Chapter 713: Breaking Through Verdun
Amid the creaking noise of tracks, the 1st Armored Division led by Charles penetrated behind the Verdun defense line.
Charles' armored vehicle drove up a small hill under the protection of a tank platoon. He raised his telescope to observe the German defense line with an air of dominance.
What can be seen in the aperture are large groups of German deserters. The German 5th Army has been completely defeated.
Charles secretly felt lucky.
The German army originally had a chance, a chance to win, and even a chance to encircle and annihilate Charles's 1st Armored Division.
The reason was that Pétain's attack was too weak, which Charles did not expect, and thus left a loophole for the Germans.
There were about 100,000 German troops on the Verdun defense line, facing Pétain's 200,000 French troops.
Charles originally thought that Pétain's 200,000 French troops could hold back the 100,000 German troops, so he allowed him to launch the attack.
Unexpectedly, Pétain's attack turned out to be like this. After the German artillery bombardment and a wave of machine gun bullets, the French army retreated in embarrassment and then organized the next attack.
It won't be long before the German commanders realize that they don't need 100,000 men to defend the front line. They only need 50,000 or even less to stop Pétain's 200,000 troops.
Then……
Even if the extra 50,000 people were piled up with human lives, they would be able to kill Charles' armored division of less than 10,000 people.
What's more, Charles' armored division had been running for 130 kilometers and was exhausted.
Even if these 50,000 people are not killed and the German army delays for some time, more German troops will continue to come from all directions to continue the pile-up until the First Armored Division runs out of ammunition and food.
Charles knew very well that the Germans could do it.
At this time, the 1st Armored Division was also in a dilemma of severe shortage of machine gun bullets and submachine gun bullets.
Although their rifles were replaced with the German Mausers, the Germans did not have light machine guns and submachine guns, so there was no way to replace them.
By this point in the battle, machine gun and submachine gun bullets had run out, and many light machine gunners had switched to captured Maxim rifles, while submachine gunners had switched to German rifles.
If the German army implemented the human wave tactic and turned to besiege the 1st Armored Division at this time, I am afraid Charles would be captured alive by them.
Fortunately, this did not happen. Charles successfully used Pétain's propaganda offensive to undermine the morale and fighting spirit of the German army.
Charles couldn't help but despise Pétain in his heart. How could this guy not have any of the "spirit" of the French army?
But Charles thought this was normal.
The reason why Pétain became a hero in World War I was that his military theory happened to fit the special period of trench warfare and the psychological expectations of the soldiers.
At that time, there were only two options before the soldiers: Foch's offensive theory and Pétain's defensive theory.
Choosing the former means death, while choosing the latter means relative safety, even if only relative.
This was not because of how outstanding Pétain was, or how popular he was, but because the soldiers could only survive by supporting him.
"General." Major General Browne's armored vehicle came up from behind. Before the vehicle stopped, he hurriedly asked: "We should join the 3rd Army to hunt down the enemy..."
The 1st Armored Division has tanks and armored vehicles, and may be more efficient in hunting down German deserters.
"No." Charles rejected Major General Browne's suggestion. He turned his gaze to the direction where the Germans were fleeing. "Not far ahead is the defense line on the east bank of the Meuse River. There are German artillery there. The reason why the Germans didn't fire is because the enemy and our infantry were mixed together and it was difficult to distinguish them."
Major General Brownie understood instantly.
It would be different if armored units went up. The enemy artillery would be able to see the tanks and armored vehicles at a glance and determine where the dividing line between the enemy and us was.
Therefore, the 1st Armored Division's advance would not only be unhelpful, but could even cause trouble.
"That's all," said Charles. "The rest is up to Pétain and Foch."
"Yes, General."
Foch knew what to do: his troops should follow through the gap and fight back to Mézières along the route of Charles's penetration, while stationing infantry along the Meuse River to confront the Germans.
Once this line of defense is completed, the encirclement will be completely closed, and all German troops west of the Meuse River who fail to break out in time will have no choice but to surrender.
Charles was too disdainful to do these things. They could only be considered as chores and had no need for the First Armored Army's scalpel.
Besides, when eating meat, one must always leave some soup for Pétain and Foch. Otherwise, how can one complete the bundling of interests?
As for who grabs more soup, it depends on the abilities of Pétain and Foch themselves.
At present, Charles believes that Pétain should be supported because he is weaker than Foch.
…
The news of victory spread throughout Paris so quickly that the newspapers didn't even have time to reprint it.
It was Gallieni who broke the news.
Since Charles captured Mézières, many reporters have followed Gallieni.
They knew the relationship between Gallieni and Charles, and knew that they could get first-hand information from Gallieni, so they were unwilling to miss any opportunity.
Gallieni was at the City Hall at the time. The office of the Minister of War was on the second floor, with a balcony facing the square.
Reporters gathered under the balcony waiting, along with some citizens who also wanted to know the news. Some of them were eating bread to satisfy their hunger while waiting, obviously they had not had breakfast yet.
The door suddenly opened, and Gallieni appeared in their sight, expressionless, as if he just came out to get some fresh air.
The reporters immediately got busy. They stood up and asked Gallieni questions one after another:
"Mr. Minister, how is the war going?"
"Where are Ciel's troops now?"
"Do you think Ciel can win this time like he did before?"
…
Gallieni puffed out his chest with a proud smile on his face. Although he tried to remain calm, his trembling voice revealed his inner excitement:
"Gentlemen, Charles's troops have reached Verdun."
"Yes, of course he can win. The 1st Armored Division has successfully joined forces with Pétain's 3rd Army."
"The German army has collapsed across the board. We are about to recapture the entire area west of the Meuse River!"
…
The reporters were stunned for a while. They couldn't believe it was true.
Some of them thought that Charles had infiltrated Le Taylor, some thought that Charles' troops were trapped in Bizency, and some thought that it would be good if Charles could hold on to Mézières to the end.
Unexpectedly, I heard that Charles had already penetrated Verdun.
"Mr. Minister, is this true? Are you sure?"
"Is the Battle of Verdun over?"
"We're going to divide the river with the Germans?"
…
Gallieni ignored them, turned back inside and closed the door.
This was the third time that Charles' tactics were proven correct on the battlefield, absolutely correct.
Now, does anyone dare to question his theory?
No, no one can challenge Charles' position in the military!
(End of this chapter)
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