I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 968: They’re Planning an Airborne Assault
Sorry for being late today, there’s only one Chapter!
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The German Army’s "Fokker D.VII" squadron suffered a crushing defeat, with only 7 out of 50 aircraft managing to narrowly escape the battlefield under the pursuit of the French Army’s "Jenny A" aircraft.
The key point is that all the pilots who returned to the battlefield refused to take to the air again, without exception:
"This is a meaningless battle, fighting against them is suicide."
"The performance of our aircraft compared to the enemy’s is far too inferior; this is not something human effort can remedy."
"If there was even a sliver of hope for victory, even just a little, we would execute the orders without hesitation. But that’s just throwing ourselves to our deaths, a meaningless death!"
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Thus, the situation Hindenburg imagined of seizing air superiority and stopping the French Army did not occur.
Instead, the French Air Force, in coordination with their artillery, was suppressing the German Army’s artillery, and then their armored units quickly approached to launch an attack on the German front line.
The German Army was utterly defeated, with the infantry, having just arrived and not having had time to build fortifications, once again slaughtered by the First Armored Army, and the artillery destroyed in groups by the French tanks before they could even retreat.
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The news reached the Berlin Staff Headquarter, and everyone was stunned by the contents of the telegram.
They had imagined the "Fokker D.VII" suffering heavy losses, after all, they didn’t have much of an advantage over the French warplanes.
They also thought that this battle might not be as smooth as imagined, after all, the opponent was Shire’s First Armored Army.
However, no one expected it to be such a disastrous defeat, an unprecedented disastrous defeat!
Ludendorff, pale-faced, held a sketch, which depicted what frontline infantry orally described after seeing the plane.
He handed the sketch to Hindenburg: "This aircraft is a fully enclosed metal body, much faster than our planes, estimated to reach 250 kilometers per hour."
Hindenburg said nothing, passing the sketch to William II.
It was William II who eagerly initiated this attack, so the consequences should also be borne by him.
William II took the sketch and remained silent for a while; he couldn’t understand it, nor was there a need to.
He cast a pleading look at Hindenburg: "Marshal, do we have any troops left that can stop the enemy?"
Hindenburg looked at the map with the French Army advancing towards the Ruhr Industrial District, sighing inwardly.
Now is not the time to assign blame; losing the war benefits no one.
"There is one unit." Hindenburg replied: "It is our First and Second Tank Division, I have already repositioned them near the Ruhr."
This was Hindenburg’s preparation; he always felt that William II’s offensive plan was not quite right.
"However, their effect is very limited." Hindenburg’s voice was tinged with worry:
"These two tank divisions are using the ’LK2’, which cannot compare with the enemy’s tanks."
"Our only hope is that the anti-tank guns can make the enemy hesitant."
"As long as we can hold them off for a while, an hour or two, our infantry might arrive and organize a defense."
The infantry is also equipped with anti-tank guns, if worse comes to worst, the infantry will have to hug grenades and perish with the enemy tanks.
If technology and equipment fail, we can only hold them off with human lives!
"Let’s do it!" said William II.
Hindenburg hesitated for a moment:
"But these two divisions are the last barrier for the Ruhr Industrial District, Your Majesty."
"If they go to reinforce in the direction of the Liege Fortress and something happens."
"We will have nothing to stop the enemy with..."
William II interrupted Hindenburg’s words: "The Liege Fortress will not have problems, Marshal, send the troops up!"
Hindenburg nodded: "As you wish, Your Majesty."
The reason he complied with William II’s order was that he believed it was too late to do anything.
Shire has already seized the opportunity to attack, he will not let go unless he achieves ultimate victory!
...
The Liege Fortress.
The command post of Major General Friedrich was set up at "Lonsin Castle."
This was not only because "Lonsin Castle" was centrally located amongst the 12 forts of Liege, making it easier to command, but also because it was a symbol of Belgian resistance.
When the German Army attacked Liege, the Belgian officers and soldiers stationed at "Lonsin Castle", knowing they would die, refused to surrender, waiting for the "Big Bertha" shells one after another.
Finally, a shell hit "Lonsin Castle’s" ammunition depot, causing a big explosion, and it fell.
After the war, Major General Friedrich took several months to rebuild "Lonsin Castle", equipping this fortress with 252 artillery pieces of various sizes, as well as dense machine gun fire points, capable of covering a 360-degree area around.
Additionally, it could form a crossfire network with nearby Ponty Castle, Bahu Castle, and others.
Therefore, when Major General Friedrich received Hindenburg’s warning, he didn’t take it too seriously.
He tossed the telegram aside, eyes glancing over the shooting holes at the plain below, full of confidence: "If Shire intends to attack here, then let him come, and I will give him a surprise!"
Here, with the interconnected crossfire of the fortress group, it will crush any attacking force like squashing a bug.
Warnings from the Staff Headquarter were sent repeatedly to Major General Friedrich:
"The French Army is equipped with a new type of tank, possibly a modified ’Char B2’, with a 75mm caliber cannon mounted on the turret."
Major General Friedrich smiled faintly: "75 cannon? They better think this kind of cannon can threaten us!"
"The French Army is equipped with new aircraft, possessing excellent performance, we have lost air superiority!"
Major General Friedrich shook his head dismissively: "Planes have nothing to do with us."
Major General Friedrich was only worried about one thing: whether the French, like the Germans, could create a large-caliber heavy cannon and then bombard the fortress from beyond range.
But after thinking about it for a while, Major General Friedrich deemed it unlikely.
Even if they used such a tactic to attack, it would take weeks for the French Army to pass through the Liege Fortress.
And the French Army needs to pass through here to cooperate with their First Armored Army’s offensive.
Moreover, the Liege Fortress is equipped with 105 howitzers, with a range of tens of kilometers, easily keeping the French army’s artillery at bay.
"I have no reason to worry." Major General Friedrich comforted himself.
But unease lingered in his heart.
The calm and confidence were all a facade for others; after all, they had to deal with Shire, a man who had never lost a battle.
If he decides to attack Liege, then he must have a way.
Major General Friedrich just didn’t know what method Shire would employ.
Suddenly, the harsh sound of an air raid siren blared.
The communications officer reported: "General, the French Army is launching an attack, it’s aircraft."
Major General Friedrich quickly stepped outside the fortress to take a look at the sky, seeing the sky densely packed with aircraft, at least over a hundred.
Then Major General Friedrich’s expression changed: "It’s transport planes, they plan to airdrop!"
