Chapter 591: Elastic Defense
Charles spent a day in Gembloux, transferring the Sixth Army's affairs to Christine.
Although the Sixth Army was a large force of over 200,000 troops, its command structure was relatively straightforward. Most of its units were infantry, focused on trench warfare and defensive line fortifications. However, under Charles's leadership, the Sixth Army employed more advanced tactics. He positioned the First Special Artillery Division behind the frontlines for elastic defense.
“We’ll place the First Special Artillery Division in the third line, or even farther back,” Charles explained to Christine as he pointed at the map. “Deploy them by regiments.”
Christine frowned, confused by the strategy. “General, this means the frontline won’t receive reinforcements from armored units. The defense line could easily be breached by the Germans.”
“I’m aware of that,” Charles replied. “Our defense line isn’t designed to ‘hold firm.’ It’s meant to be ‘breached’ by the enemy.”
Christine was bewildered. Had he heard correctly? A defense line meant to be breached?
Charles elaborated, “At the same time, we should reduce the density of troops in the first line, as well as the second line, increasing their concentration progressively in the third line and the rear.”
“But…” Christine hesitated, shaking his head. “How are we supposed to counter German offensives?”
The idea of a frontline devoid of armored reinforcements, coupled with reduced troop density, was a tactic Christine had never encountered.
Charles responded decisively: “Let them break through—but deliberately. Lure them into open plains favorable for tank combat.”
Christine suddenly understood. “Then we’ll use our armored units to drive them back?”
Charles nodded. The core of elastic defense lay in leveraging the mobility of armored forces to conduct a war of maneuver, engaging the enemy in a back-and-forth struggle.
Christine stared at the map, mentally simulating the offensive and defensive maneuvers. After a long pause, he took a deep breath and gazed at Charles with a mix of awe and admiration. “I understand, General. I’ll immediately begin troop deployment based on this strategy.”
This was an ingenious strategy, abandoning the rigidity of trench warfare to combine infantry defense lines with the mobility of tanks, creating a dynamic defensive belt. Properly executed, it would place the German forces in a dilemma:
If they didn’t break through, their advance would stall completely.
If they did break through, their infantry would be drawn into open terrain, where French armored units would decimate them. Not only would this cost the Germans significant manpower, but the defense line would ultimately be restored.
By using far fewer troops, the strategy could effectively hold the same defensive line while fostering infantry-tank coordination—a defensive approach at the strategic level, yet offensive at the tactical level.
Who else but Charles could conceive of such a tactic?
Christine, however, was mistaken in attributing the tactic’s origin to Charles. This approach wasn’t Charles’s invention but a clever ploy used by Erwin in North Africa during World War II, developed out of necessity due to severe manpower shortages.
One could only wonder how Erwin might react if he encountered this strategy today…
...
After arranging the Sixth Army, Charles left the next day with Tigani for the First Mechanized Division headquarters at Namur Fortress.
To Charles, mechanized and armored units were the key focus. Their ability to conduct deep strikes behind enemy lines and deliver decisive blows demanded far more precise and active command than the Sixth Army, warranting his personal presence.
To his surprise, upon reaching Namur Fortress, Charles found Wells waiting for him in the office.
Tigani was startled to see his father there and quickly stepped forward to ask, “Father, why are you here?” Glancing at Charles, he assumed Wells had come to discuss the impending submarine warfare.
Initially, Charles was also puzzled. But when he shook hands with Wells and noticed the peculiar expression on his face, he guessed the true purpose of the visit.
“No, General,” Charles said to Tigani. “Mr. Wells is here for you.”
Wells didn’t deny it, only offering an awkward smile.
Tigani froze, then realized that his father had come to stop him from “saving” Charles.
He chuckled dryly and remarked, with no small amount of sarcasm, “It seems you’re too late, Father.”
“And you’ve also guessed wrong. Charles doesn’t need ‘saving.’”
“Moreover, Charles is the victor here. By your principles, shouldn’t you be supporting my actions? Don’t you agree?”
With that, Tigani brushed Wells aside without expression and seated himself at his desk, engrossing himself in the documents.
Charles silently shook his head, knowing that the father and son were once again at odds over their differing ideologies.
Wells, despite his pale and angry expression, forced an air of indifference and raised an eyebrow at Charles. “I’ve raised quite a son!”
“Let’s talk over here, Mr. Wells,” Charles said, inviting him into the meeting room.
Seated at the table, Wells was the first to speak. “Tigani is right about one thing: I didn’t expect you to win against Parliament this time. So…”
“There’s no need for apologies, Mr. Wells,” Charles said, handing him a cup of coffee. “It’s perfectly natural. You have to consider many factors and align yourself with the victors. I understand.”
Charles wasn’t naïve. Capitalists gathered around him for profit, whether it was the Saint-Étienne Armory, FN, or Wells himself. Only someone like Tigani, who saw “the art of war” as a sacred ideal and had no concept of politics, would charge into Gembloux out of loyalty and righteousness.
“Frankly, I also thought Tigani shouldn’t have gone to Gembloux,” Charles admitted. “Without any official orders, Parliament is likely to view him as one of my supporters.”
Wells nodded slowly, though he sighed unconsciously. He ought to have taken it in stride, as Charles did, but instead, he felt a vague sense of guilt and defeat.
After a moment’s hesitation, Wells changed the topic. “Our destroyers are ready. According to intelligence, German submarines are likely planning a major operation soon. I believe it’s time for us to strike.”
“No,” Charles said firmly. “It’s not time yet.”
“Not time yet?” Wells looked at Charles in confusion, finding it hard to read the young general. “Do you intend to let the German submarines sink some merchant ships first?”
Charles nodded lightly.
“But why?” Wells asked, baffled. “If your goal is to gain control of resources, wouldn’t it be better to act sooner?”
He added, “I should remind you that some of these merchant ships are carrying supplies for the French military—Lebel rifle ammunition and 75mm shells.”
“I know,” Charles replied. “But we still need to wait. As for why, you’ll understand in time.”
Madman, Wells thought. Whatever Charles had planned, it was undoubtedly a dangerous game.