I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France - Chapter 607

Antwerp, one kilometer west of the “Bueno” fortress, a battalion of German troops was attacking the British warehouse.

They raised their guns and fired while shouting to each other in German:

“There is a British warehouse in front, pay attention to the safety of supplies.”

“We need those supplies, there are a lot of gasoline that we are in short supply!”

“No artillery fire or grenades, aim at the target before shooting!”

…

Supplies are a great fortune for any army, and Germany, which is under the ban of the Allies, is no exception.

Therefore, the German army also adopted a conservative attack, not shooting until it was absolutely necessary, and even in close combat, they used the butt of the gun to knock the British soldiers unconscious.

The British army was stunned at the first time.

The German army came too fast, as if it had suddenly appeared in front of them as if it had come out of the ground.

And there were so many troops, an infantry battalion of five or six hundred people.

In contrast, the British army only had one infantry company and one engineering company. The infantry company was a guard, and the engineering company was responsible for clearing snow on the road, maintaining the road and carrying.

Moreover, the two companies had been beaten to pieces by German fighter planes and had long lost their combat effectiveness. How could they stop the attack of the German army that was several times their size?

Most importantly, Major Colton, who was in charge of the warehouse defense, was very confused by Lieutenant General Ives’s order:

“Protect the safety of the supplies? Even if you surrender, you can’t blow up the supplies?”

“Does this mean to use your body to block the supplies?”

“Maybe it’s impossible to block the supplies. There are a lot of ammunition and gasoline in the warehouse. A few grenades can cause a chain explosion or an unextinguishable fire!”

Looking at the fighter planes swooping down and shooting at them, Major Colton thought he had only one choice.

“Retreat!” Major Colton shouted: “Everyone evacuate the warehouse!”

The British soldiers evacuated in a hurry under the pursuit of fighter planes, leaving the warehouse full of supplies to the Germans. Only a few “porters” in the warehouse did not have time to escape and became prisoners of the Germans.

What these “porters” didn’t understand was that the Germans didn’t seem to be willing to take them in. They took their guns and then shouted them away.

What the British and Major Colton didn’t know was that the German pilots flying in the sky were also surprised to see the Germans below:

“Our troops broke into the enemy’s defense line so quickly?”

“And they occupied the warehouse. These guys are great, good job!”

“Protect them, brothers, don’t let others get close!”

…

Lieutenant General Avis received a call from Major General Eden: “The warehouse has been occupied by the Germans. The Germans are obviously prepared. Their fighters are shooting around the warehouse. No one can get close.”

Lieutenant General Avis looked ashen: “No matter how much it costs, Major General, we must take back the warehouse. You know how important those supplies are to us!”

Major General Eden replied: “I know, General, I will try my best!”

…

Dunkirk, British Expeditionary Force Headquarters.

Kitchener, who had just woken up, was enjoying breakfast in his lounge. He planned to set off to the Somme River today.

That was the most important battlefield for the expeditionary force. The expeditionary force must make a breakthrough. Only in this way can it establish its prestige and deter the colonial army.

However, Haig’s conservatism and stubbornness became the biggest obstacle. He always refused to use tank clusters to attack and insisted on the charge mode of infantry and cavalry.

“I need to command there in person.” Kitchener shook his head gently and cut a piece of steak and put it into his mouth.

At this time, there was a hurried sound of footsteps outside the door, and then the door was pushed open suddenly. The staff reported: “Your Excellency Marshal, the Germans launched an attack.”

“Attack?” Kitchener’s eyes lit up: “Somme River?”

This is a good thing. Kitchener was worried about not being able to break through the German machine guns and trenches. He didn’t expect them to counterattack.

“No, Your Excellency Marshal.” The staff replied with a panic tone: “It’s Antwerp!”

“Antwerp?” Kitchener frowned, which was beyond his expectation.

But he didn’t care. The Germans had been tied up in Verdun and the Somme River, and they didn’t have many troops to attack Antwerp.

The British army, however, had deployed heavy troops on the Antwerp defense line.

However, the next second, the staff added: “Our army was caught off guard and has been completely defeated!”

The knife and fork in Kitchener’s hand fell on the porcelain plate with a clang, and he looked up at the staff: “You, what did you say?”

“Our army has been completely defeated.” The staff repeated: “The German vanguard has reached the fortress defense line and even infiltrated Antwerp to capture the material warehouse.”

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“What? They captured the material warehouse?”

“In addition.” The staff added an intelligence: “Our sea transport line was attacked by German submarines, and 37 transport ships and destroyers were lost. More than a dozen were captured by the Germans. The situation is unclear.”

Kitchener stood up with a “thump”, hesitated for a moment, turned around and walked to the map hanging on the wall to find the Antwerp defense line.

It’s over. Kitchener understood the Germans’ intention. They planned to open a breakthrough by blocking supplies.

And the British army was right at this breakthrough, and they faced the elite troops of the German army!

…

At the Paris City Hall, Briand was stopped by Clemenceau as soon as he walked into the gate.

“Emergency, Prime Minister.” Clemenceau looked panicked: “The Germans are attacking Antwerp, the situation is very bad, and the British are retreating.”

“What?” Briand was stunned: “The Germans should not have many troops to attack Antwerp.”

“Not many indeed.” Clemenceau replied: “Only two armies with more than 100,000 people, but the British…”

Clemenceau shrugged his shoulders, and the sickle-like beard on his mouth curled up, as if to say that we can’t have hope for them in terms of war.

“We are holding an emergency meeting to discuss this matter.” Clemenceau made a gesture of invitation in the direction of the House of Representatives.

On the way, Briand couldn’t help asking: “How bad is it?”

“Very bad.” Clemenceau sighed: “The Germans blocked the route with submarines and occupied the material warehouse in Antwerp.”

Briand stopped suddenly and looked at Clemenceau in shock: “You mean, all the materials are in the hands of the Germans?”

Clemenceau turned around and nodded: “I’m afraid so, Prime Minister.”

Briand’s face instantly lost color.

Not long ago, he joined forces with the British to blockade Charles’ supplies and make it lose its combat effectiveness.

Now, the Germans have occupied the Antwerp warehouse and controlled all the supplies.

Is this too much?

Originally, he wanted to control and weaken Charles, but it turned into the collapse of the entire defense line!

Clemenceau returned to Briand, glanced at both sides, and said in a low voice: “We know nothing, Prime Minister, these are all done by the British!”