Chapter 408 Armored and Mechanized Divisions

"All the steel mills I bought were in the direction of the Eastern Army Group's attack," said Charles. "My introduction of steel mill workers to Schneider and my training of them was actually a hint."

Foch said "Oh".

This was the first time he heard of this. Intelligence personnel would never report such "trivial matters" to Foch, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

"I went to Lagden two weeks ago," said Charles.

Foch understood instantly: "You went to see Joffre?"

Joffre's headquarters is currently located in Lagden, a small town in the northeast.

"No." Charles shook his head and denied it: "I just went for a walk."

In principle Charles should have gone, but he really did not want to socialize with Joffre.

Foch was stunned, then nodded: "Yes, you don't need to see Joffre."

Tijani, who was standing by, was confused. What did this have to do with the battle at hand?

But the colonel brought by Foch suddenly understood: "You hope to hint to people that you have met with Joffre to discuss cooperation in the Eastern Army Group!"

"Yes." Charles looked at the colonel with some surprise in his eyes. His reaction was quite quick.

Foch introduced him: "He is my chief of staff, Weygand."

Charles was stunned. It turned out to be Weygand, the future commander-in-chief of the French army and Minister of Defense after France surrendered in World War II.

Wei Gon noticed that Charles looked different and asked in confusion, "Have we met before, Brigadier General?"

"No," Charles replied hastily, "I only heard that you and General Foch planned the 'Run to the Sea' campaign together."

Charles originally wanted to find a battle example to compliment Wei Gang, but thinking that Wei Gang had never been on the battlefield and had only been working as a staff officer until then, he could only make up this excuse.

Wei Gang was a little embarrassed. "Run to the Sea" was not a victory. It could even be said to be a failure. It failed to achieve the desired results.

Foch broke the awkward atmosphere. He took the briefcase from Weygand, took out a document and waved it at Charles:

"Here is the equipment list for your unit, Brigadier General."

"There are some things I don't quite understand."

"The 1st Tank Brigade and the 105th Infantry Regiment are both equipped with tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery. What is the difference between the two?"

Foch once suspected that this was a mistake made by Charles. He confused the tank brigade and the infantry regiment. At least Foch could not see the difference between them.

Battlefield experience taught Foch that each branch of the military should have its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, artillery should focus on artillery rather than trying to do a little bit of everything.

"Of course there is a difference, General," Charles replied. "In fact, I think they should change their designations, since they can no longer be simply called 'Tank Brigade' and 'Infantry Regiment'."

Foch agreed, saying that the 105th Infantry Regiment was already fully armed, and it seemed excessive to call it an "infantry regiment."

"What do you think they should be called?" asked Foch.

Charles did not hesitate and answered directly: "The 1st Armored Division and the 1st Mechanized Division."

The Charr have always built them according to the standards of armored and mechanized forces.

"The armored forces have more tanks, which are mainly used to deal with enemy tank forces or tear open enemy defenses in the direction of attack."

"The mechanized division has fewer tanks and more artillery, but it is always dominated by infantry, and can transport and deploy infantry to where they are needed in the shortest possible time."

Foch nodded slightly.

Although he still couldn't understand the use of such an army, he felt that Charles' approach was very novel.

Wei Gang could no longer hold back. He took a small step forward and looked directly at Charles. "Brigadier General, I noticed that your two units each have more than 500 vehicles of various types. Aren't you worried that they will suffer heavy losses under enemy fire?"

Even tanks can't withstand the Germans' 105MM artillery, right? Therefore, on the battlefield, these two troops will be defeated by the enemy like a whirlwind.

Charles raised his eyebrows and replied, "We will defeat the enemy's artillery before that."

"What?" Wei Gang laughed. "But our artillery is all 75mm. Our army has always been at a disadvantage in terms of artillery. The enemy's artillery has a much longer range than ours. We have suffered heavy casualties before we even get to them!"

The Northern Army Group has a deep understanding of this. They adhere to the "offensive theory" and often encounter this situation during the offensive.

"That's why I want 'Saint-Samond.'" Charles took the document from Foch and pointed to "Saint-Samond" on the list and said, "It can be done."

"This is impossible. You think the battlefield is too simple." Wei Gang shook his head with disbelief and a hint of sarcasm on his lips.

This guy has fought too many favorable battles, Wei Gang thought, and he simplifies everything.

However, at this moment, the signalman guarding the radio station reported to Charles with a telegram: "General, our army has defeated the enemy artillery. Colonel Brownie requests further instructions."

"Break through resolutely." Charles took the telegram and ordered, his tone firm: "Advance deep into the enemy's territory."

"yes!"

Charles handed the telegram to Foch: "As I said, the armored divisions are tearing through the enemy lines in front, and they have done it."

Foch took the telegram, glanced at it, and then passed it to Weygand, who looked shocked.

Wei Gang read the telegram again and again, his face still full of disbelief. He looked at Charles with doubt and asked with difficulty: "How did you do it?"

This is also what Foch wanted to ask.

The disadvantage in artillery has always been a headache for the French army.

Foch and Weygand even believed that the reason why the "offensive theory" fell into a quagmire was not because the theory was wrong, but because there was a problem with the direction of artillery development.

If Charles could solve this problem and suppress the German 105mm gun with the 75mm gun, it would be paving a smooth road for the "offensive theory" that was about to collapse.

"It's very simple." Charles answered easily: "Intelligence, aviation, and 'Saint Salmon'!"

The "Lady in White" was responsible for intelligence gathering and knew in advance where the German artillery positions were or were suspected to be artillery positions.

Then, the "Caproni" bombers, under the cover and guidance of the "Camel" fighters, first bombed the German artillery positions.

While the German artillery was overwhelmed, the 1st Armored Division launched an attack.

Tanks were in the front, followed by armored vehicles loaded with infantry, and then 50 improved "Saint-Samond" tanks.

Then, before the German artillery could react, "Saint-Samond" had entered the 8-kilometer range where it could return fire.

They fought and advanced, cooperating with fighters and bombers, and successfully suppressed two German 105MM artillery regiments.

Foch and Weygand looked at each other in bewilderment. What seemed to them to be an almost unsolvable problem was easily solved by Charles!

(End of this chapter)