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

Chapter 947 Reinforcements for Saarbrücken

At the General Staff headquarters in Berlin, Hindenburg and Ludendorff discussed the defense of the east bank of the Rhine River using a sand table.

This was a weakness in the German command system.

The German army gave its units greater freedom, and local commanders often had to deal with emergencies on their own, so intelligence reports to higher authorities were often delayed.

Hindenburg was still worried about the east bank of the Rhine. Pointing to the waters around Offenburg, he said:

"We should reinforce the artillery in this area."

"The Shire has 'belt bridges,' and in principle, as long as there are enough pontoon bridges, the Shire's troops can be transported to the east bank in a continuous stream."

"The only thing that can stop them is artillery."

No force on Earth can match the Shards. The only way to win is to blow up the pontoon bridge and prevent the Shards from crossing the river.

“But we don’t have any more artillery units, Marshal.” Ludendorff looked troubled. “Unless we transfer the artillery from Saarbrücken.”

Hindenburg hesitated for a moment.

Saarbrücken's artillery was an important part of the defensive line, while Hindenburg's defensive concept was to use mines and artillery in combination to form a three-dimensional, impenetrable defensive line.

Moving the artillery there would undoubtedly weaken Saarbrücken's defenses.

Just as he hesitated, a communications soldier suddenly shouted, "Marshal, Saarbrücken is under attack!"

Hindenburg frowned. What a reckless fellow. It's common knowledge that the Charles is feigning an attack on Saarbrücken. Is there any need to make such a fuss?
Unexpectedly, the communications soldier rushed up to him, holding a telegram, his face pale with anxiety:

"Your Excellency Marshal, Lieutenant General Brandt has sent a message of emergency."

Lieutenant General Brandt was the commander of the 17th Army and the supreme commander of Saarbrücken, responsible for its defense.

"Charles launched an attack with paratroopers, and the 29th, 82nd and 57th Artillery Regiments suffered heavy losses. The battle is still ongoing."

"The Saarbrücken defenses are on the verge of collapse. We request reinforcements from the Marshal!"

Hindenburg turned to the communications soldier, looking puzzled: "Parachute troops? Artillery under attack?"

Is the artillery so vulnerable that it can be defeated by paratroopers?

However, the communications officer handed the telegram to Hindenburg: "Marshal, Charles has parachuted approximately 2500 soldiers!"

Hindenburg's pupils dilated instantly, and Ludendorff looked up sharply at Hindenburg, then leaned closer to look at the telegram.

Just as the two were expressing their doubts about the number, another telegram arrived: "Another batch of troops has parachuted into Saarbrücken, numbering approximately 2500."

Hindenburg and Ludendorff exchanged a glance, and both saw terror in each other's eyes.

This proves that the number 2500 for parachute jumps is correct and no further verification is needed.

“We’ve been tricked.” Ludendorff swallowed hard. “Charles’ target isn’t Offenburg but Saarbrücken. His attacks in that direction are never feints.”

Hindenburg said nothing, and slowly turned his gaze to Saarbrücken on the map.

As the Chief of the General Staff, his first consideration was not whether he would be fooled, but how to respond.

After a moment, he coldly ordered: "Order the air force to immediately reinforce Saarbrücken."

Hindenburg realized that air superiority was key to Saarbrücken, and only by regaining air superiority could they stop Charles's paratroopers from continuing to be deployed behind the defensive lines.

Just like how artillery had to blow up a pontoon bridge to stop the enemy from crossing the river.

"Which one?" the staff officer asked.

Hindenburg gritted his teeth and forced out a few words: "All of them!"

The French fighter planes have the advantage; to achieve victory, they need a sufficient number. "Yes, sir," the staff officer replied.

Hindenburg pointed to the map and continued to issue orders: "Order the 13th Army and the 9th Army to immediately send reinforcements to Saarbrücken."

These two army groups were positioned on the left and right flanks of the Saarbrücken line.

"Order the 17th Army Artillery to retreat immediately!"

Artillery units are usually mobile by cars or horses, making them less likely to be caught by enemy paratroopers.

This was a way to protect the artillery. Hindenburg believed that "as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn." Only by preserving more artillery could they possibly exert their combat power in the near future.

However, this order had the opposite effect.

Hindenburg had no experience facing enemy paratroopers for the first time. He did not realize that the paratroopers could not control their landing point in the air and scattered in various places to fight independently.

If the German artillery remained stationary, it would be fine. However, it would be difficult for paratroopers with only light weapons to break through the artillery lines, and there was a possibility of running out of ammunition.

However, if artillery is ambushed by paratroopers while maneuvering along roads, it can only be described as "delivering themselves to the enemy's doorstep."

Finally, Hindenburg ordered: "Order the 17th Army to hold the line and not allow Charles's troops to advance an inch!"

He looked up at Ludendorf, who was leaning closer: "As long as the 17th Army holds off Charles's troops until reinforcements arrive, we still have hope."

Ludendorff nodded:

"Don't worry, Marshal, that's a minefield, a minefield two kilometers deep."

"We laid hundreds of thousands of landmines there."

"Even without artillery cover, it would be difficult for Charles to get through before nightfall."

Once darkness falls, Char's tanks and aircraft will be unable to fight, allowing the Germans to eliminate the 5000 paratroopers who have landed in the rear, and the Saarbrücken Line can be redeployed and stabilized.

Hindenburg gave a faint "hmm," which was exactly what he intended.

However, he was not as confident as Ludendorff.

Charles always thought ahead of him, even coming up with the horrifying tactic of "mass parachute landings".

Does that mean he also has a way to get through the minefield?

……

German planes arrived late at the Saarbrücken front.

Triplanes, like red dragonflies, flew densely in the airspace at the front, including Richthofen's 11th Hunting Squadron.

Their mission was to stop the French army from continuing its parachute landings.

Chaos reigned in the German rear, with flames and black smoke everywhere. Artillery was firing wildly, and explosions were constant, all occurring within the German lines.

Some aircraft lowered their altitude in an attempt to attack the French paratroopers who were causing chaos.

Richthofen shook his head slightly and gave a disdainful smile.

These fools! French paratroopers are mixed in with German positions. They can't even tell friend from foe. What role can they play?
After flying for a while, Richthofen realized something was wrong.

They say French planes are blocking the Saarbrücken road, so why haven't they seen a single enemy plane?

Richthofen then realized the problem: the French had anticipated their arrival and were preparing for an aerial battle here!
He gritted his teeth and raised his hand to give his subordinates the order to climb.

Gaining a high altitude advantage before the big battle is the wise choice!

(End of this chapter)