Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 787 - 695 Bastion

Chapter 787: Chapter 695 Bastion

Chapter 787: Chapter 695 Bastion

(There’s still a bit left uncoded, please wait 15 minutes before reading. I apologize greatly.)

Kovojedich and other members exchanged glances and swallowed hard, still hesitating, “Mr. Schumann, even if the sailors and workers are willing to defend Gdansk, we don’t have enough weapons.”

Schumann gave a slight smile: “Actually, you know, I do some business that isn’t exactly regulation.

“The ‘Fat Fils’ ship docked in the port is mine, loaded with weapons destined for the Middle East. If necessary, we can have my Persian guests wait a little longer.”

Kovojedich’s eyes widened: “This, this is too coincidental! Ah, can you tell me how much ‘cargo’ is on board?”

“3,500 flintlock guns, as well as enough ammunition to last four months.”

This naturally was not a merchant ship sent to Persia, but had been prepared by Joseph long ago for Gdansk and had been kept outside the harbor.

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“Jesus, thank you for showing mercy on Gdansk!” The look of terror on Kovojedich’s face finally dispersed.

As a Pole and investor of the port, he definitely did not want it to fall into foreign hands.

Previously powerless to resist, he had no choice but to surrender, but now, he saw hope.

Romilev was also extremely surprised and excited looking at Schumann.

He had originally planned to take his 400 patrol officers to defend the port at all costs, not expecting the French to bring so many “surprises.”

He then recalled another matter: “Mr. Schumann, we also need some cannons. If you have some…”

“I don’t have any cannons.”

Seeing the disappointment on everyone’s faces, Schumann immediately added: “But have you forgotten? There are quite a few armed merchant ships here; we can dismantle the cannons on the ships and use them.”

Romilev frowned: “But if the ship owners are unwilling to lend them to us…”

Schumann looked towards Kovojedich: “Please, in the name of the committee, requisition all merchant ships in the harbor.”

“How can that work?!”

“Tell them, any ship that contributes in the defense of the port can enjoy 1 to 3 years of tax exemption. I believe they will be willing.”

One hour later, the patrol began arresting Prussians in the city.

At the same time, a large number of pamphlets about how Prussia deceitfully colluded with Russia to backstab Poland spread throughout Gdansk.

At the end of the pamphlet, the Gdansk Management Committee called on everyone to go to Warehouse No. 1 to register and together defend the port.

It also promised that those wounded or disabled in the battle would receive compensations akin to regular Polish military treatment.

The pamphlets were naturally printed in advance, stacked in the hold of the ‘Fat Fils.’

Almost instantaneously, the entire Gdansk was ignited by fury.

Whether sailors or dockworkers, all loudly cursed the disgraceful conduct of the Prussians, gathering in front of Warehouse No. 1.

Many among them had long wished to return to Warsaw to partake in the resistance against Russia, but due to Prussia’s pretext to blockade the roads to Marian Castle and Tuhel, they could only wait to sail out from Courland, then head south to return home.

Now, they could fight for their homeland right here in Gdansk!

Three days later.

Horn led the exhausted Prussian Army, weary from relentless marching, into Gdansk.

The panic-stricken welcome from the Poles he had anticipated did not occur; in fact, not even the Prussians in the port showed themselves.

He knew there should be six or seven hundred Prussians working here, or operating merchant ships.

Soon, a few cavalries returned to report that the city of Gdansk was almost deserted, and the buildings were largely emptied as well.

Horn angrily clenched his riding crop.

He had come at his fastest, yet the cowardly Poles had still slipped away!

He sighed, the unexpected windfall was gone, but at least he had captured this important port; His Majesty the King would still issue commendations and rewards.

He turned to an officer beside him and said, “Let the soldiers take control of the port. Check the warehouses, there might be things they didn’t manage to move in time.”

In a luxurious villa, Horn was discussing with his officers the next offensive strategies towards Kuyavi, when suddenly, rumbling cannon fire came from the northeast.

Frowning, he approached the window and saw black smoke rising from the middle of the port, then immediately turned to the Order Officer and demanded, “Send someone to see what’s happening?”

Before the latter could leave the temporary command post, a messenger hurried in, found Horn’s attendant, and gasping for breath reported: “Sir, there’s a bastion on the east side of the Steprat Peninsula. We are under heavy cannon fire by the Poles!”

——————

On the West Prat Peninsula in Danze, just a few hundred meters from the coast, German warships bombarded the Polish defenders behind the fort. Despite the bombardment continuing for several days, the Polish Army showed no signs of relenting…” — Witnessed by a Swiss merchant in the Free City of Danze on September 3, 1939 (now Polish Gdansk) under the pretext of “honoring war dead,” the main task was assigned to Captain Cleikamp in the ‘White Plan’; to blockade the Polish coast, ports, and warships; and to ensure Germany’s naval security.”

German battleship “Schleswig-Holstein”

Before Captain Cleikamp steered the “Schleswig-Holstein” to Danze, he felt the past tensions between Poland and Nazi Germany, and Germany’s peaceful unification, with Czechoslovakia forced to cede the Sudetenland to Germany, Lithuania also agreeing to cede territory to Germany, although Poland was not willing to concede easily, the lengthy borders were also invaded. German and East Prussian territories were everywhere with Nazi flags with white circles and black crosses flying, people waving and shouting, “Hello! Hello! Welcome Hitler!”

The captain of the German “Storm” ship and the gunboat sailors quickly boarded a fishing boat, preparing to lead them to Danze for battle.

Standing on the deck, the naval officers on the ship, the gunners lined up near the command tower, but more crew members were hidden among them, especially the sailors responsible for weaponry on the other side of the battleship, who could see the densely wooded peninsula around. Polish soldiers in green uniforms, distinctive flat caps, and eagle emblems were clearly visible, the commanders of the “Storm” watched from afar, while the “Sch-Nederland” battleship unexpectedly turned around, joking with each other about the intense battle.

“Stone River” battleship’s 280mm rapid-fire cannons. During the battle, the Polish defenders’ light cannons did not completely stop their opponents.

Aerial view of Steprat Peninsula and Harbor Canal. It was very difficult for the “Stone One River” large battleship to turn around in the narrow channel.

A schematic of the Polish military defense on the Steprat Peninsula and the location of the “Sch-Deze” battleship