Chapter 346: The Honor of Victory
The people of France went through a process of turning sorrow into joy.
Charles' military plans were kept strictly confidential, even the City Defense Command was unaware, including Gallieni.
Therefore, when the 43rd Division fled in the face of gas attacks, everyone believed that Charles had failed.
Initially, some speculated that it was part of a "mobile defense" strategy: "Charles' plan was always like this, he would retreat when the enemy released gas, and then counterattack after the gas dispersed, so it’s not a failure."
But soon, others countered: "That wasn’t a 'mobile defense,' it was a wind speed issue. The wind was high today, causing the gas to quickly spread across the pre-set defensive positions, covering a distance of 3 kilometers. Everyone retreated, including the 105th Infantry Regiment."
And so, people fell silent.
They knew one thing: even Charles and his elite forces couldn't survive under the gas, so this battle must have been a failure.
Some made excuses for Charles:
"Charles did his best; this was an accident."
"Yes, it was gas, no one can handle it, but at least Charles tried."
"His actions were still brave."
...
However, people still couldn’t hide their disappointment and fear.
They couldn't help but think: if Charles couldn’t handle the gas, it seemed like France only had the option of surrendering.
...
In the town of Davaus, Camille was currently arguing with Djoka.
"Are you sure Charles is at the City Defense Command and not on the front lines?" Camille asked.
She had heard that the 105th Infantry Regiment had collapsed while resisting the gas attack and had gone missing.
"Of course!" Djoka answered confidently. "He’s at the City Defense Command. He was there earlier today giving interviews to reporters."
With that, Djoka handed Camille a copy of The Meritorious Report, which contained a photo of Charles at the City Defense Command, dated for today.
Camille took the newspaper and glanced at it, breathing a sigh of relief.
But then, she flipped through the paper and looked up at Djoka with suspicion. "How do I know this newspaper wasn’t 'privately printed' by you, like last time?"
Djoka was taken aback, explaining helplessly, "It’s real, Camille. The neighbors all know. They say we’re lucky Charles wasn’t on the battlefield, or the 105th Infantry Regiment might have been wiped out."
The 105th Infantry Regiment didn’t retreat with the 43rd Division, and the fleeing French soldiers thought they had stayed behind and been killed by the gas.
Some speculated that the 105th Infantry Regiment had done so to cover the main force's retreat.
"It was a heroic act, they protected our safety," they expressed their gratitude, their eyes still filled with fear of the gas, with some even trembling.
Camille breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew it wasn’t something to be happy about—the destruction of the 105th Infantry Regiment was also a tragedy—but at least Charles was safe, and that was more important than anything.
However, the news quickly turned around when someone shouted outside:
"The 105th Infantry Regiment has won! They’ve defeated the Germans and recaptured lost ground!"
"Charles is on the battlefield, he personally led the 105th Infantry Regiment to launch a counterattack in the gas!"
"That wasn’t 'mobile defense,' they weren’t afraid of the gas, they launched a counterattack despite the threat of death!"
...
Camille’s face turned pale in an instant. She stared at Djoka with anger in her eyes.
Djoka was shocked, his mouth agape, looking back at Camille with an innocent expression. This time, everything he said was the truth!
...
France was abuzz, as the real information had not yet been released. Everyone was speculating how Charles and the 105th Infantry Regiment had achieved victory:
"I think it was Charles' magic. He personally came to the front lines and boosted the morale of the troops, and that’s how they won."
"But even with boosted morale, they couldn’t resist the gas."
"Perhaps they launched the attack when the Germans released the gas, at a time when the gas hadn’t spread much yet and still needed time to take effect."
...
There were many different opinions, but one thing was the same—everyone admired Charles’ brave actions in personally leading the counterattack, and they were worried about him and his troops:
"He saved France again, saved us."
"My God, that was gas. It’s hard to imagine them charging the enemy in the gas."
"They won’t have lasting effects from it, right? I heard many people went blind from it!"
...
The people spontaneously gathered below the City Defense Command building. They knew this was the command most closely associated with Charles, and they hoped Gallieni could give them a definite answer to assure them that Charles was safe.
Gallieni didn’t intend to say much, as military secrecy was a concern. After all, the battle was not yet over.
But the crowd stood below, growing larger by the minute, and they refused to disperse even when it was lunchtime.
At that moment, Foch’s call came through.
"Congratulations, General," Foch said. "The battle is over, and they have won."
But Gallieni wasn’t concerned with that.
"Charles is safe, right?" Gallieni asked carefully.
Though Gallieni knew there were gas masks, he still worried about Charles' safety, especially considering the operation in enemy-controlled territory.
"Yes," Foch replied. "It’s confirmed. Charles is safe. He led his troops in a counterattack in the gas. It was very brave; he is a model for us to learn from!"
Foch intentionally emphasized the word "counterattack."
This victory aligned with his "offensive theory," and praising Charles was also a way to praise himself.
Foch then added:
"Two German infantry regiments, after trying to break through in vain, had to surrender to our forces."
"They suffered over 2,000 casualties, most of which were caused by their own gas."
These two infantry regiments were part of the German forces that followed the gas and attacked. Charles’ troops had suddenly appeared from the rear, occupying the defensive lines, leaving the Germans with only the ammunition they carried.
In the end, they were forced to use the ammunition that the French army had discarded in the trenches.
However, the trench was filled with gas, and their rudimentary gas masks quickly became ineffective, causing many to fall in their own gas.
"The information blockade can be lifted now," Foch said respectfully. "I think this honor should go to you, General, for you to share this good news with the people of France!"
Gallieni then walked to the balcony, proudly shouting to the anxious crowd below:
"It’s true, Charles is on the battlefield. He personally led the 105th Infantry Regiment in a counterattack in the gas, and they achieved victory."
"He’s fine, Charles is safe."
"Because Charles invented a gas mask that effectively resists the harmful effects of the gas!"
"With it, we no longer need to worry about the enemy’s gas!"
The crowd froze for a moment, and then suddenly erupted in joyous cheers. Some smiled in relief, others hugged and congratulated each other, while some were moved to tears!