I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 604 The Advantages of the Belgian Army

Unlike the volunteer army using stealth tactics, the purpose of Shire’s battle is to save time, ammunition, and fuel.

Although Shire had secretly stored some ammunition, it was a maneuver, and no one could be sure how much ammunition and fuel would be needed to hold Hasselt.

This is a contest to see who can persevere until the end, saving as much as possible in the early stages.

The Germans had never experienced such a reckless style of combat, unable to imagine anyone lurking in the heavy snow for an extended period, especially a force of over three thousand men.

It sounds simple, but it is extremely difficult to achieve.

Three thousand people lying motionless in the cold for more than three hours, if any one of them makes a tiny movement, it could expose them; without strong organization and discipline, it’s impossible and very dangerous.

But for the First Armored Army, this was just routine training.

Especially for Tijani’s Mechanized Division, Shire required this unit to be capable of any type of combat, while the infantry of the Armored Division had a simpler task — cooperating with tanks.

The battle went exactly as Shire anticipated; the soldiers reached the designated time for lurking, which already meant half the success.

The tanks engaged more to attract the enemy’s attention and artillery fire.

The German Army artillery maintained their traditional habits, assumed the French Army’s assault line was behind the tanks, and targeted the tank groups with their first volley.

The cannon roared, and shells screeched as they flew towards the tank groups several miles away.

But shelling tank groups never yielded ideal results; tanks are mobile and armored. Without direct hits, they are hardly threatened.

Yet the artillery fire and chaos provided cover for the lurking units’ assault.

As the German Army’s cannon fire started, the lurking units immediately launched their charge, crawling out from hiding and advancing under friendly cover, crossing barbed wire and anti-tank ditches, and throwing grenades into enemy trenches.

A haze of smoke and explosions followed, with submachine gunners and shotgun troops leading the charge into the trenches for slaughter.

The German Army’s cannon fire soon stopped.

It wasn’t because they wanted to stop, but the German artillery suddenly looked up, stunned to see their forces withdrawing in large numbers.

Looking closer, behind their comrades was a swarm of French soldiers with bayonets, ferociously pressing towards the artillery positions.

What happened?

Wasn’t the enemy still miles away?

Why were they up close?

No time to think, they turned and abandoned their artillery, fleeing with the infantry. If infantrymen couldn’t stop the enemy, the artillerymen certainly couldn’t.

Shire’s First Armored Army achieved a resounding victory.

The French Army pursued the German Army relentlessly, advancing more than twenty kilometers into German territory within a day, killing or injuring over twenty thousand and capturing over seven thousand.

Shire didn’t bother counting the exact number because it was irrelevant, at least to the First Armored Army, which lacked supplies.

The important thing was the materials.

Due to the swift retreat of the German Army’s 37th Corps, food, ammunition, and equipment were handed over almost intact to Shire.

Including collecting from the battlefield, confiscating from prisoners, and obtaining from warehouses, Shire seized more than forty thousand rifles, numerous Maxim Machine Guns, anti-tank rifles, dozens of 77MM infantry guns, over thirty 105MM howitzers, and vast supplies of food, ammunition, and shells.

Seeing the mountains of ammunition, Tijani’s eyes lit up: "Unfortunately, these ammunitions don’t match our rifles!"

"But they match the Belgian Army’s rifles," Shire said. "Their rifles are modeled after the Mauser, and their artillery mostly comes from Germany."

Tijani immediately understood Shire’s intention: "You mean, have the Belgian First Special Reconnaissance Corps follow our maneuver?"

"Do we have any other choice?" Shire retorted.

The French Army could perhaps dispatch a unit from Jangbulu, but more French troops would mean increased consumption of Lebel Rifle Cartridges.

If the Belgian Army equipped with German weapons followed, the captured equipment and ammunition could be utilized well; with over sixty thousand troops, they almost wouldn’t need to worry about ammunition and equipment and would become better armed and stronger as they fought.

Tijani also seemed to realize these benefits and nodded enthusiastically: "This would ease our logistical pressure. I didn’t expect the Belgian Army to have such advantages."

Then he hesitated: "But the Belgian Special Reconnaissance Corps seems to lack unified command."

This unit was always led by Major General Eden, who was organizing defenses in Antwerp.

Shire answered directly, almost like an order: "Summon Albert I to command them."

Tijani was stunned; a king, Vice Admiral, could you be more diplomatic?

However, Albert I seemed to have no reason to refuse. He might even be grateful as it meant retaking his homeland with his troops while gaining experience with Shire’s forces.

With such a powerful ally leading the charge, why refuse?

...

Brussels. Albert I was busy at the temporary command center in City Hall, collecting intelligence.

He rushed to Brussels for two reasons: anticipating Shire’s counteroffensive launching from here and because Brussels is the capital of Belgium.

After the German Army broke through the Antwerp to Brussels line, their garrison in Leuven and maneuver units formed a semi-encirclement around Brussels.

The Allies’ situation he could ignore and remain indifferent.

But Brussels as the capital of Belgium could not fall into German hands again, or it would severely affect the morale and confidence of the Belgian military and civilians.

Upon arriving in Brussels, he actively organized militia to gather German intelligence and made every effort to ensure logistics, such as fuel for Shire’s planes and tanks and food and ammunition for the troops.

"We cannot let Shire’s forces face difficulties due to these factors," Albert I told Brussels’ Mayor Debrow. "Or we would be the sinners of Belgium, eternally condemned."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Mayor Debrow was somewhat nervous; the King’s words weighed heavily, touching upon national and ethnic issues, this matter couldn’t be neglected.

Meanwhile, as Albert I was swamped with work, a communications soldier excitedly brought him a telegram: "Your Majesty, Shire’s forces have broken through the German lines and are advancing into enemy territory. He needs you to command the First Special Reconnaissance Corps."

Albert I was stunned: "Shire won a victory? Where?"

Albert I instinctively thought it might be somewhere in Brussels, but he hadn’t heard anything about Shire’s forces arriving.

"Namur, Your Majesty," the communications soldier replied. "Shire has broken through the German Namur line and is advancing towards Hasselt!"

"Namur?" Albert I exclaimed: "Heading towards Hasselt?"