Chapter 530: Capture the Bridge
Admiral Allenby, who was still feeling sorry for his future. After all, being able to mix with the army general, this is also an absolute human being in the British Empire. After surrendering, all this for him was gone.
But now, the meaning of Qin Tian's words seemed to open another door for him, allowing him to see another world.
That's right, as a general in the British Army, Allenby no longer has any future. If, after Germany defeated the British, he was a supporter of the Germans, then his future would be bright.
"Oh God! It was as if these Germans had shown me another way. If I have the support of these Germans, I will be a major figure in the new government once the British Empire is defeated. It will even gain a higher status and greater power than it does now. The thought of this made Admiral Allenby's heart burn. Even, he had begun to hope that his homeland, the British Empire, would soon lose this war.
Admiral Allenby's thoughts, Qin Tian didn't know. Even if you knew, you wouldn't care. After all, such a traitor to seek glory can be used by him. In the future, Germany will be able to rely on these people to control Britain.
Qin Tian's attention was all focused on the battle that was about to break out. After the surrender of the 4th Army of the British Expeditionary Force, the southern part of Paris had fallen into German hands. By then, only half of the northern part of Paris was still under the control of the French army. If the Germans were to occupy Paris, they would have to get rid of the remnants of the French army.
At a military meeting held overnight, several corps commanders began to study tactics.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the bridges that connect the two districts of Paris are currently mainly built on the Île de Saint-Michel and Pont de Change, and on the Île de Saint-Louis and Pont de Marly. If only these bridges could fall into our control. Our army would then be able to attack directly on the French-controlled northern part of Paris. Moreover, the headquarters of the French army near the Place de la Bastille was also very close to us. When the time comes, we can launch an attack directly on the headquarters of the French army. Once the French headquarters fell, it is conceivable how much impact it would have on the French army. Maybe we'll be able to take the whole of Paris by then. Qin Tian said.
"Your Highness, ensuring the safety of several bridges will be the most critical. The French were already on the bridge, planting explosives. Therefore, we must seize the bridge as soon as possible. At the same time, to ensure that the artillery of the French would not shell the bridge. Admiral Crook said.
Now for the German army, it is undoubtedly a good opportunity to take Paris as soon as possible and end the fighting. Of course, everyone doesn't want to watch this opportunity go down the drain.
"Your Highness, let's attack with our armored forces. At dawn, the armored troops crossed the bridge as fast as they could, then took control of the bridgehead, defused the explosives, cleared the surrounding French troops, and ensured the safety of the bridge. As for the artillery of the French, leave it to the air force to deal with. The fighters of the air force circled over Paris and, as soon as the artillery positions of the French were discovered, they immediately suppressed them. As long as we do this for a day, we will be able to quickly expand our gains and ensure that the area around the bridge is under our control. By then, even if the French blow up the bridge, we will have a firm foothold and no longer need to be afraid of them. Admiral Dimlin suggested.
Qin Tian nodded, it was indeed a good way to use armored forces to seize the bridge. The length of these bridges is only a few hundred meters. For a tank, it only takes about a minute to pass through these hundreds of meters of bridge, which can completely catch the French by surprise. Once the bridge was occupied by the Germans, and at the same time the air force suppressed the artillery fire of the French. Then, the German army can take this opportunity to completely occupy the perimeter of the bridge, and send more troops to cross the river to ensure control of the perimeter of the bridge and gain a firm foothold.
Of course, in this case, the armored forces may pay a lot of losses. However, relative to the whole war, such losses were undoubtedly worth it.
"Your Highness, we can also assemble artillery to shell the areas controlled by the French army, causing further casualties to them, so as to support our bridge defense operations." Major General Manstein also suggested.
"Alright, let's do it! Whether the battle of Paris can be ended as soon as possible depends on this time. Qin Tian said.
"Yes, Your Highness." Everyone replied.
The German 1st and 5th armies immediately went into action. Both armies deployed elite armoured troops and infantry to prepare for a surprise attack, ensuring that they could take the bridge over the Seine in one fell swoop in this raid.
As for the time of the attack, it was set at 5 o'clock in the morning, which was almost the most sleepy time of the day, and the French army was the least likely to detect the German movement at this time, so as to ensure the suddenness of the German action.
Little by little, on the south bank of the Seine, at the bridgehead of the Pont Saint-Michel and the bridgehead of the Pont de Tornell, the armored forces of the German army were ready. From the most elite units of the 1st and 5th Panzer Divisions, they are about to attack.
Among them, the 1st Panzer Division was responsible for launching an attack from the Pont Saint-Michel, arriving at the Île de Stoe, and then attacking the north of the Seine River from the Pont de l'Étoile. The 5th Panzer Division was responsible for attacking from the Pont de Tornell, landing on the island of Saint-Louis and then attacking the north bank of the Seine from the Pont de Marry.
In addition, the 1st Infantry Division, the 2nd Infantry Division, the 41st Infantry Division and the 46th Infantry Division, will fight alongside the armored forces. Once the Panzers had successfully crossed the river, they would clear the nearby French forces with the cooperation of the Panzers and ensure the German occupation of the bridges. And, defend against the French counterattack.
"Attack!"
When the time reached 5 o'clock in the morning, Qin Tian personally gave the order to attack.
One by one, the tanks started up, then drove up the bridge, and rushed to the other side of the river at full speed.
Because the bridge deck was not wide, the queue of tanks passed in a single column. But even then, the two bridges, which are not long, will not take much time for these tanks.
And at this moment, the French army facing the bridge did not know anything at all. Although they heard the rumbling of engines, they didn't care, just mistaking it for the sound of British cars coming from the south.
When the German tanks appeared in their eyes, the eyes of the French soldiers widened.
"Oh God, tank! Tanks of the Germans, how could they be here? ”
"Boom!" Tank guns opened fire, and the French fortifications at the bridgehead were blown away by a single cannon.