Chapter 591 Elastic Defense

Charles remained in Genblox for a day, handing over the affairs of the Sixth Army to Christian.

Although the 6th Army has a large number of soldiers and generals, numbering more than 200,000, its command is not complicated.

Because most of its troops are infantry, they mainly engage in trench warfare and defend the line.

It’s just that the tactics of the 6th Army under Charles’ command were more advanced. He deployed the 1st Special Artillery Division behind the defense line to implement flexible defense.

"We will place the First Special Artillery Division on the third line or even in the rear." Charles pointed to the map and said to Christine, "Deploy them in regiments."

Christian didn't understand this approach. He frowned and replied, "General, if we do this, the front line won't be able to get reinforcements from the armored forces, and the defense line is likely to be broken by the German army."

"I know." Charles replied, "Our defense line is not set up to be 'held', but to be 'broken by the enemy'."

Christine looked confused. Did he hear correctly? The defense line was not meant to be "held" but to be "broken by the enemy"?

Charles continued, "At the same time, we should also reduce the density of troops on the first line, and the second line as well, and gradually increase the density of troops on the third line and in the rear."

"But..." Christine shook her head in embarrassment: "How can we face the German attack?"

There were no armored reinforcements on the front line, and the density of troops had to be reduced. Christine had never seen such a defensive tactic.

Charles' answer was straightforward: "Letting them in was a conscious decision, of course, to draw the enemy into the plains, which is more conducive to tank operations."

Christine suddenly realized: "Use the armored troops to fight them back?"

Charles nodded. Using the mobility of armored forces to fight mobile warfare and pull the enemy back and forth is the core of flexible defense.

Christine stared at the map blankly, as if she was calculating the enemy's attack and defense in her mind. After a while, she took a deep breath and looked at Charles in surprise and admiration: "I understand, General, I will deploy troops based on this tactic immediately!"

It was a very clever tactic that abandoned the rigidity of trench warfare and perfectly combined the infantry defense line and the mobility of tanks to form a dynamic defense belt.

As long as it is used well, the German army on the other side will be in a dilemma:

Without a breakthrough, the defense line will not advance an inch.

Breakthrough, a large number of infantry entered the enemy's defense line and were massacred by the French armored forces, not only losing a large number of manpower, but the defense line would eventually return to its original state.

God, this tactic can hold the same defensive line with far fewer troops, and at the same time practice infantry-tank coordination. Although it is defensive in strategy, it is offensive in tactics.

Only Ciel could think of this, right?!

Christine was wrong about this. This was not a tactic invented by Charles, but a trick used by Erwin when he was seriously short of troops on the African battlefield during World War II.

I wonder what Erwin’s reaction would be if he encountered this now!

…

After arranging the 6th Army, Charles and Tijani rushed back to the 1st Mechanized Division Command in Namur Castle the next day.

Charles believed that mechanized and armored forces were the key. They always carried out infiltration operations behind enemy lines and won victory with one blow. They were much better at command than the 6th Army, and this was where he was needed.

To Charles' surprise, when they arrived at Namur Castle, they found Wells waiting in the office.

Tijani was stunned when he saw his father. He quickly walked over and asked in confusion, "Father, why are you here?"

As he said this, he turned around and glanced at Charles. He thought Wells came to see Charles, perhaps because of the upcoming anti-submarine warfare.

Charles didn't understand at first, but when he stepped forward to shake hands, he saw Wells's expression was a little strange, and then he guessed his purpose.

"No, General," Charles said to Tijanni, "Mr. Wells is here for you."

Wells didn't deny it, just smiled awkwardly.

Tijani was stunned for a moment, then he realized that his father had come to stop him from "saving" Charles.

He laughed in silence and said sarcastically:

"It seems you are late, father."

"At the same time, you're also wrong. Ciel doesn't need me to 'save' him."

"Besides, Ciel is the winner. According to your principles, you should support my approach. Don't you agree?"

Having said that, Tijani put Wells aside expressionlessly, walked to his desk and sat down, taking the documents and flipping through them.

Charles shook his head secretly. The father and son with different ideas were quarreling again.

Wells couldn't do anything about this son. Although he was so angry that his face turned pale, he still pretended not to care and raised his eyebrows at Charles: "I gave birth to a good son!"

"Let's talk over here, Mr. Wells." Charles invited Wells into the conference room.

As they sat down at the table, Wells spoke first: "Tijani is right about one thing. I didn't expect you to win the parliament this time, so..."

"You don't need to apologize, Mr. Wells." Charles made a cup of coffee and handed it to Wells: "This is normal. You have a lot of issues to consider. You have to stand on the side of the winner. I understand."

Charles is not that stupid. Capitalists come together because of their own interests, including the Saint-Etienne Arsenal and FN, and of course Wells is no exception.

Only a young man like Tijani, who is obsessed with the "art of war" and has no idea what politics is, would rush to Gembloux with his troops at all costs for the sake of friendship and morality.

"In fact, I also think that Tijani should not go to Jean Bulu." Charles said, "Because there is no order, the parliament may have regarded him as my man."

Wells nodded slowly, but sighed unconsciously.

He should have taken it for granted, should have remained calm, should have just laughed it off like Charles did, but for some reason, he felt a trace of guilt and frustration in his heart.

After hesitating for a while, Wells changed the subject: "Our destroyers are ready. According to intelligence, the German submarines are likely to make big moves recently. I think it's time for us to attack."

"No," said Charles, "not yet."

"Not yet?" Wells looked at Charles in confusion. He couldn't quite figure out this young general. "Do you hope that German submarines will sink a batch of merchant ships?"

Ciel nodded slightly.

"But why?" Wells didn't understand: "If you just want to seize control of the supplies, isn't it better to do it as soon as possible?"

Then he added: "I think I should remind you that some of the supplies transported by these merchant ships are for the French army. They are Lebel rifle bullets and 75mm cannon shells specially provided for the French army."

"I know." Charles nodded: "Wait a little longer, as for the reason, you will know it later."

This madman, Wells thought, was playing with fire, whatever he was trying to do.

(End of this chapter)