CHAPTER 672: CHAPTER 672: FOREST CONQUEST BATTLE

The sky of Charleroi was gray and hazy, with smoke and coal particles almost visible to the naked eye.

When Colonel Fred led his troops to retreat here, they almost fled due to the suffocating air.

Charleroi City was rich in coal mines and had developed large-scale industries such as smelting, glass, chemicals, machinery, steel, and textiles around the Kazir Forest Coal Mine.

Looking around, the banks of the River Somme were almost entirely factories. Huge chimneys belched out thick, rolling smoke into the sky, and wastewater of various colors poured through massive drainage pipes into the river, turning the entire river black and filling the air with a nauseating stench.

(The image above shows the ruins of the Kazir Forest Coal Mine in Charleroi, which was the center of the city’s development. In 1956, a major mining accident there killed 262 miners, and it was subsequently converted into a historical museum.)

"Perhaps this is one of the reasons they want us to hold out here." Colonel Fred stood by the river, putting away his binoculars.

He had just tried to find the source of the "black water" but failed—the "black water" seemed endless.

Major Enzo, the staff officer, remained silent.

He knew that Colonel Fred was right. The General Staff did not want to lose this resource and industrial city, as it would be a significant loss for the resource-strapped German Army.

However, to the west of Charleroi was the forest, to the south was the Arden Mountains, to the north was the advancing Belgo-French Allied Forces, and to the northeast was Namur, where Shire’s elite troops were stationed.

Defending such an isolated city was almost tantamount to waiting for death.

"Colonel," the staff officer suggested, "we might want to fortify along the banks of the River Somme. This might help us hold out longer until reinforcements arrive."

"Reinforcements?" Colonel Fred laughed bitterly. "You think there will be reinforcements?"

"But the..." The staff officer looked around, "The General Staff wants us to hold this place. They will surely send reinforcements."

Colonel Fred shook his head with a look of helplessness. "Come on, Enzo, the elite troops stationed at Namur belong to Shire’s First Armored Army! Our own First Tank Division has already been diverted to the River Somme to attack the British. Tell me, what troops could possibly reinforce Charleroi?"

Enzo pondered for a moment and thought the Colonel was right.

Namur hadn’t cut off the connection between Liege and Charleroi; there were still two highways and three small roads between them.

However, any troops daring to reinforce Charleroi would be spotted by Shire’s reconnaissance planes immediately.

Soon after, this reinforcement would be surrounded and annihilated by Shire’s First Armored Army on the way, completely wiped out.

"That’s one of the reasons why Shire’s tanks haven’t shown up in front of us yet," Colonel Fred said mockingly. "You think he’s afraid of us? No, he’s laying an ambush for any reinforcements. He hopes someone will come out of the Liege Fortress and right into his jaws."

The staff officer turned pale.

Reinforcement meant falling into a trap, so there would be no reinforcements. What would happen to Charleroi then?

Death or becoming a prisoner of war?

Colonel Fred seemed to have read the staff officer’s mind. He comforted him, "Don’t worry, Enzo, we will survive."

Colonel Fred cast his gaze to the south, toward the Arden Mountains. "As long as we deploy our troops to the south, understand?"

The staff officer was stunned and looked south following the Colonel’s gaze. "You mean, the Arden Mountains are our escape route?"

Colonel Fred nodded slowly. "Tanks need roads. They can’t traverse mountains and forests. That’s our escape route, and our only escape route!"

From the beginning, Colonel Fred had never intended to hold Charleroi, as it was unrealistic.

His plan was to station two battalions in Charleroi, making it appear as if it was still under German control.

The main force would be deployed in the southern mountains, with a place called "Black Village" a few kilometers away being suitable for defense. The coal mines there were abundant and pitch black.

By digging trenches and having the soldiers roll on the ground, both men and equipment would blend into the environment.

More importantly, during wartime, the German Army could ignite the heaps of coal, and the surrounding area would be engulfed in smoke and foul odors for miles.

In such an environment, even Shire’s fighter jets and tanks would be at a loss.

Then the main force could easily withdraw into the forest for defense.

"Colonel," at that moment, a signalman handed over a telegram.

"A message from the General Staff. The Chief of Staff has decided to promote you to Major General."

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

"Additionally, the Chief of Staff hopes you can hold Charleroi. Once the time is right, our army can launch a pincer attack on Namur and recapture it in one fell swoop!"

Fred casually took the telegram, stuffed it into his pocket without looking, and had a faint smirk on his face.

A pincer attack on Namur?

This was just a ruse. The Chief of Staff wanted to use the remnants of the defeated troops to exhaust the enemy’s forces rather than surrender!

"Colonel," another signalman approached to report. "Major Feinde reports that they’ve found the French Army in the forest!"

"What?" Colonel Fred’s expression changed dramatically.

Major Feinde was leading the reconnaissance troops in the Arden Mountains. Discovering the French Army there meant the French might have already occupied the forest.

"Are you sure it’s the French Army?" Colonel Fred asked.

They could have mistaken the Belgian guerillas for the French Army, Colonel Fred thought.

However, the reply a few minutes later left Colonel Fred disappointed: "Confirmed it’s the French Army, and they have considerable forces. Seeking your orders!"

In fact, no orders were needed. The sounds of gunfire and explosions could be faintly heard from the distant forest.

No doubt about it, the two forces had already engaged in the forest.

"Send reinforcements immediately!" Colonel Fred ordered, "We must hold the forest entrance!"

"Yes, Colonel!" the signalman turned to deliver the orders.

Colonel Fred paced around anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.

How many French troops were deployed in the forest?

If it were the main forces, it would mean the escape route was cut off.

A dreadful image flashed through Colonel Fred’s mind: German soldiers, retreating under the attack of Shire’s tank units, hoping to escape into the forest, only to be met by the dark muzzles of guns hidden behind trees, picking off the unprotected, unprepared German soldiers one by one.

"No!" Colonel Fred suddenly stopped, turned to the staff officer, and ordered with a look of horror, "Organize the troops for a retreat into the forest immediately!"

"Yes, Colonel!" the staff officer responded, then suddenly remembered Colonel Fred had been promoted to Major General and hurriedly corrected himself, "Yes, General!"

Major General Fred frowned and waved his hand impatiently.

Did this guy not know they were at a matter of life and death? Still caring about such formalities!