Chapter 818 Super Defense Line

Charles did not discuss with Pershing the principles that the situation of war is ever-changing and the shape of water is ever-changing.

Even if you tell him, he won't understand and won't be able to apply it on the battlefield.

Westerners always like to format tactics. What they often do is publish a "XX Combat Manual", which clearly lists how to deal with different situations, just like a formula.

This may be a good thing for new recruits, as they only need to memorize things.

But for veterans or commanders, it may limit their flexibility and imagination.

The German army does the best in this regard, with senior officers often giving middle and lower-level commanders enough freedom to act on their own.

This is also the reason why the German army often unexpectedly achieved various incredible victories on the battlefield.

…

Paris Defense Headquarters.

The last ray of sunset disappeared below the skyline, and Gallieni dragged his tired body back to his lounge.

The orderly brought dinner, a soft croissant and a glass of milk.

After the operation, the doctor advised him to drink less coffee as much as possible because caffeine may reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs or enhance side effects and affect his sleep and postoperative recovery.

While eating, Gallieni noticed the briefcase and couldn't help putting on his glasses and opening it with one hand to take out a document and open it.

That was the defense plan that Pétain proposed in the House of Representatives.

"We should build an unbreakable line of defense so that we can be protected permanently."

"We all know what kind of damage war can do to a country. It causes our population to drop drastically, our economy to collapse, and everyone is struggling."

"In addition, our industrial and mineral resources are concentrated in the northeast, which is the Franco-German border. Once the Germans attack, they will inflict a devastating blow to them."

"They will also be used by the enemy to produce bullets and shells to be fired upon us, as well as planes, artillery and tanks."

“But if we build an impenetrable fortification, we can protect them and even the lives of our citizens and the economy.”

"And the enemy will only be consumed in front of the defense line. I am sure that this is what we need. It is our protector!"

…

(The picture above shows the Maginot Line, where the solid red lines represent solid and comprehensive fortifications, and the dotted lines represent weak and loose fortifications)

One member of parliament asked, holding the map he was given, "But Lorraine and Alsace are still in the hands of the Germans, and we are now planning to build strong fortifications there?"

Pétain said jokingly: "Do you think it will be a problem to recover them with Charles here?"

The MPs laughed.

Charles had already recovered Lorraine and Alsace, only to have those useless Englishmen lose them again.

Now that the US military has joined, recovering the area is not a problem at all.

Pétain continued:

"Gentlemen, chance favors those who are prepared."

"Don't you understand yet?"

"The lesson the war taught us is that the defense line is the most important. As long as we build this line of defense, it will be a permanent solution. From now on, no one can invade us anymore."

…

This is very tempting. What the French need most at this moment is a sense of security, and the super defense line can provide that sense of security.

"Charles may not think so." Someone questioned: "His view has always been to attach equal importance to offense and defense, but you want to build this thing..."

Pétain replied: "The point is that only France has Charles, not the enemy!"

The councillors smiled knowingly once again. Charles certainly would not attack their own defense line.

Although the parliament failed to make a decision that day, the "super line of defense" had already been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

As soon as it was introduced to the public, it was immediately sought after by many people.

Supporters believe that once this "super line of defense" is built, France will be shielded from the sufferings of war and everyone can rest assured.

…

Gallieni chewed bread and silently opened the cross-section diagram of the defense line.

This is a huge underground project, with artillery, fortresses, elevators, ammunition depots, hospitals, arsenals, cinemas, backup power supplies... There is even a subway on the seventh underground floor.

(The above picture is a cross-section of the Maginot Line)

If the plan is implemented, France's defense budget and tax revenue will have to be filled into this pit for a considerable period of time to come.

Even tax revenue is not enough, and “special taxes” and “special appropriations” need to be levied.

Who is the biggest beneficiary?

It was undoubtedly Charles.

No one knew more about military projects than Charles, not even Pétain, who proposed the plan.

Besides, Pétain was not a capitalist, but Charles was.

Consider that Shire has recently been acquiring large numbers of energy, telecommunications, transportation, steel and construction companies.

Isn't this preparation for building this line of defense?

Charles could use his prestige and power to assign the facilities of the defense line to his own companies and military factories for completion.

God, by then most of France’s wealth and resources will be in his pocket!

What on earth does this guy want to do?

Gallieni felt that he had once again fallen into a trap carefully laid by Charles.

The reason why Gallieni supported Charles in building a defense line was that he thought that what Charles wanted to build was just an ordinary defense line to confront the "Hindenburg Line".

But what lies before us is this huge monster.

There were two knocks at the door, and Gallieni knew it was Charles without turning around.

Only Charles knocked on the door without saying anything, and the others immediately began to report.

"Come in," said Gallieni.

It was Charles, as expected, and he brought Gallieni a basket of fresh apples, which were not easy to get during the wartime rationing system. Apples in France usually mature and are not available on the market until August.

Gallieni took off his glasses and threw the "Super Defense Line" diagram in front of Charles: "Do you think it will work?"

Ciel said truthfully, "No, it won't work."

Gallieni suddenly looked up at Charles, with a look of shock on his face:

"You, you knew it would be useless, but you still wanted to build it?"

"I understand. You are doing this for your own benefit and wealth. Am I right?"

"Do you know how much money this will cost? They are all taxes from citizens..."

Charles interrupted Gallieni:

"No, General, this is providing jobs to citizens."

“It’s also a fight against the capitalists.”

“Only by doing this can I take the country back from the control of the capitalists.”

As he spoke, Charles opened his briefcase, took out a document and handed it over:

"This is the plan I will announce tomorrow."

"I plan to rent the farmland I bought to citizens on a household basis."

“The rent collected is only one percent of the food they grow!”

Gallieni looked at Charles in astonishment. One percent of the grain as rent?

This is almost negligible. Charles is bound to lose money. Why should he do this?

Charles said calmly, "Money doesn't mean much to me anymore, General. What I want is the stability of France."

France will be mine, and a stable France is in my interest.

But Charles did not say that Gallieni was not fit to hear such words.

(End of this chapter)