Chapter 470 The Commander-in-Chief Has Rested, You Must Not Wake Him Up

Verdun in September was quite cold. The sun didn't show up all day long. Only when it was about to go down the mountain, it sparsely shed a few rays of color through the fog, just like giving a little alms to the soldiers stationed at the border confronting each other. .

Suddenly a call came from the quiet air: "Hey, German, how are you doing today?"

It was a young French soldier. He leaned on the side of the trench and raised his head and shouted toward the opposite side so that his voice could travel farther.

This is a way for frontline soldiers to relieve their loneliness. They often talk to the enemy and find a little excitement in this tense, dull, and depressing life day after day.

Usually the German will answer in stiff French:

"I had a good day today. I received a letter from my wife and she also sent me a photo."

"But I heard bad news. My eighteen-year-old child has also been drafted into the army. You must show mercy when you see him."

"By the way, I also received a bottle of wine, which was great!"

…

But today the Germans said nothing. There was silence on the other side, as if all the German soldiers were dead.

The French soldier who received no response was a little disappointed. He cursed angrily: "These bastards just know how to sleep. When the battle starts, don't blame me for rushing into the trench and cutting off your ears!"

The French soldiers around him laughed.

At this time, Delion appeared in front of the trench with his staff and several guards, and the soldiers stood up to pay tribute.

Delion nodded and asked expressionlessly: "Is there anything new?"

"No, Colonel, nothing." Captain Erlonchi, who was in charge here, stepped forward and answered.

The young soldier interjected: "The Germans seem to be a lot quieter in the past two days. Maybe they are afraid of us!"

Someone retorted: "You didn't do anything, Leo. If Ciel were here, they would have reason to be afraid!"

The soldiers laughed a little again.

Delion didn't say anything. He took out his telescope and leaned in front of the trench, stepped on it and then carefully poked his head out.

The trench fell silent for an instant, and the soldiers looked at De Leon with bated breath. Some even grabbed their rifles and prepared to provide cover for the colonel.

They have rich combat experience and know that it is very dangerous to probe the enemy's situation when the sunset shines into the trenches.

Fortunately there was no gunfire from the other side, and after a few minutes DeLeon withdrew his head.

Derion sat on the pedal and was stunned for a while, seeming to recall what he had just seen.

Then he ordered the soldiers in a deep voice: "Stay vigilant and pay attention to the enemy's movements."

"Yes, Colonel."

As soon as Derion entered the traffic trench, he whispered to Charles: "Something is wrong. The Germans may take action."

Charles nodded palely: "I feel something strange too, Colonel..."

"No, it's not just strange." Colonel Delion replied: "Some artillery has removed the camouflage blocking the muzzle!"

Charles' eyes widened instantly: "You mean, tonight..."

Colonel Derion nodded slightly: "It's probably tonight!"

After walking a few more steps, he turned back and ordered: "Send power to the headquarters immediately and report to them the situation here."

"Yes, Colonel." Charles responded habitually, but then replied: "But as before, we cannot have our hopes up."

Colonel Derion nodded to express his understanding.

More than a month later, Delion's over-the-top report made Xiafei point the finger at Delion. Xiafei even sent a message to the entire army:

"Officers should direct issues to the correct channels."

"The soldiers under my command jumped over the top and sent their complaints or protests about the implementation of my orders to the government. This is simply a deliberate attempt to disrupt the discipline of the army and undermine the unity within the army!"

Although Xiafei did not name him, everyone knew that he was talking about Delion.

Many people speculate that the reason why Colonel DeLeon was not removed or punished is because he has another identity: a congressman.

After thinking for a while, Colonel Delion added the order: "We should send a few more communications troops, maybe it will attract the attention of the headquarters. Tell the commander-in-chief that this is not the time to have personal vendettas!"

Lieutenant Colonel Charles nodded: "I'll make arrangements right away."

Soon, a tricycle flew out of the fortress. The tricycle carried three soldiers: a driver and a guard. In the side seat sat the most eloquent major staff officer in the regiment: Jules .

Lieutenant Colonel Charles hoped that Major Jules could at least win something for Verdun.

…

At the Ragden headquarters, Joffre's eyes were fixed on Belfort on the map.

A few days earlier, he had received warning from the British that the real German target was probably Belfort and that all actions at Verdun were likely to be feints.

"I knew it!" When receiving this information, Xiafei said proudly: "No one would choose Verdun as a breakthrough point, unless he is a fool or a blind man!"

The next second, he ordered the main force of the 7th Army to be transferred to Belfort, including the large-caliber artillery that had just been removed from Verdun.

"We should also transfer the First Artillery Division there." Joffre pointed to Belfort and said to Kanais.

"Strengthening Belfort's defense?" Kanais didn't understand: "But the role of tanks seems to be for offense."

"Of course it's an attack." Xiafei replied: "Defense is just a facade, Kanais. Once the enemy's attack loses momentum, the tank troops will immediately launch a counterattack to catch the Germans off guard!"

Joffre was still thinking about his "encirclement plan".

At this time, a signalman sent a telegram: "General, Colonel De Leon called and said that the Germans are about to launch an attack, and the time is likely to be tonight."

Joffre snorted coldly, with a trace of contempt on the corner of his mouth: "He knows nothing."

The signalman said: "But he mentioned that a large number of German troops were gathering in Verdun, and their artillery was ready to fire."

"That was just a play played by the Germans." Joffre asserted: "He only saw part of it, but thought it was all!"

Joffre's eyes were helpless, and he looked up at the signalman and said: "Let him do his own thing."

"Yes, General!"

...

It was 9:30 in the middle of the night, and Major Jules's sidecar arrived in Lagden.

Major Jules first found a phone, and he hoped to tell Colonel De Leon that they had arrived.

Unexpectedly, just after the call was connected, a burst of artillery fire and Colonel De Leon's roar came from the microphone:

"They opened fire, the artillery fire was unprecedentedly fierce, at least thousands of large-caliber artillery were bombarding us!"

"Our radio was damaged, report this matter immediately to..."

The voice was cut off before he finished speaking, and no matter how Major Jules shouted, it was useless.

Major Jules guessed that this might be because the telephone line was broken by the shells, which meant that the front line could not contact the rear.

He quickly hung up the phone and headed towards Xiafei's headquarters, and soon he ran.

The military situation was urgent and could not be delayed at all. Every minute and every second could determine the life and death of the soldiers on the front line, as well as the victory or defeat of the battle!

However, he was stopped by the guards as soon as he ran to the entrance of the headquarters.

"I want to see the commander-in-chief, right now!" Major Jules shouted anxiously.

"Sorry, Major." The guard responded coldly: "The commander-in-chief has gone to bed, you can't wake him up!"

Jules was stunned for a moment, he forgot that Joffre had the habit of going to bed on time!

(Note: This paragraph is written according to historical facts. The Battle of Verdun had already begun. The messenger who delivered the news rushed to the headquarters, but was told that the general had gone to bed and could not wake him up)