Chapter 677: Retreat
In Charleroi, Major General Fred's headquarters were located in a steel plant on the banks of the Sambre River. Fred chose this unconventional location deliberately, fearing that placing the headquarters in a prominent building—like a villa or the city hall—would invite precision bombing raids from Charles's air force.
This was Belgium, after all. Everywhere, resentful Belgians watched the occupying German forces with hostile eyes. They eagerly passed intelligence to resistance fighters, who then swiftly relayed it to Charles's forces. Within hours, bombers would darken the skies.
But even hidden within the steelworks, Fred remained uneasy. He paced anxiously around the room, occasionally stopping to study the map intently, desperately seeking a viable route for escape.
West?
Or south?
Fred leaned towards retreating south. To the west lay extensive, dense forests—wild and full of recently awakened beasts and poisonous insects after the thawing of winter. Moreover, even if his troops successfully navigated these forests, they would emerge near the fierce fighting along the Somme. Ending up captured by British forces or dragged immediately back into combat by German units was equally undesirable.
Southward seemed a better choice. If they traversed the Ardennes mountains, they would enter the relative safety of the German rear areas, providing precious time to rest and reorganize before returning to battle.
Yet there was a problem: French troops were likely already occupying the southern passes.
"General," Enzo approached carefully. "The troops are ready to move."
Fred nodded appreciatively. The readiness of German soldiers was impressive: within just fifteen minutes, more than five thousand soldiers had prepared for a mountainous retreat, carrying ropes for climbing and gathering horses and pack animals commandeered hastily from local Belgians for transport and, if necessary, food.
Yet Fred still hesitated, uncertain about the best direction for the breakout.
Suddenly, he turned sharply toward Enzo. "We still have eyes on Charles's forces, correct?"
"Yes, General," Enzo replied immediately. "A reconnaissance company remains hidden near Namur. We also have informants stationed in the city itself."
The German soldiers disguised themselves easily among locals in the region, most of whom spoke German. Distinguishing them from Belgians was nearly impossible.
Fred continued, "Has Charles's main armored force made any significant movements?"
"None reported, General," Enzo answered.
Fred's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, returning to the map. He murmured softly, as if clarifying something to himself: "Then the French soldiers reported to the south are probably from the Sixth Army based near Gembloux, not Charles's elite forces in Namur."
"They must have passed around Charleroi from the west, using the forests for cover," Fred concluded logically. The open eastern approaches were heavily monitored by German patrols, making a stealthy French movement there nearly impossible.
Enzo quickly understood. "Then, General, if French forces appear southward, it means the majority must still be positioned further west—since that would have been their main route?"
"Exactly," Fred nodded. "South is our only viable option."
Just then, a messenger hurriedly entered, handing Fred a telegram. "General, Major Fiender reports his men have repelled French forces and requests further instructions!"
Fred's face lit up momentarily. This news confirmed his reasoning: French forces to the south must be limited and exhausted from their march, thus easily pushed back by Fiender's reconnaissance battalion.
"Tell Major Fiender to hold his position at all costs and await our arrival!" Fred commanded decisively.
"Yes, General!"
Fred then turned firmly to Enzo. "Issue the order immediately—full retreat southward!"
Enzo nodded solemnly. "Yes, General!"
With that command, the German troops began their rapid march south. Unable to take heavy equipment through mountainous terrain, they destroyed any remaining artillery and ammunition in place. Trucks loaded with food followed as far as possible before inevitably reaching the end of the road, at which point supplies were unloaded and the vehicles set ablaze.
At Namur Castle, Charles was deep in discussion with General Tijani regarding logistical issues for their impending armored thrust through the Ardennes. The operation required massive supplies, particularly fuel and spare parts to sustain their 300 tanks through rugged terrain.
"Motorcycles with sidecars might not meet our resupply needs," Tijani warned. "Even conservatively, the tanks require at least 15,000 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers."
Charles frowned. Sidecar motorcycles could only carry limited quantities—perhaps 100 liters each—and navigating mountainous terrain was challenging. At minimum, 150 motorcycles would be required just for fuel, and the vehicles themselves would consume fuel along the way. Furthermore, combat operations at the end of the march would further deplete reserves.
Charles thought deeply before suggesting, "We could send fuel into the forest in advance."
"In advance?" Tijani hesitated. "Isn't that risky?"
"The entire operation would be conducted secretly," Charles explained. "We'll create concealed supply points underground along our planned route, stocking them with fuel, food, and spare parts."
Tijani considered the idea carefully, eventually nodding. It seemed sound—though discovery by German scouts would reveal their route prematurely. Charles acknowledged this risk but believed thorough reconnaissance would minimize it.
"Regarding airdrops," Tijani continued, "it's straightforward in open terrain, but locating our positions in dense forests is problematic. Signal panels are useless beneath heavy tree cover."
Signal flares or smoke could work but risked revealing their position to German forces.
Charles pondered briefly. "Use large canvas sheets spread over treetops or clearings. These would serve as visible markers from above."
Canvas markers could work effectively across varying terrain conditions.
Suddenly, a messenger entered, handing Charles an urgent telegram. "General, German forces from Charleroi have begun retreating southward!"
Charles was momentarily startled. He hadn't expected the Germans to move so swiftly. He urgently asked, "Has the Sixth Army prepared defensive positions?"
"Yes, General, they have," the messenger confirmed confidently.
Charles raised an eyebrow skeptically. There were multiple routes for the Germans to escape. Had the Sixth Army truly managed comprehensive preparations on such short notice, or was this an overly optimistic report from Christine?
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