The SS on the Other Side

Time was precious, but faced with a complex situation, Logan had no choice but to wait patiently. After about five minutes, British soldiers finally began withdrawing from their positions. Soon after, several field guns deployed behind the positions were hitched to the backs of trucks.

Not long after, Major Thomas came running back, panting.

"Major, we couldn't reach division headquarters, but we can't afford to delay any longer. So I've just issued the withdrawal order to the troops. Now, I'll arrange for some men to escort you out."

Logan spoke with righteous indignation. "No, Major, you withdraw first. Don't worry about us!"

Major Thomas glanced at the dozen or so men Logan had brought and quickly said, "No, you should withdraw first. I'll have my troops cover the rear!"

If looks could kill, Logan would have already torn this overly cautious man to pieces. But realizing that time couldn't be wasted any longer—and fearing that if the Germans launched another attack, this British infantry regiment might refuse to withdraw—Logan decided to play along. After all, senior staff officers from headquarters were often arrogant with their own men but timid in the face of the enemy.

"Alright, Major, arrange a truck and a guide for us. Also, if you really want to contribute more to this war, destroy every bridge you cross during your retreat! We'll head to Leuven next to ensure every British soldier there withdraws in time!"

Major Thomas was clearly in awe of this officer from the Expeditionary Force headquarters. He quickly agreed. "Understood. I'll arrange the vehicle and personnel right away!"

Once the man left, Logan turned to his comrades with a pained expression.

"You're a genius!" Mark Ella complimented in English.

"After the war, I can join the national theater as an actor, right?" Logan quipped self-deprecatingly.

Tobias chimed in, "If I ever get the chance to be a film producer, I'll definitely turn this story into a movie. It'll be a blockbuster!"

The group couldn't help but joke a bit more. Soon, a young British sergeant came running over. "Sir, I've been ordered by Major Thomas to escort you to division headquarters! The truck is at the foot of the hill. When do we leave?"

Logan grunted noncommittally and calmly observed the opposite bank through a periscope. The German positions were eerily quiet, with hardly a moving figure in sight. Of course, the British defenders on this side not only had the advantage of terrain but were also renowned for the accuracy of their Lee-Enfield rifles. Only a fool would recklessly expose themselves within rifle range!

"Sergeant, have the others withdrawn?"

"Uh… reporting, sir, most have already left the positions. It seems only two companies of rearguard troops are still monitoring the opposite bank!" The sergeant answered nervously.

"Your commander, Major Thomas, is quite thorough! Very cautious!" Logan said, seemingly aimlessly.

"Yes, sir, the major has always been like that! Even General Montgomery has praised him!" the sergeant replied without hesitation.

Montgomery again! Logan felt a pang of regret. If only he could eliminate Montgomery, Rommel might have led the Afrika Korps to capture the Suez Canal!

Seeing no reason to delay further, Logan called his men to follow the British sergeant down the hill, where a yellow truck was parked. To Logan's surprise, Major Thomas had also sent three additional British infantrymen to escort them.

This guy was too meticulous! Logan thought.

The truck drove northeast for about two miles before Logan suddenly ordered the driver to stop. After observing through binoculars for a while, he had the driver turn around and head back.

Though confused, the British soldiers followed orders.

By the time they returned to the foot of the hill, Major Thomas's troops had completely withdrawn. Logan had the British soldiers and driver wait while he led his paratroopers back up to the positions.

The web-like trenches were indeed empty, but the Germans on the opposite bank still hadn't noticed the change.

While silently acknowledging Major Thomas's competence, Logan had Tobias tie a white handkerchief to a rifle and wave it over the trench. He also had Grote use a flashlight to send light signals to the opposite bank—this traditional method of communication worked better at night. Hopefully, their comrades would notice in time.

After a while, flickering lights finally appeared on the opposite bank. Grote deciphered the message and excitedly told Logan, "They're sending a squad over!"

Just then, Leutnant Steffenberg said, "Major, look, the British sergeant is coming up!"

Logan glanced over and coldly said, "Hmph, a fool seeking his own death! Get ready. Wait for my command!"

In the blink of an eye, the real British Army sergeant, slightly hunched, jogged along the trench. He didn't dare speak loudly but was afraid of not being heard, making his approach awkward.

"Major, let's go! Our regiment has withdrawn. The Germans will surely notice soon! It'll be bad if they charge over!"

Logan waved him over. "Come take a look!"

The sergeant walked over without suspicion. When he saw a small squad of German soldiers preparing to cross the river in an inflatable raft, he immediately tried to shoulder his rifle.

"Don't be nervous!" Logan smiled and pressed his hand down. "They're on our side!"

"On our side?" The sergeant's eyes widened. A few seconds later, his initial confusion turned to sheer terror.

"Yes, on our side!" Logan maintained his calm and composed smile.

Without the interference of gunfire, the small squad of German soldiers crossed the river in just a few minutes. At this point, Logan didn't notice the key-shaped shield insignia on their helmets, but Steffenberg whispered, "It's the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler!"

The Waffen-SS?

Logan was surprised. He tried to recall that during the French campaign, the Waffen-SS wasn't very large, with only a few elite units participating in the fighting. Their performance hadn't been particularly outstanding. It was only later, during the Eastern Front and Western Front campaigns, that these fanatical believers displayed astonishing ferocity!

"Hello, I'm Leutnant Hans Logan of the Luftwaffe's 7th Air Division, commander of this special operation!" After shaking hands with the SS officer, who looked about his age, Logan introduced himself.

The officer also politely introduced himself. "Untersturmführer Kurt Meisert, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler! It's a pleasure to meet you here!"

"The pleasure is ours!"

Logan had no idea what rank an SS Untersturmführer held, so he politely used the formal "you" in his response.

"Hans, send the signal. The main force can cross safely now!" The SS officer ordered one of his men, then cautiously observed the situation at the base of the opposite slope.

"leutnant, is that also your unit over there?"

"No, those are the British!" Logan glanced at the corpse in the trench. "But they'll soon become corpse, just like him!"