Chapter 339 That's Not a Promise

In the tunnel used as the headquarters of the 43rd Division of the 20th French Army, Captain Claude was arguing with Tijani on the map under the kerosene lamp.

Captain Claude was lucky. When the Germans launched the gas war, he and his troops had just stayed in the second line of defense for two weeks.

At this time, the French front adopted a rotation system. They divided the troops into several groups, first stationed in the rear for training, and then pushed forward along the trenches layer by layer after two weeks, until they stayed in the front line for two weeks and returned to the rear for rest, and so on.

Today happened to be the day of rotation. As long as the Germans launched the attack one day later, Captain Claude's troops would be killed and wounded in large numbers by the gas at the front.

However, Captain Claude was unfortunate.

As one of the main initiators of the "Christmas Ceasefire Incident", he was never promoted despite his many military exploits.

Not only that, the most dangerous tasks were always left to Claude's second infantry company.

For example, this time, because they were worried that the 105th Infantry Regiment was not aware of the situation on the front line, they sent Claude to guard the front with the 105th Infantry Regiment.

"We can't plan to hold on, General!" Captain Claude argued: "I know you are Charles's troops, and I also know that you won in Gallipoli, but this is different. This is poison gas, which is different from all the battles we are familiar with."

"I know, Captain." Tijani looked at Claude teasingly: "We are here to solve the problem."

Claude explained to the map:

"I have an idea, General!"

"The Germans may not have anti-gas measures themselves, and they will not attack immediately after releasing the poison gas."

"Then why don't we hide our troops on the flanks and rear, so that the enemy thinks we have retreated."

"When the Germans enter our position, the poison gas will have dissipated. I think this is a good time to counterattack!"

...

Tijani looked at the captain in front of him with interest. Although his rank was not high, he had a lot of ideas, which was much better than those generals who only emphasized attacking.

At this time, a dark figure entered the tunnel, and the voice came before the person arrived: "Why do you think the Germans have no anti-gas measures?"

"Because their attack was very cautious." Captain Claude replied: "They could have followed us and pursued us, but they didn't. They only advanced 3.25 kilometers before stopping to dig pits and build fortifications!"

The French army retreated five or six kilometers in panic that day. The Germans could have advanced at least two kilometers or more, but they didn't do so.

The only explanation is that they themselves are highly skeptical of the new weapon of poison gas. They are not sure how long the poison gas will last and how much damage it will cause, and it may even poison themselves.

Charles said "um" and agreed with the middle-aged captain's statement.

At this time, the kerosene lamp gradually illuminated Charles' face. Claude stared at Charles with wide eyes, shocked beyond words: "Charles, Charles...it's really you!"

Charles looked at the middle-aged captain in confusion: "Do you recognize me?"

"Of course, Colonel." Claude stepped forward to answer, his voice was a little weird because of being too excited: "Still, remember Christmas?"

Charles said "Oh" and raised his finger slightly to recall: "Are you the captain who negotiated with me?"

"Yes, my name is Claude, Colonel." Claude reintroduced himself with empathy.

"Sorry, I forgot your name." Charles admitted generously. He is a Chinese in his bones and has almost no memory of French names.

"No, it doesn't matter, Colonel." Claude looked respectful.

"But I remember a sentence you said." Charles smiled and looked at Claude and asked: "Is it still valid now?"

"Of course, Colonel, of course it is valid." Claude nodded heavily.

After the last negotiation, Claude said before Charles left: "My men and I are eager to fight under your command one day!"

After a moment's hesitation, Claude corrected: "But that was not a promise, Colonel, it was a wish, and now the wish has come true. I feel very lucky!"

"No, Captain." Charles shook his head meaningfully: "You shouldn't feel lucky to be on the battlefield."

Claude didn't say anything. He didn't agree with this. He insisted that it was a blessing to fight under Charles' command, and his men thought so too.

Tijani, who stood by and didn't speak, exchanged glances with Claude.

Tijani also felt the same way, especially after experiencing Charles' "art of war", he felt that he would not fight if he left Charles.

"Now." Charles turned his eyes to the map and asked, "What's the situation on the front line?"

"Very bad, Colonel." Claude pointed to the map and replied, "The left wing of our defense line is the sea, and the right wing is the French 45th Division, but we can't have hope for it."

Charles asked, "Are they scared by the poison gas?"

"You can say that." Claude nodded, and then added, "They are the Algerian Division."

Charles instantly understood that it was the French colonial army.

From the perspective of the Algerian Division, they really wouldn't fight for the French army at this time. France usually discriminated against them in various ways, and at this critical moment, they sent them up to feed the poison gas. It would be strange if they could hold on.

(The above picture shows the French 45th Division and the French Algerian Division in World War I)

Captain Claude seemed to see through Charles's thoughts, with a slightly embarrassed look on his face, because the French and British armies were not much better, and they could not say anything about the Algerian Division in this regard.

However, Captain Claude did not say it out loud. He continued to analyze the map and said, "Once our defense line is broken by the enemy, the Canadian Corps and the British Army on the right wing defense line, a total of 50,000 people, will be surrounded by the Germans. The gap in our defense line will become larger and larger, and even cause a chain reaction like a domino."

"So, we have nowhere to retreat?" Charles asked.

Captain Claude nodded: "No way to retreat!"

In fact, we can retreat another two kilometers, but these two kilometers will require the lives of tens of thousands of people to fight back.

(Note: In order to fill this gap, the British Second Army launched a counterattack, resulting in 70,000 casualties)

"There is a problem with your plan, Captain." Charles said: "You hope to launch a counterattack when the Germans enter our position and have not yet established a firm foothold. This is a good idea. But..."

Charles pointed his finger at the defense line: "If the wind direction is just right at that time and the Germans use poison gas to defend, what are you going to do?"

Captain Claude's face changed instantly.

At that time, the French army had no choice but to charge at the poison gas, otherwise the 50,000 friendly troops on the right wing would be surrounded!