Chapter 680 New Benefits
In the battle of the Ardennes Mountains, the French army of more than 2,000 people defeated 5,000 German deserters.
Moreover, almost none of the 5,000 deserters were able to escape. The encirclement set up by Tassigny only had entrances and exits on the mountain roads. After the battle broke out, they were immediately blocked by French firepower. Troops were deployed in other places and barbed wire was pulled up, making it impossible to get through.
Tasini even deployed snipers and machine guns on high ground, using firepower to suppress the German troops in the entire open area.
The German army's morale was already low, and after resisting for a while and realizing that they could not break through, they surrendered one after another.
After the war, a count was made, and the number of prisoners was found to be more than 3,700, which exceeded the total number of French troops participating in the war.
…
Charles was quite surprised when he received the telegram of victory. This battle seemed to be different from the impression of the French army in his mind.
Although it has no mechanized or armored forces involved, it can be said to be "adapted to local conditions" and "flexible and changeable". This Tasini is indeed not simple.
After watching the entire operation, Tijani also praised: "This command seems to have your shadow, General. Tasini was giving psychological hints to the German army throughout the whole process and led the enemy into the encirclement step by step."
After being reminded by Tijiani, Charles realized that it seemed to be true.
First, they deliberately exposed their position to lure German scouts to Mountain Road No. 3.
He deliberately lost to the scout and revealed his flaws.
Later, they even used gunfire to tell the main German force that the hinterland of this mountain road was safe.
Finally, the German army was lured into the preset encirclement and annihilated. It was a beautiful battle.
"And the German reconnaissance party?" asked Charles.
Reconnaissance troops are usually elite troops, and if they are scattered in the jungle, Charles is worried that they will pose a threat to the penetration of the Ardennes Mountains.
"Don't worry." Tijani raised the document in his hand. "They heard the gunfire in the rear and rushed back to provide support. Then they were annihilated on the way. The radio was also seized, including the five radios of the main force. None of them were missed."
The most important thing is the radio.
Even if some German stragglers escaped into the Ardennes Mountains and hid in the dark, or even discovered that the French army was infiltrating the mountains, they would not be able to pass on the news without a radio.
"Order Tasini to search for the remaining enemy forces on the spot." Charles said calmly, "Also, transfer the engineers, survey troops, and transport teams over there."
"Yes, General!" Tijani understood.
The "search for remaining enemies" was fake; the real purpose was to maintain vigilance around this mountain road so that others would not know what the French army was doing.
Engineers use it to build roads and bridges.
The survey team assessed whether the roads and bridges built by the engineers could bear the weight of the "Charter A1" tank.
Needless to say, the transport team had to send food and fodder before the troops moved, and three-wheeled vehicles set up supply points along the road they built.
Once everything was ready, it would only take a day or two for the First Armored Army to penetrate the Ardennes Mountains.
…
The spring breeze blows gently, and all things come to life.
In April, thousands of bluebells bloom in Namur, and everywhere you look is a sea of purple, adding a magical atmosphere to Belgium.
(The picture above shows the Belgian bluebell, which is native to Ireland and Spain)
Charles stood on the top of the castle, looking at the colorful flowers below in the warm sunshine, feeling quite emotional. If it were not for the war, it should be the spring season, and this castle and the picturesque hills should be full of tourists.
But now, it is filled with guards and soldiers in training, and all that can be heard are the slogans of drills.
It had been two weeks since the recapture of Charleroi, and Charles and the First Armored Army had remained stationed in Namur without moving an inch.
Not only that, Charles also actively increased troops in the direction of Namur. He transferred the First Special Reconnaissance Army of Belgium to attack in the direction of Liege, preparing to attack the Liege fortress.
The Germans would believe it, right?
Charles thought, after all, Liege was the most important and also the last city in Belgium, and liberating Liege would mean liberating the whole of Belgium.
This was the expectation of the Belgian people, including Albert I.
In addition, once the fortress of Liege was recaptured, most of the troops stationed in Belgium could be withdrawn to reinforce battles in other directions, including Charles' troops.
Because the Liege Fortress is adjacent to the Netherlands in the north and the Ardennes Mountains in the south, only tens of thousands of people are needed to garrison it to block the entrance and ensure the safety of Belgium.
This is very important for both the Central Powers and the Allies.
However, the Germans certainly could not have imagined that at this time, Charles was building a passage through the Ardennes Mountains and was almost ready.
"General." A guard stepped forward and reported, "Albert I wants to see you."
Charles was a little surprised, as Albert I was busy stabilizing Charleroi during this period.
This industrial city was very important to Belgium during the war. Its recovery would enable Belgium to completely get rid of its dependence on the outside world for coal, iron, textiles, glass products, etc., and even export them.
Therefore, Albert I did not dare to be careless. He personally went to organize the restart work and open up the roads and railways that were destroyed in the war.
"Let him in," said Charles, walking back up the castle steps to the headquarters.
…
In the headquarters, Charles had just sat down at his seat when Albert I came forward with a beaming smile and gave Charles a warm hug: "Nice to meet you, Charles!"
Then he moved to the side, making way for a middle-aged man in a suit, a top hat and a mustache.
"Let me introduce you to Mr. Gilles," Albert I said, "the owner of the Serran Steel Works."
"Hello, General." Gilles took off his hat and bowed to Charles: "Nice to meet you!"
"The Seran Steel Works?" Charles was stunned.
He had heard of this steel plant, which was the predecessor of China's "Shougang".
Decades later, the European steel industry was in recession, and the Seraing Steel Plant in Belgium was sold to China for the price of scrap iron.
At that time, China was extremely lacking in this area of technology, so the entire "Selan Steel Plant" including the factory building was purchased and shipped back to China for reconstruction, and even the aluminum panels on the roof and walls were not spared.
Only after this did Shougang begin to flourish.
(The picture above shows the No. 4 blast furnace purchased from the Seraing Steel Plant)
"What's the matter?" Charles asked calmly.
Charles should have made them a cup of coffee and exchanged a few pleasantries, but as a military commander he didn't have the time nor the inclination to do such superficial things.
"Yesterday, the First Special Reconnaissance Army recaptured the Seran Steel Works." Albert I looked at Gilles, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, which seemed to carry some threat.
Then he turned back to Charles and said, "To express his gratitude, Mr. Gilles is willing to sell you the shares at a low price. I think this will be helpful to the general's business."
Charles immediately understood what was going on.
In order to deeply bind his own interests, Albert I brought new benefits!
(End of this chapter)
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