Chapter 557 Are You Ready for the Fight?

Haig revealed not much information to the newspaper. At this stage, he did not dare to reveal the mutiny of the French army. What he wanted was for both the German army and the Charles to suffer losses, rather than the complete collapse of the French army.

Therefore, the media expressed more doubts about Charles being appointed commander of the 6th Army:

"It is well known that Charles is better at fighting mobile warfare. When he served as the commander of the 6th Army to confront the Germans on the Somme River, he had to fight head-on positional warfare with the Germans. This was undoubtedly a challenge for Charles."

"Charr has never commanded such a large force before, and it may have overwhelmed him."

"This may not be a good thing for Charles. After all, he is only 18 years old. With inexperience, can he withstand this huge pressure? We will wait and see!"

…

Compared with the lukewarm response from the newspapers, the parliament’s doubts about Charles were as turbulent as the tide:

"I believe Ciel doesn't know how to operate. He actually refused the soldiers' demands for negotiations, and those demands were not excessive!"

In the eyes of the congressmen, the three demands made by the soldiers were indeed not excessive.

Defence, holidays, plus Charles as commander-in-chief.

If there is anything that is excessive, it is the last one.

But everyone knew that they could agree first and then go back on their word after the troops were back under control.

How could they have known that the soldiers who had been deceived time and time again had long been wary of this approach. On the contrary, it was Charles's "limited promise" that convinced the soldiers, because the soldiers generally believed that Charles's attitude was the only one that could convince them. It is "really considering the feasibility of the conditions."

"Yes, this is the main reason why the frontline is so slow to recover. He also sent Major General Raymond and his party to a military court. Doesn't he know that Major General Raymond is on his side?"

The congressmen regarded the soldiers as "enemies" as a matter of course, and believed that the officers led by Major General Raymond were the right and left hands that Charles could use.

However, as soon as Charles reached the front line, his left and right hands were chopped off, leaving him alone.

They have been in the parliament for a long time and do not know that if they regard soldiers as enemies, they will inevitably become enemies.

Ciel regards the soldiers as allies, and the so-called "left and right hands" are the "enemies".

"What's more important is that Charles can't control the situation. I mean, what can he do on the Somme? That's a frontal battle with a large corps. Charles may not be good at this. We need to consolidate our defense immediately!"

This is the point Nivelle left behind.

Although he has been dismissed, many people believe that what he said has a certain truth. Charles has no experience in commanding 200,000 people.

More importantly, Ciel is good at offense rather than defense, and he is good at mobile warfare rather than positional warfare.

What the Somme demands now is defense, a defense that will not collapse when the Germans launch a counterattack, and that is imminent!

Gallieni glanced at the congressman coldly without saying a word. Do these guys really think that's all Charles is capable of?

As Charles said, his tactics are neither "offensive" nor "defensive", but "adaptive."

Another meaning of "adaptive" is that he has no shortcomings. He attacks when he needs to attack and defends when he needs to defend.

The Battle of Verdun had proven this, but these fools still spared no effort to slander Charles.

Steed, Wells and others didn't say much, they knew what was going on.

These congressmen did not really think that Charles was not good, they just took bribes from the British to gain momentum for the British.

Just imagine, if the Shire can achieve results on the Somme, how can we explain the fact that the British killed 100,000 people in one day but made no progress?

Many centrist congressmen also understood this. Some of them looked indifferent, some looked indignant, and some had ridicule written all over their faces.

But again, they don't bother to argue because this is a group of people who are pretending to be asleep and there is no point in arguing with them.

Only Armand, who was watching the fun, didn't think it was a big deal. He stood up and said teasingly:

"Gentlemen, you are trying every possible means to prove to us that Ciel cannot control the situation. What is your purpose?"

"Am I to understand that we should remove the Shire and put someone else in charge of the Somme?"

"Then I just want to know, who should we replace?"

There was no sound in the venue instantly.

God, how is it possible!

Charles is the only one who can possibly stabilize the defense. Replace him?

Go crazy!

That would destroy France and everything!

Armand shook his head and sat back in his seat, his eyes full of disgust and disgust.

This group of bastards whose words and deeds are inconsistent, slander Ciel in all kinds of words, but have to rely on Ciel in their actions.

Charles is running on the front lines to save your lives, but you are the mouthpiece of the British in the rear!

Gallieni smiled and nodded to Armand. He found that this royalist was not so annoying, at least he did not sell himself to the British.

…

On the north bank of the Somme, the British Army Command Headquarters.

The rain is getting heavier and heavier, and the water of the Somme has begun to rise. There used to be a large shoal on the bank, but now it is completely submerged. A large area of ​​foxtail grass is struggling in the new water level, as if it wants to get rid of it all.

Haig held up his telescope in the semi-buried bunker and looked at the French troops on the south bank of the Somme. They still did not move.

The staff officer reported next to him:

"The public opinion we mobilized in newspapers and in parliament was not very effective."

"Shire's record is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and people believe that he can stabilize the defense."

"At the same time, the councilors are convinced that no one is more suitable than Ciel!"

Haige said "hmm", which was within his expectation.

Charles's military exploits were too dazzling, and his inventions were all miracles.

He could be said to be the hope of France, the god of war of France, and an unshakable belief.

It was simply wishful thinking to overthrow him with just the war of public opinion!

However, this was just Haige's preparation.

When the time was ripe, the German army launched an attack and defeated Charles' troops in one fell swoop, and Haige could easily destroy this belief!

"How many troops did Charles gather?" Haige asked, this was the most important thing.

"Another 30,000 people returned to the team today." The staff officer replied: "So far, there are about 130,000 people in total."

Haige secretly praised in his heart, worthy of being Charles, 210,000 people were gathered in just a few days. In a few days, the 6th Army will probably be fully recovered.

It's almost time to take action. If it's too late, the Germans may not be able to push, after all, that's Charles!

Thinking about it, Haig hooked his finger at the staff officer, and whispered something in his ear when the staff officer came closer.

The staff officer looked at Haig in shock, as if he couldn't believe what he heard.

But seeing the affirmation and determination on Haig's face, he responded with difficulty: "Yes, General."

Haig's eyes turned to the direction of the French army on the south bank again, with a sneer on his face.

The show has begun, "Mars of France", are you ready for the battle?