When night fell, the guns and cannons in Elsden Fortress became increasingly sparse. After more than 12 hours of fierce battle, the coalition ground forces, mainly composed of the 2nd and 7th Infantry Divisions of the English Army and the 51st Infantry Assault Division of the New United Kingdom Army, have basically occupied the fortifications above the ground of the Scottish Fortress. However, the fortifications did not end there. At this time, there were still unknown Scottish soldiers retreating to various underground fortifications. They were either connected by winding and long underground passages, or very hidden independent spaces, and had complete ventilation facilities and material reserves. Unless the defenders collectively surrendered, the attacking side must invest a lot of energy and cost a considerable price to clean up these underground fortifications.

London, New Buckingham Palace, King Edward VIII of England, England's 70-year-old Betus, and a group of powerful people gathered in the chamber, waiting anxiously for news from the frontline.

Soon, a staff officer walked into the chamber and presented the telegram to Edward VIII.

Edward VIII opened the telegram clip and glanced, his face suddenly became gloomy, and he threw the telegram clip to his eldest son Hubertus.

Hubertus, who is 5 years older than the German Crown Prince Louis, wore an English Army general uniform. This uniform completely abandoned the "khaki" of the British Army and chose a dark gray similar to the German Army. Many details also adopted a typical German style. Although it looked quite handsome, it was boycotted by the English people and even the army. For a long time, the morale of the English army was so low that it was difficult to complete the normal marching tasks smoothly, let alone compete with the fighting Scots.

After reading the telegram content and seeking Edward VIII's opinions with his eyes, Hubertus cleared his throat and read in pure and fluent German: "The 1st Guard Armored Brigade and the 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions launched the fifth attack on the Dumfries defense line before dark. The assault troops of the 1st Guard Armored Brigade once broke through the defending positions and broke into the town of Dumfries. Then they were stubbornly resisted by the Scottish army and were forced to withdraw from Dumfries... General Fulken believed that the troops had fought for a day and the soldiers were very tired. If the Joint Staff could not dispatch reinforcements, he would let the troops rest for a night and attack again tomorrow morning."

After listening to the telegram that Hubertus read, everyone sighed.

Most of the powerful people here are Germans who followed Edward VIII to England. Some of them are close relatives of the family, some are declining nobles and frustrated soldiers. In the process of Edward VIII's establishment and consolidation of the royal power, they contributed money and efforts, and then they first gained the moon, either held a high position in the military and political circles, showed their strength in the business world, or became rich landlords. Although these people tried every means to integrate into English society, the root differences were difficult to eliminate without generations.

Edward VIII suddenly slapped the table with a palm: "This is the result of 500 million pounds invested every year! This is the result of a comprehensive reorganization! This is the result of the swearing allegiance by the English soldiers!"

There was a silence in the chamber.

"Forget it!" Edward sighed, "It is unrealistic to expect the English army to win such a tough battle. Let us let the Irish eat these hard bones! They have good teeth and good appetites. As long as they give Britain's dominance to them, it is not easy to rush to strait Scotland!"

"But..." Someone wanted to speak but stopped.

"I know what you are worried about," said Edward VIII. "If the English army performs well enough, I, the king who ruled forty million Englishmen, need not bow to my cousin who ruled only ten million Irish and two million Welsh. Compared with the potential interests of this country, we must put its stability and its security first. Only stability and security are qualified to plan for the long term!"

As soon as this statement was spoken, several people immediately praised: "My king is wise!"

Edward VIII waved his hand a little bored. He had heard too much about such useless compliments. If time could go back, he would rather choose a longer, twisted, but more stable way - like Joachim I's rule over Ireland, establish his own royal power.

"Do you want...I'll go and stumble on the wind first?" asked Betus.

The object of this verdict is obviously referring to the strongest king of Britain, the new United Kingdom King Joachim I. Although the German crown prince Louis was watching the battle in England at this time, it was not impossible to exert influence through the German level, but the efficiency and effect were unpredictable.

Edward VIII pondered: "In this way, you set off for Limerick early tomorrow morning and have a good chat with your cousin. England does not mind giving the oil fields in the central and southern North Sea to the New United Kingdom for development. Even if the oil fields are only 13 nautical miles away from the coastline of England, we will never block them like the Scots."

***Betus agreed immediately, and someone next to him asked: "Then our industrial economy in England in the future..."

Edward VIII frowned: "200 years ago, Britain became the industrial hegemony by relying on the textile industry. After 200 years, the competition for heavy industry is becoming increasingly fierce. Why can't we return to light industry represented by the new textile industry? As long as the economy develops and the country is rich, what does it matter if there is a first-class military industry? The stability of Europe and the peace of the world are maintained by those powerful countries!"

This is also reasonable and no one can refute it.

On the left wing of the front, the coalition forces did not launch another offensive after nightfall. They relied on the offensive starting positions in the border area to organize realm defenses and properly deployed guard posts and patrol soldiers. They were all safe overnight. At the Elsden Fortress on the right wing of the front, both the offensive and defensive sides were almost sleepless all night. In the middle of the night, the coalition forces organized several commandos to attack and kill the defenders in underground fortifications. However, the complex environment and the desperate resistance of the defenders caused the attacking and the casualties to achieve little effect and casualties. At midnight, the defenders suddenly launched a counterattack. They were familiar with the terrain and with the help of some secret passages that the attackers did not discover, they quickly regained the remaining three artillery bases and divided the coalition forces.

For a time, various messages of seeking help filled the coalition front line command.

The German crown prince, who had a very regular schedule, was already resting in a temporary camp more than ten kilometers away from the front line. Most of the military observers also went to bed, and the operation of the coalition front line command returned to a normal pace.

Under the dim light, the staff officers were drawing the latest battle situation on the combat map. In front of the north-facing observation port, General Norton, the commander-in-chief of the English Army, who was the commander-in-chief of the front line, smoked without saying a word. This powerful general who participated in two wars and led his troops to fight against the German and Irish troops many times during World War II experienced the entire process of the English Army from its establishment to its reorganization. He even knew better than anyone else what the combat effectiveness of the army under his command was.

The level of the Scottish army. On the first day of the war, the powerful air and ground suppression firepower of the coalition forces made the Scottish people completely useless. Even in this case, only the three-way ground forces, the Irish 2nd Armored Brigade, performed well in the middle. They broke through the two lines of defense of the Scottish army, and then encircled the Elsden Fortress and the Dumfries Line Defense Defense Defence. However, the Scottish defenders did not flee as expected, but continued to hold their positions.

Not long after, a steady and agile footsteps came from outside the door. General Norton threw down half of the cigarette, stomped on it, and turned around to meet it.

Entering from outside the door was General Simon Bradley, the second commander of the General Command of the Coalition Front, a new United Kingdom Air Force general with three-quarters Irish and one-quarter German descent.

The reason why the new United Kingdom appointed an air lieutenant general to play this role was obviously telling their allies that they would take the lead in the air and sea in this battle. As for ground operations with large casualties, it is appropriate for England, which has a large population base and a large number of soldiers, to play the leading role.

After briefly introducing the latest battle situation, General Norton knocked on the forehead: "I'm old and it's very difficult to stay overnight!"

Bradley smiled: "We juniors go to take a rest first, so that seniors like you can stick to their posts. It's really a pity! Okay, let's leave these little troubles to us!"

After saying that, Bradley made way.

Admiral Norton seemed a little unhappy about the younger generation and the older generation. After all, few people were willing to admit generously that they were old. Fortunately, the other party said that they would solve the "small trouble" in front of him, which made his heavy brows relax.

Norton took out his pocket watch that was almost as old as himself: "It's 2 o'clock now, I'll go and rest for 3 hours, and I'll come back at about 5 o'clock. I hope I can hear good news then."

Bradley rolled up his sleeves: "3 hours... Time is a little tight, and I'm not sure what the result is. After all, we are facing the Scots who have been good at fighting since ancient times."

Norton had already walked to the door, but he still "reversed" unwillingly said: "It is true that the Scottish people are good at fighting, but have they been conquered by us again and again?"

After the old man in England walked away, Bradley summoned his staff officer and ordered: "Luke, order the 'Black Bat Squadron' to dispatch them in 40 minutes! Order to the 'Night Magic Commando' to enter the fortress area and assist our troops in the defensive position. After the 'Black Bat Squadron' arrives, launch a counterattack one after another!"

Finally, Bradley said to the English staff officer who stayed at the command center: "Col. Let your troops retreat to the fortress for a temporary rest!"

The English Army Colonel hesitated for a moment, and then replied in a hurry: "Yes, sir, our troops will be removed as soon as possible, as you wish."

Bradley had no doubt that the English army that had invaded the fortress would faithfully execute this order. Although such deployment would weaken the attacking party's forces in the fortress, in the environment of night war, the more soldiers might not be able to gain an advantage.
Chapter completed!