Chapter 229 Advance

The British Blenheim bombers have a top speed of 428 km/h, equipped with two 7.7mm caliber machine guns in the nose turret and one 7.7mm caliber machine gun at the rear of the fuselage. On the other hand, the French Amiot bombers boast a top speed of 480 km/h. They are armed with a 7.5mm MAC1934 machine gun with 500 rounds in the nose and another with 800 rounds of the same weapon located in the belly, guarding against attacks from the rear. Additionally, at the rear of the cockpit, there is a Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20mm cannon with 120 rounds.

When the Bf 109F formation, traveling at speeds exceeding 600 km/h, caught up with the Blenheim bomber formation, a significant portion of the Blenheim bombers had already fallen.

Unlike fighter planes, bombers must fly in dense formations for mutual defense with defensive machine guns. Once the formation is disrupted, bombers become slow and clumsy, with blind spots filled with defensive machine gun fire, making them easy targets for fighter planes.

However, the fleeing bombers, focused solely on survival, had no mood to form a coordinated formation. Bf 109F planes descended from the sky, and a dense rain of bullets poured down instantly. When facing this onslaught, the Blenheim bombers could only futilely resist with their meager 7.7mm caliber machine guns.

Soon, one Blenheim bomber had its right engine hit, emitting thick black smoke, and the unfortunate aircraft began a violent roll to the right, plummeting towards the ground.

In a short time, all the Blenheim bombers, about a dozen, were shot down. The crew members who managed to parachute were all captured by the German soldiers waiting on the ground. The Bf 109F continued the pursuit, cleanly shooting down the Amiot bomber group, which hadn't escaped far.

The remaining few Hurricanes and MS.406 fighter planes fled in a sorry state.

At this moment, the pontoon bridge on the Meuse River was already complete, and General Rauschert led the armored forces to cross the river. Looking at the nauseating "black charcoal" on the military positions, he covered his mouth, endured for a long time before not vomiting, quickly shifted his gaze away, and waved his hand forward.

"Target: Brussels! Advance!"

United British and French Joint Command.

Gamelin looked at the frontline situation report he had just received with his mouth wide open. He was too lazy to criticize his pig-like teammates anymore, but this pig-like teammate kept bringing him new "surprises", leaving him truly speechless. "The Germans dropped a dreadful 'Hellfire'? Lord Viscount, do you know what they mean by 'Hellfire'?"

Viscount Gort shrugged in confusion. "Maybe it's some kind of incendiary bomb."

Ganmorin thought so too. Regardless of the type of incendiary bomb, it couldn't be an excuse for these idiots to run away without firing a shot. In the morning, they vocally claimed to resolutely block the German crossing of the Meuse, and he naively believed that these Belgian forces could hold out for at least two or three days, even dispatching precious aviation units to support them.

What were the results?

The dispatched bombers were completely annihilated, and the few returning fighter planes were pitifully few. It was a loss of troops and humiliation!

If he were in charge, he would definitely send all those Belgian officers to a military court. "It seems we can't rely on these idiots at all! If things go well, the vanguard of the German forces will be under the walls of Brussels tonight."

Viscount Gort sighed with a melancholic expression. "It seems so." They completely overestimated the combat strength and will to fight of these Belgian troops. "Fortunately, we stationed ourselves in Brussels and set up defenses ahead of them. Otherwise, we might have to hand over Brussels without a fight."

Gamelin nodded in agreement. "To stop these Germans, we have to rely on ourselves."

At the very moment when Gamelin and Viscount Gort were discussing strategies against the enemy, the mosquito-type reconnaissance plane carrying Wilhelm landed in Berlin.

As soon as he descended from the plane, he was immediately ushered into an ambulance that had long been prepared and headed straight for the imperial palace. It could be said that the Berlin Imperial Palace had the best and most advanced medical facilities in the entire Europe and even the world.

"Your Highness, how could you take such risks?" On the ambulance, Anna choked with tears in her eyes. "In case something happens to you, what will become of the Empire!"

"I'm doing this for the Empire. Our air force and army are formidable, but conquering Europe is not possible with just the air force and army; we must have a powerful navy." Wilhelm said dismissively with a smile. "And even if something happens to me, isn't there my father? Although Prince Oscar looks unreliable, I've found him to be a person with hidden depths. Even if he takes over the Empire, it should not end in a disastrous defeat."

Anna couldn't comprehend. "But aren't our submarines formidable? Your Highness, why be so persistent about surface warships?"

"Relying solely on submarines is not enough." Wilhelm repeated what he had said to Dönitz. "That's why we need powerful surface warships."

"I see." Anna suddenly realized, nodded, and then burst into tears again. "Your Highness, you won't go again, will you?"

Wilhelm smiled bitterly; he still had some lingering fear. How could he possibly go again? "I probably won't."

Soon, the convoy arrived at the imperial palace, and Wilhelm was escorted to the medical room.

Actually, Wilhelm felt that the medical measures on the aircraft carrier were already sufficient. However, due to his special status, every inch of his body was meticulously examined. Fortunately, there were no ultrasounds or CT scans yet; otherwise, he would probably have to go through all of that.

After enduring various examinations, when he left the medical room, he saw the corridor crowded with high-ranking military and political figures. Seeing them rushing towards him anxiously and excitedly, Wilhelm quickly raised his hand to signal them to stop. "Everyone doesn't need to ask too much; I'm fine, just a few minor injuries that won't cost me my life."

The movements of everyone seemed as if they had rehearsed it; they stood straight, and the corridor was instantly filled with countless raised arms, and a deafening salute echoed throughout the building.

"Hail, House of Hohenzollern!"

"Hail, House of Hohenzollern!"

"Hail, House of Hohenzollern!"

Wilhelm nodded and waved. "Okay, everyone, go back to your own tasks. Field Marshal Rundstedt, General Raeder, Admiral Dönitz, and Goebbels, stay."

After everyone dispersed, Wilhelm looked at a guilty-looking Raeder, smiled, and said, "General Raeder, you don't need to blame yourself too much. As the Crown Prince of the Empire, I have the obligation to charge into battle for the Empire. I just hope that in the future, the navy won't disappoint me."

Raeder firmly assured, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. The navy will never let you down again! If such a thing happens again, even if I have to shoot myself in the head to apologize, I'll leave a stench for thousands of years."

Wilhelm nodded and looked at Dönitz. "When will U 47 arrive?"

Dönitz respectfully said, "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should arrive at the harbor tomorrow afternoon, Your Highness."

"Good, I will personally go to welcome these heroes when the time comes. Goebbels, send more reporters. Oh, and the naval battle in the morning should be extensively covered. Field Marshal Rundstedt, how is it going in the Ardennes Forest?"

Field Marshal Rundstedt's face showed uncontrollable excitement. "Tomorrow morning, they will be able to break out of the forest. Moreover, French Marshal Gamelin has moved all his troops to Belgium, not even leaving a reserve. Our plan has already succeeded halfway!"