Ennis is a small town on the north bank of the lower Shannon River, only 30 kilometers from the port of Limerick. Shortly after the Battle of Limerick, the German-Iraq coalition, heading south from County Galway, captured this place with the support of artillery fire from German warships.

Limerick is by the water and sea, and Xia Shu can command operations on warships, but with the changes in military and political strategies, it is necessary for him to go from behind the scenes to the front, and use his dazzling light and wisdom to win the hearts of great courage. Before this, German officials always served as deputy or senior consultant in the coalition command. This time, Xia Shu personally took charge, serving as commander-in-chief of the German-Iraq coalition command, and German naval general William Grientz, who commanded the coalition forces on the south bank of the Shannon River, served as chief of staff of the headquarters. The Irish Solidarity Society and the Irish Free Army each had a senior officer as deputy commander-in-chief of the headquarters. The Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Volunteers, who were the main force in the Irish War of Independence, were excluded. The situation of separation between Galway and Cork factions was only publicly announced...

"Your Highness, the British have clearly rejected our request for surrender. Their commander, Duke of Royal Admiral Hill, said that his troops have no tradition of surrender. Huh... This stubborn old nobleman has a very poor memory. More than two months ago, several companies under his command chose to disarm their weapons and save their lives when they were surrounded by us. These prisoners of war have been detained in Germany so far. Although they have temporarily lost their freedom, they are at least not at risk of their lives."

After listening to the reports of his subordinates, Xia Shu's reaction was surprisingly calm. Now, the coalition forces that went south to attack Limerick from Galway County have nearly 20,000 troops, and under the command of General Grientz, there are about 20,000 coalition forces that attack Limerick from the south. Among these 40,000 coalition forces, the German marine forces account for nearly half. The British troops stationed in Limerick are currently only about 8,000 due to the mobilization of troops. The strength of the two sides is very different. In addition, the two coalition forces have formed an encirclement of Limerick, and the German warships have also entered the waters of the lower Shannon River. Two first-class armored cruisers arrived at the Claire River Bay. The 210mm main gun on the ship can directly bombard the port of Limerick. Surrender or retreat has become the inevitable choice for this British army to avoid destruction.

After a long time, Natsuki spoke, "My Duke Hill and I are old friends. I thought we would fight at sea one day, but I didn't expect that the battle between us would unfold on land."

The entanglement between Xia Shu and the Hill family was a sensation. Although it was not published in newspapers and media, it was well known in the upper class and was widely circulated among the people. The German major sent to the UK to convey the intention of persuading surrender obviously did not ignore the gossip and gossip from the outside world because of his study of military knowledge. Therefore, when Duke Hill mentioned before, he had a little contempt, but his wording was quite appropriate. Otherwise, he would probably be called "old guy".

"Uh... have you seen the Duke himself with your own eyes?" asked Natsuki.

The major replied, "Yes, Your Highness. This Duke Hill, in addition to looking a little tired, should be in good physical and mental condition. During the conversation, I intended to remind him that the war might turn Limerick into ruins and endanger his family. Judging from his answer, his family should have been transferred."

Xia Shu had actually known this situation for a long time. When the German-Iraq coalition first approached Limerick, Duke Hill sent his family to Dublin. Later, Dublin was also attacked. The women of the Hill family had to leave the turbulent Ireland and return to their former residence in eastern England. Thetford is sixty or seventy kilometers away from the coast. Unless the German army lands, there is no need to worry about the war.

"Okay, Major Kochi, you're doing a good job, go and have a rest first! Let's give the British two more days, if they know the tact, they will give up Limerick on their own and retreat along the Shannon River to northern Ireland."

"I hope so, Your Highness." The major put on his military cap, saluted Natsuki, then turned around and left.

If Limerick's British troops retreat voluntarily, Xia Shu did not intend to launch an attack while they left the defense line. On the one hand, the ultimate goal of Irish independence is to drive all British teams away. From Xia Shu's current position, there is no need to increase the hatred between Ireland and Britain. Moreover, the safe withdrawal of British troops from Limerick can become a precedent for other British troops to follow in the future. On the other hand, the Irish armed forces and British teams are still fighting fiercely in Dublin. Resting two-day attack on Limerick is a decision that is of no use to the overall strategic situation but is beneficial to politics.

When he touched the name of the Hill family again, Xia Shu's memory became restless and restless, especially when he was alone. So he walked out of his office, through the busy combat command room, and out of the small theater that was temporarily requisitioned.

In Ireland, more than half of the population lives in several major cities such as Dublin, Cork, Belfast, especially the capital Dublin. The size and prosperity of the city are comparable to those of the European continent. However, except for these cities with relatively developed economic and industrial industries, almost all towns still maintain a relatively primitive appearance. Towns like Ennis with thousands of people are already considered a relatively prosperous place. A tributary of the Shannon River, the Fergus River, passes through the town and flows into the Shannon River a few kilometers away. Irrigation of the Fergus River water

Next, the land around Ennis is very fertile, with flat and open farmland everywhere. Although sowing has not yet begun, it can be seen that it is suitable for sowing various crops such as wheat, potatoes, beets, etc. It is a rare treasure land in relatively barren Ireland. The downstream Shannon River section is wide and deep. Even during the dry season, large ships like the Shannhorst-class armored cruiser with a draft of more than eight meters can still pass through. These unique natural conditions have created the special status of the Shannon River Basin in Ireland.

In front of the theater is a small mini square, with blue-gray stone bricks, black-painted street lights, and quaint drinking pools. The traces of time are everywhere. The sunset is sank, and pleasant roars are heard from time to time in the sky. The light-shaped Junker 3-C seaplanes take off and land on the Fergus River. The communications soldiers riding motorcycles constantly bring the pilots and the information they have detected in the air back to the command center. Teams of live-fire patrol soldiers turned the peaceful town into a military zone with a solemn atmosphere.

Xia Shu took out his pocket and found that he forgot to bring cigarettes. He left Lütjens on the flagship "Election Emperor" of the Expeditionary Fleet to be responsible for the liaison. Following him to Ennis was another adjutant of the land war affairs, Lieutenant Goserman.

Not every adjutant could always figure out the chief's thoughts. Xia Shu turned his head and looked at Gosserman who didn't smoke much, and asked directly: "Does there be smoke, lieutenant?"

The young Keel Naval Academy graduate actually pulled out a silver cigarette box from his briefcase, and saw him clumsily opening the cigarette box and handing it to Xia Shu.

Xia Shu took out one from the cigarette box filled with cigarettes with satisfaction. Although it was not a very expensive and high-quality product, it did not make Xia Shu feel embarrassed.

The lieutenant pulled out a match from his briefcase like a dormant cat. This time he did not look clumsy anymore and smoothly lit a cigarette for Xia Shu.

Xia Shu took a sip and nodded at Lieutenant Gosserman: "Thank you!"

The second lieutenant quickly replied: "You don't have to be polite."

"You're not married yet! Do you have a lover?" After saying that, Xia Shu suddenly wondered why he would have such a problem.

"Yes, Your Highness, you are not married yet, but you already have a girl you like. If it goes well, I will propose to her after the battle." The second lieutenant seemed to have memorized it, without thinking and speaking very quickly.

"Oh, congratulations in advance." Xia Shu Chenyan said, "Marriage is a matter for two people, and it is also a matter for two families. It is not easy to find someone who will accompany you for the rest of your life. Cherish it!"

The second lieutenant obviously did not expect that the "Hohenzollern genius" who was invincible on the battlefield would tell him such a life principle, so he had to answer clumsyly: "Yes, Your Highness, it is rare, I will cherish it seriously."

Xia Shu smoked silently and stopped talking. When his cigarette was almost finished, Colonel Jon Weitmann, a member of the 2nd Marine Brigade, drove into the small square from the corner of the street in a cool convertible car. Seeing Xia Shu standing in front of the theater, he quickly signaled the driver to stop the car in advance, and as soon as he got off the car, he walked over with great strides.

"Your Highness, report you good news. Our troops captured a British reconnaissance squad north of Limerick in the afternoon. According to their confessions, the British troops in the city were preparing for retreat, and they heard from other British officials that the British troops in Ireland would retreat to eastern Ireland, with the Dublin and Belfast areas closest to the British Isle as their final defense bases."

Xia Shu said to him with a calm expression: "In the afternoon, Limerick's British commander refused our persuasion to surrender."

"Ha! Then they really had the idea of ​​retreating along the Shannon River. There were their gunboats in the middle and upper reaches. They could retreat to Mugalin, which was very close to Dublin. Sure enough, they had to defend the last two strongholds..." Colonel Weitmann said while thinking, and then habitually took out a cigarette box, took out a cigarette and knocked it lightly on the surface of the river for more than a dozen times.

"Is it OK?" Although Natsuki was smoking before, the colonel asked the other party politely before lit it for him.

Natsuki answered him, "Please feel free to do it."

After lit the cigarette, the colonel rubbed his thumb against his forehead and asked cautiously: "We are really letting the Irish army lose in Dublin?"

Of course, Xia Shu couldn't tell his soldiers with great fanfare that the reason why they pulled the German army back from all over the place was to make those who disrespect him and suffer for the king of Ireland, to make their regime weakened under the impact of failure, and eventually be dismantled and overthrew by those who supported him.

Some things can only be understood but not expressed in words.

Colonel Weitmann may not be able to figure out Xia Shu's intentions, but from a purely military perspective, the failure of the Irish independence armed forces that had finally grown and developed would inevitably be detrimental to future combat operations. Moreover, those Irish soldiers who fought for their ideals and beliefs did not make any mistakes. They should punish those who were in power and incompetent.
Chapter completed!