Chapter 828 Telegram for Help
The news soon spread to Paris.
France was stunned by the British army's "results". No one expected that the army of the world's most powerful country would be so vulnerable.
Even though they couldn't match the Charles' troops before, they could at least use trench warfare to stalemate the enemy.
But now, the British Expeditionary Force, including the colonial army, with a total of more than 600,000 troops, thousands of large-caliber artillery, plus ammunition reserves that had been transported continuously for two months, was defeated in just one day!
Perhaps in order to save some face, Kitchener issued a statement through Le Figaro: "This is due to the lack of combat effectiveness of the colonial army. We will soon be able to stop the enemy's attack and keep the defense line intact."
He put the blame on the colonial army and did not dare to say that the colonial army had "mutinyed" because this might cause greater panic.
Many people believed Kitchener's words. After all, the German army only advanced 3 kilometers on the first day, which was acceptable.
(Note: The main task of the German army on the first day was for the "Storm Troopers" to infiltrate the British defense line, and the main force followed in the rear. On the surface, it seemed that there was little progress)
Capitalists remain on the sidelines, and although asset prices have fallen, they have only fluctuated slightly.
However, the next day the truth could no longer be hidden.
Shocking news came to Paris one after another:
"The British Expeditionary Force was in total flight, its air and artillery forces had been largely destroyed, and there was nothing that could stop the German armored forces' attack."
"The British army suffered more than 100,000 casualties, and the number of prisoners is unknown, but estimated to be around 100,000. The British Expeditionary Force has lost nearly half its strength east of the Meuse River."
"The Germans advanced 45 kilometers in just one day, which was almost the distance they had marched, in other words, without any resistance."
…
In the media, apart from the Meritorious Daily, reports, criticisms and speculations from other newspapers were flying everywhere:
"It's hard to imagine that the British Expeditionary Force did not have any blocking effect on the enemy. Not only that, they even delivered a large amount of arms and supplies to the enemy, providing support for the enemy's attack!"
"I heard that this was caused by the 'mutiny' of the colonial army. The colonial army generally demanded to fight under the command of Charles."
"I didn't support this approach at first, but now it seems like a good idea."
"I think this has nothing to do with the colonial army. The British army on the mainland was also in disarray. The aviation force and artillery were even the elite of the mainland. Could their defeat also be affected by the colonial army?"
…
At this time, the asset began to enter a downward channel, but the downward trend was still not obvious.
The capitalists have learned their lesson. They are worried that Charles is repeating its old tricks and using the power of war to suppress capital prices, while Charles takes the opportunity to make large-scale acquisitions.
French citizens were equally confident of victory, with the common sentiment being:
"Don't worry, we have Charles. As soon as Charles' tanks start moving, the Germans will be beaten back."
"And the Americans. Although they don't have many troops, they are well-equipped. More importantly, they are commanded by the Charles, unlike the British!"
"Yes, there are still troops of Foch and Pétain on the Meuse."
…
When Charles heard this, he just smiled and said, "See how long you can endure this."
Then, he sent a telegram to Gallieni asking for help: "Our main force is likely to be surrounded and annihilated by the enemy at the Meuse River. The situation is extremely critical. General, please be sure to prepare for reinforcements!"
Gallieni did not dare to delay. While preparing reinforcements, he published Charles' telegram word for word in the parliament.
This instantly caused an uproar in the parliament, and many members questioned it:
"That's impossible. Not counting the troops of other countries, our troops deployed along the Meuse River may be twice as many as the Germans."
"Under Charles's command, they are more than capable of holding off the Germans."
"Our troops are not fools like the British. They are the elite of the Shire."
…
Gallieni asked Lieutenant Colonel Fernan to distribute the defense map to the congressmen, and said in a serious and expressionless tone:
"Gentlemen, first of all, I want to make it clear that war is not simply a comparison of military strength. More often, it depends on the number of troops that can be deployed on the battlefield at the same time, that is, the number of troops that can play a role."
"If it was a head-on confrontation, Charles' troops would undoubtedly be able to stop the German attack."
"But look at the map and tell me what you see?"
The congressmen understood as soon as they saw the map.
The troops of Charles, Foch and Pétain were deployed along the north and south of the Meuse River, and the fortifications they built were also facing the Meuse River.
After the main force of the German army broke through and defeated the British Expeditionary Force, it went directly around the flank of the French army on the Meuse River defense line.
"What is a flank?" Gallieni continued to analyze:
"This is the equivalent of a 'T' formation in a naval battle, except that it is the Germans who occupy the advantageous position."
"Our army may only have one infantry regiment that can be deployed to the battlefield at the same time, but the enemy may have an infantry division or even an army."
"Even Ciel can't win in this situation."
The MPs got it.
The responsibility lies with the British side. Their 600,000-strong army collapsed so quickly that the French army had no time to adjust the direction of defense and was forced to be in a passive position of being beaten, even though they had much more troops than the Germans.
Then a member of parliament shouted: "We can adjust the direction of defense now, General, Charles' armored forces have strong mobility."
Gallieni shook his head helplessly:
"Easily said, sir."
"You think the Germans have only one army group attacking?"
"They actually have three armies: the 18th Army is the main attack, the 2nd Army is deployed along the Meuse River to confront our army, and the 17th Army is the reserve."
The MPs didn’t understand: “So what?”
Gallieni explained:
"Didn't you understand?"
"As soon as Charles's Panzer Corps leaves the Meuse line, the Germans will launch an attack from the Meuse direction."
"We even discovered that the Germans were equipped with the belt-type pontoon bridge developed by Charles, and they could build a pontoon bridge on the Meuse River to launch a counterattack at any time."
The congressmen suddenly realized.
The initiative lies with the Germans.
If Charles defended the Meuse River line, the German 18th Army would attack from the flank.
If Charles led his troops south to block the German 18th Army, the other two German armies would take advantage of the situation and cross the river.
It would be fine if the entire line of defense was built with complete fortifications like Pétain's, but the section from Buzenci to Mézières defended by Foch was full of loopholes.
Finally, Gallieni stressed:
"Once the Germans occupied Reims, a key transportation hub behind the defense line, the supply to the entire Meuse River defense line would be cut off."
"Then the Meuse River defenses will be without gasoline, ammunition, or even food."
"Now, do you still think we can win easily?"
(End of this chapter)
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