Chapter 684 - Forest battle

The sky over Charleroi was gray and hazy, and the smoke and coal particles in the air were almost visible to the naked eye.

When Colonel Fred and his troops retreated here, he almost escaped with his men because of the suffocating air.

The city of Charleroi is rich in coal, and large-scale smelting, glass, chemical, machinery, steel, and textile industries have developed around the Bois de Cazier coal mine.

Looking around, both sides of the Sangshir River are almost entirely lined with factories. Huge chimneys spew thick smoke into the sky. Sewage of various colors pours into the river through huge drain pipes, dyeing the entire river black. The air is filled with a disgusting stench.

(The picture above shows the remains of the Cazier Forest coal mine in Charleroi. The coal mine was once the focus of the city's development. In 1956, a major mining accident occurred, killing 262 miners. It was subsequently transformed into a historical museum)

"Maybe this is one of the reasons why they let us hold on here." Colonel Fred stood by the river and put away his telescope.

He just tried to find the source of the "black water", but failed, as there was no end to the "black water".

Staff Lieutenant Colonel Enzo remained silent.

He knew that Colonel Fred was right. The General Staff did not want to lose this energy and industrial city, which would be a huge loss for Germany, which was short of supplies.

However, Charleroi was surrounded by forests to the west, the Ardennes Mountains to the south, the following Belgian and French forces to the north, and Namur to the northeast, where the Charles's most elite troops were stationed.

Defending such an isolated city is almost the same as waiting to die.

"Colonel," the staff officer suggested, "perhaps we should deploy our defenses along the Sanshir River. This may allow us to hold out longer until reinforcements arrive."

"Reinforcements?" Colonel Fred smiled bitterly, "Do you think there will be reinforcements?"

"But this..." The staff officer looked around: "The General Staff hopes to defend this place, so of course they will send reinforcements."

Colonel Fred shook his head, looking helpless: "Please, Enzo, those in Namur are Charles' elite troops, the First Armored Army! And our First Tank Division has been transferred to the Somme River to attack the British. Can you tell me what other troops can reinforce Charleroi?"

Enzo pondered for a moment and felt that the colonel was right.

On the surface, Namur did not cut off the connection between Liege and Charleroi, as there were two roads and three small roads between the two.

However, if any troops dared to reinforce Charleroi, Charles' reconnaissance planes would be able to spot them immediately.

Then, this reinforcement force would be surrounded by Charles' First Armored Army and destroyed on the road, completely destroyed.

"This is one of the reasons why Charles' tanks haven't appeared in front of us until now." Colonel Fred said self-deprecatingly: "Do you think he is afraid of us? No, he is surrounding the enemy and attacking the reinforcements. He hopes that someone will come out of the Liege Fortress and throw himself into his mouth!"

The staff officer looked pale.

If reinforcements were sent, it would mean being deceived, so there would be no reinforcements. What would Charleroi do?

Death, or becoming a prisoner of war?

Colonel Fred seemed to see through the staff officer's thoughts. He comforted him, "Don't worry, Enzo, we can survive."

Colonel Fred looked southward toward the Ardennes Mountains. "As long as we deploy our forces to the south, understand?"

The staff officer was stunned, and followed the colonel's gaze to the south: "You mean, the Ardennes Mountains are our retreat?"

Colonel Fred nodded slowly: "Tanks need roads. They can't advance in the mountains and jungles. That is our retreat, and it is our only retreat!"

Colonel Fred had never intended to hold on to Charleroi from the beginning; that was unrealistic.

His plan was to station two battalions at Charleroi, making it appear that it was still in German hands.

The main force was deployed in the mountainous area in the south. A few kilometers away there was a place called "Black Village" which was very suitable for defense. There were coal mines everywhere and it was pitch black.

Dig a trench and let the soldiers roll on the ground, and the people and equipment will blend into the environment.

More importantly, during the war, the German army could also set fire to the piled up coal mountains, and the area within a few miles would be engulfed in smoke and unpleasant odors.

In this environment, even Charles' fighter planes and tanks would be helpless.

The main force could then easily withdraw into the forest defenses.

"Colonel." Then a signalman handed over a telegram:

"The General Staff called and the Chief of Staff decided to promote you to major general."

"The Charleroi garrison will be reorganized into the 31st Division, with you as the division commander."

"In addition, the Chief of the General Staff hopes that you can hold on to Charleroi. Once the time is right, our army can attack Namur from both sides and recapture it in one fell swoop!"

Fred took the telegram casually, put it in his pocket without even looking at it, with a contemptuous smile on his face.

Attack Namur from both sides?

This is just a trick. The Chief of General Staff hopes to use the remnants of the enemy as much as possible instead of surrendering!

"Colonel." At this time, another signalman came forward and reported: "Major Fiend reports that they found French troops in the forest!"

"What?" Colonel Fred's expression changed drastically.

Major Fiend was a member of the troop he sent to scout the Ardennes Mountains. Did the discovery of the French army there mean that the French army had already occupied the forest first?

"Are you sure it's the French army?" asked Colonel Fred.

They might mistake the Belgian guerrillas for French troops, Colonel Fred thought.

However, the reply a few minutes later disappointed Colonel Fred: "It is confirmed that it is the French army, and there are quite a few of them. Please give your orders!"

In fact, there was no need for orders. Gunshots and explosions could be heard faintly in the forest in the distance.

Needless to say, the two armies had already engaged in combat in the forest.

"Send reinforcements immediately!" Colonel Fred ordered, "Be sure to guard the entrance to the forest!"

"Yes, Colonel!" The signalman turned around and went down to convey the order.

Colonel Fred paced back and forth anxiously like an ant on hot pot.

How many French troops were deployed in the forest?

If it was the main force, it would mean that the retreat route was cut off.

A terrible picture flashed through Colonel Fred's mind: the German army hoped to retreat into the forest to escape the attack of the Charles tank unit, but suddenly black holes of gun muzzles appeared from behind the tree trunks in the forest, knocking down the unprotected and unprotected German soldiers one by one in a pool of blood.

"No!" Colonel Fred suddenly stopped, turned to the staff officer and gave an order with a horrified look on his face: "Organize the troops immediately and prepare to retreat into the forest!"

"Yes, Colonel!" The staff officer responded, but suddenly remembered that Colonel Fred had been promoted to Major General, so he quickly changed his words: "Yes, General!"

Major General Fred frowned and waved his hand impatiently.

Doesn't this guy know that this is a matter of life and death? He still cares about this!