Chapter 485: You Continue, I Am Listening!
Major Jules thought this was a "suicidal" attack, but in reality, it was not.
They had swapped into German uniforms and helmets, which were easy to obtain. The frontlines were littered with wounded soldiers knocked down by directional mines, though the uniforms had holes from gunshots or bayonet wounds.
But who would notice such things in the darkness? It was just uncomfortable, wearing blood-stained, sticky clothes.
Next, they split into several groups, carrying "wounded" soldiers as a unit and heading out.
Along the way, no one stopped or questioned them. Everyone was busy helping the increasing number of wounded.
The German soldiers were in disarray, or perhaps it could be said they were afraid. They feared the next order would be to charge, and then they would become one of the wounded.
Major Jules, who understood German, even overheard German soldiers murmuring:
"They say Charles is coming, just on the other side. Is that true?"
"Otherwise, do you think such weapons come from whose hands?"
"Incredible, I've never heard of such a thing. It can knock down a large area in an instant, more terrifying than a machine gun!"
...
A trace of pride flashed in Major Jules' eyes. He wanted to laugh, but ultimately, he held it back.
It would be a shame if the Germans spotted a flaw because of this!
The "wounded" were successfully brought to the Douaumont Fort, with some "seriously injured" soldiers taken inside the fort. Then, gunshots rang out...
The German troops in this area were mostly injured soldiers and medics. Even if there were infantry or artillery, they typically didn’t have rifles. They were there to help, and their guns were either set aside or strapped to their backs.
Thus, the battle turned into a one-sided massacre.
The German soldiers didn't even have time to grab their rifles before being shot dead, one after another.
The military doctors raised their hands to surrender. They knew they were no match for these fierce French soldiers, but they didn't realize how dangerous it was to do so in the darkness and chaos.
Bullets flew everywhere in the air, and no one knew which soldier’s hands the medics died by.
In the scramble, countless wounded soldiers were trampled to death by those trying to flee.
The soldiers carrying stretchers simply abandoned the wounded and chose to save themselves.
The surviving wounded crawled painfully on the ground. It seemed like they were trying to hide, but suddenly, a bayonet was thrust brutally into their backs...
Within a mere ten minutes, the Douaumont Fort had turned from a hospital into hell. The ground was pitch black, covered with corpses. There was barely a place to step, and blood pooled in the low areas of the ground, flowing into the trenches with a distinct sound of running water.
The fighting continued inside the fort, but only a small number of soldiers remained resisting stubbornly.
Nearby German troops heard the gunfire and rushed to provide reinforcements, only to be scared flat on the ground by the shower of steel balls, afraid to move.
Then, the artillery from Douaumont Fort fired.
The 150mm shells exploded violently in the German trenches, sending the troops there flying into the air. The 77mm shells fired at the backs of the Germans, and many of them were torn apart before they even realized what had happened.
At the same time, the French, who had been on the defensive, finally launched a counterattack.
...
As dawn approached, the staff at General Langeron’s headquarters were still busy. Gallieni was sprawled like a dead pig on the desk, snoring evenly, a trickle of saliva running from the corner of his mouth.
He had eventually fallen asleep.
He had been unable to sleep earlier because he was still unaware of the situation at the front.
Since Charles took command of Verdun, he had severed the communication between the two armies at the front and the rear, saying, "To prevent the leakage of military secrets."
"This bastard," Gallieni cursed, "He’s treating us like enemies!"
The staff members gave strange looks when they heard this. Haven’t we been treating Charles as the enemy?
The information Gallieni had was very limited, and it came from the intelligence officer he had sent to Verdun city:
"The Germans are attacking, and the artillery fire is very intense."
"It seems the Germans haven't been able to advance, and our forces have stopped their assault."
"Our artillery is firing. The fighting is very fierce."
...
At first, Gallieni was anxious. He feared that Charles would change the course of the battle, but only after one day.
But then, he realized: If Charles was only defending, even if he could stop the enemy’s advance and kill many of them, what would that prove? Could it be called "changing the course of the battle"?
Before Charles took over, the French forces had still been attacking the Germans at Verdun.
After he took command, the French hid in the trenches, passively defending, unable to launch any attacks.
Yes, this could indeed be called "changing the course of the battle," but it was heading in a bad direction!
Once he thought of this, Gallieni felt relieved.
He sat back in his chair, thinking of drinking some coffee to wake himself up, but sleepiness hit him like a wave. He soon slumped over his desk, drowsily drifting into sleep.
...
"General, General?" A staff officer cautiously nudged Gallieni.
Gallieni suddenly woke up, staring blankly at the officer, then looked around, seemingly unsure of why he was there.
Then he responded with a soft "Oh," realizing, and asked, "What’s the situation? I mean Verdun."
The officer answered, "We don’t know the situation at Verdun, General, but Charles has already boarded a plane back to Paris."
Since traveling from the Verdun frontlines to the airport required passing through Verdun city, that was how headquarters found out.
Gallieni took out his pocket watch and looked at it, his face immediately lighting up with joy. "Yes, he must have surrendered, that arrogant fool!"
Now, with six hours left until the promised time, Charles returning early could only mean he was powerless.
Gallieni instantly became full of energy. He straightened his uniform and smiled. "Tell this news to General Carnes. He knows what to say in Parliament."
"Yes, General."
...
In the Ritz Hotel in Paris, General Carnes received a phone call from the command and couldn’t help but feel elated. He immediately ordered his subordinates:
"Pack up and head to the House of Commons immediately."
"I want to announce this 'good news' to them at the first opportunity!"
"And to all, all the citizens of France!"
...
At 9:00 AM, the members of parliament gathered as scheduled in the Bourbon Palace chamber.
General Carnes, in his crisp military uniform, stood at the podium, a smug smile on his face.
The parliamentarians took their seats in confusion. They had heard that Charles had gone to the Verdun front yesterday—did that mean Charles lost?
When Gallieni sat down, he snorted coldly, his face expressionless. What could be accomplished in a single day? This young fool was too eager!
Only Steed was confident. He knew what Charles had brought to Verdun.
"Gentlemen!" Before the members had even settled into their seats, Carnes eagerly spoke:
"As I said, Charles couldn't change anything. It was a battle where the disparity between enemy and ally was extremely vast."
"Not just in troops, equipment, but also in supplies."
"Charles thought he could make a difference, but unfortunately, he has come to realize the truth, and now he’s on his way back..."
Suddenly, the door opened, and Charles entered, followed by Major Jules.
Both men were covered in dust, their faces streaked with black and white, fatigued. Major Jules had blood stains on him, but his eyes were filled with pride and excitement.
Gallieni’s eyes lit up, his upper body instinctively leaning forward. Coming from the battlefield, he knew what Major Jules’ look meant.
Had this little fellow already done what he said?
Impossible! There hadn’t even been a full day!
Charles walked slowly to the first row, and someone immediately cleared a seat directly facing Carnes for him.
Charles nodded in gratitude, sat down casually, and after a sigh of relief, looked up at Carnes on the podium. "You continue, General! I am listening!"