Chapter 874: Chapter 14: The Longest Day
August 2, 917, noon, Prosen’s Western Front coastal defense fortifications: the West Wall.
Marshal Erwin Roml walked to the coastal breakwater with his hands behind his back after inspecting six fortresses: “Very good, I am pleased to see you have t my demands, this section of coastal defense is impeccable!
“The only issue is the personnel!”
Roml looked at the Coast Guard Division soldiers lined up beside him.
“I’ve never seen soldiers with such poor quality; at least the Youth Division’s soldiers have physical fitness and the reflexes of young n. You? Are you farsighted?”
The Division Commander of the 200th Coast Guard Division said: “When the Coast Guard Division was ford, it accepted those who failed the physical examination. Although most of us are nearsighted and not physically fit, when holding a machine gun within a set range in the bunker, we can perform just as well as regular soldiers.
“Moreover, we all know how to operate machine guns and cannons, which even the first wave Infantry Division cannot do. We have not neglected training over the years.”
Marshal Erwin: “Yes, yes. I hope your training is effective! Because across the sea, there lurks a beast! It’s ready to leap over the narrow strait and deliver a fatal blow to us! A fatal blow!”
The Marshal paused, his hands clasped behind his back, holding his staff.
After a few seconds of silence, he looked at the sea and said: “The first 24 hours of the landing are crucial. In the Kingdom of Sardinia, I decisively deployed the Armored Division to counterattack in the first 24 hours, driving the enemy back into the sea.
“For soldiers on both sides, the first day of the landing will be the longest day of their lives.”
The Marshal turned around and repeated to all his aides: “The longest day!”
————
Across the sea, Federation’s Third Army Group Headquarters.
Admiral Little John, with a cigar in his mouth, paced back and forth in front of the window, heavy rain pouring down outside amidst thunder and lightning.
“This damn weather, it looks like we can’t land tomorrow either! My three divisions are drifting at sea, drifting! And in this weather!”
The Chief of Staff reminded: “They are moored at anchor, with breakwaters to block the waves, it won’t be too rough.”
Little John: “When I say they’re drifting at sea, they’re drifting! Don’t contradict , you’re the Chief of Staff, your duty is to implent my orders, not to contradict !”
“My duties also include pointing out your mistakes and providing suggestions.” The Chief of Staff reminded.
Little John waved his hand: “Alright, alright, you’re right about everything, you’re the scholar, and I’m a tank soldier!”
At this mont, the door opened, and the confidential secretary ca in with a file: “The latest weather report is out.”
“Bring it here!” Little John rushed over, snatched the report, and read it carefully.
The Chief of Staff also leaned over, peeking at the words on the docunt.
Admiral Little John directly stuffed the docunt into the Chief of Staff’s hand: “Take it. Prepare the car! I’m going to Allied Headquarters!”
The Chief of Staff: “The report only says it might improve, might!”
“We can’t wait any longer! Even if it’s still this terrible weather tomorrow, we must land.”
The Chief of Staff: “How will we land? No, this doesn’t conform to military common sense.”
Admiral Little John didn’t listen to him, shouting to prepare the car while running out.
————
Allied Headquarters, Supre Commander’s Office.
“Even if the weather improves, considering the cloud cover over the sea, good weather will only last a few days. During this ti, we must seize Qinburg, otherwise all the landing troops face the risk of running out of supplies, and the subsequent troops cannot land.” United Kingdom Army General Margo looked at Admiral Eck, “The risk is too great, I oppose landing now.”
Admiral Eck: “You are always cautious and steady, that’s your style, and because of this style, you’ve let Erwin Roml take advantage ti and again in Mamluk.
“Sotis, maybe we should take a bit of a risk. Information from Ante indicates that at least twenty divisions have been transferred to the Eastern Front, and we are facing the old and weak of the Coastal Defense Division. As long as we break through the beachhead, we can drive straight in.”
General Margo: “But we have to wait for the weather to improve, who can guarantee that it will definitely improve?”
At that mont, the office door opened, and Admiral Little John, with his signature cigar, burst in: “Eck! The rain has already lessened on my way here! Believe , the ti to land has co!”
As he ca in, he didn’t close the door, so Admiral Cunningham of the Royal Navy Ho Fleet and Admiral Doding of the Royal Air Force also ca in.
Admiral Little John: “The weather will improve, we will land on Normandy’s beaches tomorrow, tomorrow!”
Admiral Cunningham: “But the wave heights in the Channel are five ters, are you sure you want to cross at this ti?”
Admiral Eck: “What ti is this report?”
“2 PM, the highest waves observed at various monitoring stations were five ters, with the lowest at three ters.”
Little John: “Once the weather improves, it won’t be that high! The tide is also suitable for landing! This is an opportunity, a God-given opportunity for us.”
Eck shook his head: “Let’s observe a bit longer, it’s only three in the afternoon now, if we’re to land tomorrow, by when is the latest I can make a decision?”
Eck’s deputy replied: “8 PM tonight, Admiral.”
“Then there’s still ti.”
At this mont, Admiral Kin of the Allied Atlantic Fleet entered the room and said to everyone: “The rain has stopped, gentlen, maybe the mont we’ve been waiting for is coming.”
All the generals in the room turned their heads to look at the window.
Admiral Eck walked to the window, lifted the latch, and pushed the window open.
No rain ca in.
Admiral Doding: “I’ll have all the local teorological stations confirm the situation right away.”
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