Chapter 882: Anti-Char Alliance
"That was in the past, Brigadier General." Baker puffed out his chest with a mysterious confidence on his face:
"It is true that the British have lost many battles, but they have been at war for two years now, and they have the experience you need."
"At the same time, you learned tactics from Charles. The American army successfully occupied Reims and now has captured Fremen and driven the Germans out of France..."
Pershing retorted: "But that was a victory achieved under Charles's command. I don't think an independent operation could have achieved such a result."
Pershing was very pragmatic. His long career in war made him understand that any lie would be repaid with blood and casualties in war.
Therefore, there is no need to deceive yourself for the sake of so-called face.
Baker sighed softly: "Commodore, I know you have personal feelings for Charles, but this is in the national interest. I hope you can distinguish between public and private interests."
This caused Pershing to fall into a brief silence.
Was it because of his personal feelings towards Charles that affected his judgment?
But this thought only flashed through his mind, and Pershing immediately gave a negative answer: "No, Mr. Minister, I am considering the national interest. We should not do this, otherwise we will pay a price."
Baker's face darkened. "I'm not negotiating with you, Brigadier General. This is an order."
Pershing gritted his teeth and nodded helplessly: "Yes, Your Excellency."
Baker nodded in satisfaction and began to pace again, as if he was managing the entire war situation:
"What you need to do next is to form a joint command with the British Expeditionary Force."
"We will also unite with the French navy, and the Minister of the Navy is on our side."
"In addition, the British War Secretary will visit Russia to discuss plans for a joint attack on the Germans."
Pershing was stunned: "You, are planning to form an anti-Char alliance?"
Britain and the Minister of the Navy are both forces that oppose Charles. If Russia, which is in urgent need of supplies, is won over, this force will be enough to confront Charles.
"No, Brigadier General," Baker replied without changing his expression.
"This is not an 'anti-Charter alliance', but a way to unite the Allies and continue the war to the end."
"Charles' decision was obviously wrong. He stopped attacking in front of the defense line and chose to build a 'super defense line'."
"This will leave a huge hidden danger for the Germans to catch their breath."
Pershing thought for a moment: "What if Charles is right?"
"What?" Baker couldn't believe that Pershing was so stubborn that he still believed in Charles.
"I mean, Charles thinks the Hindenburg Line is difficult to break through." Pershing explained: "His judgment has never been wrong, and I have reason to believe him."
Baker sneered, his tone mocking: "Then this time, he is wrong."
Baker pointed to the map confidently:
"This will be the offensive that ends the war, Commodore."
"The Germans are exhausted and demoralized."
"But we will use Russia, Italy, Romania, the American and British troops on the Western Front, and even the Belgian army to attack the Germans at the same time!"
Pershing understood.
This is what Baker meant by "holding the Entente together."
Russia was coordinated by Kitchener.
Italy and Romania were handed over to the British Foreign Office.
Belgium can be represented by the French Minister of the Navy.
Being in the midst of a war and in a precarious situation, they had no reason not to agree to this battle plan.
As a result, a unified offensive of unprecedented scale and momentum will take place on the European continent.
This is not a new tactic, however.
"Joffre has organized such an attack before, Your Excellency." Pershing said calmly: "It turns out that it is useless."
Pershing then asked Baker, "Do you want me to elaborate?"
Baker raised his eyebrows and spread his hands, as if to say, come on!
"It's actually very simple. Russia has always been at a disadvantage." Pan Xingxing stood up and pointed at the map on the table and replied:
"Except for the time when Charles directed Brusilov's attack, it was a surprise attack."
"If he is at a disadvantage, what is the point of his counterattack? The same is true for Romania and Italy, and the Belgians, they only seem to listen to Charles."
"So, this plan only looks grand on the surface, but in reality, nothing will change."
This is what Germany usually does, you idiot, Pershing cursed in his heart, unless there is another "Brusilov Offensive".
Unexpectedly, Baker said, "That's what we planned."
"What?" Pershing didn't understand what Baker said.
"General Brusilov," Beck replied. "We hope that Russia will allow him to organize another offensive."
Pershing was speechless for a moment. If Russia had this ability, would they have waited until now?
"I don't think that will work either." Pershing, who was very familiar with Charles' tactics, responded fluently: "The reason why the Brusilov Offensive was successful was because Charles' tactics and the 'carriage machine gun' caught the Germans off guard, but now the Germans are prepared."
The equipment the Germans used to deal with the "carriage machine gun" on the Western Front was a sidecar with a light machine gun.
Its maneuverability and passability are better than those of a horse-drawn carriage, and it is also small in size and not easily hit.
Although the range and firepower of the light machine gun were not as good as those of the Maxim, the horses of the Russian "chariot machine gun" were a major weakness: as long as the horses were hit by a few bullets, they would be frightened and run around or even die.
In this mature mobile confrontation, it is almost impossible to achieve the same results as before.
"I know this." Baker emphasized:
"That's why the main attack is on the Western Front. I need you to tear through the German defenses in Fremen and attack Germany."
"Only in this way can the war be completely ended, understand!"
"This is the battle plan you submitted earlier. We will fully support you and the British army!"
That was the plan Pershing submitted to the White House before meeting Charles. He believed that the German defenses in the Fremen area were not complete and there were loopholes, and the US military could seize the opportunity to attack.
"That's true." Pershing was a little embarrassed: "But Charles's judgment is..."
"God." Baker interrupted Pershing, his eyes filled with anger: "You are the commander of the American Expeditionary Force, a brigadier general, not Charles. You should have your own judgment."
That's right, and that's what the expeditionary force commander should do.
But Pershing was just worried that what Charles said would come true.
Or, what Charles said might not be true.
If Charles had commanded the attack with his First Armored Corps, this battle might have been successful.
But for the British and American troops, it is true because they cannot do it.
In the face of this cold reality, it was useless for Pershing to deny it, and it would be equally useless to straighten his back and loudly say "I am the commander."
Pershing wanted to tell Baker:
This is a war decision, not a time for fighting, face, or honor!
But Pershing didn't say it in the end because he knew it couldn't be changed.
(End of this chapter)
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