Chapter 848 They Are Deserters

The chaos in the city of Reims was comparable to the end of the world.

The German army, which had never experienced this kind of battle, had been divided into several "forces" and each fought on its own.

The German 18th Army was newly formed. Many soldiers came from different units and were temporarily put together. There were also many reinforcements. Sometimes comrades in the same infantry company could not even recognize each other or call each other's names.

Many officers were temporarily transferred from the Eastern Front.

This was not the first time that the German army had done this, and usually there would be no problem. But who would have thought that this time they would encounter such a cruel "infiltration war" by Charles.

However, even then they could not guarantee their own safety.

Because the "German Army" has begun to play a double act:

"Which part are you from?"

"We are from the 7th Infantry Company of the 29th Infantry Regiment."

"Nonsense, we are the 7th Infantry Company!"

"No, we are. I am the company commander, Lieutenant Lyon..."

"No, you are lying. Lieutenant Lyon was killed half an hour ago. I saw him blown away by a grenade with my own eyes!"

"Yeah, I saw that too, I guess the spy didn't know about that!"

…

“Da da da, boom boom!”

The German troops hiding in the building, claiming to be from the 7th Infantry Company, were immediately attacked by concentrated fire. Even though Lieutenant Lyon shouted at the top of his voice: "I am Lieutenant Lyon, I am not dead, I am here!"

But it was of no avail, no one would listen to him, and his voice could not be heard amid the sound of gunfire.

…

Admiral Hutier was stuck in his headquarters, helpless with the current chaos. He sent people out several times to try to calm the situation and regain control of the troops.

He sent out well-known people, such as Major General Hamilton, who had commanded on the Western Front for a long time. He was promoted from major to major general during the battle, and many grassroots commanders and even soldiers knew him.

Hutier believed that as long as Major General Hamilton stood on a high ground and raised his arms, the real German army would immediately gather under his banner to launch an attack on the "spies".

Unexpectedly, everyone was shouting:

"We know Major General Hamilton and we support him."

"Don't believe them, they are disguised enemies, they don't even know who the Major General is."

"I followed Major General Hamilton for a year. I fought with him at the Battle of the Somme. I still have his autograph!"

…

No one could tell which was real and which was fake. In the end, the real and fake German troops swarmed under the banner of Major General Hamilton. Suddenly, several grenades emitting blue smoke appeared, followed by a burst of gunfire.

After a chaos, the German army found Major General Hamilton lying in a pool of blood.

"The enemy's disguise is impeccable." Hutier sighed: "Not only do they know German, they also know everything about us. How do they do it?"

But what is important is not these, but this tactic, a tactic that makes people desperate.

At this time, the signalman reported nervously: "General, Charles' troops have arrived outside the city. The Reims defense line has collapsed. They are attacking the city."

Hutier realized that the game was over.

With internal chaos and external attacks, even if God came, he would not be able to win this battle.

"Break out!" Hutier gave the order without hesitation.

"Yes, General." The staff officer responded, but just as he turned around, he turned back and suggested: "General, I think you'd better change into a military uniform."

Hutier was wearing a general's uniform and had the rank of general. This could easily cause the entire breakout force to be surrounded or hunted down by the enemy.

Hutier nodded and said in a deep voice: "Give me a major's uniform!"

Not only Hutier, but all other senior officers in the command center changed into military uniforms. The highest rank was only lieutenant colonel, which made them look less conspicuous.

However, just as they rushed out of the command center, they heard someone shouting with full energy:

"Deserters, they want to escape."

"Stop them, these people are trying to escape!"

"Shameful coward, I order you to return to your posts!"

…

Of course, it was impossible for Hutier and his team to "return to their posts". They knew that those who were shouting were spies, so they raised their guns and shot them without saying a word.

They had no idea that doing so would solidify their status as “deserters.”

Not only were they deserters, they also tried to "silence them" by pointing their guns at the "brave" soldiers who tried to stop them from escaping!

Is there still military law?

Where has the German spirit gone?

Do you still want the glory of the empire?

Team after team of German troops came forward:

"Stop, or we'll shoot."

"Go back and fight."

"Put down your guns, or I'll make you pay!"

…

In the end, Hutier failed to break out successfully. He was not blocked by the French army, but by his own soldiers.

…

Charles and Pershing did not enter the city, and the battle in the city was commanded by Patton and Tijani.

The American and French forces were separated by Whistler Street, with the American forces responsible for the west side and the French forces responsible for the east side.

(The picture above shows the Cathedral of Our Lady on Rue Vesler in Reims. Rue Vesler is the main road in Reims, running through the north and south and connecting the train station cathedral. The cathedral was severely damaged by shelling during World War I. Its remains were restored in 1919 with funding from the Rockefeller family of the United States as a symbol of France's will to resist)

But it was clear that the French offensive was much faster than the American offensive and with far fewer casualties.

The French army has the larger, thicker "Charter B1" which is equipped with a telephone for "infantry-tank coordination" and "tank-tank coordination".

There are also more skilled and mature street fighting tactics.

The most important thing is that this is Reims, and the citizens are all French, and they support the French army, especially Charles' army.

Even the soldiers of the 9th Belgian Reconnaissance Brigade who were mixed in with the German army did the same. They even shouted to the American soldiers: "We only surrender to Charles' troops, let them come over!"

But that's not the point.

Charles and Pershing have begun discussing further expanding the results of the battle and capturing the two eastern and western heights.

"After we capture Reims, there will be no suspense about the high ground on both sides." Pershing breathed a sigh of relief and pointed to the map and analyzed: "We will use Reims as a base to attack Mont Saint-Thierry and Mont Béhan. The German troops stationed there will be attacked from both sides and attacked from both sides."

Charles added: "And the Germans are not sure whether there is explosives under their feet."

Pershing laughed. "That's right, Lieutenant General. It makes the Germans lose their temper."

Then he looked at Charles curiously: "Did you bury explosives on these two high grounds?"

"What do you think?" Charles asked back.

"I guess not," Pershing said uncertainly, "because it's no longer necessary."

Charles nodded. Pershing was a smart man.

At this time, several armored vehicles drove over from a distance, and the ones at the back seemed to be escorting a group of German prisoners.

After the armored vehicle stopped, Tijani jumped off and commanded his men to bring the prisoners forward while excitedly saying to Charles: "Lieutenant General, you will never guess who we have captured!"

(End of this chapter)