(Today there is still only Zhang, the earthquake warning has not been lifted, and there are still aftershocks, so we have to be careful)
"Tell Major General Donald that the 9th Infantry Division cannot retreat a step without my order. I need them to keep an eye on the position for at least three more hours." Bill growled at the signal soldier. In his plan, the 9th Infantry Division must persist until 2 pm. Only then can they persist until reinforcements arrive.
At 11:40 am on June 21, all five regiments under the French 3rd Marine Division landed. Almost at the same time, the 4th Marine Division also set sail, and it is estimated that they will arrive in an hour. Before that, the 3rd Marine Division must occupy a large enough landing field, preferably the port of Portsmouth, which is very helpful for the loading and unloading of heavy weapons.
"Order the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th regiments to continue attacking the British defensive positions. They must occupy their positions after an hour and drive all the British out of the beach. The 5th regiments will attack the port and strive to be in the 4th navy. Occupy the port before the Marine Division arrives." Rear Admiral Owen, commander of the French 3rd Marine Division, ordered before the troops directly under the division finished landing.
Under Owen's order, the French army of four regiments launched a fierce attack on the British 9th Infantry Division. The 9th Infantry Division, which had already suffered heavy casualties, could only struggle to support it under the fierce attack of the French army. Under the superior force and firepower of the French army, the 9th Infantry Division was driven out of its position in an organized manner.
"Master, we really can't hold back. There are more than 2,000 people in the regiment, and now there are only more than 600 people left." One of Donald's regiment leaders complained to him.
"Yes, Commander. The casualties of the troops are very heavy. If there is no reinforcements, we will not be able to sustain it at all." Another regiment leader also complained.
"Gentlemen, I have to regret to tell you that what General Bill means is that we must persist until two o'clock in the afternoon, otherwise those who retreat without authorization will be dealt with according to military law." Donald said helplessly.
"What? Two o'clock in the afternoon? How is this possible?" The officers all exclaimed. In their view, with the current state of the 9th Infantry Division, it is basically impossible to persist until two o'clock in the afternoon. Asking them to hold out until two o'clock in the afternoon is not much different from asking them to die.
"Master, the French are attacking, and they are less than 500 meters away from the division headquarters." The commander of the guard company of the 9th Infantry Division hurriedly reported to Donald. Immediately, there was a panic at the bottom, some people asked to continue to resist, and some people thought that there was no need to stand firm.
"If we continue to resist the French army, I believe everyone knows that we are no match for the French army at all, and we will definitely not end well. If we give up our position, then General Bill will not let me go." Donald thought After thinking about it, he said.
"So what should we do?" someone asked.
Glancing at the people present, Donald said: "Since resistance is death and retreat is death, we might as well surrender to the French army. Everyone must be very clear about the current situation. Under the fierce attack of the French army, our army We can only be exhausted, and we will never be an opponent of the French army. Instead of being defeated and captured by the French army, I think we might as well surrender to them, then the treatment we get will be completely different."
It can be said that one stone stirred up a thousand waves. As soon as Donald's words came out, everyone exclaimed. They never expected that their teacher would actually make such a proposal, which is really incredible.
However, if you think about it carefully, there is indeed only one way now. However, some military officers who were unwilling to surrender to France objected to this proposal. For these people, Donald did not embarrass them, but let them go. Of course, the army would not let them take them away.
After that, Donald discussed the surrender with other officers. In the end, they decided to send a man with a white flag to act as a negotiator for the British army and convey their demands to the French army. If the French army can agree, they will take the initiative to lay down their arms and surrender to the French army.
"Master, a prisoner was caught in the front line. He said that he came to talk to the division commander on behalf of the division commander of the British 9th Infantry Division." In Owen's temporary office, a heavily tied junior British officer was brought in front of him.
"Who are you? What can I do for you?" Although he is very busy at work, Owen still finds time to negotiate with General Donald in person.
"Major Rivet, I feel very strange. Now our two armies are in a state of hostility. Every minute a soldier will be killed by the other side's soldiers. It is really hard for me to think that at this time, Commander Donald of your division will send someone Come and get in touch with me." Owen asked a little puzzled.
"General, this is the only way. Our 9th Infantry Division has suffered heavy losses under the fierce attack of your army, but the commander of the theater, General Bill, has asked our division to stand firm until two o'clock in the afternoon. Whether it is our side or your side, Everyone thinks this is impossible. And General Bill also issued a death order. If our division retreats without authorization, the whole division will be sent to a court-martial. Therefore, in order to find a way out for the soldiers, our division commander will send me I came to contact you." Rivet explained to Owen.
"Oh, so what does General Donald mean?" Owen asked with interest. He had actually already guessed Donald's intentions, it was nothing more than wanting the French army to agree to their conditions, and then they surrendered to the French army. For such a phenomenon, Owen very much agrees. In this way, his army can reduce a lot of unnecessary losses, so why not do it?
"General Donald means that if your army can guarantee the safety of the division, provide life guarantees, and provide effective treatment for the wounded, our army will take the initiative to lay down its weapons and surrender to your army. But there is one thing to note, that is, we cannot Being regarded as prisoners of war of your army, after the war is over, your country must release us unconditionally and compensate us a sum of money." Rivet said.
"Is that so? Although I am very willing to agree to you, this matter is not up to me. I have to report to the headquarters." Owen said after thinking for a while.
"How long will it take?" Rivet asked anxiously.
"Do you need to wait for a while, it will take half an hour at most." Owen said with a smile.
"Okay, but please hurry up, General Donald is still waiting for my reply? One more point, now that we are preparing to negotiate, should the frontline offensive stop?" Rivet said. The attack of the French army was too violent. Almost every minute, British soldiers shed blood and died, which Rivett did not want to see.
"I'm sorry, Major, I can't promise you, because our army's offensive will not stop until your army has truly surrendered." Owen insisted.
In this regard, Rivet had no choice but to nod his head to express his understanding. Now he only hopes to have a result as soon as possible, so that his comrades will have less sacrifices.
Owen's telegram was sent directly to Eke. After receiving the telegram, Eke immediately met with Xiao Jie and told him about the British 9th Infantry Division.
With the smooth progress of the war against Britain, Xiao Jie is also thinking about how to deal with Britain after the war. The best way is to support a pro-French British government to rule Britain indirectly, and those who act as assistants of France to rule Britain, You need to search carefully. In the war, the British officers or soldiers who can surrender to the French army are undoubtedly Xiao Jie's best choice. Therefore, Xiao Jie immediately instructed Owen to agree to the surrender of the British 9th Infantry Division, but Donald's request needed to be modified. For example, officers of the British 9th Infantry Division can enjoy the treatment of judges, while ordinary soldiers need to work to obtain various materials for survival. After the war, France will release all officers and soldiers of the British 9th Infantry Division, but France will not compensate them. If they wish, they can hold some official positions in the French-dominated British government and so on.
After receiving Xiao Jie's instructions ~www.mtlnovel.com~ Owen immediately conveyed Xiao Jie's meaning to Rivet.
"General Owen, I need to report to General Donald. Only with his consent can our cooperation continue." Rivet said apologetically.
"It doesn't matter, but you must make a decision early on by General Donald. Our offensive will not stop within this period of time. If our army has completely defeated your army before he agrees to our request, then I think it will be too late." There is nothing to talk about." Owen said with a slightly threatening tone.
"I'll pass it on to General Donald," Rivet said. Then he left. At this time, time is life, and he can't afford to waste it.
After listening to Rivett's report, Donald immediately summoned the officers who agreed to take a position with France to discuss. After a brief discussion, they reached an agreement, that is, to fully accept the conditions of France and surrender to the French army. After all, the last one is very attractive to these people that they can hold some official positions in the new government and army after the war is over.
At 12:30 noon on June 21, under the leadership of Donald, the remaining nearly 5,000 soldiers of the British 9th Infantry Division walked out of the position, put down their weapons, and surrendered to the French army.