Chapter 557 Are you ready for the fight?

Haig did not reveal much information to the newspaper. At this stage, he did not dare to disclose the French mutiny. What he wanted was for both the German army and Charles to suffer heavy losses, not the complete collapse of the French army.

Therefore, the media was more skeptical about Charles's appointment as the commander of the 6th Army:

"It is well known that Charles is better at mobile warfare. When he was the commander of the 6th Army and confronted the Germans on the Somme River, he had to fight a positional war head-on, which was undoubtedly a challenge for Charles."

"Char has never commanded such a large army before, and this may overwhelm him."

"This may not be a good thing for Charles. After all, he is only 18 years old. Can he withstand such huge pressure without enough experience? We will have to wait and see!"

…

Compared to the lukewarm response from the newspaper, the parliament's doubts about Charles were as overwhelming as the tide:

"I believe that Charles doesn't know how to operate. He actually rejected the soldiers' request for negotiation, and those requests were not excessive!"

In the eyes of the congressmen, the three demands put forward by the soldiers were indeed not excessive.

Defense, vacation, and Charles as commander-in-chief.

If there is anything excessive, it is the last one.

But everyone knew that they could agree first and then regret it after the troops were back under control.

Little did they know that the soldiers, who had been deceived time and time again, had long been wary of this approach. Instead, Charles' "limited promise" was more convincing to the soldiers, because the soldiers generally believed that Charles' attitude was "truly considering the feasibility of the conditions."

"Yes, this is the main reason why the front line is recovering so slowly. He also sent Major General Raymond and his party to a military court. Doesn't he know that Major General Raymond is on his side?"

The parliamentarians naturally regarded the soldiers as "enemies" and believed that the officers led by Major General Raymond were Charles' right-hand men.

However, as soon as Charles arrived at the front line, he cut off his left and right hands, leaving him alone.

Having been in Parliament for so long, they did not know that if they treated the soldiers as enemies, they would inevitably become enemies themselves.

Charles regards soldiers as allies, and the so-called "right-hand men" as "enemies".

"What's more important is that Charles can't control the situation. I mean, what can he do in the Somme? That's a frontal battle of a large army. Charles may not be good at it. We need to consolidate our defenses immediately!"

This is the view that Nivelle left behind.

Although he had been removed from office, many believed that he had a point and that Charles had no experience in commanding 200,000 men.

More importantly, Charles is good at offense rather than defense, and he is good at mobile warfare rather than positional warfare.

What the Somme now required was a defense, a defense that would not collapse when the Germans launched a counterattack, and it was imminent!

Gallieni glanced at the congressman coldly without saying a word. Do these guys really think that Charles is only capable of this?

Just like what Charles said, his tactics are neither "attack" nor "defense" but "adapting to circumstances".

Another meaning of "adapting to circumstances" is that he has no weaknesses. He attacks when he should and defends when he should.

The Battle of Verdun proved this, but these fools still spare no effort to slander Charles.

Steed, Wells and others didn't say much, they knew what was going on.

These MPs did not really think Charles was incompetent; they simply accepted bribes from the British and built momentum for them.

Just imagine, if Charles could achieve results on the Somme, how do you explain the fact that the British lost 100,000 people in one day but made no progress at all?

Many centrist lawmakers also understood this. Some of them looked indifferent, some looked indignant, and some had faces full of ridicule.

But again, they were too lazy to argue because these were a group of people pretending to be asleep and there was no point in arguing with them.

Only Armand was interested in watching the fun. He stood up leisurely and said sarcastically:

"Gentlemen, you are trying every possible way to prove to us that Charles cannot control the situation. What is your purpose?"

"Am I to understand that we should remove Charles and replace him with someone else to take charge of the Somme?"

"Then I want to know, who should we replace?"

The venue fell silent instantly.

God, how is this possible!

Charles is the only one who could possibly hold the defense together. Should we replace him?

Are you crazy!

That would ruin France, ruin everything!

Armand shook his head and sat back in his seat, his eyes full of disgust and disgust.

This group of bastards who don't practice what they preach, slander Charles in every way but have to rely on him in action.

Charles is working hard at the front to save your lives, but you are serving as the British mouthpiece in the rear!

Gallieni smiled and nodded at Armand. He found that this royalist was not so annoying. At least he did not sell himself to the British.

…

British headquarters on the north bank of the Somme.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier, and the water level of the Somme River began to rise. There was a large shallow beach on the shore, but it was now completely submerged. A large patch of foxtail grass was struggling in the newly added water level, as if trying to get rid of it all.

Haig, in a semi-buried bunker, held up a telescope and looked at the French troops on the south bank of the Somme. They were still motionless.

The staff officer reported:

"The public opinion we have initiated in newspapers and parliament has not had a satisfactory effect."

"Charle's record is deeply rooted in people's hearts, and people believe that he can stabilize the defense."

"At the same time, the councillors are also convinced that no one is more suitable than Charles!"

Haig said "hmm", which was within his expectations.

Charles' military exploits were so brilliant, and each of his inventions could be said to be a miracle.

He can be said to be the hope of France, the god of war of France, and an unshakable belief.

It is simply wishful thinking to bring him down through propaganda warfare alone!

However, this was just Haig's foreshadowing.

When the time is right and the German army launches an attack to defeat Charles' troops in one fell swoop, Haig will be able to easily destroy this belief!

"How many troops has Charles gathered?" Haig asked. This is the most important thing.

"Another 30,000 men have returned today," the staff officer replied, "so far there are about 130,000 men in total."

Haig secretly praised him, worthy of being Charles, 210,000 people were gathered in just a few days. In a few days, the 6th Army will probably be fully recovered.

It's almost time to take action. If it's any later, the Germans may not be able to push it forward. After all, that's Charles!

Thinking of this, Haig hooked his finger at the staff officer, and when the staff officer came closer, he whispered something in his ear.

The staff officer looked at Haig in shock, as if he couldn't believe what he heard.

But seeing the affirmation and determination on Haig's face, he finally responded with difficulty: "Yes, General."

Haig's gaze once again turned towards the French troops on the south bank, with a sneer on his face.

The show is about to begin, "Mars of France", are you ready for the battle?

(End of this chapter)