Chapter 537: Chapter 537 The Battle Seems to Be Over
The pressure on the second anti-tank trench would be greater because German infantry could shoot accurately, and there were constant mortar shells hitting the attacking French Army.
However, for the well-armed First Armored Division, these were mere trifles. The "Saint Chammon" and the mortar operators immediately suppressed the Germans from the rear.
The rapid-firing and high-accuracy 75 cannons quickly silenced the German machine gun posts one after another. The German trenches were bombed as if hit by a hurricane, with soldiers screaming as they were thrown into the trenches by the shockwaves and buried by the flying dirt.
The mortar operators were well-trained, each one had been fed with a massive amount of shells by Shire. During battle, they hardly needed to measure; they could adjust the mortar angle almost by instinct, and within a few shells, they could precisely hit the German bunkers, destroying the German firepower hiding behind them one by one.
Note: Mortars could often be used by instinct. During World War II, Japanese mortar operators could hit a target with precision based on their instincts; they often used mortars to suppress Chinese machine guns. Mortars during this period had short ranges, not much different from grenade launchers.
The French Army took this opportunity to continue advancing.
The second batch of bridge-building vehicles crossed the first anti-tank trench under the cover of tank and infantry fire.
Their speed was perhaps only a dozen kilometers per hour, but they advanced steadily, covering several hundred meters within a few minutes.
Then, they extended the steel frame bridges again, methodically placing them over the anti-tank trench...
The German soldiers were on the verge of collapse. They could only watch helplessly as the tanks kept advancing towards them, with no means to stop them. Many wanted to retreat but were firmly held back by Colonel Fein, the frontline commander:
"Hold them off! Our trench is widened; their tanks can’t easily get through!"
"They’re armored troops, not skilled in close combat. Fix bayonets!"
"Victory belongs to us!"
...
The German soldiers forced themselves to calm down.
They comforted themselves, knowing Colonel Fein was right. The "Shire A1" indeed could not pass through the widened infantry trench unless the French Army had more bridge-building vehicles.
Moreover, the German Army had always been superior in close combat skills compared to the French Army.
So, the German Army still had hope for victory, and might even launch a counterattack!
However, before they could react, the French Army launched an assault under the cover of tank fire.
First, a volley of grenades exploded the Germans into dizzying chaos, followed by a long, sharp whistle. The French soldiers then charged towards the German trench with shouts.
The situation tilted unexpectedly, with the German Army unable to put up any resistance.
This was not even a close-quarters melee, for it lacked the clash of bayonets, the grappling and wrestling, or the fierce hand-to-hand combat. Instead, it was a one-sided massacre by the French Army against the Germans.
Submachine gunners stood by the trench edge, brandishing their submachine guns in a sweeping motion. After a burst of "rat-tat-tat," the Germans, yet to recover from the grenade explosions, fell in pools of blood.
The PPD submachine gun, with its 71-round drum magazine, could kill several German soldiers multiple times over in an instant.
Shotgunners often jumped directly into the trench, exploiting the short barrel to shoot at close enemies.
The advantage was its strong stopping power, which instantly repelled any enemies charging towards them. With a shotgun in hand, there was little worry about enemies getting too close.
Note: Submachine guns use pistol cartridges with much less stopping power. At close range, if an enemy charges with a bayonet, the submachine gun might not kill them before the bayonet pierces the chest.
The submachine gunners and shotgunners cooperated, aided by grenades and rifles. The French Army wreaked havoc in the trench, with the Germans wailing in despair. After a brief resistance, they abandoned their positions and fled.
Erwin also had to retreat with his troops. At that moment, the terrifying whistle of rockets filled the air again.
Erwin was both shocked and fearful.
Shire’s troops were not only equipped with more advanced artillery, tanks, and bridge-building vehicles, but also new firearms for close combat and melee, and they fought with great bravery.
What kind of army could the German Army challenge with such might?
Even if they escaped today, how could they defeat this army in future battles?
At that moment, Erwin even thought about giving up.
...
The news of victory reached Shire’s command post, and Shire simply nodded calmly.
He wasn’t surprised. The German Army had placed too much hope on artillery blockade and anti-tank trenches.
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. When their reliance crumbled one by one, the blow to morale was fatal, and retreat was just a matter of time.
Tijani, after a brief daze, laughed: "Unbelievable, what seemed like an impregnable fortress to others, you took in just two days."
"It’s too early to talk about victory, General," Shire replied. "This is only the first German defensive line, they still have a second line and the final Namur Fortress."
This was the German defense in depth, and their tank units had yet to appear.
Most importantly, the Germans might use Namur City as a stronghold for street fighting against the French Army.
This was Shire’s real concern, not just because of the complexity of street fighting, but also because there were many Belgian civilians in the city, where fighting would inevitably cause civilian casualties, tying the French Army’s hands.
But, before Shire could think of a countermeasure, communications officers came with reports one after another:
"General, the Germans have withdrawn from the second line."
"General, the Germans have abandoned Namur Fortress!"
"The Germans are in full retreat, including from Namur City!"
...
Shire was bewildered. Retreating so quickly? They couldn’t even give chase.
Tijani laughed heartily: "Major General, you only considered the difficulties we would face in street fighting in Namur City, without considering the difficulties the Germans would face."
Shire thought about it and had to agree.
The place was full of Belgians and many guerrilla fighters. The Germans engaged in street fighting in Namur would be far more challenging than for the French.
"General, General!" came Albert I’s excited voice from outside the command post.
Soon, Albert I, accompanied by Brigadier General Eden, came hurriedly down the tunnel. As soon as he saw Shire, he quickened his pace and embraced him tightly, his voice trembling with excitement:
"Wonderful, General, you really are fighting to retake Namur."
"I thought it was another false report like last time, but it turned out to be true."
Shire replied, "I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I didn’t inform you in advance."
"No, no," Albert I replied cheerfully, "I understand, for secrecy."
Brigadier General Eden stepped forward and saluted: "General, the First Belgian Special Forces are ready. They’re stationed in Mons and can reinforce at any time. Please give the order!"
Shire scratched his head awkwardly: "Sorry, Brigadier General. The battle seems to be over!"
"What?" Albert I and Brigadier General Eden looked at each other in disbelief, thinking the battle had just begun.