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

Chapter 940 Everyone was outmaneuvered by Charles

Almost everyone was plotting against Charles—the British, the Americans, and the Germans, whether enemies or allies.

But in the end, everyone was outsmarted by Ciel.

The British and Americans did not disclose their battle plans to the Germans.

It was Charles himself who revealed the plan, and afterwards Charles would occasionally leak information, leading the Germans to believe that his attack on Saarbrücken was a feint.

The British and American leaders are still waiting for the main force of Chelsea to cross the Rhine River, so that they can then seize Chelsea's "Achilles' heel".

Only Pershing knew nothing about the entire "conspiracy".

After returning to the U.S. military command headquarters in Freeman with Charles, he immediately began to deploy a "feint attack" on Salbukhon.

"To be honest," Pershing remained skeptical of Charles's battle plan:
"It's very difficult for us to fool the Germans."

"Because everyone knows that your main force is the First Armored Corps."

"Wherever the First Armored Corps appears, that will inevitably be the main direction of attack."

The First Panzer Corps was too big a target, especially the "Char B2" tank, which had become the symbol of the First Panzer Division.

And once it's on the road, it's almost impossible to hide.

Charles went with the flow:

"It's very simple."

"All we need to do is deploy the First Armored Corps at Freeman."

"This will cause the German army to concentrate its main force in the Saarbrücken direction, and when the time is right, we will transfer the First Panzer Corps to Strasbourg."

Pershing frowned and considered for a moment:

“This is one way, but once ‘Charles B2’ appears, the enemy will be able to identify the number immediately.”

"The key question is, are you sure the 'Char B2' can operate on the east bank of the Rhine?"

Charles asked with a hint of helplessness, "Otherwise what? Do you have any other ideas?"

Pershing expressed his understanding:

"Yes, Saarbrücken is similar."

"The rest of the Hindenburg Line is either forest or high ground, which is also unsuitable for mechanized forces to attack."

After a moment of silence, Pershing looked up at Charles and said sincerely, "I owe you an apology, Lieutenant General."

"What?" Charles looked bewildered.

“I mean, the joint operations between the US and British forces,” Pershing said. “Although it was an order from above, but…”

“This is none of your business, General,” Charles replied. “It is the national interest.”

Pershing shook his head:

"That's the key point: what I consider to be national interests is different from what they consider to be national interests."

"In their eyes, national interests are loans and money."

"What I saw was tactics, equipment, and technology!"

Charles suddenly understood why Pershing had always been at odds with the US government.

It wasn't because of personal feelings for Charles, but rather from the perspective of military development.

He believed that America's national interest should be to follow France and learn from the Charles, rather than to unite with Britain for the sake of loans.

"Indeed," Pershing sighed.
"If $100 billion becomes a bad debt, it could bring down the US government, but that would just mean a change of government, and it has nothing to do with me."

"Compared to loans and government transitions, the development of the military is clearly the most important thing."

“Because politics, economics, discourse power, prestige, etc., are all based on the military, just like what you are doing now.” Charles realized that Pershing had seen through him.

Pershing was not just a professional soldier; he was the only clear-headed person in the U.S. military.

He knew that military strength was always the most important thing.

Wilson, Creel, and Baker were concerned with avoiding being forced to step down due to bad debts, not with national interests.

Charles thought of Gallieri, who was very similar to Pershing in this respect; both of them had only national interests in their eyes, the real national interests.

“So,” Pershing extended his hand to Charles:
“I will do my best to work in this direction. I believe the United States should join the ‘international alliance’.”

"I hope that the loan crisis will be resolved after this battle, and that my government and I can reach a consensus on this matter."

"No one is foolish enough to be your enemy, and the United States is no exception."

Charles shook Pershing's hand: "I look forward to America's participation!"

Although he said that, Charles knew it was impossible.

Wilson would not be content to be a pawn, nor would he join the Shire's League of Nations as part of the system. He would form another alliance to oppose the Shire, and might even unite with Great Britain.

……

The British, American, and French armed forces have entered a state of intensive preparation for war.

Charles transferred the First Armored Corps to Freeman and established the Allied Command there.

The supreme commander was Charles, while the US and British forces were respectively led by Pershing and Hague.

With the arrival of French troops, the British and American forces were able to organize more and more troops.

This was not only because their morale soared due to their belief in the French army's ability to bring victory, but also because they had rekindled their faith in the war:
"This is a battle commanded by Charles. Unlike capitalists and politicians, he won't send us to the battlefield for the sake of loans."

"Yes, the Charles is for peace, for the elimination of war, and for the victory of all mankind."

"As long as the Germans withdraw from Romania and Italy, Charles will not attack; that is the true honor!"

……

This is the dark side of war: the soldiers fighting on the front lines are the ones who truly value justice, conviction, and honor, while those politicians in high positions who talk about "honor" every day are actually talking about self-interest.

Naked self-interest.

Tanks drove by one after another, "Charles A1" and "Charles B2," swaggering along the highway across Freeman toward the front lines, leaving deep track marks on the road and streets.

The temporarily recruited men then filled the muddy pits with stones and sand so that the next convoy of tanks could pass through.

Supplies and materials were transported to warehouses in large quantities by train and truck, with a constant stream of people coming and going. Everywhere there were engineers and logistics troops moving supplies.

Charles also opened temporary airports on both sides of Freeman.

That was preparation for battle. If fighter jets were hit and damaged on the front lines and needed to make an emergency landing, the temporary airfield would be their lifeline.

One cannon after another was set up, its barrels towering high towards the German positions, making it appear as if a major offensive was about to begin.

In the other direction, the gathering in Strasbourg was much more low-key.

Tassini led the 2nd Special Artillery Division and Special Mechanized Division of Army Group East to conduct reorganization and training there.

They were given a new designation: the Third Armored Corps.

The armored forces located in Belgium, under the command of Christine, were organized into the Second Armored Corps.

……

None of these actions escaped the eyes of German spies, and they were all delivered to Hindenburg's desk without exception.

Hindenburg looked at the telegram and nodded heavily: "Our guess was correct; Charles's target is indeed Offenburg."

(End of this chapter)