The decisive battle against the Third Reich

Qinchuan did not take the train with his troops. He was ordered to take a plane with Colonel Slain to France.

However, even though it was a flight, it actually took a lot of trouble. The reason is as mentioned before... The United States and Britain have launched a full-scale bombing of France.

This bombing was not only a bombing of coastal fortifications such as the Atlantic Wall, but also a bombing of French roads, railways, and bridges.

The United States and Britain hope to block the mobilization of German troops and the transportation of supplies in this way, so as to make the landing smoother... This is the historical "transportation" combat plan of the United States and Britain. They carried out a 90-year campaign against 72 targets in France. Days of massive bombing.

According to statistics, during the three months of bombing, the United States and Britain dropped a total of 69,591 tons of bombs, of which the Allied Expeditionary Force (including Polish, Dutch, French and other armies) dropped 10,125 tons, the United Kingdom dropped 44,744 tons, and the United States dropped 14,722 tons.

Of course, this was the approach of the American and British armies in history. At that time, they had more time to prepare... Now I'm afraid it's a different story.

But even so, the bombing by the US and British forces still caused enough damage to Germany: a large number of railways and roads were blown up, and bridges were blown up.

But objectively speaking, this kind of combat plan can only be formulated by rich people like the United States.

The reason is that things like railroads, roads, and even bridges are not the same as buildings or military targets.

Buildings and military targets were blown up and gone.

It is not easy to hit something like railways and highways first. It requires low-altitude or large-area carpet bombing to hit and cause effective damage.

Secondly, roads and railways can be repaired as they are bombed, especially in France... Just bring in a bunch of French people to serve as laborers. Even when these French workers are repairing railways and roads, the American and British troops are not The reason why they dare to interfere and destroy is that France is still an ally of the United States and Britain to a certain extent.

Therefore, this bombing blockade actually only slowed down Germany's transportation and transportation costs, but could not achieve the effect of "blockade". To a certain extent, it even caused 800 damage to the enemy with one thousand worth of ammunition... In terms of overall national strength, it is not worth doing this.

It's just that the United States' industrial capabilities are very strong. They even moved their arsenals to the United Kingdom for production day and night, so they can afford this kind of operation.

On the contrary, Germany was already in shortage of materials at this time, so even if the United States suffered greater losses, Germany still could not afford it.

The impact this had on Qinchuan was that the plane could only land in Germany because French airspace was no longer safe.

Then, take a jeep ride into France at dark.

When passing through the Maginot Line, Qinchuan and Colonel Slain stopped by Metz to build a fort and visited Lieutenant General Lu Manlin.

To the surprise of the two of them, when they arrived at Lieutenant General Lu Manlin's villa, they came up empty-handed. The villa even looked a bit desolate.

The few guards who stayed there shouted excitedly when they saw Qin Chuan: "Lieutenant Colonel, you are finally back. General Lu Manlin has been waiting for you!"

"Where is the general?" Qin Chuan asked.

"It's not like he moved back to Berlin!" Colonel Slain looked a little ugly. If Lu Manlin fled back to Germany just because of the US and British bombings, then their previous efforts would be in vain.

"No, Lieutenant Colonel!" the guard replied: "General Lu Manlin is in the underground fortifications. He has been living there for some time!"

Qin Chuan and Colonel Slaine couldn't help but look at each other. They wanted to laugh but couldn't... General Lu Manlin's cowardice was beyond their imagination.

However, this seems to be a good thing, because only in this way will Lieutenant General Lu Manlin "do his best" to strengthen the defense of the Maginot Line.

"Sir, I will arrange for you to meet the general!" the guard said, "he will be very happy to see you!"

"No need to bother!" Qin Chuan replied: "We have a car and we know how to get there!"

However, the guards apparently informed Lieutenant Colonel Lu Manlin of the arrival of Qin Chuan and Colonel Slain, because when the two drove to the Metz fortification area, Lieutenant Colonel Lu Manlin was already waiting at the door.

"Hey, Lieutenant Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel!" Lieutenant General Lu Manlin waved to Qin Chuan from a distance, seemingly completely ignoring his status as a lieutenant general.

As soon as Qin Chuan's car stopped, Lieutenant General Lu Manlin quickly came up to him. He held Qin Chuan's hand who had just stepped out of the car and said, "Thank God, you are finally here. I have already given them a few shots." Ten calls later, they told me you were on the battlefield and couldn’t come here for the time being!”

"They are right, General!" Qin Chuan replied: "I was indeed on the battlefield at that time!"

"Of course!" Lieutenant General Lu Manlin said with a smile: "I know, of course I know. You destroyed thousands of Soviet tanks and frustrated their attack. Oh my God, how did you do it?"

After a pause, Lieutenant General Lu Manlin continued: "Actually, I know a little bit. I have been paying attention to the Eastern Front battlefield, the Battle of Prokhorovka, right? And the Kovo Plain, how many battles have you fought? Nice fight.”

"Yes, General!" Qin Chuan replied.

Qin Chuan was not surprised at all that Lieutenant General Lu Manlin knew this. With his rank and relationship with the head of state, it was easy to get this information.

"Of course, that's just a report!" Lieutenant General Lu Manlin said: "My subordinates and I would rather hear you talk about this wonderful process..."

"Sorry, general!" Qin Chuan had to interrupt Lieutenant General Lu Manlin and said: "We are just on the way!"

"On your way?" Lieutenant General Lu Manlin couldn't help but be stunned.

"Yes!" Qin Chuan replied: "We were sent to France. As you know, the current situation, as for the specific location... please forgive me for not telling you!"

After being stunned for a moment, Lieutenant General Lu Manlin cursed angrily: "These bastards, they actually ignored my request. I said it at least a hundred times!"

"General!" Colonel Slaine couldn't help but interrupt: "You just said 'dozens of times'!"

"That's a phone call!" Lieutenant General Lu Manlin said, "I also sent a telegram!"

Colonel Slain rolled his eyes.

"General!" Qin Chuan explained: "They sent us to France to defend the Maginot Line, don't you think so?"

Lieutenant General Lu Manlin quickly understood this truth, nodded and said: "That's right, Lieutenant Colonel, knowing that you are on the front line... I feel more relieved. I don't believe that those idiots in France can defend anything!"

To a certain extent, Lieutenant General Lu Manlin was right. He had stayed in France for a long time, so he knew the behavior and style of the generals stationed in France.