Chapter 404: Delaying Tactics
When Charles walked into the city defense headquarters, he felt that the atmosphere in the headquarters was a bit depressing.
The staff officers were whispering. Lieutenant Colonel Fernand was saying something to Gallieni, who was staring at the map on the table with a frown on his face and a hint of anger in his eyes.
When they saw Xiaer coming in, their eyes instantly turned to helplessness and sympathy. Several staff officers even shook their heads and sighed, as if they were standing up for Xia.
"What's wrong?" Charles asked confusedly.
Gallieni replied: "Joffre intends to transfer you and your troops to Army Group East."
"What?" Charles was stunned and almost laughed out loud. This guy really intended to do what was discussed publicly?
Come on, that was a well-known plan, and the public could think of it, so how could the Germans not think of it?
The result is really, it cannot be said to be similar, it can only be said to be exactly the same.
Gallieni pointed to the map and said:
"He thinks we should be prepared to cooperate with Italy in attacking the Germans."
"Once the Italian army moves north and threatens the German army's flank, we should attack with all our strength to defeat them, which will help the Italian army to form a pincer attack on the German army."
"And we need tanks to attack, and your unit is the only one in the army that has tanks."
Charles thought of the "Saint-Samond" and industrial property rights he had purchased not long ago, and the "Saint-Samond" of the 1st Special Artillery Division was almost wiped out in the Battle of Cambrai.
So, it was indeed only Charles's unit that had tanks, in addition to the "Upper Silesia" captured from the Germans.
"I can sell him the tanks," Charles replied. "He can rebuild his tank corps anytime he wants, whether it's Saint-Samond or Charles A1."
Gallieni shook his head. "We all know this is an excuse, Brigadier General. We should be thinking more about tanks and things other than the battle plan."
"Something unexpected?" Charles did not understand what Gallieni meant.
Gallieni nodded. "Once you and your troops are under Joffre's command, you may be sent on dangerous missions. Do you understand me?"
Charles understood instantly that this was a case of using one's power for personal gain and killing someone with a borrowed knife!
It is not difficult to imagine that a single order from Joffre could put Charles in a dilemma.
To carry out the mission, he had to lead his troops and put himself in danger.
Failure to carry out the order would be tantamount to cowardice and disobedience to military orders, and what awaits Charles would be disgrace and a military court.
Even on the battlefield, victory and defeat are not acceptable.
The victory was due to Joffre's command.
If he failed, Charles' life would be in danger. Even if he survived, his reputation would be damaged and he might even be punished.
Lieutenant Colonel Fernan suggested: "We can assign Charles other tasks and then use this as an excuse to refuse."
Gallieni shook his head. "No mission is more important than Italy right now, Lieutenant Colonel. The battle in that direction can almost determine whether the war ends or not."
Charles was speechless, and even Gallieni had the same idea.
But no wonder, who would have thought that Italy, with its million-strong army, couldn't even break through the Austro-Hungarian border?
"Well," Lieutenant Colonel Fernan said, "We can give the brigadier general a holiday. After all, it was he who brought Italy into the Allied Powers. I always think that one day's holiday is too little..."
Gallieni interrupted Lieutenant Colonel Fernan: "It's useless, Lieutenant Colonel, the war has already begun. At the critical moment, even if he is on vacation, the brigadier general should return to the army to fight."
Others were also trying to find solutions, and they all suggested:
"We can consider sending the brigadier general to Gallipoli. The battle there is equally important. I heard they are almost unable to hold on."
"Or we can just send the brigadier general into Italy to coordinate with them."
"Yes, that's better than obeying Joffre."
…
However, these excuses are all weak.
Gallieni looked at Charles with a questioning and somewhat anxious look in his eyes.
Charles replied calmly: "I think this plan is feasible. I can go to the Eastern Army Group."
"What?" Gallieni thought he had misheard.
The others looked at Charles in shock. Everyone was thinking about how to drag him out of the fire pit, but he jumped into the fire pit himself!
Ciel shrugged noncommittally: "But I don't think now is the right time."
Gallieni asked: "What's the wrong time?"
Ciel pointed at the map and said seriously:
"The Italian army has just launched an offensive at the border, and its front line is at least 100 kilometers away from threatening the German supply line."
"If we send tank troops to reinforce Army Group East at this time."
"First, it would expose our strategic intentions too early. Second, the supplies needed by the tank troops would place a heavy burden on logistics. Third, the tank troops would not be able to conduct normal training and could only wait on the front line."
Gallieni agreed.
Tank troops are different from ordinary troops. Ordinary troops only need food and bullets.
Tank troops need to be maintained with gasoline, spare parts, etc., and they also need to be equipped with logistics troops, so they can easily be exposed during training on the front line.
"So," Charles concluded, "I think we shouldn't rush. The tank units can first train in the rear, and when Italy breaks through the Austro-Hungarian border and marches towards Germany, it won't be too late for us to rush to the Eastern Army Group."
Lieutenant Colonel Fernando and other staff officers nodded:
"Indeed."
"That's what I think."
…
But the voice was small and unconfident.
They believed that Charles was doing this as a "delaying tactic" out of desperation, a way to delay as long as possible the advance of Army Group East to obey Joffre's orders. It was a last resort.
Gallieni thought so too, and was even confused by Charles.
Does this make sense? It's just a delay of a few days, or maybe longer.
But eventually what is coming will come, and Charles will have to face it one day. The key is to find a way to solve this problem fundamentally!
However, Gallieni saw confidence in Charles' eyes, and he didn't seem to take the problem to heart.
What's going on?
Does Charles have a way to deal with Joffre?
Or is Charles certain that Italy cannot win this battle?
impossible!
…
In the end, Gallieni, who could not think of a better solution, could only reluctantly convey Charles' words to Joffre: "We obey orders, General. Charles will report to you at the Eastern Army Group after the Italian army breaks through the enemy's defenses."
Xiafei was instantly delighted.
This time, Charles has no way out. Under his command, all he needs to do is say a word to decide how to play!
Xia Fei turned his gaze to the map complacently, and began to think in his mind:
"We can't let Charles get into trouble too early. We have to let him and the Germans suffer losses together."
"It would be best if we could preserve some of the tanks."
"No, no, this is too obvious. We should make this battle more brutal so as not to arouse other people's suspicion. As long as we get rid of Charles, his factories, tanks, and even assets will be trapped!"
(End of this chapter)
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