While the tanks were being intensively modified at the shipyard, Shire, accompanied by guards, rushed to the east bank of the Meuse River for a field survey.
It was not safe then, the German Army's shells were continuously raining down into the city with no predictable pattern.
Major General Brownie had tried to stop Shire: "You just need to stay in the command post, General. I will have the data you need sent to you without any errors."
But Shire refused without hesitation.
There are many things that cannot be seen or imagined from the rear command post; only by being there in person and mentally simulating the conditions can one discover them.
Moreover, this battle was of great importance, and failure would mean the complete collapse of the breakthrough attempt; Shire dared not let his guard down for even a moment.
