Chapter 324 Triumphal Parade

The Shire remained at Point "A" for two more days.

The humid weather at the seaside and the muddy trenches made people feel wet and sticky. Some people tried to take a bath in the sea to make themselves more comfortable, but they soon found that the dry seawater was more uncomfortable than before.

Unfortunately, in the past two days, the 105th Infantry, as the rear of the defense line, was arranged to dispose of the corpses.

The job seemed simple, just dig a big hole and throw all the bodies you could find into it.

However, there were so many highly decomposed corpses and missing limbs that the work became abhorrent to the soldiers.

Although it is better than fighting the enemy on the front line, it is not much better considering that there are remnants of the enemy hiding in the jungle and fighting cold wars.

On this day, Ciel and Tijani were looking at the map to discuss the area to be cleared tomorrow.

They need to first send out sniper units to keep an eye on suspicious jungles and caves, and then plan several burial sites to minimize the workload.

At this time, the communications soldier exclaimed, rushed over and handed a telegram to Tijani, and reported excitedly: "General, they are going to transfer us back. General Winter said he will send us back tonight." Issue the rest card and take the transport ship back to the anchorage early tomorrow morning!”

The rest card is an iron plate hung around the neck. It was a measure used by the French army during this period to prevent deserters from escaping among the retreating troops.

Tijani was stunned for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief: "I can finally leave this hellish place!"

The headquarters burst into cheers, and the soldiers outside also received the news. Suddenly everyone had a smile on their face, and some even danced excitedly with their comrades to celebrate.

Only Shen Billy's eyes flashed with worry. He paced back and forth in the trench for a few steps, and finally plucked up the courage to get into the commander and stand in front of Charles.

"Colonel." Billy Shen looked a little depressed: "If the 105th Infantry Regiment is to be transferred back to the anchorage, should I return to the original unit?"

Charles replied with a half-smile: "If you want to transfer back, I have no objection!"

Billy Shen heard hope from Ciel's tone. He looked at Ciel with wide eyes and expectantly: "You mean, I can also choose to stay in the 105th Infantry Regiment?"

Charles nodded slightly: "I have reported your matter to General Winter. He has no objections. If you are willing, he will let the staff handle your transfer procedures."

"I do, Colonel!" Billy Shen replied impatiently: "Of course I do!"

Charles put down the pencil in his hand and looked up at Billy Shen: "Have you thought about it? This may not be an ordinary transfer. You are likely to serve in the French battlefield with the 105th Infantry Regiment in the future, and you may even become a Frenchman!"

This means that Billy Shen has to give up everything in Australia, including his family.

Billy Shen was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly: "Yes, I understand."

"Don't regret it?" Charles asked again.

"No regrets!" Billy Shen didn't hesitate at all.

A smart choice, Ciel thought, he would no longer be poor for the rest of his life, he would become Ciel's personal bodyguard, both on the battlefield and in life.

…

The 105th Infantry Regiment was not transferred back to the anchorage, but directly back to France, away from the battlefield.

As rumors say, the Germans may be desperate to eliminate Shire, so the itinerary of Shire and the 105th Infantry Regiment is highly confidential.

With the exception of General Winter, all the French, including Gallieni, knew nothing of it.

This was to avoid the French Minister of the Navy.

Charles did not dare to risk his own life. After all, the transport ship he was traveling on was slow and had poor sink resistance. If it was targeted by a German submarine, it would be a narrow escape.

It was not until the 105th Infantry Regiment arrived at the port of Toulon that Charles called Gallieni to report.

Gallieni's tone was very calm:

"Already back?"

"No problem, I'll arrange a train for you."

"But they want you to file into Paris!"

Charles on the other end of the phone sounded a little surprised: "Falling into Paris?"

"Yes." Gallieni replied: "Parliament has been discussing this matter in the past few days. The front line is in a stalemate and the soldiers and civilians are feeling war-weary. The Congress believes that your victory can inspire the people, especially you."

Charles hesitated and replied: "No problem, but inform the council ten minutes before we arrive!"

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a while, and then Gallieni gave an understanding "Yes".

Gallieni was stunned for a moment after putting down the phone.

Damn the council, he almost got fooled by those guys.

If the time and place are arranged, and even the route of the troop parade is stipulated, then the best way for the Germans to eliminate Charles is to arrange for a killer to hide in a house next to the street with a rifle and wait for Charles to appear.

There were many people in Parliament who wanted to kill Charles. They did not need to collude with the Germans, they only needed to reveal the time and route of the march.

Just as he was thinking about it, the phone rang again, and it was still Charles.

"General." Charles said, "You can spread the word that we will arrive in three days."

Gallieni secretly praised this, which would make the Germans think they still had time, and then Charles' troops suddenly appeared and quickly completed this "inspiring" ceremony.

…

The 105th Infantry Regiment arrived in Paris early the next morning.

During World War I, the train speed was only about 50 kilometers per hour. In addition, they had to wait for the military trains that were transporting supplies to the front line along the way. It took 26 hours to travel more than 800 kilometers from Toulon Port to Paris.

While on the train, Charles missed Eric's plane. Although it only traveled more than 100 kilometers per hour, it was in a straight line and did not need to wait on the road. It might take six or seven hours to arrive.

The troops got off at Lyon Station and walked into the street in a line with their hair and guns on their backs without any cleaning.

(The above picture shows Lyon Station in Paris, real scene in 1896)

The French people who had just woken up from their sleep did not know what happened at first. They only heard slogans and whistles coming from the street downstairs.

Puzzled, they opened the window and looked out. They saw a troop passing by on the street. They looked like they had just come down from the front line. Their uniforms were untidy and dirty. Most of them had unshaven beards. They looked like a troop that had withdrawn after a defeat.

But out of courtesy, they still waved to greet the team to express their welcome.

Then, suddenly someone screamed:

"God, that's the 105th Infantry Regiment!"

"Is it Charles's unit? The unit that won the battle in Gallipoli?"

"Yes, see, Charles is there, he's in the carriage!"

...

The crowd instantly burst into cheers, and the shouts instantly changed from pity to screams.

The news spread by word of mouth, and soon spread throughout the streets and alleys. People flocked to welcome Charles's troops, many of whom were even wearing only pajamas.