Chapter 743: France’s “Silicon Valley”

The Meuse River defense line was gradually stabilized through the joint efforts of several generals.

Pétain was responsible for the defense south of Buzanci, while Foch's troops were responsible for the defense north of Buzanci, almost dividing the defense line in half.

The same goes for the defense zone. A line is drawn roughly from Bizangxi as the center, and two people are responsible for each area.

The current main task is to receive prisoners, and there are many disagreements between the two sides and even the armies over this issue.

The reason is that this line with the center as the boundary will inevitably cross a village or town, so the question arises as to whom the German troops in the town should surrender.

In several towns, the German troops stationed there were surrounded by a large number of French troops. They surrendered long ago, but delayed their surrender for three or four days because their destination was uncertain.

This made the surrendering German officers sigh: "It is much easier to defeat the French army than imagined. We just need to surrender, and then they will fight each other."

This is a unique French way. Government departments check and balance each other. They hope to achieve a balance in this way. This habit inevitably extends to the military.

The newspapers did not report the incident because the military considered it shameful and imposed a news censorship.

But the soldiers discussed privately:

"Foch was the offensive party, Pétain was the defensive party, and they were arguing endlessly."

"It is only natural that this situation would occur when Parliament stressed that the military needed different tactics and therefore ordered Foch not to interfere with Pétain's command."

“Luckily we still have the Shire, otherwise there might have been a fight because of the way Bealbridge defended.”

(Note: The Bir Bridge is a small bridge near Bizensi. Foch and Pétain's defense zones were separated by it, but the two had different combat concepts, so the defense boundaries north and south of the bridge were clear.)

…

Charles did not participate in these "struggles". He built roads and railways step by step from Verdun to Mezières.

He always believed that logistics supply was the most important.

Once the war breaks out, if soldiers and munitions can be transported to Mézières, and coal, steel and other materials in the Mézières area can be transported to the arsenal, the war will be half won.

Finally, by moving the airport and the aviation regiment behind the Meuse Line, Charles' troops became the "stabilizing force".

Charles did not care whether Foch's or Pétain's defense was superior or inferior, because even if the Germans broke through their defenses, Charles's air force and mechanized forces would be able to arrive and destroy them in the first time.

This is a dimensionality reduction attack, not only against the German army, but also against Foch and Pétain.

The same is true for future development.

As armored forces, mechanized forces and aviation become more mature, the role of pure infantry, although still indispensable, is constantly weakened.

…

The Brest Shipyard is busier than ever.

After the war broke out, as the demand from the navy weakened and the demand from the army increased sharply, many workshops switched to producing military vehicles, gun mounts and even rifle parts.

The order for 10 destroyers from Charles injected a dose of fresh blood into the ship, giving it new life.

Professor Versenden always turned a deaf ear to all this, and he was even indifferent to the war.

Sometimes his researchers would joke, "Professor, one day the war may be over and you may not even know how it happened."

Professor Versenden smiled lightly and replied disdainfully: "I only need to read the reports about Shire. What difference does the rest make?"

The researchers were speechless.

Along the long 700-kilometer defense line, the steps of digging trenches, building defenses, attacking, and casualties were repeated every day.

If there was any change, it was only the number of casualties and the position of the defense line that moved back and forth like ants.

Only the Charr's army can make a difference.

So Professor Versenden was right, and all we need to do to understand this war is pay attention to the Shire.

Professor Versenden was worried about the stability of the "echo sounder", which used a large number of vacuum tubes, and these vacuum tubes made of glass could easily burn out or malfunction on a shaking and humid ship.

As long as there is a failure in the vacuum tube, the "echo detector" may not work properly, which will undoubtedly become a major weakness of the "detector".

(The picture above shows a vacuum tube radio signal generator used during World War I, invented in 1904. The vacuum tubes at that time were large in size and expensive, and more seriously, they were fragile and had a high failure rate. This was one of the reasons why radio stations existed during World War I but were never put on airplanes.)

Versenden believed that the only solution was to install a few more "echo sounders" on the destroyer, but the destroyer did not have that much space, which made him very embarrassed.

Just when Fussenden was worrying about this, his assistant handed him a telegram: "Professor, this is a telegram from Charles. He wants you to go to Paris. His special plane will come to pick you up."

Versenden was stunned. Paris?

You asked me to go to Paris at this time. Doesn’t Charles know how busy the laboratory is?

But Versenden still responded: "Okay, I'll go get ready."

Hopefully the Shire had good reasons, Versenden thought.

Versenden was immersed in his work, and if he was suddenly dragged out of this state, it would be difficult for him to make a seamless connection when he came back. He might miss something or even lose inspiration!

This is more painful than stabbing him.

"Charles should come to Brest," Versenden grumbled quietly, "it would save a lot of time."

…

Paris-D'Oise.

Under Charles' management, this place has become the "Silicon Valley" of France, gathering talents from all walks of life: engines, artillery, tank guns, aircraft manufacturing, tractors, automobile manufacturing, etc.

The once quiet town has gradually become busy, with workers walking back and forth everywhere. Factories and dormitories are rising from the ground in and outside the town. Huge chimneys are spewing thick smoke into the air, and the number of roads and railways has increased due to the need for transportation.

Shire set up its R&D center not only because it is where he grew up, but also because of its unique geographical location.

The town of Darvoise is close to Paris and can more easily absorb Paris' workers, technology, talents and other unexpected resources.

At the same time, it is safer away from the front line, which is one of the reasons why talented people are willing to stay.

More importantly, it is relatively independent. Charles can effectively block information and prevent technology leakage by simply letting Lieutenant Colonel Laurent's guard troops stand around it.

"God, is this still the same town as before?" Professor Versenden exclaimed in the car, looking at the changes in the town outside the window. He had been away from here for less than a year, and when he came back he almost didn't recognize it.

Lieutenant Colonel Laurent, who was ordered to pick up Professor Versenden, replied while driving: "Our factory has expanded at least three times, Professor, and my troops have also expanded three times, but we still feel short of manpower."

Professor Versenden suddenly had a feeling that he might have to stay here.

The reason is very simple. Charles would not be willing to have his scientists develop with others, even if this "other" is the Brest Shipyard that stands on Charles' side.

(End of this chapter)