Chapter 665

In March, the ice and snow in Paris had melted away, and in its place were swollen rivers.

Perhaps knowing that civilians were suffering from the war, the water level this year remained below the warning line, only reaching the chests of the Zouave soldiers, allowing all Parisian citizens to breathe a sigh of relief like it.

Just as it got dark, the Paris Flying Club landed several planes amid the roar of engines.

The guards were on high alert and had driven away all the reporters who were waiting around an hour ago. They even arrested a few reporters who were hiding in the dark and trying to take secret photos and interrogated them on suspicion of being "spies."

It was Charles who got off the plane.

He was on an improved "Avro", which was equipped with a more powerful engine and a recently developed enclosed glass cockpit, making it faster and more comfortable.

This was Dorn's suggestion. He believed that as a commander who needed to travel frequently between major cities, it was necessary for Charles to have a specially made top-of-the-line "Avro".

A faster speed can save Charles precious time, and reaching a speed of 150 kilometers per hour can increase safety and save the escorting "Camel" fighter jets' stay in the air time.

A more comfortable cabin allows Charles to rest during the flight to improve work efficiency.

During the flight, Charles truly felt that he was different.

He may be the first passenger in the world to enjoy a closed cabin, and top designers have racked their brains to consider his safety and how to save time and maintain energy.

Although Charles is willing to believe that "everyone is equal", when it comes to this stage, the fact is that he is different from ordinary people, no matter from which angle you look at it.

It was Laurent who came to pick up Charles.

At this time he had been promoted to lieutenant colonel.

"This is because of the expansion of your factory in Darvoise, General." Lieutenant Colonel Laurent skillfully manipulated the steering wheel and slightly turned his head to explain to Charles:

"Artillery factories, laboratories, and recently a tank production line was added."

"General Gallieni decided that one infantry battalion was not enough to ensure the safety of Darvaz, so he expanded it into an infantry regiment."

"It was only natural for me to be promoted to lieutenant colonel."

Laurent then joked to himself: "I may be the only one who got promoted because of the factory expansion. I am very lucky, don't you think?"

Charles laughed: "You seem to want to see the battlefield?"

Laurent shrugged. "I do have such thoughts, and so do many of my troops."

"Why?" Charles asked in confusion.

"Many of our relatives and friends died on the battlefield." Laurent said solemnly, "Or they were disabled and couldn't do anything, but we were safe and sound. This gave us a feeling that we owed them something."

Charles was silent.

Many civilians do think so. They want to face the same suffering as others, even at the cost of their lives.

Because this will make them feel better and they won't have to live in guilt like they do now.

However, Charles wondered if they had ever thought about the fact that there were many capitalists who took it for granted that they were enjoying themselves in the rear, treating the troops and soldiers fighting on the front lines as a joke, or even as a tool to get promoted and make money.

The so-called fairness is nothing more than a lie used by capitalists to deceive ordinary people.

The car stopped in front of the city defense headquarters.

Under the street light, the drowsy guard saw Charles getting out of the car, and he stood up straight and saluted as if he had been given a shot of cardiotonic.

Charles did not embarrass them. He simply returned the greeting and walked up the stairs.

…

The lights in Gallieni's lounge were dim.

He was sitting at his desk, studying the situation on the Somme River with documents in his hand and comparing them with a map. When he saw Charles come in, he put away his glasses and placed them on the map.

"Do you know what I want to talk to you about?" Gallieni asked.

Charles nodded. "Is it because of the collapse of the British army at the Somme?"

Gallieni hummed and handed a document to Charles. "Hundreds of thousands of British people died in the Somme River, and it took them several months to advance ten kilometers. As a result, the Germans wiped out all their achievements in just three days, and there is even a possibility that the situation will get worse."

Charles sat down in front of Gallieni. "The British want my troops to come and reinforce them?"

Gallieni nodded again:

"It's in our best interest, Ciel."

"We cannot sit back and watch the British Expeditionary Force collapse before us."

"Otherwise, not only will the British be defeated, but our alliance will cease to exist. We will be defeated piecemeal by the Germans."

Yesterday, Haig rushed to Paris to lobby the French government and talked to Gallieni for more than two hours.

Because he knew that Gallieni was a man of great integrity and had a great influence on Charles.

Charles said calmly, "I completely agree with your idea, General. What I object to is Haig commanding me and my troops. You may know that even the British Prime Minister is not confident in letting Haig lead the troops."

Charles was telling the truth.

After sacrificing 100,000 men in one day on the Somme without achieving much, British Prime Minister Lloyd George had lost confidence in Haig's so-called "military talent", especially as Haig's "results" were in stark contrast to Charles's record.

(The picture above shows British Prime Minister Lloyd George during World War I)

However, Haig was a member of the old British aristocracy, and his wife was Queen Alexandra's best friend (chief bridesmaid). Because of this relationship, King George had full confidence in Haig's military talents. In addition, with Kitchener's heavy trust in him, Haig's command position in the British Expeditionary Force could never be shaken.

"That's the result of bureaucracy." Charles said with disdain:

"It is the choice of the old British aristocracy. It is not the choice of war, nor is it the choice of the soldiers on the front line."

“The British Expeditionary Force is paying the price.”

"If I compromise, it means my troops will also be 'wasted' on the battlefield by this butcher!"

Gallieni waited quietly for Charles to finish speaking, then replied: "If it's just because of this, I think you can rest assured. I have discussed it with Haig. He is only the nominal commander, and he will give you relatively free command and decision-making power."

"Then," Ciel replied, "my decision is 'no reinforcements'."

Gallieni frowned. "I know you are dissatisfied with Britain's interference in our country and even its attempt to control our country. So am I. But Charles, this is related to the life and death of France..."

"I mean it, General," Charles answered.

"The British had a very chaotic command on the Somme battlefield. Their army included the African Corps, the New Zealand Corps, the Australian Corps, and the Indian Army."

"What do you think would happen if the French army were added to the mix?"

"We can't even tell which army is ours!"

(End of this chapter)