Chapter 950 You Don't Deserve to Be Treated Like This
The French army's command and tactics were impeccable. Although they had gained a huge advantage, the follow-up was still carried out in an orderly manner, leaving the German army no chance to counterattack.
In the air, a powerful group of fighter planes suppressed the German triplanes and shot them down one after another. The "Jenny" transport plane returned to the battlefield three times in a row to drop ammunition.
After successfully capturing the German artillery positions, the paratroopers made full use of the captured equipment and ammunition to organize defense.
Then, they placed the signal board on the ground and prepared the flares, waiting for the transport plane to drop ammunition.
Two motorized divisions protected the two wings of the force respectively.
The "105 truck-mounted gun" uses its long range and cooperates with aerial reconnaissance to provide beyond-visual-range fire coverage to enemy tank forces.
The "75 truck-mounted gun" was divided into three teams to build three lines of defense, playing another kind of "drum tactics" with the German tanks.
When German tanks approached, they would fire a basic number of shells at the target as quickly as possible, then immediately maneuver to the next line of defense, repeating the cycle over and over again.
As a result, the German tanks were always faced with the French "truck guns" that they could never hit.
Erwin and Manstein each led a tank division in a "pincer attack" against the French army, but suffered heavy losses without even seeing the enemy.
Erwin gritted his teeth and pressed on, trying to reduce casualties by dispersing his forces.
Finally Manstein couldn't take it anymore.
"It is meaningless to continue fighting like this." Manstein contacted Erwin in a telegram:
"Do you know why the French artillery can always smash their shells into our tanks?"
"Look at the sky, General. There are three metal planes flying in the sky. They have radios. They are constantly reporting our position to the artillery, but we know nothing about the enemy's position."
"We are fighting against a system and we have already failed!"
Erwin, who was covered in dust, gritted his teeth after reading the telegram. The wound on his forehead was so deep that the bone was visible, and blood was constantly flowing out.
But he didn't bandage it and didn't dare to bandage it.
He was afraid that if he stopped he would be bombarded by French artillery.
After a long time, Erwin called Manstein back. The message was simple: "You are right, retreat!"
There was no point in fighting any further. Even if they finally reached the French 1st Armored Army, the remaining tanks could probably be counted on ten fingers.
However, what they had to face was an armored division and a mechanized division of Charles, with at least more than 300 "Charr A1" and more than 200 "Charr B2" tanks.
After sending the telegram, Erwin gave the order to retreat in a low voice.
However, the French army was still unwilling to let him go.
Almost at the moment when the German tank group turned around, the French "75 truck gun"'s "drum tactics" rolled in the opposite direction and began to pursue the German tank group.
Erwin, who was fleeing in panic amid the sound of artillery fire, was so angry that he almost pulled out the pistol from his waist and committed suicide.
This was the most cowardly battle he had ever fought. He did not see a single French tank or any enemy, but only saw enemy artillery through the telescope.
Then, they were defeated!
…
The front battlefield should have been the most intense, important and suspenseful, but this time it was mediocre.
Tijani described the battle in his post-war report:
"The Germans were sealed off by their own mines, and their movement was restricted to trenches and communication trenches."
"Because we don't have to worry about someone coming up and blowing up the tank."
"The battle became a dull and monotonous exercise, like running: the 'minesweeper tanks' drove up, occupied the trenches, cleared the mines, occupied the trenches again, and repeated the cycle over and over again..."
…
More than two hours later, the 1st Panzer Army arrived at the gates of Saarbrücken.
Tijani prepared to begin the siege.
He gave an impromptu speech while standing on an armored vehicle while the troops were resting:
"Soldiers, the city in front of us is called Saarbrücken."
"I want to remind you that we are on German soil, this city is a German city, and everyone inside, whether they are soldiers or civilians, are Germans."
"If you are willing to protect the lives of Germans with your own lives, do it bravely, and God will forgive you."
The soldiers laughed.
They understood that Tijani was reminding them that they did not need to be as cautious as they had been in the previous battle in the French city.
If you see German soldiers hiding in civilian houses and shooting, you can use tanks to flatten them without hesitation!
But they had no chance to do so.
Just as Tijani was about to order an attack, a sidecar drove out of the city with a German officer sitting on the side seat, holding a white flag.
"No firing!" Tijani ordered hurriedly.
The sidecar drivers came closer and closer. They were all soldiers but obviously unarmed.
Along the way, three people, including the officer, looked at the "Charler B2" equipped with two cannons in horror.
The French army itself could not understand how terrible this war monster was, but as the German army, as the opponent of the "Char B2", they would truly feel the fear and chill from the bottom of their hearts when facing them at close range.
The tricycle stopped in front of the troops. The officer on the side seat slowly stood up, carefully raised the white flag, and shouted in fluent French: "Don't shoot, I want to see your commander!"
Tijani patted the roof of the armored vehicle.
The driver understood and drove the car through the gap between the tanks to the front. The machine gunner adjusted the direction and pointed the black muzzle of the gun at the German officer from above, with the butt of the gun against his shoulder and his index finger on the trigger.
Tijani stood beside the car, holding the side armor: "It's me, what's the matter?"
"I surrender to you on behalf of Lieutenant General Brandt." The German officer's face was full of humiliation: "I hope you will abide by the Geneva Convention and not harm the prisoners and civilians in the city."
There was a flash of disappointment in Tijani's eyes. He didn't want the battle to end like this. He wanted to enjoy the "pleasure" of attacking a German city.
Then he was shocked by this thought. When did he become so bloodthirsty and ruthless?
The battlefield is indeed a place that can change people. He thought that he had become accustomed to killing!
…
The news of Saarbrücken's surrender soon reached Charles's headquarters.
The French staff and signalmen were very calm, as they had guessed this result long ago.
The British and American command posts on both sides erupted in thunderous cheers, and many people hugged each other excitedly to celebrate.
A few American military staff officers rushed up to Charles and shook his hand:
"Great command, General!"
"It was a perfect battle. I have never seen such a wonderful battle, and I believe there will never be such a wonderful battle in the future."
"It's an honor to work with you, General!"
…
None of the British staff officers dared to step forward. Perhaps they knew something and felt guilty, just like Haig, who always had a gloomy face.
Pershing shook hands with Charles and said without thinking: "Don't worry, Lieutenant General, I will give you an explanation. You don't deserve to be treated like this!"
(End of this chapter)
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