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

Chapter 972 They plan to parachute in.
I'm late today, only one chapter. Sorry!

……

The German Fokker D.VII squadron suffered a crushing defeat, with only 7 of its 50 aircraft managing to escape the battlefield after being pursued by French Jenny A fighters.

The key point is that all the pilots who returned to the battlefield refused to take off again for combat, without exception:

"This is a pointless battle; fighting them is suicide."

"The performance gap between our aircraft and that of the enemy is too great, and this cannot be reversed by human effort."

"If there's even the slightest hope of victory, even just a tiny sliver, we'll carry out the order without hesitation. But that would just be sending ourselves to our deaths, pointless deaths!"

……

Thus, Hindenburg's imagined scenario of gaining air superiority and blocking the French army did not occur.

Instead, the French Air Force and artillery coordinated to suppress the German artillery, and then the armored forces quickly approached and launched an attack on the German defenses.

The German army suffered a crushing defeat. The infantry, who had just arrived and had not yet had time to build fortifications, were once again slaughtered by the First Panzer Corps. The artillery was destroyed by French tanks in waves before it could retreat.

……

When the news reached the General Staff in Berlin, everyone was stunned by the contents of the telegram.

They had considered the possibility of heavy losses for the Fokker D.VII, given that they did not have a significant advantage over French aircraft.

I also thought that this battle might not go as smoothly as I had imagined, after all, the opponent was the First Armored Corps of the Charr.

However, no one expected such a crushing defeat, an unprecedented defeat!
"The French army has been equipped with new fighter jets." Ludendorff was pale, holding a sketch in his hand, which was a description of what the frontline infantrymen had said after seeing the planes.

He handed the sketch to Hindenburg: "This fighter jet has a fully enclosed metal fuselage and is much faster than ours, estimated to reach speeds of 250 kilometers per hour."

Hindenburg said nothing and handed the sketch to Wilhelm II.

Wilhelm II launched this attack hastily, and he should bear the consequences.

Wilhelm II took the sketch and remained silent for a while; he neither understood it nor needed to understand it.

He cast a pleading look at Hindenburg: "Marshal, do we still have troops that can hold off the enemy?"

Hindenburg looked at the French troops advancing towards the Ruhr industrial region on the map and sighed.

Now is not the time to assign blame; losing the war will benefit no one.

“There is another unit,” Hindenburg replied. “It is our 1st and 2nd Tank Divisions, which I have already transferred to the vicinity of the Ruhr.”

This was Hindenburg's preparation; he always felt that Wilhelm II's attack plan was not quite right.

"However, their role is very limited," Hindenburg said with concern.

"The tanks used by these two tank divisions are 'LK2', which are no match for the enemy's tanks."

"Our only hope is that the anti-tank gun will make the enemy wary."

"If we can hold off the enemy for a while, an hour or two, our infantry will likely arrive and organize a defense."

Infantry were also equipped with anti-tank guns; if all else failed, they would be sent to take enemy tanks down with them, armed with grenades.

If technology and equipment are inadequate, then human lives will be the only way to stop them!
"Let's do it!" said Wilhelm II.

Hindenburg hesitated for a moment:

"But these two divisions are the last bulwark of the Ruhr industrial region, Your Majesty."

"If we send them to fill the gap in the direction of Liege Fortress, problems will arise."

"We have nothing left to stop the enemy..."

Wilhelm II interrupted Hindenburg: "The Liege fortress will be fine, Marshal, send the troops up!" Hindenburg nodded: "As you wish, Your Majesty."

He obeyed Wilhelm II's orders because he believed that it was too late to do anything at that point.

Charles has seized the opportunity to attack, and he will not let it go unless he achieves final victory!

……

Liege Fortress.

Major General Friedrich's headquarters was located in Lonsingburg.

This is not only because Lonsingborg was located at the heart of Liège's 12 fortresses, making it easier to command, but also because it was a symbol of the Belgian resistance.

When the German army attacked Liège, the Belgian officers and soldiers stationed at Longsingburg knew they were doomed but refused to surrender, waiting for the Big Bertha to bombard them one shell after another.

Ultimately, a shell hit the ammunition depot of "Lonsingborg," causing a massive explosion and the building to collapse.

After the war, Major General Friedrich spent several months rebuilding Lonsingburg and equipped the fortress with 252 cannons of various sizes, as well as dense machine gun emplacements that could cover a 360-degree radius.

In addition, it can form a crossfire network with surrounding Pontiburg, Bahonburg, and other fortified cities.

Therefore, Major General Friedrich did not take Hindenburg's warning to heart.

He tossed the telegram aside, his gaze sweeping over the firing port to survey the plain below, brimming with confidence: "If the Charles intends to attack this place, let them come. I'll teach them a lesson!"

This place is filled with fortified clusters of interlocking firepower, capable of crushing any attacking force like stepping on a bug.

Warnings from the General Staff came one after another to Major General Friedrich:

"The French army has been equipped with new tanks, which may be modified from the 'Char B2', with a 75mm cannon mounted on the turret."

Major General Friedrich chuckled softly: "75mm gun? They'd better think that kind of gun poses a threat to us!"

"The French army has equipped itself with new fighter jets, which have excellent performance, and we have lost air superiority!"

Major General Friedrich shook his head dismissively: "The plane is none of our business."

Major General Friedrich had only one concern: would the French build a large-caliber heavy artillery like the Germans did, and then bombard the fortress from beyond its range?

But after thinking about it for a while, Major General Friedrich thought it was unlikely.

Even with this tactical attack, it would be weeks before the French army could pass through the Liège fortress.

The French army, however, intended to pass through here to coordinate with its First Panzer Corps' attack.

Moreover, the Liège fortress was equipped with 105mm howitzers, whose range of over ten kilometers could easily keep French artillery out of range and render them useless.

"I have no reason to worry," Major General Friedrich reassured himself.

But he still felt uneasy.

The composure and confidence were just an act for others; after all, the one he was dealing with was Ciel, the Ciel who had never lost a battle.

If he decides to launch a full-scale attack on Liège, he must have a way.

Major General Friedrich, however, did not yet know what method Charles could use.

Suddenly, the piercing air raid siren sounded.

The communications soldier reported: "General, the French have launched an attack; it's aircraft."

Major General Friedrich strode to the outside of the fortress and looked up at the sky. He saw that the sky was densely packed with airplanes, at least a hundred of them.

Then Major General Friedrich's expression changed: "It's a transport plane, they're planning to airdrop!"

(End of this chapter)