Chapter 598: So, You Still Want to Challenge Charles?
At this moment, Major General Eden and Lieutenant General Avis had already hurried back to their respective headquarters.
Major General Eden's command post was located at the center of the fortress cluster, specifically in the "Bueno" Fort, which had previously served as Charles' command center.
To be precise, it wasn’t exactly the "center of the fortress cluster," but rather the focal point facing the German offensive line. This position provided a better vantage point for observing the entire battlefield and made it easier to command the surrounding forts in battle.
More importantly, it was only a kilometer away from the underground warehouse storing supplies.
Yet, Major General Eden seemed helpless.
A swarm of German warplanes darkened the sky as they roared overhead, bypassing the fortresses devoid of anti-aircraft firepower. They dove down and strafed the vehicles on the road.
(Note: When these fortresses were built, airplanes had not yet been invented. Even after their invention, no one anticipated their potential as a weapon. Hence, forts from this era lacked anti-aircraft capabilities.)
Drivers on the ground belatedly realized the danger and tried to flee in panic.
However, the congested roads made it impossible to maneuver. The vehicles darted around like headless flies, crashing into each other or becoming stuck in the snow.
The German planes seized the opportunity to attack.
Amid a flurry of gunfire, some vehicles were reduced to smoking hulks, while others overturned by the roadside after their drivers were killed. Ammunition and supplies spilled onto the ground. Only a few vehicles managed to speed up on the road, but they were still raked by gunfire from the pursuing warplanes.
Finally, a deafening explosion tore through the air. A vehicle loaded with ammunition detonated, sending flames shooting skyward as it was blown to smithereens. The blaze quickly spread to nearby vehicles, forcing frantic drivers to abandon their cars and flee.
But the German planes were relentless, circling, diving, and firing their machine guns, cutting through the snow with lines of bullets and hunting down the fleeing drivers and soldiers.
The pristine snow was stained with bright red blood, creating a horrifying spectacle.
...
Twenty minutes later, Lieutenant General Avis rushed back to his command post.
But he quickly realized that staying at headquarters was even worse than being on the frontlines. At least on the frontlines, he could see what was happening. Here at headquarters, he was completely in the dark.
Lieutenant General Avis' command post was situated in the city center, over ten miles from the frontlines. Since the frontline troops had been routed immediately, no intelligence had been reported back.
"Where are the enemy forces?" Avis asked, staring at the map.
"We don’t know, General," replied a terrified staff officer. "The troops are in disarray, and they were defeated before they could send any reports."
"What about reconnaissance planes?" Avis ordered. "Send them up!"
"General," the staff officer replied reluctantly, "all of our reconnaissance planes have lost contact, and our airfields were heavily attacked by the enemy. We have no aircraft capable of taking off."
"Then what do you know?" Avis roared. "Do you only know that we’re under attack?"
The staff officer remained silent, for this was indeed the truth.
It was only then that Lieutenant General Avis understood the significance of air power.
With the enemy controlling the skies and communication relying primarily on telephones, it was easy to lose track of both enemy movements and one’s own forces, making effective command impossible.
Another ten minutes passed before bits and pieces of intelligence began to trickle in.
However, most of it was outdated, as it had been delivered by couriers—reports from half an hour earlier.
Some of it was trivial, such as the German warplanes attacking a convoy in front of the underground warehouse.
Suddenly, an idea struck a staff officer: "General, why don’t we ask the Belgians?"
Avis perked up immediately: "Get in touch with Major General Eden right away!"
The Antwerp forts were in fixed positions, each equipped with telephones. The Belgians would obviously have a clearer picture of the situation at the front.
Before long, the call connected, and Major General Eden’s voice, filled with concern, came through:
"The situation is dire, Lieutenant General."
"Your forces have collapsed, and deserters are overwhelming our defenses."
"Everywhere I look, I see deserters. The Germans are likely driving your troops toward us. Their tanks are practically following right behind your soldiers. If we open fire, we will inevitably cause friendly fire."
Avis replied firmly and decisively: "Open fire, General, without hesitation. Casualties are unavoidable."
If they did not open fire, greater losses would ensue, and the entire defensive line could be lost.
"In addition," Eden added, "the German 'Stormtroopers' have already breached the fort line and are operating in the rear."
"Breached the fort line?" Avis felt a chill.
"Yes," Eden replied. "They must have infiltrated under the cover of darkness last night and hidden in the defensive line. I don’t know how they managed it, but Germans are everywhere."
Avis turned pale. "Their target might be the warehouse. General, you must ensure the safety of those supplies."
"My God, you’re right," Eden exclaimed. "I’ve heard that our fleet at sea suffered heavy losses, with the Germans deploying a large number of submarines to blockade the routes?"
"Yes," Avis confirmed.
"This means we cannot afford to lose the supplies we have!" Eden stressed. "Without them, we’re finished!"
With the frontline suddenly breached and significant supplies already lost, coupled with the blockade of sea routes, any further disruption to the underground warehouse would leave all forces without adequate provisions, leading to collapse.
At that moment, a staff officer ran to Avis, panic-stricken: "General, the warehouse is under attack by German forces—likely the 'Stormtroopers.'"
Avis immediately relayed this to Eden: "They’re attacking the warehouse. Can you send reinforcements?"
"Of course," Eden agreed promptly. After a pause, he added, "Tell your men not to destroy the warehouse. Even if they surrender, do not destroy it!"
Avis saw the logic in this.
As long as the warehouse remained intact, there was still hope. Even if it fell into German hands, the Belgian forces might be able to recapture it.
But if the warehouse were destroyed, the Antwerp defensive line would undoubtedly collapse due to a lack of supplies.
Without further thought, Avis agreed: "I understand, General. Please send reinforcements quickly."
He then turned to his staff officer and ordered, "Protect the supplies at all costs. Even if you have to surrender, do not destroy the supplies!"
"Yes, General!"
What Avis didn’t realize was that on the other end of the line, Major General Eden was smirking with disdain.
What a fool—handing over the supplies so easily.
And this man still thought he could compete with Charles?