I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 963: Liege Fortress

"Then, do we have the ability to regain air superiority?" William II waved his fist: "If it is the key, we should seek a breakthrough and even victory in this area!"

Hindenburg was embarrassed.

This is the "smart" Emperor His Majesty.

The idea of overcoming the enemy in the areas where we are inferior is something anyone can say.

The key is that it is Shire who developed the fighter, Shire who controls air superiority, and the excellent pilots of the French Air Force. How easy is it to surpass them?

However, Hindenburg had to admit he was prepared.

"You are absolutely right, Your Majesty," Hindenburg replied. "I think the same way, so we have prepared a new type of fighter, which I believe can help us regain air superiority."

Hindenburg turned his gaze to Ludendorff.

Ludendorff understood, turned back to his desk, took a file from a drawer, and quickly returned to hand it to William II: "Your Majesty, please see, this is our newly developed ’Fokker D.VII’ fighter."

(The above image shows the "Fokker D.VII" fighter during World War I, known as "the best fighter of the war." Its performance was so excellent that the Treaty of Versailles expressly forbade Germany from continuing production. Unlike triplanes, it had superior high-altitude performance, with a maximum speed of up to 200 kilometers, almost crushing all Allied models.)

William II only skimmed through it.

He didn’t understand air combat and had no concept of it, nor did he know which data was important.

He just nodded: "So what are we waiting for? Why not deploy it to the battlefield?"

"Your Majesty," Hindenburg explained. "So far, we have only managed to produce 50 units. Although it’s outstanding on paper, it has not yet been tested in combat. We hope to have more of them before deploying, to create a more significant advantage and surprise in the battle."

Hindenburg’s idea was to use this secret weapon in coordination with a ground offensive.

It might allow the German Army to suddenly transition from no air superiority to complete control. At that time, the British, American, and French forces would be extremely unprepared, allowing the German Army to seize a strategic victory through the "Fokker D.VII."

But William II couldn’t wait.

"Saarbrücken is more important than anything," he said. "Taking it would be a strategic victory, even more so if we can encircle and destroy Shire’s First Armored Army!"

Hindenburg didn’t know how to respond.

If they could defeat Shire’s troops, it would indeed be a "strategic victory" because Shire had never been defeated, which would boost morale.

But the key is to be able to defeat him!

"Precisely to defeat Shire, we should wait, Your Majesty..." Hindenburg said.

"No." William II interrupted Hindenburg, ordering with an indisputable tone: "Make preparations immediately. We will launch an attack on Saarbrücken as quickly as possible."

Hindenburg was silent for a while, then nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty, as you wish."

His expression was not very willing.

Suddenly a communications soldier stood up to report: "Marshal, Shire flew to Belgium."

"Belgium?" Several people cried out in surprise at the same time, then looked at each other.

At this moment, when the German Army was ready to besiege Saarbrücken and eliminate this thorn, Shire unexpectedly flew to Belgium?

...

Belgium, Namur Airport.

A well-dressed military band played "The Song of the Brabançonne," and people welcomed Shire, who had just disembarked from the plane, with cheers and flowers.

Kristen led a few officers forward to salute Shire, shaking hands and greeting each other.

Albert I excitedly stepped forward and embraced Shire: "You are finally back, my friend! Wonderful!"

His eyes were somewhat moist with emotion.

They were only one step away from recapturing Belgium.

But at the critical moment, Shire turned to France, leaving them helpless here.

Albert I was even worried that Shire had already forgotten Belgium.

...

Namur Command was still set in that ancient castle surrounded by river water, but it had now become the command headquarters for Kristen’s army group.

Albert I and Major General Eden accompanied him all the way.

The moment they all sat down on the sofa, Albert I couldn’t help but ask: "Vice Admiral, you’re not here just to visit an old friend, are you?"

Shire took the coffee delivered by the orderly and replied: "Why, is that not allowed?"

Albert I shrugged: "I wager that’s not it; otherwise, you could have just made a phone call."

Shire took a sip of coffee: "Indeed, I have some matters to attend to."

Albert I’s eyes instantly lit up, his ears pricked toward Shire.

But Shire’s next sentence was: "I want to take stock of the assets in Belgium and inspect the 6th Army."

Albert I responded with an "Oh," his disappointment barely concealed.

Shire chuckled, almost choking on his coffee: "Your Majesty, considering you are the King of Belgium, shouldn’t you have a bit of ’depth’?"

"Vice Admiral," Albert I shook his head in resignation: "I may need to maintain ’depth’ in front of others, but what does it matter in front of you?"

Shire was the one who could decide the fate of Belgium; in the face of absolute power, any disguise was unnecessary.

"Alright, you guessed right." Shire replied: "Let’s discuss how to recapture the Liege Fortress."

Albert I thought he must have misheard: "Vice Admiral, you’re not joking with me, are you?"

"Do I look like I’m joking?" Shire shot back.

Albert I cried out in joy, excitedly embracing Shire, even kissing him on the cheek: "Thank you, Vice Admiral, thank you very much! I knew we were finally waiting for this moment!"

Major General Eden also showed his delight.

Although Belgium was developing well now, the Liege Fortress was always a sore spot in Belgium’s heart, like something essential was missing without its recapture. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Kristen, however, remained calm; he had anticipated this, as Shire recently ordered him to hurry up reconnoitring the German forces’ situation in the Liege Fortress.

"General." Kristen handed over a document: "This is the defense map of the fortress we reconnoitered."

Just as Shire took the document, without opening it, the staff officer spoke to Shire with a microphone: "Vice Admiral, Minister Gallieni is on the phone!"

As Shire picked up the receiver, he heard Gallieni scold:

"What’s going on? Going to Belgium at this time?"

"Don’t you know the intention of the Germans, and the British and Americans?"

"Since you’ve already guessed their plot, why choose to leave at this time?"

Shire replied calmly: "I did this hoping they would act sooner, General."

On the other end of the line, Gallieni was momentarily silenced.

This guy, he was already prepared!