Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 874: Chapter 14: The Longest Day

August 2, 917, noon, Prosen’s Western Front coastal defense fortifications: the West Wall.

Marshal Erwin Rommel walked to the coastal breakwater with his hands behind his back after inspecting six fortresses: “Very good, I am pleased to see you have met my demands, this section of coastal defense is impeccable!

“The only issue is the personnel!”

Rommel 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 men. You? Are you farsighted?”

The Division Commander of the 200th Coast Guard Division said: “When the Coast Guard Division was formed, 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 me, you’re the Chief of Staff, your duty is to implement my orders, not to contradict me!”

“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 moment, the door opened, and the confidential secretary came 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 document.

Admiral Little John directly stuffed the document 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, Supreme 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 time, 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 Rommel take advantage time and again in Mamluk.

“Sometimes, 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 moment, 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 me, the time to land has come!”

As he came in, he didn’t close the door, so Admiral Cunningham of the Royal Navy Home Fleet and Admiral Doding of the Royal Air Force also came 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 meters, are you sure you want to cross at this time?”

Admiral Eck: “What time is this report?”

“2 PM, the highest waves observed at various monitoring stations were five meters, with the lowest at three meters.”

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 time.”

At this moment, Admiral Kin of the Allied Atlantic Fleet entered the room and said to everyone: “The rain has stopped, gentlemen, maybe the moment 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 came in.

Admiral Doding: “I’ll have all the local meteorological stations confirm the situation right away.”