Chapter 806

Pershing did not resist or argue with Kitchener's arrangement.

He took Chief of Staff Hubbard to inspect the training base for three days.

The training base has complete facilities. It is built on the outskirts of Dunkirk and is equipped with dormitories, simulated trenches, shooting ranges, etc.

This was originally a British military training base. After landing, the British troops conducted battlefield and climate adaptability training here. They opened a total of three similar bases, and reserved the best one for use by the US military.

Pershing calmly communicated and discussed with the British instructors, and trained with them to understand the whole process.

Three days later, he summarized the quality, tactics, and equipment of the British instructors and sent a bunch of questions to the White House:

"They are equipped with British Lee Enfield rifles."

"The tactics were standard trench warfare, and the British generally advocated 'attack theory'."

"I asked Lieutenant General Ives, who is our chief instructor, whether the US military will have tank coordination when it goes to the battlefield in the future."

"The answer was: 'I'm very sorry, but we don't produce enough tanks to equip the British army. But don't worry, the US army will hardly use tanks in the war, we will arrange low-intensity combat for you.'"

"Besides that, we are seriously short of artillery, let alone aircraft."

"I just have one question, Mr. President."

"We have no tanks, not enough artillery, and no planes. Even if we are engaged in low-intensity combat as they say, how can we break through the enemy's defenses?"

"You have to know that when the British attacked with this tactic, the Germans only set up a few machine guns and killed and wounded 100,000 British soldiers in one day."

…

President Wilson felt his scalp tingling after reading Pershing's report, especially the final casualty data: 100,000 a day.

At this rate of casualties, the first batch of 1 million US troops would only be enough to fight for 10 days.

This was obviously extremely unfavorable to Wilson's re-election.

After thinking for a moment, Wilson called back: “So, what do you think we should do?”

Pershing replied:

"If we must fight together under British command, I think we can at least abandon British equipment and tactics."

"Otherwise this will be a nightmare, Mr. President."

"They failed on the battlefield, but they are so arrogant that they want to teach us their combat experience."

"What are you teaching? The experience of death and surrender? This is extremely irresponsible to the lives of American troops and soldiers!"

Wilson did not hesitate and immediately agreed to Pershing's request.

After all, the British army had a bad reputation, and Wilson could not afford such heavy casualties.

…

After receiving Wilson's telegram, Pershing rushed to Kitchener's scenic seaside headquarters villa.

Work in the villa is proceeding in an orderly manner.

It was not because Kitchener arranged it well, but because the British Expeditionary Force's mission in Dunkirk was only to transport supplies and troops.

It was past nine in the morning and Kitchener had not yet gotten up. His staff officer said it was because he had been dealing with official business too late the previous night.

Pershing unceremoniously asked his staff to call Kitchener up, and then handed President Wilson's order: "Your Excellency, the President and I agree that the American army should be equipped and trained by ourselves. Do you have any objection?"

Kitchener, who was still sleepy, was startled and advised earnestly:

"That is not a wise move, Commodore."

"You should understand that we have been fighting here for nearly two years. We are familiar with everything here and we know our opponents."

"And you, the vast majority of soldiers, were factory workers tightening screws not long ago..."

Pershing interrupted Kitchener:

"I know, Your Excellency Marshal."

"But even so, you still haven't learned how to deal with the Germans."

"Can you name a single victory over the Germans?"

Kitchener was speechless.

Britain did not have any victories worth noting, and if there were any, they were partial victories on the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme.

But that was only "partial", and it was nothing compared to the brilliance of the Shire.

Then Kitchener realized what Pershing was going to do. His face darkened. “Are you going to look for Charles?”

"Yes." Pershing admitted generously: "He is the one who continues to win on the battlefield."

Finally, Pershing said:

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency the Marshal, I must be responsible for the lives of the soldiers."

"This is the reality of the battlefield, and we have to face it."

"Otherwise, only failure and death await us!"

Pershing was implying that the British Expeditionary Force knew that Charles's tactics were correct, but refused to admit it, refused to change, and was unwilling to replace the failed commander.

Before leaving, Pershing glanced at Kitchener meaningfully, with a hint of sarcasm on his lips.

Kitchener knew what Pershing's look meant.

It seemed to be saying: if tactics and commanders were to be changed, then old-timers like Kitchener should be replaced too.

Kitchener tried to remain calm and graceful, but after Pershing left, he coughed a few times and sat back heavily in his chair.

As the Minister of the Army of the world's most powerful country and a marshal who has fought on the battlefield for decades, this kind of perspective is the most unacceptable to him.

It's like watching a new recruit who can't fight, doesn't understand war, and only knows how to seek fame and reputation.

It instantly shattered all of Kitchener's pride and self-confidence, making him doubt whether he was worthy of the position. At that moment, he even had the idea of ​​retiring.

…

Bizossi training base.

Charles' bomber had successfully taken off with a radio and established contact with the artillery on the ground.

Tijani excitedly reported to Charles: "This is equivalent to giving the artillery a pair of eyes, General. They are invincible. No artillery can be their opponent. No, in principle, no army can be their opponent."

Charles had no objection, and it was indeed true.

The reason is that the 105MM artillery has a range of more than ten kilometers, which is beyond visual range.

With the cooperation of the radio on the bomber, we have the advantage of "I can see and accurately hit the enemy, but the enemy cannot see me".

This is how modern stealth fighters crush fourth-generation aircraft.

"General." Just as Tijani was getting too excited, the guard came forward and reported: "Brigadier General Pershing hopes to meet with you."

"Pershing? Who?" Tijani looked confused, he had never heard of this name.

Of course, Charles knew that, and he was not at all surprised by Pershing's visit.

"The commander of the American Expeditionary Force." Charles explained, "He's probably here to look for a chief instructor."

As he spoke, Ciel turned his gaze towards Tijani.

"What are you looking at me for?" Tijani asked.

"Don't you understand?" Charles said, "I certainly can't be the chief instructor of the American Expeditionary Force, but you can."

I went to Charles to buy equipment.

Looking for Tijani, what else is there besides the chief instructor!

(End of this chapter)