Chapter 472: Everything Was Arranged by Charles
At dawn, Charles was, as usual, awakened by the noise of Camel fighter planes taking off.
Every morning at daybreak, six planes would split into three groups and patrol in different directions. This was one of the measures to prevent the German army from scouting the deployment of their troops.
Charles put on his uniform, washed up casually, and yawned as he walked to the command center.
Just as he sat down, the orderly brought in breakfast: mashed potatoes, a slice of bread with a bit of jam, and a small piece of chocolate.
This privilege was thanks to King Albert I, who believed that the heroes liberating Belgium should not be mistreated. He mobilized the Belgians to improve the rations for the French troops—though only for Charles’ unit.
“The Battle of Verdun has begun,” Tigani said without looking up, as he bent over the map, marking and sketching. “You’ve won again, Brigadier General.”
Charles, biting into his bread, abruptly raised his head to look at Tigani, startled. Did this guy know that it was all part of his calculated trap?
Tigani’s next words made Charles breathe a sigh of relief. Tossing a document onto Charles’ desk, Tigani said, “The Germans are using your tactics. It’s almost identical to how you fought at Antwerp.”
Charles let out a faint “Oh,” understanding the situation.
He smiled lightly and continued eating while flipping through the document.
Just as Tigani said, the Germans began with an artillery barrage, followed by infantry advancing behind tanks. They even used incendiary bottles to guide the tanks’ attack directions.
The only difference was that the Germans’ artillery preparation lasted five hours—from nine at night to two in the morning.
Charles complained, “They should pay me a copyright fee.”
“Oh, indeed,” Tigani chuckled, turning to Charles with an incredulous look. “Perhaps they should hire you as an instructor, no?”
“Forget it!” Charles replied. “The French would drown me in spit.”
Tigani shook his head with a wry smile and pushed Charles’ plate aside, spreading out the map on the now-cleared table.
“The first defensive line at Verdun was easily breached. They are now advancing on Fort Douaumont.”
“Fort Douaumont is crucial. If it falls, Verdun is in grave danger!”
Charles nodded in agreement.
Fort Douaumont was the core of Verdun’s fortifications, connected to many trenches. It served as a vital stronghold.
If the Germans captured it, the French defensive line would be split in two, leaving other forts isolated and unable to coordinate.
“What’s Joffre’s response?” Charles asked offhandedly.
“He insists it’s a German feint,” Tigani said with a helpless shrug. “Even though everyone else believes otherwise.”
It was common sense: no feint would involve five hours of bombardment, tanks, and large troop deployments. The cost would be too high for a mere diversion.
Charles merely smiled without responding.
He knew Joffre was holding on out of sheer obstinacy. It seemed Joffre had no other choice.
Charles had blocked Joffre’s escape route by orchestrating a public wager between Armand and Joffre in parliament.
On the surface, it appeared to be a petty argument.
But in reality, it was a trap: if Joffre admitted the German attack on Verdun was the main offensive and reallocated forces, Armand would win the wager. Parliament would then have legitimate grounds to question Joffre’s competence as commander-in-chief.
This would be an unbearable humiliation for Joffre—especially since the wager was made with Armand, a political novice with no military knowledge, and a member of the right wing at that.
…
In Paris’ Chamber of Deputies, shrouded in morning fog, groups of three or five deputies hurriedly entered the meeting room and took their seats.
This special session was convened in response to the outbreak of the Battle of Verdun. Even Gallieni, who had just returned to duty from the hospital, was called to testify.
Gallieni, one of the few military experts present in Paris, was seen as an authoritative voice.
The session began with a question everyone was eager to ask: “General Gallieni, based on your military expertise, do you think the German attack on Verdun is a feint?”
Gallieni, pale but with a strong voice, replied, “I do not think so. No feint could be carried out on such a scale. Without the bravery of our frontline troops, Verdun might already have fallen into German hands!”
The chamber erupted in shock.
Someone then asked curiously, “Who is holding off the Germans at the front?”
“Colonel Derion,” Gallieni answered. “As far as I know, he has only about 750 soldiers, and they’ve already suffered over 300 casualties.”
Gasps filled the room.
“We should immediately send reinforcements.”
“No,” Gallieni said. “The German artillery is too overwhelming. Most reinforcements would be bombed to death on the way.”
The removal of the fort’s heavy artillery had given the Germans absolute dominance in firepower. Any suspicious movements outside the fort’s walls would be obliterated.
“What should we do then? Just wait?”
Gallieni replied, “We can wait until nightfall. Under the cover of darkness, reinforcements will stand a chance.”
“But why does Colonel Derion, a regimental commander, have only 750 men?” one deputy asked in confusion.
“You already know the answer,” Gallieni replied truthfully. “Joffre withdrew the heavy artillery—and with it, the artillerymen.”
Fortress units were typically mixed forces of infantry and artillery. Once the artillery was removed, all that remained were the 750 infantrymen.
Naturally, the deputies thought of Joffre. This was all his doing. Colonel Derion had repeatedly sounded the alarm, but Joffre stubbornly ignored it.
However, the deputies didn’t voice their thoughts. Instead, some turned their gaze to Armand.
Perhaps sensing the mood, Armand rose leisurely.
“No, gentlemen, I will not say anything that would undermine the war effort.”
“This is not the time to assign blame; the battle has already begun.”
“While I lack military expertise, I do know that changing generals in the midst of a battle is a grave mistake. We should focus on resolving the immediate crisis!”
His words surprised everyone. The deputies hadn’t expected the usually unyielding Armand to speak with such foresight and magnanimity.
Only Gallieni sighed inwardly:
Everything was orchestrated by Charles, including Armand.
Armand wasn’t defending Joffre; he was giving him more rope to hang himself. The goal was to let Joffre’s weaknesses become so glaring that the deputies could no longer tolerate him as commander-in-chief.
But the cost would be Verdun’s defeat and the lives of countless soldiers.
Armand glanced at Gallieni on the dais and smiled faintly.
He never thought he would one day become Gallieni’s “comrade-in-arms.”