Chapter 469: Forcing Xia Fei to Abdicate

Verdun is located in northeastern France.

The terrain here is flat and has been an important military fortress since the Middle Ages. The only few highlands were transformed into fortresses by the French army. Trenches were built in front of the fortresses. If necessary, infantry could enter the trenches and form a ring to protect the fortresses.

At this time, most of the trees in front of the fortress had been cut down or blown up by the French army, leaving only a patch of loess and sparse craters.

(The picture above shows one of the Verdun fortresses: Douaumont Fortress, with its original artillery, 6 120mm guns and artillery pieces)

At this time, Colonel Drion, who was sixty years old, was the commander of the 19th Infantry Regiment stationed in Verdun. He held up his telescope worriedly in the fortress and looked at the German troops in the trenches in the distance.

The German troops were getting denser and denser. Occasionally, Colonel Delion could still see the artillery hidden in the bunker. Although they were camouflaged, they still could not escape Delion's eyes.

"Colonel." At this time, the soldiers behind him came forward and reported: "People from the 7th Army, they said they want to dismantle the fort's artillery."

Colonel Delion looked back and saw a major coming in with a group of soldiers.

"No, Major." Derion hurriedly stepped forward to stop him: "Other places can do it, but not here. This is the front line, and we need artillery!"

The major raised his hands helplessly: "It's useless for you to tell us this, colonel, we are just following orders."

Then the major added: "If you have any questions, you should ask the commander-in-chief for instructions."

Delion hesitated for a while, then finally sighed and stepped aside, watching helplessly as they dismantled the cannon and then carried it away into several parts.

It was not that Colonel Delion had never responded to Joffre, but the answer he got every time was: "I know what to do, you just need to obey the order, Colonel."

Then Xiafei would complain: "These people are always reluctant to part with the equipment in their hands, completely unaware that artillery is useless in the fortress!"

At this time, the "rumble" of the engine came from the sky. Colonel Delion walked out of the fortress and looked into the sky. It was a German reconnaissance plane, and there was another one in the distance.

"Colonel." Lieutenant Colonel Charles, the staff officer, came forward and said, "The Germans are conducting more and more intensive reconnaissance here. They seem to want to take pictures of every inch of land here."

Lieutenant Colonel Charles was also worried. All signs proved that the German army was about to attack Verdun. He could feel this, but Joffre incredibly emptied the fortress.

"What should I do?" Colonel Delion gritted his teeth, turned around and walked quickly towards the rear garage, saying as he walked: "I want to go to Lageden and talk to Joffre."

Lieutenant Colonel Charles caught up from behind: "It won't work, Colonel, you know it."

Colonel Derion's pace slowed down, and he finally nodded helplessly and stopped in place.

He had already told Xiafei what needed to be said in the telegram. Even if he went there in person, it would just be a repetition.

After a moment of silence, Colonel Delion said: "Maybe there is another way, we can report to the government."

Charles was stunned and quickly stopped him: "This is an over-the-top report. Colonel, you will offend Xiafei."

He knew that Colonel Delion had channels, and Colonel Delion could even directly contact Clemenceau or the Minister of War.

Colonel De Lyon was a Member of Parliament for Nancy before the outbreak of the war.

(The picture above shows Colonel Delion during World War I. He was Boulanger’s son-in-law. He entered politics as a retired veteran and was elected as a member of the parliament. After the outbreak of World War I, he resolutely returned to the army and became a colonel. However, he did not leave the parliament and remained a member of the parliament. maintain contact with the parliament as a person and have certain connections in the parliament)

Colonel Delion said "Yeah". He looked in the direction of the German army and nodded slightly: "I know, but I don't care about that now."

…

Originally, the situation in Verdun would not be known to the French government, and Joffre regarded them as military secrets.

But De Leon sent a report to the Paris government:

"The Germans are massing at Verdun, infantry, artillery and aircraft, and we have reason to believe they are about to attack here."

"But our artillery and troops were dismantled and transferred."

"Not only that, we are severely low on supplies, even barbed wire!"

"Verdun is in danger!"

…

This incident instantly caused an uproar in the government and parliament, and the House of Representatives immediately convened a meeting to discuss the matter.

As usual, there were voices for and against:

"I think this is what Joffre did intentionally. As the commander-in-chief, he may have reasons that we don't know."

"And these reasons may not be disclosed to the outside world, otherwise the secrets will be easily leaked!"

"Since we entrusted the army to him, we should trust him and give him enough freedom."

Those who objected responded with sarcasm:

"If it was Charles who did this, I absolutely believe it was the right thing to do, but he is Joffre!"

There was laughter in the House of Representatives. Many people did not believe Joffre's command, including members and government personnel who did not understand military affairs.

At this time Armand stood up. He slowly walked to the podium and said confidently:

"Gentlemen, I don't think this was the right decision."

"Although I didn't know anything, I didn't know intelligence, I didn't know the intentions of the German army, and I didn't even know anything about military affairs."

"But I bet that Joffre must have been fooled this time. He fell into the German trap, again!"

"Think about it, from the attack on Lorraine to the Battle of the Marne or any other battle, Joffre failed to make a timely and correct judgment."

"I can even say that whatever decision Joffre made, we just need to go in the opposite direction to be correct!"

The House of Representatives laughed again.

Armand continued:

"Save those poor French soldiers, listen to their cries."

"They are dying in vain, not because they are not brave or because the enemy is strong, but because they have an incompetent commander-in-chief!"

"Why should we continue to let Joffre stay in the position of commander-in-chief? What did he do?"

The forces supporting Joffre stood up to oppose, and some shouted:

"You shameless traitor, you have no right to say such things."

"Go down, you only want to harm France for your own benefit!"

"You should resign as a member of parliament!"

...

They just shouted, but they didn't expect Armand to answer:

"Very good, I'm going to do that!"

"Let's make a bet. If I'm wrong, I will resign as a member of parliament and disappear from your sight forever."

"But if I'm right..."

Armand paused and said word by word: "Then, we should change someone to be the commander-in-chief of France!"

There was silence in the meeting room, and the parliamentarians realized that Armand was forcing Joffre to abdicate in another way.