African Entrepreneurship Record

Heinrich successfully convinced Leopold, and the two of them exchanged views one last time, simultaneously convening a meeting with the commanders of the entire brigade to refine the details of the operational plan.

Officers above the company level were present at this meeting. Due to the tight schedule, it was important for them to prepare in advance.

Heixinggen only had two infantry regiments and a combat battalion directly under the brigade headquarters, with just twenty or thirty officers above the company level.

Due to the needs of war, the command post was not set up in a civilian area but in a separately constructed semi-bunker style building, built hastily, making it rather cramped. The officers of Heixinggen’s brigade gathered in the small space of the command post, and the operational meeting commenced.

”After discussions with Staff Officer Heinrich, it’s been decided to launch a surprise attack on the French in the suburbs tonight. Heinrich will now explain the reasons. I personally agree with the plan, but if you have any objections or suggestions, feel free to speak up,” said Leopold.

After that, Heinrich repeated what he had previously discussed with Leopold: ”...In conclusion, I believe this is a good opportunity. Timing is fleeting; if we miss tonight, tomorrow we will be in a passive position.”

After Heinrich finished speaking, Leopold said, ”Let’s hear your thoughts!”

The commander of the first regiment said, ”I support an active offense, taking advantage of the night to fish in troubled waters. This is Heixinggen brigade’s first combat operation, unlike past drills; they will witness real bloodshed. Though the night cannot hide the smell, it visually lessens the impact of war on these recruits.”

”I have no objections, but we must be fully prepared for this war. As you said, it’s Heixinggen brigade’s first battle, so we should not be reckless,” said the second regiment commander.

After nearly an hour of discussion, the deployment and tasks of each unit for this battle were finally settled.

”Alright, you can go back and start preparing, motivate the soldiers mentally. Don’t let anything fall through at the critical moment,” Leopold said, somewhat fatigued.

As Leopold finished speaking, everyone began to orderly leave the scene.

...

Following the meeting’s arrangement, Heixinggen brigade’s cooking team started working overtime, pouring box after box of canned beef stew with potatoes into pots, stirring them together with onions, cooking them in a large pot.

”Listen up, everyone. This is not a drill. If you die, you’re really dead. Your opponents are experienced Frenchmen, so don’t take this lightly. If you encounter them in the forest, strike hard!”

As Otto spoke, he began distributing cigarettes and beer to the soldiers of his platoon. He handed a pack of cigarettes and a beer to each soldier and said, ”If you’re scared before we set off, smoke one or drink a bottle. There won’t be a chance on the battlefield.”

...

At midnight. In the pitch-black environment where you couldn’t see your hand in front of you, the soldiers of Heixinggen brigade quietly opened a gap, poking their heads out one by one from the fortifications.

”Keep up, don’t get separated. When we’re close to the location, stay crouched. Until you reach the enemy lines, don’t stand around like a wooden stick,” the officer instructed his subordinates, trying to lower his voice.

Leaving the David Wright position, nearby were only country roads, farmland, and canals. Squads moved one by one under the cover of darkness through wheat fields, slowly approaching the forest edge.

Gradually, the French positions appeared in front of them, and Heinrich began to carefully observe the enemy situation.

From the makeshift positions of the French army, it was clear that this French force had really rushed overnight without even digging trenches. The camp was quite chaotic, with guards all over the place.

”Instruct the troops to be ready. When you hear gunshots, everyone rush forward. Fix bayonets and other melee weapons in advance, as there may not be time to reload.”

As the troops got ready, the time came to 12:57 AM, and Heinrich fired the first shot of the attack.

Subsequently, the two infantry regiments of Heixinggen brigade rushed headlong into the French positions.

”Bang...”

”Where are the guns being fired?” The commander of the French 54th brigade awoke from his sleep with a start.

”Report, commander, there’s an unknown armed force suddenly attacking us!”

”What unknown armed force? It’s clearly the Germans from the other side trying to catch us off guard and launch a surprise attack. Stop talking nonsense; quickly organize our troops for a counterattack!” The 54th brigade commander grabbed his pistol and started heading to the front line with his men, intending to organize a French counterattack.

However, just as he exited the camp, a bullet flew over. Fortunately, it didn’t hit him, only wounding the arm of a nearby guard.

”Commander, the light here attracts the enemy. We can’t stay here; otherwise, we’re basically sitting ducks.”

The commander’s tent of the French 54th brigade was illuminated by a kerosene lamp, making it conspicuous in the dark.

”Other lit areas are experiencing similar conditions. The dark is safer; we can only blend and fight with the enemy in the darkness now, Commander!”

In such pitch-black conditions, gathering the troops was completely impossible. Heixinggen brigade was mixed in entirely with the soldiers of the French 54th brigade.

Sparse gunfire sounded throughout the French camp. In the darkness, the unprepared French army could only fire their Chassepot rifles blindly. Many did not have bayonets or other melee weapons, allowing Heixinggen brigade to seize the opportunity.

During the pauses to reload, Heixinggen brigade soldiers could quickly make their mark with bayonets. In the darkness, even if both friend and foe bled profusely, the night concealed it. The pre-battle tobacco and alcohol numbed and stimulated the senses of Heixinggen brigade soldiers, with most extremely stimulated.

Gradually, noticing more Germans and fewer comrades around them, the French soldiers sensed something ominous. Without communication with their commanders, some took advantage of the chaos to flee into the forest, while others simply laid down their weapons and surrendered.

The French 54th brigade, caught off guard, saw its fighting spirit rapidly crumble.

The gunfire attracted the 3rd brigade of the 5th army led by Robert, stationed east of David Wright. After the battle between Heixinggen and the French 54th brigade ended, they also arrived on the scene.

At that moment, Heixinggen brigade was clearing the battlefield; the current results were unknown, but the French suffered heavy casualties without a doubt. Some managed to escape into the forest. This essentially meant the remnants of the French 54th brigade couldn’t reorganize.

In the forest, without familiarity with the local environment, they would certainly get lost. This was proven true, as scattered French soldiers who wandered in circles in the forest returned to be captured by Heixinggen brigade.