Chapter 443 Mobile Defense

A trace of hesitation flashed in Albert I's eyes: "What do you mean, we should develop armored forces?"

Colonel Eden nodded: "That's how it should be, Your Majesty. A tank is actually a fortress, a movable fortress. The money we use to build a fortress is enough to buy hundreds of tanks. But the fortress can only stay in one place and wait. When the enemy comes to attack, the tank can move around and play unexpected roles, just like the Brigadier General did."

Charles was a little surprised by Colonel Eden's words. Most of what he said was right. Today, when everyone is obsessed with digging trenches and advocating for defense, it is really rare to have Colonel Eden's mobile combat ideas.

But Charles retorted: "No, Colonel, tanks cannot always maneuver. They always stop. In addition, fuel and logistics are their biggest weaknesses. This time we almost fell short because of this."

Colonel Eden was stunned. He had not considered this.

Thinking more carefully, he felt that what Charles said made sense. The enemy did not need to attack the tank group, but only needed to attack the fuel base in Belgium.

If tanks are used to protect fuel, then the tanks will lose room for flexible maneuvers, because they will be tied up by the fuel base and cannot go anywhere.

Albert I frowned: "Then, we need a place to protect the fuel."

Then Albert I's eyes lit up: "I understand, what the Brigadier General means is that we need both armored forces and fortresses."

Charles nodded: "The fortress can be used as a support point to provide security for tanks, fuel and maintenance, and tanks can maneuver between several support points. They will be like invisible ropes, connecting each support point. Together they form a complete defense system that can be both offensive and defensive.”

"That's a very good idea, General." Colonel Eden looked at Charles in surprise: "You gave a very clear defense plan, just in one thought."

During this period, Colonel Eden only learned from Charles's style of play that tanks must be "mobile", but he still had no clue.

Now that Charles said this, the originally vague thoughts gradually took shape in his mind.

Albert I hesitated and asked: "Can you be more specific?"

Charles placed the map of Belgium in front of the two of them, pointed to a few points and said: "We can build this surface based on Antwerp, Leuven, Namur, Liège and other areas that are easy to defend and difficult to attack. A system that is invisible but actually exists.”

Colonel Eden nodded slightly: "If you can't see it on the surface, it will be difficult for the enemy to obtain more information and launch a targeted attack. They will only suddenly realize its existence after experiencing the pain."

"Indeed." Ciel nodded.

This is the flaw of passive defense.

As for the fortifications placed there, as long as the enemy's intelligence work is detailed enough and they are willing to spend more time in preparation, they will be able to find the weaknesses of the defense, because there is no airtight wall in the world.

But if it is a mobile defense, the enemy cannot see it and is flexible, making it impossible to predict and prepare.

(The picture above shows the defense system built by Belgium from World War I to World War II. I can’t find the Chinese version, sorry. It is roughly divided into five parts: east, west, south, north, and center. The east is Liege Fortress, and the west is Ghent, Namur Fortress to the south, Antwerp to the north, and Leuven in the middle).

Albert I listened to Charles' analysis and stared at the map, feeling surprised and happy.

Charles, who is worthy of being called "France Mars", casually came up with such a wonderful and mature plan.

It cleverly makes use of Belgium's original fortresses, which not only saves money, but also combines modern equipment and modern combat thinking, making it flexible and versatile in both offense and defense...

I was indeed right about the man. His interests must be tied to Belgium at all costs.

What Albert I didn't know was that Charles's plan was not given "casually".

This is roughly the defense system that Belgium will build in the next few decades. The difference is that Belgium uses trenches, machine guns, bunkers, anti-tank fortifications and other fortifications to connect these support points.

Belgium even transformed an artificial canal into an anti-tank trench.

(The picture above shows the reconstructed Albert Canal in Belgium, which is 160 kilometers long from Antwerp until it joins the Meuse River. It is 60 meters wide on average, 5 meters deep, and the average height of the east bank is 65 meters.)

But unfortunately they didn't work.

Belgium made the same mistake as France. Their defense was too passive and they pinned all their hopes on these fortifications and neglected the construction of the army.

As a result, the Germans threw their airborne troops behind the defense lines, and attacked from both sides and easily broke through these seemingly impenetrable defense lines.

At this time, the plan given by Charles eliminated these fortifications that cost huge sums of money but had no effect at all in a real war, and replaced them with mobile troops.

If the construction of the Belgian army is strengthened, one day the Germans will throw the airborne troops behind the defense line. With only light weapons, they will face ruthless crushing by armored troops and mechanized troops.

Albert I seemed to be afraid that he would forget. He excitedly circled the places Charles mentioned with a pencil, and then nodded to Charles with satisfaction: "I completely agree, Brigadier General, I approve with both hands!"

As he spoke, Albert I turned his attention to Colonel Eden.

Albert I actually didn't need Colonel Eden's consent. At this time, he had won the general support of Belgian citizens because of his dedication to the liberation of Belgium during the war. His decision can almost be said to represent the will of Belgian citizens.

But Albert I knew that military affairs were not his forte, and Colonel Eden held real power, so he asked for his opinion.

Colonel Eden nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course, Your Majesty, I also agree with this plan. There is nothing better than this!"

At this time, Charles brought the topic back to the point: "But if you want to do this, I mean to maintain and update the fortress while building a modern army. It seems that I don't need to set up a factory in Antwerp."

Then Charles added: "As I said, you can buy equipment from France."

"No, Brigadier General." Albert I objected: "We need arsenals, at least on Belgian territory."

He didn't say why, but Charles understood it.

Belgium has to defend not only Germany, but France may also become an enemy one day.

Albert I was unwilling to rely entirely on France and become its puppet. This was the most basic political wisdom as a leader.