I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 118: Shooting Down the Enemy’s Plane?

Once again, light rain started to pour over Ypres. Despite their seemingly insignificant strands, these drizzle drops were everywhere, seeping into every crevice, gnawing away at the patience of Vice Admiral Von Cross of the German Army’s 6th Group Army.

The Ypres plain stretched endlessly, so vast that one hardly needed binoculars to see the horizon.

But it was all a façade; with binoculars, one would find their view limited by distance, rain, and fog.

"How much time do we have left?" Cross asked his staff officer gravely.

The staff officer replied, "I’m not sure, General! But it’s certain they will arrive by morning!"

This was practically telling Cross that an attack had to be launched before nightfall; otherwise, they would stand helplessly as enemy reinforcements arrived.

However, despite maintaining a 2-to-1 manpower advantage and superiority in quality and equipment over their opponents, Cross remained cautious.

The reason was that the enemy controlled the Nieuwpoort Gate. If pressured, the Belgians might open the floodgates, flooding the plain and turning it into an impassable swamp.

While Cross hesitated, cheers erupted from the Belgian direction. Puzzled, Cross raised his binoculars and saw people on the other side waving rifles and shouting.

Cross’ face darkened. He ordered his staff officer, "Conduct a scout mission and find out which reinforcements have arrived, where they are, and their strength!"

"Yes, General!" The staff officer complied and went to make arrangements.

The staff officer dispatched a small squad; they would launch a minor attack with artillery support and return with some Belgian prisoners to gather information.

Sure enough, half an hour later, Cross received a message: "General, Shire is coming to Ypres!"

Caught in deep thought while staring at the map, Cross was startled by the news, and he looked up abruptly at the staff officer: "Shire? The Shire of Antwerp?"

Shire was well known among the German Army due to the Battle of Antwerp, especially for destroying airships and Big Bertha’s artillery with aircraft, which had left a lasting impression. Cross had certainly heard of him.

"Yes!" The staff officer nodded: "That’s why the Belgian Army’s morale is high. They say the King has abandoned plans to open the floodgates because he believes Shire can hold off our advance!"

Cross let out a light "hmm," considering this might be good news. At least for the time being, they could attack without worrying about being trapped in the middle ground.

With this thought, Cross immediately ordered, "Command the 27th Reserve Army to prepare for an attack, focusing on the left flank of Bolong Forest!"

"Yes, General!" The staff officer responded but then hesitated. He stopped and reminded, "General, Bolong Forest is the British defense line!"

The staff officer expressed doubt because the breakthrough point was expected to be the weaker Belgian Army line. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"I know!" Cross replied coldly.

"Yes, General!" The staff officer feared to ask more and turned to convey the orders.

Cross’s eyes fixed on Bolong Forest on the map, intending to catch the enemy off guard there.

Just as the staff officer thought, the enemy would expect the German Army to attack the positions held by the Belgian Army.

Therefore, the enemy would aim their scarce artillery at the Belgian frontline, meaning little artillery support for the British defense line.

Even if the British requested reinforcements, communication and language barriers would pose substantial difficulties.

More importantly, Cross believed the British Army’s supply hadn’t caught up. Having arrived just two hours prior, they couldn’t have brought much ammunition.

The British Army’s fearsome characteristic was their ability to unleash a flood of bullets with their rapid-firing rifles in a short time.

Without adequate ammunition, this advantage would instantly become a disadvantage.

The British would habitually empty their magazines first, then be left to face the German Army’s tidal charge with bayonets!

Cross’s order was executed swiftly.

Observation balloons ascended into the sky, causing both sides’ soldiers to tense up, knowing the balloon heralded an impending German artillery barrage.

Shortly after, airplanes launched into the air to protect the balloons and monitor the troops’ movements during the attack.

The battlefield plunged into an oppressive silence, broken only by the light patter of raindrops hitting the ground. Soldiers breathed deeply, savoring what might be their last moments of earthly beauty.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

...

Cannon fire roared like thunder, shells exploding near the Belgian lines, flinging mud and steam mixed with smoke everywhere, spreading across the open ground under the light rain.

Amid the whistle, shadowy figures suddenly emerged from the seemingly flat and muddy terrain, their bodies covered in sludge, invisible until they stood.

"Advance!" The commander bellowed hoarsely.

Grasping their rifles, the soldiers charged forward with loud shouts towards the enemy lines.

A few shells screamed, exploding among the crowd, hurling dozens into the air only to crash back down, blood and mud splattering indistinguishably.

Yet, the charging soldiers pressed on as if nothing had happened, trudging arduously through the mire, firing their rifles at suspected targets ahead, relentlessly advancing towards the enemy...

The battle unfolded as Cross had predicted. Everyone thought the British Army was stronger, but it was precisely the British positions that were the weakest point of the defenses. One charge by the German Army easily overwhelmed the British, chasing them forward like driving ducks.

"Keep advancing!" Cross ordered harshly, "Break through the line as fast as possible!"

The 27th Reserve Army was his main force; as long as they broke through the enemy lines and circled behind them, even if the floodgates were opened, it would be too late!

...

At the Belgian command, Albert I also realized the peril.

He couldn’t fathom that it was the British defense line that had collapsed; they were supposed to be the army the Belgian forces looked up to, yet they crumbled under the German assault.

"Your Majesty, give the order!" General Charles looked at Albert I in terror, "If we don’t open the floodgates, we will be encircled and divided by the enemy!"

Albert I gritted his teeth, knowing hesitation now would only result in losing Ypres.

However, suddenly, the sky erupted with the staccato of machine-gun fire, followed by the rasping whine of engines, culminating in an explosion.

As Albert I and General Charles puzzled over the commotion, a messenger appeared at the door, eyes wide in shock, breathlessly reporting, "Your Majesty, French planes are engaging and downing enemy aircraft!"

"Downing enemy aircraft?"

Albert I and Charles exchanged bewildered looks, each pondering the same question: How can they down enemy aircraft?