This has become the front line for the battle between the German, French and Norwegian forces and the British army.
In a certain sense, the Three Kingdoms Allied Forces that captured Greenwich had already half-footed their way into the British capital, that is, London.
In later generations, Greenwich was already part of the Greater London area in the United Kingdom in 1965. In other words, 25 years later, if the Three Powers entered Greenwich, they could actually claim to have invaded London.
And now, Greenwich, located 8 kilometers southeast of central London, is struggling to hold on under the artillery fire of the Three Power Allied Forces.
Because of Greenwich's dangerous terrain and beautiful scenery, palaces, forts and watchtowers had been built as early as the 15th century. Large areas of mountains, forests and grasslands were used by the royal family as a royal park for deer raising, falconry and hunting. Later, although the watchtower here was converted into
It has destroyed the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, but it still has a certain defensive effect.
Taking advantage of the geographical advantages here, a total of nearly 70,000 National Guardsmen established a defense line in Greenwich, forming a decent group of positions. The ancient forts and watchtowers were also renovated and became modernized defense units used by the National Guards.
Fortification fulcrum.
Relying on the excellent terrain and temporarily reconstructed towers, the 70,000 National Guardsmen initially possess a certain degree of defensive capabilities.
As for the two British Army armored battalions deployed in Greenwich and the two new British Army divisions that were expanded from the original two infantry regiments, they were not placed on the defense line as expendables, but were kept on the defense line preciously.
The inner side is retained as a reserve to fill the gap.
Although such a reserve team is still limited in strength, it is at least all the strength that the British government can use in Greenwich now.
If it weren't for the fact that there was no way to retreat, if it weren't for the fact that once the Three Kingdoms Allied Forces captured Greenwich, London, the capital of the British Empire, would fall into the enemy's shelling range, and even this small reserve would not be possible.
Immediately, this precious reserve team will also have to devote itself to the war of attrition on the front line.
"The losses of the National Guard were too great. In just one day, they suffered nearly 8,000 casualties, all of which were consumed by the French army. Once the German army was dispatched, the casualty rate would soon increase.
Get bigger..."
In the headquarters in London, a staff officer with the rank of colonel was anxiously reporting to Lord Gott.
The Battle of Greenwich has been directly placed under the management of the London Command. In other words, the British themselves also recognized the important connection between the defense of Greenwich and the defense of London.
It is a pity that the National Guardsmen in Greenwich have no combat experience and insufficient weapons and ammunition. Their so-called organized regiment will even be easily defeated by a battalion of the French army.
What's even more terrible is that the National Guard, which is essentially a militia, has to garrison important lines of defense because there are simply not enough regular military districts in the British Army to guard every line of defense.
The consequence of extensive use of the National Guard to garrison important areas is that a battalion of French troops in front of them can defeat a regiment of their troops. But if airborne German troops appear on their back, perhaps the size of a company will cause them extreme panic and even possible
collapse.
For Gott, commanding at this time was a hundred times more difficult than commanding the battle at Dunkirk.
At that time, the people under his command were all the best of the British Army, and the most elite troops he commanded were all disgraced and wiped out. Now it is very difficult for him to command a group of troops who do not know when something will go wrong.
It has increased exponentially.
"Greenwich's 3rd new division was expanded from the East Anglia Regiment, right?" Lord Gott walked to the sand table model and asked, dragging his chin.
"Yes. In addition to the 3rd Division, there is another new 4th Division stationed in Greenwich, which was expanded from the previous Tinnitis Regiment. Both divisions were previously large-scale regiments, so the decline in combat effectiveness after the expansion does not mean
Not obvious." The staff officer immediately answered Commander Gott's question.
Sure enough, after Gott listened to the staff's response, he nodded thoughtfully, raised his chin and raised his right hand: "Then transfer the 3rd Division to the reinforced Hestermontsu Castle Fortress in the south of Greenwich.
District. The commander of the French army is the famous general Weygand. He will not fail to see the importance of the ancient castle of Herstmonsou. Once the French army achieves a breakthrough, they will immediately attack the ancient castle of Herstmonsou in the Greenwich District.
The ancient castle was captured."
"No matter which side it is, the battle for Hestermontsu Castle will determine the final ownership of Greenwich!" Lord Gott analyzed confidently.
"Report!" A theater liaison officer between London and Greenwich suddenly reported urgently: "The French army suddenly launched a large-scale artillery bombardment in the middle section of southern Greenwich, defeating the National Guard there and breaking through a 2-kilometer breach!"
Isn't that the shortest route to Hestermonsougu Castle on the southern middle line of defense?
"Immediately order the 3rd Division to send troops to counterattack!" Lord Gott quickly ordered: "We must not let the French army break through the defense line so quickly!"
According to Lord Gott's idea, even if the National Guard's combat effectiveness is low, the defense line built by 70,000 Self-Defense Forces using favorable terrain should be able to hold on for three days. Then, after a large-scale gap appears in the defense line, street fighting can be used to hold on for about a week.
Although Gott also admitted that Greenwich could not be defended after all. But at least, as London's city defense commander, he had to try his best to use Greenwich as the last barrier to provide London with a better follow-up combat environment and reduce pressure.
But on the second day, a gap was opened in Greenwich's defense line. This was something Gott could never accept!
"Two National Guard infantry regiments deployed between Hestermontsucourt Castle and the Greenwich border defense line lost contact with the headquarters at the same time!" the liaison officer continued to report.
Since the speed is so fast! Gott couldn't help but praise General Weygand in his heart, who was commanding the French army. The opponent was indeed a famous general of his generation, with sophisticated and vicious command skills and accurate strikes.
Facing this commander who was able to build a complete "Weygand Defense Line" in a desperate situation, Gott suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
When he remembered that not long ago, this famous general was his ally, Gott even felt a little confused. How could the war, which he thought was a sure victory at the beginning, have progressed to this point?
The British Empire, which obviously controlled the internal strife among European countries, was now being attacked by a coalition formed by three European countries. This is simply a great irony!
Unfortunately, there is no time left for Gott to lament the current situation. He must immediately issue orders to deal with the current crisis.
"Let the 1st Armored Battalion of the Dorset Regiment... no, let the Devonshire Armored Battalion coordinate a counterattack!"
In desperation, Lord Gott had no choice but to choose a garrison point closer to the gap from the two armored battalions in Greenwich. In this way, he had already used half of Greenwich's reserves for this counterattack.
During the war.
Gott couldn't help but feel vaguely worried. Is it really good to use half of the reserve force for the first counterattack? If there is another gap next time, how should he arrange the counterattack force?
It's a pity that Gott doesn't even have time to worry now...