Chapter 579 Many People Do Not Understand the Cruelty of War
Foch needed little explaining to Paris.
In the office of the Prime Minister of the Paris City Government, two high-ranking officials sat opposite each other in front of a warm fireplace, leisurely drinking red wine and discussing.
“People are tired of war,” Clemenceau said, his voice cold. “Especially the soldiers at the front, they always want to escape.”
"Who says it's not?" Briand agreed. "They even went so far as to mutiny and refuse to fight. This is simply a shame and stupid. It's extremely stupid. If they don't fight, they will eventually ruin the entire country, including themselves!"
"To prevent something like this from happening again, we need an attack." Clemenceau shook his glass at Briand.
Briand was puzzled: "I think we'd better stay on the defensive, otherwise those soldiers might mutiny again."
Clemenceau shook his head: "Mr. Prime Minister, you seem to have forgotten what happened on Christmas Eve last year."
This reminded Briand of what happened on Christmas Eve last year: a large-scale truce was declared between the enemy and us, which was said to last for three days. They drank together, played football, and exchanged gifts...
Briand felt something was wrong: "We can't let this happen. It will affect their morale and fighting spirit."
Briand spoke in high-sounding terms, but in fact he did not want to see peace.
The French army already has morale problems. If a "truce" occurs again, the calls for peace from the grassroots military and civilians will become louder and louder, which may eventually force parliament to choose negotiations.
But the Americans were unwilling to negotiate, and neither were the British and French MPs who had accepted bribes from the Americans.
So there is a rather ironic scene: the future Nobel Peace Prize winner does not want peace, but is racking his brains to keep this meaningless war going for money.
“That’s what I mean,” said Clemenceau. “An attack that must be made without provoking the soldiers to resist.”
Briand understood that what they needed was a "war" to prevent the "Christmas Truce" from happening again, not for victory or to capture cities, at the cost of a few soldiers' deaths.
"We need to strike a balance." Brian frowned, "But this is exactly what we are not good at."
Congressmen and politicians only discuss national affairs in their offices. The specific operations on the front line are not within their consideration. That is something the generals need to worry about.
At this moment, a secretary with blond hair and graceful figure knocked on the door and handed Briand a telegram: "A telegram from the Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Prime Minister."
Brian took the telegram and read it, then smiled with relief: "The commander-in-chief thinks the same as we do. It seems that we did not choose the wrong person!"
Then he handed the telegram to Clemenceau.
After reading the telegram, Clemenson nodded: "This saves us a lot of trouble!"
The two men smiled at each other, and the wine glasses in their hands clinked lightly, making a crisp sound.
Little did they know that this was also what Charles wanted.
…
On the Jean-Blu front, the snow fell heavier and heavier, the accumulated water on the ground had frozen into ice, and the roofs and branches were the first to be dyed white.
Amid the fluttering snowflakes, the French soldiers swept away the depression and fear of many days and laughed and talked more.
For Charles had come to see them, and had brought them a great deal of food, including beef, turkey, and fresh vegetables:
"Charle bought these with his own money, just like last Christmas."
"Of course, the parliament won't give us that. They'll just urge us to go to the battlefield with guns in hand."
"Keep your voice down, you fool. You don't want to be caught and interrogated, do you?"
"Does it make a difference? We'll be on the battlefield again tomorrow, on Christmas Eve!"
…
The combat orders had been issued in advance, and everyone knew at this time that they would launch a "limited offensive" on Christmas Eve.
When Charles walked into the crowd, the soldiers cheered and rushed forward to shake hands with Charles:
"It's nice to meet you, General."
"We were worried that you would no longer lead us!"
"Thank you for the food and supplies, we know that was your personal property."
…
Ciel replied while shaking hands with the soldiers: "This is what I should do. We can spend Christmas Eve tonight."
Because the attack will be launched tomorrow night.
Naturally, the soldiers thought about the attack tomorrow night, and someone asked, "What's this 'limited attack', General? It sounds a little strange!"
Ciel spread his hands apologetically: "Sorry, I don't know either."
It wasn't the truth, and Ciel knew what it was.
But the soldiers were stunned when they heard what Charles said. They looked at each other. There was actually an attack that Charles didn't know about?
Does this mean that this attack was not organized by Ciel?
Furthermore, did this mean that Charles had been stripped of his command of the Sixth Army, as many had speculated?
Ciel looked helpless: "All I can say is, obey orders, your superiors will tell you what to do!"
Having said this, he patted the soldiers on the shoulders meaningfully and left.
The soldiers seemed to understand what Charles meant. They looked at his dejected back and whispered:
"God, our suspicion is true. Those bastards in the parliament have usurped Ciel's command."
"Isn't it obvious? They took over the Sixth Army while Ciel was on leave."
"Yes, Ciel came back before his vacation was over, but it was too late. There was nothing he could do!"
…
The soldiers became angrier as they spoke, and gradually the look in their eyes when they looked at those arrogant and domineering officers became somewhat different.
They could easily imagine that without Charles's leadership they would be sent to die in the battlefield as before, the horrors of the Somme still fresh in their minds.
As for what the officers said: "There won't be too many casualties in this attack, I promise", only a fool would believe it, because they have been saying this all along.
Nivelle also said that he would be able to return home in a few days to enjoy the glory of victory. Those who believed this died on the battlefield, and the Battle of the Somme has not ended until now!
Thus, a storm was quietly brewing in the army.
But the soldiers didn't know what to do. Some wanted to help Charles regain command, some wanted to mutiny again, and some wanted to launch a coup...
Charles noticed this.
He understood these soldiers and knew what they were thinking, but those officers who came from aristocratic families and military academies knew nothing. The same was true for Gamelin, who had always stayed in his office and was called "the smartest general in France."
Then Ciel found Christine.
He said two things to Christine:
"The battlefield is chaotic and the swords have no eyes."
"If there is a grievance, there is a grievance. If there is a vengeance, there is revenge!"
Christine glanced at the regiment commander and staff officer who were inserted into the army, nodded in understanding, and replied with a double meaning: "Many people don't understand the cruelty of war, General!"
(End of this chapter)
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