Chapter 595 I heard that many people in your troops can speak German?
The first ray of sunshine of the New Year illuminated the world, and the ringing of the bells told people that it was the year 1916.
However, the sun cannot disperse the dark clouds of war that hang over the world, the clear chirping of birds cannot stop the flames of war, and the crying of grief cannot save the lives of loved ones.
On the first day of the new year, what people are thinking about is: How many lives will this year leave their beloved ones, leave their beloved hometowns, and rush to an unknown battlefield to die!
…
Namur City Government, First Special Reconnaissance Army Headquarters.
Albert I was busy with a pile of supply lists. In just a few days, all kinds of emergency information about supplies flew onto his desk like snowflakes:
"Flour reserves have reached the red line, and the remaining amount may only be enough to support three days."
"Ammunition is at risk, and many soldiers have less than a base amount of ammunition."
"There is a serious shortage of artillery shells. At least one-third of the artillery pieces are out of ammunition!"
…
Albert I was so busy that he simply threw down his pen, stood up angrily and paced in front of his desk.
This can't be done.
We must not let the 6th Army run out of supplies. That is Charles's army. If they get into trouble, Belgium will be in danger!
Damn the British, they actually found all kinds of excuses to reduce the French army's supplies at this critical moment, and the German army seemed to know this. They consciously launched a feint attack on the 6th Army's defense line to consume its ammunition.
"Where is the French ammunition?" asked Albert I.
"Still in Paris, Your Majesty." Eden, who had been promoted to major general, stepped forward and replied: "This seems to be a deliberate obstruction by the parliament. The additional ammunition transferred from the Saint-Etienne Arsenal is stuck there for review."
The parliament’s explanation was that arms were important strategic materials during wartime and their purchase and sale had to comply with relevant government regulations, even if the buyer was Charles.
"These bastards!" Albert I couldn't help but cursed: "Selfish guys, they can't see the danger of war, ignore the lives of soldiers on the front line, and don't care about the interests of Belgium."
After thinking for a while, Albert I issued a series of orders:
"Call on the Belgian people to tighten their belts and ensure food supplies for the 6th Army at all costs!"
"As for ammunition, contact FN immediately and ask them if they have any solutions."
"For example, replace the 6th Army's 'Lebel' rifles with our rifles and ammunition. Of course, this requires Charles' consent!"
At this time, the signalman came forward and reported: "Your Majesty, General Charles is here!"
Albert I was stunned, then turned around and walked quickly out the door.
Usually, when he saw Charles, he always smiled: "General, my friend, nice to meet you!".
But now, with a heavy face, he walked up to Charles, shook his hand, and said with difficulty:
"Don't worry, General, I will take care of the supply issues!"
"You don't need to bow to the British."
"I understand that if you bow to the British, Belgium will bow to the British!"
It is obvious that the life and death of Belgium depends on Charles and his troops. If Britain controls Charles, it is equivalent to controlling Belgium.
But to Albert's surprise, Charles replied: "That is not what I came for, Your Majesty."
"Isn't it about this?" Albert I was stunned. What could be more important than this now?
Charles made a "please" gesture towards the conference room.
Albert I understood and walked into the room side by side with Charles.
The orderly obediently brought each of them a cup of hot coffee and lit the fire, then left and closed the door.
"The supply situation is not as bad as you think, Your Majesty." Charles stirred the coffee unconsciously with the coffee spoon in his hand. He didn't intend to drink it because he had just had breakfast.
Albert I did not understand: "But that is not what I saw..."
"That's what I want others to see." Charles interrupted Albert I.
Albert I said "Oh", and his tense expression relaxed immediately. Soon he smiled again: "So, this is your plan?"
"I guess so!" Charles nodded.
"How did you do it?" Albert I asked curiously, "I mean, how did you save ammunition and supplies with the help of the British, Parliament, and the Germans?"
"It started the day I left Jean Blou." Charles answered calmly, "This is one of the reasons why I adopted the 'elastic defense'."
Another function of "elastic defense" is to save ammunition.
This tactic can significantly reduce the number of troops on the front line. With fewer troops, the ammunition consumed will naturally be less, but the ammunition consumption reported will still be the usual amount.
The ammunition consumed by Charles was stored under the noses of Parliament and the British.
"But..." Albert I asked doubtfully, "Why are you doing this? To survive this crisis?"
"No, sire," Charles answered, his voice calm. "Such a danger cannot be overcome with reserves. I did this in order to allow the Germans to attack Antwerp."
Albert I jumped up in surprise: "Antwerp? The Germans will attack Antwerp?"
Charles nodded and answered simply and concisely: "My troops have lost their combat effectiveness due to lack of supplies. Antwerp stores a large amount of supplies but only has British and Belgian troops stationed there. At the same time, it also threatens the safety of more than 100,000 German troops. Of course, they will attack Antwerp."
Albert I turned his eyes to the map hanging on the wall and found the location of Antwerp as he approached.
Just as Charles said, Antwerp has unknowingly become an important node again.
"We can't lose Antwerp." Albert I stared at the map, his face gradually paler. "It is the foundation of this line of defense and the supply base. Once Antwerp is lost, the entire line of defense is in danger of collapse!"
"It won't be lost, Your Majesty." Charles put down the spoon, stood up, walked to the stove, stretched out his almost frozen hand, and a warmth instantly spread from his fingertips to his whole body.
Albert I suddenly realized.
Charles hid the supplies not to overcome the so-called difficulties at hand, but to counterattack the German army.
Albert I then thought, if Charles had begun to "save" ammunition when he left Gembloux on Christmas Day, did that mean he had thought of the current situation from that day on?
Albert I turned his head in surprise and looked at Charles.
God, this was all a trap he had set, and everyone was following his ideas, the British, the Parliament, and the Germans!
At this time, Charles asked for no reason: "I heard that many people in your army can speak German?"
"Of course." Albert I replied, and then asked in confusion: "Why do you ask this?"
(End of this chapter)
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