I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

Chapter 74 Secret Mission
I'm really too late today, I haven't finished coding the third chapter yet, so I only have two updates! I'll continue with three updates tomorrow!
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The next day was cloudy. Paris was already foggy, and without the sun it seemed even darker. I had the illusion that it was going to rain, and it felt strangely depressing.

The Paris defense headquarters was unusually busy that day.

Originally, the war on the front line had little to do with the Paris City Defense Command. After all, the front line was far away from Paris, and Paris was no longer in danger, so of course there was no need for city defense.

However, the parliament did not trust Joffre due to the previous battles. Many people believed that the heavy casualties suffered by the army and the crisis in Paris were due to Joffre's strategic mistakes:
Before the war, France knew about the German Schlieffen Plan in advance, and it was no secret that almost everyone knew that the main force of the German army would pass through Belgium and outflank Paris from the right wing.

At this time, Joffre only needed to place the main French force in the north, that is, on the German army's marching route, dig trenches and garrison, and the French army would not suffer such a heavy loss and Paris would not be in danger.

However, knowing the German offensive plan, Joffre still formulated the so-called "Plan 17", which, contrary to the norm, placed the main force of the French army south of the border to attack Alsace and Lorraine.

It perfectly matched the German Schlieffen Plan and ultimately led to the defeat of the French army.

Some members of parliament believed that even spies could not achieve such perfect tacit understanding: Joffre did exactly what the Germans wanted the French to do, knowing the German plans.

However, Joffre was a hero created by capitalists and the media. They were worried that dismissing Joffre or holding him accountable would undermine the confidence of the French military and civilians, so they did not settle accounts with him later.

(Note: If it had only happened once or twice, the parliament would have still treated it as if nothing had happened. However, in subsequent wars, Joffre would fall into every trap set by the Germans without exception. The parliament eventually lost its patience and demoted him in secret: in 1916, he was promoted to marshal and dismissed from his post as commander-in-chief.)
The final decision of the parliament was: Joffre remained the commander-in-chief of the French army, but he had to fully consider Gallieni's advice.

In other words, although Gallieni was the commander of the defense of Paris, he had the right to "assist" Joffre in commanding the French army.

Intelligence from the front flew onto Gallieni's desk like snowflakes, mainly from the Antwerp fortress in Belgium:

"General, the Belgian army called and said, 'If the situation does not improve, the Belgian government will have to withdraw from Antwerp within three days!'"

"The British army said they are unable to reinforce Antwerp, and they hope we can send reinforcements!"

"The Belgian government called and said that the Germans launched another artillery attack and another Belgian fortress was breached. The situation is extremely critical!"

……

Gallieni frowned. The Antwerp fortress was very important to the Allies. Once it was captured, it almost meant that Belgium could no longer tie down the German army's logistics transportation in the rear as before, and the German army's ammunition supplies could be continuously transported to the French front through Belgium.

The first person Gallieni thought of was Charles. Would he have a solution?

But this idea was quickly rejected. Charles was not God, and this was a siege battle with cannons bombarding each other, a collision between fortresses and steel. What could he do!
So when Gallieni saw Charles coming up the stairs he simply nodded and returned to his papers.

"General!" Colonel Durand stepped forward and reported, "The commander-in-chief wants us to send someone to Antwerp to investigate the situation and give a detailed report!"

Gallieni said "hmm", and focusing on the intelligence in his hands, he responded casually: "You go and deal with it!"

"Yes, General!" Colonel Durand stepped forward and walked toward the stairs.

He looked hurried, and did not stop when he passed by Charles, nor did he even tilt his head, but he ordered in a deep voice: "Follow me, Lieutenant Charles, the general has a mission for you, an urgent mission!"

"Yes, Colonel!" Charles responded. He had seen Colonel Durand talking to Gallieni, although he had not heard what they said.

What could be the emergency mission?

Charles was a little curious. Could they be going to stand guard or practice military posture?

After going downstairs, Colonel Durand took Charles directly into the car and drove Charles to the destination himself.

"Let's go to the airport!" After the car started, Colonel Durand explained while steering the wheel: "Your mission is to take a plane to a place called Antwerp. We need to know the detailed situation there, such as the Belgian army's casualties, the number of surviving fortresses, the enemy's firepower and deployment, etc. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!" replied Charles.

He was a little nervous. He didn't expect it to be so soon, taking a plane and going to the battlefield!

Although he was investigating the situation instead of fighting with a rifle, it was still dangerous.

Then Colonel Durand reminded Charles: "This is a secret operation, Lieutenant. We can't let the Germans know that the French are assessing Antwerp. This will let them know that we have a reinforcement plan. So, you can't discuss it with anyone, including the pilots, understand?"

"Understood, sir!" Charles nodded and swallowed hard. He felt a little chill on his face.

But he still comforted himself in his heart: there would be no danger. If there was any danger, General Gallieni would not send him to this place. Maybe this was just a test for himself!

This thought made Charles feel a little relieved.

But soon he became nervous again. He hadn't even learned how to use a pistol. What if he encountered an enemy? Or was it possible that he wouldn't encounter an enemy in this mission?
The car drove into a small airport, and when Charles saw a toy-like wooden biplane parked on the platform, he turned pale with fright.

He's not going to ride this thing into the battlefield, is he?
"I've never been on a plane, Colonel!" Charles looked at Colonel Durand nervously.

"Then you're lucky!" Durand parked the car next to the plane and nodded to Charles: "You're about to take the plane!"

Charles got out of the car tremblingly and walked towards the plane. Durand added from behind: "Don't worry, Lieutenant! This mission is very safe. We have assigned you the best pilot!"

The pilot was sitting in the cockpit. When he heard this, he turned around and grinned. He was a middle-aged man with a greasy face and a mustache.

"Don't worry!" The pilot shouted to Charles confidently, "It'll be fine. I can fly it to the destination with my eyes closed!"

However, when Ciel climbed into the cabin he smelled a hint of alcohol.

He looked at the pilot in horror: "Uncle, have you been drinking?"

The pilot turned around, raised the wine bottle in his hand, and asked enthusiastically, "Would you like some?"

Ciel: ...

(End of this chapter)