I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 600: The Collision of Old and New Ideas

Using tanks to launch a counterattack was Erwin’s attempt at a new tactic, derived from Shire’s "elastic defense."

Unlike "elastic defense," Erwin did not allow the British Army to breach his defense line. Instead, he launched the counterattack directly based on the defense line.

This was based on the current reality of the German Army: they had opened a gap approximately 20 kilometers wide in the defense line, and this narrow passage was the logistical supply line for the forward insertion units.

Once the enemy was let in, the logistical supply line would likely be cut off by the British Army.

Therefore, Erwin believed he could not retreat a single step and had to lock the British Army tightly within Antwerp!

Considering that the British Army’s offensive with infantry and cavalry could very well break into the trenches and engage in close combat with the German Army.

This was what Erwin least wanted to see, as the British-Belgian Allies vastly outnumbered the German Army, and close combat would clearly be disadvantageous to the German Army.

"Our advantage is in aircraft and tanks," Colonel Erwin analyzed to Vice Admiral Nicholas: "I believe we should fully exploit this, as it’s the only way to achieve the greatest benefit at the smallest cost."

"But how do tanks defend?" Vice Admiral Nicholas countered.

He understood aerial defense, whereby planes could dive and strafe at charging enemies.

But tank defense, placing them behind the lines as artillery?

What difference would that make from a 77 cannon?

"Use tanks for counterattacks, General." Colonel Erwin answered: "The best defense is a good offense."

As he spoke, Colonel Erwin’s eyes were filled with a lethal intent. He wanted to annihilate the enemy’s mobile units before they could respond, or at least severely weaken them, ensuring the security of the German supply line.

Initially, Colonel Erwin was not very confident as the cavalry’s flexibility and external perception were high; they could quickly withdraw from the battle once they realized the attack was futile.

However, when Colonel Erwin saw the British cavalry colliding with the tanks and still not retreating, continuing to seek gaps for charging, he knew his goal could be perfectly achieved.

"Fools." Colonel Erwin put down his binoculars, eyes filled with disdain: "Do they think their flesh and blood can stand up to tanks?"

...

Namur Castle, First Mechanized Division Command.

Shire received the battle report from Antwerp, sent by Major General Eden: "The foolish British, they ordered their cavalry to charge at enemy tanks, and their proud cavalry division was nearly wiped out in less than half an hour, with over seven thousand soldiers also killed or wounded. This isn’t battle, General, you should prepare for the next step!"

Tijani was not surprised when he saw this telegram.

"This is what you call survival of the fittest, Vice Admiral." He said: "This is not just a battle between the British Army and the German Army, but also a clash between old and new ideas, like how emerging capitalists replace traditional aristocracy with machines."

Shire nodded in agreement.

This was not just a lesson from World War I; even in World War II, there were instances of cavalry charging tanks.

It seemed foolish; according to common sense, no sane person would do such a thing.

However, humans tend to act according to tradition and habit, making the elimination process much longer than imagined.

...

Dunkirk, British Expeditionary Force Command.

Kitchener sat quietly at his desk, waiting for news. He considered anything he did now pointless since he had no troops to deploy.

What an irony, the British Army outnumbered the German Army, and together with the Belgian Army, they were nearly twice the size of the German Army, yet they were now completely out of troops to deploy.

At this moment, a staff officer hurriedly brought in an urgent telegram: "Our cavalry division has suffered over fifty percent casualties, and infantry losses exceed seven thousand, yet they still failed to break through the German defense line."

Kitchener said "Hmm" as if this was within his expectations.

"Now." The staff officer’s tone was anxious: "Should Admiral Avis contact Shire?"

"No." Kitchener shook his head lightly: "I’ll do it."

Asking Admiral Avis to contact Shire and plead for help at this point would be more unbearable than killing him.

Fortunately, the phone line to Namur from Dunkirk was still open, and Kitchener successfully got through to Shire.

"I believe you have already seen the crisis, General." Kitchener’s voice was very calm, as if recounting something unrelated to Britain: "Once the Germans take Ghent, the supply crisis will not just be Antwerp’s defense line but all of France."

Kitchener used "France" instead of "Western Front."

The implication was clear: The one who should be anxious was you, General. If you do not act, it will be France that will fall, while Britain at most would withdraw back to the island.

This was having your cake and eating it, too. Although the British Army had created the mess, when the situation became dire and they had plea to Shire, they still displayed an air of arrogance.

"I understand, Marshal." Shire pretended to be helpless: "I have no choice but to save you, right?"

"Of course." Kitchener replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice: "Because you are a smart man who won’t do foolish things."

The situation remained unchanged, Kitchener thought; he could still control France with the resources he had.

"Aren’t you worried I can’t save you in time?" Shire questioned.

"Not at all." Kitchener laughed out loud: "In this respect, I have always had great confidence in you."

This was the truth. Shire’s military genius was unparalleled.

Only stubborn fools like Haig and Avis would believe Shire relied on luck.

"Alright." Shire replied: "You’ve won, Marshal. The rest is up to me!"

But Shire added meaningfully: "The Minister of Military Supplies sends his regards."

Then he hung up the phone.

Kitchener was stunned, "The Minister of Military Supplies sends his regards," what did that mean?

After thinking for a moment, "The Minister of Military Supplies" was the former "Minister of the Navy." It was said that he and Shire had reached some kind of agreement to some degree, could it be true?

Kitchener suddenly felt a major problem, Shire’s counterattack might not just be against the German Army, but could also challenge Britain’s control over resources.

But what could Shire do?

The Minister of Military Supplies was also British; he would obviously stand with Britain on these matters.

Kitchener slowly put down the phone, his brows furrowed deeply, gazing into the void ahead.

He couldn’t figure out what Shire’s solution was.

Suddenly, a staff officer shouted excitedly. From about ten meters away, he called out to Kitchener: "Marshal, the Royal Navy has achieved a great victory, sinking twelve German submarines in one go."

"Twelve?" Kitchener was taken aback: "Are you sure? In one go?"

This was almost impossible; such efficiency in anti-submarine warfare had never been seen before, not in any country.

"Yes, I’m sure." The staff officer rushed over with the telegram in hand, presenting it to Kitchener: "This was because of the participation of the French Navy, equipped with Shire’s new anti-submarine devices."

Kitchener was stunned.

Now he knew where Shire’s confidence came from and realized Britain would lose its absolute control over resources.