Chapter 537 He Didn't Realize What He Was About to Lose
It was a coincidence that Charles had taken the initiative to seek cooperation with Pétain in order to break through the parliament's "encirclement and suppression" of him.
And this cooperation is still continuing. Charles has been providing mines and directional mines to the Verdun battlefield without interruption.
Now, Charles intends to continue to deepen this relationship, or to make others think that he has deepened this relationship.
Therefore, even though his schedule was tight, he still found time to visit Verdun.
…
Verdun Line, Fort Saint-Michel Headquarters.
It started to drizzle from the sky. I don’t know if it has something to do with the war, but the rainy season came particularly late this year.
The rainy season is never a good thing for the battlefield, especially for the large army fighting on the Somme front, who will charge at the enemy through the mud.
What’s more serious is that plague is particularly prone to outbreaks during the rainy season. Rainwater soaked with rotting corpses will flow back into the trenches and spread the disease everywhere.
At this time, the pressure on the Verdun front had been greatly reduced.
The outbreak of the Battle of the Somme caused the German army to transfer a large number of troops and artillery from Verdun. According to incomplete statistics, at least 6 artillery regiments and 5 infantry divisions were transferred, and many supplies stored in Verdun were also transferred to the Somme for emergency response.
However, Pétain thought it was too early to launch an attack.
He has always emphasized "defense" and believes that the offensive side will always consume more supplies and manpower than the defensive side. A rash attack may very likely wipe out all the advantages that one has accumulated.
For example, if there were 100,000 casualties a day, as happened at the Battle of the Somme, the Verdun Line would collapse immediately.
Therefore, Pétain was extremely cautious and ordered his troops to defend the Douaumont Line and not to attack.
At the same time, a large number of people were organized in the rear to build roads, and the only highway leading to Verdun was widened and reinforced, through which military supplies and resources were continuously delivered to the front line.
That afternoon, Pétain, as usual, was drinking coffee and following the progress of the road widening.
Widening and reinforcing roads while transporting goods is a very difficult task, which requires nearly perfect overall planning and is as difficult as fighting a war.
At this moment, cheers suddenly came from outside:
"It's Charles. General Charles is here."
"General Charles is here to inspect our defense line!"
…
Pétain frowned. What was Charles doing here?
Inspection?
He is not my superior, what right does he have to inspect Verdun? !
Then Pétain remembered that he had not chosen to support Gallieni at the last meeting at the Château de Chantilly.
Oh no, this guy might cut off the supply of landmines and directional mines!
Pétain's face changed drastically. These things were defensive weapons. If the supply was cut off at this critical moment and the German army got wind of the news, the war situation that had just improved would likely be reversed again.
Thinking of this, Pétain quickly put on a smile and went out with his men to greet them.
As soon as I walked out of the command center, I saw Charles, wearing a raincoat, having a pleasant conversation with Major General Lacoste. The surrounding soldiers and Major General Lacoste all looked at Charles with admiration.
Pétain felt unhappy and his face darkened unconsciously.
But when he thought about the problems of landmines and directional mines, Pétain forced a smile and walked forward.
Charles saw Pétain coming over and took the initiative to shake his hand: "Long time no see, Major General Pétain, is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine, Major-General Charles," Pétain replied.
He wanted to say: "Your mines and directional mines are very useful. They are a great help."
But saying this would firstly make it seem that the victory of Verdun was Charles's credit, and secondly, it would let Charles know the importance of landmines and directional mines and use them to strangle Verdun.
Therefore, Pétain swallowed his words back.
After a pause, he changed his words: "The battle line has been stabilized. I am widening the road. This is very important."
Widening the road was an initiative that Charles had not implemented, and Pétain emphasized this point, meaning that his approach was different from Charles'.
He wanted to get rid of Charles' shadow all the time.
"Of course, General." Charles agreed with a smile: "Nothing is more important than supply. It is the foundation of victory. Your approach is wise."
Charles' answer surprised Pétain.
However, he immediately thought that Charles might have something else in his words, and the "supplies" he emphasized were actually referring to landmines and directional mines.
Bétain's heart sank, but without saying anything, he made a gesture of invitation and led Charles into the command center.
There were only Charles and Pétain in the meeting room. Pétain didn't want what they said to be known to outsiders, especially about landmines and directional mines.
This was exactly what Charles had intended: with no outsiders in the meeting room, the two men definitely seemed to be plotting something, such as how to cooperate to fight against the British control over the French army.
"I'm sorry, Major General Charles." Petain handed Charles a cup of coffee. "Last time in Chantilly, I was forced by the situation not to express my opinion. Because I knew that we were powerless to stop Nivelle from launching an attack."
"I know." Charles didn't take it to heart.
This is true. From the beginning to the end, he did not think that Pétain had the ability to stop Nivelle's offensive plan, nor did he want to stop Nivelle's offensive plan.
This made Pétain feel a little strange. If you are not here for this matter, then what is your purpose in coming here?
Sensing Pétain's confusion, Charles explained, "I came here to find out if Verdun needs anything else."
"Anything else?" Pétain couldn't think of what he needed for a moment.
Charles raised his eyebrows:
“For example, the rainy season is coming and you are widening the road. I am not sure if you need a tractor?”
Pétain was instantly moved.
Tractors are the best means of transportation in muddy fields. They are indispensable whether it is moving stones to build roads or transporting supplies. They can even leave the road and transport large quantities of supplies to the front line, even if road conditions deteriorate during the rainy season.
Charles went on to say, "You know, I happen to own a tractor factory."
At this time, Pétain hesitated: "Major General, I know these tractors are not cheap, and our budget is very limited..."
Now is a time of severe material shortage, the franc is depreciating rapidly, and it is not easy to buy a tractor.
"It's free." Charles spread his hands generously. "I personally donated it to the Verdun front. The first batch is 100. If it's not enough, I will continue to add more."
Pétain was so stunned that he was stunned for a long time before he said, "Really? That's great! You are such a generous friend, Major-General Charles."
"It's my duty." Charles smiled. "For France, for Verdun, and for our cooperation!"
Pétain nodded with emotion: "Of course, Major General!"
Then, Pétain seemed to understand why Charles did this.
Charles was fighting against Nivelle's faction, and he stood in between the two, being the object of both factions' vying to win over.
Good thing, this is definitely a good thing, he can get benefits from both sides!
A smug smile appeared on Pétain's lips, it seemed that his previous worries were unnecessary.
Charles also smiled slightly. This guy didn't realize what he was going to lose at all!
(End of this chapter)
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