Chapter 833: Did Ciel not expect this?
Pershing launched his counterattack just as the Germans began to fire a barrage of artillery fire.
This is the most important stage for the German artillery to provide fire cover for the tanks. Once it stops, it will easily cause heavy casualties to the tank troops and they will not be able to break through the US defense line.
Therefore, the German artillery held out for two minutes under the American artillery counterattack.
But in just these two minutes, three German 105MM artillery regiments were destroyed, and two other artillery regiments suffered more than half of their casualties, seriously damaging the artillery's vitality.
The price paid by the US military was: the first line of defense suffered heavy casualties under the impact of German tanks, with an infantry regiment of more than 6,000 people suffering more than 2,000 casualties, and a number of armored vehicles, cars and tanks were also lost.
But Pershing's decision was correct. By exchanging infantry casualties for enemy artillery, the subsequent casualties would be much less.
Albert thought that the battle was no longer suspenseful at this point and that the American army would collapse as quickly as the British army.
But facts proved that he was overthinking.
The US military's defense lines were one after another, and although each line could not hold out for long, the German army found it increasingly difficult to fight and suffered increasing casualties.
…
Telegrams were delivered one after another to Hutier, commander of the 18th Army.
At that time, his armored vehicle was changing the tire on the roadside.
The EV4 is a wheeled armored vehicle that can be stopped by just a barb from a wire fence.
Hutier did not get off the bus. He sat quietly in his seat and looked at the map in his hand.
After defeating the first line of defense of the US military, Hutier thought that Charles should have some reaction at this time, but he still did not.
what the hell?
Charles didn't seem to be worried about Reims being occupied by the German army, as it was the transportation hub of the Meuse River defense line!
Has the French army stockpiled enough munitions and supplies?
Could this be a trap set by Ciel?
Just as he was frowning and puzzled, the staff officer who was busy outside in a raincoat bent over and reported through the car window: "General, our artillery suffered heavy losses, and the tank troops continued to suffer losses in the offensive. The front line urgently needs to replenish troops and equipment."
"Heavy losses?" Hutier raised his eyebrows: "Aren't we attacking the US military?"
The tone was full of blame and dissatisfaction. Would beating those new recruits also result in heavy losses?
"General." The staff officer carefully handed over several telegrams:
"That should be Charles' new tactic. He divided the American army's firepower into three levels."
"In the front there are trenches manned by infantrymen, and in the rear there are tank guns, followed by truck guns, and long-range howitzers."
"They fought and retreated at the same time, always keeping a distance from our attacking forces, while our tank forces were always under enemy bombardment."
Hutier said "Oh" and understood.
He took the telegram and flipped through it, a smile on his face: "Interesting, he has carried out special training for American soldiers."
Then he couldn't help but praise: "This tactic is indeed very suitable for new recruits. It is exchanging space for our army's manpower."
The staff officer added:
"The most troublesome thing is the truck gun."
"It keeps changing positions, and its range and power are greater than our tanks."
"In addition, it can destroy our tanks from the front or cause them to malfunction. It is also an anti-infantry weapon, causing great casualties to our army."
Hutier nodded slightly, all his doubts gone.
This is why Charles did not reinforce Reims. He relied on the US military, or to be more precise, on the US military's tactics.
If this continues, the German army will be exhausted by the time it reaches Reims, and the French reinforcements will almost arrive.
Hutier smiled softly.
Charles was indeed powerful, but he forgot one thing: the German army had the Storm Troopers.
"Order." Hutier looked at the sky, put the map in front of the car window and faced the staff officer:
"Stormtroopers, prepare to penetrate."
"As soon as it gets dark, move towards Reims and occupy the high ground around Reims."
"Especially Mount Mombech, we must capture and hold it!"
The staff officer replied: "Yes, General."
Hutier breathed a sigh of relief.
Fight and retreat at the same time?
What would happen if the U.S. military suddenly discovered that the high ground behind them had been occupied by the German army and they had no way to retreat, and even logistical supplies could not be guaranteed?
…
Bizossi training base.
The U.S. military’s “retreat” scared everyone.
The phone at the headquarters kept ringing.
Foch called and asked nervously: "What's the situation at the front, Lieutenant General? The enemy is advancing towards Reims. We can't let them occupy there."
Charles replied: "Galieni is organizing reinforcements, General. All we can do is wait."
Soon Petain called again: "They have bypassed Verdun and are apparently trying to capture Reims to surround us. Can the American army stop them?"
Ciel's voice was filled with helplessness: "We can only choose to trust them. As long as they hold on for three days, everything will be fine when reinforcements arrive."
As soon as he hung up the phone, Clemenceau called again: "We will still win, right? Just like you did before, you have never let the French citizens down!"
Charles was silent for a while before answering in a heavy tone: "Although I don't want to say this, this time is different, Prime Minister. No one expected that the 600,000 British expeditionary forces would collapse so quickly. They completely exposed our weaknesses to the Germans, and we had no time to react."
Clemenceau felt bitter in his heart. He had just stood on Charles' side, but Charles was about to fail.
Damn the British, how can they be so incompetent?
600,000 troops, 600,000!
It collapsed in just one day, and provided the Germans with countless arms, supplies and gasoline!
However, Clemenceau was helpless. The situation was already a foregone conclusion, and holding the British Expeditionary Force accountable would not change anything.
He could only convene an emergency meeting and call for an emergency mobilization of parliamentarians and the media:
"The most dangerous moment has arrived and we are caught off guard. Although this is the responsibility of the British, we still have to face this problem."
"I'm not sure what will happen in the future, but I do know that we cannot allow Charles's troops to be surrounded by the enemy at the Meuse River."
"He is the hope of all of us, the hope of France!"
…
Charles was very satisfied with Clemenceau's performance. After he issued the emergency mobilization, asset prices plummeted.
Charles sent a signal to Djokovic: "It's time to buy."
Djokovic was worried: "Are you sure there won't be any problems with the Meuse River defense line?"
He was worried that Charles was playing with fire and might get himself into trouble if he wasn't careful.
Charles called back: "Don't worry, father, I will take care of it."
…
Djokovic has confidence in Charles. If Charles says so, he can definitely do it.
However.
The next morning, news reached Paris that the German storm troopers had occupied three heights around Reims during the night.
Djoka was instantly thrown into disarray. Could it be that Charles hadn’t expected this?
The three heights of east, west and south were occupied, and the Seine River was to the north.
In fact, Reims was surrounded by the German army, and the US army did not even have time to retreat to Reims!
(End of this chapter)
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