I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 196 Breakout

Chapter 196: Chapter 196 Breakout

There was a delay today, and Chapter 3 will be out a little late, very sorry!

...

Before the battle, Major General Kristin maintained the infantry combat thinking, habitually neglecting the quarry.

The quarry posed little threat to the infantry; they could easily cross it and even gain more cover here.

However, the special terrain of the quarry was deadly for CA-1 and Saint Chammon tanks. As long as there was a single stone on the ground, it could catch their protruding heads, causing the tracks to be suspended and unable to pass.

(Note: It’s not easy for tanks to cross stone ridges. Refer to the example of tanks crossing concrete ridges.)

The area near the quarry was strewn with discarded debris by workers, some even piled up by the roadside.

This area appeared to be wide open, but there was only one road the tanks could pass through. If the Germans sealed off the road with firepower, the French Army wouldn’t be able to penetrate.

"Boom! Boom!"

The sound of artillery echoed near the road.

Amidst the sound of artillery, Kristin loudly ordered the troops to organize defenses. He knew this was an enemy trap and the best response would be to preserve their strength.

However, due to Xia Fei’s previous orders and the belief that victory was within reach, the messengers galloping on horseback had no time to relay the "organize defense" command to the front lines. The leading regiment, eager for victory, had already launched an attack with the tanks.

Rows of infantry in red pants charged densely towards the enemy, but bullets and shells whistled through the rain, mowing them down before they could even see the enemy.

"Tanks, we need tanks!" someone shouted.

Soon, tanks were brought up, but the infantry discovered they were ineffective. The tanks had to weave through rubble and craters carefully, avoiding every obstacle, one wrong move, and they would get stuck.

A few tanks managed to find gaps and advance, but soldiers were shocked to find that the German bullets easily punched holes in the tanks’ front armor.

Worse still, the Germans had learned from previous battles that the CA-1 tank’s fuel tank was on the roof.

(Note: The CA-1 did not have a fuel pump; its fuel supply relied entirely on the weight of the gasoline, so the fuel tank was on the roof.)

So, their K bullets and anti-tank rifles targeted the CA-1’s roof, puncturing the fuel tank with holes.

Gasoline sprayed along the path, but the French soldiers were unaware.

No one could tell in the tense battlefield whether the liquid spraying from the tank tops was rain or gasoline. They continued shooting and shouting as they charged the enemy lines.

The commander waved his saber and shouted:

"Victory is within sight, boys!"

"Break through this line, our men are waiting for us on the other side! Forward!"

...

"Boom!" several explosions finally ignited the gasoline.

Flames erupted amid the rain, enveloping the soldiers. They screamed in terror and agony, at first frantically patting at the fire, then losing their minds to the pain and wildly waving their arms as they ran. Some ran and jumped, seeming to try desperately to escape, but the flames clung to their bodies like devils.

In the end, they fell to the ground one after another in different postures, no longer moving, the flames still burning over them, and the air became thick with a suffocating burnt smell.

But this was only the beginning...

Soon, the fire spread along the fuel line to the source, and with a "boom," a CA-1 tank exploded, a huge, bright-red flame enveloping nearby soldiers. The tank that had once protected them became the source of their death.

The burning CA-1 tank even continued to crawl forward slowly, like a moving coffin of fire, spreading death and danger to other areas.

One after another, CA-1 tanks ignited, burning a perfect wall of fire on the open field, blocking the view and advance of the following troops. The Germans used the flames as targets, continuously pouring bullets and shells into the stalled French soldiers.

Several Saint Chammon tanks were also trapped in the sea of fire. Unable to escape, the tank crews could only climb on top and desperately cry for help, but in the end, they too were devoured by the relentless flames.

Major General Kristin, trying to stop his troops, was stunned by the scene before him. He could hardly believe his eyes; it was like Purgatory, a specially designed Purgatory for the French infiltration troops.

He knew this mission had totally failed, not just failed but had been encircled by the enemy. It would be hard to get out alive!

Just then, the radio operator guarding the station loudly reported: "General, the Commander-in-Chief orders you to continue advancing. He says victory will be ours as long as we break through the enemy lines!"

...

At the French Headquarters, the abrupt downturn in the battle situation plunged the staff into tension and chaos.

One after another, SOS telegrams flew to Xia Fei’s desk like snowflakes:

"Tram encountered enemy attack!"

"Rhodes has fallen."

"The first specialized artillery division was ambushed and trapped in the Pol quarry with heavy casualties."

"The second specialized artillery division is trapped near the town of Carlos, immobilized and facing enemy tanks!"

...

The second specialized artillery division entered a narrow stretch of road flanked by high ground. The German Army had established fortifications on the high ground for a vantage point on the French from both sides. The road ahead was blocked by artillery, and a German tank regiment suddenly appeared in their rear.

Xia Fei broke out in a cold sweat, realizing Gali was right. This was a trap set for the infiltration units.

"General!" Kanes nervously swallowed, "Give the order. Our troops are infiltration units; to move quickly, they did not bring much ammunition..."

Xia Fei helplessly nodded, "Break through!"

This meant all the victory had become an illusion, leaving behind only a farce.

"But, where to break through?" Kanes nervously asked, "Tram and Rhodes are already re-occupied by the Germans."

"Then take them back!" Xia Fei angrily replied, "We still have tanks, let’s send them up!"

Xia Fei had kept a reserve force in the Cape Town region.

To be precise, it was not so much a reserve force, but a decoy to draw German attention and make the enemy believe the French Army would launch a major offensive here. But the Germans evidently did not fall for it.

Kanes replied, "General, intelligence from the front indicates the German rifles can penetrate the 17MM front armor of our tanks, though we don’t know how they do it."

Xia Fei was stunned.

This meant the tanks were useless, unable to reopen the path and rescue the infiltration units.

After some thought, Xia Fei could only grit his teeth and order, "Break through from Cape Town, a pincer attack should rescue them!"

"Yes, General!" Kanes responded and went to relay the order.

But he thought to himself, now, perhaps only Shire can save them!

(The image above shows a tank stuck on a concrete block during a tank exercise, ultimately choosing to go around)

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