Chapter 409: Widened Trench

Charles believed that heading from Cambrai to Belgium was the best option.

The main reason is that Belgium is close to the sea, and it is possible for the Charles to complete the encirclement of the German army with just one troop interspersed.

And armored and mechanized troops can capture important Belgian cities along the road, from Mons to Halle, then to the capital Brussels, and finally to the strong city of Antwerp.

This offensive route not only has roads to facilitate the rapid attack of mechanized troops, but also railways to provide supplies.

When the two armies move forward, supplies and reinforcements from the rear will be continuously transported forward through the railway.

The Battle of Cambrai organized by the British army in history failed because the logistics could not keep up. Of course, Charles will not make this mistake again.

(The picture above is a map of Belgium. The starting point of the red arrow is Cambrai, pointing to the Belgian capital Brussels and Antwerp. The upper left corner is Ypres, which is marked "Ypres" on the map.)

Another reason is that the "Lady in White" intelligence agency in Charles's hands is mainly composed of Belgians.

There is no doubt that, like Lucia, they will be 200% enthusiastic after knowing that Charles intends to regain Belgium.

In addition, Belgium is their home field, and the "Lady in White" is very familiar with the terrain in this area, so Charles can easily obtain accurate intelligence and help from local guerrillas and civilians.

Whether the intelligence is accurate directly determines whether the bombers and "Saint Shamon" can smash bombs and artillery shells into enemy artillery positions.

In addition to cooperating with the French army in combat, the guerrillas can also provide the French army with more accurate and detailed intelligence in real time.

Civilians can reduce the difficulty of supplying the French army and even get supplementary troops.

Everything is so perfect!

…

However, the German 2nd Army stationed on the front of Cambrai did not think so, including Major General Niklas, commander of the German 1st Tank Division.

On the edge of the Burlon Forest, in a semi-buried bunker sheltered by trees and grass, Major General Nicholas was in a daze looking at the documents in front of him.

During this period, Major General Nikolas desperately replenished the strength of the 1st Tank Division.

The First Battle of Cambrai caused heavy casualties to his troops. There were only 13 "Upper Silesia" tanks left, and all of them were injured. It is possible that none of them could actually go on the battlefield.

"We are already a tank division without tanks." Major General Nicholas was a little frustrated.

But only he knows that this actually has nothing to do with tanks.

Of course, tanks will suffer losses on the battlefield, but they can still be produced after the losses. This kind of tank modified from a tractor chassis can be produced very quickly. It does not take much time and does not cost much.

The point is that Major General Nicholas does not know how to defeat the "Shire A1".

The artillery hit rate is very low. Although the caliber is larger, it may not be the opponent of the "Shire A1" in a head-on confrontation due to its weak armor.

Machine guns cannot penetrate its armor.

It seemed that the only result was that one vehicle after another was destroyed.

If this problem is not solved, no matter how many tanks are sent up, the result will be the same.

Therefore, after adding more than fifty tanks to the rear, Major General Nicholas was still not happy.

Just as Major General Nicholas frowned and thought hard, Erwin walked up to him and stood up to salute.

(The picture above shows Erwin during World War I)

Erwin is an effective subordinate of Major General Nicholas, and his performance on the battlefield is amazing:

The first time he participated in the battle, he led three soldiers to defeat the attack of 20 French soldiers and captured three French soldiers with a rifle without bullets.

After that, he served as the battalion commander of the mountain camp, leading the troops to move continuously for 50 hours along a little-known mountain road, miraculously capturing more than 5,000 enemy soldiers and 30 artillery pieces.

Because of these outstanding performances, Major General Nicholas appointed Captain Erwin as the commander of the 1st Tank Battalion, leading 30 tanks, which was nearly half of the existing tanks of the 1st Tank Division.

"General." Erwin stepped forward and reported: "I still think that Ciel is likely to use our defense line as a breakthrough."

"No, Erwin." Major General Nicholas frowned: "I have said it many times, there will be no doubt about it."

"But the nearby terrain is very suitable for tank operations." Erwin insisted on his point of view: "There are also vehicles. I heard that Charles has been replenishing various vehicles for his troops..."

"I'll say it again." Major General Nicholas interrupted Erwin impatiently: "Charles's troops will join the French Army Group East, and they may launch an attack in the Everdo area!"

"This is an illusion, General..."

"All the intelligence points to this." Major General Nicholas increased his volume and tapped his fingers heavily on the table: "The steel factory in Charles is there, and he also met with Joffre. France We have a tacit understanding with the Italians, and they plan to flank us there!”

"This is what Ciel wants us to see." Erwin argued rationally: "Similar things have happened several times, General. Ciel always cleverly disguises his true combat intentions."

Seeing that Major General Nicholas did not answer, Erwin added:

"If Charles led us to think that his troops would be in Army Group East, then he would not be there."

"He will be in Army Group North."

"As for the offensive surface of Army Group North, only Cambrai is suitable for tanks and vehicles to attack!"

Major General Nicolas sighed lightly, shook his head and said, "You may have forgotten one thing, Erwin, where can we attack from here? Ypres? You know the terrain there, Charles' tanks and vehicles will be stuck there and unable to move."

"General." Erwin pointed to the map and said, "I don't think he will attack Ypres, but will advance along the roads and railways directly into the heart of Belgium. Our troops in that area are very empty. There is only one reserve division in Brussels and only one newly recruited regiment in Antwerp. I heard that they are training how to use rifles."

"God." Major General Nicolas said, "Bressel is 100 kilometers away from Cambrai, Erwin, how long will it take them to get there?"

Erwin answered Major General Nicolas word by word: "If no one stops them, it may only take two days, or even one day."

Major General Nicolas was silent.

The troops equipped with a large number of vehicles advanced along the road unimpeded, and they could indeed arrive in one or two days.

Finally, Major General Nicolas asked Erwin helplessly: "Even if you are right, how are you going to stop it?"

Erwin replied: "I think we should build trenches to stop the enemy tanks!"

"Trenches?" Major General Nicolas looked at Erwin in confusion: "What trenches can stop their tanks?"

"Wide trenches." Erwin was full of confidence.