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

Chapter 967 Liège Fortress
"So, do we have the capability to regain air superiority?" Wilhelm II clenched his fist. "If it's crucial, we should strive for a breakthrough, even victory, in this area!"

Hindenburg should be ashamed.

This is the "clever" Emperor.

Anyone can say, "If we are inferior to the enemy in any aspect, we should defeat them in that aspect."

The key point is that it was a fighter jet developed by Charles, that Charles controlled the air superiority, and that the French Air Force had a group of excellent pilots. How easy would it be to surpass them?

However, Hindenburg had to admit that he was prepared.

“You are quite right, Your Majesty,” Hindenburg replied. “That is what I think too, and that is why we have prepared a new fighter jet, which I believe will help us regain air superiority.”

Hindenburg turned his attention to Ludendorff.

Ludendorff understood, turned back to his desk, took a document from a drawer, quickly returned, and handed it to Wilhelm II: "Your Majesty, please take a look. This is our newly developed 'Fokker D.VII' fighter plane."

(The image above shows the Fokker D.VII fighter plane from World War I, known as the "best fighter plane of World War I". Due to its excellent performance, Germany was explicitly prohibited from continuing to produce it under the Treaty of Versailles during negotiations. Unlike triplanes, it had excellent high-altitude performance and a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour, which almost crushed all the Allied aircraft.)
Wilhelm II simply flipped through it casually.

He didn't understand air combat, had no concept of it, and didn't know which data was important.

He simply nodded: "Then what are we waiting for? Why not send it to the battlefield?"

“Your Majesty,” Hindenburg explained, “we have only managed to produce 50 so far. Although its specifications are excellent, it has not been tested in actual combat. We hope to deploy it when we have a larger number, which will give us a greater advantage and a greater sense of surprise in the campaign.”

Hindenburg's idea was to use this secret weapon in conjunction with ground offensives.

It could potentially allow the German army to suddenly gain complete air superiority from having no air superiority at all, which would be extremely difficult for the British, American, and French forces to adapt to, and thus the German army could rely on the Fokker D.VII to achieve a strategic victory.

But Wilhelm II couldn't wait.

“Saarbrücken is more important than anything else,” he said. “Taking it would be a strategic victory, and if we could encircle and annihilate Char’s First Panzer Corps, it would be even more so!”

Hindenburg didn't know how to answer.

Defeating the Charr forces would indeed be a "strategic victory," as the Charr had never been defeated before, which would boost morale.

But the key is to be able to defeat him!
“It is precisely for the sake of defeating the Charles that we should wait, Your Majesty…” Hindenburg said.

“No.” Wilhelm II interrupted Hindenburg, ordering in an unquestionable tone: “Prepare immediately, we will launch an attack on Saarbrücken as quickly as possible.”

Hindenburg was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty, as you wish."

The expression on his face was not one of reluctance.

Suddenly, the communications soldier stood up and reported, "Marshal, Charles has flown to Belgium."

"Belgium?" Several people exclaimed in unison, then looked at each other in surprise.

At this time, when the German army was preparing to besiege Saarbrücken and remove this thorn in their side, Charles actually flew to Belgium.
……

Namur Airport, Belgium.

A military band in full regalia played "The Brabant Song," and people greeted Charles with cheers and flowers as he disembarked from the plane.

Christine, accompanied by several officers, stepped forward to salute Charles and exchanged handshakes and greetings.

Albert I excitedly stepped forward and embraced Charles: "You're finally back, my friend! That's wonderful!"

He was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears.

They were just one step away from retaking Belgium. But at the crucial moment, Charles turned his attention to France, leaving his men helpless.

Albert I even worried that Charles had forgotten about Belgium.

……

Namur's command post was still located in the ancient castle surrounded by the river, but it had been converted into Christine's army group command post.

Albert I, accompanied by Major General Eden, followed them all the way.

As soon as the group sat down on the sofa, Albert I asked impatiently, "Lieutenant General, you didn't come here just to see an old friend like me, did you?"

Charles took the coffee from the orderly and asked, "What? Is that not allowed?"

Albert I shrugged: "I guess not, otherwise you could just make a phone call."

Charles took a sip of his coffee: "I do have some things to take care of."

Albert I's eyes lit up instantly, and he stared at Charles, pricking up his ears.

But Charles's next words were: "I would like to take stock of our assets in Belgium and, incidentally, inspect the 6th Army."

Albert I let out an "Oh," his disappointment evident.

Charles chuckled, nearly choking on his coffee: "Your Majesty, as the King of Belgium, shouldn't you have some 'depth'?"

“Lieutenant General.” Albert I shook his head helplessly. “Perhaps I should maintain ‘depth’ in front of others, but what’s the point of that in front of you?”

Charles is the one who can decide the fate of Belgium; in the face of absolute power, all pretense is unnecessary.

“Alright, you guessed right,” Charles replied. “Let’s discuss how to retake Liège Fortress.”

Albert I thought he had misheard: "Lieutenant General, you're not joking with me, are you?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Charles retorted.

Albert I cheered and excitedly rushed forward to embrace Charles, even kissing him on the cheek: "Thank you, Lieutenant General, thank you so much! I knew we had finally waited for this moment!"

Major General Eden was also visibly pleased.

Although Belgium is doing very well now, the Liege fortress remains a sore spot for Belgium, and it feels like something is missing if it is not recaptured.

Christine remained calm; he had already guessed this, as Charles had recently ordered him to expedite reconnaissance of the German forces at the Liège fortress.

“General,” Christine handed over the documents, “this is the fortress's defense map that we’ve scouted.”

Before Charles could even open the document, the staff officer held up the phone and said to him, "Lieutenant General, Minister Gallieri is on the phone!"

Just as Charles picked up the microphone, he heard Gallieri curse:
"What's going on? Going to Belgium at this time?"

"Don't you know the intentions of the Germans, as well as the British and Americans?"

"Since you've already guessed their plot, why did you choose to leave at this time?"

Charles said calmly, "I'm doing this so they'll make their move sooner, General."

Gallieri on the other end of the phone went silent instantly.

This guy was prepared all along!
(End of this chapter)