Chapter 691: Once Again Deceived by Charles
The battle at Mézières was almost one-sided.
Lieutenant General Nicolas's attempt to trap the French tanks in the forest failed completely.
This was due to weapons. The 1st Armored Army was equipped with many "Saint-Etienne 2" light machine guns and submachine guns, which were very suitable for close combat in the jungle.
But the real reason for the German army's defeat was not this, but the thousands of engineers who were busy opening warehouses and loading and unloading goods in the Ardennes Mountains. They were frightened by the tanks at the first moment and fled like headless flies. Many of them had no weapons in their hands, and of course there was no question of fighting back.
This made the regular troops coming to reinforce see only people, and they were dazzled and couldn't tell the enemy from friend.
The fleeing cars were running around everywhere. Some of them crashed into tree trunks and threw the drivers out along with the broken glass. Some had their fuel tanks ignited and caught fire but still accelerated to escape. Others crushed their comrades along the way and finally broke through the German defense line.
The forest was in chaos, with panicked shouts and screams even drowning out the sound of tank engines and gunfire.
Before Lieutenant General Nicolas and his reinforcements arrived at their destination, they saw from afar a large group of defeated soldiers fleeing from the edge of the forest. In the dense forest behind them, gunshots and explosions were heard one after another, and occasionally a burst of fire could be seen.
If it weren't for the fact that the woods were damp after winter, it would have probably caused a forest fire.
Soon, tanks slowly drove out of the forest, and behind each tank was a group of French soldiers. They kept shooting with their weapons, knocking down the fleeing German soldiers one by one in a pool of blood like target shooting.
The tanks, like tigers that had escaped from their cages, sped up and chased the fleeing soldiers.
Lieutenant General Nicolas realized that his plan had failed. The forest could not stop the enemy. He immediately gave a sharp order: "Retreat, retreat to the city and organize a defense line!"
Stay calm, Lieutenant General Nicolas told himself, tanks are also not suitable for fighting in the city.
He had thought about it on his way back to the city:
He should have dispersed his troops among residential buildings and had grenades and explosive packs ready to blow up tanks.
The French army would be afraid of accidentally injuring civilians and would be hesitant to act, so the two armies would easily fall into a stalemate and a war of attrition.
This was in the German army's favor.
But Lieutenant General Nicolas overlooked one point: Mezières is a French city with many guerrillas lurking in it, and civilians would take the opportunity to revolt after hearing the sound of gunfire.
As a result, before Lieutenant General Nicholas returned to the city, he discovered loud gunfire and smoke everywhere.
"What's going on?" asked Lieutenant General Nicolas, thinking to himself that something was not right.
"General," the signalman reported, "it's the guerrillas and the civilian uprising. They set their houses on fire in order to spread the fire to our barracks and warehouses."
Lieutenant General Nicholas was stunned. This was indeed a good way to throw the German army off guard, and it was easy to do.
After a moment of shock, Nicholas hurriedly ordered: "Train station, protect the safety of the train station."
The train station stores a large amount of supplies, including ammunition and gasoline to be sent to the front line. If they fall into the hands of the enemy, they will become the enemy's supplies.
But it was too late. The signalman reported with fear in his eyes: "General, the guerrillas have occupied the train station!"
Lieutenant General Nicolas' eyes went dark. It was over, everything was over. The French army had everything they needed!
"What's your order, General?" The staff officer looked towards the forest in panic. French tanks were approaching them step by step.
Lieutenant General Nicolas looked back at the pursuers behind him, with a helpless look on his face: "Abandon the city and cross the river, and organize a defense line along the river!"
"Yes, General."
Led by Lieutenant General Nicolas, the Germans crossed the Meuse River and blew up the bridge.
Only then did they get a chance to catch their breath.
On the other side of the river, the civilians of Mézières welcomed the French army into the city with cheers.
When they heard that this unit was Charles' First Armored Corps, they were even more excited:
"Oh my God! It's Charles's troops, the First Armored Army. They actually crossed the Ardennes Mountains? How did they do it?!"
"Because he is the Ciel's army, Ciel can do things that others can't imagine."
"So we are safe now. Unbelievable. This is not a transition but a liberation, a complete liberation!"
…
Many civilians were worried that the French attack was just a small-scale one and that they would hastily evacuate after conquering the area, after all, this was the heart of the German-controlled area.
But when they knew that it was Charles's First Armored Army that was coming, they were convinced that the Germans would completely lose control of Mézières.
Because the Charles's troops had never lost a battle, nor had they ever given up any recovered land!
This is the influence of Charles. Wherever he goes, he brings morale and confidence to the military and civilians.
…
The German General Staff on Wilhelm Street in Berlin.
When the information reached Falkenham's desk, he was almost frightened and sat in his chair for two full minutes without reacting.
He was suddenly awakened by the call of Colonel Moritz, the staff officer, and asked with an incredible expression on his face: "Why did Charles's armored corps appear in Mezieres? Hasn't it always been in Namur?"
"General, we may have been deceived by Charles." Colonel Moritz's eyes flashed with embarrassment: "Again."
"What do you mean?" Falkenhayn still didn't understand.
Fearing that Charles might attack the fortress of Liege, his spies and informants kept an eye on Charles's troops.
Colonel Moritz said to the map: "Charles's attack on the Liege Fortress is just a cover. Its purpose is to make us keep an eye on the Liege Fortress. Charles's First Armored Army is not in Namur either. The one in Namur is probably the First Special Artillery Division of the Sixth Army."
Falkenhayn felt dizzy.
That bastard Charles had deceived him once again, and deceived him so thoroughly.
After calming down, Falkenhayn hysterically issued two orders:
"Withdraw all the troops, and evacuate the encirclement as quickly as possible."
"Send reinforcements. We must block Charles's troops in Mezieres at all costs!"
The Allies could not afford another large-scale "encirclement and annihilation" and this time the troops in the encirclement would number at least 400,000.
If they were surrounded by the Shire and surrendered, the battle would end with the collapse of the Allies.
At this time, a signalman reported: "General, Charles' bombers took off from Charleroi. They crossed the Ardennes Mountains and bombed the railways and roads near Mezieres. It is difficult for our army to rush to reinforce."
Falkenhayn frowned weakly and closed his eyes, as if he didn't want to or dare to face this end game.
He realized one thing: even if the main force could successfully break through in this battle, they would still be severely beaten by Charles.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
