The shells fell from the sky and fell into the water, making a roaring explosion, which caused huge waves.

The raft that had just been thrown into the river and had not yet had time to play a role was scattered by the huge waves.

Looking at the scene that happened in front of him, Colonel Boardman had no hope for the subsequent attack.

There is no way, the Suez Canal is too narrow. Standing by the river, you can clean it with your naked eyes, and you can't keep any tools to cross the river secret.

You should know that since its navigation, the Suez Canal has been regarded as the top strategic location by France and Austria. In order to ensure the security of the canal, the two countries have deployed a large number of artillery along the coast.

Without any surprises, the French artillery was deployed in Egypt and Austria's artillery was deployed in the Sinai Peninsula. Both countries each occupy one side to protect their own voice.

Originally, these artillery and fortresses were to guard against the British, but they did not expect to hit the former allies in the end.

After the war broke out, in order to fully occupy the Suez Canal, both France and Austria invested heavily in a fight.

However, the defenses of both sides are very abnormal. Without destroying the canal, no one can complete the login.

"Generate power to the command center, the enemy has prepared a long time ago. The raft we prepared was bombarded by the enemy's army, and the plan to attack Port Suez went bankrupt!

In view of the current situation, it is recommended that the headquarters approve the blow up of the Suez Canal and fill out a passage.”

Colonel Boardman said helplessly.

This is not the first time he has proposed to blow up the canal. However, the Suez Canal is of great strategic significance, and the dredging technology these days is not good.

Once the canal is damaged, even if it is only a local area, it will take a long time to repair it.

In the era of war, time is life. Taking a canal that cannot exert its strategic significance will not lead to strategic advantages against the enemy at all.

From the battle between the French and Austrian armies, it can also be seen that when we go to artillery battles, we are still trying to close the canal.

Of course, this has nothing to do with the shareholders behind the Canal Company. After all, Suez Canal shares have long been divided up by the powerful and powerful countries of the two countries.

Even though it was a war period, the big boss in the command center was one of the shareholders of the Canal Company.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, no one can make up the determination to destroy the canal.

Relatively speaking, the army is still simple. These complex issues are not something Colonel Boardman needs to consider. As a front-line commander, he only needs to consider military issues.

...

Upon receiving a telegram from Colonel Boardman, General Feslav's forehead became increasingly denser.

In order to facilitate colonial expansion, from the opening of the colony, the colonial governors appointed by Austria were all military officers, mainly responsible for colonial security and foreign wars.

As the Governor of the Middle East, since the outbreak of the war, General Feslav automatically became the commander of the Middle East War Zone, responsible for seizing the Suez Canal.

Behind the high position and power, there is also heavy pressure. Unlike previous enemies, this time the enemy was the French.

When you open the history book, you will know that in the history of European wars, the French were a big boss, and were the most powerful country in the continent, and the French Army was recognized as the world's number one.

It is not too much to be cautious when facing such an enemy.

In fact, it was not only Feslav who had such an idea. When the war broke out, the generals of the anti-French alliance were basically a little timid.

However, all this is a past tense. With the outbreak of the war, everyone's awe for the French army quickly subsided.

Yes, the French army's elite are indeed powerful, but there are too few such troops, and more are ordinary troops with poor combat effectiveness.

This is the case in the European battlefield, let alone the Egyptian region. Apart from those elite local divisions, the remaining colonial troops were not enough to see.

Because the canal was blocked, although the Middle East War Zone did not achieve much success, the brothers in East, West, and North Africa were making rapid progress.

There is no way, the border line between France and Austria is too long. Although most areas are blocked by deserts, there are also many areas without deserts.

The boundary line stretches for countless thousands of miles. Even if the French government wants to deploy heavy troops to defend, there are not so many troops to fill it in. The important task of defense naturally falls on the colonial government.

There is no doubt that on one hand, there are fief nobles who fought for themselves, and on the other hand, there are indigenous troops who worked for the French. The combat power and combat will of both sides are not on the same level.

Victory is always the most morale-boosting. Admiral Feslav, who was originally worried about whether the French would cross the river, is now just thinking about how to fight.

...

In the command center, Chief of Staff von Frank smiled and said, "This is the 36th telegram that proposes to blow up the Suez Canal. My Commander, it is time to make up my mind."

Admiral Feslav glared at him in anger, rolled his eyes and said, "You think I don't want to, but the impact of blowing up the Suez Canal is too great.

It’s okay if we can’t use it ourselves. Anyway, the country has prepared for it and we don’t expect it to be used normally during the war.

The problem is that when the Suez Canal was opened, we issued an announcement on eternal neutrality of the canal, clearly announcing that the canal should be guaranteed to be freely navigated at any time.

Now, due to the war, the canal has been temporarily closed, and the country has under great diplomatic pressure.

If it was reported at this time that we had blown up the canal, the international public opinion that was originally beneficial to us would probably reverse in an instant."

Whether you want to admit it or not, war serves politics. As a senior commander, General Feslav must consider his political influence.

Although the Suez Canal is now closed, neither France nor Austria has publicly announced it, but only a proposal from the Footbound Canal Company.

Theoretically, the Suez Canal can still be freely navigated, and neither France nor Austria can stop it.

Of course, as long as you listen to the roaring artillery fire on both sides of the straits, no one dares to pass the canal at this time.

I dare not have a completely different conception from being unable to do so. Now it is France and Austria that bears international pressure together, because the war was initiated by the French, and most of everyone's resentment is directed towards the French.

It would be different if the Austrian army blew up the canal. It would be not the French who cut off their wealth, but the Austrian government.

It seems that being scolded is just a small problem, but in-depth analysis means that the international reputation accumulated by the government is directly destroyed.

Losing international credibility will inevitably affect Austria's re-establishment of international order after the war, and the benefits involved will be greatly improved.

Von Franck nodded, agreeing with this explanation, but the following words made Feslav angry and half-death.

"This is your problem. Who made you the commander? The General Staff is only responsible for formulating combat plans, and its political influence has nothing to do with us."

Looking at the gloating Chief of Staff, General Feslav only wanted to punch him, but he could only think about it.

Rules are rules. From the beginning of the establishment of the Austrian staff system, they were forbidden from being involved in politics.

If you really go to consider the issue from a political level, then it will be not far from getting out.

This is part of the checks and balances of power, mainly learning from the lessons of the former German General Staff of the Time and Space Force seized power in World War I, and is a taboo that cannot be touched.

In fact, General Feslav, the commander, was also restricted from being involved in politics, but his special status determined that he had to consider issues from a political perspective.

The issues that cannot be decided will naturally be reported. Only the Vienna government can make decisions that may affect the future strategy of the empire.

...

In the evening, rows of rafts quietly entered the water, and Colonel Boardman came to the front line to do the final mobilization of the sneak attack.

Looking at the energetic young men, Colonel Boardman ignored him and felt guilty.

Knowing that there is not much hope, they still have to take risks with their lives, in a sense, it is murder.

But war is so cruel that in order to win the final victory, no chance can be missed.

Colonel Boardman's self-blame did not last long and was soon broken by a voice.

"Col. The time for action has come. The enemy's searchlight has just swept, and we have only fifteen minutes."

The advent of the power era was naturally used in the military, such as searchlights on the battlefield.

The Suez Canal has a limited width and lights can directly shine on the opposite side, which naturally becomes a powerful tool to prevent enemy sneak attacks at night.

"attack!"

...
Chapter completed!