Dutinhem, Provisional Headquarters.
Model, who had just been transferred, was still upset. He roared to his adjutant: "The British plane almost hit me! They were going to hit the headquarters! Think about it! There are more people in the entire Arnhem area than me. Something of value?”
The master of defensive warfare was restless. Earlier in the afternoon, he had been talking to subordinates on the phone at a country house. Now he was forced to move to Dutinghem, without even having time to bring his underwear and toiletries.
"Inform von Rundstedt that more airborne troops will be landing tonight, and I insist that armored vehicles, artillery, heavy mobile anti-tank weapons, and anti-aircraft troops be brought to us as quickly as possible .”
The adjutant felt that Model was a little nervous. Although he was important, he was not worthy of the enemy launching such a large-scale raid.
"Sir, I think you should take a look at this first. General Student just sent a document over the radio."
That's the Market Garden action sheet, leaked this afternoon, and now, intelligence services have decoded it all:
Montgomery's full intentions, the airborne forces to be employed, the series of airlifts and resupplies to be carried out over three days, the precise location of the landing areas and drop sites, the attack targets - even the flight paths.
Soon, based on the documents in his hand, Model gave up his original assumption and became certain of one thing: he was not the target of the airborne troops at all.
At the same time, a group of staff officers gathered around. They stared at the map and marked the bridges mentioned in the document.
It's so accurate.
So much so that after reading it, Model refused to believe it. He firmly believed that this was a bait deliberately dropped by the enemy, and sneered: "Do you think this document is reliable?"
No one answered, because standing in front of everyone was Model, the savior of the Eastern Front appointed by the head of state, whose military talent had been proven in actual combat.
"It was deliberately used by the enemy to confuse sight."
With confidence in his words, Model walked to the map and analyzed to everyone: "Assuming this document is true and the Arnhem Bridge is the ultimate goal, then why don't they put the 1st Airborne Division on the bridge? Here they came to a huge open area suitable for gathering, and not only that, but it was eight miles to the west."
"I believe that the enemy's goal is the Ruhr area. They will gather at least ten divisions in that open area, then turn north, pass through Bocholt and Münster, and finally move eastward to invade the mainland. "
The inference is not unfounded. Unfortunately, this document is indeed accurate, but Model overestimated the person who made the Market Garden plan. That guy was an out-and-out fool.
"Sir, I have a hunch..."
A lieutenant colonel spoke up to break the silence, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted again.
"Time will tell Germany whether this document is authentic."
Model was always prepared for the worst, but that didn't mean he was dictatorial.
"Well...since the headquarters has the information, there is no reason not to notify the armored division in the city and pass the documents over."
In fact, no matter how Model views this document, it will not affect the war situation, because there are two armored divisions stationed in Arnhem city——
Hohenstaufen Division, Frentzberg Division.
However, the group of paratroopers did not know this cruel fact. Under the leadership of Captain McKay, they walked through the streets and approached the bridge.
Since leaving the pontoon ferry, Lu Li had become taciturn. Munch was a little worried, but the atmosphere was so solemn that he hesitated to speak many times, while the soldiers on other vehicles also remained silent.
The silence was oppressive, and Captain McKay felt that the convoy was surrounded by enemies, hiding in the hedges and lying on top of the apartments, moving slightly.
At this time, Lu Li spoke a little abruptly: "How much ammunition do you two have left, and how many days can the food last you?"
Monk was stunned for a moment, then opened his backpack: "Well... three pieces of Hershey's chocolate, a can of cherries, two cans of biscuits, two bags of coffee..."
This guy talks about food like he's reciting poetry, and he shows no signs of stopping.
"Let's talk about ammunition first!"
Lu Li lowered his voice, but Henry, who was sitting in the back row, noticed that the officer was in a bad mood.
"Two grenades, one smoke grenade, and six magazines left in the Bren machine gun, four of which contained 20 rounds of ammunition, and the other two contained 30 rounds of ammunition."
"By the way, there are seven rounds of ammunition left in the seized Ruger pistol."
Munch also realized that he was too chatty to distinguish the situation, and quickly got to the point.
After he finished speaking, sniper Henry immediately reported: "There are enough bullets and enough food to last until the end of the mission."
Be concise and to the point.
However, Lu Li keenly sensed something was wrong and asked, "The mission is over? Two days?"
"That's right."
Henry nodded, puzzled.
The mission of the 1st Airborne Division was to hold on to the bridge for two days. Even if something unexpected happened midway, he could save some food and still be able to hold on until the fourth day.
After a moment of silence, Lu Li slowed down the car and warned, "After the main force catches up, I will go to the logistics officer to collect supplies."
From the moment he joined Lu Li's team, Sergeant Henry felt that he was an excellent leader who never made mistakes in his judgment, so he couldn't help but ask: "Sir, have you discovered anything?"
Lu Li shook his head: "Before taking action, prepare for the worst. This is my habit."
After the words fell, the atmosphere condensed again.
While the three of them were talking, the convoy was less than 100 meters away from the Arnhem Bridge.
With the blessing of werewolf blood, Lu Li saw a bunker at the north end of the bridge, while the south end was shrouded in thick water vapor.
It's mine, it's mine!
The final goal was within reach, a voice kept shouting in Captain McKay's mind.
The driver looked at the giant bridge in front of him, his heart trembled, and he reminded softly: "Sir, do you need to stop and walk?"
Because it seemed to be abandoned, standing there alone, but as soon as I thought of its importance, I suddenly felt fear.
"Yes, we should walk."
"Speed up, notify the team in front and ask them to hide the jeeps in residential areas."
This reminder brought McKay back to his senses, and he ordered the driver to increase his speed immediately to alert others.
However, the darkness was torn apart by artillery fire in the next moment, and the flames illuminated the streets clearly.
Lu Li, who was already on guard, turned the steering wheel in advance and rushed into a house before he showed off his power at the bunker. Monk and Henry who were in the same car only felt the world spin for a while.
