Chapter 742 I'm Sorry Petain
Kobdo reported the speech in detail.
Gallieni listened carefully and repeated what he said so that his assistant could write it down.
After hanging up the phone, Gallieni read the speech notes again and again, with a gratified smile on his face but cursing: "Sly guy, he can always grasp the enemy's weakness and make a fatal blow!"
After a while, he couldn't help laughing, holding the speech record and said to his assistant proudly:
"Ten minutes. It only took him ten minutes."
“It took us over a year to solve a problem that he couldn’t solve in just ten minutes!”
“And it was completely resolved because he allowed the students to think for themselves about what is right and what is wrong.”
The assistant did not quite understand what Gallieni said. He just reminded Gallieni: "Mr. Minister, the Salpetriere Hospital called and asked if you have time for surgery."
Gallieni glanced at the speech record in his hand and breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had let go of the last bit of burden. He said in a relaxed tone, "Okay, let Dr. Butcher prepare!"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
…
After graduating from the military academy, Charles did not return to Paris. He went directly to the airport and flew to Bizency.
It's not that Charles is obsessed with the war on the front line, but that Charles wants to transfer Pan Wan out.
An excellent decoder is always a scarce resource on the battlefield, and Charles doesn't want any accidents to happen.
But before that, Charles considered:
It would definitely not be possible for him to transfer Pan Wan himself. The parliament and the government were very wary of him, and doing so would be tantamount to sentencing Pan Wan to death.
So I can only borrow help from others.
Foch?
It doesn't seem appropriate.
One day the parliamentarians will discover that Lieutenant Penvin is working for Charles, and they will be shocked to realize that Foch is in cahoots with Charles.
From this perspective, the most suitable candidate is of course Pétain.
Sometimes Charles felt that he was very sorry for Pétain, always using him as a target.
…
At this time, Pétain was deploying defenses along the Meuse River near Buzenci.
Defense is his best skill.
Foch's troops attacked in the front, while his troops followed in the rear to build fortifications, mainly targeting bridges.
French generals of this period always liked to shout out a slogan to represent their combat philosophy.
Pétain's slogan was "They shall not pass".
That means defend, defend, and defend again until no one can get through.
Foch's is "everyone fights".
It means mobilizing all the personnel that can be mobilized, including soldiers, civilians, logistics personnel, etc., and launching an attack with the greatest force, and victory can be achieved.
Stupid tactics. Petain looked at the telegram that Foch had successfully reached Mezières and couldn't help complaining: "If Charles's troops hadn't broken through the German defenses in advance, how long would it take and how many soldiers would it take for Foch to stand there with his ability?"
Then he couldn't help but wonder, what would Ciel's slogan be?
They can't win?
Or they can't stop me?
Or armored warfare?
Pétain suddenly had a terrible idea:
What would happen if the Charr's troops attacked his own lines?
Can you stop it?
Pétain was reluctant to admit it, but he already had the answer in his heart.
Pétain's defense was not necessarily stronger than that of the Germans, but the Germans were vulnerable to Charles' attack.
The scary thing about Charles' tactics is that you have no idea where he will attack, and by the time you know it, it's already too late.
Just as Pétain was deep in thought holding the telegram in his hand, a familiar voice came from behind him: "Major General, is there anything else that can stump you?"
Charles was paying Pétain a veiled compliment.
Perhaps because of his success in his later years, Pétain was eager to be recognized by others.
This has become an untouchable pain point in his sensitive nerves. It cannot be touched easily, otherwise he will turn against you and argue with you until his face turns red.
When Petain turned around and found Charles, he happily came forward and hugged and shook hands with him: "No, Lieutenant General, you have solved all the problems."
"Major General," Charles objected, "Without your frontal attack, the Germans would have probably divided their forces and surrounded me."
The fact was just the opposite. The Germans did not dare to move when Pétain did not attack, but the attack put Charles in danger of being surrounded.
But Pétain didn't know, and certainly didn't think that was the case.
He was very pleased with Charles' words, shrugged and replied: "I mean that the road ahead is unobstructed, and your mechanized troops are still playing a role, Lieutenant General. They are like tour guides, leading the sightseeing group to Mezieres smoothly."
As he spoke, Pétain raised the telegram in his hand.
Charles knew that Pétain was playing tricks on Foch, and he compared Foch's troops to a "tour group" that needed a guide.
Charles kept smiling and said nothing, as if he agreed with what Pétain said.
This is what he wanted to see, that Pétain and Foch become rivals.
"Are you here for inspection?" Petain asked, and he proudly raised his head towards the river defense line not far away: "Don't worry, Lieutenant General, no one can pass through my defense line, even if they build tanks that can cross the river like you do."
Pétain laughed.
Ciel nodded in agreement.
It is a risky move for tanks to cross the river using rubber tents, which can easily be blocked by the enemy because they are very unstable and will take on water and sink with the slightest wind and waves.
As long as a few 75 guns are deployed on the river bank, these "amphibious tanks" can be easily sunk into the river.
"No, General." Charles replied, "I believe in your ability, so I am not worried about this at all. I came here this time because I hope you can help me mobilize some manpower."
"Manpower?" Pétain looked at Charles in confusion.
With Ciel's current status, anyone can get what he wants, so why does he have to go through me?
Charles gave the answer: "I need some people who can decipher the German codes. You know, the Germans change the codes frequently, and we need to have more and more accurate intelligence, including the navy."
Charles was telling the truth, but it was also a strategy; he didn't want Pétain to notice a certain translator.
"Yes, of course." Pétain understood. "This is a very difficult question. A translator will be very helpful to the war."
What he was thinking about was actually supplies.
Charles was looking for a translator for "public affairs in private" and used the translator to help his merchant ships avoid possible sieges by German submarines.
"You know," Charles added, "the Parliament and the government are not very friendly to me, so I can't get anyone from the Cipher Bureau."
Petain suddenly realized, and then responded straightforwardly:
"No problem, Lieutenant General, it's just a small matter."
"I will transfer the personnel you want."
"Besides, my army also needs such talents. I want to know where the Germans will attack from. After all, the Meuse River is very long."
The last sentence was telling Charles: Don’t worry, I will transfer it under my name, and they won’t suspect anything!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
