I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 840: Fight of the Cornered Beast

At nine in the morning, a ray of sunlight unexpectedly broke through the clouds, draping a thin layer of golden gauze over this rain-soaked world.

On the muddy road, the French-American Allied Army was inserting into Reims at maximum speed.

Fortunately, the road leading to Reims was much wider.

Additionally, the German Army seemed eager to improve the routes between Reims and the surrounding high grounds, enhancing their connectivity and reinforcement speed, working overnight to repair and reinforce the roads.

As a result, the French-American Allied Army’s march was much faster than before, and it was estimated that they would reach Reims in just one hour.

In the armored vehicle, Pershing sat next to Chares, discussing the upcoming battle with excitement as he spread out a map.

"We have two options," Pershing said. "We can either attack Reims directly or divide our forces to attack Saint-Thierry Mountain and Beihan Mountain."

Pershing then analyzed, "I believe we should attack the high grounds first. The reason being that our troops are not well-suited for street fighting, even though we have infantry."

Chares’s forces comprised mechanized and motorized units, with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, motorcycles, and other equipment that were difficult to utilize effectively in street combat.

Especially semi-open armored vehicles, which, when used in street combat, were often destroyed by German hand grenades thrown in at close range.

Moreover, the US Army infantry, for over a month, had only been trained in "rolling defense" or "infantry-tank coordination," and were unfamiliar with street fighting.

Conversely, if they attacked the high ground from both the east and west, they could easily trap the German main force within Reims City.

But Chares didn’t think so. He glanced at the map and said, "General, have you heard of ’the fight of cornered beasts’?"

Pershing shook his head blankly.

Chares explained:

"This phrase means that if we corner the enemy with no way out, they will fight us to the last man with a do-or-die mentality."

"Conversely, if we leave the enemy a path of retreat, they will waver between ’holding fast’ and ’breaking out’."

"Internally, they might even split into two factions, with some supporting holding fast and others hoping to break through, leaving the soldiers at a loss."

Pershing was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood Chares’s point.

Capturing the two high grounds would indeed be simpler, but it would besiege Reims, forcing the German main force to hold out like a cornered beast.

Once the German 17th Army arrived, it was still uncertain who would win.

But if they attacked Reims directly, despite its vulnerabilities and numerous gaps, it could quickly collapse German morale and scatter their main force, determining the outcome in a short time.

"You’re right, Vice Admiral," Pershing agreed. "We should attack Reims."

He felt a tinge of guilt, realizing there was still quite a gap in practical command experience compared to Chares, a significant gap.

Pershing even found it strange that Chares, at just 19 years old, knew such astounding tactics and principles.

...

Reims City.

Whenever the German Army occupied a city, they usually established their command at the city hall.

The reason being, city halls served as the center for a city’s transportation and communication, and placing the command there facilitated operations while making it easier to control the entire city.

Hutier was no exception; after the German Army captured Reims, the city hall’s staff was immediately cleared out and converted into a military institution.

Hutier was quite satisfied with this location, noting that the French were rather extravagant, as Reims, though just a small city of 100,000, had a city hall that was luxuriously decorated.

He even enjoyed the local specialty Moët & Chandon champagne, which had a great taste, prompting him to have a few extra glasses.

This led to a good night’s sleep for him the previous evening.

He considered this a good phenomenon because the battlefield needed such relaxation.

(The above image is of Moët & Chandon champagne, founded in 1743, with an important cellar in Reims, and was Napoleon’s favorite champagne.)

The next day, Hutier shared breakfast with dozens of subordinates in the army group, dining on steaks paired with champagne.

"This is one of the perks of victory," Hutier waved his knife and fork. "We can enjoy the finest spoils for free. I’m a bit impatient to try the rib-eye steak in Paris."

His subordinates chuckled as they ate, relaxed.

Not long ago, they thought it was impossible; some even believed Germany was at its wits’ end.

But suddenly, the tide turned, and they managed to encircle Chares’s elite troops, the main French force, and 300,000 US troops.

Victory was within sight!

As long as they held firm on the Meuse River defense line, the elite French forces would be entirely obliterated, and Paris would be within their grasp.

The subordinates praised Hutier in a cacophony of voices:

"Thanks to the General’s command, especially the ’Hutier Tactics,’ the enemy stands before us like a withering tree."

"Chares invented many tactics and achieved many victories, but with just one tactic, one victory, we can defeat him."

"To our victory, to our strategy, to our admiral and empire, cheers!"

...

Generals raised their glasses in salute to Hutier from afar.

With a friendly smile, Hutier gracefully raised his glass in response, realizing at that moment why Napoleon was so fond of this champagne.

It symbolized victory, the taste of victory, once savored, leaves a lifelong impression.

Suddenly.

"Boom boom boom."

"Boom boom!"

...

A series of explosions accompanied by intense tremors caused the chandeliers above the dining table to sway and clink softly.

Hutier paused, then "Hmm"ed, "It seems the battle is quite intense."

The generals laughed again.

They held high confidence in their defense line, believing no one could breach the high ground under these conditions.

If the enemy did so, it would be another "River Somme massacre," replicating the day when England suffered 100,000 casualties in one day, this time on the US troops.

However, as the generals continued to enjoy their leisurely meal and wine, a staff officer hurriedly rushed to the table to report to Hutier: "General, it’s Mount Montbeh, Chares has captured it."

"Clang," a dining knife slipped onto a porcelain plate, producing a discordant noise.

Hutier squinted his eyes and turned to the staff officer, asking coldly, "What did you say?"

"Mount Montbeh has fallen, General," the staff officer replied. "Chares, Chares planted explosives on the high ground in advance, nearly flattening Mount Montbeh, which is now under US control. Chares’s forces are advancing through the Reims Valley."

Hutier gritted his teeth; to think this was possible, that Chares had planted explosives on the high ground.

This cunning fellow!

Then the staff officer urgently added, "There’s also a rumor that explosives are planted under the city hall building."

The officers were momentarily stunned; someone was eager to stand up, and if not for Hutier’s murderous glare stopping them, they might have already bolted.