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

Chapter 709: Breaking Through Verdun

Amidst the noise of the treads "creaking," Shire led the First Armored Division into the rear of the Verdun Defense Line.

Shire’s armored vehicle, protected by a tank platoon, drove up a small hill. He raised his binoculars to observe the German defense line, exuding a sense of dominion over the land.

In the lens, he saw large groups of German deserters. The German Fifth Army had completely collapsed.

Shire secretly counted his blessings.

The German Army originally had opportunities, opportunities for victory, and even opportunities to encircle and annihilate Shire’s First Armored Division.

The reason was that Petain’s attack was too weak, something Shire hadn’t anticipated, thus presenting a flaw before the Germans.

There were about 100,000 German troops at the Verdun Defense Line, facing off against Petain’s 200,000 French troops.

Shire had initially thought Petain’s 200,000 French troops could hold back the 100,000 Germans; thus, he initiated the attack.

Unexpectedly, Petain’s attack was in such condition: the German artillery exploded, followed by a wave of machine-gun bullets, forcing the French Army to retreat in embarrassment and then organize the next attack.

It wouldn’t take long before the German commander realized they didn’t need 100,000 troops for frontline defense; 50,000 or even fewer would be enough to block Petain’s 200,000 troops.

Then...

The surplus 50,000 troops, even if used as a human wave, could crush Shire’s less than 10,000-strong Armored Division to death.

Moreover, Shire’s Armored Division was at its last stretch after continuously raiding for 130 kilometers.

Even if these 50,000 troops didn’t crush them to death, the Germans could delay time, and additional German troops would continue to arrive from all directions until the First Armored Division exhausted all its ammunition and supplies.

Shire knew the Germans could achieve this.

At this moment, the First Armored Division was already facing a severe shortage of machine gun and submachine gun bullets.

Although their rifles had been replaced with the German Mauser, the light machine guns and submachine guns that the Germans didn’t have were irreplaceable.

By now, machine gun and submachine gun bullets were completely exhausted; many light machine gunners had switched to captured Maxim guns, and submachine gunners switched to German rifles.

If the German forces now deployed human wave tactics to turn around and surround the First Armored Division, Shire would probably be captured alive.

Fortunately, this did not happen; Shire successfully utilized Petain’s propaganda offensive to dismantle the German morale and fighting spirit.

Shire couldn’t help but scorn Petain inwardly, wondering how this guy could lack the "spirit" of the French Army.

But Shire also found it quite normal.

Petain became a hero in the First World War because his military theories coincidentally aligned with the special period of trench warfare and the psychological expectations of the soldiers.

Back then, soldiers faced only two options: Fuxu’s offensive theory or Petain’s defensive theory.

Choosing the former meant death, while choosing the latter represented relative safety, even if just relatively.

This wasn’t because Petain was excellent or endearing, but because supporting him was the soldiers’ only chance to survive.

"General," Major General Brownie’s armored vehicle hurried up from the rear, barely stopping before he eagerly sought instructions: "Should we join the Third Army in pursuing the enemy..."

The First Armored Division had tanks and armored vehicles, which could make pursuing the German deserters more efficient.

"No." Shire denied Major General Brownie’s suggestion, turning his gaze towards the direction of the escaping German Army: "Not far ahead is the East Bank of the Meuse River Defense Line. There, the Germans have artillery. The reason they haven’t fired is because the troops are mixed, making it hard to distinguish friend from foe."

Major General Brownie instantly understood.

If the armored units advanced, it would be a different story; enemy artillery could instantly recognize the tanks and armored vehicles, thereby determining the boundary between friend and foe.

Therefore, the advance of the First Armored Division would not help but potentially harm.

"Let’s stop here!" Shire said, "Leave the rest to Petain and Fuxu."

"Yes, General."

Fuxu knew what to do. His troops should follow this breach, retrace Shire’s route back to Mezieres, and station infantry along the Meuse River to confront the Germans.

Once this line was completed, the encirclement would be entirely closed, leaving all Germans west of the Meuse River without a timely breakout route but to surrender.

Shire disdained doing these tasks, considering them menial, not suitable for the surgical precision of the First Armored Army.

Moreover, one must leave some gains for Petain and Fuxu, to complete the alignment of interests.

As for who grips more, it would depend on Petain’s and Fuxu’s capabilities.

Currently, Shire believed Petain should be supported because he was weaker than Fuxu.

...

The news of victory spread throughout Paris immediately, too quickly for the newspapers to print extra editions.

The news was released by Gallieni.

Since Shire occupied Mezieres, many journalists followed Gallieni.

They knew Gallieni’s connection with Shire, aware that they could obtain the first-hand news from Gallieni; they did not want to miss any opportunity.

At this time, Gallieni was at the city hall, the Minister of the Army’s office on the second floor, conveniently with a balcony facing the square.

Journalists gathered below the balcony, waiting, along with some citizens seeking updates, some munching on bread to stave off hunger, obviously having missed breakfast.

The door suddenly opened, and Gallieni appeared in their sight, his face expressionless as if merely stepping out for some fresh air.

Journalists immediately busied, rising and lifting heads to bombard Gallieni with questions:

"Minister, what’s the current status of the battle?"

"Where are Shire’s troops now?"

"Do you think Shire can win like before this time?"

...

Gallieni proudly stood tall, a smile of pride gracing his face. Though he tried to remain calm, his trembling voice betrayed his inner excitement:

"Gentlemen, Shire’s troops have reached Verdun."

"Yes, of course, he can secure victory; the First Armored Division has already triumphantly joined Petain’s Third Army."

"The German Army has collapsed completely; we are about to reclaim the entire west of the Meuse River area!"

...

The journalists were stunned for quite a while, unable to believe it was true.

Some of them thought Shire had penetrated Le Teller; others believed Shire’s troops were trapped in Bicangxi, and some were merely hoping Shire could hold on Mezieres until the end.

Unexpectedly, they now heard Shire had broken through Verdun.

"Minister, is this true, are you sure?"

"The Battle of Verdun is over just like that?"

"Are we drawing the boundary with the Germans at the river?"

Gallieni ignored them, turned, and returned inside, closing the door.

This was the third time Shire’s tactics had been proven correct on the battlefield, absolutely correct.

Now, does anyone dare question his theories?

No, Shire’s position in the military is unshakable!