Chapter 470 The Commander-in-Chief has already rested, you must not wake him up
Verdun was quite gloomy in September. The sun did not shine throughout the entire day. Only when it was about to set did it sparingly shed a few rays of light through the mist, as if giving a little alms to the soldiers stationed at the border and confronting each other.
Suddenly a voice called out in the quiet air: "Hey, Kraut, how are you doing today?"
It was a young French soldier, leaning against the side of the trench, looking up and shouting towards the opposite side so that his voice could be heard further.
This is a way for soldiers on the front line to relieve their loneliness. They often talk to the enemy and look for a little excitement in this tense, dull and depressing life day after day.
Usually the Germans would answer in stiff French:
"It was a good day today. I got a letter from my wife and she sent me a photo."
"But I heard some bad news. My eighteen-year-old child has also been drafted into the army. You must show mercy to him when you see him."
"By the way, I also received a bottle of wine, which was awesome!"
…
But today the Germans said nothing, and there was silence on the other side, as if all the German soldiers were dead.
The French soldier was a little disappointed when he didn't get a response. He cursed angrily: "These bastards only know how to sleep. When the battle starts, don't blame me for rushing into the trench and cutting off your ears!"
The French soldiers around laughed.
At this time, De Leon appeared in front of the trench with his staff and several guards, and the soldiers stood up to greet them.
De Leon nodded and asked expressionlessly, "Is there any new situation?"
"No, Colonel, nothing." Captain Erlongqi, who was in charge here, stepped forward and answered.
The young soldier interjected: "The Germans seem to have been much quieter these past two days. Maybe they are afraid of us!"
Someone retorted, "You didn't do anything, Leo. If Ciel were here, they would have reason to be afraid!"
The soldiers laughed a little again.
De Leon said nothing. He took out his telescope, leaned against the trench, stepped on it, and then carefully stuck his head out.
The trench suddenly became quiet. The soldiers held their breath and looked at De Leon. Some of them even grabbed their rifles and prepared to provide cover for the colonel.
With rich combat experience, they knew that it was very dangerous to stick their heads out to observe the enemy situation when the setting sun shone into the trenches.
Fortunately, there was no gunfire from the other side, and after a few minutes De Leon retracted his head.
De Leon sat on the step for a while, as if he was recalling what he had just seen.
Then he ordered the soldiers in a deep voice: "Stay alert and pay attention to the enemy's movements."
"Yes, Colonel."
As soon as De Leon entered the communication trench, he whispered to Charles: "Something is wrong. The Germans may take action."
Charles nodded palely: "I also feel something strange, Colonel..."
"No, it's more than just strange." Colonel De Leon replied: "Some of the artillery has removed the camouflage in front of the muzzle!"
Charles' eyes widened instantly: "You mean, tonight..."
Colonel De Leon nodded gently: "It may be tonight!"
After walking a few more steps, he turned back and ordered, "Send a telegram to the headquarters immediately and report the situation here to them."
"Yes, Colonel," Charles replied habitually, but added: "But as before, we can't have any hope of it."
Colonel De Leon nodded his understanding.
More than a month later, Joffre pointed the finger at De Leon for reporting to a higher level. He even sent a telegram to the entire army:
"Officers should have directed the issue to the correct channels."
"If soldiers under my command send complaints or protests about the execution of my orders to the government without going through their superiors, this is simply a deliberate attempt to disrupt the discipline of the army and destroy the unity within the army!"
Although Joffre did not mention any names, everyone knew that he was talking about De Leon.
Many people speculate that the reason why Colonel De Leon was not removed from office or punished was because he had another identity: a member of parliament.
After thinking for a while, Colonel De Leon added an order: "We should send a few more signalmen. Maybe they can attract the attention of the headquarters. Tell the commander-in-chief that this is not the time to hold personal grudges!"
Lieutenant Colonel Charles nodded: "I'll arrange it right away."
Soon, a sidecar tricycle came out of the fortress with three soldiers on board: a driver, a guard, and in the side seat sat Jules, the most eloquent major staff officer in the regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles hoped that Major Jules could at least gain something for Verdun.
…
At the Lagden headquarters, Joffre's eyes were fixed on Belfort on the map.
A few days earlier, he had received a warning from the British that the Germans' real target was likely Belfort and that all the actions at Verdun might be feints.
"I knew it!" Upon receiving this intelligence, Joffre said triumphantly, "No one would choose Verdun as a breakthrough point unless he is a fool or a blind man!"
The next second, he ordered the main force of the 7th Army to be transferred to Belfort, including the large-caliber artillery that had just been removed from Verdun.
"We should also transfer the 1st Artillery Division there," Joffre said to Canais, pointing at Balfour.
"Strengthen Belfort's defense?" Kanais was a little confused: "But the role of tanks seems to be for attacking."
"Of course we will attack," Joffre replied. "Defense is only a façade, Kanais. Once the enemy's attack loses momentum, the tanks will immediately launch a counterattack to catch the Germans off guard!"
Joffre was still obsessed with his "encirclement plan".
At this time, a signalman sent a telegram: "General, Colonel De Leon called and said that the Germans are about to launch an attack, and the time is likely to be tonight."
Xia Fei snorted coldly, with a hint of contempt on his lips: "He knows nothing."
"But he mentioned that a large number of German troops were massing at Verdun and their artillery was ready to fire," the signalman said.
"It was all a German play," Joffre declared. "He saw only part of it, and thought it was the whole thing!"
Xiafei looked helpless, and said to the signalman, "Let him do his job."
"Yes, General!"
…
It was 9:30 in the evening when Major Jules's tricycle arrived at Lageden.
Major Jules first found a telephone, hoping to tell Colonel De Leon that they had arrived.
Unexpectedly, just as the call was connected, a burst of artillery fire and Colonel De Leon's roar came from the microphone:
"They opened fire. The artillery fire was unprecedentedly fierce. There were at least a thousand large-caliber artillery pieces aimed at us!"
"Our radio station was damaged. Report this immediately to ..."
The voice died before he could finish his words, and no matter how much Major Jules shouted, it was of no use.
Major Jules guessed that the telephone lines might have been cut by artillery shells, meaning that the front line could not communicate with the rear.
He quickly hung up the phone and headed towards Xiafei's headquarters, and soon he was running.
The military situation is urgent and does not allow for any delay. Every minute and every second may determine the life or death of the soldiers on the front line, as well as the outcome of the battle!
However, he was stopped by guards as soon as he reached the entrance of the command office.
"I want to see the commander-in-chief, right now!" Major Jules shouted anxiously.
"Sorry, Major." The guard responded coldly: "The commander-in-chief is resting, you can't wake him up!"
Jules was stunned for a moment. He had forgotten that Joffre had the habit of going to bed on time!
(Note: This paragraph is written according to historical facts. The Battle of Verdun had already begun. The messenger who delivered the news rushed to the headquarters, but was told that the general had already gone to bed and could not be awakened.)
(End of this chapter)
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