Chapter 492 The Real Command
The Verdun front line with rumbling artillery fire.
Although it was a sunny afternoon, the smoke and dust from the artillery fire covered half of the sky, making it impossible to see any sunlight in Verdun, and it was as dark as night inside the fortress.
Inside the fortress, an enlarged map was hung on the north wall of the command center. In the dim light of the smoke, Pétain was smoking his pipe, his eyes occasionally moving on the map, as if he was deploying troops in his mind.
(The above picture shows Henri-Philippe Pétain, who was 60 years old at the time and was recently promoted to major general. He was called the "doctor of the army" because he opposed the French army's blind offensive supremacy and advocated defensive strategic thinking.)
Pétain set up his headquarters at Fort Saint-Michel, closest to the city of Verdun, just as Charles had done.
The reason is that Pétain believed that the Battle of Verdun was not just a defensive issue, but also a logistical issue:
There was only one secondary road that could provide reinforcements to Verdun, and it was often blocked by German artillery fire, making it difficult to transport supplies, troops, equipment, etc.
If we want to change the situation of the war, we must change this situation.
However, these were not what Pétain was worried about.
Pétain's eyes were fixed on Fort Souville, where Charles had first used the "reverse oblique tactics". Pétain had been there several times and was familiar with the combat procedures.
I can't use the same tactics, I absolutely can't.
Otherwise, this battle would not be fought by me, but by Charles.
It's okay to modify it and use it, even if it's just a little bit!
But sadly, Pétain found that he couldn't change anything, and it seemed that he could only fight like this.
Because only it can turn the Germans' artillery, which has an absolute advantage, into scrap metal, only it can stop the enemy's attack with absolutely weak forces, and only it can reduce the pressure on logistics!
Pétain sighed softly, picked up his pipe and tapped it lightly against the corner of the wall, stomped out the fallen ashes with his foot, and then put the pipe back into the box.
"Perhaps we should divide the troops into several parts." Petain turned to Major General Lacoste and said, "Let each unit rotate to defend the front line. This will ensure their organization and morale."
"Uh." Major General Lacoste hesitated: "I don't think this is necessary, General. With the reverse slope tactics, the casualties of the troops are only one or two hundred a day. If the Germans don't attack, it will be even less."
Before this, casualties in a single day were in the thousands or even tens of thousands.
Now the number has suddenly dropped to one or two hundred people, which is like heaven for the soldiers on the front line, so the troops have maintained high morale.
Seeing that Pétain looked strange, Major General Lacoste added, "Of course, it is still feasible to rotate them out for a rest. I have no objection, General."
Pétain said "hmm", then pointed to the map and said: "We should widen the road immediately so that we can ensure the supply of Verdun. This is very important and it determines the victory or defeat of Verdun."
"Yes, General." Major General Lacoste stepped forward and responded.
However, Pétain saw disapproval in his eyes.
Sure enough, Major General Lacoste hesitated and said, "General, I think the most urgent thing should be directional mines. It may be more important than widening the road."
The troops can be without bullets, artillery shells, or even reinforcements. All they need to do is continue to transport the directional mines invented by Charles, which can block all the enemies that rush up.
Directional mines do not depend on roads; they depend on how many orders the government places and how quickly Shire can deliver them.
Bedang said "hmm" expressionlessly. Does this guy want me to ask Charles for help?
This is impossible!
His tactical philosophy is completely different from mine, so we should be enemies.
"General." At this time, a signalman came forward and reported: "Major Jules hopes to see you. He said he brought Charles' suggestions and a more complete reverse slope tactics."
These words instantly attracted everyone's attention, including Major General Lacoste, who all stared at the signalman with excitement and joy in their eyes.
God, a more complete reverse slope tactic!
Does this mean that the previous reverse slope tactics were only part of it?
A part of it can defeat the Germans, what will happen if it is complete? !
Pétain frowned. What does Charles want to do?
But he couldn't refuse.
Because refusing means ignoring national security and the lives of soldiers, and will also be labeled as jealous, paranoid and arrogant.
"Yes." Petain nodded helplessly and ordered in a muffled voice: "Let him in."
Major Jules came in with a briefcase on his back. He saluted Pétain and Lacoste respectively, then took out a document from his briefcase and handed it over: "The brigadier general gave me a schematic diagram, and he told me to make sure to explain the reverse slope tactics clearly."
Major General Lacoste's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Major, we really need this."
Without waiting for orders, the staff officers gathered around, thinking this was a good opportunity to learn and improve themselves.
"Of course." Pétain nodded. Although he looked a little unconvinced, he also wanted to know what the complete reverse slope tactics were like.
Just now, he thought that the reverse slope tactic could not be changed or improved, but he didn't expect that the improved version would come so soon.
Major Jules opened the document and pointed to the diagram and said, "The reverse slope tactic should not be just one trench, gentlemen, it is multiple trenches and layers of defense."
There was a sound of realization coming from all around.
"We don't necessarily need directional mines," Major Jules continued. "When the enemy attacks, we can abandon the first trench, or the second or third trench. Since the trenches we built are all high at the top and low at the bottom, the enemy will never be able to hide in the trenches."
Major General Lacoste agreed: "That makes sense. The enemy always becomes our target when they are at a high altitude."
Major Jules nodded:
"But you must pay attention to the distance between trenches. You can throw grenades within 30 meters, but it is easy for the enemy to rush into the trenches and turn it into hand-to-hand combat."
"Therefore, it is better to widen the distance between the trenches as we go down."
"Then use the parameters of the 75mm gun to calibrate the coordinates of the trench ahead..."
The staff officers exclaimed:
"Great, the 75mm cannon will blow up all the enemies that come charging towards us."
"The shells would cut the charging enemy in two at the trenches."
"This way, we have an advantage in both manpower and artillery firepower in this local area on the reverse slope, even though our total manpower is much smaller than theirs."
…
Major General Lacoste was a little worried. He asked nervously, "Major, does this mean that we can't get more directional mines?"
"No." Major Jules answered with certainty:
"The Commodore will do everything in his power to ensure the supply of directional mines at Verdun."
"Not only that, a new type of mine will be provided to Verdun in the future, also invented by the Brigadier General."
"You are the first users, for Verdun, for France!"
There was a cheer all around, followed by Major Jules shouting:
"For Verdun!"
"For France!"
…
Pétain felt powerless. He suddenly felt that the one who was actually commanding this army and the battle of Verdun was not him, but Charles!
(End of this chapter)
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