Chapter 714 Invisible Power
The 1st Armored Division was stationed at Verdun.
This was Foch's request, as he telegraphed to Charles:
"General, we all know the role of the armored division. It is invincible on the battlefield."
"Although I know the armored division needs rest after more than a week of continuous fighting, the battlefield still needs it."
"Please rest assured, my request is not high. I just hope that the armored division can stay in Verdun for a while. I will arrange your supplies and station."
Charles understood what Foch meant.
The Meuse River defense line was being fiercely contested, and it would be easy for the enemy and our side to fall into a trench warfare stalemate again.
The only thing that could break the deadlock was Charles' armored division.
As long as the armored division stayed in Verdun, it would be a deterrent to the Germans even if it did nothing.
Because this is telling the Germans that any fortifications you build are in vain, and if necessary, the armored division will appear in front of your defense line within a day.
Then, trench warfare would not occur and Foch's advance would be much smoother.
This idea is correct, and Charles originally planned to do so.
But as the commander-in-chief of the French army, Foch only needed to give Charles an order.
But his wording was so tactful and cautious, as if he was afraid of angering Charles.
This made Charles feel the power truly.
This thing is very strange. It cannot be seen or touched, but it exists.
It is not a military rank or a military position, but how much support one can get from the military and civilians with a single call, whether one can easily defeat the opponent with a single sentence, or whether one can force the commander-in-chief Foch to step down with a few hints and tricks.
Now, it seems that Ciel can indeed do it.
Foch placed the 1st Armored Division at Fort Berrup, which had a training base for new recruits behind the city of Verdun.
The new recruits who were originally there had been sent to build fortifications and garrison along the Meuse River, leaving room for the 1st Armored Division.
When passing through the city of Verdun, Charles ordered his troops to take a detour instead of entering the city.
It's not that he is noble and doesn't want to disturb others, but Charles always feels it is too dangerous.
If Archduke Ferdinand had had some security awareness and protected himself, he would not have been assassinated and this world war might not have broken out.
Is it worth taking this meaningless risk just to show your courage?
Charles would not do such a stupid thing. He would not put his life in front of an insignificant killer and would not give the enemy the opportunity to exchange his life with a bullet.
But Charles was not prepared for this.
When the citizens of Verdun heard that Charles's troops were going to pass through here, they all came out of the city and waited on the roadside to welcome them.
They came rushing over, many of them riding bicycles, both men and women. When they arrived, they threw their bicycles to the side of the road, cheered, and handed the flowers in their hands to the soldiers.
"You are the heroes of France, thank you!"
"You brought us peace, and we finally don't have to worry about those bastards' shells."
"Thank you, thank you very much, we will remember you!"
…
There were even young ladies who excitedly gave the soldiers passionate kisses.
Suddenly a cry came from the crowd: "Look, Charles, there's Charles!"
Everyone looked towards the armored vehicle where Charles was, and the shouting sounded again like thunder. They jumped and shouted wildly, and blew many kisses, including the old woman who had lost all her teeth.
Charles was speechless, he had originally lowered his body to avoid this disaster, but he didn't expect to be "pulled" out by them.
Helplessly, he could only stand up and wave to the crowd, which again caused enthusiastic screams.
Then flowers and food were sent to the armored vehicle like a tide, and many people ran after the armored vehicle just to shake hands with Charles.
Charles was trembling with fear, fearing that a grenade might sneak in and go unnoticed.
…
King Ferdinand I listens to a report from General David at the Peres Palace in Sinaia, Romania.
(The picture above shows the Peres Palace, which was completed in 1914)
(The picture above shows King Ferdinand I of Romania, who is a relative of German Emperor Wilhelm II)
"Charles' penetration was a stunning success," General David reported:
“His victory even felt incredible.”
"Not only did he successfully cross the Ardennes Mountains, but he also defeated hundreds of thousands of German troops, including the German First Tank Division, with only 20,000 men."
Ferdinand I looked at General David in surprise: "You mean, the German First Tank Division was defeated?"
"Not defeated, but routed, Your Majesty." General David corrected: "Charles invented a fire-breathing bomb, which burned the German First Tank Division in the forest, and not a single tank escaped."
Ferdinand I took a long time to react.
With just one type of bomb, an entire German tank division was completely wiped out!
At that time, Romania still maintained friendly relations with Germany. He knew the situation of the German 1st Tank Division, which was the most elite unit of the German Army and had two of the most advanced tanks.
But they were so vulnerable in front of Charles.
After a moment of silence, Ferdinand I asked again: "What is the situation on the Eastern Front?"
General David replied: "The Russian army is advancing rapidly. The Austro-Hungarian army's defense line has been broken. The entire army is in chaos. Thousands of soldiers are killed or surrender every day."
Ferdinand I hummed "hmm", gently stroked his beard on his chin and said nothing.
After a long while, he asked David: "General, why do you think the Allies don't want us to join?"
Ferdinand I was talking about what happened last year.
At that time, he sent someone to Paris to have a secret talk with Joffre. A few days after the two sides reached an agreement, Romania declared war on the Central Powers.
However, at the last minute France prevented this action, and with the fall of Joffre, the matter came to nothing.
"They said they were worried that Romania's resources would fall into German hands," Davide replied. "They had no confidence in our army."
Ferdinand I hummed, and stared at General Davide meaningfully: "Do you think so too? Still think so now?"
General David was stunned, and suddenly understood.
This statement might have been correct a year ago, when Germany was still on the offensive and the Allies were at a disadvantage, especially on the Eastern Front, where the Russian army was badly defeated.
But now.
Charles's campaigns in the east and west left the German army powerless to fight back, and the Russian army's counterattack was a great victory.
At this time, there was certainly no risk of "Romania being completely occupied by Germany".
"The German army is nothing more than this." Ferdinand I murmured to himself:
"Char can defeat them with only 20,000 troops."
"More importantly, if we don't join this war, we won't have a chance."
"I mean, then they won't need us anymore, and certainly no one will support us in taking back Transylvania!"
(The above picture shows a map of Romania during World War I, in which Transylvania was under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At that time, Romania’s biggest demand was to regain this land.)
(End of this chapter)
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