When the War Department learned that Southern Africa was launching an attack on Tanganyika, it was already August 15th. On this day, the German army under the leadership of Ludendorff captured the Liege Fortress, and the door to Paris was completely open.
In order to conquer the Liege Fortress, Germany rented a 305 mm caliber Skoda assault mortar from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This huge artillery was affectionately called "Slim Emma" by the German troops.
The reason why the 305 mm caliber is still called "Slim" is because the German army also has a giant gun "Big Bert" with a caliber of 420 mm.
The "Big Bell Tower" is produced by Krupp Steel Company. This big thing weighs 75 tons. Each shell weighs one ton. It must be broken into five parts before it can be transported by rail. When used, it must be placed
On a special reinforced concrete base, driven by electricity, 200 soldiers work together to fire ten rounds per hour.
The power of the "Big Bell Tower" is extremely amazing and can destroy all targets. Before each launch, the artillerymen have to hide three hundred yards away. Although the range of the "Big Bell Tower" is only nine miles, its ballistic trajectory is very
High, the shell falls almost vertically on the target, and the delayed safety allows the shell to explode after passing through the target.
When attacking the Longson Fort, the shells fired by the "Big Bell Tower" detonated the ammunition depot of the fort, causing a chain explosion. The entire fort was completely destroyed. General Lehmann was in this fort. He was captured after being comatose. After waking up
He said to the German officer who captured him: I ask you to testify that I was in a coma when you found me.
The fall of the Fortress of the Burning Sun meant that France was about to face the German invasion. Britain had declared war on Germany ten days ago, and the expeditionary force formed for the war was ready to go. The commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force performed outstandingly during the Second Boer War.
John French, who had just been promoted to marshal a few months ago, had previously served as Chief of Staff of the British Army.
"John, you have a heavy responsibility. Please be careful after going to France." War Secretary Kitchener said seriously, and his attitude was not what Forenzi expected.
The British Expeditionary Force consists of five divisions, four infantry divisions and one cavalry division. This includes almost all the troops that the British can mobilize. The newly formed troops after Kitchener became Minister of War have not yet been trained, and they do not have enough
weapons.
According to French's vision, when Britain entered the war, it had to go all out to defeat the Allies.
In fact, before this, there had been a lot of controversy in the UK about whether the UK should maintain its alliance with Russia, whether the UK should join the war, and even whether the UK should choose to join forces with Germany.
These disputes were ultimately won by the war faction led by Kitchener and Winston. Before Britain declared war on Germany, several cabinet members resigned in protest, but no one cared about them. The war faction claimed only the Royal Navy.
The promise of participating in the war has become a thing of the past. The expeditionary force was quickly formed. Londoners rejoiced and hoped to reach Berlin within three months to end the war. They had not yet realized how cruel the world war was.
"The fortress of Liège has fallen. There is no danger to defend the southern front. The German troops are pressing down on the border. We must set off as soon as possible." Ferenczi advocated the importance of troops and speed, but others did not think so.
Kitchener and Winston looked at each other. Both of them had worries in their eyes. It was not appropriate to entrust the expeditionary force to French. He was too aggressive and did not know how to serve politics. Such a person would serve as an expeditionary force.
I don’t know whether the commander is a blessing or a curse.
If possible, the commander of the expeditionary force will definitely not be French. However, Britain, which has traditionally been dominated by the navy, has no better choice. French is already the best army general. Unless Kitchener personally leads the expedition,
But the mainland also needs Kitchener to be in charge.
The British commander was Earl Frederick Roberts. During the Second Boer War, Kitchener was Earl Roberts' chief of staff. Earl Roberts was originally a better candidate for the commander of the expeditionary force, but Earl Roberts was too old.
He has basically retreated to the second line and is not suitable to serve as the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force.
"John, your men are the only mobile forces in the British Empire, so -" Kitchener tried to get French back on track.
French said nothing and stared at Kitchener, who was suddenly speechless.
"John, the commander-in-chief of the French army is Joseph. The expeditionary force went to France to cooperate with France and is not the main force, so you must always pay attention to the situation of the troops and not put the troops in danger." Winston was more direct,
The local expeditionary force is all white and cannot be given to France as cannon fodder.
"You mean to let me preserve my strength, then we might as well not go to France at all. It would be good to go to the dock to help move things. It is also a contribution to defeating Germany." What Franzi was most worried about happened.
If the commander of the expeditionary force performs poorly, then French will definitely be censured at home.
But even if he performs well, if he suffers heavy losses, domestic public opinion will not let go of Ferenzi. So this is a rat trying to please both sides. Everyone wants to easily defeat the Germans, but the Germans do not agree.
"Don't worry, the troops sent by Lord Nyasaland have already set off from the Bay of Whales and will arrive in Calais in a week." Winston didn't care. As long as he could win, it didn't matter even if he tricked the French.
Taoist friends will never die but are poor in Taoism.
Calais is located in France's border area closest to Belgium. The arrangement of the War Department is that the reinforcements from southern Africa do not need to go through local rest and recuperation and directly enter the French war.
"We hope that Calais will still be in our hands by then." Ferenczi laughed angrily. The fortress of Liege has fallen, and the German army will be facing a plain. Calais will bear the brunt. What can the British and French forces do to resist the German attack?
"John, I hope you understand that this is for the benefit of the British Empire." Kitchener adjusted his mentality. For the sake of the national interest, personal sacrifice is not worth mentioning.
What's more, it's just a sacrifice in terms of morality. History is written by the victors. As long as the war is won, all actions are politically correct. A defeat on the battlefield can be beautified into a strategic retreat. Preserving strength can also be said to be looking for fighter opportunities.
, abandoning allies is a great strategic choice. In short, the British Empire did everything right.
"Okay, I will be careful -" French had to bow his head in front of the interests of the empire. Compared with the interests of the empire, personal honor and disgrace must be temporarily put aside.
"Gentlemen, Southern Africa has launched an attack on Southwest Africa." Defense Commander-in-Chief Earl Roberts brought good news.
"This is really good news!"
"very good!"
Winston and Kitchener praised and applauded, and French forced a smile. After hearing so much bad news, there was finally some exciting news.
"The third batch of Nyasaland rifles has arrived in Brighton. This batch is 300,000." Earl Roberts has good news.
"Awesome!" Kitchener was in a happy mood. The three batches of rifles added up to a total of 800,000. Although it was still not enough to have one shot per manpower, the embarrassment of the previous period had been greatly alleviated.
"But I have some bad news. Southern Africa is attacking Tanganyika and has occupied Usombula and Dar es Salaam -" Earl Roberts didn't have all the good news. After hearing the news, Ki
Both Chinner and French frowned.
For Kitchener and Winston, the Southern African attack on Southwest Africa was welcome, but the attack on Tanganyika was unexpected.
Compared with Southwest Africa, which is mostly barren desert, Tanganyika is vast in area, rich in resources, and has greater development potential. Kitchener and French both participated in the Second Boer War, and know that Tanganyika
the value of.
In fact, the four people in the room all participated in the Second Boer War, but their positions were different, so their attitudes towards this matter were also different.
"Great, as long as Tanganyika and Southwest Africa are cut off from feeding back to the German mainland, we will be able to defeat the Germans more easily." Winston doesn't care about Tanganyika. His relationship with Rock is there.
, regardless of worries about the future, Winston must maintain contact with Roark during the World War.
"Since Southern Africa has the ability to launch attacks on Southwest Africa and Tanganyika at the same time, why did it only send one division to Calais?" Kitchener also didn't care about the ownership of Tanganyika. He only cared about Southern Africa's attack on Britain.
Is the support strong enough?
"The five divisions attacking Southwest Africa were originally intended to be sent to Calais, but the War Department ordered Southern Africa to launch an attack on Southwest Africa, so these five divisions will be used in Southwest Africa." Winston understood Roark's story.
Battle plan.
"What about Tanganyika? The War Department did not order Southern Africa to attack Tanganyika." Kitchener was not satisfied with this explanation. In his view, Southern Africa should provide greater support to the mainland.
"Tanganyika is too close to Nyasaland, which will pose a huge threat to the industry in Nyasaland. Nyasaland is now the industrial center of southern Africa. Since Lord Nyasaland has done this, then
There must be his reasons." Winston's tendency is obvious, and Rock's efforts over the years have finally played a huge role.
"No matter what, our biggest enemy now is Germany. Lord Nyasaland is not our enemy. Southern Africa can also provide us with the supplies we urgently need, as well as more reinforcements. The Ministry of Defense of Southern Africa has decided to form ten more
Division, ready to be sent to France to fight, they will be our powerful supplement." Winston's attitude was firm. The memory of the Second Boer War was not good for him. In his view, the colonies had become part of the British Empire.
This is why Winston firmly promoted the autonomy of southern Africa during his tenure as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Colonial Affairs.
"John, your opportunity has come -" Kitchina put aside the issue of Southern Africa's initiative to attack Tanganyika. Ferenczi wanted to make achievements, and Kitchina and Winston wanted to preserve their strength. Now
We have cannon fodder, although not much, but more cannon fodder will be sent from southern Africa.
What else can we demand from Southern Africa like this?