Chapter 14: Across the River is the Waffen-SS

Time is precious, and facing the intricate situation, Logan could only wait patiently. After about five minutes, British soldiers finally began to retreat from their positions. Shortly after, several field guns deployed behind the position were also loaded onto trucks.

Before long, Lieutenant Thomas arrived, panting:

"Lieutenant, we couldn't establish contact with headquarters, but we can't afford to delay any longer. So, I've just issued the order for the troops to retreat. Shall I arrange for an escort for you?"

Logan sternly replied, "No, Lieutenant, you go first, don't worry about us."

Thomas glanced at the dozen or so people Logan brought and hastily said, "Then let your group go first, I'll send troops to cover the rear."

If looks could kill, Logan would have torn this fussy fellow apart. But realizing time couldn't be further wasted, he thought that if the Germans launched another attack, this British infantry regiment might not be willing to retreat. Moreover, Logan believed that those senior staff members from headquarters were often arrogant when facing their own people but timid in front of the enemy.

"All right, Lieutenant, please arrange a truck and a guide for us. Also, if you really want to contribute more to this war, then destroy every bridge you pass on the retreat! We're heading to Shifleytren next to ensure that every British soldier there can retreat in time!"

Thomas had already shown great respect for the officer from the Expeditionary Force. He quickly agreed, "Okay, I'll arrange vehicles and personnel!"

As Thomas left, Logan turned to his companions with a pained expression.

"You're a genius!" Mark Ella complimented in English.

"I could be an actor in the National Theatre after the war ends!" Logan joked.

"If I ever get the chance to be a film producer, I'll definitely turn this story into a movie. It'll be a hit for sure!" Tobias interjected.

After a brief exchange, a young British sergeant ran up, "Sir, I've been ordered by Lieutenant Thomas to escort you to headquarters! The truck is at the foot of the mountain. When shall we depart?"

Logan nodded thoughtfully, observing the opposite bank through binoculars. The German positions were quiet, with hardly any movement. Of course, the British defenders not only had the advantage of terrain but also wielded the Lee-Enfield rifle, renowned for its accuracy. Only a fool would risk exposing themselves within rifle range.

"Sergeant, has everyone else retreated?"

"Um... reporting, sir, most of the men have already left their positions. It seems only two platoons of rear guard troops are left to monitor the opposite bank!" the sergeant replied nervously.

"Your commander, Lieutenant Thomas, is quite meticulous in his actions. Very cautious!" Logan commented seemingly aimlessly.

"Yes, sir, the lieutenant has always been like that! Even General Montgomery praised him!" the sergeant replied without hesitation.

Montgomery again! Logan felt somewhat regretful. If he could eliminate Montgomery, Rommel might have led the Africa Corps to conquer the Suez Canal!

Seeing no reason to delay further, Logan instructed his men to follow the British sergeant down the slope to where the truck was parked. To his surprise, Thomas had also sent three additional British infantrymen to escort them for the entire journey.

"What an excessively meticulous fellow!" Logan thought to himself.

The truck headed northeast for about two miles before Logan suddenly ordered the driver to stop. After observing through binoculars for a while, he instructed the driver to turn around and head back.

Although the British soldiers were confused, they obeyed the command.

Upon returning to the foot of the hill, Thomas's troops had already withdrawn completely. Logan instructed the British soldiers and the driver to remain in place while he climbed back up to the position with his paratroopers.

The spider-web-like trenches were indeed empty, but the German troops across the river seemed to be unaware of the change on this side.

While lamenting Thomas's meticulousness, Logan had Tobias tie a white handkerchief to the rifle and wave it above the trench towards the opposite bank. He also instructed Grot to signal with a flashlight across the river—a traditional communication method more effective at night, hoping the Germans would notice in time.

After some time, flickering lights appeared on the opposite bank. Grot identified the signal and excitedly informed Logan, "They're sending a squad over immediately!"

At that moment, Lieutenant Stephenberg said, "Lieutenant, look, that British sergeant is coming up!"

"Hmph, a fool rushing to his death! Get ready, boys, follow my command!" Logan coldly ordered.

In the blink of an eye, the real British Army sergeant jogged up the trench. He dared not speak loudly but was afraid of not being heard, so he appeared very awkward:

"Sir, let's go quickly! Our regiment has all withdrawn, the Germans will surely find out soon! It won't be good if they rush over!"

Logan beckoned him over, "Come and see!"

The sergeant walked over unsuspectingly. When he saw a small group of German soldiers preparing to cross the river in newly inflated rubber dinghies, he immediately wanted to unload his rifle from his shoulder.

"Don't be nervous!" Logan smiled, holding his hand, "They're our own!"

"Our own?" The sergeant widened his eyes. A few seconds later, his initial suspicion turned into immense horror.

"Yes, our own!" Logan maintained his calm and composed smile.

Without the distraction of firearms, the group of German soldiers only took a few minutes to reach the British position. At this point, Logan didn't notice the key-shaped emblem on the helmets of these soldiers. It was Stephenberg who whispered, "It's the Leibstandarte SS!"

Armed SS troops?

Logan was somewhat surprised. He tried to recall from memory that during the Battle of France, the size of the armed SS was not large. It seemed that only a few elite units participated in the battle, but their performance did not seem outstanding. It was in the subsequent Russo-German War and the Western Front operations that these fanatical believers showed astonishing explosiveness!

"Hello, I am Lieutenant Hans Logan, attached to the 7th Air Division of the German Air Force and the commander of this special operation!" After shaking hands with the commander of the SS soldiers and a young officer who seemed to be of similar age, Logan took the initiative to introduce himself.

The other party also politely introduced himself, "Kurt Melsset, SS third-tier assault team squad leader, attached to the Fuhrer Guard Regiment! It's a pleasure to meet you here!"

"It's very uplifting for us to meet you here!"

Logan had no idea what the rank of SS third-tier assault team squad leader entailed, so he politely addressed him as "you."

"Hank, go signal, the main force can safely cross the river now!" The SS officer instructed one of his subordinates, then cautiously observed the situation at the foot of the slope.

"Lieutenant, is that your unit down there?" without skipping words.

"No, those are British troops!" Logan looked at the body in the trench, "But soon they'll become British corpses like him!"