Chapter 416: Charles' Luck

Ragden, the French Army Headquarters was as quiet as usual.

After getting up in the morning and walking into the office, Xiafei had been pretending to be busy. He tried not to think about the National Day military parade.

As the commander-in-chief of the French army, he should have accepted the cheers of the French people at the military parade, but he could only face a pile of documents and intelligence in his office.

The government did invite Joffre to participate, but he declined.

Xiafei knew what would happen if he went there. The cheers of the people were reserved for Charles. His commander-in-chief was only superficial, and all people gave him were boos and sympathetic looks.

At the cocktail party, someone might ask sarcastically: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, can you tell me what battles you have won?"

Xiafei would fall into embarrassment everywhere, and he could never answer:

"No sir, I didn't win anything."

"All the victories were won by Ciel, I was just responsible for holding back."

…

In order to avoid this embarrassment, Joffre gritted his teeth and answered Clemenceau who extended the invitation:

"Sorry, Your Excellency, I thought I should be at my post."

"You know, the Germans also know that today is our Bastille Day, and they will most likely seize the opportunity to attack while many of their officers are off duty."

"Let me, the commander-in-chief, be responsible for guarding the front line. This is my duty!"

Of course Clemenceau knew that this was Joffre's excuse. The defense line had long been stabilized and no command was needed. The grassroots officers on the front line knew what to do.

More importantly, Xiafei's command is not important. There is no difference between having one more of him and one less of him, and may even be better.

But the smooth and seasoned Clemenceau did not point it out. He replied: "Salute to you, Your Excellency, the front line does need someone to command. I will explain this to the government!"

Even if Xiafei's wish was fulfilled, even if he pretended that nothing happened, Xiafei still felt sad in his heart.

This is not what Xiafei wants. What he really wants is to be admired by thousands of people at the military parade, to give a speech amidst people's cheers, and to hear the entire French people shout crazily for him...

But now, it is Ciel who enjoys all this, Ciel!

Just when Xiafei was gritting his teeth with hatred, Kanais walked up to Xiafei and carefully handed over a telegram: "General, I think you might want to know this."

Xiafei took the telegram and glanced at it, then suddenly raised his head in shock: "Ciel didn't participate in the military parade?"

"Yes." Kanais replied: "He led the 1st Tank Brigade and the 105th Infantry Regiment to attack the Germans in Cambrai."

Xiafei's face darkened, feeling humiliated.

Having agreed to join Army Group East, Joffre was patiently waiting for the Italians to break through the Austro-Hungarian Empire's defense line, when Charles actually ran to Army Group North and launched an attack.

Not trustworthy!

And he, the commander-in-chief, knew nothing about it. Not only did Charles not say anything, but Foch didn't even mention it at all.

"They must be colluding." Xiafei murmured to himself.

Kanais was stunned, Charles and Foch?

They are our own people, how can they be said to be "colluding"?

What's more...

"This telegram was sent by General Foch." Kanais explained: "He said he just learned about it."

Xiafei snorted coldly.

Of course this is not the case. Fools all know that a deep penetration requires the strength and supply support of Army Group North, and this requires detailed planning.

But Xiafei had nothing to do with Foch.

Although Foch was the deputy commander-in-chief and had to obey Joffre's command in principle, Foch laid the tactical and theoretical foundation of the French army, and his reputation in the army was even higher than that of Joffre.

Another similar general is Gallieni, who became famous in the Battle of Paris. Although he served as the less important commander of the reserve army group, he also had great autonomy.

Xiafei picked up the telegram again and looked at it carefully, then turned his attention to the map.

Kanais hurried forward and pointed out the location on the telegram: "Here, they are marching very fast. It has only been more than two hours since the battle started at nine o'clock, and they have already advanced to the vicinity of Mons."

Xiafei raised his head and looked at Kanais: "50 kilometers in more than two hours?"

Your tone is questioning and your eyes are reproachful. You must be in the wrong place. This is a low-level mistake!

No wonder Xiafei thought so. At this time, there was no concept of armored troops or mechanized troops. In Xiafei's mind, the army's advancement speed of 5 kilometers per hour was the upper limit. This was still a speed where there was no enemy to block the strides forward.

But now, Charles's advancement speed has actually reached more than 20 kilometers per hour?

This is impossible!

"Yes, General." But Kanais insisted: "Charles armed all his troops with vehicles, which allowed them to move very quickly. At the same time, the German rear was very empty. There were no troops as far as Brussels, and the police Most of them were Belgians, who revolted and took control of the police station before Charles's troops arrived."

The German management model is to use a small force to organize a police force, and then use the police force to manage public security.

This method usually looks fine, but once the defense line is broken by the French army, the Belgians, including the police, will rush to revolt.

Therefore, not only did Charles's army encounter no resistance, they also received a lot of help along the way.

For example, there is basically no need to worry about food supplies. People can also provide vehicles, gasoline, and even hope to join the French army...

(Note: Germany learned this lesson during World War II, and its occupation mode was changed to the Wehrmacht fighting on the front line, and the SS followed up in the rear to manage public security and fight guerrillas)

Joffre was stunned for a long time before he digested it.

Then he sighed lightly. He never understood why no matter what kind of battle it was, it was smooth sailing in Charles' hands, while others often suffered heavy casualties and could not move forward half a step.

Staring at the map for a while, Joffre asked: "Do the Germans have troops stationed in Brussels?"

"Of course." Kanais replied: "There is a reserve division, about 20,000 people."

Joffre said "hmm" and gave his evaluation of this battle: "This is a bold and reckless advance. Once blocked by the enemy in Brussels, his troops will face the dilemma of being surrounded by the enemy."

Then Joffre's eyes lit up: "Is Charles in the army?"

"Yes." Kanais gave an affirmative answer: "He followed the 105th Infantry Regiment."

Joffre couldn't help but smile at the corner of his mouth. This was the best news he heard today.

However, at this moment, a staff officer came in with a telegram and reported excitedly: "General, the German troops in Brussels have retreated."

"Retreat?" Joffre was stunned: "Why are they retreating?"

"It is said that there was an explosion in the ammunition depot." The staff officer replied.

Joffre was stunned. Is this a coincidence? Is it luck?

Or... Charles' arrangement? !