Chapter 409: The Widened Trenches
Charles believed that advancing from Cambrai toward Belgium was the optimal strategy.
The main reason was that Belgium, being coastal, could potentially be encircled by a single maneuver from Charles’s forces.
Moreover, the armored and mechanized units could seize critical cities along the highways, moving from Mons to Halle, onward to the capital Brussels, and finally to the fortified city of Antwerp.
This offensive route not only offered roads that facilitated the swift advance of mechanized units but also railways for logistical support.
With two advancing forces, supplies and reinforcements from the rear could be continuously transported forward via the railway network.
Historically, the British-organized Battle of Cambrai failed due to logistical shortcomings, a mistake Charles would not repeat.
Another reason was that Charles’s intelligence network, “The Lady in White”, was primarily composed of Belgians.
There was no doubt they would, like Lucia, devote themselves with 200% enthusiasm upon learning of Charles’s plans to reclaim Belgium.
Additionally, as Belgium was their home turf, “The Lady in White” was intimately familiar with the local terrain, enabling Charles to easily obtain accurate intelligence and the assistance of local guerrilla forces and civilians.
The accuracy of intelligence directly determined whether bombers and the Saint-Chamond tanks could accurately strike enemy artillery positions.
The guerrilla forces could coordinate with the French army during combat while also providing real-time, detailed intelligence.
Civilians could reduce logistical difficulties for the French army and even provide reinforcement troops.
Everything seemed perfect! ...
However, the German Second Army stationed opposite Cambrai did not share this optimism, particularly Major General Nicolas, the commander of the First Tank Division.
At the edge of Bourlon Forest, in a semi-buried bunker camouflaged by trees and grass, Major General Nicolas stared blankly at the documents before him.
Recently, Major General Nicolas had been desperately trying to bolster the strength of the First Tank Division.
The First Battle of Cambrai had left his division devastated. Only 13 “Upper Silesia” tanks remained, all of which were damaged, and none were likely combat-ready.
“We’ve become a tank division without tanks,” Major General Nicolas lamented in frustration.
Yet, he alone knew that the issue wasn’t really about the tanks.
On the battlefield, tanks naturally suffered losses, but they could be replaced. These tanks, modified from tractor chassis, were quick and inexpensive to produce.
The real problem was that Major General Nicolas didn’t know how to defeat the “Charles A1.”
Artillery accuracy was poor, and while larger-caliber weapons were deployed, their thin armor made them vulnerable, leaving them unlikely to prevail in a direct confrontation against the Charles A1.
Machine guns were incapable of penetrating its armor.
The outcome always seemed to be the same: tank after tank destroyed.
If this problem wasn’t resolved, sending more tanks would yield identical results.
Thus, even with the addition of over fifty tanks to his forces, Major General Nicolas remained despondent.
As he pondered in frustration, Erwin approached him and saluted sharply.
Erwin was one of Major General Nicolas’s most trusted subordinates. His battlefield prowess was astonishing: In his first battle, he and three soldiers repelled a twenty-man French assault and captured three French soldiers using an empty rifle.
Later, as a mountain battalion commander, Erwin led his troops along a little-known mountain path for 50 hours, miraculously capturing over 5,000 enemy soldiers and seizing 30 cannons.
Due to these outstanding achievements, Major General Nicolas appointed Captain Erwin as the commander of the First Tank Battalion, leading 30 tanks—nearly half of the division’s current tank fleet.
“General,” Erwin reported firmly, “I still believe Charles is likely to use our defensive line as his breakthrough point.”
“No, Erwin.” Major General Nicolas frowned. “I’ve already said this many times—it’s out of the question.”
“But the terrain here is ideal for tank warfare,” Erwin persisted. “And Charles is said to be consistently equipping his forces with more vehicles…”
“I’ll say it again,” Major General Nicolas interrupted impatiently, “Charles’s forces will join the French Eastern Army Group. They’ll likely launch their offensive near Évêdo!”
“That’s a diversion, General…”
“All intelligence points to this conclusion,” Major General Nicolas raised his voice, tapping heavily on the table. “Charles’s steelworks are there, and he even met with Joffre. The French and Italians have an understanding—they intend to encircle us there!”
“That’s precisely what Charles wants us to believe,” Erwin countered. “This kind of deception has happened multiple times before, General. Charles is always skilled at disguising his true strategic intentions.”
Seeing no response from Major General Nicolas, Erwin added:
“If Charles wants us to think his forces will be with the Eastern Army Group, then he definitely won’t be there.”
“He’ll appear with the Northern Army Group.”
“And the Northern Army Group’s offensive zone—only Cambrai is suitable for tank and vehicle operations!”
Major General Nicolas sighed, shaking his head. “You’ve forgotten one thing, Erwin. If they attack from here, where would they end up? Ypres? You know the terrain there. Charles’s tanks and vehicles would get bogged down, unable to move.”
“General,” Erwin pointed at the map, “I believe he won’t attack Ypres. Instead, he’ll advance directly into the heart of Belgium along the highways and railways. Our forces in that region are severely lacking. Brussels has only one reserve division, and Antwerp has only a newly recruited regiment still learning to handle rifles.”
“My God,” Major General Nicolas exclaimed. “Brussels is 100 kilometers from Cambrai, Erwin. How long would it take them to get there?”
Erwin answered emphatically, “If unopposed, they could reach it in two days, perhaps even one.”
Major General Nicolas fell silent.
An army equipped with numerous vehicles advancing along highways without obstruction could indeed cover that distance in a day or two.
Finally, Major General Nicolas asked Erwin with resignation, “Even if you’re right, how would you stop them?”
Erwin replied, “I believe we should construct trenches to block their tanks!”
“Trenches?” Major General Nicolas looked at Erwin with confusion. “What kind of trenches could stop their tanks?”
“Widened trenches,” Erwin declared with confidence.