Chapter 485 You continue, I'm listening!

Major Jules thought it was a "suicide" attack, but it was not.

They changed into German uniforms and helmets, which were easy to obtain. The defense line was littered with wounded soldiers knocked down by directional mines. The only drawback was that there were bullet holes or bayonet holes on their uniforms.

But who would want to see these in the dark? It's just sticky and uncomfortable to wear with blood stains on the body.

Then, they divided into several groups based on companies and set off carrying the "wounded".

No one stopped or checked along the way, and everyone was busy taking care of the sharply increasing number of wounded.

The Germans were in confusion, or perhaps fear, fearing that the next order would be to charge and they would become one of the wounded.

Major Jules, who knew German, even heard the German soldiers whispering:

"They say Ciel is here, just across the street. Is that true?"

"Otherwise, who do you think made this weapon?"

"Unbelievable, I've never heard of anything like this, it can knock down a whole bunch of people in an instant, it's more terrifying than a machine gun!"

…

A hint of pride flashed in Major Jules' eyes. He wanted to laugh, but finally held it back.

It would be totally not worth it if the Germans found out about this!

The "wounded" were successfully transported to Fort Douaumont, and some "severely wounded" were sent into the fort, and then the guns rang out...

Most of the Germans around here were wounded soldiers and medical soldiers. Even if there were infantry and artillery, they usually didn't have guns. They were helping, and their guns were either placed aside or carried on their backs.

The battle then turned into a one-sided massacre.

The German soldiers were shot down one by one before they could grab their rifles.

The military doctors raised their hands in surrender. They knew they were no match for these ferocious French troops, but they did not realize that it was dangerous to do so in the darkness and chaos.

Bullets were flying everywhere in the air, and no one knew at whose hands those military doctors died.

As they ran, countless wounded were trampled to death by people who were eager to escape.

The soldiers carrying the stretcher simply abandoned the wounded and chose to escape on their own.

The surviving wounded were struggling to crawl on the ground. They seemed to want to hide themselves, but suddenly a bayonet stabbed into their backs...

In just a dozen minutes, Fort Douaumont was transformed from a hospital into a purgatory. The ground was pitch black and full of corpses. There was almost no place to stand. Blood gathered along the low ground and flowed into the trenches, making a clearly audible sound of flowing water.

The battle inside the fortress continued, but it was only a small number of people who were holding out.

The nearby German troops rushed to reinforce as soon as they heard the gunshots, but were so frightened by the steel balls covering the ground that they lay on the ground and dared not move.

Then the guns of Fort Douaumont began to fire.

The 150MM shells suddenly exploded in the German trenches, blowing the German soldiers gathered in them into the sky, and the 77MM artillery fired at the backs of the German soldiers. Many German soldiers were torn to pieces before they even understood what was happening.

At the same time, the French army, which had been on the defensive, finally launched a counterattack.

…

The sky gradually brightened, and the staff of the Lagden General Headquarters were still busy. Joffre lay on the desk like a dead pig, snoring evenly, with a trickle of saliva flowing from the corner of his mouth.

At last Joffre fell asleep.

He couldn't sleep at first because he had no idea about the battle situation on the front line.

Charles cut off the connection between the two front-line armies and the rear since he took over the command of Verdun. His reason was: "To avoid leaking military secrets."

"This bastard," Joffre cursed, "he thinks we are his enemies!"

The staff officer had a strange expression on his face when he heard this. Aren't we the ones who have always regarded Charles as an enemy?

The information that Joffre could obtain was very limited. It was a report from the intelligence personnel he temporarily sent to Verdun:

"The Germans are attacking and the artillery fire is very heavy."

"It seems the Germans have been unable to advance, and our troops have stopped their advance."

"Our artillery is firing and the battle is fierce."

…

Joffre was anxious at first, for he was worried that Charles would change the situation in just one day.

But then he thought:

If the charr is only on the defensive, even if it can block the enemy's attack or even kill many enemies, what does that mean? Can it be called "changing the situation of the battle"?

The French were still attacking the Germans before Charles took over Verdun.

After he took over, the French army hid in the trenches and passively defended themselves without even the ability to attack.

Yes, this can indeed be said to have “changed the tide of battle”, but it was only happening in a bad direction!

Thinking of this, Xiafei felt relieved.

He sat back in his chair and wanted to drink some coffee to relieve his fatigue, but the sleepiness came over him in waves like the tide, and he soon fell asleep on the table in a daze.

…

"General, General?" The staff officer pushed Xia Fei carefully.

Xiafei suddenly woke up, looked up at the dazed staff officer, and looked around, as if he didn't understand why he was here.

Then he reacted with an "Oh" and asked, "What's the situation? I mean Verdun."

The staff officer replied: "We don't know what's going on in Verdun, General, but Charles is on a plane back to Paris."

To get to the airport from the Verdun front, one had to pass through the city of Verdun, so the General Headquarters knew this.

Joffre took out his pocket watch and looked at it. His face was instantly filled with joy. "Yes, he must have given up. This arrogant fellow!"

There are still six hours left before the appointment, and the only reason Charles can go back early is because there is nothing he can do.

Joffre instantly perked up. He stood up and straightened his uniform, with a smile on his face: "Tell this news to General Canais. He knows what to say in the parliament."

"Yes, General."

…

Kanais, who was at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, was overjoyed when he received a call from the headquarters. He immediately ordered his subordinates:

"Pack your things and go to the House of Representatives immediately."

"I will announce this 'good news' to them as soon as possible!"

"And everyone, all citizens of France!"

…

At nine o'clock, the deputies gathered in the audience gallery of the Chamber of Deputies in the Bourbon Palace on time.

General Kanais stood on the podium in a neat military uniform with a smug smile on his face.

The parliamentarians sat down with confusion. They heard that Charles had rushed to the Verdun front yesterday. Did Charles lose?

When Gallieni found a seat and sat down, he snorted coldly with an expressionless face. What can be done in one day? The little guy is too impatient!

Only Steed looked confident; he knew what Charles had brought to Verdun.

"Gentlemen!" Before the congressmen sat down, Kanais said impatiently:

"Like I said, Ciel can't change anything. It was a battle in which the strength of the enemy and us was extremely unequal."

"Not only the troops and equipment, but also the supplies."

"Charles thought he could, but unfortunately he has seen the truth and is now on his way back..."

Suddenly Charles pushed the door open and came in with Major Jules.

The two men were covered in dust, their faces were white and black with fatigue, and Major Jules had a lot of blood on his body, but his eyes were full of pride and excitement.

Gallieni's eyes lit up and he leaned forward unconsciously. Having come from the battlefield, he knew what Major Jules's look meant.

Could it be that the little guy has already done what he said?

impossible!

It's not even a day yet!

Charles walked slowly to the first row, and someone immediately made room for him in a seat facing Kanais.

Charles nodded to express his gratitude, sat down leisurely, breathed a sigh of relief, looked up at Kanais on the stage and said, "Please continue, General! I'm listening!"

(End of this chapter)