Chapter 934: Delaying Tactics
Just as William II was thinking about how to solve this problem, a shadow of a car light passed by the window, like a ghost quietly climbing onto the roof of the Forget-Souci Palace, trying to cast magic to control William II.
There was a sound of brakes and a car stopped outside the door.
Here it comes, William II sighed.
The German Army was in the hands of Hindenburg, and he had the final say on whether to cease fire or go to war.
Wilhelm II believed that Hindenburg would choose the latter because changes on the Eastern Front greatly increased the German chances of victory.
Sure enough, he heard Hindenburg's hurried footsteps, followed by Hindenburg's loud and powerful voice: "Good news, Your Majesty, we have won a victory on the Eastern Front, and it may be decisive!"
Hindenburg walked into the living room in high spirits, his military boots making a clattering sound on the floor, and came to William II and saluted him with an unusually vigorous force.
"Have you also received news from the Eastern Front, Your Majesty?"
William II nodded weakly: "Yes."
"We can at least transfer 600,000 troops back from the Eastern Front." Hindenburg waved his hand, as if commanding his own army: "There are also a large number of artillery, tanks, and vehicles. Domestic supplies can also be basically transferred to the Western Front!"
(Note: In 1917, the German army had about 900,000 troops in the East and West.)
William II asked: "So, you think you can defeat Charles?"
"Of course." Hindenburg said confidently: "But I won't attack the Western Front right away!"
William II said, "Oh," and said, "You want to defeat Russia first?"
By taking advantage of the internal chaos in Russia to defeat it in one fell swoop, Germany could completely eliminate its worries.
"No, Your Majesty." Hindenburg smiled and shook his head, looking at William II with some mockery:
"I will not attack Russia."
"Most people think as you do, that Russia is in chaos and we should seize this opportunity to defeat it once and for all."
"but……"
Hindenburg pointed his finger into the air:
“They don’t think that we should let Russia continue to be in chaos.”
"Attacking Russia at this time may unite the Russians and unite against the enemy."
"Just think about it, that's 6 million troops, and we don't even have enough ammunition to kill them!"
(Note: In 1917, Russia's nominal military strength was maintained at around 7 million, but there were only 1.5 to 2 million soldiers on the front line, and a large number of soldiers refused to fight)
William II felt that his authority was challenged, and Hindenburg directly refuted William II's statement without any face.
But he could only suppress his anger and put on an appreciative look: "That's right, Mr. Chief of Staff. So, where should we attack first?"
Hindenburg's spirited answer:
"Romania, and Italy."
"Send more troops in these two directions to completely defeat them and prepare for the attack on the western front."
"We can get oil and food from Romania, and military factories and equipment from Italy."
In the past two years, in order to prepare for war, Italy has increased its investment in military industry and built five military factories.
William II asked tentatively, "So, what about the negotiation with Charles that we talked about before..."
"You can continue to seek an armistice with Charles, Your Majesty." Hindenburg bowed slightly to William II: "You know, I may need time to resolve the problems in Romania and Italy."
William II suddenly realized.
Hindenburg used him as a cover, saying that he was negotiating an armistice with Charles, but in fact it was a delaying tactic. He would turn against him after defeating Romania and Italy and making full preparations.
"Charles won't be fooled," said William II.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Hindenburg replied, "I will also send more troops to the Western Front to prepare. Even if Charles doesn't fall for it, I can stop his attack!"
Finally, Hindenburg added: "Charles can only wait, because he can't break through the Hindenburg Line either!"
…
At the Metz Command Center, it rained continuously that day. The river water outside the city surged due to the superposition of rain and snow, and it had exceeded the warning water level and was almost flooding into the city.
But no one takes it seriously because it is nothing compared to the recent sudden changes in the international situation.
There was some disappointment and regret on the faces of the soldiers and civilians.
Not to Charles. Everyone thinks that Charles has done the best he can and it is perfect.
But man proposes, God disposes. No one would have thought that Russia would collapse at this time.
"What a pity! The Germans were about to surrender."
"It's not surrender, it's armistice negotiation."
"It makes no difference. The war may well have ended because of Ciel's mercy, but now the Germans have the upper hand again."
…
This was what Charles wanted to see, as it would allow the military and civilians to return from "ceasefire preparations" to "war preparations."
At the same time, it perfectly fulfilled the previous truce lie:
It’s not that I don’t want to stop the war, but the Germans have become ambitious again, so I have no choice but to go back and defeat them!
Tijani held the newspaper in his hand, looking puzzled.
No matter how hard he racked his brains, he could not have imagined that the final result would be like this.
He smiled, put down the newspaper, took the coffee and walked to Charles who was watching the airborne troops training, stirring the coffee with a spoon in his hand: "I'm curious, how do you know these things will happen in Russia?"
Charles had already prepared the answer. Without even looking up, he answered, "Intelligence, Major General. As long as you have enough intelligence, you can predict the future."
In fact, Charles relied entirely on "foresight".
Tijani believed it, because Charles did have a mysterious intelligence organization in his hands, an organization that was more efficient than the Second Bureau.
"So, what do we do next?" Tijani asked. "Fight the Germans?"
This seems inappropriate. The Germans are still talking about "armistice", at least on the surface.
"Wait." Charles replied.
"Waiting for what?" Tijani asked puzzled.
At this time, the staff sent a telegram to Charles: "General, the Queen of Romania called and said that the Germans have increased their troops on the front line."
When Charles took the telegram, he saw that the queen had used some rather corny words in it, "Dear Lieutenant General", "I know you won't ignore me", "I am your most staunch supporter and your admirer".
Charles was a little embarrassed. He was afraid that Tijani would see it, so he crumpled it into a ball.
Soon, another staff officer sent a telegram: "General, the Italian Chief of Staff General Cadorna called and said that the Germans have increased their troops on the Piave River. General Cadorna is sure that they will force a crossing of the river."
Tijani glanced at the map:
"Add more troops to Italy and Romania at the same time?"
"If the pressure from these two directions is resolved, let's not even mention the resources the Germans will be able to obtain."
"All that's left is the Western Front!"
Charles said, "This is what I've been waiting for."
It's time for the League of Nations to play its role. Charles needs to establish the League of Nations' prestige with a victory!
(End of this chapter)
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