Chapter 235: Kill Order

Gallieni called Joffre:

"Yes, General. They will firmly carry out your orders!"

"But we all agree that it is more appropriate for you to make a speech, after all, you are the Commander-in-Chief of France."

"No, that's fine, our reporter has your photo, as long as you allow, we can publish your words and photos in the newspaper."

"Yes, you don't need to come to Paris in person!"

"Charles can also, but our reporter thinks..."

Gallieni turned his head and glanced at Kobdo standing beside him, and then said:

"Our reporter thinks it is not appropriate for two people to be published together."

"This will make others mistakenly think that Charles, the colonel, is as important as the commander-in-chief!"

"Charles' call may be put on the next day."

...

Joffre hung up the phone angrily.

He did intend to use this opportunity to weaken Charles' military influence, because Charles put Joffre under great pressure.

At this time, the military had basically given up on "Saint-Chamond" and CA-1, and chose to fully order Charles' "Charles A1" tanks.

In fact, they did not give up the "Saint-Chamond" and CA-1, but continued to place orders for them, just turning them into auxiliary vehicles, such as transporting troops and supplies.

Although everyone knows that using tractors to transport troops and supplies is much better than these vehicles that are often stuck in craters, they always have to find some work to do and let them play a role.

However, the "Charter A1" tank still achieved a comprehensive victory on the front line. The army only believed in the "Charter A1" and "Mark 1", and did not recognize the others.

The "Charter A1" is generally believed to be able to play a role in raiding the enemy's defense line, and the "Mark 1" is still active on the battlefield because of its super trench crossing ability.

Many people believe that when the "Charter A1" cannot cross the enemy's trench, it is the time for the "Mark 1" to play a role. They complement each other.

In short, as long as it is the equipment of the Charr, it can play a role and win the battle. They are trusted by the front-line soldiers. Once any unit obtains the tank of the Charr, its morale will be high immediately.

On the contrary, if the "Saint-Chamond" or CA-1 is equipped to any unit, they will think that they are being used as cannon fodder and are going to die.

This is not good news for Joffre, who is the representative (image spokesperson) of "Saint-Chamond". Not long ago, he was still promoting the power of "Saint-Chamond" to everyone, emphasizing that it is invincible...

The reality is that just the craters and stones on the battlefield can make "Saint-Chamond" difficult to move, not to mention competing with the "Charles A1" that kills all around.

Charles challenged the power and majesty of the French commander-in-chief!

If this goes on, the soldiers on the front line will be more willing to obey Charles' orders rather than him, the French commander-in-chief.

Those troops fighting on the front line will not care about military ranks, military positions, and politics. They only know who can keep them alive and lead them to defeat the enemy and victory, and they will listen to him!

Just at this time, Joffre received the news of a ceasefire on the front line, and the general headquarters could no longer command the front line.

Joffre immediately thought of Charles: Could it be that he was behind this? He held the "Meritorious Newspaper" in his hands, and he was using his voice and the support of the army to undermine him as the commander-in-chief.

But after a careful check, there was nothing wrong with the "Meritorious Newspaper".

An hour later, Canais received feedback from the front line: "General, it may be because of Christmas. Both the enemy and us seem to be disgusted with war, so..."

"We can't allow this to go on." Joffre interrupted Canais rudely, and his voice was righteous: "The Germans are still on French soil. Unauthorized truce will make our army lose the will to attack. If this goes on, we will inevitably fail!"

"But..." Canais said helplessly: "We can't command anyone. To be precise, we can command officers, but the officers' orders cannot be executed."

Joffre hesitated and said, "Maybe we can let Charles play a role."

So Gallieni urgently pulled Charles back to the headquarters from the Christmas table.

Joffre's idea was very good: let Charles call on those soldiers.

If successful, the French army will be back on track.

Failure was a blow to both Charles and the "Meritorious Newspaper".

No matter which result, it would be good for Joffre.

Unexpectedly, Gallieni played Tai Chi and passed the ball to Joffre's feet.

Joffre snorted and sat back in his chair.

If he called on the frontline soldiers to fight in his name, it would be meaningless. If he succeeded, the "Meritorious Newspaper" would have contributed to it, but if he failed, it would be a humiliation to Joffre as the commander-in-chief.

But Joffre had no reason to object. Did he admit that Charles was more influential than him as the commander-in-chief?

Seeing that Joffre looked very unhappy, Canais whispered: "General, we can send people to patrol the front line and urge the front-line soldiers to re-enter the battle..."

"No!" Joffre shook his head expressionlessly, stood up and pointed to Ypres on the map, and said in a low and slow voice: "This is the source, send the infantry gendarmerie up there, and execute the slash-to-death order for the troops that disobey orders!"

(Note: During the French Third Republic, the gendarmerie was divided into infantry gendarmerie and cavalry gendarmerie. The slash-to-death order continued the eleven slash-to-death order of the Roman Republic, where one out of ten people was executed. The French Republic was more "merciful": they let the troops elect themselves, and the proportion was not high. For details, see "Paths of Glory", which was banned in France)

Carnais was shocked and stood there in disbelief, looking at Joffre.

Joffre emphasized: "Execute the order!"

"Yes, General!" Carnais responded, and turned around tremblingly to give the order.

...

The news reached the Paris Defense Command, and Gallieni didn't react for a long time after hearing it.

France does have this military regulation, which is intended to intimidate those troops who dare to disobey military orders, but it is generally not used unless the military situation is urgent and causes serious consequences.

But now, Gallieni doesn't think that the so-called "disobedience of orders" by the front-line troops has caused any consequences. They just want to skip the two days of Christmas.

Charles was also stunned when he heard it. France actually has such a ridiculous military regulation? And let the front-line troops "elect" a few people to execute the death penalty?

"They think this can help the troops maintain their morale and fighting spirit!" Lieutenant Colonel Fernan's eyes were full of indignation: "They won't care about these, anyway, they are not the ones who died!"

Charles thought for a while, and said to Gallieni: "General, I just bought a batch of turkeys as Christmas gifts, I want to send them and express my condolences, please approve it!"

Galieni certainly knew that this was Charles' excuse.

But he didn't stop him, he just said: "This may be dangerous..."

Charles laughed: "The front line has ceased fighting, General, there will be no danger, we just hope there is 'danger'!"

Galieni hesitated, then nodded: "Well, this day will come!"