Chapter 229: Another Marseillaise
The air battle continued until evening.
As night fell, poor visibility became the best excuse for the British and French pilots to retreat. When the remaining aircraft withdrew from the Meuse River, this hastily assembled air offensive finally ended in failure.
In a single afternoon, more than two hundred and forty British and French aircraft were destroyed.
The First and Second Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments had poured nearly ten thousand shells into the sky. They accounted for more than half of the destroyed enemy aircraft, while the remaining kills were credited to the Air Force.
Of course, the German Air Force also paid a considerable price.
Thirty-five fighters were destroyed, and more than forty suffered varying degrees of damage.
But what gave Kesselring an even greater headache was the loss of pilots.
Because of their intense focus during combat, many pilots refused to bail out even when their aircraft had already suffered serious damage. They tried every possible method to save their planes and continue fighting.
As a result, many missed the best time to parachute, leading to unnecessary pilot losses.
Berlin.
The news of the Air Force's victory did not bring Jörg much joy.
He knew very well that the quality of Britain and France's new aircraft still lagged behind Germany's. Compared to the air battle, he was more focused on the progress of Manstein's Panzer Army.
"Where is Manstein now?" Jörg asked, looking at the map.
"Commander in Chief, Manstein's Panzer Army is advancing toward Abbeville. They are following your orders and moving to further control all ports along the western French coast."
The staff officer reported truthfully, "Due to the speed of the long-distance march, some tanks and mechanized equipment have suffered noncombat losses. The extended front has also made gasoline resupply difficult to maintain."
"At the Maginot Line, the First Panzer Division's flanking maneuver was successful. The front-line troops commanded by Heinz Guderian have successfully penetrated the Verdun Heights."
These problems and losses were all within Jörg's expectations.
Noncombat losses existed, but they were absolutely not a reason to abandon the offensive.
"Tell Manstein that if he could drive experimental tanks from the coast to Warsaw in three days back then, then this time, no matter what means he uses, I want every retreat point along the Channel coast blocked."
His voice was steady, but his orders were ruthless.
"Do not worry about losses. Do not fear the fighting spirit of the French, and fear their Air Force even less."
"After this air battle, the French Air Force will only dare to fly at night."
"Once the French Army at the Maginot Line surrenders, the French will lose all will to fight."
Jörg paused, then continued, "Also, contact Heinz Guderian by telegram."
"Tell him not to waste time at the Verdun Heights. Order him to personally lead the First Panzer Division and immediately launch a second feint attack toward Paris."
"Hold the attention of the British and French Allied forces first."
His finger pressed against the map.
"Once Manstein's encirclement is complete, I want every British and French resistance force buried on the plains of Western Europe."
After taking a sip of black tea, Jörg asked, "Have the Netherlands and Belgium agreed to our demands?"
The staff officer nodded and replied, "Belgium has agreed. They reiterated that they will not intervene in any war matters and will not accept any retreating French troops into their territory."
"The Netherlands answered ambiguously."
Jörg said without hesitation, "I will give the Dutch government one more day."
"Tell them that by this time tomorrow, they either agree to my demands, or I will have King Wilhelm II crowned in the Netherlands."
The next day.
Compared to Germany's excellent situation, Paris was in a miserable state.
Realizing the failure of the air battle, and realizing that France could not even protect itself, French Prime Minister Reynaud had no energy left to spare for the Balkans.
He picked up the telephone and gave an order.
"Contact De Gaulle. Tell him to abandon the battle for Athens and take a ship back to Marseille to reorganize the Panzer Army."
His voice was heavy.
"We no longer have the strength to focus on the Balkans or continue aiding Italy."
Greece.
De Gaulle, who had been closely following the war reports from France, received the direct order from Paris.
In truth, he had already anticipated this outcome.
Ever since Italy abandoned the North Macedonian defense line and allowed Bock's Panzer divisions to enter, he had known that capturing Greece had become both within reach and impossibly distant.
The adjutant asked, "Sir, should we obey Paris's order?"
Listening to the regret in the adjutant's voice, De Gaulle knew that the other man was also unwilling to give up the Balkan campaign.
But there was nothing they could do.
Even if they won local battles, it would not reverse the overall situation.
Since Germany's surprise attack through the Ardennes Forest and the forced crossing of the Meuse River, defeat had already become inevitable.
"No."
De Gaulle's voice was calm.
"Returning to France will not save anything."
He looked at the map.
"Can you contact the governors of the North African colonies?"
"Yes, sir. The German troops deployed in Morocco have launched several attacks against Algeria. The local defense forces have requested military aid from us more than once."
The adjutant hesitated before reminding him, "But if we redirect to North Africa, that would be… disobeying military orders."
"I no longer have time to care about orders."
De Gaulle suppressed all dissent with a single sentence.
"I only want to preserve combat strength to the greatest possible extent. The war on the mainland is not optimistic. Returning to France is not a good choice."
After saying this, De Gaulle ordered his staff to immediately formulate a detailed plan for the entire Army to withdraw to Algeria.
At the same time, Manstein also received orders from his supreme commander, from the Führer himself.
Unlike De Gaulle's hesitation and disobedience, Manstein strongly agreed with Jörg's bold advance order.
Because this was very similar to his own offensive philosophy.
Since they could seize the entire Channel coast in one blow and prevent the remaining British and French forces from retreating to the British mainland through the ports, why wait?
Losses were necessary.
Risks were also necessary.
Only focusing on risk and seeking stability was like sweeping a cowshed.
In Manstein's philosophy, military strategy required both meticulousness and boldness.
"Order the Third Armored Division to launch a full-scale attack on Abbeville."
Manstein's voice was decisive.
"The Air Force will coordinate with the city capture operation. The siege must be ended within one day."
"All engineers are to collect gasoline and other emergency supplies along the way."
He continued, "After the city is captured, the Third Armored Division, the Ninth Panzer Division, and the Eleventh Panzer Division will advance north in three columns. Their objective is to occupy the Channel ports."
"The Eleventh Panzer Division will advance toward Dunkirk."
"The Third Armored Division will advance toward Calais."
"The Ninth Panzer Division will advance toward Boulogne."
Manstein's lips curled slightly.
"To use Heinz Guderian's words, we are going to charge toward the English Channel and cut off the Frenchmen's trousers."
After saying that, Manstein smiled and lit a cigarette.
For a moment, he seemed to recall the days when he and Heinz Guderian had studied coastal terrain warfare in France during their time at the Roman Military Academy in Russia.
"Time truly flies."
Manstein murmured as he looked at the seagulls perched on the telegraph pole.
.....
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