Chapter 347: Foch's Call

Charles and his 105th Infantry Regiment spent two days in the French trenches.

This was to prevent the Germans from suddenly launching a counterattack and losing the position they had finally regained. Charles believed that when the foothold was not stable, it was necessary to change defenses carefully. The 105th Infantry Regiment could withdraw only after the troops in the rear were slowly replenished and adapted to the position.

Life in the trenches was worse than imagined.

It can be seen that the French army has tried its best to build trenches along high altitude areas, but water seepage is still inevitable at the 2.5-meter-deep trench.

In many places, the water is up to the thighs. Tunnels cannot be constructed in this location because they may collapse at any time, or the people inside may drown.

There are almost no dry places in the trenches. Even in Shire's headquarters, the water can reach up to the ankles. The military boots made a "squeaking" sound on the ground and were sticky.

Although it is not the rainy season at this time, the accumulated water formed after the ice and snow melt in winter cannot be drained out, so this is the current situation.

The rainy season will come again in a few months, and the water accumulation and landslides will be more serious. This is why Ypres is in a muddy state all year round.

It is unimaginable that such a place was regarded as a paradise after being occupied by the German army and immediately turned into a material transfer station.

Soon Ciel understood why.

Perhaps to vent their anger, the Germans soon launched an artillery bombardment on the defense line for more than an hour, without stopping for a second.

This time, Shire felt much better. There was a tunnel under the 2.5-meter-deep trench, which made them feel very safe.

Unless the shell directly hits the top of the tunnel and collapses it, there is basically no danger. Charles instantly felt that the water in the trench was not unbearable.

The Germans tried several charges after the artillery fire, but they soon failed.

The Germans left a large number of Maxim machine guns and ammunition in the trenches.

The 105th Infantry Regiment put them to use and set up one every thirty to fifty meters on the defense line. Except for the sniper company and mortar crews, the rifles of ordinary soldiers were put aside. As soon as the enemy's gunfire stopped, they rushed into the machine gun position. , and then pieces of bullets rained down on the advancing German troops.

Only then did Charles deeply understand why the First World War developed into trench warfare, especially Ypres.

…

More than two hours later, the line of defense was finally connected to the rear at the cost of the lives of three signalmen.

What Charles didn't expect was that the first call that came in was from Foch.

The person who answered the phone was Tijani. He looked at Charles in astonishment, then pressed the phone and leaned forward to lower his voice and said: "The person calling for you, colonel, is General Foch, commander of the Northern Army Group."

Ciel hesitated.

Perhaps because Charles's tactical thinking was opposed to Foch, Charles had always tried his best to avoid contact with Foch to avoid disputes or even conflicts.

Foch seemed to have such a tacit understanding. They actually had several opportunities to meet, but they all "missed" them for one reason or another.

Now, Foch actually called Charles?

Is it because we cannot avoid it and must face it?

Confused, Charles took the call and identified himself.

Foch didn’t mince words:

"I know we have our differences, Colonel."

"But our goal is the same, to defeat the enemy and regain France's territory."

"The difference between us is only in method. It's not a big problem, what do you think?"

Ciel instantly felt comfortable. He liked this solution, putting his words out in the open.

"Of course, General." Charles replied: "I wholeheartedly agree!"

Foch expressed his thoughts without hesitation:

"Sometimes I also doubt the correctness of the 'offensive theory', but none of us can deny that most victories are won on offense, including your battle."

"Admittedly, what you said seems to make more sense. Some battles require defense, and some battles require offense."

"But doesn't your statement cover all combat cases? It's equivalent to not saying anything!"

"We need a definite tactic that can guide the entire army to victory, rather than an empty statement without substantial meaning."

In Foch's eyes, Charles's tactical theory had no real meaning.

Even Petain's "defense theory" has a certain direction, but Charles's tactical theory is a "one-size-fits-all" that can be used for anything.

Then Foch added:

"In fact, if it weren't for your repeated miraculous victories, I wouldn't be discussing this with you at all."

"I don't mean to look down on you, I just think it's meaningless."

Ciel replied calmly: "I understand, General. But what if this is the case?"

Foch asked: "What fact is this?"

Charles explained: "The facts of the battlefield cannot be determined by a simple, definite, black-and-white tactic."

Foch laughed: "Is that so? No, I don't think so. There must be a pattern to it."

"May I ask a question, General?" Charles asked.

"Of course." Foch was very patient. He did not become arrogant because of the difference in military rank.

But this may be because Ciel's performance on the battlefield was so dazzling that he had to pay attention to it.

At this time, several cannons were fired overhead. Charles waited for the cannons to pass before he said calmly:

"If you are a teacher, you have forty, fifty students or more."

"Can you teach them well in one simple, sure, and only way?"

"If possible, can this method be replicated all over the world, and write it down in your notes so that all teachers can copy it?"

Foch was stunned.

He worked as a professor at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy for several years, teaching military history and strategy and tactics, and later served as the dean.

He knew very well that education was something uncertain and could not be replicated.

Because its working objects are students and people, each student has a different personality and different ideas, and they will have different reactions to the same sentence.

This is the difficulty of education. Teachers should use different educational methods in a targeted manner according to the personalities of different students.

Foch seemed to understand Charles's idea: "You mean, military theory is similar to education, and it also needs to respond to different situations?"

"Of course." Charles replied: "Because it is also people fighting on the battlefield, not a simple war."

There was silence on the other end of the microphone, and no response for a long time, as if thinking.

Charles continued:

"Let's assume that all French troops have implemented your 'offensive theory'."

"And the German commander opposite us knows this, so he knows what we will do next."

"In this case, do you still think we can win?"

Foch suddenly felt that perhaps Charles was the only one who was right.

Because Pétain's "defense theory" also has this problem. Once the whole army implements and confirms it, the enemy will know what the French army will do next!