors did the same.
A signalman picked up a leaflet and handed it to Lieutenant General Baird, who took a serious look at it:
"Charles warns all German officers and soldiers that the outcome of the war has been decided and any resistance is futile."
"If you still want to continue fighting, we are happy to accompany you."
"But we ask that this be a battle between gentlemen and has nothing to do with civilians."
"If you treat civilians well, we will definitely treat you well as prisoners."
"However, if you attempt to harm the Belgian people at this last moment, I promise to send you to the guillotine!"
(Note: The guillotine was invented in France in 1792 and was widely used. It was the main method of execution in France for nearly 200 years. It was considered a merciful method of execution that could lead to quick death. It was not abolished until 1977.)
When Baird saw the flyer, he immediately realized that his decision was correct.
Now, it's time to get in touch with the French.
…
Charles is actually trying to win people's hearts.
The Germans didn't need to send leaflets as "threats"; they were smart people and knew what to do.
Charles: This leaflet is for Belgians.
Although Charles didn't know what the use of this was, it was just throwing away some worthless papers, so why not do it!
Charles treated it as a trivial matter and forgot about it after giving the order.
But this was a big deal for the Belgians, especially those who were surrounded with the Germans, a matter of life and death!
"The Germans are at the end of their rope. Will they turn their butcher knives against us at the last moment?"
"Or, will they take us hostage?"
"Or else, just take us to the battlefield and let us lead the way to break through!"
…
People were trembling with fear, and many people hid in their basements and dared not come out, hoping to survive this most dangerous period.
Charles's leaflets were thrown down, and more Belgians saw the statement. They cried with joy and spread it around:
"Look, Ciel is trying his best to protect us. He is simply our savior, saving us from danger time and time again."
"With this statement, Germany will be more honest, right?"
"Of course, they no longer fight over food, although they are still hungry."
…
Officers Club, Paris, France.
Although it was not yet opening time, officers had already crowded in. They needed to drink to celebrate the French victory, and proudly clinked glasses with others to discuss Charles's achievements, as if they were part of it.
The officers did not forget to praise Lucia:
"You have an excellent boyfriend, Lucia!"
"He's perfect, don't let him go or you'll regret it."
"You are the luckiest man in the world. All women will be crazy jealous, including Harry!"
…
The officers burst into laughter, remembering Charles shooting Harry.
Lucia could only express her gratitude with a smile, but there was a hint of bitterness in her heart. Only she knew that she was just Charles's girlfriend on the surface.
While serving wine to the officers, Lucia asked a little nervously about the war in Belgium.
"What's wrong?" Garel joked, "Are you worried that Ciel will lose this battle?"
"No, Garrel." Lucia shook her head worriedly, "My parents are in Ghent, and my brother too."
Seeing that Garrel didn't understand, Lucia added: "Ghent is surrounded. I'm worried..."
Garrel understood instantly that everyone was wondering whether the surrounded Germans would have a "final madness".
"It'll be okay." Garel comforted, "Ciel will protect them."
Lucia nodded slightly with red eyes.
Charles may be able to save Belgium, but she can't save her parents and family!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
