Chapter 515: Chapter Five Hundred and Fifteen: Double Blow
"But Namur Fortress is not suitable for an armored assault," Tijani was a bit anxious. "In fact, it’s not suitable for our troops to attack, including mechanized units."
This had been discussed previously, after all, Namur Fortress was right in front of the Antwerp defense line.
Shire and Tijani even simulated it on the map more than once.
The terrain in this area is complex; it is located at the confluence of the Meuse River and the Sambre River, where the rivers make a large loop that surrounds a piece of land suitable for artillery deployment.
The Germans cleverly utilized the terrain here to build their defensive lines.
To attack here, one must either fight while crossing the river or be bombarded by German artillery all the way while navigating through a narrow passage formed by the river and the forest.
(The image above is a topographical map of Namur. The confluence of the two rivers in the lower right is Namur Castle.)
Infantry can attack this place because they have the forest for cover.
But highly road-dependent and terrain-sensitive armored units attacking here would be seeking death.
Tijani flipped through the battle plan again, his brows knitting deeper and deeper, finally tossing the document onto the table: "No, I must tell the British that there is a problem with this plan."
Saying that, he turned and headed towards the telegraph room.
They must not understand the combat characteristics of armored units, Tijani thought, which is why they would come up with such a nonsensical attack plan.
Shire stopped him: "You think the British don’t know?"
"What?" Tijani turned to look at Shire, then answered after a pause: "Of course, Major General, of course they don’t know. Otherwise, how could they do this!"
"No, General." Shire calmly said: "They do know, and that’s exactly why they are doing it."
"You mean..." Tijani’s face gradually lost color: "They’re doing this on purpose?!"
Shire nodded affirmatively: "We’re bait, General, they’re using us as bait."
"Bait?" Tijani didn’t understand.
Shire explained: "Before attacking Verdun, the Germans frequently maneuvered and launched feints at Belfort, they are copying this plan."
Tijani instantly understood: "We attack Namur to attract the Germans’ attention and forces?"
"Yes." Shire answered: "We have successfully penetrated Antwerp before, and if we penetrate from Namur to Liege, we could directly cut off the Germans’ supply line, which is something the Germans do not want to see."
"Therefore." Tijani continued Shire’s words: "The Germans will definitely pay attention and have to pay attention, allowing the British to attack in other directions and easily gain victory!"
This was what Shire meant to say.
Shire and Tijani had both been wrong before.
They thought the British would command Shire’s troops to win the battle and then steal their credit.
Unexpectedly, the British didn’t care about such petty actions and small credits; they directly threw Shire and his troops into the fire pit, hoping that Shire would lose the battle or even face some accident.
Then the British would triumph on the other side, highlighting the greatness of the British Army in comparison.
Perfect, it couldn’t be better!
"They are targeting me." Shire said, feeling that he had implicated others.
"No, Major General." Tijani looked at Shire seriously, understanding what was going on: "They are not targeting you, they are targeting you and your troops, and France!"
Tijani was not comforting Shire, he genuinely believed this.
"Don’t think this is just about you." Tijani said firmly: "They aim to defeat not just Shire, but Mars of France, the hope of France, and the confidence of the citizens!"
Shire fell silent.
Tijani made sense; the ultimate goal of the British was to outshine the French Army, and Shire just happened to lead the French Army to victory.
"Now." Tijani put the document in front of Shire: "If we can’t refuse, how should we fight this battle?"
Shire didn’t answer; he was thinking about who came up with this brilliant plan to kill two birds with one stone.
Nivelle?
Impossible, he one-sidedly emphasized artillery, believing it could defeat everything, paying no regard to tanks.
Haig?
Also impossible, this guy didn’t even believe in machine guns, let alone tanks.
These people, who didn’t understand tanks, naturally wouldn’t know where the tank quagmire was, and hence couldn’t set up this trap.
Next, Shire thought of one person.
"The Minister of the Navy" had mentioned him, now holding great power and even daring to openly defy the House of Commons’ resolutions—Minister of the Army, Kitchener.
It was him.
He had the motive, to make the British Army the focus of global attention, paving the way towards the Prime Minister position with victory.
He had the capability as well, unlike Nivelle or Haig, who were so obstinate.
"Major General?" Tijani interrupted Shire’s thoughts: "What should we do?"
Shire pondered for a moment before replying ambiguously: "Spread the word."
"What?" Tijani looked puzzled.
"Our orders to attack Namur." Shire said: "Spread the word, let everyone know."
Tijani was even more perplexed, staring at Shire in shock:
"If we do that, the Germans will immediately know we’re going to attack, Major General."
"Everyone is keeping it secret, worrying about the enemy finding out our attack direction, but you’re voluntarily spreading the news?"
What kind of operation was this?
Shire retorted: "Do you think the Germans don’t know?"
Tijani suddenly realized that if this was all a British setup, hoping the Germans would be drawn to Namur by Shire’s attack, they would definitely "warn" the Germans through some channel.
Then Tijani seemed to get Shire’s intention: "If we spread the word and make it known to all, the Germans would know it might be a bait because no one would reveal their main attack direction."
"Not just that." Shire replied: "The key is to expose the British intent."
Tijani let out an "Oh," finally understanding fully, and then he became excited:
"Good idea! The French people will be outraged, Major General."
"The British used such despicable means to control the battlefield, trying to send the French elite troops into a quagmire."
"This is clearly borrowing Germans’ hand to eliminate the undefeated French troops, even Shire, for personal vendettas!"
"My God, I can’t wait to see people take to the streets condemning the British, especially Nivelle!"
Shire let out a cold hum in his heart:
If you think I’m easy to deal with, then you are wrong. The Shire now is not the Shire of a year ago.
Want to deal with me? First, try facing the wrath of the French people.
Finally, if under such circumstances, I can still win this battle while the British suffer a great defeat, you will face a double blow!