Chapter 592 Our Supplies Are Not Given for Free
Dunkirk, British Expeditionary Force Headquarters.
Haig took time off from the Somme front to report to Kitchener.
Normally, when the master and disciple met, they would open a bottle of red wine and drink while chatting, but this time they lost interest. They sat in front of the stove without an appointment, staring at the jumping flames, as if they could not bear the severe winter in France.
After a long while, Kitchener asked in a muffled voice: "It's a bad situation, isn't it?"
Haig replied with difficulty: "We have suffered nearly 300,000 casualties, but the line of defense has only advanced less than a mile."
There was another terrible silence.
The two were reluctant to say it out loud, but they were comparing in their hearts: Charles was able to advance 5 kilometers with only more than a thousand casualties. This victory was too dazzling.
"How are the Anzacs doing?" asked Kitchener.
Compared with casualties on the front line, Kitchener was more concerned about the attitude of the colonial army.
The colonial army was also on the Western Front, and everyone was watching how the war developed.
If Britain and France were defeated by Germany at the same time, that would not be a problem.
But if Britain stagnates while France advances by leaps and bounds, a problem will arise: the colonial army will generally believe that the British army is no longer effective, and they will wonder whether France should become the world's number one?
“They didn’t react much,” Haig replied, but then added: “On the surface.”
The commotion in the colonial army came from within and outward. Many British officers in the colonial army responded that they could no longer control their subordinates and that the soldiers turned a deaf ear to their orders.
Haig gritted his teeth and said bitterly: "We must suppress the French, especially Charles."
Otherwise, the prestige of the British Empire will face unprecedented challenges and even fall apart.
"Wait a little longer." Kitchener's tone calmed down. "Let the French army in Blue cause internal strife, and the French Parliament will ask us for help. This may be a breakthrough."
Kitchener had no hope at all if the British army was the only one to defeat Charles. It was wishful thinking.
But with the French Parliament on the same side, Kitchener thought he had a chance of winning.
However, his hopes were soon dashed.
The staff sent a telegram to Kitchener: "Marshal, this is a call from Lieutenant General Avis. When he arrived at Gembloux, Charles had already taken control of the situation. Our troops had no chance to enter the barracks."
There was not even a chance to enter the barracks.
Kitchener sighed lightly and threw the telegram into the fire, watching it curl up painfully in the flames and then turn to ashes.
Haig stood up with a bang: "We only have one trump card left. The French should understand that our supplies are not given for free. They must pay something."
Kitchener nodded in agreement. This seemed to be the only thing he could use.
But he added: "But not all French troops, we should strike with precision."
"Precision strike?" Haig knew that Kitchener was referring to Shire, but how could he achieve "precision"?
Kitchener replied thoughtfully: "We know from the Gembloux incident that the French Parliament shares our goals, General. They are our allies!"
Haig said "Oh" and understood what Kitchener meant.
…
In the winter in Paris, the mornings are always foggy.
The windows of the Prime Minister's office were closed tightly, and it was white outside, as if the office was isolated in the clouds.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat depressing.
Briand signed the document in his hand silently, listening to Clemenceau at his desk describing the outcome of the Gembloux incident:
"As we expected, General Ives returned without success."
"We have distanced ourselves from the matter. The 'hidden rules' have been effectively controlled and have not spread to other troops."
"The deputy commander of the 6th Army is Christine. They adopted a different deployment from other lines of defense..."
Briand interrupted Clemenceau without looking up: "What's the situation with public opinion?"
“The public had no suspicions.” Clemenceau raised his eyebrows. “They thought it was another mutiny, something the soldiers did while Charles was on leave, and that it would be resolved when Charles returned.”
Briand stopped what he was doing and looked up at Clemenceau: "We still lost. The Sixth Army is completely under Charles' control and cannot be shaken."
There was some fear in Briand's eyes when he said this. Now he could only hope that Foch could suppress Charles.
But this did not seem realistic, even though Foch had far more troops under his command than Charles.
However, Clemenceau calmly replied: "I don't think so, Prime Minister."
"What?" Briand's eyes were filled with confusion.
This guy probably doesn't know how terrifying Charles is. He is a capitalist, inventor, politician, military genius, and he has an army of more than 200,000 under his command!
Clemenceau lowered his head and took out a telegram from his jacket pocket and handed it over: "It's from the British, from the Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Kitchener."
Briand glanced at the telegram, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "They want to be responsible for the supply of all soldiers in the Belgian defense zone?"
When did the British become so generous? Most of the Northern Army Group's forces are stationed in Belgium, including Charles's troops, totaling about 300,000 people. Being responsible for their supplies is no small task.
Clemenceau said nothing, but nodded meaningfully.
Briand suddenly realized that it was to deal with Charles.
If the French army in Belgium was provided with supplies by the British army, the British army would be able to accurately control the supply of supplies to Charles' troops, including ammunition and gasoline.
Briand's face lit up with joy. "It seems that we made the right move. I mean to transfer the Sixth Army to Belgium."
Then he frowned again: "But Charles is very rich. It is said that he has been purchasing supplies from the Netherlands and the United States. In addition, he has cooperation with the Saint-Etienne and FN arsenals, so he should not be short of ammunition."
Clemenceau said with a hint of pride, "That's a force of more than 200,000 men, Prime Minister. Even Charles can't sustain it in the long run. As for ammunition, the Saint-Etienne and FN arsenals may be able to provide ammunition for rifles and other light weapons, but artillery shells and gasoline are beyond their capabilities."
Brian nodded. "That makes sense."
After a moment's hesitation, Briand continued, "This is a diplomatic matter between France and Britain. It will be handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Army Committee. It does not require the approval of Parliament."
Clemenceau bowed slightly, understanding what he meant. "I totally agree, Mr. Prime Minister."
This should have been handled by the Army Department, after all, it concerns the supply of materials to the Northern Army Group.
But the Minister of War was Gallieni, and he would certainly not agree to this plan.
(End of this chapter)
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