Chapter 559: Charles Begins to Counterattack

Haig was awakened by the sound of artillery in his sleep. He rolled over and got up, suddenly opened the door and took a few steps to the observation window and raised his telescope.

The French positions on the south bank have burst into flames, as if they were caught in a sea of ​​fire, while the British positions are almost empty.

Obviously, the Germans concentrated their artillery fire on the south bank of the Somme to attack the French defenses.

A proud smile appeared on Haig's face. The battle was developing as he hoped. He could soon hear the cry for help from Charles and the Parliament.

After thinking for a while, Haig ordered the staff: "Notify the French Army Ministry that the German army has suddenly launched an attack, and the offensive is concentrated on the French defense line on the south bank of the Somme River!"

"Yes, General!"

Haig smiled lightly, he was happy to inform Paris of this "good news".

…

The Palais Bourbon in Paris, in addition to the parliament hall, there is also a series of annex buildings, more than a hundred of them, including residences that provide food and accommodation for members of Parliament who come from afar.

Therefore, even though the Parliament is under martial law and almost isolated from the outside world, it can still maintain the elegance of members, live in single rooms and enjoy delicious food.

Gallieni also lives there. In order to better protect the members from wandering around, he specially chose the first floor.

Unlike the MPs, he is in charge of martial law and keeps in touch with the outside world at all times and conveys information to the Parliament in real time.

At 5:10 in the morning, Gallieni hadn't gotten up yet, but he was already awake.

He had a long debate with the lawmakers last night. He believed that the top priority must be to elect a commander-in-chief as soon as possible to take charge of the overall situation.

The crisis of mutiny on the front line was not limited to the Somme.

Although the Somme is the source, it has spread to other areas and is still growing.

The Charles can only stabilize the situation on the Somme, but is beyond its reach in other directions.

Once the German army launched a full-scale counterattack, the blow to the French army would still be fatal.

However, the characteristic of the parliament is its "slowness". It took several days to initially decide on the candidates: Pétain, Foch, and Charles.

Shire was only nominated, proposed by Steed and Wells.

But Gallieni knew in his heart that Charles was unlikely to be selected.

It's not because Ciel isn't good enough, but because he is too good, so good that the parliament regards him as a "dictator" who may not need parliament.

Whoever it is, pick him out as soon as possible, Gallieni thought.

In the current situation, even choosing idiots like Joffre and Nivel would be better than no commander-in-chief.

At this time there was a knock on the door.

Before Gallieni could respond, Lieutenant Colonel Fernand's anxious voice came: "General, the Germans have launched an attack. On the Somme, they only attacked the French defense line!"

Gallieni's complexion changed drastically, and he turned over and sat up from the bed as if he had been pricked by needles.

Only attack the French defense line?

The Germans must know something!

Who revealed the news?

Gallieni stood up, quickly put on his military uniform, and ordered: "Call everyone up, immediately! Convene an emergency meeting!"

"Yes, General," Lieutenant Colonel Fernand replied.

…

In the conference hall of the Bourbon Palace, members came in in twos and threes and sat down in their seats, calm and relaxed.

They have no idea about "emergency meetings". Any issue will be delayed for several days. Being able to get up after five o'clock is considered a good thing.

If Lieutenant Colonel Fernand hadn't asked the guards to spread out over a wide area, with each person responsible for urging a congressman, it would have taken at least an hour for them to gather together.

Because after they get up, they have to wash up, have breakfast, chat while eating, and may need to try on a few sets of clothes...

"Gentlemen." Gallieni couldn't wait any longer. He announced loudly before everyone could sit down: "I just received news that the Germans have launched an attack on the Somme!"

The venue was instantly in a commotion, and the congressmen's expressions changed one after another. The congressmen who were still looking for seats froze in place, staring blankly at Gallieni.

"It's obvious." Gallieni added: "The Germans knew something. They only attacked the south bank of the Somme, which is the French defense line."

The congressmen became increasingly uneasy and discussed:

"Someone must have leaked the information and the Germans knew that the French army was in the midst of a massive mutiny."

"Now it's up to Charles. I hope he can block the German attack."

"We should send reinforcements, we can't pin all our hopes on Ciel!"

…

But there was immediate opposition to the idea:

"Sending reinforcements? Don't you know that mutiny is spreading like a plague?"

"If reinforcements are sent to the front line, they may also be 'infected' and mutiny!"

"We can only deploy them in the rear, so that at least we can add another layer of protection to Paris!"

…

It is false to add a layer of security to Paris, but it is true to protect MPs and give them time to retreat.

Everyone knows that if the main forces of the three army groups on the front line are eliminated, the reserve army group with the weakest combat effectiveness left in Gallieni's hands will be unable to support itself, and France will not be far from being destroyed.

At this time, Lieutenant General Ives, who could only stay here due to martial law, could no longer hold himself back.

As a British military commander, Lieutenant General Ives originally had little say in parliament.

But in this extraordinary period, they who have control over materials naturally have some kind of "privileges", or they think they have "privileges".

"Gentlemen!" Lieutenant General Ives walked up to the podium in high spirits. Although he tried his best to hide it, his tone still revealed a bit of pride: "I think it's time to unite. We will not sit idly by and watch our allies fall into danger. I also think that only if we cooperate more deeply can we solve the current crisis!"

Applause broke out in the conference room, and the parliamentarians nodded and praised:

"This is our firm ally."

"Now only Britain can save France."

"He is right. We can't defend our respective lines like before. This will be broken by the Germans one by one!"

...

Steed, Wells, and a group of centrist parliamentarians had no expression on their faces.

They knew that Lieutenant General Ives's words sounded good, but the other meaning was: Kneel down, we will protect you!

The so-called "deeper cooperation" is to let the British infiltrate various French command organizations and fully control the direction of the war.

Galieni also understood this, but he was helpless.

Compared to the Germans' attack on Paris to force France to surrender, the plan proposed by Ives might be easier to accept.

Just when Gallieni was in a dilemma, Lieutenant Colonel Fernand hurried in: "General, Charles has started a counterattack!"

"What? Counterattack?" Gallieni was stunned.

The parliamentarians also looked at Lieutenant Colonel Fernand in disbelief.

It's not even dawn yet, the German artillery preparations haven't been completed, that is, the German attack hasn't started yet, but Charles has started a counterattack?

Relying on those troops who were in a state of mutiny not long ago and whose morale has not yet fully recovered... counterattack? !