Chapter 439 The final madness

On the seventh day of the war, the encirclement gradually stabilized.

Foch's 9th Army continued to enter the village of Pouvert along the channel opened by the Charles armored forces, and then they rushed to Brussels, perfectly closing the encirclement and encircling the German troops who had no time to escape in the area west of Brussels.

The Germans made several attempts to break out, but all ended in failure.

Charles has obtained sufficient fuel and ammunition from the 9th Army. No matter where the German army breaks through, armored troops and mechanized troops can arrive within a few hours and defeat the German army.

The German army suffered from no air superiority, and its tank force was destroyed by the Shire and could not be rebuilt in a short period of time. Therefore, it was helpless against the Shire's armored force.

As time went by, the "Shire A1" and armored vehicles, and even the "Saint-Salmon" modified into artillery, became like a curse on the German army. As soon as their figures appeared, the German army, which was still fighting in a orderly manner, immediately collapsed. Escape.

Falkenhay also hoped to make a final struggle. He sent a message to Lieutenant General Baird who was commanding in the encirclement: "Hold on, Lieutenant General! You can get food from the Belgians, and the ammunition can last for more than ten days. We There is a plan to break through the French defenses and defeat them completely. "

Lieutenant General Baird looked at the telegram and felt puzzled.

Can the ammunition last for more than ten days? How did Falkenhayn make his estimate?

Most of their ammunition fell into the hands of the French when the front line collapsed. The fierce fighting in the past few days had been almost consumed, and they could last at most two or three days without large-scale fighting.

Food can indeed be obtained from the Belgians, and they have always done so.

However……

Lieutenant General Baird had to consider a practical problem: the Belgians were definitely unwilling to "give" food to the Germans, and their resistance would become stronger and stronger, and in the end they would have to rob or force them.

This will inevitably lead to conflicts, which may eventually lead to robbery or even massacre.

Many soldiers thought that their end had come, and they hoped to take advantage of this last chance to go crazy, so it would be difficult to recover once they let go.

However, is this really appropriate?

Lieutenant General Baird fell into thinking. He was not thinking about morality, but how he would be treated after surrendering.

Ordering to seize grain from the Belgians almost eliminated his own escape route. After the French and Belgians caught him, they would nail him to the pillar of shame, and finally drag him to the execution ground like a dog and kill him.

But if he refuses to obey Falkenhayn's orders and restrain his own men...

Thinking of this, Lieutenant General Baird carefully folded the telegram into small pieces and stuffed it into his underwear pocket. After thinking about it, he took the military thorn and cut the lining of the military uniform, hiding the telegram in the interlayer.

At this time, French bombers flew over the Germans with a terrifying "rumbling" sound.

The Germans frantically looked for a place to hide, but found that what was dropped from the sky was not bombs but leaflets.

The flyers fell like snowflakes, tumbling in various movements in the breeze before finally falling to the ground.

The German soldiers walked out of the hiding place cautiously, hesitantly picking up the leaflets and glancing sideways. They were worried that they would be scolded by their superiors.

But soon, they discovered that the superior was doing the same thing.

A communications soldier picked up a leaflet and sent it to Lieutenant General Baird. Lieutenant General Baird looked at it seriously:

"Charles warns all German officers and soldiers that the victory has been decided at this point in the war, and any resistance is futile."

"If you still want to continue fighting, we are happy to accompany you."

"But we ask that this be a battle between gentlemen and nothing to do with civilians."

"If you treat civilians well, we will treat you well as prisoners."

"However, if you try to harm the Belgian people at this last moment, I guarantee you will be guillotined!"

(Note: The guillotine was widely used after its invention in France in 1792. It has been the main method of execution in France for nearly 200 years. It was considered a merciful method of execution that could lead to quick death, and it was not abolished until 1977)

When Baird saw the flyer, he immediately realized that he had made the right decision.

Now, it's time to get in touch with the French.

…

Ciel is actually trying to win people's hearts.

The Germans did not need to send leaflets to "threat" them, they were smart people who knew what to do.

Charles's leaflet was sent to the Belgians.

Although Ciel didn't know what the use was, it was just throwing away some worthless paper anyway, so why not do it!

Ciel regarded it as a trivial matter and forgot about it after giving the order.

But for the Belgians, especially those Belgians who were surrounded by the Germans, it was a matter of life and death!

"The Germans are at the end of their rope. Will they swing their butcher knife at us at the last moment?"

"Or, will they take us hostage?"

"How about we be put on the battlefield and let us take the lead to break out!"

…

People were trembling with fear, and many hid in their basements, afraid to come out, hoping to survive this most dangerous period.

Charles's leaflet was thrown down, and more Belgians saw this statement. They all cried with joy and rushed to spread the praise:

"Look, Ciel is trying his best to protect us. He is simply our savior, saving us from danger time and time again."

"With this statement, Germany will be more honest, right?"

"Of course, they're no longer fighting for food, even though they're still hungry."

…

Officers' Club, Paris, France.

Although it was not yet the opening time, officers were already crowding in. They wanted to drink to celebrate the French army's victory, and proudly clinked glasses with others to discuss the results of the Shire, as if they were part of it. .

The officers did not forget to praise Lucia:

"You have a great boyfriend, Lucia!"

"He's perfect, don't let him go or you'll regret it."

"You are the luckiest man in the world. All women will be jealous, including Harry!"

…

The officers roared with laughter as they recalled Charles shooting Harry.

Lucia could only express her gratitude with a smile on her face, but there was a trace of bitterness in her heart. Only she knew that she was just Ciel's girlfriend on the surface.

When serving wine to the officers, Lucia asked nervously about the war in Belgium.

"What's wrong?" Garrel joked: "Are you worried that Ciel will lose this battle?"

"No, Garrel." Lucia shook her head worriedly: "My parents are in Ghent, and there is my brother."

Seeing that Garrel didn't understand, Lucia added: "Ghent is under siege, I'm worried..."

Garrel understood instantly. Everyone was speculating whether the surrounded Germans would have a "final madness".

"It will be okay." Garrel comforted, "Ciel will protect them."

Lucia's eyes turned red and she nodded slightly.

Charles may be able to save Belgium, but he cannot save her parents and family!