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

Chapter 625: Revised - 625 Possible Opponents

Shire’s theory of "offense over defense" is modern military common sense, but few understood or dared to try it in that era, almost none in fact.

Not just in World War I, even in World War II, countries around the world were still making similar mistakes.

The most famous is France’s Maginot Line, which was ridiculed for being easily bypassed by the Germans, a tale that has been passed down to modern times.

But actually making similar mistakes wasn’t just France.

Germany built a "Siegfried Line" in front of the Maginot Line before the war, and later a "Atlantic Wall" along the Atlantic coast.

The Soviet Union also built a "Stalin Line."

Almost without exception, all these defensive lines failed to play the roles they were supposed to or were hoped to play.

This was not a coincidence, but an inevitability.

The reason is "offense over defense."

These defensive lines were too long, distributing huge funds along hundreds of kilometers meant there would inevitably be gaps, and no single point could have strong defensive power.

While the enemy could observe over and over, until they found the weak point in the line and then concentrate their forces to break it from that point.

The right strategy should be like modern armies, using the funds for building defensive lines to create armored and mechanized units, while also focusing on the mobility of forces via roads, railways, sea, and air.

Once there’s a battle on the front lines, these mobile units can immediately be deployed to the needed areas.

As long as the deployment speed is fast enough, even without a single brick on the defensive line, these units could quickly create an invisible yet omnipresent steel defense line with their strong mobility.

(For example, our country spent a huge sum to build a railway leading to the plateau)

...

In a corner of the officers’ club, Shire finally shook off the officers and sat opposite Lucia, with a cup of hot coffee in front of each of them.

"They respect you a lot." Lucia’s eyes were filled with pride.

"That’s just because I won a few battles." Shire’s tone was casual: "Soldiers are very realistic, and they have to be."

Lucia nodded slightly, glancing around the room.

The officers were enthusiastically continuing their previous discussions, with some even impatiently unfolding maps under the lights and simulating scenarios.

"They only respect those who can lead them to victory." Lucia said thoughtfully: "Because that offers them honor and a chance to survive."

"Yes." Shire replied, his voice cold.

In the end, it’s all for profit, whether it’s money, power, or life.

"You, are you the same?" Lucia asked with dual meaning.

"Maybe." Shire took a small sip of coffee.

He felt a bit dizzy after unknowingly drinking too much beer while discussing with the officers earlier, hoping the coffee would sober him up.

Lucia sighed inwardly, but she could understand.

As an intelligence officer, she knew what was going on.

Shire was under enormous and brutal pressure, not only dealing with enemies on the battlefield, but also maneuvering with politicians and capitalists, and even dealing with the British.

Any one of these would be difficult to handle, a slight mistake could lead to complete defeat or even death.

In such a situation, Shire couldn’t afford the time and energy to consider emotions, nor could he act emotionally, as it could cost him his life.

Sometimes, Lucia didn’t know how Shire managed to keep going.

Unconsciously, Lucia’s eyes reddened slightly, she sighed and looked up at Shire, moving closer and lowering her voice: "Your orders, General?"

Shire put down his coffee and glanced to both sides, then answered softly: "Give the Germans a message, their code has been broken by the British."

Lucia was stunned, this was no minor issue.

But she only paused for a moment before returning to normal, firmly nodding: "I will arrange it immediately."

Shire must have his reasons for doing this, just like last time when he leaked merchant ship information to the Germans, resulting in the hunting and sinking of over a dozen submarines.

Moreover, it’s information about the British, the "Lady in White" would not be under too much pressure.

Shire added: "You can also include some details: the U-21 submarine sunk at the Dardanelles Strait did not have time to destroy its cipher machine."

Lucia responded affirmatively, that would add to the credibility of the intelligence.

Shire recalled the steadfast look on General Winter’s face and his reply in the morning: "No need to worry, General. We can handle it ourselves. You seem to forget, the Royal Navy is the most powerful navy in the world, there’s nothing we cannot solve."

Shire knew what General Winter was relying on.

The British had salvaged the cipher machine, and all of Germany’s operational plans and even fleet positions were in British hands.

Thus came the famous "Battle of Jutland," where the British Fleet, using the intelligence, sent out their main forces to confront the German Fleet.

Shire wondered, if the Germans suddenly changed their cipher, would General Winter remain so calm?

Would the Royal Navy still be so confident?

Would the "Minister of Military Supplies" still insist on excluding the French Navy from the blockade against the German Navy?

Shire had an illusion, it seemed that the German Navy was his ally, and the Royal Navy was the enemy.

Next, Shire took out a check from his pocket, one hundred thousand francs, with a list pressed underneath it.

"I will gradually retire some lightly wounded soldiers, you incorporate them into the organization, this is the funding for operations."

Lucia’s eyes instantly brightened: "Yes, General."

The "Lady in White" is a civilian organization that may have the capability to gather intelligence, but they lacked the necessary military training and often could not protect themselves.

Now Shire had given them a group of veterans from the battlefield, it was a godsend to cover the weaknesses of the "Lady in White."

What Lucia didn’t know was that Shire was not just giving "veterans," most of these people were excellent snipers, with some personally trained by Shen Bili, equipped with sniper rifles with scopes, and with a bit of training could be transformed into excellent spy assassins.

"Who is our opponent?" Lucia asked softly.

Lucia was very smart, she quickly guessed that the "Lady in White" might have their mission "upgraded."

"You should ask who the potential opponents are." Shire stared into Lucia’s eyes: "Anyone who might pose a threat to us, or intelligence agencies, understand?"

A trace of shock flashed in Lucia’s eyes.

Intelligence agencies?

British Central Intelligence Agency or the French General Staff’s Second Bureau?

Then Lucia understood, most likely it was the French General Staff’s Second Bureau.

Because the Second Bureau was the eyes and ears of the French Government and parliament.

Controlling them would mean the government and parliament could not see or hear, or would get false information.