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"Is this the heavy weapon of the French people? It doesn't look better than our National Defense Forces," Bock looked disdainfully at the soldiers moving the 81mm mortar in front of him. After a brief battle, this French division quickly surrendered."
The Fourth Infantry Division, which was ambushed here, originally thought they would have to endure a tough battle, especially since they did not have any heavy weapons. Equipment such as the Wild Bees Locomotion Artillery developed by Krupp Company and the 88mm anti-everything gun were not allowed to be installed, and Rommel's Seventh Armor Division did not even have a single tank. If it weren't for the "Anglo-German Naval Agreement," the Seventh Armor Division would actually not be much different from a regular infantry division.
Fortunately, the armor vehicles can ensure the mobility of the troops. Even in mountainous areas, as long as there are roads, the four-legged wheels can still run faster than people.
"Report to the division commander, the latest battle report is out."
Bock's deputy ran over from a distance, saluted Bock, and then handed the latest battle report to Bock.
"Killing 1407 enemy soldiers, injuring 2307, and capturing a total of 8907 people. Our side had 107 deaths, 123 minor injuries, and 87 serious injuries."
Bock Looking at these numbers is a bit heartbreaking, although the exchange in this battle is very impressive, every soldier of the National Defense Forces is trained to the standard of an officer.
Losing a soldier, to some extent, means that the National Defense Forces are short of a squad's worth of manpower. And Bock also doesn't believe that the lives of French soldiers are as precious as those of German soldiers. In his eyes, it's best to annihilate a French division without the National Defense Forces losing a single person.
"Commander, sacrifice is inevitable, but there is also some good news."
Bock's deputy noticed that his commander was feeling a bit down, so he mentioned the gains from this battle.
"Due to the very rapid surrender of the French people, we have almost captured all of their division's weapons and equipment."
Including 158 heavy machine guns, 24 81mm mortars, 29 medium mortars, 108 light mortars, 58 anti-tank guns, 36 75mm guns, 12 105mm light howitzers, and 12 155mm heavy guns. "These captured weapons will not be restricted by the Treaty of Versailles, and we can use them as we please."
"This is good news. Although these weapons are not advanced, it's better than having nothing at all."
French people have started the war, can they still control us using the captured weapons?"
Bock nodded, seemingly agreeing with this statement.
However, the biggest problem plaguing the National Defense Forces is not in the weapons department.
Even under many restrictions, they can still reduce the adverse effects through their wisdom by using alternatives. The key issue is that there are no substitutes for people. The entire Southern Front National Defense Forces only have 150,000 people, while the attacking French people outnumber them two to one, and there are even more reserve forces coming in. Fortunately, under the command of Model, the National Defense Forces on the front lines of the Southern Front have launched attacks against the advancing French Army.
The method used was the same: after the French Army entered the predetermined ambush location, the troops riding in armor vehicles ambushed their rear, and the ambushing troops quickly launched an attack. These French people had no idea they would encounter resistance, so they easily walked into the trap. As a result, without surprise, all ten France divisions that fell into the pocket surrendered.
It's not because the French Army are a bunch of cowards, but because only cowards would rush to the very front, as they want to claim credit. Any division that sent out reconnaissance teams did not enter the National Defense Forces' encirclement. Due to time constraints, Germany only had time to build some strong fortifications and did not have time to consider concealment.
So the reconnaissance troops of France did not have to make much effort to discover the ambush fortifications, because these exposed fortresses and trenches were very obvious.
About ten divisions did not fall into Model's pocket, which means that the French Army suffered approximately one-third casualties of the 300,000 troops launched into a full-scale attack at Gamelin's request.
For the National Defense Forces, the good news is that they obtained the weapons and equipment of about ten divisions, including heavy weapons they were unable to use.
Although the ambush conditions elsewhere were not as favorable as those in the Freiburg region, the fighting spirit of the French people, who came seeking glory, was not particularly strong. They lacked the determination to resist until the end, so upon realizing they were surrounded, they quickly chose to surrender. The National Defense Forces disarmed these prisoners and then promised to treat them according to the Geneva Conventions.
Germany does not want to provoke the French people, despite the prevalence of pacifism in France. If the National Defense Forces were to treat them like slaves, the enraged French people might clamor for a decisive battle with Germany. Moreover, this would also help reduce the combat will of the French people, who themselves are bargaining chips.
As for the bad news, after the conclusion of this ambush campaign, the French Army will reassess this battle and consider the National Defense Forces as opponents on the same level as themselves.
Worse still, the combat effectiveness of the French Army has not actually diminished, as the losses were primarily among peripheral units, while the true elite forces remain intact. Moreover, losing a hundred thousand troops is not significant for the French Army; they can easily fill this gap at any time.
Actually, the combat effectiveness of the French Army is expected to become stronger in the near future. However, regardless, the National Defense Forces ultimately achieved a great victory in the new Maginot Line, and if this news is transmitted back, it will be a great encouragement for the entire Germany.
"Can anyone explain what exactly is happening on the front line?"
President Du Merlo is angrily questioning the generals at the headquarters, his face red with anger, looking like a defeated rooster. Upon hearing the frontline battle report, Du Merlo immediately became restless and flew from Paris to Vichy to hold the commanders accountable. "In just one day, we have lost ten divisions, and a third of our forces at the frontline have been captured. What is the command headquarters doing?"
"This is not a problem with our headquarters, President Du Merlo. These grassroots division commanders did not follow our orders. They went against my command and advanced several tens of kilometers beyond the designated distance, walking straight into the enemy's encirclement." General Gamelin's face also looked grim. He was still enjoying the media's praise and the dream of reaching Berlin in three months, but the news from the front line divisions dealt him a heavy blow. Gamelin
Those surrendering soldiers still have a conscience. At least they transmitted the message back to headquarters before surrendering, otherwise Gamelin still wouldn't know what really happened on the front line.
As for admitting their own mistakes? That's impossible. They still plan to turn the tide against the wind! At this moment, they must shift the blame.
"I don't want an explanation, I want a solution."
President Dumiro said with dissatisfaction, at this moment he could no longer care about his own image. This special military operation was something he had fully supported and passed through Congress. If France were to face a political failure, that would be one thing, but if it also suffered a disastrous military defeat, Dumiro could not accept such an outcome.
He certainly did not want to resign due to a defeat; he still planned to stay in this position for a few more years.
"Don't worry, President Dumérol. Although we have encountered setbacks on the front lines, we are still generally in a position of advantage. This war... this special military operation... we still have a good chance of success."
The silent Marshal Pétain finally spoke up, although he was not very accustomed to this new terminology and took several attempts before he succeeded.
" Marshal Pétain, what do you think of this operation?" Du Meiluo asked. "Although the Germans won this battle, it doesn't change the fact that they only have two hundred thousand troops."
Our regular army in France consists of 600,000 soldiers, and if necessary, we can also call up more. We must make good use of our numerical advantage, engage them in a war of attrition, and slowly wear them down using European warfare tactics. When we have worn down their forces, we will naturally be the ultimate victors." Bedan has given his answer, and in fact, this is the best solution.
For the French Army, engaging in a war of attrition against the German Army is the correct strategy. They defeated the Germans in World War I by relying on Trench Warfare and now using their large forces to wear down Germany's elite troops is certainly the best approach. "As expected of Marshal Pétain, he quickly identified the key issue."
Du Meiluo looked admiringly, although he couldn't understand, it didn't stop him from expressing his respect for Bedang. Because this old man has never let France down, he is a hero of World War I, listening to him is always right. "Did you hear that? General Gamelin, you should know what to do next without me teaching you, right?"
Upon hearing President Du Merlo's blatant implication, Gamelin immediately became furious. He detested outsiders meddling in his affairs. He gritted his teeth and, looking at the people in front of him, managed to force out a sentence. "Understood, I will arrange the next actions according to Marshal Pétain's tactics in the European war."
At this moment, General Weygand, who had been watching the three of them argue, suddenly spoke up and caught their attention.
"Perhaps we can consider an attack from a different direction, there might be unexpected gains."
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